This weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of February 25 – 27.  Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, February 25

Lie-Nelson Hand Tool Workshop Weekend
10 am – 6 pm (Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm)
The Crucible: 1260 7^th Street, Oakland

Come try out all those hand tools you have had your eye on.  There will be live demonstrations all day long from Ken Drank of Glen-Drake Toolworks, Ron Hock, of Hock Blades and the Robert Larson Company.  More info here.

Meet the Winemaker: Wine Tasting & Light Bites
5 – 6 pm
Ms. Pearl’s Jam House – Waterfront Hotel: 10 Washington Street, Oakland

Come join the East Bay Vinter’s Alliance for the first of its new weekly “Meet the Winemaker” tasting series. Ms. Pearl’s Jam House will provide snacks.  This week’s wine is from Andrew Lane Wines.  More info here.

Scavenger Hunt: Landmarks of Downtown Oakland
6 – 7 pm
Asian Resource Center Lobby: 310 8^th Street, Oakland

Test your Oakland knowledge with this scavenger hunt of the city.  The hunt will end at a local bar with a “minute to win it” style challenge.  Cost: $5 if you register early, $10 at the door.  More info here.

Discussion: Youth Art and Hip-Hop Culture
6 pm
Janina’s Posh Pieces Studio: 3824 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

The event will include a screening of the film “Urban Hieroglyphics 3,” a satellite art exhibition, and a panel discussion.  More info here.

Pinball Mafia Tournament
7 pm
Stork Club: 2330 Telegraph, Oakland

Love pinball?  Come see if you’ve got game!  Each contestant will play two pinball games – maximum of five minutes each – to see how many points they can score.  There will be separate tournaments for the pros and novices.  Registration is from 7 – 8:30 pm, but only the first 35 people can enter.  21 and up.  More info here.

Exploiting My Baby: Because it’s Exploiting Me
7 pm
Green Apple Books: 506 Clement Street, San Francisco

San Francisco native Teresa Strasser will be on hand to sign copies of her book “Exploiting My Baby: Because it’s Exploiting Me,” and to share funny stories of motherhood and pregnancy from her memoir.  Strasser, a TV and radio personality, is best known as the former co-host of The Adam Carolla Show.  More info here.

Aura Imbarus
7:30 pm
Pegasus Books Downtown: 2349 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley

Aura Imbarus will be reading from and signing copies of her new book, “Out of the Transylvania Night.”  More info here.

Participate in Art: Uncomfortable Zones of Fun
8 – 11 pm
Temescal Art Center: 511 48^th Street, Oakland

Performance artist Frank Moore is putting on another experience experiment, “The Uncomfortable Zones of Fun.”  Musicians, actors, dancers, and even audience members will be participating in the fun of creating altered realities.  More info here.

Oakland East Bay Symphony Presents The Planets and Stars: featuring the West Coast Premiere of a new work by Grammy-winner Billy Childs featuring Regina Carter and Holst’s The Planets
8 pm
Paramount Theatre: 2024 Broadway, Oakland

Oakland East Bay Symphony presents the West Coast Premiere of a new work by Grammy-winning composer Billy Childs featuring renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, as well as Holst’s The Planets and Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King featuring music students from OEBS’ successful Music for Excellence outreach that serves over 3,000 students in grades 3-12 in Oakland.  There will be a pre-concert talk with John Kendall Bailey at 7 pm.  Cost: $20 – $65.  More info here.

Saturday, February 26

AMC Best Picture Showcase: 24-Hour Movie Marathon
Saturday, February 26 at 10 am – Sunday, February 27 at 9:12 am
AMC Bay Street 16: 5614 Shellmound Street, Emeryville

All ten Oscar Best Picture nominees – 127 Hours, Black Swan, The Fighter, The Kids are All Right, Inception, The King’s Speech, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, and Winter’s Bone – will be shown back-to-back.  Cost: $50 (includes a $20 AMC Gift Card, which can be used for concessions.)  More info here.

Schedule:
Saturday, February 26
10 am: Toy Story 3 (103 minutes)
12 pm: 127 Hours (95 min)
2 pm: The Kids are All Right (106 min)
4:15 pm: True Grit (110 min)
7:15 pm: The Fighter (116 min)
9:45 pm: Winter’s Bone (100 min)
11:45 pm: Black Swan (109 min)
Sunday, February 27
2:00 am: Inception (148 min)
4:45 am: The Social Network (121 min)
7:05 am: The King’s Speech (119 min)

2^nd Annual “Black History” Bowl
9 am – 5 pm
Frick Middle School: 2845 64^th Avenue, Oakland

Come watch the competition at the 2^nd Annual Dr. Carter G. Wilson Black History Bowl.  Student teams at elementary, middle, and high school levels will compete against each other, to test their knowledge of black history.  More info here.

Bay Area Pet Expo
10 am – 6 pm
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds: 344 Tully Road, San Jose

Fun for the whole family, including Fido!  Bring along your pet to sample treats, test out their agility skills and model cat couture.  Local non-profits will also have numerous adoptable pets ready to be loved.  There will also be a talent show, Q and A’s with top trainers, and a costume contest.  More info here.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Career Fair and Exhibition
10 am – 1 pm
DeVry University – Oakland: 505 14^th Street, Oakland

Hosted by the Math and Science Career Academy, the event hopes to expose K-12 students to a new array of job opportunities.  There will be interactive demonstrations from real-world professionals.  More info here.

Rockin’ Robins Family Play Day & Workshop
10:30 am
Oakland Public Library – 81^st Avenue Branch: 1025 81^st Avenue, Oakland
AND
1:30 pm
Oakland Public Library – Cesar Chavez Branch: 3301 East 12^th St., Suite 271, Oakland

Experts in children 0 -12 months old will be on hand to answer all your child-rearing questions.  There will also be a story time, crafts, snacks, and prizes.  Spanish translation is available.  Registration encouraged.  More info here.

The Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics of Northern California
11:30 am
Crissy Field: Marina Boulevard at Baker Street, San Francisco

Come watch 100s brave the freezing temperatures of the Bay.  There will be crazy costumes and a “Chicken Coop” for those who chicken out.  You must raise $50 to participate, but watching is free.  More info here.

Schedule
10 am: Registration
11:30 am: Costume parade and judging
12:00 pm: Plunge
12:30 pm: Post Plunge Party

Freight & Salvage Free Concerts & Workshops
12 – 4 pm
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse: 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley

The coffeehouse will be filled with music, workshops, song circles, storytelling, dancing and more.  There will be something for the whole family.  More info here.

Black History Month Quilt Demo & Workshop
12 – 3:30 pm
Oakland Public Library – West Oakland Branch: 1801 Adeline Street, Oakland

The African American Quilters of Oakland and the West Oakland Branch Library will provide a free demonstration and workshop in quilting.  All supplies will be provided.  More info here.

Celebrity Crab Cracking Festival
12 – 3 pm
Union Square: Geary Street and Powell Street, San Francisco

Members of the San Francisco 49ers will team up with local chefs to demonstrate cracking a crab.  The demonstration at noon will be followed by a contest to see who can crack the most crab.  Attendees will be able to sample San Francisco’s Dungeness crab and drinks from the wine and beer garden.  There will be activities for the entire family.  Cost: Food, Beer, and Wine tickets are $5 each or six for $25 – cash only.  More info here.

Writing Letters: Interactive Dance Performance
2 – 4:30 pm
Oakland Main Library: 125 14^th Street, Oakland

Christine Germain & Dancers will present a dance performance that moves through the Oakland Library.  In each stop, the dancers will use props – books, notebooks, newspapers, and a typewriter – that illustrate literacy.  Audience members are encouraged to participate.  There will be two half hour performances at 2 and 4 pm.  More info here.

Shirin Bridges: “The Thinking Girls’ Treasury of Real Princesses”
3 pm
Mrs. Dalloway’s: 2904 College Avenue, Berkeley

Meet the author of the six picture-book series “The Thinking Girls’ Treasury of Real Princesses.”  Shirin Bridges will also be signing copies of her books.  More info here.

The Annual Ragga Muffins Festival
5:30 pm
Fox Theater: 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

The line-up includes: Bunny Wailer, Israel Vibrations, Gentleman, Richie Price, and Sister I-Live.  Cost: $35 – $39.50.  More info here.

4^th Annual Amoeba Music Art Show
6 – 10 pm
The Noise Pop-Up Shop at Fifty24SF: 218 Fillmore Street, San Francisco

The show will be held at the Noise Pop-Up Shop, a retail store, art gallery, and information center by day; a theater and performance space by night.  More info here.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam
7 pm
Oakland Coliseum: 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

For all you die hard monster truck fans out there!  Pit Party from 3 – 6 pm, gates open at 5, and the show starts at 7.  Cost: Total Access Pass – $125, Gold Circle – $30 adults and $15 kids, Mid-Level – $25 adults and $12.50 kids, and SuperValue – $15 adults and $7.50 kids.  All tickets $2 more day of show.  More info here.

Fair Trade Fashion Night
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Urban Bazaar: 1371 9^th Avenue, San Francisco

Lindsay Sullivan, owner of S.E.T. (Support Ethical Trade) Boutique is debuting a new Fair Trade clothing line from Nepal.  There will be drinks and discounts on clothing.  The fashion show starts at 8 pm.  More info here.

Garden Health Cooking Class
1:30-3:30 pm
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58 Street, Oakland

Want to learn more about incorporating fresh organic produce into your diet? Looking for alternatives to using salt?  Come for a fun session at the MTC Garden and Health Ministry Kick-off.  Take a tour of the Memorial Tabernacle Community Garden and learn how to make a healthy salad dressing!

Sunday, February 27

Harvesting Justice: People’s Grocery’s Fundraising Brunch
10 am – 12:30 pm
UC Berkeley Pauley Ballroom: 2475 Bancroft Way, Berkeley

Deep Water Dance Theater and Amara Tabor-Smith will dance, Raj Patel will give a keynote address, and a community brunch will be served.  All money raised will go to People’s Grocery.  More info here.

Starting Tomatoes (and other veggies) from Seed
10 am – 12 pm
BioFuel Oasis: 1441 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley

Willow Rosenthal, founder of City Slickers farms, will give a lesson on how to cultivate your own summer vegetable garden.  Cost: $30.  More info here.

Tilden Park Orienteering
10 am
Mineral Springs Picnic Area: Wild Canyon Road, Berkeley

Feeling lost?  The Bay Area Orienteering Club is ready to help.  They will set a course for you to follow and even time your progress as you explore the outdoors.  Newcomers are welcome, but please arrive at 9:30 for a quick lesson.  Cost: $3-$5.  More info here.

Free Hands-on Bicycle Class: Flat Repair
11 am – 12 pm
REI Berkeley: 1338 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

An REI technician will help you learn how to fix a flat tire.  Just bring your bike and tools.  More info here.

Bees 201: Beekeeping in Early Spring
12:30 – 3:30 pm
BioFuel Oasis: 1441 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley

Joan Weir will give a lesson on how to keep bees.  She will discuss swarming prevention techniques, how to split a hive, catching a swarm, and how to inspect a hive.  Cost: $30.  More info here.

B’nai Mitzvah Vendor Fair
1 – 4 pm
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay: 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley

There will be food, entertainers, DJS, photographers, and more.  More info here.

Skill Share Workshops
2 – 5 pm
Albany Community Center: 1249 Marin Avenue, Albany

Skilled members of the community will share their skill with others by holding workshops.  There will be two sessions of workshops on Sunday, from 2 – 3:20 pm and 3:40 – 5 pm.  Each session consists of three to four different workshops.  Workshops include: Basic Beer Making, Indentifying Bay Area Backyard Birds, Knitting for Beginners, Hand Embroidery, Basic Irrigation Plumbing, Building Your Very Own Terrarium.  More info here.

Book Reading: Behind the Scenes with Tim Lincecum
3 pm
Books Inc. Alameda: 1344 Park Street, Alameda

Photographer Deanne Fitzmaurice and author Joan Ryan, present their new book, “Freak Season: Behind the Scenes with San Francisco Giants Pitcher Tim Lincecum from Spring Training to the World Series.”  More info here.

Mexican Music Jam
3 – 6 pm
La Pena Cultural Center: 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley

The Jam will feature a Mexican Tardeada – informal gatherings of musicians.  So bring your instrument and play along.  More info here.

Clowns Not Bombs Secret Circus
3 – 4:30 pm
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center: 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

Acrobats, comedians, dancing, juggling, music and more are part of this secret circus. Cost: adults $6, children $4.  More info here.

Dharma Talk: Mindfulness Meditation
6 -7 pm
Tibetan Nyingma Institute: 1815 Highland Place, Berkeley

Hugh Joswick will instruct attendees in the art of meditation.  More info here.

“The Heavenly States” Free Concert at The New Parish
8 pm
The New Parish: 579 18^th Street, Oakland

Come hear the Heavenly States play songs from their new record “Oui Camera Oui.”  Victory and the Associates and Ready Steady will also perform.  21+.  Doors open at 8 pm and the music begins at 8:30.  More info here.

Funk Like Buddha
8 pm
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center: 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

The Easy Bay Meditation Center & Art of Living’s benefit.  Five local acts – AMA Evolution, Somos One, Ras Ceylon, Ahasabi Monique and Unity – will perform.  Doors open at 7:30 pm, show starts at 8.  Cost: $10-$15.  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 (* Not happening weekend of Feb 26)
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 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.

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 March 4-6 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.