Damien McDuffie, the founder of the augmented reality app Black Terminus, hosted a one-day exhibit over the weekend called Into the Archives: Black Panthers in Augmented Reality. Attendees got to see archival issues of the Black Panther Newspaper come to life via the Black Terminus app.
If you missed McDuffie’s exhibit, don’t worry, it was just one of many events throughout the month of October celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. As part of this week’s roundup, we are highlighting several other Black Panther-related gatherings, conversations, and celebrations that we think are worth checking out.
As a reminder, we are also including indoor events where proof of vaccination and mask-wearing are 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.
Here’s this week’s roundup of local happenings to check out.
Into the Archives: An evening with legendary Black Panther, Mama O’Neal
Damien McDuffie is hosting an in-person conversation with Charlotte Hill O’Neal, a former Black Panther who fled to Tanzania in 1970 with her husband, Pete O’Neal after local authorities sought to arrest Pete for his role as the chairman of the Black Panther’s Kansas City chapter. McDuffie will also talk about how he introduced his app at the United African Alliance Community Center in Tanzania, a nonprofit founded by O’Neal.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 7:00 p.m., $8-$10, The New Parkway, 474 24th St., Oakland.
Huey P. Newton sculpture unveiling
The first permanent public sculpture honoring the Black Panthers will be unveiled in West Oakland this weekend. The bronze bust of Huey P. Newton is the work of East Oakland artist and former journalist Dana King. Fantastic Negrito will perform at the unveiling along with DJ sets by Nina Sol and DJ Mario X Prins, and a performance by the Prescott Circus Theatre.
Sunday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, corner of Mandela Parkway and Huey P. Newton Way.
Black Panther Party All Power to the People
This dinner fundraiser for the Black Panther Party Alumni Legacy Network, hosted by artist and educator Kev Choice, will include performances by the Black Panthers’ Revolutionary Funk Band, The Lumpen. The night will also honor Dr. Melvin Newton, brother of the late Huey P. Newton. Also being honored, author, filmmaker, and attorney Lise Pearlman. Your ticket purchase includes a commemorative t-shirt, an open bar, and sounds by DJ Tabu. Dress warm as rain is in the forecast for the weekend.
Sunday, Oct. 24, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., $50, Rocky’s Market, Brooklyn Basin, 288 9th Ave.
Spooktacular Halloween Costume Giveaway
District 4 Councilmember Sheng Thao is hosting this family-friendly event where the little ones can carve pumpkins and participate in other fun activities. There will also be live music and a Halloween costume giveaway. Bring your raincoats and umbrellas.
Sunday, Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., free, Brookdale Park, 2535 High St.
Events at the New Parkway
The theater reopened its doors back in September to vaccinated patrons and the team has added tons of movie screenings. Besides showing films, there’s daily free events at the Mezzanine in the café: bingo on Tuesdays, trivia on Thursdays, karaoke on Fridays, and more. If you are not ready to mingle with other vaccinated folks you don’t know, you can rent the theater for a private event. The food crates that The New Parkway began selling during the pandemic are still available until the end of the year.
Daily, see website for the full schedule, The New Parkway Theater, 424 24th St.
