Our picks for this month’s Art Murmur are here. And don’t forget that only suckers pay for taxi rides downtown on First Fridays.
The Peralta in Bloom Cakewalk
Friday
Beards and Bellies
One of our favorite downtown cafes is opening a show Friday called Beards and Bellies: Urban Collage Paintings on Gender. Farley’s East is showing work by E. Morrow Howe, which delves into “gender, ladyness, sexuality, race, secrets, heartaches, and identity in 2010.”
What: Beards and Bellies
When: Friday, May 7, 7PM – 9PM
Where: Farley’s East, 33 Grand Avenue
How Much: Free
Peace about Life
Claudine Naganuma has been an innovator and an iconoclast in the world of dance since she founded dNaga in 2001. This weekend, her company will perform Peace about Life: Dancing with Parkinson’s at Laney College. As always, the cast represents all ages, genders, races, and sizes, and the performance promises “a powerful experience that will nourish your mind and stimulate your heart.”
What: Peace about Life: Dancing with Parkinson’s
When: Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8, both shows at 8 PM
Where: Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon Street
How Much: $20
Feria Urbana
As you head out for the art walk, consider making a stop at Feria Urbana. It’s an excellent place to pick up locally made gifts from for both you and your mom. Usually, this cool urban fair brings together artists and designers selling jewelry, artwork, home accessories, ceramics, fashion accessories, baby items and more.
This Friday, expect to see the work of Aiko Designs, Cookie and the Dude, By Nieves, King Bag Company, Found Jewelry, Eristotle, SuperSugarRayRay, Estilo Clothing, note•ify, Mangosteen, Honeycomb Jewelry, Tidal Ware, Georgie Be, Ruby Roxanne Designs, Ichi-V, Rock N Socks, Isla Corbett, Birdy Botanicals, Cutthroat Sewing, Bright Light Designs, Nneka, Rosemary Dudley Designs, and others.
Get additional info at feriaurbanasf.com
When: Friday May 7, 6 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.
Where: The New Parish – 579 18th Street @ San Pablo
(510) 444-7474, www.thenewparish.com/
How much: Free admission
Saturday
Tear Down the Walls
The United States has more prisoners than any other country in the world. Yet abuses in our prisons rarely see the light of day. There is far more public outcry for what has happened at Gitmo than the everyday torture and mistreatment that is part of our broken corrections system. The Prison Activist Resource Center seeks to expose these abuses, and act as an advocate for prisoners. Uptown Body and Fender Shop (a great place to have a party, and get your car fixed) is hosting a fundraiser for the grassroots, volunteer organization Saturday evening. There’ll be live music, bellydancing, and a DJ.
What: Music and Performance for the Prison Activist Resource Center
When: Saturday, May 8, 7 PM – Midnight
Where: Uptown Body and Fender, 401 26th Street
How Much: $1 to $10 suggested donation
Peralta in Bloom
The Peralta in Bloom festival benefits one of Oakland’s greatest elementary schools. The North Oakland public school boasts great test scores for its entire student body. It’s one school where you can watch the achievement gap disappear. If the cup of organic edible dirt doesn’t grab you, then have a sno-cone, a pulled-pork sandwich, or scale the 30-feet high climbing wall. The proceeds go to one of the most committed parent teacher groups in the city.
What: Peralta in Bloom
When: Saturday, May 8, Noon – 4 PM
Where: 460 63rd Street
Back to the Rancho
It used to be that every California school kid had to make an adobe brick as part of learning the state’s history. But with the state’s disastrous finances and the relentless emphasis on testing, straw and dirt are probably no longer in school district budgets. Happily, the Peralta Hacienda is opening up its school tour to the general public Saturday afternoon, so everyone will be able to make an adobe brick, play Ohlone games, and sample a test of life on the ranch back before California became part of the United States. Back to the Rancho will also include coffee, tea, homemade snacks, and a nice excuse to see what’s new in the Fruitvale, if you’re not from the neighborhood.
What: Back to the Rancho
When: Saturday, May 8, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: Antonio Peralta House, 2465 34th Avenue
How Much: Free
Behind the Bellows
Quick! What musical instrument was patented in 1829? If you answered, “Everybody knows the accordion,” then this event is for you. The Fishtank on Piedmont Aenue is screening “Behind the Bellows,” a documentary film by Steve Mobia. No accordion event would be complete without live performances, and well-known local accordionists (Dackmandu, Salane and Friends) will perform before the movie. Even if your not a Bellowshead, the doc promises to be loaded with all sorts of interesting things you didn’t know you wanted to know.
What: “Behind the Bellows”
When: Saturday, May 8, 8 PM – 11PM
Where: The Fishtank, 3405 Piedmont Avenue
How Much: $5 to $15
Hot Tub and Friends
If you haven’t seen the diabolically entertaining band Hot Tub, you should. The fine gals will be at The Uptown Saturday night with Isis G and Party Effects.
What: Hot Tub and Friends
When: Saturday, May 8, 9 PM – 2 AM
Where: Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue
How Much: $10
Sunday
Brazzissimo
After brunch, or a visit to the Sweet Shoppe, take mom to see Brazzissimo, a ten-piece Bay Area brass band playing music from all over the world. As their name suggests, there’s a strong Latin American influence, but they are still as likely to play Bach as they are a Bossa Nova. Brazzissimo will be at the Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon for a spring concert which will include jazz favorites, classical, and Latin music.
What: Brazzissimo Spring Concert
When: Sunday, May 9 1 Pm – 3PM
Where: Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 4101 Park Boulevard
O-Scene 