This Weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of October 7 – October 9. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday October 7

Fleet Week Cruise & Blue Angels Show
Friday through Sunday, October 7, 8 and 9
1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Presidential Yacht Potomac, Jack London Square, Oakland

Watch the Blue Angels fly into town. More info here.

Medusa’s Mirror: Fears, Spells, and Other Transfixed Positions Artists’ Talk
6 pm
Pro Arts Gallery, 150 Frank H Ogawa Plaza, Oakland

Several works draw from the ruptures between the able-bodied and the disabled. More info here.

The Cycle: New sculpture and kinetic installation by Cyrus Tilton
6 pm – 9 pm
Vessel Gallery, 471 25th Street, Oakland

Reception in conjunction with First Fridays Oakland Art Murmur. More info here.

Armenian Bazaar & Food Festival
5:30pm – midnight
St. Vartan’s Church, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland

Armenian cultural festival with food, music and dancing.  For more information see Alex Park’s story.

Fright Night
8 pm – 11 pm
The Great Wall of Oakland, Broadway and W Grand Ave.

Fright Night is a curated selection of dark and creepy videos that are appropriate for the whole family. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy. More info here.

Grassroots Composers Ensemble
8 pm
EastSide Cultural Center, 2277 International Blvd, Oakland

Oakland own Grassroots Composers Ensemble perform Jazz classic and original compositions. $10. More info here.

Smashing Pumpkins
7:00pm
The Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Mixing classics with new songs from their upcoming album Oceania, The Smashing Pumpkins return to Oakland as part of an intimate 12-city U.S. tour.  Tickets $45   More info here.

Jennifer Tilton, author of Dangerous or Endangered?
7:00pm
The Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland

Meet Jennifer Tilton and hear her read from her book Dangerous or Endangered? about race and the politics of urban youth.   More info here.

the T Sisters
8:00pm
Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Oakland-based trio of sisters Erika, Rachel, and Chloe Tietjen sing and play.

Foxtails Brigade
Doors 6:00pm, Show at 9:00pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Foxtails Brigade lead singer Larura Weinbach will draw you in with her beautiful vocals and hauntingly dark lyrics.  No Cover.  More info here.

Girlstock #8
6:00 – 10:00pm
MAMA BUZZ cafe and gallery, 2318 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Art auction, live bands, proceeds to benefit Oakland’s City Slicker Farms. More info here

 The New Gary Burton Quartet
8:00 & 10:00pm
Yoshi’s Jazz Club, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Vibraphone revolutionary Gary Burton introduces his latest band, comprised of guitarist Julia Lage, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Antonio Sanchez.  Tickets $20    More info here.

Bites off Broadway
5:30 – 8:30 pm
365 45th Street in front of Studio One Art Center, Oakland

Mobile food, live local music, and lawn games — now at a new location. Continues every Friday through October 21. More info here.

Decompression Sessions
5 – 8 pm
Actual Café, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Weekly get-together featuring music, popcorn, ice cream, and beer, this week featuring a rotating crew of deejays. More info and prices here.

Comedy Off Broadway
8 pm
Miss Pearl’s Jam House (at The Waterfront Hotel), 1 Broadway, Oakland

Admission $10, $8 for students, seniors and peace officers. More info here.

Eargasm w/ DJ Mere & Spair (Oakland Faders)
10:00pm
Luka’s Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway, OaklandDJs spinning hip hop, R&B, and old school on a 1,000 square foot dance floor.  More info here.

Saturday October 8        

Annual Bonsai Exhibition and Show
10 am – 5 pm & Sunday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland

Demonstrations and workshops with Bonsai experts. More info here.

Oakland Art Murmur’s Saturday Stroll
1 –  5 pm
Uptown District along the Telegraph Avenue Corridor

A quieter, more art-focused weekly stroll highlighting the artwork in the galleries of the Uptown District. Click here for more information about participating galleries and the geographic area covered by the Saturday Stroll.

Women & Trans Hour at Spokeland
2-5pm
Spokeland, 1121 64th Street, Oakland

Monthly afternoon for women and trans to come work on your bikes in a welcoming environment.  Kids welcome too! More info here.

Comedy Off Broadway
8 pm
Miss Pearl’s Jam House (at The Waterfront Hotel), 1 Broadway, Oakland

Admission $10, $8 for students, seniors and peace officers. More info here.

The New Gary Burton Quartet
8:00 & 10:00pm
Yoshi’s Jazz Club, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Vibraphone revolutionary Gary Burton introduces his latest band, comprised of guitarist Julia Lage, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Antonio Sanchez.  Tickets $20    More info here.

Pepper (w/ The Expendables and Ballyhoo!)
7:30pm
The Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

This trio out of Hawaii hypnotizes fans with their mellow island sound and dance sensibility.  Tickets $27.50    More info here.

Dr. Sketchy’s Cabaret Life Drawing
4:00 – 7:00pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Once-monthly gathering of artists to draw burlesque dancers, compete in competitions and win prizes.    More info here.

Live music: Coffis Brothers & Andrew Blair
7:00 – 10:00pm
actual cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Brothers Jamie and Kellen Coffis of Ben Lomond, CA jam out a blend of country, folk and rock paired with gritty, soulful lyrics.   More info here.

Smoove Saturday w/ Jamo & Marcella
11:00pm
Luka’s Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway, Oakland

DJs spinning classic hip hop and neo-soul with a little bit of world flavor.  More info here.

Sunday, October 10th

Rockridge Out & About
12 pm – 6 pm
College Ave between Alcatraz & Manila

Annual street festival featuring food, arts, and family-friendly activities for the community. More info here.

Family Gallery Tour and Art Workshop
12 pm – 3 pm
Oakland Museum of California,

A special family-friendly tour of the History Gallery featuring a Gallery Scavenger Hunt. Included with Museum admission. Free to OMCA Members. More info here.

Armenian Bazaar & Food Festival
1:00pm – midnight
St. Vartan’s Church, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland

Armenian cultural festival with food, music and dancing.  For more information see Alex Park’s story.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Sundown
Studio One Arts Center, 365 45th Street, Oakland

Movies in the Courtyard screening. More info here.

Free Moon Viewing Festival
5:30 pm – 9 pm

Oakland-Fukuoka Sister City Association presents an open house, entertainment, and several telescopes to view the moon. Bento dinner boxes will be available in the Bonsai Garden by reservation only. Call 482-5896 to order your Bento dinner. More info here.

The New Gary Burton Quartet
6:00 & 8:00pm
Yoshi’s Jazz Club, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Vibraphone revolutionary Gary Burton introduces his latest band, comprised of guitarist Julia Lage, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Antonio Sanchez.  Tickets $20    More info here.

Ongoing Art Exhibits

Fuzzy Logic — Oakland Threads
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Opening reception for a show featuring soft sculptures, pillows, crocheted animals and other tactile treats, co-hosted by Actual Cafe and James and the Giant Cupcake. Show runs through October 13. More info here.

Threads of Transition, Patterns of Change: Rabari Textiles of India
A Verb for Keeping Warm
6328 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

In conjunction with the “Fuzzy Logic” show, A Verb For Keeping Warm hosts an exhibit of textiles made by semi-nomadic camel herding societies in India, showcasing quilts, wall hangings, bags and other dowry items. Show runs through December 7. More info here. To read Oakland North’s coverage of the event, click here.

This Means War Is Personal
Fridays 3-6, Saturdays 1 – 5
Kroswork Gallery, 480 23rd Street, Oakland

Video and photography by Jason Hanasik and video and installation by David Gregory Wallace relating to the United States’ involvement in war. Exhibit runs September 2 – October 15. More info here. To read Oakland North’s coverage of the event, click here.

Camp
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

Paintings by Julie Alvarado focusing on the interactions between humans and nature while camping or at summer camp. Show continues through October 1. More info here.

A Walk in the Wild: Continuing John Muir’s Journey
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

A new interactive exhibit opens August 6 and highlights the legacy of the famous California naturalist and combines, art, science and natural history. Exhibit continues through January 22, 2012. Museum admission required. More info as well as museum hours and ticket prices here. To read Oakland North’s coverage of the exhibit, click here.

Remembering and Rebuilding: A Commemoration of the Oakland-Berkeley Firestorm
Oakland History Room, Oakland Main Library, 2nd floor, 125 14th Street, Oakland

A free exhibit that uses photos, maps, letters, poems, newspapers and other public documents to capture the devastation caused by the 1991 hills fire, and the efforts to rebuild afterwards. Exhibit runs September 1 – November 30. More info and hours here. To read Oakland North’s coverage of the exhibit, click here.

Ongoing community weekend events and gatherings

Oakland Walking Tours
Saturdays at 10 am

Free 90-minute walking tours through Oakland’s downtown, offered May through October. Reservations recommended. For more information, including details of the 8 itineraries available, click here.

Get ‘er Done Day and Community Potluck
Sundays noon – 6 pm, 6 – 8 pm
A PLACE for Sustainable Living, 1121 64th Street, Oakland

Volunteers can work on a variety of tasks including carpentry, seed planting, plumbing work and more to benefit the center. Followed by a “Souper Sunday” community potluck dinner; bring a vegetarian dish or something to add to the “stone soup.” More info here.

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.

Open Spinning/Knitting Gathering
Every second Saturday of the month, 10 am – 1 pm
A Verb for Keeping Warm, 6328 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

A free get-together to work on knitting, spinning or fiber arts projects, with complimentary coffee and tea. More info here.

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.

MTC Community Garden Hoe-Down
Saturdays 9 – 11 am
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58th 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.

MTC Let’s Walk Together program
Second and fourth Saturdays, 8 am – 10 am
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58th Street, Oakland

A twice-monthly group walk through different Bay Area parks and trails. Meet at the church and carpool to the week’s location. 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.

Chemical Dependency Workshop
Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s MPI Treatment Services: 3021 Summit Street, 5th 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.

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.