upcoming Oakland events

Way too much to do this weekend. The big event is Oaklavía / Love Our Lake Day on Sunday, closing off the streets around Lake Merritt and celebrating Lake Merritt. I'll be leading an Oakland Urban Paths walk around the lake on Sunday morning (not our usual 2nd Saturday), and there are East Bay Open Studios and more.

If that weren't enough, Friday has Bites off Broadway, and it's a First Friday, bringing Art Murmur to Uptown.

Work has been extra busy of late, so the blog isn't getting as much time as I'd like. But there are additional interesting events coming up, so I'll update this entry as time permits.

Wednesday

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

Thursday

Fairyland Gala Costume Party - Thursday, June 6, 6:30-9:30pm. Help support Children's Fairyland by attending this special adults-only gala party in Fairyland. ($75-$125)

Dancing Under the Stars at JLS - Thursdays, 8:30-10pm. Free dance lessons from Linden Street Dance Studio return! (free)

Friday

Bites off Broadway - Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm. My favorite food truck event, held Fridays outside Studio One Art Center just off Broadway. Read more about Bites off Broadway. (free)

Jack's Night Market - Friday, June 7th, 6-10pm. A fun evening market at Jack London Square, featuring food, fun, vendors and more. Read about one of last year's markets. (free)

Dancing Under the Stars - Fridays, 8:30-10pm. The popular free dance classes at Jack London Square are back for another season. First up June 7th: Salsa! (free)

Saturday

East Bay Open Studios - Saturday, Sunday, 8-9; 11am-6pm. See the work of over 400 local artists as they open their studios to the public. Numerous artists and galleries are taking part, including Gray Loft Gallery and Fernando Reyes in Jingletown, the Crucible in West Oakland, and many more. (free)

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

Sunday

Oakland Urban Paths walk - Lake Merritt - Sunday, June 9, 10am-12:30pm. Join Oakland Urban Paths for a walk around Lake Merritt before the Love Our Lake celebrations begin. We'll check out the improvements from Measure DD and visit the Cleveland Cascade. (free)

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)

ongoing events:

• Oakland Walking Tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
• Bites off Broadway (Fridays)
• Off the Grid at OMCA (Fridays)
• Dancing Under the Stars at JLS (Fridays)
• Art Murmur (1st Fridays)
• Jack's Night Market (1st 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:

Old Oakland Dishcrawl - Wednesday, June 19, 7pm. Explore four restaurants in Old Oakland, meeting the owners and/or managers to get the story behind the food. Vegetarian option available. ($45)

Wild Food Walk - Saturday, June 22. 11am and 2pm. Join OaklandLocal and Forage SF for a walk in the Oakland hills to learn what edible plants grow wild here. Optionally join them for a discussion and food at Two Mile Wines after the walk. ($40-$70)

Family Fun on the Fourth - 11am-4pm. Fun for the whole family at Jack London Square, with food, live music, and lots of stuff for kids. See my coverage of from the 2011 event. (free)

Temescal Street Fair - Sunday, July 7. Read about last year's street fair. (free)

Pet Adopt-a-thon - Saturday, July 13. Join the East Bay SPCA for its annual adopt-a-thon at Jack London Square. It will feature more than 350 adoptable animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, and reptiles, all looking for good homes. (free)

WW Sketchcrawl - Saturday, July 13. Join other artists of all ages and abilities to walk Oakland and sketch what you see, then get together and compare experiences. (free)

Pedalfest - Satuday, July 20, 11am-7pm. The annual EBBC celebration of bicycles at Jack London Square. There will be all sorts of bike-related things, including a tricycle parade for kids, bike decorating, the Whiskeydrome, bike stunts, and more. Read about Pedalfest 2011. (free)

Fairyland for Grownups - August 16. Your chance to visit Fairyland without a child on an adults only night. Ever wanted to drink a beer inside a whale? This is your chance. A fundraiser for Children's Fairyland.