This Weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of November 9-11 2012. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, November 9

Sonar: An Electronic Music Festival from Barcelona
7pm
Fox Theatre, 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA

Sonar On Tour features electronic music and new media art from Barcelona’s annual Sonar festival, which began in 1994. Friday’s event is headlined by South African rap-rave artist Die Antwoord. Tickets range from $39.50-$49.50. For more information, click here. 

An Evening of Traditional American Music with S.W. Willis

8pm

Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA

Since 1969, S.E. Willis has been active in countless Rock, Blues and Country bands. On Friday, he comes to the Piedmont Piano Company with his Acoustic Oakland All-Stars, consisting of Bobby Cochran (drums/vocals), Ruth Davies (bass) and Nancy Wright (saxophone/vocals). Tickets are $15. For more information, click here.

Neil Simon’s Lost In Yonkers

8:30-10:30pm

Holy Names University Studio Theatre, 3500 Mountain Blvd. Oakland, CA

Holy Names University Drama Workshop presents its production of Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coming-of-age story about a young man tasked with the care of his psychologically abusive grandmother. Directed by Joel Schlader. Admission is $5, $2 for students. For more information, click here. 

Hands-On Islamic Arts & Culture Workshops

All Day

Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California, 1433 Madison St. Oakland, CA

Zawaya, a non-profit organization that uses Arab arts to contribute to the multicultural discourse of the bay area is hosting a series of workshops in their Doorway to Islamic Civilization campaign. Stop by all weekend to explore the aesthetics and traditions of Islamic culture through activities surrounding art, crafts, music, architecture and more. Read More. 

Oakland East Bay Symphony Presents “Celebrating Democracy”

8pm

Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA

The Oakland East Bay Symphony kickstarts their 2012-2013 season with a concert featuring the work of African-American composer Adolphus Haildtork, a world premier performance of a new piece by Bay Area composer Gordon Getty, and Aaron Copeland’s Clarinet Concerto. Tickets range from $20-$70. For more information, click here.

Glass art exhibition at California College of the Arts

8am-12pm, 1-4:30pm

California College of the Arts, 5212 Broadway, Oakland CA

Recognizing the “Golden Jubilee” 50-year anniversary celebration of the American Studio Glass Art movement’s exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art, California College of the Arts is holding a lecture and demonstration of glass art run by Seattle-based glass artists Boyd Sugiki and Lisa Zerkowitz. For more information, click here.

Cheap Shots art exhibition

8-10pm

Actual Café, 6334 San Pablo Ave. Oakland, CA

Cheap Shots is a show of photography shot with non-professional cameras such as instamatics, polaroids, smartphones and found photos. Gallary features photos by local artists Lucky Banks-Kenny, Vernon Rodrigues, Bridget Ho, Japhy Riddle, Marty Shulz, C. Havlena, and Zoe Hawaii. Free. For more information, click here.

Reading by Author Carolina deRobertis

7pm

A Great Place for Books, 6120 LaSelle Ave. Oakland, CA

Carolina deRobertis will be at A Great Place for Books reading excerpts from her piece featured in Count on Me: Tales of Sisterhoods and Fierce Friendships, a collection of stories from twelve prominent Latino authors. For more information, click here.

Painted Pretty art exhibit

6:30-9pm

Halmoni Vintage & Treasures, 1601 2^nd Ave, Oakland, CA

Work will be displayed by Bay Area Tatoo apprentice Renee Castro at Halmoni vintage boutique. Stop by this free event for music, local art, and sangria. For more information, click here.

The Last Laugh comedy show
10:30pm

Pan Theater, 2135 Broadway, Oakland, CA 

Local comic Samson Koletkar headlines a comedy show featuring comedians from the Bay Area who have appeared on Comedy Central, HBO and BET. Calling himself the “world’s only Indian Jewish standup comedian,” Koletkar produced the show that includes Bob Lieberman, Steven Pearl, Natasha Muse, Eddy Jayson and Laura Sanders. Tickets are $10. For more information, click here.

Saturday, November 10

Discussion: The Elections are Over, What is to be Done?
11am – 1 pm
Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library 6501 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland CA

Meeting organized by Marxist group to discuss the 2012 presidential election results.

Eastmont Chess Class
12pm – 1pm
Oakland Public Library, Eastmont Branch Eastmont Town Center

Come for free chess lessons or play chess with others.

Special Second Saturdays at Vessel Gallery: Artist Talk Series
2pm-6pm
Vessel Gallery 471 25th Street, Oakland, CA

Discussion of “Inside Out” Exhibition with Art Critic DeWitt Cheng. Other panelists include Marilyn Bardet, DeWitt Cheng, Tom Gardner, and Lonnie Lee.
Honorary Words and Celebration of William Harsh
3:30pm
Vessel Gallery 471 25th Street, Oakland, CA

A celebration of the life and works of recently deceased Bay Area artist William Harsh.

Dewitt Cheng Book Signing and Concert by The Town Quartet
4pm – 6pm
Vessel Gallery 471 25th Street, Oakland, CA

Book release and signing of DeWitt Cheng’s book on Harsh’s life and works entitled, “Inside Out, Paintings of William Harsh”. Music performance by The Town Quartet

Opening and Cocktail Party

5-7pm
Mercury 20, 475 25th Street, Oakland, CA

Exhibition featuring artists PK Frizzell, Kerry Vander Meer and the artists of the group show Cartographies. Funky but chic attire encouraged.

Old Skool Throw Back Party!
8pm-2am
Abco Artspace, 3135 Filbert Street, Oakland, CA

Music from Odd Nosdom, Mike Walti, DJ No Friends, DJ PROTOGHOST, JAM CIDEE (Lower Bottoms Funk & Soul) with more acts TBA. Benefit for recently launched community co-op kitchen CrossRoads Cafe! Admission is $15. For more information, click here.

Songs in the Key of Life and Death: New work by Jeanne Lorenz
6pm – 9pm
The Compound Gallery, 1167 65th Street, Oakland, CA

Paintings and printed wall installations by Jeanne Lorenz. Musical performance by SpaceAPE. For more information, click here.

Denise Perrier Birthday Bash
8pm
Piedmont Piano Company, 18th and San Pablo, Oakland

Musical performance by The Tammy Hall Trio and special invited guests.

TRENDS- The Zarif Soulye Episode
9pm
ERA art bar and Lounge, 19 Grand Ave, Oakland, California

Music by resident DJ Hector. Admission is $10.

Sunday, November 11

A special Sunday with Silvan ZingG

4pm

Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, CA

Known as the “Swiss Ambassador of Boogie Woogie,” pianist Silvan Zingg has brought his impressive technique and exuberance all over the world. He has performed internationally with Chuck Berry and BB King, and he comes to downtown Oakland this Sunday. Tickets are $20. For more information, click here.

Mousetrap and Music

12pm-6pm

Peralta Junction, Oakland, CA

See the opening weekend of Lifesized Mousetrap: a 25 ton Rube Goldberg machine! Stop by for musical acts Lower Bottom Blues Band at 1pm, Jerk Church at 3pm and Mortar & Pestle at 5:30pm. Check out artisan vendors and food on Sunday, and make sure to be there at 2pm and 5pm when the machine operates. For more information, click here.

Oakland Civic Orchestra presents “Musical Ironies”

4pm

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland, CA

Called by Dave Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle “the undersung treasure of the East Bay,” the Oakland Civic Orchestra is a volunteer community orchestra under the direction of conductor Martha Stoddard. This Sunday, the Orchestra will play a selection of ironic pairings featuring Wagner, Barber and Prokofiev. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

Saxophonist David Sanborn

6pm & 8pm

Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA

Six-time Grammy Award winning jazz saxophonist David Sanborn has released 24 albums and has received international acclaim since appearing on the jazz scene in the ‘70s. Tickets are $40 for the 6pm show, and $35 for the 8pm show. For more information, click here.

Ongoing community weekend events and gatherings

Classic Cars West Beer Garden
Saturdays from 2 pm til dusk
Classic Cars West, 411 26th Street, Oakland

Featuring grilled sausages, craft beer, music, art and vintage cars. More info here.

Get ‘er Done Day and Community Potluck
Sundays noon – 6 pm, 6 – 8 pm
A PLACE for Sustainable Living, 1121 64th Street, Oakland

Volunteers can work on a variety of tasks including carpentry, seed planting, plumbing work and more to benefit the center. Followed by a “Souper Sunday” community potluck dinner; bring a vegetarian dish or something to add to the “stone soup.” More info here.

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.

Piedmont Avenue Branch Knitting Group
Saturdays, 3 – 4 pm
Piedmont Ave. Branch, 160 41st Street, Oakland

Weekly knitting get-together and help session.

Open Spinning/Knitting Gathering
Every second Saturday of the month, 10 am – 1 pm
A Verb for Keeping Warm, 6328 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

A free get-together to work on knitting, spinning or fiber arts projects, with complimentary coffee and tea. More info here.

Scrabble Club
Third and First Saturday of every month, 1 – 4 pm
It’s Your Move Games and Hobbies: 4920 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

The club meets two to three times a month and hold a monthly tournament.  Cost: $1 to join the club and $25 for six games at the tournament.  More info here.

MTC Community Garden Hoe-Down
Saturdays 9 – 11 am
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58th 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.

MTC Let’s Walk Together program
Second and fourth Saturdays, 8 am – 10 am
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58th Street, Oakland

A twice-monthly group walk through different Bay Area parks and trails. Meet at the church and carpool to the week’s location. More info here.

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 Pavilion
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.

Chemical Dependency Workshop

Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s MPI Treatment Services: 3021 Summit Street, 5th Floor, D Wing, Oakland

Whether you are dealing with alcohol or drug abuse yourself, or helping a family member or friend through the addiction, everyone is welcome at Alta Bates’ Dependency Workshops.  Call 510-652-7000 for more information.

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: 942 Stanford Avenue, 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.

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 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.