With the school year drawing to an end, we are all starting to think about summer. There are so many things happening that there’s no way we could have fit them all into one post, but we felt it important to remind you of all these fun festivals and events happening around Oakland this summer.
But first! Free Ice Cream! CREAM is opening on College Avenue by the new Safeway, tomorrow 6/6 and they are giving away free ice cream sandwiches all day. …just thought you should be aware.
And now to the festivals!
Uptown Oakland
$10 Adults, $7 seniors (65+) and youth (13-17), 12 and under free
August 1st & 2nd, 12-6pm
Art + Soul is an awesome end of Summer festival with music, art, food, dance, and so much more. There will be a Oaktown Throwdown BBQ Competition which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Definitely a fun festival to mark your calendars with.
Beast Crawl (Annual Literary Festival)
Uptown Oakland
Free
July 11th, 5pm-2am
The fourth annual Beast Crawl will be hosted by a variety of cafes, galleries, bars, and restaurants in the Uptown. There are three different legs to the event where you can hear diverse readings from local writers and “literary rock stars”. The fourth leg of the event is an after party of fun. A great time to visit many Uptown spots, hear some exciting literature, and have a wonderful adventure…all in one night!
Mills College
Prices vary per event from $45- $150
July 18th, 10am-11pm
The inaugural Oakland Wine Festival is popping the corks and bringing the fancy to Oakland this summer. With various tastings and pairings all day, this would be a great way to treat yourself to delicious this summer. Each event is individually ticketed but half and full day passes are also available. If you are going to splurge, go to the “Exquisite Winemaker Dinner”. Some of Oakland’s finest chefs will be preparing a four course meal to pair with four unique wines selected by the winemakers. Some chefs included are, James Shyabout (Commis), Tanya Holland (Brown Sugar Kitchen), Antony Salguero (Michel Bistro), Rocky Maselli (A16), and Craig DiFonzo (Lungomare). It is a pricy ticket at $150, but it will be fantastic.
Jack London Square
July 25, 11am-7pm
Bikes, food, and music, it doesn’t get much better. Head down to Jack London to support Bike East Bay and see some crazy stunts on bikes. There will be a main stage with rotating bands, great food trucks, and lots of family fun.
AXIS 2015 Home Season Performance
Malonga Theater
$10-$25
June 12th & 13th, 8pm
June 14th, 2pm
AXIS Dance Company is at the forefront of dance innovation. They have performed on So You Think You Can Dance and are touring throughout the year. An incredible company that boasts incredible work performed by dancers both with and without disabilities. Lead by Judith Smith since 1997, the company has expanded tremendously, bringing in outside choreographers and developing a powerful contemporary dance form called physically integrated dance. In this series of performances they have brought in Jo Goode to showcase a piece about the resilience of veterans, and premiere a collaborative work by the Foundry’s Alex Ketley. Go, experience, enjoy. You won’t regret it.
The New Parkway Theater
Weekend Pass: $50, Saturday Pass: $30, Sunday Pass: $25
June 13th (11am-11pm) , June 14th (11am-4pm)
A weekend dedicated to Bay Area pop culture media. Whether it be print art, film, music, or literature, this is a pop culture convention that is all Bay Area. There will be beer on tap, excellent panels looking at everything from a Filmmaking Case Study to Five Bright Ideas in Feminist Media, and of course films screenings. If you are interested in what is going on in Bay Area media, this is the place to be.
Other Events you should keep in mind this summer:
Dad’s and Jazz at the Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate (6/1/15, $20)
An Intimate Evening at the Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate (7/25/15, $40)
Friday Nights @ OMCA Half-price admission to the Oakland Museum of California and Off the Grid food trucks. Every Friday Night 5-9pm
Ruckus n’ Resiliency Workshops and Street Fest at the Destiny Arts Center on the last Saturday of every month from 11-2pm. Dance, food, and fun.
Dancing Under The Stars in Jack London Square free dance lessons followed by a dance party every Friday night starting at 8:30 pm.
Waterfront Flicks in Jack London Square, free movies every Thursday. The festivities begin at 8pm, movie at sundown. Movies this year include: Jurassic Park, Maleficent, Mrs. Doubtfire, Night at the Museum, Finding Nemo, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Classic Movie Night at The Paramount– The Paramount shows classic movies on the last Friday of the month for $5. The Wurlitzer organ plays at 7:30, show at 8pm. Movies over the summer include: Jaws, West Side Story, Some Like It Hot, and Mad Max.
First Fridays– Uptown Oakland comes alive on the first Friday of the month. Don’t miss the plethora of activities.
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