Just-Announced Shows
Friday, May 11, 2012
Oakland's 6th Annual Indie Awards Augur a Small, Lean, Local Future
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Fri, May 11, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Not only is "local" the new black; it's also the dominant paradigm for progressive business movements. And it's particularly important in Oakland, where growth happens organically, and the economy hinges on small independent businesses. A panoply have sprung up in recent years, and they've all but transformed the city's once-sterile downtown. Walk down Broadway these days and you'll find a retail corridor dotted with artisan clothing boutiques, mom-and-pop restaurants, educational sex toy shops, and small breweries. If you remember the scene as recently as ten years ago, it's just mind-blowing.
- Oakland Unwrapped
- Oakland Indie Awards 2011 Marquee
Friday, April 27, 2012
New Philanthropic Initiative Brings Musical Theater to West Oakland
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Undeterred by an initial fall in ratings, and skepticism over whether a show about backstage pratfalls in musical theater can really make a viable prime time soap opera, producers at NBC have launched an aggressive promotional campaign for the new show, Smash — and now it includes a philanthropic component. NBC recently teamed up with the New York-based theater education company iTheatrics to launch a new program that would bring musical theater to underprivileged schools. The two companies will help bankroll musical theater programs at 20 schools in 20 US cities, including West Oakland, where they've mounted this weekend's production of Annie Jr. at West Oakland Middle School (991 14th St., Oakland).
Thursday, April 26, 2012
BREAKING: East Bay Express and City of Oakland Will Co-Present Art & Soul Oakland 2012
Breaking News / Just-Announced Shows / Bay Area Bands Kathleen Richards — Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Look out. For the first year ever, the Express will co-present this year's Art & Soul Oakland with the City of Oakland. The two-day event, to be held Saturday and Sunday, August 4-5, 2012, at Frank Ogawa Plaza (14th and Broadway), will feature a more diverse music lineup, plus an art show (courtesy de Young Museum artist fellows and artist-in-residence alumni, and American Steel), film projections, "light-based art," food trucks, and kids' activities. Also exciting: extended hours on Saturday night till midnight. Free bike parking and easy access by public transit. More details to be announced. Stay tuned...
When:
Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2 p.m. to midnight
Sunday, August 5, 2012, noon to 6 p.m.
Ticket price:
Advance online: $10 adults; $5 seniors (65 and older) & youth (13-17); free for 12 & under.
At the Gate: $15 adults; $8 seniors & youth; free for 12 & under.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Outside Lands 2012 Lineup Announced: Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young Headline
Just-Announced Shows / Bay Area Bands Kathleen Richards — Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 8:27 AM
Outside Lands announced its 2012 lineup this morning, and, as expected, it's quite the eclectic mix: Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Beck, Skrillex, Sigur Ros, Justice, Dispatch, the Kills, Regina Spektor, Passion Pit, Andrew Bird, and many more. There's also a healthy sprinkling of local talent (in addition to Metallica and Mr. Young), including Grandaddy(!), Two Gallants, Geographer, Wallpaper, and Thee Oh Sees. Also worth noting: Big Boi is giving it another try. Other highlights: Zola Jesus, Tame Impala, The Walkmen, Washed Out, and Explosions in the Sky. The festival happens August 10-12 in Golden Gate Park. See the full lineup here.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Special Roscoe Mitchell Performance at Mills This Weekend
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 10:36 AM
Chicago-born free jazz saxophonist, Distinguished Darius Milhaud Professor of Music, and all-around idiosyncratic figure Roscoe Mitchell will premiere a series of new orchestral works at Mills College this Saturday, including pieces for string quartet, alto saxophone quartet, saxophone and piano, solo percussion, and chamber orchestra with opera vocal - baritone Thomas Buckner will sing a vocal composition based on the poem "Would You Wear My Eyes," by Beat writer Bob Kaufman. Mitchell is best known as a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, both of which helped consolidate the avant-garde and improvised music scenes that were blooming in Chicago during the 1960s.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Lil' Kim Coming to Bench & Bar
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 3:07 PM
In case you missed it, Lil Kim (not this one, this one) has rebranded herself as a cabaret star, of sorts. During her last Bay Area tour, the famed mistress of Junior M.A.F.I.A. descended on the Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko, for an "intimate," grown and sexy performance. At least one East Bay Express commenter gave it rave reviews. Now she's coming to Oakland for a night of hip-hop at the East Bay's premiere LGBT club, Bench & Bar (510 17th St., Oakland). It goes down Saturday, March 17, at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $60, though we suspect a night with the self-claimed "Ms. G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)" could be worth every penny. Grab yours here.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Interrupters Screens at Oakland Museum Tonight
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Looking for a productive way to spend your Thursday? We recommend this evening's screening of The Interrupters, Steve James' multi-award-winning documentary about Ceasefire, a gang intervention group in Chicago whose members mostly came up in gangs themselves. James, who also directed the 1994 basketball documentary Hoop Dreams, has been snubbed twice by the Oscars, but his new film won the prestigious Best Director prize from the Directors Guild of America. Not to mention it garnered accolades from East Bay Express film critic Kelly Vance.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Late Breaking: Safe, Uncle Ricky, and Bobby Peru Tonight at the Layover
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 6:11 PM
To borrow the language of former East Bay Express editor Rob Harvilla, here's another way to avoid cultural ostracism: Come to tonight's early show at The Layover bar, featuring Safe, Uncle Ricky, and DJ Bobby Peru. Then drop their names the next time you're at a cocktail party and the talk turns to music. You'll look really cool, we promise.
Show starts at 8 p.m. and costs nothing.
Dave Chappelle Coming Back to Oakland Tonight
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 4:35 PM
We're pretty impressed that Oakland Yoshi's is now rebranding itself as a sometime comedy venue, with its rather imaginative decision to host a series of SF Sketchfest shows this week, including Thursday's twofer with Reggie Watts and Robert Glasper. Dave Chappelle will appear there tonight and tomorrow, with what's sure to be the best comedy set Oakland has seen since — well, since the last time he came to The New Parish. For those who can't afford the $55 tickets (which are available online only), we have the cheapo redux below:
Monday, December 26, 2011
Comedy Pick of the Day: Girl Talk at The Punchline
Just-Announced Shows Rachel Swan — Mon, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:56 PM
