Whatever else you do or don’t do, you can’t miss the Oakland Museum’s grand re-opening this weekend. The museum is hosting a 31-hour-long free extravaganza from Saturday through Sunday evening. But you don’t have to spend all 31 hours at the museum — there’s a lot more going down in Oaktown this weekend.
Friday, April 30
The Coup
In these frustrating political times it’s cathartic to hear voices like Oakland’s Coup, one of the most lucid producers of socially conscious hip hop since 1993. Boots (nee Raymond Riley) and DJ Pam the Funkstress will be at New Parish Friday night. The fire on the stage just might even restore your belief in democracy.
What: The Coup with Katdelic Featuring Ronkat
When: Friday April 30, 8:30 p.m.
Where: The New Parish, 579 18th Street
How Much: $20
The Secret Society
This is the Oakland Museum of California’s big reopening weekend, so we feel a little unfaithful mentioning an artsy thing in Berkeley, but The Secret Society at the Berkeley Art Museum sounds awfully interesting, if only because L@TE’s taking the secret part seriously. Joseph del Pesco (The man who turned moonshining into art) has programmed the evening and all we’re told to expect are parachutes, speakeasies, and a secret “porchlight” event somewhere in the museum. And don’t worry about hitting the hometown party, too. The Oakland Museum of California is going to be free and open for 31 hours straight all weekend. You can do both.
What: L@TE
When: Friday, April 30, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
How Much: $5
Saturday, May 1
Brew for the Beautiful Game
The brewmasters over at Linden Street have whipped up a special batch of suds for a fundraiser at the brewery Saturday afternoon. For $25 dollars you can drink the specially crafted Unity Lane Lager, enjoy wine from Periscope Cellars and taste the entries from a Jamaican jerk cook-off. The best part is that it’s all for a worthy cause. The proceeds will go to My Yute Soccer Camp, which runs a one-week, absolutely free summer soccer camp for 60 kids in Oakland.
What: First Annual Jamaican Jerk Cook-Off
Where: Linden Street Brewery,
When: Saturday, May 1, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
How Much: $25
Walking in Jane’s Name
Join Annalee Allen, historian and director of Oakland’s walking tour program, through a 90-minute-tour of Old Oakland. Walk through what was once the western terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad. Formerly Oakland’s bustling downtown district in the days of railroads and streetcars, this area’s restored brick and Victorian buildings now live on as offices, galleries and eateries. Visit the historic Washington Inn, G.B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers, Swans Marketplace and the “Friends of the Library” bookstore. The tour will end at La Borinqueña Mex-icatessen at 582 Seventh Street.
This walk is meant to be Oakland’s Jane Walk and will launch the 2010 Walking Tour program. Jane’s Walk is an international day of city walks in honor of the late urban theorist Jane Jacobs.
The 10,000 Steps team will join Annalee Allen to share some of the stories they have collected for their Walking the Invisible City tour.
What: Jane’s Walk
When: Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m.
Where: Meet in front of Ratto’s Deli, 821 Washington Street in Old Oakland
Free
Opening of the 57-33 store
The people behind Fiftyseven-thirtythree, those popular and stylish handmade-in-Oakland tee shirts that you’ve probably seen at local street fairs and night markets, are moving on up to their own store. It’s a store where you might go just to look at the cool art, thanks to artist Eddie Colla’s work on the walls. The grand opening party’s this Saturday.
What: 57-33 Opens.
When: Saturday, May 1. Store hours: Noon to 6, the party begins at 7.
Where: 4125 Piedmont Avenue (2nd floor)
First 50 guests get free shirts.
fiftyseventhirtythree.wordpress.com
Keep Oakland Beautiful
If you care about how Oakland looks and want to do your bit to keep it beautiful, you get your chance this Saturday. From 9 a.m. to noon, Keep Oakland Beautiful’s board members, volunteers and local residents will be working to clean up and beautify 42nd Avenue, between International and Foothill.
What: Keep Oakland Beautiful/the 2010 Great American Cleanup, a national campaign organized by nonprofit Keep America Beautiful.
When: Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m.
Where: Volunteers are to meet in the FAMSA furniture store parking lot at 4215 Foothill Blvd., www.keepoaklandbeautiful.org,
Second Kids Otter Read Around the Bay Day
Take your kids to Laurel Bookstore and meet four authors of books for kids, ask them your questions, and find out about some new books. The bookstore will be hosting Rachel Rodriguez (Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi), Madeleine Dunphy (Here is Antarctica), Debra Sartell (Time for Bed, Baby Ted), and Sara Kahn (Opus and the Red Chair.)
What: Kids Otter Read
When: Saturday, May 1, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd.
Sunday, May 2
Lag BaOmer Picnic
In Israel, Lag BaOmer is a holiday for bonfires. On Sunday, the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay andWilderness Torah are hosting a picnic at Lake Temescal. Expect barbecue, arts and crafts, hikes, and games. The JCCEB will have kosher hot dogs, veggie burgers, and drinks.
What: Lag BaOmer
When: Sunday, May 2, 12 PM – 4 PM
Where: Lake Temescal, 6500 Broadway
How Much: Free
The Deconstruction Orchestra
Sax master Josh Allen returns for a four-week residency at East O’s own Flux 53 with his monster avant-improv ensemble, and the word is they’re bigger and badder than ever.
This Sunday, Allen opens at 8 p.m. playing with drummer Kjell Nordeson. At 9 p.m. the Orchestra goes on, featuring well known local musicians, such as Henry Kaiser, Darren Johnston, Ava Mendoza, Tom Djll, Ron Heglin, Damon Smith, and Roberto Haven of the Church of Coltrane.
What: Allen and the Deconstruction Orchestra
When: Sunday, 2 May, 8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Where: Flux 53 Theater, Foothill & Fairfax
$10 suggested donation
O-Scene 