This Weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of December 7-9, 2012. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, December 7

Re-Create Art Exhibition

12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Re-Create Gallery, 1423 Broadway Ave., Oakland

Re-Create is a recycled art competition open to students in Oakland schools. The event is free and open to the public. More information here.

MOCHA (Museum of Children’s Art) at the Library

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Oakland Public Library, Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88^th Ave., Oakland

Let a MOCHA teaching artist help you create art. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.

Grilling on the Patio

3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Jack London Square

Get your grilled links and ribs every Friday at Jack London Square. More information here.

Holiday Caroling at Lake Merritt

4 p.m. – 8p.m.

Lake Merritt Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Jump on a water sleigh to sing holiday carols and enjoy some cookies and hot cider while checking out some great views of Lake Merritt. More information here.

Holiday Sales Bazaar

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Jack London Square, Pavilion Building

BUILD is hosting its sixth annual holiday bazaar – come to Jack London Square to do your holiday shopping and meet the young entrepreneurs running the fair. More information here.

ZooLights

5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Oakland Zoo: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

LED lights will light up the sky this weekend at the Oakland Zoo! Member fees are $5 for kids and $7 for adults. Non-member fees are $6 for kids and $8 for adults. More information here.

Lindy Hop Class

6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

EastSide Cultural Center, 2277 International Blvd., Oakland

Learn the dances of the Harlem Renaissance and join the open dance session and party afterward. The class costs $15. More information here.

Happy Holidays, Oakland

6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Great Wall of Oakland, West Grand Avenue between Broadway and Valley St., Oakland

The Great Wall of Oakland is hosting a tree lighting ceremony, holiday short films and special guests. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.

Saturday, December 8

Santa at the Zoo

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Oakland Zoo: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Take your kids to visit Santa at the Zoo, take photos with him and tell him what presents they want this holiday season. The cost is included with the regular zoo admission cost, though photos with Santa are $5. More information here.

Puppet Show: The Nutcracker Prince

11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.

Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Designed by Pamelia McIntire, this show tells the tale of Clara, who is trying to turn the nutcracker into the handsome prince he was. More information here.

Introduction to Mindfulness

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Oakland Public Library, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland

Learn how to reduce your anxiety and stress levels with Elizabeth Anderson of Mindful Communities. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.

Holiday Gifty Art Sale and Open House

12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

The Crucible, 1260 7^th St., Oakland

Come check out live demonstrations including welding, glass working, metal casting, blacksmithing and much much more. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.

Saturday Stroll

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Pro Arts, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland

If you’re an art enthusiast, check out this self-guided tour of Oakland’s galleries. More information here.

Pinay Poets’ Extravaganza with Barbara Jane Reyes

2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Oakland Public Library, Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Ave.

Barbara Jane Reyes will read selections from her work, For the City that Nearly Broke Me. Other Bay area poets, including Rachelle Cruz, Melissa Sipin and Yael Villafranca will contribute as well. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.

The Nude: Artists’ Talk

3 p.m.

Studio Quercus: 385 26^th St., Oakland

Come listen to Rocky Angel, Susan Casentini, Cherie Chavez, Gael Fitzmaurice, Sasha Flamm, M. Louise Stanley, Julianne Sterling and others talk about The Nude exhibition going on at Studio Quercus. More information here.

Holiday Caroling at Lake Merritt

3 p.m. – 8p.m.

Lake Merritt Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Jump on a water sleigh to sing holiday carols and enjoy some cookies and hot cider while checking out some great views of Lake Merritt. More information here.

USS Potomac & Eagle Village Community Center Fundraiser

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

USS Potomac, docked at Jack London Square

Board the historic USS Potomac docked at Jack London Square for music, food and fun with the Eagle Village Community Center. More information here.

Sweet Honey in the Rock

8 p.m.

Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway Ave., Oakland

Blues, traditional hymns, rap and jazz improvisation – all in a capella. Tickets from $27. More information here.

Lalah Hathaway

8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

R&B. Tickets are $35. More information here.

Reggae Gold

10 p.m.

The New Parish, 579 18^th St., Oakland

Reggae, dance hall, hip hop. This event is 21 and older. Tickets are available at the door. More information here.

Sunday, December 9

Puppet Show: The Nutcracker Prince

11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.

Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Designed by Pamelia McIntire, this show tells the tale of Clara, who is trying to turn the nutcracker into the handsome prince he was. More information here.

Holiday Gifty Art Sale and Open House

12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The Crucible, 1260 7^th St., Oakland

Come check out live demonstrations including welding, glass working, metal casting, blacksmithing and much much more. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.

Children’s Theater Holiday Program

12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

A holiday show for every celebration, the annual show sends out a message of peace. More information here.

Kirk Waller: Storyteller

1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Kirk Waller will entertain by telling classic children’s stories. More information here.

Let Us Break Bread Together Pre-Concert Party

2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Vessel Gallery, 471 25^th St., Oakland

Attend this holiday party to benefit the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Tickets cost $30. More information here.

Holiday Caroling at Lake Merritt

3 p.m. – 8p.m.

Lake Merritt Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Jump on a water sleigh to sing holiday carols and enjoy some cookies and hot cider while checking out some great views of Lake Merritt. More information here.

Salsa for Obama!

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The New Parish, 579 18^th St., Oakland

Celebrate the re-election of President Barack Obama through salsa. Tickets are $10. This event is 18 and over. More information here.

Lalah Hathaway

7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

R&B. Tickets are $30. More information here.

Sunday Church Jam

8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

PLACE for Sustainable Living, 1121 64^th St., Oakland

Join the dance party and improvise with drums, bass, keys, mics and other instruments provided by PLACE. A donation of $3-5 is encouraged. More information here.

Hubba Hubba Revue

9 p.m.

The Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

Cabaret and comedy show. Tickets are $5. More information here.

Ongoing Art Exhibits

Forgotten Stories, Remarkable Lives:Dia de los Muertos 2012

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

18th annual exhibit honoring the lives of local heroes through altars. Runs through December 9. More information here.

Ken and Melanie Light: Valley of Shadows and Dreams

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

A black-and-white photography exhibit showcasing the lives of farm workers in the Central Valley. Exhibit runs through December 31. More information here.

Latham Square: Liz Maxwell

Pro Arts, 1611 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

The paintings in this exhibition use geometry and color to express impressions of an abstracted reality. Recalling memories of Mexico, Liz Maxwell employs parallel lines, sometimes intersected by slanted ones, to evoke landscapes and architectural forms. Runs through March 1, 2013. More here.

Playing with Fire: Artists of the California Studio Glass Movement

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

Celebrates the 50th anniversary of the studio art-glass movement in the US. Examines California’s influence on the movement. Runs through March 24, 2013. More information here.

Ongoing community weekend events and gatherings

Classic Cars West Beer Garden

Saturdays from 2 pm til dusk
Classic Cars West, 411 26th Street, Oakland

Featuring grilled sausages, craft beer, music, art and vintage cars. More info 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: 942 Stanford Avenue, 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.