The Spring Equinox brings with it a fresh roster of performances to check out. For those who love live theater, Oakland Theater Project unveils a new season that explores the current political climate. For punk rock fans, a new teen band will play at Stay Gold Deli. And for the millennials, there’s a show at the Oakland Arena featuring B2K and Bow Wow.
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 it to our calendar for free.
Nights Like This presents: Live music at Oeste
The folks behind the Days Like This party at the Lake Merritt Pergola are launching a new night time party at Oeste, a bar and eatery in Old Oakland. The live music kicks off with a set by DJ Black followed by live jazz with Morgan Simon and the Iya Lingua quartet (no cover with a dinner reservation).
Wednesday, March 18, 6 to 10 p.m., pay what you can up to $23.10, Oeste, 722 Clay St.
An evening of Persian culture to celebrate Nowruz
A Persian classical trio composed of musicians Pezhham Akhavass (Persian tar), Aryan Rahmanian (Setar), and Ashkan Ghafouri (Persian Tombak drum) will join the Pezhham Tombak Ensemble in celebrating Persian New Year with a special show at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The event is dedicated to Iranians who have lost their lives in the fight for democracy and freedom. Prior to the event there will be a calligraphy demonstration by artist Arash Shirinbab and a mini market with local vendors.
Friday, March 20, 6:30 p.m., free (donations encouraged), register for tickets, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St.
Oakland Theater Project 2026 season, ‘The Land of the Free’
Oakland Theater Project kicks off its newest season with seven productions that touch on what it’s like to live in the “land of the free” at a time when democratic rights are shrinking and authoritarian power is rising. The season begins on March 21 with the musical “Assassin,” based on the book by John Weidman, which presents a lineup of figures from American history, who assassinated — or tried to assassinate — American presidents. The season will end on Dec. 6 with “She Se Puede (A Chorus of Huertas),” a world premiere about farm worker organizer Dolores Huerta and her lifelong fight for labor rights.
“Assassins” preview, Saturday, March 21, $10 – $70, Oakland Theater Project, 1501 Martin Luther King Jr.
Oakland author, historian and former librarian Dorothy Lazard at Oaklandside’s Culture Makers event in 2023. Credit: Carla Hernandez Ramirez
Machetres and Knights of Molino at Stay Gold BBQ
Stay Gold Deli has become more than the place to get a delectable sandwich; it’s now an unofficial punk rock venue as well. Veterans of Washington, DC’s 1990s punk and cumbia scenes, Machetres are teaming up with teen punk band The Knights of Molino for a double-header show next week. The Knights formed in middle school in 2024, and the trio of teens recently went viral on TikTok with their song “Take Back Control” that lashes out out AI.
Sunday, March 22, 6 to 10 p.m., all ages, $10 at the door, Stay Gold BBQ, 2635 San Pablo Ave.
Celebrating Literary Foremothers at Chapter 510
Oakland author, historian and former librarian Dorothy Lazard will host a fundraiser for Chapter 510, the arts nonprofit that provides low-cost writing and publishing programs for Black, brown, and queer Oakland youth. The event will feature readings by Berkeley poet, novelist and playwright Judy Juanita; children’s book author Angela Dalton; novelist and activist Aya de Léon; and Oakland’s award-winning journalist and mental health advocate Jeneé Darden.
Sunday, March 22, 2 p.m., free, RSVP online, Chapter 510, 546 9th St.
Hot Ticket in The Town this week: The Boys 4 Life Tour at the Oakland Arena
Millennials who grew up listening to R&B boy bands have a chance to relive the music of their youth with this show co-headlined by B2K and Bow Wow. The show will feature several other special guests.
Friday, March 20, 7 p.m., $78.25 and up, Oakland Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way
Coming soon to The Town: Social Distortion at the Fox
The SoCal punk rock band is going on tour to promote “Born to Kill,” the band’s first album in over 15 years.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m., $78.60 and up, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave.
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