upcoming Oakland events

This weekend's big event is the annual Art and Soul Festival, with music, food and more. If you go, take AC Transit or BART (while you can!) or ride your bicycle. The East Bay Bicycle Coalition will be providing free valet bike parking. If you're not going, be aware that multiple blocks are closed off downtown. Also coming up is the National Night Out on Tuesday, a chance to get to know your neighbors and raise crime prevention awareness. And of course tonight is a First Friday and Art Murmur.

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)

Get Famous or Die Laughing Comedy Jam - Friday, August 2, 8pm. Flow Presents is featuring the comedy of D'Lai, at Geoffrey's Inner Circle on 14th. ($15-$30)

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

American Craft Council Show - Friday-Sunday in San Francisco. An SF event, but featuring a number of Oakland designers including Alison McLennan and J. Brooke Patterson. Read about one of last year's featured Oakland designers, glass-blower Bryan Goldenberg. ($10)

Saturday

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

Art + Soul Saturday - August 3, noon-8pm and Sunday, August 4, from noon-6pm. The 13th annual Art and Soul Festival, with music, food, vendors and more. Read about past Art & Soul events: 2009, 2011. ($5-$15)

Tuesday

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 6. Join your neighbors for a BBQ. Get to know your neighbors, and raise crime prevention awareness. Last year Oakland hosted 600 parties, and they hope to have even more this year. (free)

Wednesday

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

Laurel Street Fair - Saturday, August 10, 11am-6pm. The 14th annual Laurel Street Fair, with food, music, vendors, a kid's zone, and more. (free)

Sing-Along Cinema at JLS - Wednesday, August 14, sundown. Come join a crowd and sing along with your favorite musical movies. First up is Grease. (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.

Eat Real Festival - September 27-29. The annual food festival is back, with tasty eats, beer, music, and how-to sessions. (free)