Culture
Last Sunday afternoon, Ed Rivera passed along MacArthur Boulevard in his Sunday best, from his shiny black top hat all the way to his dangling coattails. But don’t let his dapper apparel fool you: he wasn’t headed to church or a wedding, but to Mosswood Park, where he would serve as umpire for a baseball game.
The Oakland Athletics finished up their opening weekend series against the Seattle Mariners with a 7-1 victory on Sunday while celebrating Japanese Heritage Day.
On Friday evening, and a diverse crowd had gathered for “April Ful’s Night,” a communal meal during which visitors would reflect on the political events happening throughout the Middle East.
Antique jewelry made from objects found with a metal detector, miniature paintings depicting animals with humanistic behavior, sunglasses with bling added by hand. These are just a few of the quirky wares for sale at Oakland’s monthly Art Murmur.
Taiko drumming, a staple in Japanese classical and contemporary performance, is not the typical opening act for an American baseball game. But on Sunday, the Oakland Coliseum extended a welcome to the Japanese community at home and abroad with a disaster relief fundraiser that was also a celebration of culture.
What is it about the Vietnamese sandwich? Some say it’s the fluffy French bread, others say it’s the sweet and spicy grilled meat, and some just love the pickled daikon radishes and carrots. Whatever your favorite ingredient, few will argue it’s a tasty combination of flavors.
From ‘April Ful’s Night’ to the Habitat for Humanity warehouse liquidation sale, Oakland North knows what’s up this weekend.
AXIS Dance Company’s dancers are exceptional in more ways than most performers. Four of the company’s seven members, including artistic director Judith Smith, have physical disabilities and dance in wheelchairs. Since AXIS’s founding in 1987, its dancers have been exploding conventional notions of contemporary dance.
It can be hard out there for a meat and booze lover. Or it was, at least, until a few weeks ago, when Bar Dogwood opened its door in Oakland. The new watering hole offers a selection of cured meats, cheeses, and fresh cocktails, seamlessly blending old school taste and style with a modern, Bay Area sensibility.