upcoming Oakland events

The big event this week is the annual Chinatown Street Fest, but there's lots more going in Oakland.

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)

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

Saturday

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

Chinatown Street Fest - Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. The 26th annual Chinatown Street Festival, featuring foods, arts and crafts, special services, and more. With music and other entertainment on two stages. Read about the 2011 Chinatown Streetfest. (free)

Three Views - Closing Reception - Saturday, August 24, 2-6pm. Closing reception for Three Views, a three person exhibition featuring paintings by Lynn McGeever, glass sculpture and paintings by Bruce Pizzichillo, photography by Elizabeth M. Williams. At the Gray Loft Gallery. (free)

Sunday

Yoshi's Jazzfest at JLS - Sunday, August 25, noon-5pm. Celebrate all things music with Yoshi's at this free event at Jack London Square, with live music, food and more. (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:

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

Fences - from the Lower Bottom Playaz - opening in October. The Lower Bottom Playaz continue working their way through August Wilson's remarkable Century Cycle.

Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. (free)

Rockridge Out and About - Sunday, October 6, 12-6pm. Food, music, activities for kids, crafts, and more at the annual Rockridge street festival. Check out coverage of Rockridge Out and About 2011. (free)