oakland

If you’ve seen enough lion dancing to last a lifetime there’s still compelling reasons to hit the Lunar New Year Celebration from 11 to 3 this Saturday at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. I ‘m not talking about the crafts, music, dumplings and dancing but a demonstration by Chef Jimmy Zhang of the jaw-dropping, ancient […]

 Get a closer look at those epic, Trojan horse-like cranes that supposedly inspired the AT-AT Walkers in “Star Wars” (though Lucas denies it) in the Oakland Harbor during port tours on Friday evenings through October. The 90-minute event on board the Commodore Pinot Noir (sounds like a song) will fill you in on the history […]

Some of the most irresistible attractions of Oakland have nothing to do with the current hipster incursion. This Sunday, for example, the 35-piece Oakland Municipal Band plays at the Bandstand on Lake Merritt from 1-3 as part of its 105th season. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch for a rousing, old school afternoon. You’ll […]

For Downton Abbey afficionados we suggest hanging out this Father’s Day in the aristo splendor of the grounds of the Dunsmuir Hellman Estate in the Oakland hills. From 2-6 Bill Ortiz (of Santana) and his Sextet, Little Wolf and the Hellcats and the Meltones Jazz Ensemble will provide rhythms for parents to cut loose. Food […]

Bay seniors seeking a break from “Jingle Bells” are encouraged to check out the exotic Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble celebrating the winter solstice on December 18 at St.Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakland. This 9-woman choral group has been singing folk and sacred music from Eastern Europe in the Bay Area since 1979. Their harmonics are […]

Bay seniors ready to dance their way through the holidays might consider signing up for the dance lessons and parties now in full swing at the elegant Italianate Lake Merritt Dance Center in the heart of Oakland. Jump into Argentine Tango Parties, Texas Rose, Swing, Lindy and Two-Steps. Lesson + dance is $15. Dance only […]

Bay seniors who have OD’d on the Nutcracker in all its classic and wacky local forms might find relief this month at the 30th Annual Christmas Revels held at the Scottish Rite Theater on the shores of Lake Merritt. A “Venetian Masque “ is this year’s theme, a Renaissance fantasy of wildly costumed musicians, dancers, […]

Bay seniors curious to check out the renovated splendor of Oakland’s palatial Fox Theater but not enough to purchase tickets for unheard-of bands like The Chainsmokers might consider going to hear one of the greatest voices of our own generation who is still performing. Van Morrison, he of “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Moondance” and “Into the […]