North Light and The New Parkway have closed temporarily, and First Fridays pauses for January amid COVID concerns.
Author Archives: Azucena Rasilla
Azucena Rasilla is an East Oakland native, a bilingual journalist 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.
Posted inArts & Community
Cautious returns and COVID vaccines: Reflecting on a year of arts and community reporting
Reporter Azucena Rasilla shares the backstories to some of her favorite articles of 2021.
Posted inArts & Community
Local roller skaters have a vision for a ‘Panther Skate Plaza’
A roller skater collective wants to bring an outdoor rink to West Oakland’s DeFremery Park.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Where to see holiday lights
There’s still time to roam around the city and check out Christmas trees and holiday cheer.
Posted inArts & Community
The beloved head librarian of the Oakland History Center is retiring
Dorothy Lazard bids farewell this week after two decades on the job, but she’ll keep working in other ways to preserve Oakland’s history.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Fruitvale Posada, Santa in the Laurel, Vinyl Drag Brunch in Temescal
Other events include the ‘We Are Oakland’ holiday benefit concert, and a winter pop-pop sale in the Dimond.
Posted inArts & Community
The Oakland Ballet Company brings ‘The Nutcracker’ back to the stage next weekend
Vaccinated patrons can enjoy OBC director Graham Lustig’s version of the classic on Dec. 18 and 19 at the Paramount Theatre.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: End-of-year celebrations for Umber magazine and the Oakland Roots
Other events include the Girl Gang Craft holiday market, and a performance by the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland singer-songwriter Satya makes her hometown debut at The New Parish this weekend
The 21-year-old artist and Oakland School for the Arts alumna is back home to promote her single, ‘Summertime.’
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: 3 pop-up holiday markets where you can shop local
Other events include the grand opening of nonprofit Chapter 510’s new headquarters and singer-songwriter Satya’s hometown debut at The New Parish.
Posted inHealth & Environment
How my 91-year-old grandma and I got COVID-19 boosters
Where you can get a booster vaccine dose in Oakland, and what the experience was like.
Posted inArts & Community
What’s next for the Oakland Symphony after longtime conductor Michael Morgan’s passing?
The 2021-2022 season, renamed ‘We Remember Michael,’ will feature a star studded line-up of guest conductors.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Glowfari at the zoo, and CCA Holiday & Craft Fair
Other events include a book signing at Blk Girls Green House and the screening of ‘Cowboy’ at Eli’s Mile High Club.
Posted inArts & Community
Doc film tells the story of an Oakland mural that sparked a movement
Spencer Wilkinson talks about the process behind his new film and the impact it’s already having in communities grappling with gentrification.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: The return of Pop-Up Magazine and Chabot Space & Science Center
Other events include a plant exchange in the Dimond and a pop-up boutique at Creative Framing & Gallery.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Luna Mexicana, Hip Hop Nutcracker, and the return of Hoodslam
Other events include an outdoor vintage market and shows at the Golden Bull.
Posted inArts & Community
Are these Oakland landmarks haunted?
Locals told us ghost stories about the Cohen Bray House, Camron-Stanford Home, and Mills College.
Posted inArts & Community
Fruitvale’s Día de Los Muertos festival is back in person this weekend
This year’s focus is on Oakland small businesses and a pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
Posted inArts & Community
These Oakland students have a creative way of honoring recently departed loved ones
Every October, a 4th grade New Highland Academy class creates niche boxes to display at the 81st Avenue Library.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Halloween edition
Costume parties, activities for kids, a movie night and more.