Community events and activities for the weekend of May 20 – May 22.  Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, May 20

7th Annual CubaCaribe Festival of Dance and Music: La Tierra de Arará
May 20 – 22: Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Performing Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland
May 26-28 Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland.

The beginning of two weeks of performances by artists from Cuba and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora kicks off this Friday, and continues over the two weekends. Featured performances include a segment from Colette Eloi’s Libretto: A Voudou Opera — The Story of Marizili and the Haitian-influenced Cuban dance of Danys “La Mora” Perez’s Oyu Oru. More info here.

An Evening with Michael Lewis In Conversation with Linda Schacht
7:30 pm
Head-Royce School, 4315 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland
The Oakland-based author of Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Big Short and many others speaks with political journalist Linda Schacht as a fundraiser for West Oakland’s Vincent Academy, an elementary charter school that will open this August. More info here.

A Streetcar Named Desire
8 pm
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland

The classic film starring Marlon Brando and Kim Hunter, based on Tennessee Williams’ play, shows at the Paramount. Tickets are $5, box office opens at 6 pm. More info here.

Matthew Zapruder & Geoffrey G. O’Brien
7 pm
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

Two Bay Area poets share their work as part of the gallery’s Readings at 20 series. $5 at the door, refreshments included. More info here.

4 Generations of Miles
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West

Four Miles Davis collaborators begin a three-night stand at Yoshi’s: guitarist Mike Stern, clarinet, flute and sax player Sonny Fortune, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Jimmy Cobb. More info about ticket prices and showtimes throughout the weekend here.

Saturday, May 21

Boom Swing Cabaret
Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

A mix of Big Band swing with electronic club music, featuring burlesque performers, can-can dancers and a surprise “final act.” Wear your steampunk best. More info here.

Circumscribing the Liminal: Opening Reception
7 – 10 pm
Kroswork Gallery, 480 23rd Street, Oakland

An exhibition of photography by Naaman Rosen, four video projects by Malak Helmy, and a video/sound installation by Teresa Cunniff. Exihibit runs through June 18. More info here.

1st Annual Choose Your Adventure Festival, Reading Partners Literacy Fair
11:30am to 2:30pm
401 Roland Way, Oakland, CA.

This event is organized by Reading Partners to promote AmeriCorps Week and encourage academic success among kids from low-income areas. Events at the festival will include puppet theater, bookmark making and book cover design, scavenger hunts, lyric writing and story time.  More info by calling (408) 535-6237 x301.

Zombie Crawl to Save the Oakland Library
7:30 pm
20th and Telegraph

Wear your zombie gear for a shuffling march up Telegraph in support of Oakland’s libraries. More info here.

Murmurama: An Art Fair Celebration
7 -10 pm
Downtown Oakland between Telegraph and Broadway, and between 23rd and 26th Streets

Art galleries will open their doors for a festival that includes food, performances and live music in conjunction with San Francisco art fair weekend. Participating galleries include Hatch Gallery, Johannson Projects, Buzz Gallery, Mercury 20 and more. More info here.

Simple Screen Printing
5 – 7 pm
Rock Paper Scissors, 2278 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Free class taught by artist Pamela Ybanez  — learn how to screenprint your own T-shirt. Class is free and materials are provided by space is limited. More info here.

Community Health Fair & BBQ
12:30 – 4 pm
5801 Racine Street, Oakland

Oakland’s Mormon Tabernacle Church hosts a community fair in North Oakland featuring gardening info, food, music, games and math and science activities for kids. More info here.

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Presents: Jade Appreciation
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Oakland Public Library, Asian branch, 388 9th Street, Oakland

Asian Art Museum docent Pauline Tsui gives a talk about the science of jade formation as well as the symbolism of jade jewelry in 18th to early 20th century China. More info here.

6th Annual Walk to End Poverty
9 am – 1 pm
Meet at the Lake Merritt Bandstand

The City of Oakland Community Action Partnership and the United Way of the Bay Area host an annual walk around the lake to raise awareness of poverty and provide information about social service available to help those struggling financially. More info here.

Spring Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk
10 am
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

The Oakland Zoo Creek Crew takes a walk along Arroyo Viejo Creek to learn about useful local plants. The walk is free but there is a charge for parking. For participants age 8 and up, RSVP required. More info here.

Bike to Market Day
All day, several sites in Oakland and Berkeley

Cyclists will receive discounts and freebies from participating stores in the East Bay for doing their shopping by bike. Check out the East Bay Bicycle Coalition’s web page for an updated list of participating stores.

Sunday, May 22

dooF-a-Palooza
10 am – 5 pm
Jack London Square Plaza

A festival for kids to learn about Doof (that’s “food” backwards) and where it comes from. Demonstrations, contests, games and other hands-on opportunities designed to teach kids about how food grows, plus plenty of street food carts if you need lunch.  More info here.

Jim Parkinson, A Man of Letters
2 -4 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

The Oakland-based font and logo designer speaks about his life of graphic design, including working on the logos for Rolling Stone and the Daily Californian. More info here.

Uniquely Yours Creative Writing Workshop
7 – 9:30 pm
Rock Paper Scissors, 2278 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
A writing workshop for writers of all levels that runs on the fourth Sunday of each month, facilitated by Peggy Simmons. Sliding scale donation of $1 to $25. More info here.

Ongoing community weekend events and gatherings

Talks, Meetings and Groups

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.