The 2026 Oakland music scene is kicking off strong with some must-see events this month. First up, the legendary Oakland funk band Tower of Power is taking over Yoshi’s for the next three weekends. Four of the shows are already sold out. The 22nd annual Living Jazz “In the Name of Love” concert at the Paramount Theatre will feature the music of another Bay Area icon, Sly and the Family Stone. Yet another show to check out this week is electro-pop singer Dev performing at the Continental Club. Also, two of Oakland’s most beloved artists, Mistah F.A.B and Kev Choice, will be on stage together for a special show next weekend that will surely sell out. 

We want to know what kind of events you want to hear about. If you would like us to consider an event for this weekly list, please email me at azucena@oaklandside.org. You can also use the self-submission form on our events page to add events to our calendar for free.

‘Punchlines’ free comedy show at Portal

Portal, a restaurant overlooking Lake Merritt known for its burgers and eggs Benedict, is home to a variety of events, including the weekly “Punchlines” comedy show hosted by Connor Lonsdale. Every Thursday, a different set of comedians take over the patio for a night of laughs and good food.
Every Thursday, 8 p.m., free, RSVP online, 1611 2nd Ave.

Myspace Rave with Dev at the Continental Club

Bay Area electro-pop artist Dev will be headlining this party appropriately dubbed a “My Space Rave.” The singer exploded onto the music scene in 2009 after she posted her cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” on the then-popular social media site. Some of Dev’s most popular songs include “Bass Down Low” and her collaboration with Far East Movement, “Like a G6.”
Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 p.m., 18 and up, $25(plus fees), 1658 12th St. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Literary Liberation Throwdown

Reverend Harry Williams, better known as “OG Rev,” has been preaching in Oakland, and helping Oakland youth stay off the streets, since 2002. Next Monday, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Williams will host an event with poets and authors such as San Francisco’s Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin and Jeneé Darden, the host of “The Sights +  Sounds Show with Jeneé Darden” on KALW 91.7 FM.
Monday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m., free, Oakland City Church, 2735 MacArthur Blvd.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Oakland

Several Oakland nonprofits, including Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corp., Roots Community Health, Lighthouse Community Public Schools, and Families in Action for Quality Education, are hosting a day of service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that includes several projects in deep East Oakland. The activities will include painting a mural at Brookfield Elementary School, cleaning up Sobrante Park, and restoring the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline.
Monday, Jan. 19, registration opens at 8:30 a.m., the service projects will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free, 105 Edes Ave.

“In the Name of Love” is a powerful celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision and legacy. This year, the concert will showcase the iconic music of Sly and the Family Stone. Credit: Photo courtesy of Craig Isaacs
Living Jazz: In the Name of Love, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring the music of Sly and The Family Stone

The annual “In the Name of Love” concert by Living Jazz, an Oakland arts and education organization, is one of Oakland’s best January events. For its 22nd edition, the concert will honor the music of Sly and the Family Stone, after the death of Sly Stone, the band’s lead singer, last summer. The show’s music director, Kev Choice, will lead a lineup featuring Bay Area artists such as rapper Adrian Marcel, vocalist August Lee Stevens, B. Deveaux of the Oakland Rising music collective, and the Awesöme Orchestra Collective. The evening will also feature original Sly and the Family Stone bassist Rustee Allen playing with house band Black London, led by Choice, saxophonist Howard Wiley, and keyboardist Mike Blankenship. Other musicians include the Oaktown Jazz Workshops and the 150 member Living Jazz RootED Choir led by Bryan Dye. The event will be emceed by multidisciplinary Oakland artist RyanNicole.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 6 p.m., $40 – $100, Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway

Hot Ticket in The Town this week: Tower of Power at Yoshi’s

It has been five decades since sax player Emilio Castillo first envisioned what the band Tower of Power would sound like. The band will be taking over Yoshi’s for a four-weekend “Back to Oakland Residency” starting on Thursday, Jan. 16. The band’s “Oakland funk” is so popular that the first weekend is already sold out.
Four weekends from Friday, Jan. 16, to Sunday, Feb. 1, $109-$199, 510 Embarcadero West

Coming soon to The Town: Mistah F.A.B. and Kev Choice at Yoshi’s

Two of Oakland’s best artists will make a rare appearance onstage together. This show sold out so fast that a second date was added. Don’t miss out on listening to Mistah F.A.B’s rapping of “N.E.W. Oakland” live with Kev Choice on the piano and other musicians.
Thursday, Jan. 22, 9:15 p.m., $59 (plus fees), 510 Embarcadero West

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