This weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of December 14-16 2012. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

Friday, December 14

Fairy Winterland
Noon-7pm
Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays from around the world including, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. The events will include storytelling, crafts, a light show and a visit from Santa. Runs December 14-23. For more information go here.

3rd Annual Crèche Festival

The Cathedral of Christ the Light, 
2121 Harrison Street, Oakland

The three-day event celebrating the traditional nativity scene, begins with a reception, continues with a lesson in crèche making and concludes with a live jazz performance. Runs Friday, December 14 – Sunday, December 16. For more information about events scheduled as part of the celebration please go here.

American Fad
8-9:30 pm
Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph Ave., Oakland

Magic Jester Theater presents a sketch comedy show poking fun at modern American society. Shows run December 14 and 15. Admission $15, $10 for students. More information here.

Art Opening: The Nerds Save Xmas
8 – 10 pm
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Work by Cori Spence, Maggie Hurley, Kane Lynch, Chloe Crossman, Billy Darr, Madelyn Covey and Beca Irizarry. More information here.

Book discussion: Please Look After My Mom
7 pm
Diesel, A Bookstore 5433 College Avenue, Oakland

The Diesel Readers discuss Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin. More information here.

The Soft Moon
Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Ages 18+ show. Tickets $8-12. More information here.

East Bay Brass Band
Cafe Van Kleef,  1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Brass. More information here.

Hobbit release after-party
Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm
Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Bryaugh, Bloodshot & Dilated, Cycloptopus, Agata and more. Admission $6. $1 PBR for people in Hobbit wear. More information here.

Boys Noize (live)
8 pm
The Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

With LE1F and Strip Steve. More information here.

Najee
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Soul music with saxophone and flute player Najee. Shows run Dec 14 and 15. More information and ticket prices here.

Psychic TV
9 pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Industrial/psychedelic/rock. With the Lumerians, King Dude, Youth Code. Tickets $23. Show runs Dec 14 and 15. More information here.

Broun Fellinis
9 pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Postmodern jazz influenced by dub, afro beat and more. Admission $5. More information here.

Saturday, December 15

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. 

“Fröhliche Weihnacht” beim OTV in Oakland
6 p.m.
Bjornson Hall, 2258 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94602,  (650) 697-1577 Or (510)-653-6564

A traditional German Christmas concert. For more information go here.

Third Saturday Tour
Uptown art gallery area; locations and times vary

Art galleries will be presenting a variety of special events and sales for the holiday shopping season, including live painting at Warehouse 416, trunk shows at Crown Nine Jewelers and Makers and Vessel Gallery, prints for sale at Slate Contemporary and a guided walking tour of the galleries. More information here.

Artists’ Reception: After The Fall
4-6 pm
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

A group show curate by Terryl Dunn. More information here.

MOCHA Winter Extravaganza
1-4 pm
MOCHA, 538 9th Street, Oakland

A celebration of winter and art. Runs Dec 15 – 16. More information here.

A Holiday Tradition
Saturdays December 1st, 8th and 15th 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Sundays December 2nd, 9th and 16th 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland

Mansion tours, carriage rides, teas, holiday entertainment and a kids’ play zone. Runs Dec 15 – 16. More information and ticket prices here.

Lake Merritt Station Area Plan Streetscape Open House
9 am – noon
Laney College Student Center/Cafeteria, 900 Fallon Street, Oakland

A community meeting to discuss plans for the development of the area around the Lake Merritt BART station. More information here.

Book discussion: Dog of the South
7 pm
Diesel, A Bookstore 5433 College Avenue, Oakland

The Seated Diesels discuss The Dog of the South by Charles Portis. More information here.

Eli’s Xmas Party
7 pm
Eli’s Mile High Club, 3628 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Oakland

A Santa dance party, drink specials and local vendors. More information here.

Live Music: Catch the Breeze Series
7pm – 10pm
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Live music with Gabby Lala and Jascha Hoffman and Peck the Town Crier. More information here.

The California Honeydrops
Doors 8 pm, show at 9 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Ages 18+ show. Tickets $15-20. More information here.

JL Stiles and Friends
Cafe Van Kleef,  1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Ragtime jazz. More information here.

Hot Einstein!
9 pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Eclectic rock and pop. Admission $5.  More information here.

MoeTar, Cash Pony, Darling Freakhead
Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

More information here.

Sunday, December 16

Afro-Latinidad: The Memory of Rhythm
3 – 5 pm
East Side Alliance: 2277 International Blvd, Oakland

Admission $10. More information here.

Festa de Fim de Ano Brazilian Holiday Party
4:00pm – 10:00pm
FICA Oakland, 2513 Magnolia St., Oakland

Live Brazilian music by Grupo Samba Rio and drummer Jorge Alabe, dancing and food. Admission $10. More information here.

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

Live jazz music. More information here.

King of Kings Reggae Sundays
10 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Featuring Barrington Levy. Ages 18+ show. Tickets $30-35. More information here.

Corrosion of Conformity
8 pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Rock/metal. Tickets $20. More information here.

Americana Sundays
7 pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

No cover. More information here.

Ongoing Art Exhibits

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.

Dis/Order
Pro Arts, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland

Bay Area artists’ works selected by Naomi Beckwith, curator of MCA Chicago. Runs through January 11, 2013. More information here. 

Cautionary Tales
Transmission Gallery, 770 West Grand Ave., Oakland
Hours: First Friday of exhibition opening 6-9pm and Sat. 11-5pm

Works by artists Livia C. Stein and Elisabeth Higgins O’Connor in paint, drawing and sculpture. Runs through January 19, 2013. More information here.

After The Fall
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

A group show curated by Terryl Dunn. Runs through January 12, 2013. More information here.

Ensembles and Orchestras
Vessel Gallery, 471 25th Street, Oakland 

Artists Jerry Barrish, Bryson Bost, Pamela Merory Dernham, Gordon Glasgow and Paola Mirai have created work in a variety of sculptural and collage media inspired by music and sound. Runs through January 12, 2013. More information here.

The Home Show
MacArthur B Arthur, 4030 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland
Hours: Sundays 1-5 and by appointment

The gallery presents its final show about the relationship between artist and curator and the domestic aspects of a home/gallery space. Showing works by Elizabeth Bernstein, Kevin P. Clarke, Alex Clausen, Carey Lin and Camilla Newhagen. Runs through January 12, 2013. More information here.

The Nerds Save Xmas
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Work by Cori Spence, Maggie Hurley, Kane Lynch, Chloe Crossman, Billy Darr, Madelyn Covey and Beca Irizarry. 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.