The center is home to a breadth of artistic programming, but the nonprofit tenants say outdated facilities, years of financial neglect, and mismanagement by the city have limited its potential.
Author Archives: Azucena Rasilla
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.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Bike ride for Palestine and the Port of Oakland free harbor tours
Other events include the Spiders home opener, Tech’s production of ‘Chicago’ and the photo exhibit ‘Revisiting Oakland’ at Manna Gallery.
Posted inArts & Community
The Oakland Main Library branch will close for at least five months
The Oakland History Center will also be affected during the infrastructure repairs, which begin on May 26.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: ‘Friday Nights at OMCA’ and the Selena Boat Cruise
Other events include Salsa Sundays at Kinfolx, Afro Latin Brunch at For the Culture, and the Civic Design Studios Creative Expo.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Mad Tea Party for adults at Fairyland and the Oakland Gay Men’s chorus anniversary concert
Other events include the closing reception of the Raymond Cooper photo exhibit, Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project, and Oakland Kids First fundraiser happy hour.
Posted inArts & Community
Exclusive: Meet Kedrick Armstrong, the new Oakland Symphony music director
The symphony’s new conductor loves to cook, grew up listening to Luther Vandross and the Clark Sisters, and once wanted to be a preacher.
Posted inArts & Community
Creative Growth workers are unionizing
Employees of the major Oakland arts nonprofit that works with artists with developmental disabilities say they want more input, and better pay and benefits.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: First Fridays is back, and DJ Black Coffee at Frank Ogawa Plaza
Other events include the Khmer New Year Festival, Dalit Dreamlands exhibit, and Singles Nite at Temescal Brewing.
Posted inArts & Community
Town Heroes: She’s helping her Oakland community one haircut and therapy session at a time
Jessica Scortt Bell is combining her cosmetology and social work skills to connect people in need with the appropriate services.
Posted inArts
Photos: Oakland A’s fans boycott Opening Day with protest party at the Coliseum parking lot
Thousands of aggrieved fans skipped the home opener to attend the “Block Party Boycott” to protest the team’s move to Las Vegas.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Opening Day boycott block party and Easter at Fairyland and Jack London Square
Other events include an R&B party at Zanzi and bull riding at the coliseum.
Posted inArts & Community
Lake Merritt Dance provides affordable space for groups in Oakland
The organization, which houses five LGBTQ+ groups and seeks others to join and support, is holding a fundraising event March 23.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: ‘Sons of Chinatown’ book release and the Oakland Roots watch-party at Line 51 Brewing Company
Other events include the ‘I Thought You’d Never Ask’ fundraiser, an astrology class with Jessica Lanyadoo, and the Crimson Horticultural Rarities spring sale.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland choir brings sense of community for adults and the gift of music to kids
Cantare Chorale marks 25 years of performances and free youth programs that have served thousands of Oakland children.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Space for Her at Chabot Space and Science Center and skating at Liberation Park
Other events include the Sad Girls Club vinyl experience, the Black Migrations Stories exhibit, and Oakland Feather River Camp’s 100th-anniversary gala
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Diamano Coura’s dance and drum conference and the Nowruz Market
Other events include Sobremesa’s 4th anniversary, International Women’s Fest, and the ‘Cost of Living’ at Oakland Theater Project.
Posted inArts & Community
Hung Liu’s legacy of mentorship lives on at Mills College Art Museum
The ‘Look Up to the Sky’ exhibit showcases work by women artists handpicked by the late renowned Chinese East Bay artist.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: The Luniz at The New Parish, and Drag Brunch at Parche
Other events include Cultural Food Traditions Project: Puerto Rico, Creative Mornings virtual events, and the Mahere film screening.
Posted inNosh
Oakland’s Ruby Room is reopening under new ownership
The new owners want to keep the bar’s legacy alive and rehired several former employees.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Fans Fest and the Black Joy Parade
Other events include Raymond Cooper’s exhibit, the KOO film festival, and free coffee at Peerless.
