upcoming Oakland events

There's always lots happening in Oakland, but things crank up a notch when spring arrives. Some of the fun events coming up:

Art Murmur - tonight, May 6 - It's the First Friday in May, so it's time once again for the Art Murmur. East Bay Bike Coalition will be providing valet bike parking (at Rock, Paper, Scissors at 23rd and Telegraph, I believe)

Oakland Art Ride - Saturday, May 7 - A new project by one of the founders of Art Murmur, it's part East Bay Bike Party and part Art Murmur. Read more at the East Bay Express.

added: work day at Funk Town Farm - Saturday, May 7 - help plant, build fences, etc. at the community garden in Funk Town (part of East Lake).

Jane's Walks and Jane's Crawl - Saturday, May 7 - Jane Jacobs was a community activist, who worked against the trend in the 1960's of urban renewal through demolition and freeway building. Celebrate her impact on urban planning with an Oakland walking tour of Chinatown in the morning, a Jane's Walk in your neighborhood, or a pub crawl up Telegraph in the evening. Read more on Oakland Local. See also the Jane's Walk website.

Greening Oakland - Saturday, May 7 and 14 - plant trees with the Sierra Club in Bushrod. RSVP to Madeleine.

PLACE for sustainable living - Saturday, May 7 - a new sustainability center in north Oakland opens this weekend. Read more on Oakland Local.

added: Battle of the Taco Trucks - Saturday, May 7 - The first annual Oakland battle of the taco trucks! Read more on Tribune Outtakes. (I heard about this from Tina Tamale the other week, but forgot to list it.)


Bike to Work Day - Thursday, May 12. This is the 17th annual Bike to Work Day, and it just keeps getting bigger and more successful every year. There will be energizer stations all over Oakland and the East Bay, and city council members will be riding from their home districts to city hall. There will be a fun after work party in Old Oakland, too. (I'll be volunteering at the energizer station at 14th and Lakeside in the morning.)

Oakland Indie Awards - Friday, May 13 - The 5th annual celebration of Oakland artists and businesses. The party will be held at the Kaiser Center roof garden, and should be lots of fun.

Bike to Market Day - Saturday, May 21. Another event to encourage people to bike instead of drive, cyclists will receive discounts at a number of grocery stores around the East Bay, including the Food Mill, Farmer Joe's, and Grocery Outlet.

This is just a fraction of what's happening. It's admittedly bike- and art-centric, but there's something out there for everyone. Get out there and enjoy this great weather, and enjoy Oakland!