Friday, April 29
The Vagina Monologues
“The Vagina Monologues” written by Eve Ensler, produced by Leslie Woods, promises to be a night to remember. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be outraged and uplifted! Come early to view our silent auction and indulge in delicious appetizers and a glass of wine. Doors open at 7 pm.
The Vagina Monologues
Friday, Apr 29 8:00pm
Humanist Hall
390 27th St.
$20
http://humanisthall.net
Shang at Continental Comedy Club
Shang has come a long way from the boroughs of New York. Originally from Brooklyn, this Carnegie Mellon graduate began his comedy career on a dare. A friend bet him $50 that he wouldn’t take the stage during open-mike night at a local comedy club. He did and won the bet. On stage he discovered comedy was a great way to get the things that he was passionate & angry about in the world out. Since then Shang has been on Def Comedy Jam, First Amendment of Stand-Up, Comedy Central, Comic View & many other cable and broadcast outlets. Friday he brings his hilarious style to the Continental Club for two shows.
Shang at Continental Comedy Club
Friday, Apr 29 10:00pm
Continental Comedy Club
1658 12th St.
$10 – $15 w/ 2 item minimum
21+
The Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam – Prelims
Celebrate the voices of 21st century America! Youth Speaks hosted the first Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam in 1997, the first event of it’s kind in the country. The annual slam (an Olympic-style poetry competition) features hundreds of young writers, emcees, and performers from throughout the Bay Area and Northern California, and attracts almost 10,000 audience members during its month-long run. The Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam is open to any youth 13-19 years old in the greater Bay Area. The East Bay Preliminary events begin this week — join hundreds of young artists and leaders as they take the stage, speak truth to power, and perform for a chance to represent at the Grand Slam Finals!
The Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam – Prelims
Fri, April 29: 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Sat, April 30: 1:00pm & 4:30pm
Oakland Main Library
125 14th Street
http://youthspeaks.org/voice/performances/youth-speaks-teen-poetry-slam/
Learn to Curl with Olympians
You know you’ve watched it before but you’re still wondering “What is curling?” You might remember it as the sport you fell in love with during the Winter Olympics, involving stones, brooms, and people yelling “hard!” Friday offers you a special opportunity to learn from members of the Norwegian men’s national team! They wore the awesome pants on their way to a silver medal in the winter Olympics. No special equipment required, just dress warmly and wear sneakers.
Learn to Curl with Olympians
Friday, Apr 29 6:30p to 8:15p
Oakland Ice Center
519 18th St.
$15
http://www.bayareacurling.com/
Saturday, April 30
Comedian Kevin Hart at The Paramount
At 5’4, comedian and actor Kevin Hart has to pack a whole lot of funny into a small frame. Recognizable from his film work (including supporting turns in Fools’ Gold and The 40-Year Old Virgin), Hart is also an incredibly fast-talking, self-deprecating stand-up comic. Reminiscent of Richard Pryor and a young Eddie Murphy, Hart combines comedy culled from his own life with a quick, energetic delivery that sells just about any joke he tells.
Kevin Hart at The Paramount
Saturday, April 30th, 8pm & 11:00pm
Sunday, May 1st, 7pm
The Paramount Theater
2025 Broadway
$59 – $69
http://www.paramounttheatre.com/schedule.html
Green is Good for Every Neighborhood
Join Communities for a Better Environment for the 3rd Annual “Green is Good for East Oakland” event to revitalize, green and heal our community. It includes a parade, performances, and fun!
Parade at 10:30: Castlemont Campus, 8601 MacArthur Boulevard, Rally at 11:30: Tassafaronga Recreation Center, 975 85th Avenue, Program at Noon: ACORN Woodland Elementary, 1025 81st Avenue
Green is Good for Every Neighborhood
Saturday, April 30th,
10:30am – at 5:00pm
http://www.cbecal.org/
Eco2: Ecofashion Meets Ecojustice
Filipino Advocates for Justice’s annual fundraiser will be a fashion show celebrating local eco friendly designers and honoring the contributions of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) for their role in building the environmental justice movement. The fashion show features designers who are creating innovative wear and wearable art from reusable materials (‘trashion’), re-purposed used clothing, and vintage wear as a better alternative to the mass consumption of new clothing. The designers are: Julia Rhee; Jenny Ton; Melissa Uy; Rozel Cruz; and Robin David. They are representative of today’s environmentally conscious designers with a fresh vision of couture. Roseli Ilano, owner and designer of Subtextstyle, an online and mobile retailer, is Fashion Show Director. Our fashion show models are community activists and leaders: Dawn Mabalon, Professor at San Francisco State University; Chris Punongbayan, Deputy Director of the Asian Law Caucus; Belle Santos, Development Manager for Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific; Aimee Suzara, playwright; Toussaint Haki Stewart, teacher, and creator of Besto Pesto; and elementary school student, Mahalaya Tintiangco-Cubales.
Eco2: Ecofashion Meets Ecojustice
Saturday, Apr 30 6:00pm
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 Ninth St.
$60
http://www.filipinos4justice.org/
District 2 Town Hall Meeting with Mayor Quan
Organized by local residents, this meeting will focus on local issues of concern to District 2 residents. Participants break out into smaller groups by area of interest, and develop a short list of the top three doable priorities to improve the quality of life for local residents. This event is sponsored by Mayor Quan, District 4 Councilmember Pat Kernighan and Block by Block Organizing Network.
District 2 Town Hall Meeting with Mayor Quan
Saturday, April 30 | 10am – 12:30pm
Regeneration Church
238 E. 15th Street
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/Mayor/index.htm
Oakland Financial Fitness Fair
The Community Action Partnerships (CAP) program was established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to help fight America’s War on Poverty. Oakland’s CAP is part of broad national and state networks of nearly 1,100 agencies, both non-profit private and public organizations — all working to eliminate poverty on a local and national level. CAP involves local citizens in its effort to address specific barriers to achieving self-sufficiency. OCAP is committed to reducing poverty by providing services and programs targeted to low-income individuals and families. OCAP has been funding programs and projects in the low- income community for more than 38 years. This Saturday they offer a free workshop on Financial Fitness and Debt Management. The first 100 attendees get a Free Credit Score report. Lunch is also provided free of charge.
Oakland Financial Fitness Fair
Saturday, April 30 | 10am – 2pm
City Hall
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
FREE
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/DHS/s/CommunityActionPartnership/index.htm
US National Same Sex Ballroom Championships
This weekend is the first ever US National Championship same-sex ballroom competition! This event is authorized by North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association and is the first official competition to grant national titles. The evening’s Showcase of Champions includes an open social dance for all and there will also be a complimentary dance class to introduce first-time dancers to the joys of same-sex ballroom dance.
US National Same Sex Ballroom Championships
Saturday, Apr 30 8:00pm
Just Dance Ballroom
2500 Embarcadero
$15-$35
http://www.aprilfollies.com/
Foresters-KaBOOM Playground Build Day
The kids need your help! The need you to volunteer on Build Day, Saturday, so that at the end of the day there will be playground equipment installed at Wade Johnson Park so that children can be children in West Oakland. Why Wade Johnson Park?: OUSD PD Chief Pete Sarna, recognized that the children of the area did not have a playground or other activities to keep them busy, and identified Wade Johnson as a park that could be developed for them. Chief Sarna contacted KABOOM! and worked with the City of Oakland, Building Together Oakland and McGuire & Hester to get accepted as a site for a KaBOOM! project build day. The site has been approived and KaBOOM! ‘s funding partner Foresters, began the process which will lead up Saturday’s event.
Foresters-KaBOOM Playground Build Day
Saturday, April 30, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wade Johnson Park
1250 Kirkham Street (next to the former Cole Elementary School)
An Evening with Lily Taylor, Teddy Raven, Native/naive, Mom, Buk Buk Big Ups
Addressing the endless threat of natural disasters, Teddy Raven will investigate the ways in which we think about and respond to such events. Can you really be prepared? Evening includes a multi-media installation and performance featuring dancers Caroline Alexander and Andrew Ward, and music by Aaron Wacks and Teddy Raven; followed by music from avant-pop vocalists Lily Taylor, Native/naive, Mom, BukBuk Bigups. Proceeds will be collected for the Red Cross to help Japan rebuild
An Evening with Lily Taylor, Teddy Raven, Native/naive, Mom, Buk Buk Big Ups
Saturday, Apr 30 7:00pm
Lobot Gallery
1800 Campbell St.
$3-5 suggested donation
Sunday, May 1
Civicorps Elementary Spring Bazaar
Come check out over 20 amazing local artists and vendors at this year’s Civicorps Spring Bazaar! Just in time for Mother’s Day they’ll have: Many amazing jewelers w/ earrings, cuffs, necklaces and more; Cards, prints and photography; Airbrush Artist; T-Shirts and hats; Hula hoops; Body scrubs and oils; Kids booths, face-painting and more; Spiced nuts, granola and Sweet Potato Pie; Music, food and coffee.
Civicorps Elementary Spring Bazaar
Sunday, May 1 11:00am to 3:00pm
Civicorps Elementary School
1086 Alcatraz Ave.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=214244225258266
Rachelle Ferrell at Yoshi’s
Sunday is your last chance to catch Rachelle Ferrell during her stop in the Town. Ferrell is a relatively recent arrival on the contemporary jazz scene, but her visibility on the pop / urban contemporary scene has boosted her audience’s interest in her jazz recordings. Ferrell’s debut, ‘First Instrument’, was released in 1990 in Japan only. Recorded with bassist Tyrone Brown, pianist Eddie Green and drummer Doug Nally, an all-star cast of accompanists also leave their mark on her record. They include trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, pianists Gil Goldstein and Michel Petrucciani, bassists Kenny Davis and Stanley Clarke, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter and keyboardist Pete Levin. Her unique take on now-standards like Sam Cooke’s ‘You Send Me,’ Cole Porter’s ‘What Is This Thing Called Love,’ and Rodgers & Hart’s ‘My Funny Valentine,’ captured the hearts and souls of the Japanese jazz-buying public. In 1995, Blue Note / Capitol released her Japanese debut for U.S. audiences, and the response was similarly positive. She’s known for giving a great live performance too, and Yoshi’s is always a great spot to see one.
Rachelle Ferrell at Yoshi’s
Sunday, May 1st, 8:00pm
Yoshi’s Oakland
510 Embarcadero W
$30.00
http://www.yoshis.com/oakland
Explosions in the Sky
Explosions in the Sky are musicians. They are instrumentalists and take pride in it. Coming out of the Austin scene in 1999 they have released a total of five full length and critically acclaimed albums while exploring their unique post-rock sound.
Explosions In the Sky
Sunday, May 1st, 8:00p
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph Ave.
$25 and up
http://www.thefoxoakland.com/
Fobia at The New Parish
Fobia is a rock band from Mexico City, founded in 1987. They are known for being part of the new generation’s “Mexican Rock” (end of the 80′s). Their debut album “Fobia”, released in 1990, was a great success. The band later recorded 4 more albums: Mundo Feliz (1991), Leche (1993), Amor Chiquito (1995) and the live album On ICE (1997). The original band split up in 1997 and reunited in 2003 releasing a new album by the name of “Rosa Venus”
Fobia with special guests
Sunday, May 1st, 8:30pm
The New Parish
579 18th St.
$20 Adv 18 +
http://www.thenewparish.com/
Walking Backwards Forward, Mills MFA Thesis Exhibition
Walking Backwards Forward is the thesis exhibition for the 2011 Master of Fine Arts degree recipients. The exhibition showcases works created during the Mills College MFA studio art program. The exhibition is curated by Stephanie Hanor, Director of the Mills College Art Museum.
The exhibit features work by Alexa Alexander, Sholeh Asgary, Sohyung Choi, Hilary Galián, Sarah Hirneisen, Amy M. Ho, Emily Hoyt, David Johnson, Danielle Lawrence, Chelsea Pegram, David Sleeth and Alexander Treu.
Walking Backwards Forward, Mills MFA Thesis Exhibition
Sunday, May 1st, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Mills College: Mills College Art Museum
5000 MacArthur Blvd
Free
http://mcam.mills.edu/
WEEKLY EVENTS
Hubba Hubba Review
A mix of irreverent comedy, classic striptease and circus / variety acts, the Hubba Hubba Revue is a fast-paced explosion of entertainment
Mondays; 10:00 pm
The Uptown Club
1928 Telegraph Ave
$5
http://www.hubbahubbarevue.com/
M.A.D Mondays at Maxwell’s
Every Monday standup comic WightOut hosts this open-mic that welcomes Comics, Singers, Poets, MCs and pretty much anyone else who wants to get on
Mondays; 8:30 pm
Maxwell’s Lounge
341 13th Street
$3 b4 9pm / $5 After
www.maxwellslounge.com
The Blue Candle
Oakland’s longest running open-mic is still going strong after more than 10 years and multiple different incarnations. These days the festivities are hosted by the hilarious JayRich but as always the drinks are strong and Dorsey’s serves up some of the best soul food in the Bay Area.
Tuesdays; 8pm – Midnight
Dorsey’s Locker
5817 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 428-1935
FREE!!
http://www.dorseyslocker.com/
The Layover Comedy Night
Every Tuesday at The Layover hosts a comedy night hosted by Mike Speigleman and featuring local comics followed by DJs until 2.
Tuesdays; 8:00 – 10:30
The Layover Bar
1517 Franklin St
FREE!!
http://www.oaklandlayover.com/
Mouth Off Open-Mic
Every Wednesday the folks from Hot Water Cornbread bring you Oakland’s Flyest Open-Mic. The performance festivities are hosted by Prentice Powell w/ DJ Victor on the 1s & 2s from 8-10:30 and followed promptly by a dance party. Guys should note that there is a dress code.
Wednesdays; from 8:00 – 10:30
The Air Lounge
$5.00
http://www.hotwatercornbread.org
Quit Playin With Me Open-Mic
Wednesdays at the Aqua Lounge is one of the Town’s newest weeklies, hosted by Poet/MC Nate Day.
Wednesdays; from 8:00 – Midnight
The Aqua Lounge
311 Broadway – Upstairs
$5.00
Holla Back ESA Open-Mic
Each Thursday the folks at The Eastside Arts Alliance open the space for you to bless the stage. The hosts and DJs change up but the event pops off each week with a slightly different feel regardless of who’s runnin it.
Thursdays; from 8:00 – 10:30
The East Side Arts Alliance
2277 International Blvd
$5.00
http://eastsideartsalliance.com
