This weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of May 27 – May 29.  Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday May 27

“Aerosoul” Oakland Youth Art Exhibit Opening
5:30 – 7 pm
Westside Club, Oakland Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

The Joyce Gordon Youth Art Alliance and the Oakland Athletics present an exhibit featuring work by student artists. Exhibit runs until June 1; Friday night’s opening is followed by the A’s vs. Baltimore Game. Tickets start at $9, but admission to the Westside Club is free with purchase of game ticket. For more info call  510-326-6802 or 510-465-8928.

7th Annual CubaCaribe Festival of Dance and Music: La Tierra de Arará
May 26-28 Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland.

The culmination 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.

MJ’s Brass Boppers
Cafe Van Kleef,  1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

New Orleans style brass band. More info here.

California Honeydrops
9:30 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland
First formed as a band that played on the streets of Oakland, the California Honeydrops mix blues, gospel and jazz sounds. This show will be a live recording party.  Ticket info and band videos here. More info on the band here.

Friday Evening Jazz featuring Howard Wiley
8 pm
57th Street Gallery, 5701 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Tenor saxophonist and composer leads his quartet. More info and ticket prices here.

Ginuwine & Jon B Live
Doors at 6 pm for happy hour, admissions for show start at 9
Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th Street, Oakland

R&B artists Ginuwine and Jon B headline. More info here.

Let’s Get This Straight discussion and book signing
7 pm
Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland

Author Tina Fakhrid-Deen and editor Meredith Fenton will sign and share stories from “Let’s Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth with LGTBQ Parents.” The book profiles youth and young adults with gay parents, and provides advice, quizzes, activities and discussion questions.

Mighty Irie
10 pm
Luka’s Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway, Oakland

Reggae and dancehall with DJs rocker-T, Smoke-0ne, and Irie Dole. Admission $10.  More info here.

Saturday May 28

Children’s Fairyland Garden Day
Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland

StopWaste.org offers an educational program about composting called “Let Worms Eat Your Garbage,” Fairyland horticulturalist Robin North will be in the vegetable garden from noon to 3 pm, and parents can buy plants. More info here. Additional info here about park hours and ticket prices.

Sierra Singles BART to BART 2B Hike

12:30 pm, meet at Orinda BART
Hike from Orinda BART station to Rockridge BART in North Oakland, using EMBUD trails over the East Bay Hills. Bring layered clothes (hiking boots recommended), water, snacks to share. More info here.

Gay and Lesbian Sierrans Rockridge Ramble
10 am, meet at the elevator at Rockridge BART

Sunday May 29

Hiroshima Fundraiser for Northern Japan Earthquake Relief
6 pm, meet the band; 7 pm, concert
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Jazz fusion group Hiroshima plays a concert to benefit Japan; funds raised will be sent to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern CA. Event organized by the Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association. More info here.

Neon Indian and Asobi Seksu
Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Indie rock, all ages show. More info here.

Sandy Perez y Su Ladde featuring members of Munequitos De Matanza
7 pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Afro-beat and Latin. More info here.

Poetry Flash
3 pm
Diesel, A Bookstore 5422 College Avenue, Oakland

Featuring poets Sean Labrador y Manzano and Genine Lentine. More info here.

Soul-Full Glow
8 pm
Luka’s Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway, Oakland

Soul music with DJ aebldee. Free. 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.