First off, Oakland, we double-dog-dare you to be bored on Saturday. There are some brand new and one-of-a-kind events this week, too, and so few meetings, it’s clear that the people who would normally be holding them want to join in the fun. It’ll be a challenge NOT to have crazy fun this week. Enjoy!
Friday, July 25
The Lunchbox Project at Bites Off Broadway
6 – 7 p.m.
Outside 365 45th Street
Please bring your reusable foodware. This includes your own cups, containers, and utensils and order dinner from Bites off Broadway food trucks. RSVP now and be entered to win reusable prizes (like Klean Kanteen and ECOlunchbox products)!
Legends of Cycling
6 – 9 p.m.
Jack London Market Hall, 55 Harrison Street
This is a lively conversation with five famous names in cycling about their careers, how they have helped the growth of cycling, and their observations about the state of cycling today in the US and elsewhere. Bike East Bay invites everybody with an interest in cycling to meet five cycling legends: Gary Fisher, Ryan Leech, Jacquie Phelan, Freddie Rodriguez and Nelson Vails, in a thought-provoking preview to Pedalfest. The conversation will be moderated by long-time cycling journalist Paul Skilbeck, who will point the discussion toward the remarkable breadth of activities and sub-cultures in the cycling world. Questions from the audience will be invited and incorporated into the discourse. All proceeds raised benefit the advocacy work of Bike East Bay. Click here for tickets and more information.
SuperAwesome Salon: Anime & Manga
7 – 9 p.m.
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street
Can’t make it to Comic-Con this year? Join an OMCA celebration of anime, manga, and gaming inspired by Sunshine and Superheroes: San Diego Comic-Con and popular exhibitions SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot and Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records, closing this weekend! Explore edgy and emerging cultural intersections in this exclusive salon during Friday Nights @ OMCA. Mingle with artists, musicians, mixologists, and filmmakers giving informal demonstrations of their craft. Art, music, food, and fashion combine to bring you a sensory experience where you can talk, taste, listen, and share an appreciation of today’s cultural landscape.
Oak Center Cultural Center Fish Fry & Game Night
7 – 10 p.m.
1324 Adeline Street
Come enjoy this evening of games, music, raffles, prizes and good eating! Enjoy southern fried fish, potato salad or spaghetti, dinner roll and dessert. Come show your skills with dominoes, chess, board games and karaoke. For more information, visit www.oakcentercc.org.
Dancing Under the Stars: Bachata
8:30 – 10 p.m.
Foot of Broadway, Jack London Square
From experienced dancers to newbies, everyone is invited to an evening of rhythm, grooving and dancing under the stars! Dancers will kick up their heels and pack Jack London Square for free dance lessons. Each Friday night, Jack London Square will host a different dance theme. Lessons begin at 8:30 p.m., followed by a dance party at 9 to try out all the new moves. For more information, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com.
57th Street Gallery Presents Charlene Moore and Friends
8:30 – 11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
5701 Telegraph Avenue
Charlene Moore was reared under the influence of gospel music and began displaying her talents as a gifted pianist and vocalist at the age of five. She has shared the spotlight with many renowned gospel greats, with a gospel CD to her credit and a current project underway. Charlene’s versatility has afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Recognized for her ability to captivate an audience with her smooth contralto voice accompanied by her tinkling of the ivory, Charlene challenges audiences to prepare to be amazed. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.57thStreetGallery.com.
Saturday, July 26
OHA Walking Tour: “Tracing Terraces: The Linda Vista Tract”
9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
412 Monte Vista Avenue
The eclectic neighborhood known as Linda Vista Terrace features a wide array of historic homes reflecting Oakland’s architectural history, many designed by well-known architects. Discover traces of historic terracing as we explore the evolution of transit in Oakland and its effect on this enclave of handsome homes. If you have them, bring old photos or documents to share. This is a moderately hilly walk on sidewalks, with optional steep pedestrian staircase at the tour’s end.
Adams Point Neighborhood Group
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Grand and Lenox
Volunteer for a good cause, make new friends and improve our community! The Adams Point Neighborhood Group is thrilled to receive a grant from Keep America Beautiful and Bud Light to plant flowers, shrubs and greenery around existing trees on Grand Avenue as it runs along Lake Merritt. This will make Grand more pedestrian-friendly and enhance Adams Point by making the main artery more attractive. Please join Councilmember Lynette McElhaney to add the plants and beautify Grand Avenue. Click here to register. After-party with pizza and beer to follow.
Build Your Own Aquaponics Garden
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
American Steel Studios, 1960 Mandela Parkway
In this workshop, participants will build their own aquaponics gardens and gain a deep understanding of how aquaponic systems work, including aquaponic modeling, aquaculture (fish farming), biological / mechanical filtration, hydroponics (farming without soil), and smart aquaponic technologies.
Melrose Neighborhood Council 13th Annual Fiesta Block Party
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fairfax Business District (between Foothill and Bancroft)
Come join Adams Point neighbors for a Summer Fiesta Party. Fun for all ages, this event features music and entertainment, kids zone with bouncy houses, arts and crafts, local vendor booths, and opportunities to meet elected officials and candidates.
Bay Area Black Expo
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
This event features health screenings, testing, resources, Kiddie Korner, Bay Area Black Expo Talent Show, live performances by local recording artists, spoken word / poetry, skits, dancing, puppet shows, comedy show, vendor showcase, food courts and job recruitment. For more information, visit bayareablackexpo.com.
Pedalfest
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Jack London Square
Pedalfest celebrates all things bicycling. From weekend riders to aspiring racers to hipsters and families, this free festival will pack the Oakland waterfront with more than 20,000 biking enthusiasts enjoying bicycle-themed entertainment, food and exhibits. For more information, visit www.pedalfestjacklondon.com.
Talk and Play: Every Record Has a Story
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street
Hear record aficionados play remarkable records in the Vinyl gallery and share mind-blowing stories from their collections. Unlock some of the biggest secrets behind some of the greatest albums of our time. This Talk and Play program brings together self-professed “recorded music freaks” that will let you in on the stories behind the vinyl they love. Guests include: David Katznelson, Record Producer, President of Birdman Recording Group; Steven Baker, Former President of Warner Brothers Records; Britt Govea, Founder of Folk Yeah Productions; and Josh Rosenthal, Founder, Owner and President of Tompkins Square Records. Talk and Play, a program series in Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records, features guest participants from DJs to music journalists, record collectors to experimental musicians. With something different every week, you might find yourself swapping albums with collectors, learning from an expert about the mechanics of pressing an album, or listening to a specially curated music set.
An Intimate Evening
6 – 11 p.m.
Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court
Adorn yourself in your favorite summer whites for Dunsmuir’s elegant annual event. Featuring top wineries and caterers, live music, line dancing, carriage rides, martinis and more, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of a movie at this picturesque event.
Oakland Interfaith Community Choir Debut Concert
7 – 9 p.m.
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue
Founded in September of 2013, the Oakland Interfaith Community Choir is the latest addition to the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir family and is already over 45 members strong. In their first year, they have joined OIGC on the stage at the historic Paramount Theatre in Oakland and at the OIGC Annual Spring Musical in March. This is their premiere concert and it is not to be missed! OICC will be joined by former OIGC singer Zoe Ellis, Antoin Timmons, and host Patrick Landeza as well as the Oakland Interfaith Youth Choir and Imani Ya Watume Liturgical Dancers.
57th Street Gallery Presents Kymberly Jackson
8:30 – 11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
5701 Telegraph Avenue
Kymberly Jackson is a composer, flautist, vocalist, producer, and music instructor. Born and Raised in Los Angeles, Kymberly (a.k.a. “Kj”) began classical training at the age of 12 and continued to master the instrument throughout her formal education, which includes a Master’s in music from Mills College. Kymberly has honed her musical gifts from Beethoven to Hip Hop with ease and fluidity. Her versatility and ability to move successfully between urban contemporary, smooth jazz, and classical techniques makes her one of the most sought-after musicians in the industry. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.57thStreetGallery.com.
Sunday, July 27
OHA Walking Tour: You Auto Be On Broadway!: Broadway-Valdez Past and Present
9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
28th Street and Broadway
Oakland was once “the Detroit of the West,” and Upper Broadway became “Auto Row.” Historic showrooms from the 1910s to the 1940s house artists, makers, and hackers in distinctive brick-and-tile garages, while CVS takes over the old Firestone building and the city hopes for retail around Valdez. This is a level walk.
Valor with Honor Screening
1 – 3 p.m.
Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Suite 290
The 442nd was a segregated US Army unit composed of Japanese-Americans led by white officers. This small unit of 3,500 men in the field was awarded the most decorations for its size and length of service in the history of the US Army, including 21 Medals of Honor, over 500 Silver Stars, and over 9,000 Purple Hearts. The film features over 20 Nisei veterans telling their personal stories of serving in World War II and the bittersweet return home to America. The screening is free of charge, but donations are welcome. RSVP at valorwhonor.eventbrite.com. The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker, and DVDs will be sold at the event. For more information on the film, please visit www.valorwithhonor.com.
Oakland Municipal Band Concert
1 – 3:30 p.m.
Lakeside Park, 468 Perkins Street
One of the oldest musical organizations in the United States, the Oakland Municipal Band has been presenting free outdoor concerts at Lakeside Park since 1912. Held at the historic Edoff Memorial, the performance of this 35-piece band features music from a variety of genres, including marches, classical, pop, big band, movie soundtracks, international, show tunes, and more, for the enjoyment of the diverse population of Oakland and its surrounding areas. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and a picnic lunch, and join them for their 103rd season!
Spirits Lifted: A Musical Celebration
3 p.m.
EastSide Cultural Center, 2277 East 14th Street
Featuring John Santos and special guest Amikaeyla Gaston, this first-time collaboration will be full of the spiritually-charged inspiration that marks each artist’s individual work. A wide array of Afro-American roots from distinct corners of the Americas will be the foundation for an unforgettable afternoon of down-home soul stirring and titillating improvisation. Don’t miss it!
Poetry Flash Presents the Marin Poetry Center Summer Traveling Show
3 p.m.
Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue
Diesel, A Bookstore in Oakland hosts another installment of the always excellent Poetry Flash with poets of The Marin Poetry Center Summer Traveling Show: Adrienne Amundsen, Rose Black, Nellie Hill, Lynne Knight and Connie Post. Adrienne Amundsen, psychologist and world traveler, is the author of Cassandras Falling and Reclaiming the Apple: Poems from Afghanistan. Rose Black is the previous editor of the Marin Poetry Anthology, and the author of Clearing, Winter Light, and Green Field. Nellie Hill’s poetry chapbooks include Winter Horse, My Daily Walk, and Geographies. Lynne Knight is a poet and translator. I Know (Je Sais) by Ito Naga is her most recent translation. Her poetry books include The Book of Common Betrayals, Night in the Shape of a Mirror, and Again. Connie Post is the former Poet Laureate of Livermore; her new book is Floodwater.
Tuesday, July 29
Oakland City Council and Oakland Redevelopment Agency Meeting
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers, Third Floor, Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
The City Council is the governing body of the City of Oakland, and consists of eight members who are elected directly by the citizens of Oakland: one representative from each of seven districts, and one at-large representative. The Council sets goals and priorities for the City, as well as approving the City budget, adopting ordinances to help the City serve its citizens, and appointing members to various boards and commissions. The City Council meets 2 – 3 times per month, on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays. A downloadable agenda is available here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
Wednesday, July 30
Literary Death Match
8 p.m. (doors open at 7:15 p.m.)
Shadow Ultra Lounge, 341 13th Street
Okay, so we’ve never done Literary Death Match in Oakland (after 52 in San Francisco). That’s a travesty! To right that, we’re making Oakland our 55th city and we want you there. Like, a lot. Click here to see who’s part of the show. This show is going to be better than that one time Wallace Stevens broke his hand when he punched Hemingway in the face.
Thursday, July 31
Oakland City Council Rules and Legislation Committee Meeting
10:45 a.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 1
The Rules and Legislation Committee usually meets at this time (although it is recommended to confirm the day and time, as this is subject to change). A downloadable agenda is available here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
Free Intro to Permaculture
6 – 8 p.m.
Impact Hub Oakland, 2323 Broadway
Permi-curious? We can design our way out of the social and environmental nightmare we’ve created on Earth: climate change, species extinction, poverty, inequity and more. Hear stories from real, on-the-ground, projects showing ways we can meet our needs while being beneficial to all life. Hear stories about Permaculture design. If you love good food, regenerative farming, natural building, community building, renewable energy, and are curious about a design system that ties it all together, then come check out this free introduction. Register here.
To list an event for August 1 – 6, send the details to meg@oaklandlocal.com by noon on Tuesday, July 29.