upcoming Oakland events

The big event this week is Bike to Work Day! Besides energizer stations, group rides, and pancakes at city hall, there's a great after party in Old Oakland. But there's lots of other interesting stuff going on around Oakland, too, like the return of Bites off Broadway.

Bike to Work Day - Thursday, May 10. Whether you already bike to work every day or this will be your first time, Bike to Work Day is a lot of fun and a great alternative to driving. (free)

Bike to Work Day After Party - Thursday, May 10, 5-8:30pm. Join EBBC in celebrating Bike to Work Day with music, beer, pinball, bicycle bingo and more. (free)

Bites off Broadway - Fridays, 5:30pm-8:30pm. Bites off Broadway returns for the 2012 season. The opening lineup includes Tina Tamale, Doc's of the Bay, and Nick's Breakfast Truck.

East Bay Bike Party! - Friday, 7:30pm. The monthly rolling bike party rides again! This month't theme is...pajama party! (free)

Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail - Saturday, May 12, noon-4pm. Tour Oakland's wineries and sample wines from lots more. Read about the 2011 Passport event—it was a lot of fun. ($40-$50)

"Paintings are Poems, Poems are Paintings" Saturday, May 12, 1-4pm - Artists Reception with Thomas Painter at the Dimond Gallery, 2812 Hopkins Place.

Lloyd Gregory at AAMLO - Saturday May 12, 6pm. Hear jazz musician Lloyd Gregory at the African American Museum and Library of Oakland. ($10-$15)

looking further ahead:

Learn How to Be A Garden Mentor - Wednesday, May 16, 6-8pm or Saturday, May 18, 10am-12. Learn about the City Slicker Farms Garden Mentor program and how to be a garden mentor. RSVP to (510) 763-4241 or byg@cityslickerfarms.org

Jack's Night Market - Friday, June 1, 6-10pm. A fun evening market at Jack London Square, featuring good, fun, vendors and more (free)

Dancing Under the Stars - Friday, June 1, 8:30-10pm. The return of the popular event kicks off with salsa dancing. (free)

Jingletown Open Studios - June 2-3, 9-10, 11am-6pm. Lots of open studios with lots of different artits. Read about last year's holiday walk in Jingletown. (free)

Dimond Night Out - Tuesday, June 5, 6-8:30pm. Sample your way through 17 different Dimond restaurants and merchants. ($20)

ongoing events:

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