upcoming Oakland events

There's lots going on this week, but the big event is the Ella Baker Center's Throw Down for the Town, a chance to volunteer and help make Oakland a better place.

Dancing Under the Stars - Friday, July 27, 8:30-10pm. No dance lessons this week, just a dance party! (free)

Throw Down for the Town - Saturday, July 28. Ella Baker Center along with a variety of local groups put together Throw Down for the Town. It's an easy opportunity to volunteer for a few hours and help make Oakland better. Followed by an after-party at Snow Park. Read about last year's Throw Down for the Town. (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 28 - Old Oakland. (free)

Oakland Heritage Alliance walking tours - Saturday and Sunday. Did you miss the Oakland Urban Paths: Montclair walk last week? Want to learn more about Montclair? The OHA has a tour on Saturday, "Montclair Village: Oakland's Early Hill Town". On Sunday, it's Hiddon Haddon Hill. ($10-$15)

Art on 25th Saturday July 28, 4-7pm. Join six galleries in one building for a movable feast of short gallery talks and refreshments!

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)

looking further ahead:

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)

Great Oakland Public Schools Garden Party - Saturday, August 18, 1-4pm. Fundraiser for Great Oakland Public Schools featuring local food, wine and beer.

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)

Red Cross Out for Blood Fun Run - Sunday, September 30, 9am. A fun fundraiser for Northern California Red Cross blood services. Read about last year's fun run. ($25-$30)