upcoming Oakland events

This week's big event is the 5th Annual Eat Real Festival, but there's lots of other interesting stuff going on, too.

Friday

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

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

Anza Trail caravan - Saturday, September 28. Join the National Park Service to explore part of the Anza Trail, starting in Fremont and finishing up at Peralta Hacienda in Oakland. (free)

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

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

Sunday

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)

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)

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:

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

Opening Reception for Indisputable Still Life - Friday, October 4, 6-9pm. Opening reception for the new exhibit at the Transmission Gallery. (free)

Black Cowboy Parade - Saturday, October 5, 10am-5pm. The long-running Black Cowboy Parade, a staple of West Oakland for almost 40 years. Read about the 2011 parade. At Defremery Park, though the parade goes for a number of blocks. (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)

Tall Ships visit Oakland - October 8-14. The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will be back in Oakland at JLS. Tours ($3) and battle sails ($40-$60) available. Read about a visit last year.

Life is Living Festival - Saturday, October 12 at 10:00am. The annual West Oakland festival celebrating urban life through hip hop, inter-generational health and environmental action. Music, vendors, food, health screenings, skate demos and more. (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)