This weekend in Oakland

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

Friday, March 25

Freedom Bus Project’s Art Exhibition and Community Celebration
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Oakland School for the Arts, 1800 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

Honoring the 55th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ historic bus ride, this community project celebrates art and history with performances, speeches and more! Free. More info here

Ariella Daly, The Sam Chase Sound, The Ericksons
7:00pm
Mama Buzz Café, 2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

Live music. More info here

Young Adult Writing Workshop With Amy Ignatow
7:00pm
A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland

The Popularity Papers author Amy Ignatow runs a workshop for young writers. Free. More info here

AIDS/Lifecycle Fundraising Party
5:00pm
Actual Café, 6334 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

Fundraiser for the bike ride. Raffle, DJs, popcorn and more. Free. More info here

Bedtime with the Beasts
7:00pm
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland

Kids 6-18 spend the night at the Oakland Zoo and get a behind the scenes look at the animals. More info here

Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors
7:30pm
Oracle Arena 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland
More info here

Jokes ‘n Java
6:30pm
Woody’s Cafe, 1841 Park Blvd., Oakland

Comedy served up every fourth and second Friday each month. More info here

Richie Unterberger: “Won’t Get Fooled Again: The Who from Lighthouse to Quadrophenia”
7:30pm
Pagasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Bay Area rock historian Richie Unterberger will discuss his new book Won’t Get Fooled Again: The Who from Lighthouse to Quadrophenia at Pegasus Books. More info here

Off The Grid: Friday Night Food Truck Party | Fort Mason
5pm-10pm
Fort Mason Center, San Francisco

Off the Grid is a gathering of mobile food trucks. More info here

Saturday, March 26

Oakland Running Festival Twilight 5k
6:30pm
Jack London Square, 98 Broadway, Oakland

Registration is full, but the race should be fun to watch! More info here

8th Annual Free Plant Exchange
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
3811 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA

Bring your cuttings to trade or come by to pick up new plants for the yard. All types of plants are welcome, and the Grand Lake Ace Garden Center will also donate some plants. More info here

Isadora Duncan Ballet & Dance Performance
1:00pm to 2:00pm
Oakland Public Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland

Isadora Duncan created a revolution in aesthetics through modern dance. Lois Flood, founder of Diablo Dance Theater, will give a brief lecture about Duncan’s influence on art and culture, the Russian Ballet, fashion and women’s freedom. More info here

15th Century Spanish-Inspired Cooking Demo
2:00pm
Macy’s Cellar, 170 O Farrell Street, San Francisco

Macy’s Culinary Council chef Nancy Silverton will teach a free cooking demonstration to celebrate the new Showtime Original Series, The Borgias (which takes place in Spain in the 15th century). More info here

Art Sucks, I Quit
Last day!
Kuhl Frames + Art 412 22nd St., Oakland

This is the last day for the exhibit, which takes on the ethics of fine-art-making in the new millennium. The work by Lily Black explores humor and sexuality in a variety of media. 510-625-0123 or KuhlFrames.com

The Uncomfortable Zones of Fun
8:00pm
Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St., Oakland

Interactive, multidisciplinary performance piece featuring “shaman performance artist” Frank Moore. Bring musical instruments if you have them. Free. More info here

Sunday, March 27

Workshop: “What Comes After Jewish Preschool?”
4:00-5:30pm
Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland

Temple Sinaii put together a panel of Jewish education experts to discuss local options for elementary and secondary religious education. Free.  More info here

Das Racist
9:00pm
The New Parish, 579 18th St., Oakland

Hip-hop duo Das Racist comes back to Oakland to drop their smart lyrics and glitchy beats. More info here

Oakland Running Festival
7:30am
Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th St. and Broadway, Oakland

Trun up early to watch the races and enjoy the vendor village and kids’ activities. All of Sunday’s races start and end at 14th Street in Frank Ogawa Plaza. More info here

Dancing with the Queers
12:00-1:30pm
Lake Merritt Dance Center, 200 Grand Ave., Oakland

International Standard & Latin Ballroom Dancing. First lesson is free. $13-$15. More info here

Free Britney Spears Concert
12:00 to 1:00pm
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove Street, San Francisco

Britney Spears is coming to San Francisco for a free concert at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium that will be taped for Good Morning America. More info here

Macy’s 65th Annual Flower Show
All day
Macys Union Square, 170 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco

Flowers in Union Square: It’s been a hit for 65 years, and will be again this year. 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.

Bay Area Poets Coalition Open Reading

First Saturday of every month, 3 – 5 pm

Strawberry Creek Lodge: 1320 Addison Street, Berkeley

All ages are welcome to come participate at the Bay Area Poets monthly open reading.  Each poet or reader has between three and five minutes to present his or her pieces.  Just coming to listen is also fine.  Please only park on the street.  Check in at the front desk and you will be directed to the meeting location.  More info here.

“artiFACTS”

First Sunday of every month, 3 pm

Auctions by the Bay Theater: Alameda Point Naval Air Station, Alameda

“artiFACTS” is a monthly talk about the art of collecting and a preview of the monthly estate auction, which takes place the following Monday.  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

LOUD Youth Group

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 4 – 6 pm

Pacific Center: 2712 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley

LOUD Youth Group is a drop-in group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth.  Tuesdays focus on arts and crafts, writing, and music.  Thursdays focus on hot topics and guest speakers.  Fridays focus on queer moves and video games.  More info here.

Bay Street Stroller Strides

Fridays 9:30 am

Old Navy: 5625 Bay Street, Emeryville

Come join other mom’s as they incorporate power walking, jogging, body toning, and strength and flexibility training into their morning walks with their babies.  First class is free.  Cost: $120 for a 10-class pass.  More info here.

Chemical Dependency Workshop

Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s MPI Treatment Services: 3021 Summit Street, 5^th 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.

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.

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.

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 April 1-3 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.