05/14: Your Indie Weekend

It’s a very busy Oakland weekend, and there’s got to be something in this mix to get you excited about living here — the best of Oakland, jazz and wine, urban agriculture, stage shows, elephants, music from Zimbabwe, the Greek festival, mystery writers, documentary screenings, the Symphony’s closing show and so much more.

FRIDAY, May 14

The Indies

The annual celebration of all things Oakland and indie moves to Jack London Square this year. The Oakland Indies will be held in the Pavillion (You know it as the old Barnes and Noble) Friday night to bestow its awards: Pillar, Newbie, Greenie, Neighborhood Dynamo, and our favorite, Oakland Soul (we won two years ago).

What: Oakland Indie Awards
When: Friday, May 14, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: 98 Broadway, Jack London Square
How Much: $20

Rockridge Jazz and Wine Stroll

Merchants along College Avenue are having a jazz and wine stroll Friday evening, which will be pretty much what it sounds like along with nice discounts at some of your favorite stores like Jan Christensen Heller Gallery and Fit.

What: Rockridge Jazz and Wine Stroll
When: Friday, May 14 May 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: College Avenue between Claremont and Broadway

City Slicker Farms Fundraiser

Care about urban agriculture? Care about West Oakland? If you answered yes to either of these, then you’ve probably heard about City Slicker Farms, a community-driven group in West Oakland that grows fresh produce for the area’s residents. Friday night, they’re doing some fund-raising at an event where you can learn more about — and celebrate — their work. There will be a potluck, live music, demonstrations and fermented product tasting. Let them know what fermented treats you’re taking at info@fermentchange.org.

What: Ferment Change 2010 – Fermented Food Feast and Celebration of Urban Agriculture
When: Friday, May 14^, 7 p.m.– 10 p.m.
Where: 390 27th Street
How Much: $10-$30, sliding scale, No one turned away for lack of funds. Email info@fermentchange.org to find out about work-trade.
For more info, cityslickerfarms.org

Into the Woods at Mills College

Curtain Call Performing Arts, an outfit committed to keeping ticket prices low and performance quality high, brings its production of Steven Sondheim’s Into the Woods to Mills College’s Lisser Theatre this month. Directed by Catherine Heck, the musical debuts Friday night. It’s a spooky retelling of the Grimm Brothers, but it’s still safe for kids.

What: Into the Woods
When: Friday and Saturday May 14 and 15, 8 p.m.
Where: The Lisser Theatre, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Boulevard
How Much: $12

Chinyakare and the KTO Project play UTunes Coffeehouse

The Chinyakare Ensemble & the KTO Project celebrate the music of Zimbabwe with mbira (a wooden musical instrument) player Musekiwa Chingodza from Harare, Zimbabwe.

Under the direction of Julia Tsitsi Chigamba, the Chinyakare Ensemble will perform traditional dance, mbira, drums, marimba and songs from tribal groups from around Zimbabwe.

The KTO Project, led by Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez, is a blend of music with ethnic sensibilities from Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

What: UTunes Coffeehouse, a concert series (with coffee)
When: Friday, May 14, 8 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Where: First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street
How Much: $18 for Adults, $5 for Children ages 6-15 (kids under age 6 are free).

SATURDAY, May 15

While you’re in Jack London Square, stop by our gallery to check out the second iPhontography show. Art@TheOakBook will be showing the winners from the art of the iPhone contest, a subgenre of photography that is perhaps best summed up in two quotes (The second quote is from iPhontography’s founding father): “Aim well, shoot fast, and scram.”—Henri Cartier-Bresson. “Aim well, shoot until you get it, and app that bitch until it sings.” —Knox Bronson.

What: Pixels at an exhibition
When: Saturday, May 15, 4 PM – 8 PM
Where: 423 Water Street, JLS
How Much: Free

Learn How to make Buttons

If you think buttons make great small gifts and promotional materials, this all-level class is for you. This is your chance to use a professional grade button maker and circle cutter to make 30 buttons of your design. Take clippings, photos, drawings, reused paper, and other images to make your original art. Saskia, who is passionate about creative reuse, will be teaching the class.

What: Button making class
When: Saturday, May 15, Noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Rock Paper Scissors Collective, 2278 Telegraph Avenue @ 23rd Street
How much: $5 class fee to cover materials
Register online rpscollective.com

Mysterious Women

Seven women mystery writers of the Bay Area will be discussing their work at the Oakland Public Library Main Branch. Meet and listen to authors Rhys Bowen, Diana Chambers, Lucha Corpi, Susan Dunlap, Priscilla Royal, Susan Sherrell, and Kelli Stanley talk about why and how they do what they do.

What: Panel of Women Mystery Writers at the Oakland Library
When: Saturday May 15, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Main Library, 125 14th St.
Contact: Main Library Reference Services, 510-238-3138
How Much: Free

Elephants at the Zoo

The Zoo’s got a busy Saturday mapped out for you. Circus Finelli, an animal –free circus will have acrobats and clowns performing at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
The zoo’s hosting an elephant day. There will be elephant information stations throughout the zoo, teaching fascinating things about the zoo’s pachyderms. Pick up your binocular and data sheet and become an elephant researcher at Oakland Zoo’s elephant research camp.  The elephant keepers will be taking people for a behind-the-scenes tour of the elephant barn for a $5 donation. All proceeds go to the Amboseli Elephant Research Project.

Saturday, May 15th 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
The Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd. oaklandzoo.org

Oakland Underground Film Festival/ Jack London Square Summer Film Series

The Oakland Underground Film Festival will presentRemembering Playland at 7:30 p.m. and Special When Lit at 9:15 p.m. for the May installment of the Jack London Square Summer Film Series.

Director Tom Wyrsch has resurrected San Francisco’s now-extinct Playland at the Beach, a 10-acre amusement park located next to Ocean Beach, in Remembering Playland.Playland at the Beach was established in the 1880s and dismantled in 1972.

Co-presented by Pacific Pinball Machine of Alameda, Special When Lit is the definitive story of the rise and fall of pinball as told by hardcore fans, collectors, designers, and champion players from across the globe.  A product of the mechanical and electrical age, this American invention swept the world and defined cool. A game, a sport, a lifestyle, pinball made more money than the entire American movie industry through the 50s and 60s. Brett Sullivan’s film retraces the passion of pinball followers, and also revealing the demise of pinball to the new era of video games. Rediscover the lure of the lost pop icon-Pinball.

What: Summer Movies
When: Saturday, May 15, 7.30 p.m. onwards
Where: Jack London Square Pavilion Theater, 98 Broadway (inside Jack London Square)
How Much: $10, no one turned away for lack of funds. Tickets at  brownpapertickets.com.

SUNDAY, May 16

Culture Fest

The Koreatown-Northgate neighborhood is holding a party Sunday, which promises to be worthy of the diversity along that stretch of Telegraph Avenue. Called Culture Fest the event will have food (look for gyros from the folks at Oasis), music (on three stages), martial arts demos, and a neighborhood swap meet.

What: Culture Fest
When: Sunday May 16, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Telegraph Avenue between 23rd and 25th Streets
How Much: Free

Greek Festival

The Oakland Greek Festival has been treating the town to Hellenic hospitality, food, and music each spring for nearly 40 years. This weekend, visit the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Acension for spinach pie, lamb, and other treats from the cradle of Democracy. The weekend-long event will feature all sorts of Greek music and dancing from pop to classical. Visit the website for a coupon that brings the admission down to $5.

What: Oakland Greek Festival
When: Friday-Sunday, May 14-16, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Fri & Sat) 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sun)
Where: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700
How Much: $6

Ode to Joy

The Oakland East Bay Symphony ends its season with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. It’s been more than a decade since the OEBS performed the “Choral” symphony. This time Maestro Michael Morgan will lead tenor Thomas Glenn on Friday and Adam Flowers on Sunday. Baritone Bojan Knezevic will lead off with one of the most amazing moments in classical music, “Freude, schoner Gotterfunken…” John Kendall Bailey will lead pre-concert talks before both performances.

What: Ode to Joy
When: Friday and Sunday, May 14 and 16, 8 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Paramount Theatre,
How Much: $20 to $65

04/16: Your Oakland Weekend

Art and more art, music, food, shopping and fire dancers — there’s a lot going down in Oakland this sunny weekend.

Thursday, April 15

Sprung

Join Creative Growth for SPRUNG, an exhibition featuring artwork focused on animal themes, along with one-of-a-kind functional art. You’ll find drawings, paintings, textiles, wood, ceramics, furniture, prints, masks and more.

Music by Sandra Poindexter, beer donated by Trumer Pils Brauerei in Berkeley

Opening: Thursday April 15,  5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Also open Saturday, April 17, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Open late, Friday, May 7, 6:00pm – 9:00pm for Art Murmur

Creative Growth Art Center
355 24th Street, 510.836.2340 x15, creativegrowth.org

Friday, April 16

Shopping and Food at La Borinqueña@ Twilight

Love Oakland? Love shopping? Love tamales? You can show some Oakland love while shopping from fair trade certified providers and survivors of human trafficking by visiting La Borinqueña Friday evening  during its “Twilight” hours when it’ll be serving up its famous food, cerveza, sangria and more..

Friday, April 16, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
La Borinqueña Mex-icatessen, 582 7th Street @ Jefferson
mangosteenoakland.com

Saturday, April 17

Party Like It’s 1969

The shopping fest continues at Urban Indigo. The Lakeshore Avenue store is throwing a retro party on Saturday. They’ll have live music and a contest for the best retro costume. And of course, they’ll be selling vintage items from the 60’s and 70’s while they serve retro foods and drinks.

Saturday, April 17
Urban Indigo, 3339 Lakeshore Avenue
510.889.6858, urbanindigo.com

Oakland ART Weekend

It isn’t the first Friday of the month, but it’s a busy time for art openings, nevertheless. Some excellent galleries are hosting receptions for shows that promise to be thought-provoking, at the very least. The following receptions all take place on Saturday, April 17.

Opening reception for the solo exhibit of paintings by Jason Byers

Oakland-based artist Jason Byers delves head long into an investigation of difference, utilizing an acute vocabulary of color and form. His work explores the interaction of shapes and their lines of demarcation, those minute spaces of mammoth proportion that press upon their surroundings, hold them at bay and delineate the extent of their reach.

7 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Rowan Morrison Gallery, 330 40th St. (near Broadway)
rowanmorrison.com

Opening reception for Protoform: Drawings by Sculptors

This show is based around sculptors and ceramicists’ drawn work as art in and of itself. The gathered roster includes emerging and established artists from a regional and national level who have built their careers on exploring their voice in three dimensions. This show explores their never before seen works at their creative genesis, as drawings. How does the sculptor relate to only two dimensions? Is their a tactile element that is maintained? How much of form is simply illusion.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Artists in show: Carrissa Bowman, Brük Dunbar, Crystal Morey, Lucien Shapiro
Curator: Obi Kaufmann
The SWEE(t)ART Drawing Gallery, 1167 65th Street (near San Pablo)
oaklandsweetart.info/gallery.html

Round Rhythm: Alissa Goss + Tallulah Terryll
Round Rhythm features the work of Alissa Goss and Tallulah Terryll, two visual artists who practice in Oakland. Both artists deal with repetition, color and texture to conjure up ideas about nature. Using clay, Goss meticulously crafts intimate sculptures and installations. Handmade stencils, ink and paints are Terryll’s choice for her works on paper.

6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Compound Gallery, 6604 San Pablo Ave.

2010 Spring Open House at the Crucible

Everyone’s favorite Oakland art organization is having its spring open house, which means you can get in and explore this exciting house of creative energy for free.

There will have live demonstrations happening throughout the studio. You can enjoy performances by fire dancers and fire eaters, watch artists at work in their studios, shop for bikes and just get a sense of what the hype is all about. If you have kids, get there early. At 12:10 p.m., there will be doing a tour of the facility, highlighting the classes for youth this summer. Please sign up before hand, as space is limited.

Saturday, April 17, noon to 4 p.m.
The Crucible, 1260 7th Street, Oakland, (510) 444-0919, www.thecrucible.org

Sunday, April 18

Omar Sosa Afreecanos Ensemble

Five-time Grammy-nominated Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa brings his own style of Afro-Cuban jazz to Oakland for a three-night engagement on Friday-Sunday. Omar Sosa continues to explore the African roots of traditional musics throughout the diaspora, using modern jazz harmonies and the latest audio technology. Sosa’s new Afreecanos (rooted in Africa) ensemble features drum-&-bass pioneer Marque Gilmore, Mozambican electric bassist Childo Tomas, and well known Senegalese vocalist and percussionist Mola Sylla. The ensemble fuses the folkloric with the contemporary, the ancestral with the urban – all with a Latin jazz heart.  Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune has said — “Cuban pianists often tower over their peers.  But within this elite class of pianists, few have been more stylistically adventurous than Omar Sosa.  Though deeply schooled in jazz improvisation techniques, Sosa always has pushed beyond jazz orthodoxy.  At his best, his art encompasses a remarkable range of influences:  European symphonic repertoire, religious music of Gnawa, traditional sounds of Senegal and other far-flung idioms have coursed through his work.  All of which piques one’s interest in his newest ensemble, Afreecanos Quartet.”

Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West (Jack London Square), yoshis.com
Friday-Saturday 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. $22
Sunday 2 p.m. (Kids Matinee) $5 (ages 15 and under), Adults (with children) $18, Adults $22
Sunday 7 p.m. $22

The Marathon Weekend

Yes. This is the weekend of the Oakland Running Festival, and 26 miles can take a lot out of a body, but whether your running or rooting, you’ll still have time to enjoy other Oakland offerings. Exercise your mind with a music talk on Sunday, or swap plants with neighbors on  Saturday. There’s even still time to get tickets for Natalie Cole’s late shows at Yoshi’s.

Friday, March 26

A Clockwork Orange

C’mon Droogs, pop on over to the Piedmont sinny for one of the great dystopian films of the Cold War from a master of dystopian Cold War films. On Friday, the Piedmont Theatre has a midnight showing of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. The Park Avenue Bar and Grill across the street is offering themed drinks for only $5. Now that’s not much golly.

Friday, March 26, 11:45 p.m.
Piedmont Theatre, 4186 Piedmont Avenue
$8

Oso

Call him Bear. Oso, a rocker rolling over the genres borders, will be at Flux 53 Friday night. His music is described as “technical folk” and “math-rock.” His influences range from the Beatles and Bob Dylan to Dredge and Radiohead.

Friday, March 26, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Flux 53, 5306 Foothill Boulevard
$10

Natalie Cole

She’s a winner. She’s a fighter. She’s a great jazz singer.  Natalie Cole owns nine Grammy awards and has battled drug addiction and illness. The gifted daughter of Nat King Cole comes to Yoshi’s for three nights starting on Friday. Not surprisingly, the first shows are all sold out, but there’s still tickets available for the late shows.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 26, 27, and 28, 10 p.m., 10 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero
$75

Saturday, March 27

Saturday is the day when people are planning to turn off non-essential lights at 8.30 p.m. for Earth Hour. For more, go to myearthhour.org/

Soweto Gospel Choir

Known as much for their performances of traditional South African songs as their interpretations of American gospel music, and even American folk, the Soweto Gospel Choir has inspired and surprised audiences all over the world since forming eight years ago. Fans of Wall-E will recall that the Soweto Gospel Choir were featured on that movie’s theme song, “Down to Earth.” The Soweto Gospel Choir comes to the Paramount Theatre Saturday night. The New York Times said the choir “has a cornucopia of remarkable voices: sharp, sweet, kindly, raspy and incantatory leads above a magnificently velvety blend the music is both meticulous and unstoppable.”

Saturday, March 27, 8 p.m.
2025 Broadway
$25 – $65

West O Bike Tour

West Oakland has a rich past, but it’s not the sort of history that’s easily gleaned from behind a car or bus window. Bikes4life a non-profit committed to making West O greener by promoting bike riding is hosting a history ride Saturday afternoon. Interested riders should meet at the B4L HQ near the West Oakland Bart Station.

Saturday, March 27 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Seventh Street and Peralta
Free

Jazz Artists in the Concert Hall

Join composers Rebeca Mauleón, Benedikt Brydern, Scott Amendola, and moderator John Kendall Bailey to discuss “the history of jazz composers making the transition to the concert hall, including Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Darius Milhaud.”

“Topics will include American cultural history and the stratification of popular vs. classical culture that began in the 19th century, and the split that occurred at the turn of the century.”

The Oakland East Bay Symphony is presenting the talk, which will be introduced by Michael Morgan.

Saturday, March 27, 3 p.m.
200 Grand Avenue
Free

Plant Exchange

It’s a neighborly way to cull your garden, get new plants, and meet other green thumbs. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a free neighborhood plant exchange on Lakeshore. The organizers say that all types and sizes of healthy plants are welcome (so are gardening accessories, tools and supplies). You don’t even have to repot your donations. Just stick ‘em in a bag and bring ‘em over.

Saturday, March 27 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
3811 Lakeshore
Free

Sunday, March 28

The Oakland Running Festival

This is the big day that local runners have been waiting for — when Oakland hosts its first marathon in 25 years. While the event kicks off with a twilight race around Lake Merritt on Saturday evening at 6.30 p.m., the big events — a kids’ race, a relay race, a half marathon and the marathon — are all on Sunday and all go through Oakland. There’s still time to register. If you’d just like to take your chairs and sit along the route to cheer the runners, make sure you do so early. And after the runners have gone past you, think about visiting your favorite restaurant, store or art gallery. Everyone’s got specials going to celebrate the running festival. For more on the marathon, please go to oaklandmarathon.com

At our gallery, art@theOakBook in Jack London Square, watch artists Savanna Snow and Michael Eli sketch. You’ll find it fun, and perhaps even inspiring. They’re very, very good. 423 Water Street – inside Jack London Square, 11.30 onwards

The Ellington

The downtown condos of the housing boom years still exert a mysterious pull: Who lives in them, what do they look like inside, how much do they cost? On Sunday, the Ellington in Jack London Square unveils its “Club Level Residences” on floors 12 through 15, and is opening the doors to the public for a peek. Combine a visit to the Ellington with brunch at Miss Pearl’s Jam House, and art viewing at The OakBook gallery (423 Water Street).

Sunday, March 28, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
222 Broadway
Free

03/19: Your Oakland Weekend

This beautiful weekend begins with a happy hour for you and your pets. It goes on to bring you a lot more than the sun — there are neighborhood get togethers, art shows, bake sales, and movies in Oakland this weekend.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

Old Oakland Neighbors Annual Fundraiser

Contribute to the making of Walking the Invisible City, an anthropological visual art and performance installation, at Old Oakland Neighbors’ annual fundraiser at La Borinquena. The 10,000 Steps team will be there to answer your questions and take your suggestions. A Profile of Four Squares, a documentary film by Matt Dibble that chronicles the history of Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison and Lincoln Square Parks will be on view. Enjoy delicious food, meet new people and support a community effort. All ages welcome.
Friday, March 19, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
La Borinquena, 582 7th St.
Free

Yappy Hour @ Paws & Claws

Join the dynamic duo, Ruth and Diane, for the hippest pet happy hour in the East Bay. Primal Pet Foods has donated T-shirts & goodies for raffle prizes to benefit a Haiti relief fund. Come out with your well-socialized four (or 3) legged companion and enjoy music by local musician Damond Moodie, hors· doeuvres, drinks, and a chance to win cool prizes.
For more info on this event visit the Paws & Claws website at pawsnclawsoakland.com

Friday, March 19, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Paws and Claws, 2023 MacArthur Blvd., 510-336-0105

If You’d Like to Travel like the French

Laurel books will host Jacqueline Grandchamps, owner of French Escapade, a tour company, for an evening designed to make you want to travel if you don’t already. As a travel expert and European native, Jacqueline will introduce you to authentic French living and food, including sample tasting.

Friday, March 19 7 p.m.
Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Boulevard, 510-531-2073

And don’t miss a very cool, Californian show at our gallery — art@the OakBook: The Golden Dawn. Read about it here.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Bake/Volunteer/Eat

The second East Bay Vegan Bakesale is here. The last one was such a success that the organizers are back with it. This bakesale’s proceeds will be donated 50/50 to Animal Place sanctuary in Vacaville (soon to be Grass Valley!), and Haiti Emergency Relief Fund (HERF), an organization based right here in the East Bay helping to fund crucial relief work in Haiti.

Saturday, March 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In front of Issues, 20 Glen Avenue, off Piedmont Avenue in Oakland.
For more info, email ebveganbakesale@gmail.com.

Solo Theater

For Women’s History Month, Third Root Productions, a local art collective, presents two Saturday daytime solo theater performances, in collaboration with Joyce Gordan Gallery in downtown Oakland. Featured pieces include Thao P. Nguyen’s “Fortunate Daughter” and Zahra Noorbakhsh’s “All Atheists Are Muslims.” Watch the performances, and don’t miss the art on display at the gallery. For more info, visit thirdrootproductions.wordpress.com

Third Root Theater
at the Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th Street.(510) 465-8928
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$5 to $15, sliding scale

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

The Silver Screen: Take II

WE Artspace hosts Take II of The Silver Screen, a new short film series of documentary and experimental films. This round of film screening focuses on the abstract landscape of poetic imagery and the intrinsic nature of sound. There will be a question and answer period with the artist following each screening.

Sunday, March 21, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Schedule:
7 p.m. -7:20 p.m.: Film screening of “Halides” with a live performance by John Davis
7:30 p.m.- 7:50 p.m.: Film screening of “Awake But Dreaming” by Kerry Laitala
8 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.: Film screening of “Flower Fall” by Laura Zaylea with music by Matt Hettich
8:30 p.m.- 8:50 p.m.: Film screening of a series of short films by Vanessa Woods

WE artspace, 768 40th Street
weartspace.com, (415) 297-8869
$2: Suggested donation at the door

Music at the Movies

Oakland East Bay Symphony presents the Mighty Wurlitzer: Music at the Movies. Michael Morgan conducts. This event will feature the Paramount Theatre’s celebrated “Mighty Wurlitzer” pipe organ and one of the greatest – and funniest – silent movies ever made, Buster Keaton’s The General.

Friday, March 19, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m.
Doors open 60 minutes before show times.
$20 – $65

1/21: Your Oakland Weekend

Benefits for Haiti, art, food, shopping, parties — the weather isn’t getting in the way of a busy Oaktown weekend.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22

Shangri La

Narangar Glover, a talented artist and the co-owner of the popular Oakland art gallery Rowan Morrison, is sharing some of her childhood memories through an installation at MG gallery. Join her at the reception this Friday to learn more about her panoramic drawing installation based on the Shangri-La Girls School in India. The installation will be up until January 30th.

Friday, January 22, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
MG Gallery, 5532 Shattuck Avenue
Free

KID-FRIENDLY: Star Children’s Art School – Pictures from Guizhou

The Museum of Children’s Art presents the artwork of the young children of the celebrated Star Children’s Art School in China’s Guizhou Province. “The works combine brilliant colors, bold lines and modern abstraction to create superb painterly images.” The exhibition ends Sunday, so if your kid enjoys art, get over to Old Oakland this weekend.

Through January 24, noon to 4 p.m.
Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth St., 510-465-8770,mocha.org
Free

Oakland East Bay Symphony: NOTES FROM ARMENIA

The rhythms and instrumentation of music from Armenia are represented by works from Mozart’s Prague Symphony and Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto. Also on the program is Edvard Mirzoyan’s exciting Symphony for Timpani and String Orchestra, and Lazar Saryan’s Panel Armenia, which was inspired by the paintings of the composer’s father, the great Armenian painter Martiros Saryan. Michael Morgan conducts.

Friday, January 22, 8 p.m.
Doors open 60 minutes before show time.
$20 – $65
http://www.oebs.org/page/january22.htm

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

Bakesale for Haiti

If Haiti’s on your mind, here’s another way to help out: attend a local bake sale. Local food blogger Samin Nosrat has organized, with a little help from friends, bake sales in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. All the proceeds will go to Partners in Health. Six hours, three locations and a goal of $7,500. Do-able. If you’d like to be involved by donating baked goods or volunteering your time, write to saminnosrat@yahoo.com

Saturday, January 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PIZZAIOLO: 5008 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland) GIOIA: 1586 Hopkins St. (Berkeley) BI-RITE:3639 18th St. (SF-Mission)

“Departures” art show reception

Three artists interpret their travels – and all that a photo can’t convey — through their art. Anna W. Edwards, Nanci Price Scoular, and the gifted Martin Webb show their work at Float this month through February 13.

There’s a party Saturday evening to celebrate the art and the artists. Live music by didjeridu artist Outlaw Dervish/aka Travis Wernet.

Saturday, January 23, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Float gallery, Cotton Mill Studios, 1091 Calcott Place

Soja at Second – Grand Opening Party

Oakland must really love martial arts. SOJA, the martial arts studio in Uptown Oakland, is opening up a second location near Jack London Square this weekend. And you’re invited to the grand opening party.

Saturday, January 23, 7 p.m. till late
550 Second Street@ Clay Street.
Free

SHOP: I’m Sure

The holidays may be over, but the shopping doesn’t have to end. This Saturday, head over to Blankspace gallery for the opening of the SHOP, where ten artists present specially commissioned charms that may or may not ward off evil, but will certainly look very charming. Made of paper, wood, plastic, and metal, these charms will be on sale for the next two months through March 14.

Saturday, 23 January, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Blankspace, 6608 San Pablo

12/11: Your O-Scene Weekend’s Here

The weekend starts today with the Holiday Buy Night market in Jack London Square. There’s shopping, more shopping, lots of art, parties, music and a lot more to see and do in Oak-town this weekend.

Tonight: Holiday Buy Night

Tonight, come to Jack London Square to shop for gifts, accessories, clothes, art and specialty items that were made and manufactured locally. Hosts Oakland Unwrapped, ProArts, Oakland Grown and Jack London Square want this event to be your mall-ternative.

Jack London Market, 55 Harrison Street @ Water Street
Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, December 11

Strumming, Picking, and Sawing

A banjo, a fiddle, and a geetar – that’s the Paper Crocodiles. The Oakland trio will be one of three East Bay bands performing at Mama Buzz Friday evening. The Paper Crocodiles, along with Scattered Like Birds, and Glass Cake will be at the venerable coffee house/art gallery starting at 7 pm. A $3 donation is suggested.

Friday, 7 p.m.
2318 Telegraph Avenue
$3 Donation

Uptown Improv

There’s something about the daredevilry of improv that makes audience participation inevitable. If the performers go down in flames, the house goes with them. The improv masters at Pan Theater take the thrilling demolition of the fourth wall a step further by using audience suggestions as the departure points for their sketches. On Friday night, Pan’s performers put on a theater jam and comedy show with both comedic and dramatic sketches.

Friday, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
2135 Broadway
$10 at the door

The Wiz at the Fox

This is the inaugural event of the Oakland School for the Arts in the Fox Theatre. If you feel like seeing some musical theater at the Fox, or are just curious about the school that Jerry Brown built, this is your chance. And they have a special offer for you — If you buy 20 or more general admission tickets, you’ll get 50% off the adult $20 tickets.

Friday, 7 p.m.
Fox theater, 1807 Telegraph
Tickets: $30, $20, $10 (youth and seniors)

Beer fest

Old Oakland’s beer bar, the Trappist is hosting the KerstBier festival this weekend. They’ll have more than 20Belgian, Danish, French and America Christmas beers for you to try out.

Friday & Saturday; Starts at 4 p.m. on Friday
The Trappist, 460 8th Street,www.thetrappist.com,(510)326-5881
$25 tasting flight includes commemorative glass & 5 – 5 oz samples

A Long Way from the Cabbage Patch: Art@TheOakbook’s Holiday Art Show

This holiday season, Art@theOakBook invites you to discover the work of six local emerging artists who have received positive critical accolades on the local and national level. Affordable art will be presented by Marcos LaFarga, Kevin Earl Taylor, Jake Watling, Savanna Snow, Theo Konrad Auer, and Joel Scilley. Their beautiful – and inexpensive — artworks make for great Made-in-Oakland holiday gifts.

Friday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Art@theOakBook, 423 Water Street (inside Jack London Square)
The show runs through January 9, 2010 (Disclosure: This gallery is run by the OakBook.)

SATURDAY, December 12

Jingletown Art Walk

It’s called Jingletown because the Portuguese cannery workers who used to work there would jingle their wages in their pockets on the way home from work. You can stroll the neighborhood tucked between I-880 and the Estuary Saturday and Sunday with an eye for affordable, local art. The many artists who now live and work in Jingletown are holding their 4th annual Holiday Art Walk. Click here for directions and a list of participating artists. You’ll get to see mosaic art, metal work, ceramic sculpture, oil paintings, stationary, and much more.

Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fun for Kids: Candy Cottages

The Museum for Children’s art is calling kids to build candy cottage or cookie castle using sugary frosting paste, licorice, lollipops, gumdrops and more.  Your kids will have their fair share of sticky, gooey fun.

The Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA), 538 9th Street,  510-465-8770, www.mocha.org
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
$7 per child, $3 per adult (This includes the cost of all materials)
No need to pre-register

KFOG’s 24th Annual Concert for Kids to benefit Toys for Tots and Ronald McDonald House

The concert features Brandi Carlile, Mat Kearney, and Eoin Harrington. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped book or toy to donate to the Marines’ Toys for Tots program. Proceeds from tickets sales benefit The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco.

The Paramount, 2025 Broadway
Saturday, December 12 @ 7 p.m.
Doors open 60 minutes before show time.
$125.00, $65.00, $50.00, $45.00, $35.00

For more, visit KFOG

LOCAL LOVE

Join Rowan Morrison Gallery and the businesses of the 40th Street Corridor are hosting Local Love, a holiday stroll and an informal open house.

If you didn’t already know, Rowan Morrison is one of the best galleries in Oakland. Their show Double Exposure is worth seeing. If that weren’t enough, they’ll be serving up chai, snacks, treats, & drinks (later on).  The other businesses in the corridor include Manifesto Bicycles, Premium Tattoo and Vintage, 1234GO! Records

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Rowan Morrison, 330 40^th Street
http://www.rowanmorrison.com/doubleexposure.html

SUNDAY, December 13

Let us Break Bread Together

This is Oakland’s musical holiday event. The Oakland East Bay Symphony celebrates the holidays with performances of gospel music, classical selections and other holiday favorites, as well as a few sing-alongs. The ever-popular Michael Morgan conducts the orchestra. You’ll also see (and hear) the Oakland Symphony Chorus, Terrance Kelly and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Mt. Eden High School Choir, Klezmer ensemble  Kugelplex, and others.

Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway
Sunday, 4 p.m.
Tickets: $40, $25, $15, $10 (youth), Family pack – $50

The Silver Screen

WE Artspace, the brainchild of artists Tina Dillman and Naaman Rosen, hosts the first of its short film series – the Silver Screen. In December, WE will be showcasing California film-makers, who explore the realm of documentary and experimental film through portraits and music. We will be screening short films by Brigid McCaffrey, Erika Anderson, K.C. Bull, Molly Snyder-Fink, Orlando Richards and Luke Judd.

Sunday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
768 40th Street (two blocks west of the MacArthur Bart Station)
$2 donation at the door, snacks and beverages available.
For more, visit their website.

Get Those Cool gifts at the Crucible

Support local artists and community arts education for youth and adults while you shop at the Crucible’s Holiday Gifty celebration. Shop for gifts created by over 70 Bay Area artisans — handmade jewelry, glass creations, sculpture, clothing, ceramics and more. Catch the demonstrations of glass blowing, metal casting and blacksmithing
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa gets in at 1 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1260 7th Street, 510-444-0919, http://thecrucible.org
Free admission

Saturday: Tibetan Breakfast

Churu, it’s what the folks eat for breakfast in Kongpo, a Tibetan area of China along the banks of the Yarlung River. Learn to make this delicious fermented cheese soup, along with parched barley flour, and tingmo, a steamed leavened bread at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center Saturday morning. There’s a $30 donation to cover materials, but no one will be turned away. Space is limited, so call to make sure there’s a spot: 510-637-0462.

Saturday, December 12 10 am – 1pm
388 9th Street
$30 Donation for materials

Your 11/12 O-Scene weekend

FRIDAY

Buy Coffee to Support Khadafy

Nine years ago, Marilyn Washington Harris founded the Khadafy Foundation for Non-Violence as a tribute to her son, Khadafy Washington, who was shot while riding his bicycle in West Oakland. Since then, the group has worked to provide healing and support services to people who have lost friends or family members due to violence.

Farley’s East is hosting a benefit for the Khadafy Foundation Friday evening. If you get something at the café – a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or some food – 20% will go to the foundation. Their board members will be there for you to talk and mingle with.

Friday, November 13
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Farley’s East
33 Grand Avenue

For more information, please go to khadafyfoundation.org

Utunes Time

The organizers of the Utunes coffeehouse at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland say they are going after an old-timey church basement coffee house vibe, but with an Oakland twist. The events feature folk and popular music from all over the world. This Friday, the exceptional East Bay Anointed Voices perform in the cozy venue. Here’s a little bit more about EBAV: “East Bay Anointed Voices is a multi-racial, inter-denominational mix of talented vocalists and musicians of all ages under the direction of Donald Taylor and Rachelle Rogers-Ard. EBAV’s music is a mix of traditional and contemporary gospel styles, infused with jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms.”

Friday, November 13 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street
$18 at the door, $5 kids 6-15, 6 and under are free
$14 in advance

Re-Create

The Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) is putting on a show of artwork made by Oakland K-12 students from discarded or reused materials.

The fifth annual Re-Create art contest and exhibition, which features artworks like giant gold robots made from old CDs to winged water bottle creatures, aims to highlight creative approaches to the 4 Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle, rot.

The Re-Create exhibit runs November 13 through December 20. Gallery hours are Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Public reception and award ceremony
Friday November 13, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
472 Water Street in Jack London Square
www.mocha.org

Opening Concert: Night at the Opera

Friday is Michael Morgan’s big night. Mr. Morgan, who celebrates his twentieth anniversary with the Oakland East Bay Symphony this year has picked arias, overtures and intermezzos from many of his favorite operas and brought a group of talented and high profile young singers such as former Adler Fellow Joshua Bloom, who recently made a successful debut at the Metropolitan Opera, for opening of the symphony’s 2009-2010 season. The program for Night at the Opera includes music from some of the world’s most well known operas, including Aida and other Verdi favorites, Lucia di Lammermoor and Bernstein’s Candide.

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m.
The Paramount, 2025 Broadway
Tickets: $20 to $65
oebs.org

SATURDAY

Special School Board Meeting

It might not be your notion of an ideal weekend afternoon, but Oakland Unified’s governing board is holding a special meeting at the district’s downtown HQ Saturday, which address some of the biggest issues facing the district: teacher compensation, school size, and class size. Tony Smith, the district’s new boss, has said that Oakland public schools are going to have to perform at a higher level with a lot less money. On Saturday, the public will get a glimpse of what a post-Great Recession school district will look like.

Saturday, November 14, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Paul Robeson Board Room, 1025 2nd Avenue

Think Fast Theater

For the past six or so weeks, Awkward Face, the improvisational troupe at Uptown’s Pan Theater have been performing two shows every Saturday night. The first show of the evening is called The Montage. It’s a collection of scenes, monologues, and games built around audience suggestions. The Harold, the evening’s second show, is a long-form improv piece with recurring characters in three pieces. With that kind of intensity, the motto of Pan Theater pretty much has to be “Where Neurons Fire Faster.” Maybe you’ll catch the improv bug. The theater’s holding auditions at the end of the month.

Saturday, November 14 8 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.
2135 Broadway
$10 at the door

Bay Area Bead Extravaganza 2009

This weekend, the 11th annual Bay Area Bead Extravaganza (BABE), the largest bead and jewelry show in the West, comes to Oakland.

There will be more than 160 juried exhibitors showing unusual beads, jewelry and beading supplies. Designers and fashion connoisseurs can go shop and those that like to work with beads can pick up tips and lessons.

Saturday, Nov 14. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway
$7
For more information, call 510- 684-2484 or visit beadextravaganza.com/

SUNDAY

Discussing Afghanistan

If you’re feeling like you’re in the mood for a political debate, here’s something for you. The title that tells you where the discussion’s going: Afghan lives and freedom sucked into U.S. quagmire.

Agree or disagree? This is your chance to be heard. There will be a free and open discussion led by Htun Lin, News & Letters “Workshop Talks” columnist this Sunday.

Sunday, November 15, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. (at Alcatraz)
For more information call (510) 658-1448 or email banandl@yahoo.com
To read News & Letters articles on Afghanistan, visit newsandletters.org

Jazzschool at Yoshi’s

The award winning Jazzschool Studio Band is an advanced-level high school ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of standard and contemporary big band literature. Directed by Keith Johnson, the group is made up of some of the Bay Area’s top high school musicians who are selected each year by competitive audition. The Jazzschool Studio Band performs frequently throughout the Bay Area and participates in national jazz festivals and competitions throughout the United States. The band has performed at esteemed jazz clubs including Yoshi’s in Oakland, The Jazzschool, and Savanna Jazz in San Francisco in addition to performances in New York, Seattle, and Idaho.

Sunday, November 16
8 p.m. ($15) and 10 p.m.  ($10)
510 Embarcadero West (Jack London Square)
510-238-9200

Howl-o-ween pics!

If you’re pet-crazy, you have to see these photos from the Halloween party at Paws and Claws in the Dimond. The pet store run by the Dimond dynamos Ruth and Diane raised $300 for PAWS East Bay that evening through this fun event. Click here to see the slide show.

09/25: Here’s the O-Scene Weekend

There are movies, more movies, delicious street fairs, a mad hatter tea party, Oakland’s finest artists at our own gallery – art@theoakbook – and much more this fine O-scene weekend.

FRIDAY, September 25, 2009

Oakland Underground Film Festival

The Oakland Underground Film Festival is so underground it’s not even being held in Oakland. This year the DIY film festival will be held in a location the organizers are calling West West Oakland aka Alameda. For only $25 bucks you can get an all-festival pass for three days of films that are practically guaranteed not to not bore you. Consider “Destined to be Ingested,” which is about a boatload of rich folk running afoul of cannibals on an unexplored South Pacific island in the 1980s.

Friday September 25 to Sunday September 27.  Click here for the schedule
2700 Saratoga Street, Alameda

Fourth Friday Music and Finding Neverland

The outdoor movie season isn’t over – as yet! Watch Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet in Finding Neverland tonight at the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate. The movie starts after sunset, but there will be live music to keep you entertained until then.

Grounds open at 6 p.m.
Movie begins shortly after sunset (approximately 8:30 pm).
Admission: $5, Self-guided mansion tours: Free

For more on Dunsmuir, go to www.dunsmuir.org/

SATURDAY, September 26

Book Release: Historic Photos of Oakland by Steven Lavoie

Steven Lavoie, the librarian in charge of the Oakland History Room, will talk about his new book featuring the history of Oakland in photographs. Lavoie knows the town’s fascinating history well – from the Pullman Porters and the Black Panther Party to Jack London, Isadora Duncan, and Gertrude Stein.  His depth of knowledge shines through his collection of photos that accurately reflect Oakland’s past and present.

Free
West Auditorium in the Main Library, 125 14th Street,  510-238-3138
3 p.m.

Grassroots Economy Festival

The global economy may remain be shaky, but grassroots economies are blossoming all over the country, and Oakland is an epicenter of cooperatives, co-housing, and other forms of resource sharing. The first ever Festival of Grassroots Economics is a must for anyone interested in knowing more about economies that care about the environment and social justice. The free event includes expert-packed panels on subjects like the legal issues associated with the formation of a cooperative, the existing resources for grassroots economies, and urban food security.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street
For more information, go to jasecon.org

Improvised Branches

Come to our art gallery in Jack London Square, art@theoakbook, to view the work of 11 of Oakland’s – and the Bay Area’s — finest artists. Come for the art, stay to mingle and talk. If this art doesn’t get people talking, nothing will.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
423 Water Street (in Jack London Square across from Barnes and Noble)

Pads4Girls Sew-A-Thon

This event was supposed to be held on Saturday, but has been postponed. However, we suggest following it at calendar.rpscollective.com/month.php

This event at Rock Paper Scissors hopes to accomplish two goals: to teach people to sew and in the process, create reusable cloth pads for girls in Africa. As you might or might now know, in many parts of Africa, girls miss school when they have their periods since menstrual supplies are hard to come by. The volunteer-run art space on Telegraph is working in conjunction with Lunapads to ship the pads to several non-profits in Africa.

For more information about the Pads 4 Girls program, check out lunapads.com/donate.htm

Mad Tea party

Artists Bruce Tamberelli, Darwin Price and Yvette M. Buigues have reinterpreted Wonderland for this show at the Float gallery, aptly titled Through the Looking Glass. The opening reception features live Jazz by ManOverboard and bubbling absinth spiked tea. They promise you’ll be grinning like a Cheshire cat!

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  (Show runs through Oct 31)
Float gallery
Free – unless you choose to buy something.
1091 Calcot place #116 Oakland
510-525-1702, thefloatcenter.com

SUNDAY, September 27

Out and About on College

The highlight of last year’s Rockridge Out and About Festival was the whole pig roasting over an open fire at the corner of College and Shafter. The picnic in the street will return this year along with several blocks of other attractions, including live music, fashion shows, and a green living expo. It’s the last Oakland street fair of the summer. Don’t miss it.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
College Avenue (Between Claremont and Manila)

John Handy at Sundays in the Redwoods

Want to get some of that parking money back? The Oakland East Bay Symphony will be performing free at the Woodminster Amphitheater as part of the city’s excellent Sundays in the Redwoods program. Michael Morgan will conduct winners of the OEBS Young Artists Competition in recitals of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rossini, and others. John Handy, the remarkable alto saxist, will close the performance. The concert begins at 2 p.m. with performances by local groups. OEBS tunes up at 4 p.m.

Free
2 p.m.
Woodminster Amphitheater
3300 Jaoquin Miller Road