As we flip the page from November to December, we find ourselves in the throes of the holiday shopping season. This year, countless artists and local businesses are counting on sales from eager shoppers to help counteract monetary losses from the last year and a half of the pandemic.
In this week’s roundup, we feature four pop-up markets where you can find goodies for loved ones while helping support local shops. There’s also a show at The New Parish featuring two Oakland female singer-songwriters. And there’s still a chance for the public to check out the new space for Chapter 510, a local nonprofit that works to inspire a love of writing in young people.
As a reminder, the events listed here all require proof of vaccination, and mask-wearing is also enforced.
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.
EastSide Holiday Art & Book Fair
Book lovers, this event is for you. Nestled in East Oakland on International Boulevard, the EastSide Arts Alliance and Bandung Books are teaming up for a sneak peek preview of Painting the Streets, Oakland Uprising in the Time of Rebellion, a new publication by EastSide Arts Alliance and Nomadic Press. The book features essays, poetry, and interviews featuring over 1,000 murals that went up during the uprising of summer 2020 in downtown Oakland. The event will also feature local vendors selling one-of-a-kind gifts, as well as new and used books (some will be up for grabs for free). You can also expect performances by the Tarika Lewis Trio—Tarika Lewis is a local jazz musician, violinist, and the first woman to join the Black Panther Party—as well as sets by DJ Aebldee and DJ K-la V.
Saturday, Dec, 4, 12 p.m to 5 p.m., free to attend, EastSide Arts Alliance, 2277 and 2289 International Blvd.
Temescal Arts Community’s Fine Arts Bazaar
Artists saw their businesses impacted throughout the pandemic for many reasons, including not being able to participate in local fairs, markets, and pop-up events. Now, collectives have formed locally to help struggling creatives get back on their feet, including the Temescal Arts Community (TACo). The group of volunteer artists holds events to showcase Temescal as a go-to neighborhood for buying local crafts and art. This weekend, the crew is putting together a unique holiday pop-up called Fine Arts Bazaar featuring more than a dozen local artists and makers.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free to attend, 49th Street Alley, just off 49th Street between Clarke and Telegraph
Hollis Oak Winter Market Pop-Up
Here’s one more pop-up to check out this weekend, this time in West Oakland. East Bay Ayurveda, a community wellness and apothecary, along with the Hollis Oak Collective, a community of services and shops, are teaming up to highlight 15 local vendors books, leather goods, clothes, vintage lingerie, seasonal food, skincare products, jewelry, crystals, incense, and more. The pop-up will also have live music to entertain shoppers.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., free to attend, 3275 Peralta Street.
Grand Opening of Chapter 510’s Department of Make Believe
The ongoing pandemic didn’t deter local nonprofit Chapter 510’s focus from helping kids develop their love for writing and poetry. The group, which teaches writing and bookmaking to Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ youth, published two books during the summer and fall of 2020. In addition, Chapter 510 moved its headquarters from Telegraph Avenue to the historic Swan’s Market. This weekend, the community will get a chance to check out the new space, where young people learn about poetry, book writing and take part in art projects. Visitors will also get an opportunity to shop for gifts like books written by Oakland youth in Chapter 510’s programs, mugs, pens, hoodies, and more to help support the organization’s work.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., free to attend, no RSVP needed, Chapter 510, 546 9th St.
An Intimate Evening with Two Oakland Singer-Songwriters at The New Parish
Two Oakland female singer-songwriters are taking the stage at The New Parish this weekend for a soulful concert. Mara Hruby is celebrating the re-release of her EP From Her Eyes, which is now available on all streaming platforms for the first time. Alongside Hruby, 21-year-old and Oakland School for the Arts graduate and artist Satya is making her official hometown debut. She’s currently promoting her single, Summertime. Accompanying these Oakland women is local DJ Wonway Posibul, who is on the airwaves Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on KALW.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), $15, all ages, The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave.
