This Weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of December 2-4. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday December 2

Skyline High School Health Center Grand Opening
11am
Highline High School, 12250 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

New health center opens.

City Hall Tree Decorating & Fashion Show
Decorating 5pm, Show at 6pm
Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland

Fashion Show by Mario B of Uptown Studios.

Oakland Tree Lighting Celebration
5-7 pm
Jack London Square, 98 Broadway, Oakland

Live music, a gift market, and the lighting of the Jack London Square holiday tree.

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

Weekly get-together featuring music, popcorn, ice cream, and beer. More info and prices here.

Holiday Pop-up!
5pm-9pm
Jack London Market, 55 Harrison, Oakland

Local merchants sell gifts for the holidays. More Information.

Actual Café 2-Year Anniversary
5-10pm
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Music, smores and a bike party. More info here.

ZooLights 2011
5:30-9 pm
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Runs December 2-January 1, closed December 24 and 25. $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for members, $5.50 for children ages 2-14 and seniors. More information here.

First Friday Art Murmur
6-9 pm
Uptown Oakland

Food from carts, drinks, arts venders, and lots and lots of gallery openings. First Fridays in Uptown.

Art exhibit opening–Dave Meeker: Landscapes
6-9 pm
Mercury 20, 475 25^th Street, Oakland

Exhibit of light sculptures inspired by urban landscapes of Oakland, runs from December 1-31. There will also be an artists’ reception and talk on Saturday, December 10 from 4-6 pm. More information here.

Art exhibit opening–Interlocking Terrain
6-9 pm
Mercury 20, 475 25^th Street, Oakland

This group show of work by gallery artists, curated by artist Charlie Milgrim, will run from December 1-31. It explores connections between man-made and natural environments. More information here.

Art exhibit opening –Expanded Field
7-10 pm
MacArthur B Arthur, 4030 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland

The exhibit, curated by Jackie Im and Aaron Harbour, will run from December 2-January 8. It is a group show featuring work by Torreya Cummings, Amy M. Ho, Sarah Hotchkiss, Christine M. Peterson, and Emma Spertus. More information here.

Scrooge! The Musical
8 pm
Bay Area Stage, 51 Daniels Ave, Vallejo

Will run from December 2 – 18 with both evening and matinee performances. Adults: $18 Senior or Student: $15 Call (707) 649-1053 for performance and ticket information or click here.

Musical performance by Audrey Vardanega
8 pm
Piedmont Piano Co., 1728 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

This 16 year old pianist will perform works by Chopin, Liszt, Mozart and Debussy on the Fazioli concert grand. Click here for more information.

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

Comedy featuring Trevor Hill. Admission $10, $8 for students, seniors and peace officers. More info here.

“An International Christmas,” concert by the Ascension Liturgical Choir
8 pm
Ascension Cathedral, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland 

Annual holiday concert, doors open at 7:30. More information here.

Vince Wallace Jazz Ensemble
9:30pm
Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

“Real Bop” jazz from original artists. More info here.

The Entrance Band
Doors at 8:30pm, show at 9pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Performance, with Matt Baldwin. Cost $10-$13. More info here.

Lalah Hathaway
Shows at 8pm and 10pm
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Contemporary R&B vocalist. Cost $30. More info here.

YIP DECEIVER
Doors 6pm, Show 9pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Experimental dance pop. More info here.

First Friday Follies
9pm
Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

A burlesque show with music by Black Leather Orchestra. More info here.

MJ’s Brass Boppers
9pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

New Orleans style swinging and singing brass line. More info here.

Speakfriend
7pm
Mama Buzz Café, 2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

Indie rock. More info here.

DJ Mere & Lexx Jones
TK pm
Luka’s Taproom, 2221 Broadway, Oakland

Hip hop, R&B and old school. Cost $10. More info here.

 

Saturday December 3        

6^th Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Diocesan Pilgrimage and Mass
9 am-1 pm
St. Louis Bertrand Church, 1410 100^th Ave, Oakland (starting point)
Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland (ending point)

Pilgrims will walk to the Cathedral of Christ the Light and then participate in the feast day Mass, with traditional Latino food and music. More information here.

Wellness, Healing and Mentoring Workshop
10am-2pm
959 33^rd St., Oakland

The fourth in a series of mentoring and wellness trainings. More info: Tommy McDonald (510-338-8827)

Holiday Concert “The Jazz Nutcracker”
1-2:30 pm
Musically Minded Academy, 5776 Broadway, Oakland

Fun family concert with pianist Terry Disley and friends. The music of Tchaikovsky with a jazz twist. Ticket information here.

Children’s Holiday Parade
2 pm
Starts at Broadway and 11^th St, continues to 20^th Street and then on 20^th from Broadway to Harrison.

See costumes, floats and more in this holiday parade through downtown Oakland. Click here for more information.

Silencing the Witnesses: Government Attacks on the Right To Observe
2 pm
Humanist Hall, 390 27^th St, Oakland

Suggested donation $5-10. A community forum and video showing presented by the Oscar Grant Committee Against Police Brutality and State Repression and Berkeley Copwatch.  More information 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.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fundraiser
2pm-5pm
Everett & Jones BBQ, 126 Broadway, Oakland

Featuring Danny Glove and Boots Riley. More information.

ZooLights 2011
5:30-9 pm
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Runs December 2-January 1, closed December 24 and 25. $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for members, $5.50 for children ages 2-14 and seniors. More information here.

Lighted Yacht Parade
5:30 pm
Jack London Square Waterfront

See dozens of Bay Area boats dressed up for the holidays. Find a location along the boardwalk, or inside one of Jack London Square’s waterfront restaurants. More information available at www.lightedyachtparade.com.

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Annual Holiday Concert
7:30 PM
Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland

Tickets from $10-40, depending on seats. Click here for ticket information.

Musical Performance by Jonathan Poretz
8 pm
Piedmont Piano Co, 1728 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Bay area favorite Jonathan Poretz singing selections from the Great American Songbook, with Lee Bloom on piano and Jeff Neighbor on upright bass. Click here for more information.

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

Comedy featuring Lilibeth Helson. Admission $10, $8 for students, seniors and peace officers. More info here.

The Lovelight Blues Band
9:30pm
Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Oakland/Mississippi/Chicago blues band. More info here.

Lalah Hathaway
Shows at 8pm and 10pm
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Contemporary R&B vocalist. Cost $30. More info here.

Hot Lunch
8pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

“Punk ‘n’ Roll” Quartet. Cost $8. More info here.

Unko Atama
9pm
Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Five bands. $5 cover. 21+. More info here.

Nathan Farris, Amanda Demott & Paul Fisch
7–10pm
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Live music. More info here.

Go Van Gogh
9:30pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Ska surf underlined by Afro-Cuban percussion. More info here.

Wild Astoria, Pink Films
7 pm
Mama Buzz Café, 2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

Indie rock. More info here.

DJs Jamo & Weekly Guests
Luka’s Taproom, 2221 Broadway, Oakland

Spinning classic hip hop, neo soul and world flavors. Cost $5 before 11pm, $10 after. More info here.

 

Sunday December 4

Free First Sunday at OMCA
11 am-5 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland

OMCA is free all day the first Sunday of every month. More information here.

Temescal Holiday Labyrinth
12pm-5pm
Telegraph Avenue and 49^th Street, Oakland

A holiday labyrinth, food and craft fair and live entertainment. More information.

Children’s Theatre Holiday Program
12:30 pm and 3 pm
Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland

Whether you celebrate Christmas, the Solstice, Chanukah, Diwali, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, or the Chinese New Year, come to this annual holiday show.

Closing Tea and Artist talk with Katherine Sherwood
3-6 pm
The Compound Gallery, 1167 65th St,  Oakland

Katherine Sherwood will discuss her work on the “He-Charmers” exhibit at 4 pm. Tea and snacks provided. More information here.

ZooLights 2011
5:30-9 pm
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Runs December 2-January 1, closed December 24 and 25. $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for members, $5.50 for children ages 2-14 and seniors. More information here.

Iron and Wine with special acoustic performance by Brett Dennen
7:30 pm
The Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

Tickets $36, on sale here.

Full Cast Band of Fela
Doors at 8, show at 9 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Advanced tickets sold out. Door tickets $14. More info here.

Lalah Hathaway
Shows at 8pm and 10pm
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Contemporary R&B vocalist. Cost $30. More info here.

John Schott Series
5 – 8 pm
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Live music. More info here.

Maria Quilles with Scott Mickelson
8:30pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Live Music. More info here.

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

DJ aebldee spins soul. More info here.

 

Ongoing Art Exhibits

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.

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.

Dave Meeker: Landscapes
Mercury 20, 475 25^th Street, Oakland

Exhibit of light sculptures inspired by urban landscapes of Oakland, runs from December 1-31. There will also be an artists’ reception and talk on Saturday, December 10 from 4-6 pm. More information here.

Interlocking Terrain
Mercury 20, 475 25^th Street, Oakland

This group show of work by gallery artists, curated by artist Charlie Milgrim, will run from December 1-31. It explores connections between man-made and natural environments. More information here.

Expanded Field
MacArthur B Arthur, 4030 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland

The exhibit, curated by Jackie Im and Aaron Harbour, will run from December 2-January 8. It is a group show featuring work by Torreya Cummings, Amy M. Ho, Sarah Hotchkiss, Christine M. Peterson, and Emma Spertus. More information 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.

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.