07/24 O-Scene Weekend

This weekend’s got Shakespeare,  movies with drinks, a craft bazaar, celebrations in the park and a lot of things that are only happening here in the O-Town.

Friday, July 24

Fourth Friday Movie Night

It’s time for another move night at the Dunsmuir Hellman estate. Tonight, they’re showing the Secret Garden, a family-friendly movie about a special place where magic, love, and hope grow.

Take your picnic baskets and a blanket. There’ll be live jazz accompanying the sunset. The mansion will also be open for self-guided free tours.

$5
Grounds open at 6 p.m., movie begins soon after sunset
Dunsmuir Hellman historic estate 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605

Come Drink with Me

If you’re a fan of the drunken style in martial arts, then you’ll want to stagger over to Soja tonight for a screening of the Hong Kong classic, “Come Drink with Me.” Filmed in 1966, the movie stars Cheng Pei Pei as Golden Swallow, a government agent charged with rescuing a kidnapped official from a gang of thugs.

$5
9 p.m.
Soja Martial Arts 2406 Webster Street

Saturday, July 25

Craft Bazaar @ Pretty Penny

The Parlour Gallery and Pretty Penny, a Rockridge destination for vintage wear, are hosting a craft bazaar this weekend.  The bazaar will feature an intimate group of local fashion and craft designers. Show them some local love at Pretty Penny Saturday. And meet Sarah Dunbar, the owner of Pretty Penny — and a big believer in the community and all things local.

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Pretty Penny, 5488 College Avenue
www.prettypennyclothing.com

Walk Chinatown

Learn the history of Chinatown while scoping out hidden eateries and markets in the city’s multi-ethnic, Pan-Asian district. The Oakland Heritage Alliance is sponsoring a free walking tour of Chinatown Saturday July 25. Meet at 10 a.m. at the fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza on Ninth Street between Webster and Franklin.

Free
10 a.m.
The fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Center, Ninth Street between Franklin and Webster

OPR’s 100

Celebrate the city’s Office of Parks and Recreation while we still have one. OPR has been providing green space, tennis courts, swimming pools, and the like for 100 years. OPR is marking its centenary with an old-fashioned celebration at DeFremery Park. You’ll have pool access; there will be food vendors, crafts, music performances from the likes of Bay Area Blues Society and the Ray McCoy Band and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Free
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
DeFremery Park
For more information, call 510-238-3791

For Kids: String Things

The Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) is hosting” String Things” on Saturday for the whole family. They’re inviting participants to use cords and thread to make loopy paintings and lacy sculptures

$7
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Museum of Childrens Art, 538 Ninth Street.
www.mocha.org

For Kids: Family Sundown Safari

You might have had to cancel your wild safari plans because of the recession. But you don’t have to worry about disappointing your kids just yet. The Oakland Zoo’s having its own safari adventure. Camp overnight in the zoo’s meadow, take your kids for a twilight tour of the place, and give the animals handmade treats in the morning.

$85 for non-members, $75 for members
5 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Advance reservations required. Call 510-632-9525 x 220 to see if any last-minute spots are available.

Hawaiian World Festival

Three of Hawaii’s biggest musical acts will be at Yoshi’s this weekend: HAPA, Led Kaapana and John Cruz.

HAPA: The overriding quality of their music is one of beauty and serenity, found in the majestic tones of the oli (chant), mele (song), the elegant movements of the sacred dance known as hula, and the exhilarating innovative sounds of virtuoso slack key guitar.

Led Kaapana’s mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and his extraordinary baritone and  leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices, have made him a musical legend.
John Cruz: Hawaii Magazine named him the Best Singer Songwriter in 2008. After a classic hit first album, this well-earned reputation became even more solidified when he released his long-awaited second album, One of These Days in 2007. Critics described it as “brilliant” and “one of the year’s finest albums, local or otherwise.”

Saturday 10 p.m. $35, Sunday 7 p.m., 9.30 p.m. $35
Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West (at Jack London Square)
http://yoshis.com/oakland

Sunday, July 26

Taming of the Shrew

Woman’s Will, the Bay’s all-female Shakespeare company, is bring “Taming of the Shrew” to Mosswood Park on Saturday and Dimond Park on Sunday. The performances are free. “Don’t miss founding Artistic Director Erin Merritt’s final production with the company, the triumphant return of El Beh (who played the title role in 2008’s Good Person), and the Woman’s Will debut of Kate Jopson as Kate, in a production that is sexy and sassy enough for adults but lively and lovely enough for the wee ones.” The play is two hours and fifteen minutes long. Both shows start at 1 p.m.

Free
1 p.m.
Mosswood park (Saturday), Macarthur @ Broadway
Dimond Park (Sunday), 3860 Hanly Road

Eric Benet, Mint Condition, Ledisi

It’s going to be a smooth R & B evening at the Fox Theater on Sunday. Eric Benet, Mint Condition and Oakland’s own Ledisi will be performing in the hottest venue in Uptown.

$42.75, $82.75
7 p.m.
Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph
http://thefoxoakland.com/