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The Green Stampede was founded in 2001 by Oakland school board member Chris Dobbins, who designed the program, along with friends who were both teachers and A’s fans, as a combination recreational and tutoring after school program. “It gives a lot of kids a place to go,” says Jorge Leon, Green Stampede President and former Stampede student.
A man dressed in jeans and a t-shirt kneels on the ground, his hands held at an awkward angle by the chains that bind him to a drag king who is standing behind him wearing a sharp suit. Like a marionette, he is forced to bring his trembling hands to his face and smoke. The scene unfolds next to a 4-foot cardboard replica of a cigarette, as Maroon 5’s “Harder to Breathe” blares from the speakers.
About 600 people marched from Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland to City Hall to protest crime and violence in Oakland on Saturday. Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere, a community and church coalition, organized the march and rally as a response to the 75 homicides reported in the city from January to August, 2011.
Oaklanders dragged furniture and plants into the street on Friday, transforming parking spots into miniature parks—or “parklets”—for International PARK(ing) Day.
Representatives from over 40 historically black colleges admissions offices met with Bay Area high school students at Laney College in downtown Oakland for the Third Annual Historically Black College Recruitment Fair.
Colorful vintage parasols, drop-waist dresses, and newsboy caps dotted Oakland’s historic Dunsmuir Estate lawn as far the eye could see this Sunday for the Art Deco Society’s 27th Gatsby Summer Afternoon, as guests recreated a 1920s garden party.
Made up of five Bay Area broadcast journalists and one musician, the Eyewitness Blues Band has been telling their own stories through music for five years. Check out the video of their performance on Wednesday at the Oakland City Center.
Every Friday night this summer, Oakland’s Linden Street Dance Studio is offering free dance lessons at Jack London Square. Anyone is welcome to attend and learn the basics of a variety of dance styles, including salsa, swing and tango.
Mama Buzz Café and Gallery is located on Telegraph Avenue in the heart of Oakland’s young art scene. In addition to showcasing new artists’ work each month, Mama Buzz invites musicians several times a week to play free concerts in the intimate setting of the café.