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This weekend in Oakland

on January 28, 2011

Community events and activities for the weekend of January 28-30.  Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, January 28

Oakland’s first Restaurant Week
January 23 – 29
Various restaurants, Oakland

Come taste the fine cuisine offered by Oakland restaurants during Oakland’s first restaurant week.  A number of Oakland’s top restaurants will be offering special prix fixe dinner menus from $20 to $40 dollars.  Reservations are recommended.  More info here.

Re-Discover Oaktown: A Scavenger Hunt
5:30 – 6:30 pm
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation: 310 8th Street, Oakland

The scavenger hunt will start in Chinatown, go through Downtown and Old Town and will end in a local bar, complete with a final “minute to win it” challenge.  Re-discover what makes Oakland great.  Make sure to bring your phone or camera to take pictures.  The event does cost $10.  More info here.

Oakland East Bay Symphony Opens 2011 with Inspiring Brahms’ “Requiem”
8 pm
Paramount Theater: 2025 Broadway, Oakland

Opera singers Brian Leerhuber and Carrie Hennessey lend their voices to the piece, which also includes the Oakland Symphony Chorus.  There is a pre-concert talk by John Kendall Bailey at 7 pm.  More info here.

Saturday, January 29

Cal NORML Conference: “Marijuana Reform: Next Steps for California”
9:30 am – 5:30 pm
David Brower Center: 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley

The conference will cover topics ranging from proposals to license collective gardens to pushing for renewed legislation in Sacramento.  The panel will feature leading drug reform advocates, interest groups, attorneys, public officials, medical providers, patients, and growers.  The event costs $30 and includes lunch.  More info here.

Oakland A’s $2 Wednesday Tickets On Sale
Starts at 9 am and continues all day
Oakland Coliseum: 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

Single game tickets go on sale today for Oakland A’s games.  Every A’s Wednesday home game is only $2.  Tickets are good for seats in the Plaza Level, Plaza Outfield, and Plaza Reserved sections.  More info here.

2011 Oakland Chinatown: Lunar New Year Bazaar
10 am – 5 pm (also on Sunday)
9 and Franklin Streets and Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Oakland

Held in the heart of Chinatown, the Lunar Bazaar is put on by the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.  Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with live cultural performances – dancing, martial arts, Chinese cultural music, and a “Little Prince and Princess Contest.”  The event is free.  More info here.

Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
10 am – 10 pm (also on Sunday from 9 am – 6 pm)
Chinatown: Grant Avenue and Clay Street, San Francisco

Come to purchase fresh flowers, fruit, candy, and other New Year’s decorations.  The Chinese Opera will be performing.  There will also be lion dancing and a martial arts demonstration.  The Mayor will be in attendance to open the festival at 10:45 am.  More info here.

National Puzzle Day Competition
10 am – 4 pm
Jigsaw Java: 846 Main Street, Redwood City

Grab three of your friends and tackle a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle as fast as you can.  The winning team receives $500, 2nd and 3rd place receive $100 each.  There will also be lots of mini puzzle challenges, live demonstrations, and a chance to cut your own wood puzzle.  It’s $15 per person to register.  More info here.

Living History Day with Civil War Reenactments
10 am – 5 pm
Fort Point National Historic Site: Long Avenue and Marine Drive, San Francisco

Join the American Civil War Association of Northern California as they bring the fort to life with a fife and drum band, medical practices, sewing, quilting, and Victorian dancing or the era.  The event is free.  More info here.

Climate Scout Investigator Workshop: Compost Creations
11:30 am – 1 pm OR 2:30 – 4 pm
Chabot Space & Science Center: 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland

Take a tour of the Chabot Community Garden and worm compost bin area, and then learn how to make your own.  For ages 6 and up.  $8 for members and $8 plus admission for guests.  More info here.

Shipwreck Hunt and Hike
1 – 2:30 pm
Lands End Trailhead: 870 El Camino Del Mar, San Francisco

The four-mile hike passes many of the ships that drowned after crashing into the rocks at Lands End.  The hike is sponsored by Hiking San Francisco and will only be canceled if there is heavy rain.  More info here.

Family Extravaganza: Chinese New Year
1 – 3 pm (also on Sunday)
Museum of Children’s Art, MOCHA: 538 9th Street, Suite 210, Oakland

Meet Faye Wu, author of “Chinese and English Nursery Rhymes: Share and Sing in Two Languages,” and learn some Chinese songs.  Artist/illustrator Kieren Dutcher will help you create rabbit art for the year of the hare.  $8 per child, free for adults and members.  More info here.

Casting Call for Extras to be in Matt Damon’s New Movie, “Contagion”
2 – 6 pm (See below for Sunday information)
Fort Mason: Laguna Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco

The movie is looking for 2000 extras in San Francisco to help with shooting of Matt Damon’s new movie, “Contagion.”  Producers are looking for men and women – over the age of 18 – of all shapes, sizes, types, and ethnicities.  The movie will be filming in San Francisco from February 9 – 19.  All extras will be paid.  Applicants need only bring a pen and a small photo of themselves.  More info here.

Cal Men’s Basketball vs. Oregon
3 pm
UC Berkeley Haas Pavilion: 14 Frank Schlessinger Way, Berkeley

More info here.

Finding Real Love – A Book Discussion
5 pm
Pegasus Books Downtown: 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland

Bestselling author David Richo will discuss and sign copies of his newest book, “Daring to Trust: Opening Ourselves to Real Love and Intimacy.”  More info here.

PASSAGE
5 – 8 pm
Krowswork side entrance: 480 23rd Street, Oakland

This exhibition showcases video and video sculptures by Karen Seneferu and photography by Ron Moultrie Saunders.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross: an FIM World Championship
Doors open/practice and qualifying events at 12:30 pm
The main event starts at 7 pm
Oakland Coliseum: 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

Come watch some amazing Supercross.  Motorcycle racers speed around dirt tracks, while encountering steep jumps and obstacles littered throughout the course.  Tickets range from $10 to $75.  More info here.

East Bay Free Skool Benefit Show
7 – 11 pm
Café Revolution: 1610 7th Street, Oakland

The Easy Bay Free Skool is raising money for their upcoming classes.  There will be six bands playing throughout the night and information about the East Bay Free Skool and what they do.  More info here.

Cal Ice Hockey vs. UC Davis
9:15 pm
Oakland Ice Center: 519 18th Street, Oakland

Tickets available at the door.  More info here.

Sunday, January 30

Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival
8:45 am – 4:30 pm
Pauley Ballroom: UC Berkeley, Martin Luther King Student Union, Berkeley

Two sessions of hands-on math workshops, puzzles and games, will be offered for kids in 6th – 12th grade.  The first session is 8:45 am – 1:15 pm, followed by the second session from 12:15 pm – 4:30 pm.  More info here.

Casting Call for Extras to be in Matt Damon’s New Movie, “Contagion”
10 am – 4 pm
Embarcadero YMCA: 169 Steuart Street, San Francisco

The movie is looking for 2000 extras in San Francisco to help with shooting of Matt Damon’s new movie, “Contagion.”  Producers are looking for men and women – over the age of 18 – of all shapes, sizes, types, and ethnicities.  The movie will be filming in San Francisco from February 9 – 19.  All extras will be paid.  Applicants need only bring a pen and a small photo of themselves.  More info here.

Fred Korematsu Day Celebration
2 – 5 pm
UC Berkeley: Wheeler Auditorium

Keynote speaker Jesse Jackson will help honor the late anti-internment activist.  Spoken word artist, Beau Sia, and California Assembly members Warren Furutani and Marty Block will also give tributes.  Tickets range from $5 – $100.  More info here.

Panel Discussion: “Legends of the Gourmet Ghetto”
5 pm
Books Inc.: 1760 Fourth Street, Berkeley

L. John Harris, author of “Foodoodles: From the Museum of Culinary History,” hosts a book signing and panel discussion with four Gourmet Ghetto legends: Joyce Goldstein, Victoria Wise, Bruce Aidells, and Alice Medrich.  More info here.

Hawaiian Legends in Concert: Ledward Kaapana, Nathan Aweau and Dennis Kamakahi
Shows at 5 and 7 pm
Yoshi’s: 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Come hear some great Hawaiian music.  Tickets are $25 for the 5 pm show and $20 for the 7 pm show.  More info here.

Spokeland Bike Brakes Workshop
6 – 8 pm
Homespun Bikes: 494 Wesley Avenue, Oakland

Come learn how to fix and maintain your bicycle’s brakes with an hour-long workshop taught by Spokeland mechanics.  A question and answer session will follow.  More info here.

Golden State Warriors vs. the Utah Jazz
7 pm
Oakland Coliseum: 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

More info here.

Ongoing community weekend events and gatherings

Talks

Wildlife Theater
Saturdays at 11:45 am and Sundays at 1:45 pm
Oakland Zoo: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Every Saturday, hear a story and meet an animal with the Oakland zoo staff.  On Sundays, there are more animals to meet and a chance to learn cool nature facts.

Toddler Storytime
Saturdays 10:30 – 11:30 am
Oakland Main Library, Children’s Room, 125 14th Street, Oakland and Rockridge Branch Library 5366 College Avenue, Oakland

Every Saturday, children ages three and under can listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy family play time. More info here.

Farmers markets

Old Oakland Farmers Market: 9th Street between Broadway and Clay, Oakland
Fridays 8 am – 2 pm, year-round
.  More info here.

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Farmers Market: 3801 Howe Street, Oakland
Fridays 10 am – 2 pm, year-round.  
More info here.

Grand Lake Farmers Market: Splash Pad Park at Grand Avenue and Lake Park Avenue
Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm, year round.  More info here.

Phat Beets Produce Market: 5717 Market Street, Oakland
Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm.  
More info here.

Temescal Farmers Market: 5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland (at the DMV)
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm, year-round.  
More info here.

Jack London Square Farmers Market: Webster & Water Streets, Oakland
Sundays, 9 am – 2 pm, year-round.  
More info here.

Meetings

MTC Community Garden Hoe-Down
Saturdays 9 – 11 am
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58 Street, Oakland (enter through the driveway)

Come join the weekly garden work party!  Whether you are a novice or an expert, all levels of gardening are welcome. Bring your gloves and gardening tools.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Sundays 8:30 – 10 am, Thursdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Summit Campus, Merritt Pavillion
350 Hawthorne Avenue, Oakland, in the “Fir Room.”

A program based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, weigh-ins, or fee, but pre-registration for this free program is required. The program is provided through Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the East Bay. Call (510) 523-4361 for more information.

Got an Oakland event to share for next weekend’s events listing? Send info including address, time, and ticket price for events taking place in Oakland between February 4-6 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.

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