upcoming Oakland events

Another fun-filled week in Oakland. On Saturday, I'll be co-leading a walk for Oakland Urban Paths, "Monclair Stairs". Let me know in the comments if there's other interesting stuff going on.

Waterfront Flicks - Thursday, July 12, at dark. The monthly waterfront flicks are back, with We Bought A Zoo on July 12. Bring your own stadium seating, and enjoy a movie under the stars! Come early and play trivia games. Food from Miss Pearl's, beverages and free bike parking available from EBBC. (free)

Fiddler on the Woof - Thursday, July 12, 6pm. Unique evening under the stars for dogs and the people who love them at Woodminster Amphitheater, Joaquin Miller Park. Enjoy a pre-performance picnic and silly party with your pup and then see the traditional Fiddler On the Roof in Full Dress Rehearsal at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. Dogs are welcome at the picnic space.Tickets at www.odogparks.org Adults $25 Kids $20 to help build a user friendly gate system at the dog park/ parking lot interface.

theater by Lower Bottom Playaz: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - July 13,14,15 and 20,21,22. Theater season at the Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement begins this weekend! In-house troupe The Lower Bottom Playaz will celebrate their 11th season at the Sister Thea Bowmen Memorial outdoor theater. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson.

Montclair Stairs with OUP - Saturday, July 14, 10am. Join Oakland Urban Paths for our July walk in the Montclair and Thornhill neighborhoods of the Oakland Hills. Learn about the old Sacramento Northern railroad line & the scuttled plans for the Shepherd Canyon Freeway (Route 77). Travel along the upper reaches of the Temescal Creek watershed. Walk the all-wooden stairways of the Thornhill Canyon neighborhood. (free)

Downtown Walking Tours - Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am. The walking tours program goes through the summer, rotating through the 8 different tours. They're a great way to get out and see Oakland and learn about its people and history. Coming up: Saturday, July 14 - City Center. (free)

Mural Unveiling - Saturday, July 14, 10am-3pm. Mural unveiling by the Community Rejuvenation Project and People’s Grocery. Featuring DJ Basta, live performance by CRP artists, garden planting and community clean-up. Read more at Oakland Local. (free)

OPR Open House at Lake Merritt - Saturday, July 14, 11am-3pm. The Oakland Parks and Recs department is holding a free open house at Lake Merritt, with garden demonstrations, live music, and more. Read more at Oakland Local. (free)

"Dinner and a Movie" at Chabot - Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14. Chabot Space and Science Center's popular summer movie series is back. This weekend is Wall-E, and Saturday there will be opportunities for photo ops with a fan-built life size replica. ($5-$16)

Jazz by the Lake - Sunday, July 15, 2-4pm. Camron-Stanford House hosts jazz concerts in their beautiful lakeside setting. July 15 features Terrence Brewer. Small plates, wine and champagne will be available. ($25-$30).

Salsa by the Lake - Sunday, July 15, noon-5pm. DJ and live music for salsa dancing! Free dance lessons, and some of the best people-watching around. (free)

looking further ahead:

10,000 Steps: A Profile of Four Squares - Friday, July 20, 8pm. See the film about the 10,000 Steps Project at Swan's Co-Housing. Relax with your neighbors as you enjoy the award-winning local urban exploration film. (free)

Fairyland for Grownups - Friday, July 20, 7-10pm. A chance for grownups to visit Fairyland, with music, food trucks galore, and fun. ($15 - pre-sale only)

Peace Bicycle Ride - Saturday, July 21, 5pm. Bikes 4 Life holds the annual peace bicycle ride from Lake Merritt to West Oakland. Read more at the Oakland Tribune. (free)

Oakland Jazz Festival - Saturday, July 21. All-day musical extravaganza at the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate includes headliners such as KEM, Eric Benet, Wayne Wallace, Ledisi and the San Francisco-based jazz-funk-soul quartet, Times 4. Pack a lawn chair and a picnic or enjoy dishes from one of the many food and drink vendors. ($70)

Throw Down for the Town - Saturday, July 28. Volunteer to make Oakland better. Organized by the Ella Baker Center.

Community Arts Festival - Sunday, July 29. Art show at Mosswood Park. Music, snacks, art and more. Contact HellaCity@rocketmail.com if you'd like to participate.

Art & Soul Festival, Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5. ($5-$10)

Block Party on National Night Out, Tuesday August 7, 7-9pm. (free)

Laurel Street Fair, Saturday, August 11, 11 am-6 pm, MacArthur Blvd. between 35th and 38th Street: Food, music and fun in the Laurel District. (free)

Pedalfest - Saturday, August 18, 11am-8pm. The second annual Pedfalfest at Jack London Square. Last year's Pedalfest was hella fun, for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. (free)

Faith Fancher Breast Cancer Challenge - Saturday, August 25. The 8th annual Faith Fancher breast cancer 5K walk and fundraiser.

Eat Real Fest - Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4. (free)

Taste of Temescal, Tuesday, September 18, 6- 8:30 pm. A culinary crawl to scintillate your palates: the Taste of Temescal on Telegraph Avenue between 43th and 51st. ($30)

ongoing events:

Bites off Broadway (Fridays)
Piedmont Avenue Art Walk (3rd Thursday)
Art Murmur (1st Friday)
Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
OMCA Summer Nights (last Friday of the month)
OHA Walking Tours (Saturdays and Sundays)