upcoming Oakland events

Avariety of events this weekend, including an Oakland Urban Paths walk, the ¡Viva Tamale! Tamale Cookoff, the 3rd Annual Pio Pico Bash at Peralta Hacienda, and more. Celebrate Mexican Independence Day!

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 Urban Paths: West Oakland - Saturday, September 14, 10am. Join Oakland Urban Paths as we explore part of Old Oakland and West Oakland, and see what were once adjacent neighborhoods. (free)

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

3rd Annual Pio Pico Bash at Peralta Hacienda - Saturday, September 14, 6-7:30pm. Author Carlos Salomon will relate the life of Pío Pico, the last governor of Mexican California, of mixed African, Native and Spanish descent, and tell about the system of 136 racial classifications or castas in use at the time.

Sunday

¡Viva Tamales! Tamale Cookoff - Sunday, September 15, 12-4pm. A fundraiser for La Clinia de la Raza, which has been providing affordable healthcare for over 40 years. Hosted by Tina Tamale of La Borinquena Mex-icatessen. Competitors include Moles y Tamales la Oaxaqueña, Evil Jerk, and Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas. There will be meat and vegi tamales. Read more about the event on Oakland Food Events. ($15-$20)

Green Street Party in Glenview - Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm. Join Glenview neighbors in learning about climate change and ways to address it. (free)

Delilah Beasley Tea - Sunday, September 15. Join the Pardee Home for the 2nd annual Delilah Beasley Tea, honoring women with a pioneering spirit. ($5/$15)

Tuesday

Taste of Temescal - Tuesday, September 17, 6-8:30pm. A culinary crawl through Temescal, raising money for local schools and organizations. There will also be live music and prizes. ($30)

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:

Creek to Bay Day - Saturday, September 21 in various locations around Oakland. Help clean up Oakland's waterways. Read about last year's Creek to Bay Day. (free)

Sundays in the Redwoods - Sundays, starting September 22. Hang out in beautiful Joaquin Miller Park and listen to live music amongst the redwoods. ($14+$2)

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

WasteNot: e-waste drop-off - Sunday, September 29. Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and get rid of your e-waste at the same time. At St. Theresa church, 30 Mandalay Road. (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)

Oaktoberfest - Saturday, October 5, 11am-6pm. Oakland's annual, family-friendly craft beer festival. Food, beer, music, activities for kids, and more. See pictures from the 2011 Oaktoberfest. (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)

CityCamp Oakland - Saturday, November 9. The 2nd annual "unconference" brings together citizens, city government, and businesses to innovate, enhance transparency and increase civic engagement. (free)