upcoming Oakland events

After a relatively quiet week, there's plenty of interesting stuff coming up, with lots planned to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Arroyo Viejo Park cleanup - Thursday, January 12, 8:30am-12:30pm. Oakland Parks and Rec is holding a park cleanup for Arroyo Viejo Park in East Oakland to celebrate and honor Dr. King. more info (free)

Speeches of a Dream MLK celebration - Thursday, January 12, 5pm at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for The Arts. Celebrate the life of Dr. King through poetry, music, and art. more info (free)

National Parks free - Saturday-Monday. Not specifically an Oakland thing, but good to know if you're planning on visiting one of the national parks this weekend. In honor of MLK Day, all 397 national parks and monuments will be open for free on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (free)

In the Name of Love at the Paramount - Sunday, January 15, 6pm. The 10th annual musical tribute to Dr. King, at the Paramount Theatre. This year features Mavis Staples, Oakland group PopLyfe, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and more. Congresswoman Barbara Lee will present the Seventh Annual City of Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award to Derrick B. Johnson for his service to the community. MC'd by Aimee Allison of Oakland Seen. Read more at Oakland Local. ($8-$18)

Alameda County Community Food Bank Food Drive - Monday, January 16, 9am-noon. Join the ACCFB on January 16 for the 3rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service! Drop off food at 7900 Edgewater Drive. Canned tuna, peanut butter, and complete meals like beans and rice or pasta and sauce are in high demand. A Virtual Food Drive is set up for those who can't get out to East Oakland. For every $1 donated, ACCFB can distribute $5 worth of food. (more info)

MLK, Jr., Celebration at McClymonds High - Monday, January 16, 10am-2pm. A celebration of MLK called Dream: Let’s Make it Real. Lots of live entertainment, a keynote speaker, and special guest Matthew Fox. Read more in the Oakland Post and the Oakland Tribune. (free)

Stop The Gunfire gathering - Monday, January 16, 10am. An event to fight crime in Oakland and celebrate the memory and life of MLK. Read more at Oakland Local (free)

Day of Service at MLK Shoreline - Monday, January 16, 8:30am-noon. Work with the East Bay Regional Parks District doing habitat restoration. more info (free; pre-register)


other events:

Machine: A Fire Opera - opens Wednesday, January 11. The Crucible, presents an amazing sci-fi short story performed in a fiery industrial universe. Times and days vary. More info ($45-$65)

Jack London's 136th Birthday @ Heinhold's - Thursday January 12, 5pm. Fans of Jack London are gathering at his favorite watering hole, Heinhold's First and Last Chance Saloon, to celebrate his 136th birthday. more info (21+, free)


looking further ahead:

Oakland Restaurant Week - January 20-29. Oakland has a ton of great restaurants, so why not support the local economy and eat well? Oakland Restaurant Week includes dozens of restaurants from Amba to Yoshi's, from B-Side BBQ to Faz, each featuring prix-fixe specials during the celebration.

Oakland Urban Paths Lakeshore to Park Blvd. - Saturday, January 21. Explore urban stairs and walkways between Lakeshore and Park Boulevard with Oakland Urban Paths and their first walk of 2012. (free)

Urban Geology Walk with OHA - Thursday, February 9. Explore Oakland's geology with the Oakland Heritage Alliance and Oakland geologist Andrew Alden of Oakland Geology. ($10-$15)

Oakland Urban Paths geology walk - Saturday, February 11. Explore Oakland's geology and urban walkways with Oakland geologist Andrew Alden of Oakland Geology. (free)


Plus the usual events:
Piedmont Avenue Art Walk (3rd Thursday)
Art Murmur (1st Friday)
Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)