5 Oakland events from December 10 to the 16

If you’re looking for winter concerts, we are highlighting three more taking place this weekend, with more to come later this month. Want to support local journalism? Then look no further than the Street Spirit fundraiser at Eli’s with live blues music. If you are a fan of Bay Area filmmaking, the Grand Lake Theatre is hosting a screening of projects by four filmmakers. 

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.

Luminaria walk and tribute honoring the legacy of Coach John Beam

Laney College is hosting a special tribute to honor the life and legacy of Coach John Beam with a luminaria walk that will conclude at the Eagles field. Credit: images courtesy of Peralta Community College

Laney College staff and current and former students will gather to celebrate the life of Coach John Beam with a luminaria walk from the Laney Bistro to the Eagles stadium, where Beam helped shape so many lives. 
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m., free, Laney Bistro, 900 Fallon St. 

Street Spirit winter fundraiser
Street Spirit vendor, Aarous Lambert, in front of Oakland’s City Hall on May 26, 2023. Credit: Florence Middleton for The Oaklandside

Street Spirit, the monthly independent newspaper that has been covering poverty and the unhoused since 1995, will host a winter fundraiser. The party is taking place at Eli’s Mile High Club and will include a silent auction, live screen printing by the San Francisco Poster, a live set by the West Coast Blues Society (featuring Street Spirit vendor Kenneth Winters), and more. Guests will have access to Eli’s patio, and masks will be available at the door for those who would like to wear them indoors.
Friday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., $33.85 for general admission, $108.55 donation, Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Junior Way

Grand Hanukkah Celebration at Lake Merritt
Sam Weisner takes a photo of a menorah displayed at Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Credit: Amaya Edwards for The Oaklandside

For the 20th year, The Oakland Jewish community will gather at Lake Merritt on the first night of Hanukkah to light a 15-foot menorah. The celebration will include a fire performance, live music, and plenty of hot latkes, matzo ball soup, and hot drinks to keep you warm. 
Sunday, Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m., free, Lake Merritt Boulevard, between 12th Street and 1st Avenue

Three more holiday concerts
The Free Key Choir, a “DIY” choir that applies choral treatments to new music, all written and arranged by choir members. Credit: courtesy of Grant Kerber

The Free Key Choir, a “DIY” choir that applies choral treatments to new music, all written and arranged by choir members, is hosting its winter show titled “Incantation,” with all original music, from Dec. 12 to 14 at the First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St.

There are five more opportunities for musical holiday magic this weekend with concerts happening back to back. The After Glow Chorus “A Not So Silent Night” is reimagining holiday classics such as Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” and Mervyn Warren’s gospel arrangement of “Joy to the World.” The show will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Oakland, 114 Montecito Ave.

“Make the Yuletide Gay” is the title of this year’s Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus holiday show taking place on Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Valley Center for the Arts (formerly Holy Names University), 3500 Mountain Blvd.

Hot Tickets in The Town this week: Bay Area Film Night
Four projects by Bay Area filmmakers part of the film night at the Grand Lake Theater. Credit: courtesy of the filmmakers

The Grand Lake Theatre is welcoming Bay Area filmmakers Jamal Trulove, D’Lo Louis, Erica Eng and Davy Mansanalez to showcase their latest projects, four short films including TruLove’s “I Thought You’d Never Ask,” about a woman confronting aging, love, and hesitation while waiting for her partner’s proposal; Eng’s “Americanized,” a coming of age story about identity and belonging; Mansanalez’ “In Broad Daylight,” about a sheriff facing a life-altering moral decision, and Louis’ “Shoebox,” about a young man’s fight to survive his circumstances.
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m, $20, Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Ave.

Coming soon to The Town: Rosalía’s “Lux” tour at the Oakland Arena
GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and global visionary ROSALÍA announces her most extensive headlining tour to date — the LUX TOUR 2026, a sweeping 42-show arena run across 17 countries in support of her critically acclaimed new album LUX, out now via Columbia Records. Credit: courtesy of Valeska Thomas

The Grammy-award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer from Catalonia in Spain is bringing her “Lux” tour to Oakland next year. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Monday, July 6, see website for ticket pricing, Oakland Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way

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