KQED journalist Pendarvis Harshaw is one of my favorite local journalists. He documents the Town through stories about people on the ground creating art, fighting for social change, or otherwise doing cool things around the Bay. I try to never miss a panel he is leading. On Saturday, he moderates a conversation about how cities shape their residents and the complexities of how cities like Oakland struggle and thrive. I’m also excited to see Children’s Fairyland continue its mission to make the park more accessible to all Oakland residents. The park’s new summer initiative to offer discounts to Oakland residents on Fridays is the perfect excuse to bring the little ones to experience the park’s magic.
I’ll be away for the next two weeks but don’t worry, NOSH editor Tovin Lapan will fill in and deliver the roundup while I’m gone.
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.
510 Summer Fridays at Fairyland
Children’s Fairyland is offering Oakland residents special discounted prices every Friday through Aug. 30. Starting last summer, the children’s park has introduced steep discounts for families who qualify for EBT, SNAP/CalFresh, WIC, or Medi-Cal. Next year, the park will celebrate its 75th anniversary.
Every Friday through Aug. 30, walk-up admission only, 699 Bellevue Ave.
Our Cities, Our Stories: A Thriving America, One City at a Time, moderated by KQED’s Pendarvis Harshaw
This weekend, KQED journalist Pendarvis Harshaw will be in conversation with Edreece Arghandiwal, co-founder and chief marketing officer of the Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club, Roberto Bedoya, City of Oakland cultural affairs manager, Monique Berlanga, executive director of Centro Legal de la Raza, and Fredrika Newton, president and co-founder of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation to talk about how cities shape their residents and vice versa. The event includes a free screening of the docuseries Dallas, 2019, which premieres next season on the award-winning PBS series Independent Lens. Dallas, 2019, captures a five-week glimpse of the Texas city and its people and the complexities that shape similar towns across the country.
Saturday, June 29, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., free to attend, RSVP online, African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St
Free coffee and conversation with Red Bay’s founder Keba Konte
This weekend, Keba Konte, founder of Red Bay Coffee, will be at the coffee roastery headquarters in Fruitvale to chat about his recent trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar and its partnership with Sweet Unity Farm. Red Bay is known for sourcing from countries with suitable climate and elevation combinations for their “high-grade specialty coffees.” As part of the event, there will be free coffee tastings and a food pop-up by Swahili Spot.
Saturday, June 29, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., free to attend, RSVP online, 3136 International Blvd.
Tortured Angels’ Revue at the Golden Bull
The Golden Bull is closing out PRIDE month with Tortured Angels’ Revue putting on a burlesque and drag show with all LQBTQ+ performers. Get there early to get a seat close to the stage.
Sunday, June 30, 7 p.m., $15-$20, 412 14th St.
Hot tickets in the Town this week: Angus & Julia Stone at the Fox
Australian folk and indie pop sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone are playing in Oakland, one of a handful of US cities, as part of their Living Room Sessions tour supporting their new album, Cape Forestier.
Thursday, June 27, 6:30 p.m., $39.50 to $129.50, 1807 Telegraph Ave.
Coming Soon to the Town: Don Omar at the Oakland Arena
Puerto Rican reggaetón superstar Don Omar gained fame and popularity in the early 2000s. He plays Rico Santos in the Fast & Furious franchise. The singer has been battling cancer and recently underwent successful surgery to treat it. He is kicking off the second leg of his Back to Reggatón tour here in Oakland.
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m., $65-$180, 8 p.m., 7000 S Coliseum Wy
Correction: We misspelled Pendarvis Harshaw’s last name. The story has been corrected and we regret the error.
