upcoming Oakland events

Lots of different stuff to do coming up in Oakland. It's a First Friday this week, so Uptown and Downtown will be hopping. The current forecast has the rains stopping by then -- let's hope the forecasters are right!

Great Wall of Oakland - Friday, October 7, 8pm-11pm. Friday's show is called "Fright Night", a family-appropriate selection of dark and creepy videos to delight your dark side. (free)

Estria Foundation Art Show - Friday, October 7, 6-8pm. Art from the last 5 years of Graffiti Battles at SMSHBX gallery, 18th and Telegraph. There's also a Graffiti Battle on Saturday as part of Life is Living, and more -- see Endless Canvas for more info. (free)

Life is Living Festival - Saturday, October 8, 11am-5pm in DeFremery Park. Life is Living is a celebration of urban life and movement for environmental action. There will be music, including Los Rakas, DJ Questlove, and the Pete Escovedo Jazz Orchestra; the 5th annual Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle; urban gardening demonstrations; a kids area (with a petting zoo), and more. (free)

Sit, Stomp and Play - Saturday, October 8, 1-4pm. A fundraising event for Playworks, to preserve safe, healthy and inclusive play and physical activity for children attending under-resourced elementary schools in the East Bay. An opportunity to stomp real wine grapes into juice, sample foods from Tina Tamale and Brown Sugar Kitchen, held at Urban Legend Cellars. ($15-$70)

Rockridge Out and About - Sunday, October 9, 12-6pm. Need another excuse for an Oakland street festival? Nope, me neither. Rockridge Out and About features local food producers, musicians, artists, and more. Free valet bike parking by East Bay Bike Coalition, lots of activities for kids including pumpkin painting and a petting zoo, and lots of Oakland love. (free)

Oakland Heritage Alliance house tour - Sunday, October 9, 1pm-5:30pm. This year's OHA house tour is bungalows in the Glenview district, "Glenview: Bungalow Heaven, Craftsman Paradise" House Tour, featuring ten lovely homes in the Glenview area. This former "streetcar neighborhood" straddles the upper reaches of Park Boulevard. Tree-shrouded streets along the winding streets enhance the charm of this early suburban area. ($30-$40)

Plus the usual events:
Piedmont Avenue Art Walk (3rd Thursday)
Bites off Broadway (Fridays)
Art Murmur (1st Friday)
Downtown walking tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)

Looking further ahead:
Oakland on Two Wheels - Sunday, October 16, 10am-12pm. Explore Oakland with OMCA docents as you pedal your way through new and old Oakland. This tour will focus on the locations in the 10,000 Steps tour.
PedalFest - October 22. Bikes, beer, food, fun at Jack London Square.
Days of the Dead - Sunday October 23. Oakland Museum comes alive with the tradition of Days of the Dead! Craft activities, food, music, dance, and ceremonies bring the community together for reflection and honoring the dead.