This weekend in Oakland

Friday January 18

Oakland Restaurant Week
Times and locations vary

Oakland restaurants begin a week-long dining event with special prix-fixe menus. The week begins with a panel discussion on the food and beverage history of Oakland to be held Friday, January 18, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at City Hall Hearing Room Three. Restaurant Week runs January 18 – 27. More information including participating restaurants and menu prices here.

Opening weekend: Touch the Sun
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

Chabot launches a new exhibit about the sun, featuring interactive exhibits that teach about sunspots, magnetism and solar storms. Free with museum admission. More information here.

Singin’ in the Rain
Box office opens at 6 pm, curtain at 8 pm
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland

Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds star in the 1952 classic film. Tickets $5. More information here.

Peiling Kuo presents: Imprint
Friday 8 pm
Saturday 3:30  and 8 pm
Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th Street, Oakland

A collaborative work between choreographer Peiling Kuo and six musicians graphic artist Gretchen Jude and video artist Les Stuck. Admission $15-29 sliding scale. Shows continue through Saturday Jan. 19. More information here.

Art Opening: A show of art by two Bensons
7 – 10 pm
Royal NoneSuch Gallery, 4231 Telegraph Ave. Oakland

Art by Mark Benson and Jason Benson. More information here.

Customizer-in-Residence Open Studio Series
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland
Fridays, 5-8 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 1-4 pm

Hackers, makers and other DIY folks create new works by transforming and customizing objects. More information here.

Saint Vernon, Hysteria, Culture Warfare, Hellbound
9 pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Metal. Admission $10. More information here.

Dazz Band
8 and 10 pm shows
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Funk and jazz. More information here.

Steve Freund
Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Chicago style blues. More information here.

Mad At Sam
7 pm
Eli’s Mile High Club, 3628 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Oakland

With Protest Authority, Crooked as Fuck. More information here.

Falcon A
Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

With the Connies, Skinny Guns, Midnight Bellows. More information here.

45 Sessions
9:30 pm
Disco Volante, 347 14th Street, Oakland

Deejaying only on 7” vinyl. Admission $5. More information here.

Vanessa Lowe and Jhene Canody
7 pm
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

More information here.

Saturday January 19

In The Name of Love: Tribute to Martin Luther King
7 pm
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland

A tribute to the civil rights leader starring Jennifer Holliday, Tuck & Patti, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and Oakland Children’s Community Choir. More information here.

Meet the Artist: Gallery Tour & Book Signing with Beth Yarnelle Edwards
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

A talk and book signing by photographer Beth Yarnelle Edwards to celebrate the opening of her new exhibit, “Suburban Dreams.” More information here.

Charles the Clown
2 pm
Oakland Public Library, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd, Oakland

A performance appropriate for toddlers and young children featuring puppets, balloons and magic. More information here.

Dirtwire
9 pm
The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

With Zoe Jakes, Mira Betz, Sidecar Tommy. Admission $15. More information here.

Janet Monheit
Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Jazz vocalist Janet Monheit begins a two-day run at Yoshi’s. Shows continue through Sunday Jan. 20. More information here.

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

Brass band. More information here.

Rick’s B-Day Bash with DJ L BUG
7 pm
Eli’s Mile High Club, 3628 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Oakland

Punk rock dance party. More information here.

Ultra Violet Radio
9 pm
Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

With Cracked Ice, Zachary James & the All Seeing Eyes, Alexandra & the Starlight Band, Modern Kicks. More information here.

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

Eclectic rock. Admission $5. More information here.

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

More information here.

Sunday January 20

OMCA Family: Celebrate MLK Day
Noon – 3 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

Winners from Oakland Unified School District’s Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Festival read their poetry, and create a dream bottle. Free with museum admission. More information here.

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb LIVE! On Tour
2 and 5 pm shows
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland

A live action show for children based on the beloved cartoon. More information here.

Sunday Church JAM
8 – 11 pm
A PLACE for Sustainable Living, 1121 64th Street, Oakland

Live improvised music and dancing. Admission $3 to $5. More information here.

Save the Marcus Garvey Building Benefit
5 –  10 pm
The New Parish, 579 18th Street, Oakland

Admission $10. Read more about the Marcus Garvey Building on Oakland North here. More information here.

The Rich Hands
6 pm
Eli’s Mile High Club, 3628 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Oakland

With Moon Rockers, Cheap Bliss, POW! More information here.

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

Live jazz curated by John Schott. More information here.

Stephanie Nakasian with Hod O’Brien
5 pm
Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

Jazz vocals and piano. Tickets $15. More information here.

Ongoing Art Exhibits

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.

Rocier Collective presents pieces by David Schonhoff
Actual Cafe, 6334 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland

This San Diego-based collective is touring paintings by David Schonhoff. Exhibit runs through early February. More information here.

Suburban Dreams
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland

California photography by San Francisco artist Beth Yarnelle Edwards exploring the relationship between people, their possessions and the domestic world. Exhibit runs through June 30, 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.

Ritual
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

Artist Eric Bohr uses a series of paintings on canvas, uses layers of paint to express what comes of rituals like prayer, meditation and dance. Exhibit runs through February 23, 2013. More information here.

Histoire Noir
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

A joint exhibition by Jody Medich and Jill McLennan featuring pencil, charcoal and marker drawings on the topics of war and Oakland under construction. Exhibit runs through February 23, 2013. More information here.

Glendessary
Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland

Still life photo prints by Peter Honig. Exhibit runs through February 23, 2013. More information here.

Re/Surfaces
Vessel Gallery, 471 25th Street, Oakland 

Dreamlike paintings by Sanjay Vora and sculptures by Nancy Genn, who helped popularize the use of handmade paper in the 1970’s. Exhibit runs through February 23, 2013. More information here.

She World
Kroswork Gallery, 480 23rd Street, Oakland

Art by Ursula Brookbank that involves a flashlight-lit tour through the “She World Archive,” featuring relics from the lives of women and a soundtrack by Emily Lacy. More information here. Exhibit runs through February 9, 2013.

A Show of Art by Two Bensons
Royal NoneSuch Gallery, 4231 Telegraph Ave. Oakland

Art by Mark Benson and Jason Benson. 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.

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.