upcoming Oakland events

This week is Oakland Veg Week. It's a great time to try eating vegetarian! There's also a home tour coming up, supporting the work of the Children's Support League of the East Bay. Let me know other events by leaving a comment.

Oakland Veg Week - April 22-28. The second annual Veg Week in Oakland. Features vegetarian food events, including a popup at Kitchner, vegi food trucks at Off the Grid, and specials at restaurants all over Oakland. Read more in the East Bay Express.

Wednesday

What I Hear, I Keep: Stories from Oakland's Griots - Wednesday-Saturday, 2:30-5:30pm. Visual and audio art installation at Peralta Hacienda based on African American stories of modern-day Oakland, with local residents telling about their lives and exploring their identities. (with $5 admission)

Vintage porcelain at the Pardee Home - Wednesdays, 2nd Saturdays, 2nd Sundays. View the historic Pardee Home and the collection of porcelain collected by the globe-trotting Mrs. Pardee. You can take the tour for $5 or have the tour and tea for $25. Read more at World of Mailman. Read about the tea service on the East Bay Express. ($5/$25)

Thursday

OaklandForward: Meet Bryan Parker Thursday, April 25, 6-9pm. Join Movement50.org to meet Bryan Parker. Music by DJ Sharp, DJ Jerry Ross, and DJ Mike Lewis.

Friday

25th Annual Heart of the Home Tour - Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27. Tour beautiful homes and support the work of the Children's Support League of the East Bay. Includes the Harrow Mansion in Piedmont, designed by noted Oakland architect Julia Morgan. ($47+)

Saturday

Waste Not - with St. Vincent de Paul Society - Saturday, April 27, 10am-3pm. Support the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society by bringing your electronic waste to their warehouse for recycling. (free)

Slow Art Day - Saturday, Noon-2pm. The Gray Loft Gallery will be participating in Slow Art Day, when people are encouraged to discover the joy of looking at and loving art. Please stop by and take in the show slowly. If you are interested in participating, please sign up on the Slow Art Day website - or just stop by!

Celebrate the Paramount Theatre - Saturday, April 27. Join the Art Deco Society to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the restoration of the Paramount Theatre. ($100+)

Paintings by Robert Akeley - A Retrospective - Saturdays, 11am-5pm. See an exhibition of paintings by long-time resident Robert Akeley at the Rise Above Gallery.

The Big Painting Show - Saturdays, 1-5pm. See paintings by 8 established Bay Area artists at the Gray Loft Gallery in Jingletown. The Big Painting Show: Layers of Abstraction features the work of Rick Arnitz, Mark Ashworth, Suzy Barnard, Jamie Brunson, Betty Jo Costanzo, Carol Lefkowitz, Simone Simon, and June Yokell. (free)

ongoing events:

• Art Murmur (1st Friday)
• Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
• Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
• Piedmont Avenue Stroll (3rd Thursdays)
• Off the Grid at OMCA (Fridays)

looking further ahead:

A Taste of Spring - May 2, 5:30pm. A fundraiser supporting Oakland park projects and helping underserved kids attend great OPR classes and camps.

Compared to What? play - May 10,11,12,17,18,19,24,25 - A play by Judith Offer about the Pullman Porters and life in West Oakland. Held at the First Christina($15-$20)

Bites off Broadway - Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm. Beginning May 10th. My favorite food truck event returns for 2013. Read more about Bites off Broadway. (free)

Glenview Cottage Industries Show - Saturday, May 11, 10am-5pm. Featuring local artists and craftspeople in Glenview.

Measure DD Celebration - Sunday, June 9. Come celebrate the work accomplished as part of Measure DD, improving the areas around Lake Merritt.