upcoming Oakland events

The don't-miss event this week is Pedalfest. Which, unfortunately I'm going to miss. But you shouldn't! There's lots of other fun and interesting stuff going on, too. Jazz, opera, dancing, walking tours, a health fair, and more.

Volunteer with the East Bay Children's Book Project - Friday, August 17.
During the summer, school-aged children can lose 2-3 months of progress in academic achievement, particularly in reading. Volunteers are needed on Friday, August 17 to help sort and transport the books to the East Bay Children's Book Project, which will distribute the books to disadvantaged children through food banks, shelters, pediatric clinics, youth services offices and literacy programs. For details, contact Michael Wang at (510) 637-1746 or email gbentonshoemaker@cns.gov

Twilight by the Lake - Thursday, August 16, 5-7:30pm. The Cathedral of Christ the Light is starting up their summer series of mixers again. (free)

Dancing Under the Stars - Friday, August 17, 8:30-10pm. This week's dance: cha cha (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. There are activities for kids and fun things for people of all ages. (free)

Urban Wine eXperience - Saturday, August 18, 1-5pm. Read more about it at East Bay Dish. ($45-$60)

Health Fair at Allen Temple - Saturday, August 18. Allen Temple Baptist Church is holding its 35th annual health fair. Free music and food, screenings for various diseases, and foot, dental, eye and breast examinations are availble. Read more at Oakland Local. (free)

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

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, August 18 - New Era, New Politics. (free)

Oakland Heritage Alliance walking tours - Saturday and Sunday, 10am. Saturday: Middle Harbor Park; Sunday: West Oakland. ($10-$15)

Jazz by the Lake - Sunday, August 19, 2-4pm. Nicolas Bearde at Camron-Stanford House with some smooth, sassy jazz. ($25-$30).

Open Opera at Dimond Park - Sunday, August 19, 3pm. Open Opera is coming to Dimond Park. It's a chance to take in a free opera performance and also to enjoy lovely and historic park surroundings. (free)

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:

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

POPNA Park Cleanup - Saturday, August 25, 9am-1pm. Did you miss Throw Down for the Town, or want to do more to make Oakland better? Volunteer to help clean up South Prescott Park in West Oakland. (free)

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

PINCC Walk-a-thon - Saturday, September 8. Fourth annual walk-a-thon to raise money for Prevention International: No Cervical Cancer (PINCC). Read more at the Oakland Tribune.

4th Annual Volunteer Fair - Saturday, September 15, 1-3pm. Learn about different volunteer opportunities to help make Oakland better. (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)

Park(ing) Day with WOBO - Friday, September 21. Park(ing) Day is a great celebration where unused street spaces and some parking spaces are converted into parklets for the day! Last year's Park(ing) Day was hella fun. A number of locations around Oakland are working towards permanent parklets. (free)

Dixieland Jazz at Pardee Home - Sunday, September 23 from 1-4pm. The historic Pardee Home hosts the "Spirit of '29 Dixieland Jazz Band". ($20).

Sundays in the Redwoods! - starting Sunday, September 23, 2pm. A concert series featuring a variety of musical groups at the Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. ($10)

Five Historic Houses Bike Tour - Saturday, September 29. East Bay Bike Coalition tour of 5 historic Oakland houses by bicycle. (free)

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)