upcoming Oakland events

Lots going on, including First Friday, the restart of Jack's Night Market, an OaklandWiki Jane's walk, and more.

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

A Taste of Spring - May 2, 5:30-8pm. Join Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation for a fundraiser supporting Oakland park projects and helping underserved kids attend great OPR classes and camps. At the Lakeside Garden Center. ($50-$75)

Friday

Jack's Night Market - Friday, May 3, 6-10pm. A fun evening market at Jack London Square, featuring food, fun, vendors and more. Read about a Jack's Night Market last year. (free)

Saturday

Green the Block - Saturday, May 4, 11am-2pm. Join Bay Localize to help green the neighborhood! Gardening and planting at 35th and Chestnut. (free)

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)

Sunday

OaklandWiki Jane's Walk - Sunday, 1-3pm. Join OaklandWiki for an urban walk past points of interest in Oakland, in honor of urbanist and author Jane Jacobs. (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:

Bike to Work Day - Thursday, May 9. Join thousands of other people all over in biking to work. The East Bay Bicycle Coalition and other orgs will be hosting energizer stations around the East Bay. (free)


"Finding Common Ground through Sacred Words" - Saturday, May 11, 5-8pm. The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California hosts an interfaith art exhibit. In conjunction with Kehilla Community Synagogue and the Montclair Presbyterian Church. Each work incorporates words, text or letters in unique expressions that underscore interfaith understanding, spirituality, peace and cultural dialogue. (free)

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 Christian Church. ($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.