Downtown Oakland will see more traffic this weekend with two significant events: The revival of Oakland First Fridays and DJ Black Coffee playing at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza on Saturday. Expect busy streets and loud music on both days. Also, do you know the saying “spring showers bring May flowers”? Get your raincoats ready, as there’s a chance of rain on Thursday and Friday.
If there’s something you’d like me to consider for this weekly list, email me at azucena@oaklandside.org. And if you want to promote something on our calendar, you can use the self-submission form on our events page.
Update: First Fridays has been postponed.
Oakland First Friday is back
After a three-month winter hibernation, the popular longstanding Oakland First Fridays event returns this Friday. As with every past event, expect many local vendors, food trucks, live music, turf dancing, and other surprises. Since putting on such a massive event is costly, First Fridays is also fundraising to reach its goal of $150,000 to prevent another hiatus.
Friday, April 5, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., free to attend, Telegraph Avenue between 22nd and 27th Streets
Oakland’s Annual Khmer New Year Festival
Oakland’s Cambodian community will celebrate Khmer New Year all day at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park. The festival includes dance performances, live music, Khmer food, visual arts,
a community resource fair, and games for the whole family.
Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free to attend, 2465 34th Ave.
DJ Black Coffee at Frank Ogawa Plaza
In May 2023, South African house music DJ and producer Black Coffee played in front of 5,000 people at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The show was so popular that the internationally renowned DJ is coming back to The Town to fill the plaza outside of City Hall once more. There will be two stages, food trucks and vendors. The event is presented by Hotbox, DJ Dials, Vate Creative, Afrobeats Oakland, and Oakhella.
Saturday, April 6, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., $20-$250, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Dalit Dreamlands: Toward an Anti-Caste Future
This multimedia Dalit art exhibition and dance party will showcase over 30 international artists of South Asian origin. This event is one of the first queer Dalit-centered art exhibits to take place in California. Dalit is a term for caste-oppressed communities formerly known as Untouchables. Dalit Dreamlands is a multi-venue experience featuring art at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and ARTogether. The opening reception will then move to a dance party at 7th West featuring performances by London-based trans artist Mya Mehmi of Pxssy Palace, DJ Seema Hari from LA, and other queer Dalit DJs and performers. The exhibit will be on display through June 8.
Saturday, April 6, 5:30 p.m., free to attend, 388 9th St. #290
Singles Nite at Temescal Brewing
Singles Nite is a quarterly event aimed to foster “meaningful connections” and give single folks a chance to get off the dating apps and meet other singles in real life while sipping a beer and eating small bites by sushi pop-up it’s Just Fish. Professional matchmaker and author Cassindy Chao, founder of Ancient Wisdom Modern Love, will host dating trivia. Attendees can use name tags to add information upfront, like pronouns, age, and relationship preferences, whether it’s friendship, romance, partnership, non-monogamy, or other connections.
Tuesday, April 9, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $10, 4115 Telegraph Ave.
