This Weekend in Oakland

Community events and activities for the weekend of December 6-8 2013. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!

 

Friday, December 6

Open Studio at Museum of Children’s Art

10am-1pm

Museum of Children’s Art 1625 Clay Street, Oakland

Kids are invited to drop in to the studio to draw, paint and explore! More information here.

LEGO Mania

3pm

Oakland Public Library, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street, Oakland

Design your own LEGO creations! The event is free. More information here.

Holiday Jewelry Workshop for Teens

3:30pm

Oakland Public Library, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Make a gift for your loves ones at this arts and crafts workshop with help from the artists at Rock, Paper, Scissor’s Collective. More information here.

Holiday Caroling on Lake Merritt

4-8pm

Lake Merritt 600 Bellevue Ave., Oakland

Join the caroling boat ride on Lake Merritt after drinking a steaming cup of apple cider and eating some tasty holiday cookies.  More information here.

Friday Nights @ OMCA

5pm-9pm

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA

Enjoy this family-friendly night festival with live music while sipping on non-alcoholic or adult beverages. Gallery admission is half-price for adults and free for children under 18. More information here.

Jack London Square Holiday Pop-Up 

5pm-9pm

Jack London Square Pavilion, 98 Broadway Avenue, Oakland

Local artisans will sell their hand-made goods at the holiday pop-up during the tree-lighting this Friday. More information here.

First Friday Shorts

6pm-8pm

The New Parkway, 474 24^th Street, Oakland

Short films created by bay-area filmmakers will be screened at The New Parkway. The First Friday Shorts aim to show stories that haven’t been revealed before. This event is free. More information here.

Pegasus Books Rockridge Holiday Party

7pm-9pm

Pegasus Books, 5560 College Avenue, Oakland

Pegasus Books will be holding a holiday party with performances by guitarist John Schott. There will also be a 15% sale on all purchases. More information here.

First Friday Follies: Burlesque and Creepy Puppet Show

6-11pm

Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

After joining the First Fridays event at Oakland Museum of California, head to the Stork Club for this fun and weird event. Expect a burlesque show, a creepy puppet show, or other guest performances. More information here.

First Friday Temescal Winter Art Hop

6-9pm

Alleys at Temescal Square, 480 49th Street, Oakland, CA

Enjoy the fourth annual winter art hop with a night of music, art, drinks and food as you walk around the neighborhood of Temescal. Bring your art hop passport with you to collect stamps and enter the raffle. You could win prizes from local vendors! More information here.

 

Saturday, December 7 

 

Jingletown Art Walk

11 am-6pm

Chapman street and Peterson Street, Oakland

The annual Jingletown Art Walk features the work of artists in Jingletown, the neighborhood between Park and Fruitvale street bridges. Enjoy delicious food from food trucks while strolling throughout the neighborhood. More information here.

Wild Oakland Walk: Mushrooms at Lake Merritt

Rotary Nature Center, 600 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland

12pm-2pm

An hour long walk will go through the boathouse and Lake Merritt gardens. Learn how to identify large mushrooms in the area. More information here. 

Saturday Stroll Art Walk

1pm-5pm

Vessel Gallery, 471 25th Street, Oakland

Tour Oakland Art Murmur galleries in a more relaxed atmosphere. Spend your time enjoying the art without being overwhelmed by the usual crowds at the Friday Art Murmur. Admission to the galleries is free. More information here.

Oakland Children’s Holiday Parade

2pm

11^th and Clay Streets to Lake Merritt

The annual children’s holiday parade will feature floats and bands that will march from 11^th to 20^th streets in Downtown Oakland. More information here.

Lighted Yacht Party

4:30pm

Jack London Square 98 Broadway, Oakland

Bring a blanket to the Jack London Square and watch the boats decorated for the holidays row by! Expect inflatable Santas, bands and lit-up snowmen. Admission is free. More information here.

Not so Silent Night

6 pm

Oracle Arena 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

Enjoy the second night of performances by The Neighbourhood, Bastille, Lorde, Alt-J, Phoenix, Arcade Fire at the Oracle Theatre. More information here.

Piedmont Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Stroll

6-8pm

Key Route Plaza 41^st Street and Piedmont Avenue

Join the holiday stroll and fifth annual tree lighting ceremony this Saturday. Enjoy caroling, shopping and a Santa Claus! More information here.

Watercolor Class

7-8pm

Rock Paper Scissors collective, 2278 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Enjoy this free, relaxing watercolor painting class on Saturday evening. Bring your friends because this class is for free! More information here.

NASA, Alive and Well!

7:30-8:15pm

Chabot Space & Science Center 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland

This lecture will explain the future of NASA following the retirement of the Space Shuttle Program. More information here.

Frozen Folk

9pm

The Night Light, 311 Broadway, Oakland

Enjoy the rock band Frozen Folk with Wooden Indian Burial and Halcyonaire. More information here

 

Sunday, December 8

 

Oakland Pop-Up Show

11am-6pm

Jack London Square, 98 Broadway, Oakland

Oaklandish will be hosting a pop-up shop to sell clothes and accessories that were made by local vendors.

 

Klutron Exoplanet Sculpture Workshops

11 am

Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland

This family workshop is a chance to paint, draw and glitter the science center’s exoplanet sculptures. The story is that Klutron, the extraterrestrial that resides at the science center is getting homesick and wants you to recreate his planet Pfstfg. Come prepared to get messy and have fun! More information here.

 

A Holiday Tradition

12-4pm

Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Circuit, Oakland

This holiday season the Dunsmuir-Hellman mansion will be decorated for the holidays with Christmas trees, festive decorations and holiday teas. Holidays crafts for children are also available. More information here.

 

First Annual Temescal Alleys Holiday Artisan Fair

The Temescal Alleys 470-482 49^th Street, Oakland

11am-4pm

Explore the wares of 20 local artists’ work in the alleys of Temescal for this first holiday artisan fair. This event is free. More information here.

 

Holiday Craft Fair

12-5pm

The Grease Diner, 6604 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

Visit the handmade craft fair for all of your Christmas shopping needs. Food, crafts and screen printing demos by local artists will be featured at the fair. More information here.

 

Laserium: Laser Holidays

1:15 pm

Chabot Space and Science Theatre 1000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland

Classic holiday songs will be played in conjunction with lasers! Price of admission is $10-$22. More information here.

 

Winter Cookbook Extravaganza

2pm

Diesel, A Bookstore 5433 College Avenue, Oakland

This cooking workshop will help you brainstorm holiday foods. Why buy all of your gifts when you can bake or cook some tasty treats for the holidays? More information here.

 

Do-It-Yourself Nutcracker

3-5pm

East Bay Dance Center, 1318 Glenfield Avenue, Oakland

An interactive dance performance is just what you need to set the holidays off right! See the skills of local dancers at this festive event. More information here.
Ukelele Love-In: Concert, Lessons, & Group Sing-Along

5pm-8pm

Actual Café 6334 San Pablo Ave, Oakland

Are you a lover of Ukeleles? Join in on the group lesson, concert and sing-a-long. Admission is $5-$10 sliding scale. More information here.

 

Experimental Marine Ecology Live Film Performance: “Intertidal”

8-9pm

Temescal Art Center, 511 48^th Street, Oakland

Intertidal, by Vancouver-based artist Alex MacKenzie, displays the tides and marine life in Western Canada on projectors to create a submersive experience. More information here.

 

Ongoing Art Exhibits

Peter Stackpole: Bridging the Bay

July 20 – January 26

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

Black and white photographs dating back to the 1930s, when the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge were being constructed. More information here.

 

Above and Below: Stories from our Changing Bay

August 31 – February 23

Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

Media like oral histories, interactives and community voices take center stage in this exhibition exploring how human engineering and natural forces have changed the Bay Area over time. 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.