upcoming Oakland events

This week's big event is the annual Bike to Work Day! There's also the return of Bites off Broadway, an Oakland Urban Paths walk, the opening for "Finding Common Ground through Sacred Words", a mother's day tea at Cohen-Bray House and more.

Wednesday

Oakland Walking Tours - Wednesday, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (free)

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

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, and you can join pedal pools of other cyclists. There's also a pancake breakfast at city hall, and an after-work bike party in Old Oakland. (free)

Friday

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)

Estuary Art Attack - Friday, May 10, 6-9pm. Explore art galleries in Jingletown and across the bridge in Alameda. (free)

Closing reception for The Big Painting Show - Friday, May 10, 6-10pm. Features large scale paintings by eight accomplished Bay Area abstract artists. For a peek at some of them, check out my post on Slow Art Day. (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)

Saturday

Oakland Urban Paths: Roses for Mother's Day! - Saturday, May 11, 10am. Join Oakland Urban Paths as we explore stairways and pathways between Oakland and Piedmont, as well as check out the flowers in landscaped yards, parks and the Morcom Rose Garden. (free)

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

Oakland Walking Tours - Saturday, 10am. Free downtown walking tours highlighting Oakland's history, architecture and people. Read about past Oakland Walking Tours. (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)

American Steel Studios - Art + Industry - Saturday, May 11, noon-11pm. American Steel Studios hosts a huge open gallery, with art and demonstrations by artists. Meet the people that make up American Steel when they open their studios to the public, including interactive programs, demonstrations, artist talks, behind-the-scenes facility and studio tours, performances, fire art and so much more. (free)

Sunday

Mother's Day Tea at Cohen-Bray House - Sunday, May 12, 1, 2 and 3pm. Get a tour of the historic Cohen-Bray House in East Oakland, view Emma Bray Cohen's amazing hat collection, and have tea to celebrate mother's day. There are seatings at 1, 2 and 3pm. ($15-$25)

American Steel Studios - Art + Industry - Sunday, May 12, noon-5pm. American Steel Studios hosts a huge open gallery, with art and demonstrations by artists. Meet the people that make up American Steel when they open their studios to the public, including interactive programs, demonstrations, artist talks, behind-the-scenes facility and studio tours, performances, fire art and so much more. (free)

ongoing events:

• Oakland Walking Tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
• Art Murmur (1st Friday)
• Bites off Broadway (Fridays
• Off the Grid at OMCA (Fridays)
• Saturday Art Stroll (Saturdays)
• Oakland Urban Paths walk (2nd Saturdays)
  
• Mt. View Cemetery Tours (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
• Piedmont Avenue Stroll (3rd Thursdays)

looking further ahead:

Notes & Words 2013 - Saturday, May 18, 8pm. Writers Mary Roach, Billy Collins, Kelly Corrigan and Lauren Graham join forces with musicians G. Love & Special Sauce, Good Night, Texas, Vocal Rush and LaToya London to raise money for Children's Hospital Oakland, at the Fox Theater. ($50+)

Rod and Custom Car Show at JLS - Saturday, May 25, 10am-4pm. More than 65 classic cars from the 1920s to 1960s will be on display. Enjoy live music, food and fun! (free)

Oakland Indie Awards - Thursday, May 30, 6:30-10:30 pm. Join the celebration for Oakland's local economy, a party for locals by locals. Enjoy an evening under the stars on the beautiful Kaiser Rooftop Garden and Terrace, overlooking Lake Merritt. Read about last year's awards and party. ($10-$15)

ACCFB: Empty Bowls - Thursday, May 30, 6-8pm. Join the Alameda County Community Food Bank for their annual Empty Bowls program to raise money for their work of feeding the hungry in Alameda County. In addition to enjoying a delicious soup dinner, guests will enjoy the music of accordionist Duckmandu, take home a hand-painted bowl and bid in a silent auction. ($25)

Love Our Lake: Oaklavia + Measure DD Celebration - Sunday, June 9. Come celebrate the work accomplished as part of Measure DD, improving the areas around Lake Merritt. Streets around the lake will be closed for pedestrian and bicycle friendliness. There will be food trucks, live entertainment, and activities for kids. (free)