This year, the 1920s landmark reopened as a cannabis consumption lounge and dispensary called Ivy Hill at The Parkway. Credit: Geoff Vu

We’ve got lots of great events to share with you this week, but with the COVID-19 Delta variant rapidly spreading in our community we wanted to issue a word of caution at the outset. Last week, Bay Area health officials issued a joint statement recommending the use of masks indoors in public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. The state’s health department is constantly updating its guidelines on how best to protect yourself and others. With that in mind, if you are already venturing out, you might want to consider attending an outdoor event, and you should definitely consider wearing a mask indoors and taking other precautions. 

If there’s an event you think we should feature, email me at azucena@oaklandside.org or fill out the form at the bottom of this page and let me know. 

Smartbomb x Loud Cinema

Some people might remember the Smartbomb events that used to take place at The Legionnaire. Now, the East Bay music and art collective is reuniting in person for the first time for this outdoor event described as “an eclectic collage of century-old short films, reimagined musical scores, animations, music videos, vinyl, and more.” The screening of 20th Century experimental short films will be both a visual and audio delight. Local artists will reimagine the musical scores along with animations, videos by the Smartbomb crew, and other DJs playing vinyl. The programming will be the same on either night, while the DJ sets and vendors will be different. In addition, SUP! Street Food, and Dominic Prado from Tacos El Último Baile will be feeding the crowds on the 23rd and 24th, respectively. 

Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, 8 p.m., $17-$23, Tribune Tower lot, 409 13th St., Eventbrite.

StorySlam

For fans of open-mic storytelling, StorySlam is making its in-person return to Luka’s Oakland. The premise for slam is simple, throw your name in the hat for a chance to tell a 5-6 minute true story, and get a free drink courtesy of the bar. This month, the theme is “What Now?” Did you have a revelation during the pandemic? Did something happen to you once the state reopened? Anything about the uncertainties of our pandemic-era lives is fair game. If you have an interesting story to tell, here’s your chance. Or just show up, order food and drinks, and listen. This event is sold-out.

Saturday, July 24, 6:30 p.m., $17-$25, Luka’s Oakland, 2221 Broadway at W. Grand Ave., Eventbrite.

The Turffeinz Presents: Fein Juice Vol. 1

The famous turf dancing crew is celebrating the release of their t-shirt collaboration with Oaklandish by hosting a free event with musical performances, dance battles, food trucks, and special guests. The t-shirt will also be on sale at the event. If you’ve never seen the turf dancers in action, this is your chance.

Saturday, July 24, 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m., free, Tribune Tower lot, 409 13th St.

Chef Tu David Phu will be part of the event, Mapping Our Diaspora from Culture to Conversation. Chef Tu picked up photography as a hobby during the shelter in place. Credit: Tu David Phu

Tour of the original Parkway Theater

Back in 2009, the Parkway Theater on Park Boulevard closed its doors, leaving Oakland residents where to catch a flick for cheap while lounging on a couch and munching on treats. The theater remained abandoned and padlocked for over ten years. This year, it reopened as a cannabis consumption lounge and dispensary called Ivy Hill at The Parkway. Now, cannabis enthusiasts can get a tour of what the 1920s landmark looks like. While the tour of the facilities is free, all guests must be 21 and up, or 18 and up with a valid cannabis card. Tours leave from the lobby on the hour and half hour.

Every Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, Ivy Hill at The Parkway, 1834 Park Blvd.

Foodline: Mapping Our Diaspora from Culture to Conversation

The Oakland Asian Cultural Center is having its soft reopening by screening the short documentary, Bloodline, about Chef Tu David Phu’s life. Following the screening, Anne-Mary Pham of the SDBH Podcast and the An Choi food pop-up will moderate a conversation with Chef Tu, Chef Kevin Tang of Claws of Mantis, Chef Trung Nguyen, and Vy Lieou of Co Nam. This is a limited capacity event for 80 guests who will take home a staff curated map of “must-eat/see places” of Oakland and other goodies. 

Sunday, July 25, 11:00 a.m., $5, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. #290.

Azucena Rasilla headshot

Azucena Rasilla is a bilingual journalist from East Oakland reporting in Spanish and in English, and a longtime reporter on Oakland arts, culture and community. As an independent local journalist, she has reported for KQED Arts, The Bold Italic, Zora and The San Francisco Chronicle. She was a writer and social media editor for the East Bay Express, helping readers navigate Oakland’s rich artistic and creative landscapes through a wide range of innovative digital approaches.