Oakland Indie Awards 2011

Last night was the 2011 Oakland Indie Awards, to honor and celebrate Oakland businesses and artists. It began with a brief awards ceremony in the Lakeside Theater at Kaiser Center. There were various dignitaries on hand to present the awards, including One Pacific Coast Bank founders Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor, Oakland mayor Jean Quan, state senator Loni Hancock, and Berkeley mayor Tom Bates.

Oakland Indie Awards 2011

Mayor Quan returned from China about 6 or 8 hours before the ceremony, so she was a bit jet-lagged. The only thing she mentioned more than Oakland wines (some of which she took with her to Hong Kong and China to show off Oakland) was that she'd just been in China trying to drum up business and investments for Oakland. Did I mention she'd just been in China?

Congrats to all the nominees (too many to list, but lots of Oakland businesses and artists you know and love). And on to the winners...
Socially Responsible Rockstar Award - Karen's Flowers
Oakland Soul Award - Chamberz Studios
Ripple Effect Award - Mandela Foods Cooperative
Innovative Newbie Award - Back to the Roots Ventures
Greenie Award (bus.) - Rising Loafer Cafe & Bakery
Greenie Award (artist) - Jamie Vaida
Pillar Award - Give Something Back
Pillar Award - Montclair Veterinary Hospital

From Oakland Indie Awards 2011

After the awards, it was time to celebrate! There was lots of good food and drink on hand, including Urban Legend Cellars (did I mention mayor Quan was just in China?) and my favorite, Linden Street Brewery. Restaurants included Amba, James and the Giant Cupcake, La Borinqueña Mex-icatessen, and Asmara Restaurant,

There were also Oakland vendors on hand selling their goods, various Oakland orgs giving out information, and fun things like the Oakland Outlaws roller derby team and the Kinetic Arts Center.

See more pictures in my Oakland Indie Awards album. I'll update this post with links to additional coverage as I find it.

• James and the Giant Cupcake
• John Osborn's photos