This weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of May 6 – May 8.  Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, May 6

National Public Gardens Day 2011

All day
Various Locations

More than 500 gardens national wide will be open to the public on Friday.  Some local gardens participating include: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, The University of California Botanical Garden, Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc., and Guadalupe River Park Conservatory.  For all participating gardens, click here.  More info here.

Designer for the Residents
5 – 8 pm
Johansson Projects: 2300 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Homer Flynn, the designer for The Residents, will be exhibiting both his professional and personal work.  More info here.

24^th Annual Five Star Night
6 pm
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension: 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland

This auction, gala, dinner, and fundraiser, raises money for 25,000 meals for homebound seniors throughout Alameda County.  Cost: $250 per person.  For more information, please call 510-777-9560 or visit http://www.feedingseniors.org

Oakland Art Murmur
6 – 10 pm
Telegraph Avenue corridor: 19^th Street to 48^th Street.

A monthly “First Friday” of gallery showings and street performances. See this map for participating galleries. More info here.

Procedural: A Show of Instruction-based Works
7 – 10 pm
MacArthur B Arthur: 4030 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland

Curators Jackie Im and Aaron Harbour asked 13 artists to create new pieces in the form of instructions.  Im and Harbour then performed each piece.  The show is a collaboration between artist and curator to create something even better than what one alone could do.  More info here.

East Bay Affordable Housing Week Kickoff Celebration
5:30 – 8 pm
Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Oakland

East Bay Housing Organizations hosts its 15th annual Affordable Housing Week from May 6-15 featuring housing tours, discussion panels and talks with local leaders in affordable and green housing. More info on tickets and prices to the Friday kickoff event  here.

Fireside Lounge: Rosie the Riveter
6:30 – 9:3o pm
The Crucible, 1260 7th Street, Oakland

A celebration of women in industrial art, featuring the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, three of the original “Rosies,” and live welding, moldmaking and foundry demonstrations. $10 at the door, free for Crucible members. More info here.

Mary Roach at Chabot Space & Science Center
6 – 7:30 pm
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

Oakland author Mary Roach, author of Packing for Mars and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, speaks about the grosser side of life in space. Recommended for ages 16 and up. More info about ticket prices here.

Ketchup and Mustard Portraits
12 – 2:30 pm
Zog’s Dogs: 1 Post Street, San Francisco

In the mood for a hot dog?  Head to Zog’s Dogs and you can also get your portrait painted using only ketchup and mustard.  More info here.

Academy of Art’s Epidemic Film Festival
4 – 8 pm
Golden Gate Theatre: 1 Taylor Street, San Francisco

The School of Motional Pictures and Television will be showcasing the best work of the year.  Categories being shown include: drama, comedy, music video, cinematography, documentary, and sound.  An RSVP is required.  Click here, to RSVP.  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.

Husband & Wife show of Comics and Painting
6 pm
Mission: Comics and Arts: 3520 20^th Street, San Francisco

Sarah Bell and Montgomery Borror met at a Comics show 12 years ago.  Today, they are married and exhibiting their work together.  More info here.

Meat Market – Artwork for Carnivores
6 – 9 pm
Pot + Pantry: 3412 22^nd Street, San Francisco

Alyson Thomas’s new show will showcase her favorite butchery diagrams.  The show will run through May 27^th.  More info here.

30 Years of Thrasher Magazine
7 – 11 pm
ArtNowSF Gallery: 3075 17^th Street, San Francisco

In honor of it’s 30^th Anniversary, Thrasher Magazine (all about skateboarding) is hosting “Love + Guts.”  The show is a retrospective of skateboarding from 1981 – 2011.  RSVP is required for the guest list.  To RSVP email: resvp@thrashermagazine.com.  More info here.

Culture Swap Meet and Dance Party
8 pm – 2 am
CELLspace: 2050 Bryant Street, San Francisco

In honor of its 15^th anniversary, CELLspace is hosting events for the entire week.  Friday’s event brings together artisans and craftsmen, with DJs and performers.  Cost: $5.  More info here.

Superhero Costume Party Art Opening
8 pm
D-structure San Francisco: 520 Haight Street, San Francisco

To celebrate the opening of their show “Superheroes,” D-structure is giving prizes to anyone who shows up to the opening night reception in full superhero regalia.  If you RSVP you get a free raffle ticket.  To RSVP, click here.  More info here.

2^nd Annual Pajama Jam Dance Party
9 pm
Mezzanine: 444 Jessie Street, San Francisco

Free admission before 10 am, if you RSVP.  To RSVP, click here.  Free admission before 11 to anyone showing up in full pajamas and an RSVP.  Cost: $10 with RSVP, $20 without.  More info here.

Bikes and Beats Dance Party
10 pm
Public Works SF: 161 Erie Street, San Francisco

The party benefits the Sunday Streets Program and the Wigg Party – a community group that uses the Wiggle bike path.  Cost: $6 in advance, $10 at the door.  More info here.

Saturday, May 7

Bank of America Free Museum Weekend

All day (also on Sunday)
Various locations

All Bank of America credit and/or debit card holders are welcome to free admission to 8 Bay Area Museums this week, including Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland.  Other museums participating include: the Contemporary Jewish Museum, Legion of Honor, de Young Museum, Museum of African Diaspora, Zeum – the San Francisco Children’s Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, and The Tech Museum of Innovation.  More info here.

Spring Plant Swap
12 – 3 pm
5927 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Have too many plants in your garden or house?  Bring them to the spring plant swap – along with any extra gardening supplies you want to swap as well – and trade them in for something new.  Please label all plants with plant explanation sheets, found here.  More info here.

Opera in the Park: “Mozart & Verdi”
3 pm
Dimond Recreation Center & Park: 3860 Hanly Road, Oakland

Open Opera is in their 3^rd year of performing in the Bay Area, but this is their first trip to Oakland.  Bring a blanket and picnic and listen to some great music.  More info here.

The Last Mexican Governor of California
6 – 7:30 pm
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park: 2465 34^th Avenue, Oakland

Carlos Salomon – a Fruitvale resident and director of the Latin American Studies Program at Cal State East Bay – will discuss and sign copies of his new book, Pio Pico: the Last Mexican Governor of California. More info here.

A PLACE for Sustainable Living launch celebration
10 am – 8 pm
1121 64th Street, Oakland

The new sustainable living center will celebrate its opening with demonstrations and workshops on garden design, beekeeping, creative reuse and other topics. There will also be a “Barnyard Bazaar” crafts fair, as well as food and music. Sliding scale donation of $5 to $20 suggested. More info here.

Mills MFA Spring Open Studios
12 – 5 pm
Mills College campus

24 graduate students will showcase their paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more. Free and open to the public. More info here.

Ooey Gooey workshop on art  and early learning
2-3 pm
MOCHA, 538 9th Street, Oakland

Parents of preschool aged children can attend a free workshop on art and early learning. Children will be offered separate activities while their parents are in the workshop. RSVP to: (510) 465-8770 x308. More info here.

San Francisco Cinco de Mayo Festival 2011
10 am – 6 pm
Dolores Park: 18^th Street and Dolores Street, San Francisco

The family-friendly celebration is all day long and will include: Mariachi and salsa music, Aztec dances and other cultural performances, free health services, and a kids culture camp.  More info here.

Free Comic Book Day 2011
All day
Various locations

It’s the one day a year when participating comic book stores give away free comics to anyone who walks through their doors.  Participating Bay Area comic book stores include: Comic Experience, Neon Monster, Isotope, Caffeinated Comics Company, Mission: Comics & Art, Comics and Da-Kind, and Jeffrey’s Toys in San Francisco, Dr. Comics and Mr. Games in Piedmont, and The Escapist Comics and Fantastic Comics in Berkeley.  More info here.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

10 am – 7 pm
City Hall Plaza: 777 B Street, Hayward

The annual event features The Battle of Puebla, student awards, singers and performers, Folcloricas Escolares, and Los federales del norte Mariachi.  More info here.

10^th Annual Pagan Festival and Parade
10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Civic Center Park: 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley

This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating 10 Years of Pagan Pride’ Keeper of the Light 2011: Rabbit of Come As You Are Coven (CAYA) and Sacred Well. The event will include pagan storytelling, altars to the dead, public rituals, and music and dance performances.  There will also be prizes for best costume and best float.  More info here.

Children’s Day Festival
11 am – 4 pm
Japantown Peace Plaza: Post Street and Buchanan Street, San Francisco

On the fifth day of the fifth month (May), the Japanese and Chinese celebrate “children’s personalities and celebrate their happiness.”  In honor of this holiday, Japantown is hosting a Children’s Day Festival.  More info here.

Kentucky Derby Day Party
All day
Eastside West Restaurant & Bar: 3154 Fillmore Street, San Francisco

Dress-up like a Southern gentlemen, or Southern Belle, and listen to some live jazz while you watch the horses.  There will be special drink deals all day.  More info here.

Free Lawn Bowling Open House
11 am – 3 pm
San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Wear flat shoes and come check out lawn bowling.  Taught to you by members of the oldest municipal bowling club in the country.  More info here.

Kentucky Derby Watching Party
1 – 7 pm
The Republic: 3213 Scott Street, San Francisco

The derby is from 1 to 4 pm, but the drink specials will last until 7.  $6 Mint Juleps and prizes for those wearing the best derby attire.  More info here.

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party & Hosted Bourbon Bar
1 – 4 pm
The Parlor: 2801 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco

Watch the derby on 8 different Plasma TVs while enjoying a complimentary open Bourbon bar hosted by Basil Hayden’s Bourbon.  An RSVP is required.  To RSVP, click here.  More info here.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 2011: Opening Day Concert
1 – 2:30 pm
Yerba Buena Gardens – Esplanade: Mission and 4^th Street, San Francisco

African musician, Ricardo Lemvo, will perform at the festival’s Opening Day Concert.  More info here.

Live Runway Fashion Show
2 pm
Academy of Art University – The Tent: 601 Brannan Street, San Francisco

Come see inspiring new fashions when the graduates of the Academy of Art University School of Fashion unveil their latest collections on the catwalk.  An RSVP is required.  To RSVP, click here.  More info here.

“The One” Het Li Inspired Fun Street Game
3 pm
Casanova Lounge: 527 Valencia Street, San Francisco

The game – a variant of which was played at the 2010 Come Out & Play Festival in NYC and SF – is based on Jet Li’s movie of the same name.  According to their website, it’s “a game of assassins across the multiverse.”  RSVP is encouraged.  To RSVP, click here.  More info here.

Thrasher Magazine’s Skateboarder “Ramp Jam”
3 pm
Outside AT&T Park: China Basin Park, San Francisco

Come watch some of skateboarding’s biggest names take on the mini-ramp.  More info here.

“Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah”
4 pm

Omnivore Books: 3885a Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco

Come celebrate Jeremy Cowan’s new book about his journey through the world of beer. Cowan is famous for his HE’BREW beer and Coney Island Craft Lagers.  There will, of course, be beer to sample.  More info here.

Learn to Make Kombucha, Soda & Sauerkraut
4 – 10 pm
Mission Arts Center: 745 Treat Street, San Francisco

It’s How-To Homestead’s last show of the spring.  This workshop will teach you fermenting techniques to make Kombucha, as well as how to make soda and sauerkraut.  The workshop is from 4 to 6 pm and is followed by a Potluck dinner from 6 to 7, a Homestead Film from 7 to 8 and Contra Dancing from 8 to 10.  Cost: $5.  More info here.

SF in SF: Science Fiction in San Francisco
6 – 9:30 pm
The Variety Preview Room Theatre: The Hobart Building, 1^st Floor, 582 Market Street, San Francisco

SF in SF welcomes authors Andrea Hairston and Howard V. Hendrix to read from and sign copies of their newest books, as well as participate in an audience Q&A session.  More info here.

Sunday, May 8

Stories for Mama Earth + Pacha’s Pajamas Pre-release Party
7 – 10 pm
Pizzaiolo, 5008 Telegraph, Oakland

Live music and performance storytelling in honor of Mothers Day. Moms get in free, everyone else $5 before 8 pm and $7 after. More info here.

Mother’s Day High Tea at the Dinkelspiel House
1 pm
2960 Peralta Oaks Court

Tea and gourmet treats at the historic mansion — arrive early if you want to tour the Dinkelspiel House. More info on tickets and prices here.

Park Street Spring Festival
10 am – 6 pm
Historic Park Street Business District: Central at Grand Street, Alameda

A Mother’s Day tradition, the festival includes 150 vendors.  More info here.

Giant Bubbles and 3-Minute Movies Made by Kids
11 am – 4 pm
Paxton Gate’s Curiosities For Kids: 766 Valencia, San Francisco

Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids will be blowing giant bubbles outside their store all day.  Inside, films from the Twinkling To-Do program – kids age 6 to 17 – will be shown.  More info here.

Mother’s Day Rose Show 2011
12:30 – 4 pm
Hall of Flowers – Golden Gate Park: 9^th Avenue and Lincoln Way San Francisco

On Sunday, the San Francisco Rose Society will have lots of roses on display for the public to view.  Rose society members will be on hand to answer any rose-related questions you might have.  After the show ends at 4 pm, the public is welcome to free roses from the show.  More info here.

iMatter March
1 – 4 pm
Starting location: 24^th & Mission, San Francisco

The iMatter March hopes to bring awareness to our dependence on fossil fuels, and how we should all work hard to create a more sustainable society.  The march will feature appearances by Alec Loorz, Ted Turner, Youth Speaks and rapper AshEL Eldridge.  More info here.

Blueprint Plays Experimental Hip-Hop
3 pm
Amoeba Haight: 2455 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley

Blueprint – mc/producer and front man for Soul Position – comes to Berkeley to celebrate the release of his second solo album, Adventures in Counter-Culture.  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 May 13-15 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.