This weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of April 22 – 24.  Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, April 22

Paramount Movie Classics: “His Girl Friday” (1940)

8 – 10 pm

Paramount Theatre: 2025 Broadway, Oakland

The famous Art Deco movie palace boasts over 3,000 seats, period newsreels, cartoons, previews, live music from the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, and the audience game “Dec-O-Win.”  Doors open 60 minutes prior to the show.  Cocktails, beverages, and snacks will be available for purchase.  The feature film begins at 8:30 pm.  Cost: $5.  More info here.

Bay Area National Dance Week

All day

Various locations

The country’s largest dance week returns to the Bay and runs for 10 days, from Friday April 22 – Sunday May 1.  There will be over 400 free dance events – including tango, hip-hop, and clogging – throughout the Bay.  For a complete schedule, click here.  More info here.

Earth Day Celebration

11 am – 1 pm

Yerba Buena Gardens: Mission and 4^th Street, San Francisco

Gerber Daisies will be given out to park visitors in honor of the 41^st Earth Day.  There will be arts and crafts – how to make newspaper hats – gardening, and eco-system, animal, and recycling education.  More info here.

Flash Mob Kick-Off: Bay Area National Dance Week

12 – 1 pm

Union Square: Post Street and Stockton Street, San Francisco

It’s Bay Area National Dance Week!  To kick off the week, a flash mob will perform a synchronized dance to the Black Eyed Peas’ “The Time (Dirty Bit).”  Anyone is welcome to join in the dancing, but if you want to practice the routine, click here.  More info here.

Off the Grid: Friday Night Food Truck Party

5 – 10 pm

Fort Mason: Marina and Laguna, San Francisco

After a four-month break, this weekly food fete is back!  Every Friday, a diverse group of 30 different food vendors gathers in the Fort Mason Center parking lot to serve the masses with great food.  Alembic Bar and Magnolia Brewery will be running the bar and there will be live music from 6 – 10 pm.  New vendors for 2011 include: Wow Truck, JapaCurry, Brass Kuckle, Zombie Curry, Peter’s Kettle Corn, Sataysfied and Masubi Kings.  More info here.

Brooklyn Circus Spring Trunk Show

5 – 9 pm

The Brooklyn Circus: 1521 Fillmore Street, San Francisco

The Brooklyn Circus is once again hosting its annual trunk show of fun and unique clothing.  You can shop until 9 pm and refreshments will be provided.  More info here.

Celebrate Carnaval with the Mayor

5:30 pm

San Francisco City Hall: 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco

Interim Mayor Edwin Lee – along with Supervisors John Avalos and David Campos – will host a Carnaval celebration.  An RSVP is requested, please email: contact@sfcarnaval.com.  More info here.

Hobos, Hustlers, and Backsliders: Homeless in San Francisco

7 – 9 pm

The Booksmith: 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco

The Booksmith is hosting a two-part talk on homelessness.  Sociologist Teresa Gowan will talk about living with 38 homeless men for 1,700 hours, and Khristine Jones and Mary Howe will talk about how they gave disposable cameras to homeless youth in Haight Ashbury and the 2,500 pictures they got back.  More info here.

Saturday, April 23

24^th Annual Lakeshore Easter Parade and Derby

10 am – 3 pm

Lakeshore Baptist Church: 3534 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland

All week, neighborhood kids have been decorating derbies, little plastic hats, for the Easter Parade.  And on Saturday, the Easter Bunny will lead the kids – decked out in their derbies – down the merchant street.  After the parade there will be prizes for the best derbies, Easter egg dying, and face painting.  More info here.

3^rd Annual Inner Peace Festival

10:30 am – 5 pm

The Pergola at Lake Merritt: 599 El Embarcadero, Oakland

Walk through the labyrinth, meditation on the deck or enjoy one of the numerous free treats.  More info here.

Oakland Mosswood Easter Egg Hunt

1 – 4 pm

Mosswood Park: 3612 Webster Street, Oakland

Over 1000 lunches will be provided to participating kids, aged 1 – 14, at this annual event.  There will be tons of candy and even 20 bicycle giveaways.  More info here.

Free Tree Day at Lowe’s

All day

Various Locations

If you can get there early enough on Saturday, you might be able to snag one of the million trees Lowe’s is giving away for Earth Day.  More info here.

National Park Week 2011

All day

Muir Woods National Park, CA

From April 16 – April 24, the National Park Service is waiving admission and parking fees for all its national parks.  Participating parks in California include: Cabrillo, Death Valley, John Muir, Joshua Tree, Lassen Volcanic, Lava Beds, Muir Woods, Pinnacles, San Francisco Maritime, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Whiskeytown, and Yosemite.  More info here.

Earth Day Celebration and Community Clean Up

10 am – 2 pm

Dolores Park: 18^th Street and Church Street, San Francisco

If you want to lend a helping hand this Earth Day, head to Dolores Park and pick up some trash.  From 10 am – 12 pm, volunteers will be picking up trash and debris.  At noon a free bag lunch will be provided and from 1 – 2 pm volunteers will be handing out free recycled bags to park visitors.  If you want to volunteer, please RSVP to Robert@doloresparkworks.org.  More info here.

El Cerrito Spring Egg Hunt

10 am

Arlington Park: 1120 Arlington Boulevard, El Cerrito

Come early, as the hunt starts promptly at 10 am and is over in minutes.  The event is geared towards kids under 12 years old.  More info here.

Earth Stroll 2011

10 am – 3 pm

Crissy Field Center: 1199 East Beach in the Presidio, San Francisco

The Earth Stroll, in its 10^th year, is an official National Park Week event.  There will be animals, parachute games, and a bike rodeo.  More info here.

Earth Day 2011 Festival

10 am – 6 pm

Civic Center Plaza: 355 McAllister Street, San Francisco

The largest Earth Day event in the Bay Area – there will be music, sustainable living educators, and keynote speakers, such as Wade Crowfoot of the Environmental Defense Fund.  More info here.

Tree Tour of Cole Valley

10 am

La Boulange de Cole: 1000 Cole Street, San Francisco

Cole Valley is one of San Francisco’s most tree-lined neighborhoods, and Friends of the Urban Forest wants to take you on a tour.  Matt Ritter – author of A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us – and Mike Sullivan – author of The Trees of San Francisco – will be leading the two hour tour.  Please RSVP to Sarah: sarah@fuf.net More info here.

Weiner Dog Easter Egg Hunt

10 am

Hap Magee Ranch Park: 1029 La Gonda Way, Danville

Dress up your Dachshund to the bunny nines and come join in the hunt – we put treats inside the eggs.  More info here.

Vietnamese Film Festival

10:30 am – 9:30 pm

San Francisco State, Fine Arts Building, 101: 1700 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco

13 films from nine different directors will be screened throughout the day.  Donations are appreciated.  For a full schedule of films, click here.  More info here.

“Squid Printing” Book Binding Earth Day Party

11 am – 5 pm

San Francisco Center for the Book, Suite 334: 300 De Haro Street, San Francisco

It’s an Earth Day Extravaganza!  Two squids will be available to be used to create prints, as well as book binding lessons, and vegetable carving.  More info here.

Free Sailboat Ride Day & BBQ

11 am – 5 pm

Club Nautique, Suite 161: 1150 Ballena Boulevard, Alameda

Come charter one of Club Nautique’s sailboats for the day, or just come for a free ride.  There will also be a free BBQ and beverages.  More info here.

10,000 Easter Egg Hunt

12 – 1 pm

Park Merced, Juan Bautista Circles: Crespi Drive and Juan Bautista Circle, San Francisco

10,000 eggs will be scattered in Juan Bautista Circle containing candy, prizes, and one lucky egg with $500.  The hunt is for kids 10 and under.  And RSVP is requested, click here.  More info here.

Berkeley Earth Day Celebration

12 – 5 pm

Civic Center Park: MLK and Allston, Berkeley

Come to test drive an electric car, participate in an ecology workshop or just take a tour of Trumer Brewery.  More info here.

2011 Easter Bunny Pub Crawl

1 – 11:59 pm
McTeague’s Saloon: 1237 Polk Street, San Francisco

It’s time for BunnyCon – just like SantaCon, but with Bunnies.  The group will be at McTeague’s Saloon from 1 – 3 pm and will then head out to start the crawl.  More info here.

Earth Day Celebration at Paxton Gate

2 – 4 pm

Paxton Gate’s Curiosities For Kids: 766 Valencia Street, San Francisco

Come learn how to make beautiful san art at this Earth Day event.  Snacks and beverages will be provided, along with free music.  Cost: $5.  More info here.

Chicken John’s ‘Puke In’ Food Truck Protest

2 pm

Dolores Park: Dolores and 18^th Street, San Francisco

Chicken John will puke on a trailer this weekend in order to protest the fact that a “commercial entity” – a food truck – will open a store in Dolores Park.  John doesn’t want the city’s parks to become profit centers.  More info here.

The Indoor Mural Project

7 – 11 pm

941 Geary: 941 Geary Street, San Francisco

Hush, Skinner, Damon Soule, Blek le Rat, Casey Gray, Chor Boogie, and others have covered a 3000 square-foot warehouse in murals.  The exhibit has been open since April 1, but will close today – with a closing party from 6 – 9 pm.  More info here.

6^th Annual Fire Dance Expo

7:50 – 10 pm

Union Square: Post Street and Stockton Street, San Francisco

There will be nearly 30 performances during the two-hour expo, so bring a chair and come on by.  More info here.

Bellydancing Nuns

8 – 10 pm

Café Flore: Market Street and Noe Street, San Francisco

It’s a Middle-Eastern themed celebration in drag.  More info here.

Sunday, April 24

The Bay Area Free Book Exchange

9 am – 6 pm (also on Saturday)

10520 San Pablo Avenue: El Cerrito

All books are available completely free of charge.  More info here.

Union Street Easter Parade and Festival 2011

10 am – 5 pm

Union Street : Fillmore and Union, San Francisco

The Parade will run along Union Street from Gough to Fillmore.  A Quirky Easter Parade will take the same route at 2 pm with everything from roller-blading cows to classic cars.  There will be a climbing wall, petty zoo, and pony ride.  More info here.

$1 Day: San Francisco Public Library Book Sale

10 am – 6 pm

Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion: Fort Mason, San Francisco

All 250,000 books at the sale will be $1 or less.  More info here.

Indie Music Festival and Mechanical Bull Riding

11 am – 6 pm

Telegraph Avenue: Telegraph Avenue and Channing Way, Berkeley

It’s time for LastSundaysFest, a music festival featuring indie music, artisans, and mechanical bull riding.  More info here.

Earth Week Free Events

11:30 am – 5 pm

Hayes Valley Farm: 450 Laguna Street, San Francisco

From April 24 – April 29, Hayes Valley Farm is holding tons of free activities in honor of earth week.  More info here.

Dolores Park Easter Celebration with Hunky Jesus Contest

12 – 4 pm

Dolores Park: 18^th Street and Dolores, San Francisco

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be hosting the 32^nd annual Easter Sunday events.  Their will an events for kids from 11 am – 12 pm, For the rest of the day there will be events for adults such as the Bonnet and Hunky Jesus Contests.  More info here.

Cowgirl Cowhunt: Fun Street Game

1 pm

Justin Herman Plaza: 1 Market Street, San Francisco

The hunt is game of team tag – inspired by the idea of manhunts – and is set in 1919.  The event is a test for future games, so it may not run 100 percent smoothly.  RSVP encouraged, click here.  More info here.

“Bring Your Own Big Wheel” Race 2011

4 pm

20^th and Vermont: 20^th and Vermont Streets, San Francisco

Risk humiliation and race your Big Wheel down Potrero Hill.  Free to watch and participate, but a waiver is required, click here.  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 22-24 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.