10/3 O-Scene Weekend

Friday, Oct. 3

West Oakland At The Moment

Exploring the mediums of painting, sculpture, fashion dance and literature the first group show at the new Pacific Cannery Loft Gallery in West Oakland brings together several of the artists, musicians, writers and thinkers currently living around what used to be known as “The Harlem of the West.” Over 30 creators including Traci Bartlow, Amanda Williams, Kele Ntoto and Duane Deterville will showcase works across several genres. Marcel Diallo and special musical guests will also be performing with a live band.

West Oakland at the Moment
Free
6-9pm
Pacific Cannery Loft Gallery
1100 Pine St. Oakland
http://www.pacificcannerylofts.com/art

The Art of Democracy

With a total count of over 1000 participants, The Art of Democracy is a national coalition of artists and venues focused on political and social issues showing concurrently at more than forty art galleries across the country. The exhibit brings together artists from all backgrounds and affiliations bonded by their need to make a political statement during this pressing election season. This Oakland show will feature the political prints of Art of Democracy cofounder Art Hazelwood, the satirical sculptures and posters of Sol Aquino and posters from the touring exhibit.

The Art of Democracy
Free
7-10pm
Front Gallery
35 Grand Ave, Oakland
510.444.1900
http://www.artofdemocracy.org/

Suckered: Writers Confess a Profound Lack of Judgment

Have you ever done something you should have avoided and didn’t? Made a shockingly bad decision born of haste, desperation, greed, or hormones? What about that job you thought you’d never take? The person you should never have met? Oh, the humiliation. Tonight eight authors will relive the moment of delusion that left a permanent scar. Their lifetime of shame, presented in public for your entertainment featuring Jonathan Ames, Cintra Wilson, Neal Pollack, Amber Tamblyn, Will Durst, Robert Mailer Anderson, April Sinclair and Adam Savage. And music by Marc Capelle and Defin Hoff.

Suckered: Writers Confess a Profound Lack of Judgment
$25
8pm
Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness Ave.
http://litquake.org

Radical Women National Conference

Radical Women’s 41st Annual Conference occurs at a very important time. Around the world, women are part of a bold resistance to reactionary social and political forces. In Latin America, women and indigenous people are providing working class leadership against “crippling neoliberal trade agreements.” In Mexico , “Adelita” brigades shut down congress to oppose privatization of the nationalized oil industry. In the U.S they defend civil liberties and continue the fight for affirmative action, childcare, and an end to sexual violence.
The Radical Women conference is an opportunity for people of all genders to come together and grapple with ideas, examine the limitations of reformism, gain the confidence to challenge the system, and build the ranks of socialist feminists. The conference runs through Sunday and will features an extensive program of lectures, workshops, networking sessions and training sessions.

Radical Women National Conference
10/4-10/6
$15 a day, $7.50 a day for students and low income participants
The Women’s Building
3543 18th Street, San Francisco
206-722-6057
http://www.radicalwomen.org/2008_conference.htm

Illuminated Oakland

Tonight see what happens when art, live music, and film collide with a 100 ft wall. First head over to Kahn’s Alley in Frank Ogawa Plaza and look up. On the wall you’ll see a program of 3 art pieces, curated by Suki O’Kane, a local artist who’s been screening films on Oakland’s walls for years. Then mosey over Grand Ave between Broadway and Telegraph for the Great Wall, a series of short experimental films blasted all over a 100 ft high screen. Word to the wise-BYOBP: Bring your own blankets and popcorn.

Illuminated Oakland
Free
7-10pm
Kahn’s Alley and Grand Ave. btwn Broadway and Telegraph

Saturday, Oct. 4

34th Annual Black Cowboy Parade and Festival

The Oakland Black Cowboy Association has spent over three decades enlightening children and adults on the contributions of people of color in the settling of the West. This vision continues with its annual parade and festival as people from all walks of life attend this one of a kind event featuring nationally known cowboys, trick riders, schools community organizations, and local businesses. The parade begins at 10am at 14th & Adeline, travels downtown to Frank H. Ogawa Plaza at 14th & Broadway, and ends back at deFremery Park with a festival featuring Parade Queen – country western recording artist Miko Marks and Andre Theirry & Zydeco Magic. There’s also a fundraiser from 7-10pm at the West Oakland Senior Center across the street.

34th Annual Black Cowboy Parade and Festival
Free
10am – 6pm
deFremery Park
1651 Adeline Street
(510) 541-2763
http://www.blackcowboyassociation.org/

LoveFest

Started in 2004 as the US counterpart to Berlin’s annual Love Parade, Lovefest kicks off every year with a freak filled parade down Market Street then erupts into an all day party oozing all over Civic Center. Upwards of 100,000 costumed party people are expected to crowd the streets and move to the beats from LP’s impressive lineup of superstar DJ’s including DJ Ferry Corsten, Armin Van Buuren, Adam Freeland, Donald Glaude, Benny Bennasi, Kaskade and Mark Farina.

LoveFest
Free
Noon
Along Market St. and Civic Center, San Francisco
http://www.sflovefest.org

The Park Presents, Vol 2

The Park the live hip hop soul band who’s been described alternately as “boom bap jazz soul for the metal core country bumpkin” or simply “The Bay’s baddest rhythm section” will be holding down the musical background throughout this night of rhyme song and spoken word. Organizers have brought together some of the areas most exiting live performers to sit in for what should be a grab bag of dope sounds featuring Nino Moschella, Melina Jones, Do D.A.T & Isis, Secluded Journalists, Panama, Mia Zuniga, Righteous Movement, & Gavin. Spoken word collective iLL-Literacy opens the night, along with DJ’s Dion Decibels & Whooligan.

The Park Presents, Vol 2
9pm
$10 general, $7 students
All Ages
La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
www.lapena.org

Oakland’s 1st Annual Oktoberfest

While Oktoberfest is a time honored beer soaked German tradition, here in the Bay we just like to drink, no matter the occasion. So the organizers of the 1st Annual Oakland Oktoberfest seem to be onto a winning idea. The highlights of the festival is the large outdoor beer hall, housing a beer tasting area where premiere breweries will be pouring their finest brews, a walking tour by beer historian Dennis Evanosky and a talk with William Brand, columnist for the Tribune and Beer Specialist. This all day suds-a-thon will also pack in the German food and dance, gourmet food booths, tours, performances by local artists, a kids’ carnival area and a green living and wellness expo.

Oakland’s 1st Annual Oktoberfest
$5-$20
11am-6 pm
Intersection of Fruitvale Ave and MacArthur Blvd
http://www.oaklandoktoberfest.com