One of the most exciting shows we are highlighting this week is the Undocumented Heart theatrical production at OMCA. In 2022, I got the chance to write about Teatro Jornalero and the work to find funding to showcase more productions throughout the Bay. I’ll host and moderate the post-show Q&A with the actors at the event this weekend. There’s also the speaker series by Urban Peace Movement with Too $hort, D’Wayne Wiggins, and historian Danyel Smith at the Oakland Tech theater. Don’t be surprised if this event with three Oakland legends chatting about culture, music, and community packs the house. And there’s plenty more happening around the Town if you’re looking for something else.
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.
That’s So Oakland, Baby! panel with Oakland musicians Too $hort, D’Wayne Wiggins, and historian Danyel Smith
Last month, Urban Peace Movement, a local organization that helps end youth incarceration, hosted Town Up Tuesday, a free concert with Too $hort as the headliner. The organization is at it again this Wednesday with a speaker series event to talk about Oakland music, culture, history, and community. Legendary rapper Too $hort will be a panelist alongside the founder of the Oakland R&B group Tony! Toni! Tone!, D’Wayne Wiggins, and author, podcast host, and former editor of Vibe and Billboard magazines, Danyel Smith. This is a free event, doors open at 5:30 p.m., and early arrival is highly recommended.
Wednesday, June 12, 6:30 p.m., RSVP online, Oakland Technical High School Theater, 4351 Broadway
The Future of Jazz: Luis Peralta and Ben Esposito with Essiet Essiet
Oakland has a thriving and storied jazz scene, like Yoshi’s in Jack London Square, the Summer Jazz Brunch Series outside of The Cook and Her Farmer in Old Oakland, and The Sound Room downtown, all with a full calendar of events. This Wednesday, The Sound Room will welcome 21-year-old Oakland pianist Juan Peralta, drummer Ben Esposito, and world-renowned bassist Essiet Essiet.
Wednesday, June 12, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., $20, 3022 Broadway
San Francisco Artists Alumni presents: STUDIO 8 Film Festival
Although the San Francisco Art Institute shuttered in 2022, and the future of the then-campus and its prized Diego Rivera mural are still undecided, art school alumni are carrying on the school’s legacy by starting a nonprofit dedicated to showcasing alumni work. This weekend, the artists’ nonprofit will host its inaugural film festival with three days of screenings at various theaters, one in Oakland and two in San Francisco. The festival’s opening show at Shapeshifters Cinema will include a collection of shorts by alumni.
Friday, June 14, 7 p.m., $20, Shapeshifters Cinema, 567 5th St.
Teatro Jornalero at OMCA
Teatro Jornalero’s Undocumented Heart, which started as an outdoor exhibit in 2018 at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, has become a powerful and thought-provoking theatrical production with a one-time presentation at OMCA this weekend and a series of shows throughout the Bay on Saturday, June 22 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, a two-day run at the end of the month at Oakland Theater Project, and later this summer, as part of Activate Oakland. The show explores the immigrant experience from the actors’ perspective, mostly Mexican and Central American day laborers from Oakland. The performance at OMCA is part of the Spotlight Sundays series that happens every third Sunday. Undocumented Heart is part of the museum’s exhibition programming for Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of Malaquías Montoy, on exhibit through June 30. There will be a Q&A with the actors afterward.
Sunday, June 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., $5 – $30, James Moore Theater, 1000 Oak St.
Hot tickets in the Town this week: ALL BLACK at The New Parish
East Oakland rapper ALL BLACK is having the release party for his album Round 1 with a hometown show at The New Parish. San Franciso rapper Lil Kayla is kicking off the show as the opener.
Saturday, June 15, 8 p.m., 21 and up, $25, 1743 San Pablo Ave.
Coming Soon to the Town: Ice Spice Y2K! World Tour at the Fox Theater
Bronx rapper Ice Spice recently announced a 25-show world tour in support of her debut album, Y2K! Dubbed by Billboard as “rap’s new princess,” the 24-year-old will come to Oakland in August.
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m., $55, 1807 Telegraph Ave.
