Two events we are highlighting this week — a night of swing dancing and the release of a new album inspired by Japanese yokai — are taking place on Thursday, which forces a tough choice, but also frees up your weekend in case you want to attend the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, March 28 at 11:45 a.m. at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza.
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.
The Breakaway’s 10th anniversary
The Breakaway is a swing dance organization housed at Lake Merritt Dance, an organization that provides affordable space in Oakland for dance groups. This week, The Breakaway is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a night of dancing to the sounds of Clint Baker’s Golden Gate Swing Band.
Thursday, March 26, 8 p.m., $15, Veterans Memorial Building, 200 Grand Ave.
Girl Swallows Nightingale: Immersive Album Release Show
Oakland-based multidisciplinary artist and producer Marica Petrey is releasing a new record as Girl Swallows Nightingale, inspired by a Japanese yōkai, the Nue (鵺), which blends cinematic sounds and mythic storytelling. The event is an intimate performance for an audience of 40 and will include live music, dance, and theatrical performance.
Thursday, March 26, performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m., $34, $45 at the door, Shapeshifter’s Cinema, 567 5th St.
Live Beat-Making Show at Kinfolx
Oakland-based rapper and producer Ay Gabe! will be hosting a special show at Kinfolx, the Black-owned coffee shop and community space, where he will create a beat in real time and invite the audience to steer its direction. Attendees will get exclusive access to the final beat creation.
Friday, March 27, 7 p.m., free, Kinfolx, 1951 Telegraph Ave.
Baba and Me reading circle
The Oakland nonprofit Dads Evoking Change, an organization that helps low-income fathers navigate the family court system, is hosting a reading circle for dads and their kids (families are also invited) in collaboration with the 81st Avenue library branch and Oakland educator Leon Sykes. The event will also include hands-on arts and crafts for families to do and try at home.
Saturday, March 28, 12 p.m., free, 81st Ave. Branch, 1021 81st Ave.
Hot Ticket in The Town this week: Robo Expo at Chabot Space and Science Center
This weekend, Chabot will host the Oakland Unified School District’s annual Robotics Club Competition. Come cheer on young budding scientists while also getting the chance to build your own functional bots and tinker with tech gadgets. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn how rovers and robots have assisted in scientific discoveries. Then, at 2:30 p.m., Drag King VERA will lead a “No Kings but Drag Kings” story hour.
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free for members, $19 for kids, $24 for adults, 10000 Skyline Blvd
Coming soon to The Town: Chaka Khan at the HJK Center for the Arts
Grammy-award winning “Queen of Funk” Chaka Kahn is coming to Oakland for an intimate event where she will perform an acoustic set and sit for a conversation with her longtime friend, host and producer and songwriter D. Channsin Berry. The legendary singer and songwriter will open up about her life, career and legacy. She’ll also perform an acoustic set.
Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., $95-$188, 10 East 10th St.
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