Lake Merritt-Uptown Oakland

07/29/2021

Oaktown's 357 "Juicy Gotcha Krazy"

Here is a throwback group for Throwback Thursday!! Oaktown's 3.5.7.
https://bit.ly/3f2DnZk.

Old school rap video!

07/23/2021

We would like to introduce you to Ashara Ekundayo, the curator for the Black Joy Parade StoryWindows project. She is the founder of @Artist As First Responder which excavates, documents, and archives the stories of present-day and next-generation cultural workers whose art practices heal communities and save lives. In addition, Ashara has created a project called BLATANT a multi-disciplinary, monthly forum presented in collaboration with the Museum of the African Diaspora as well as a published maga(zine).

We would like to introduce you to Ashara Ekundayo, the curator for the Black Joy Parade StoryWindows project. She is the founder of @Artist As First Responder which excavates, documents, and archives the stories of present-day and next-generation cultural workers whose art practices heal communities and save lives. In addition, Ashara has created a project called BLATANT a multi-disciplinary, monthly forum presented in collaboration with the Museum of the African Diaspora as well as a published maga(zine).

07/16/2021

In downtown Oakland, 30+ storefronts display art celebrating Black joy

StoryWindows is a must-see in downtown Oakland between 14th and 17th on Broadway.

A multimedia installation, 'Story Windows' along Broadway, features work from more than 20 local Black artists.

07/16/2021

Whose Stories? At City Hall, 'SPACES: Oakland' Hands Over the Mic | KQED

Have you experienced SPACES by @Kamiera Productions at Oakland's City Hall? Check out this write-up by KQED who gives a good recap of the project. The show ends with @Bandaloop performing on the walls of City Hall.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13899907/whose-stories-at-city-hall-spaces-oakland-hands-over-the-mic

Kaimera Productions' thought-provoking performance of storytelling, movement and dance enlivens Oakland's City Hall.

07/12/2021

Buy tickets for 5th Story NFT Mural Experience at Tribune Tower OaKLAND, Sat Jul 10, 2021 12:00 PM - Thu Jul 15, 2021 7:00 PM

The 5th Story NFT Mural Experience is happening now until July 15 at the Tribune Tower. The experience features some of the Bay Areas' top street artists. The piece has a cool cutting-edge digital combing images, 3-D scans, video, and more. Vogue TDK, Joshua Mays, Jet Martinez, Wolfe Pack, Bud Snow, and Ruff Draft. Produced by @Endeavors and @Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith.

For more information click here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/endeavorsoakland/547321

5th Story NFT Mural Experience at Tribune Tower OaKLAND, Sat Jul 10, 2021 - Thu Jul 15, 2021 - Back by popular demand for one more weekend, The 5th Story NFT Mural Experience at the Tribune Tower features work from some of the Bay Areas top street artists and creators, featuring immersive Augmented....

06/17/2021

Are you wondering about the artists who are showcasing their work on the @Black Joy Parade StoryWindows? Over the next few weeks through the end of July, we will feature an artist or two every other day. Today, we are starting with @Patanisha Williams the founder of @Pata Ali Love Club. Patanisha's mission is to provide access to professional art and production services for individuals and small businesses while building a strong workforce. She worked with Tamerin Busia of Compose Fashion to created Alice in Oakland.

Art piece credits:
Alice in Oakland is a production of Compose Fashion, Tamerin Busia.
Creative Director, Sir Michael Wayne. Videography, Sal Fullmore.
Photography, Patanisha Williams.
Sponsored by Pata Ali Love Club.

Also, check out her new series Urban Fairies where she shares her magical world of Creative Beings and the synchronicity that ties them all together. https://bit.ly/3vzBEzS. Featured in the video are @Piwai Official, @Fantastic Negrito, and @Marisha Ashanti.

06/10/2021

Save the Date! On June 19, 2021, we will unveil Black Joy StoryWindows, a curated, multimedia art walk in downtown Oakland, in partnership with Black Joy Parade,
Artists As First Responders, curator, Ashara Ekundayo, and numerous supporters, venue partners, and businesses.

We haven't been able to keep things entirely under wraps, so you may have already seen a few familiar faces illuminating the windows of our ground-floor businesses, but be sure to join us for the official launch!

The excitement around this initiative is contagious and we are so honored to have worked on this project that celebrates the passion and craft of many of the incredible artists, photographers, and videographers in our community.

See you there!

Save the Date! On June 19, 2021, we will unveil Black Joy StoryWindows, a curated, multimedia art walk in downtown Oakland, in partnership with Black Joy Parade,
Artists As First Responders, curator, Ashara Ekundayo, and numerous supporters, venue partners, and businesses.

We haven't been able to keep things entirely under wraps, so you may have already seen a few familiar faces illuminating the windows of our ground-floor businesses, but be sure to join us for the official launch!

The excitement around this initiative is contagious and we are so honored to have worked on this project that celebrates the passion and craft of many of the incredible artists, photographers, and videographers in our community.

See you there!

04/26/2021

Bake Love Not Hate (@bakelovenothate_oakland) is an Oakland, CA-based fundraising event created expressly to support the Asian American Pacific Islander community and raise funds and awareness in light of recent hate crimes in the Bay Area and across the nation.

Online Auction, Friday, April 30 12pm to Sunday May 2, 11:59pm
Our online auction will feature products, services, gift cards, and experiences (from Levis, Vans Vault, Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Taylor Stitch, Tellason, Farmhouse Thai, and more) that you actually want, and support a cause you care so much about. Get involved no matter where you're based!

Day of Giving May 1, 2021
Partnering businesses will graciously dedicate a small portion of their proceeds to combat systemic racism.

The Bake Sale, May 1, 2021, 12pm-6pm at 17th & Webster St. in downtown Oakland.
Buy mouth-watering baked goods from world-class Bay Area chefs and bakers (including Boichik Bagels, Firebrand Artisan Breads, La Farine, Sugarsweet, Two Chicks in the Mix, Annies T Cakes, and many more) as well as the community, and 100% of the proceeds will go towards the charities.

100% of the proceeds from all three components will benefit AAPI Women Lead (empowering AAPI women and girls through leadership programs), Asian Prisoner Support Committee (supporting API prisoners and raising awareness about disproportionate rates of imprisonment, detainment, and deportation in our community), and Hate Is A Virus (amplifying awareness of AAPI discrimination and hate crimes while standing in solidarity with our BIPOC siblings).

02/10/2021

Congratulations, Nelson German! We are looking forward to rooting for you each week.

Be sure to tune in and support one our local chefs who owns alaMar Kitchen & Bar and Sobre Mesa Oakland!!

01/27/2021

How can we make the Bay Area a better place? Share your priorities for the future with @MTCBATA — you could win a $50 gift card. Text "Plan" to (415) 639 5040 #PlanBayArea2050

How can we make the Bay Area a better place? Share your priorities for the future with @MTCBATA — you could win a $50 gift card. Text "Plan" to (415) 639 5040 #PlanBayArea2050

12/01/2020

Oakland Central

This is exciting news! WiFi in downtown Oakland and West Oakland in the very near future!!!

Wow! This is awesome, downtown Oakland and West Oakland will have free WiFI in the very near future!!

https://oaklandside.org/2020/11/23/oakland-is-rolling-out-free-wi-fi-to-bridge-the-digital-divide/?

09/19/2020

Oakland Central

Happening Live right Now!!!

Join us for an AMP Oakland Livestream Concert featuring Lady Lady Bianca to celebrate Oakland Cocktail Week!

Pick-up a cocktail and a bite to eat from one of the participating bars or restaurants and sit back, relax, and enjoy some great music virtually during Oakland Cocktail Month.
Lady Bianca is a Gospel and R&B vocalist/pianist, artist, and producer with roots in Kansas City, MO. She has performed, recorded, and toured the world with Frank Zappa, Sly Stone, Van Morrison, John Lee Ho**er, and Hall of Fame legends Bobby Bland, Willie Dixon, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Koko Taylor, Joe Louis Walker, and dozens more.

This year's Oakland Cocktail Week theme is "Keep it Spirited, Keep it Oakland" as a fundraising effort to help support Oakland's local bars, restaurants, and spirits community!
To donate and support Oakland local bars, restaurants, and spirits community, visit https://www.oaklandcocktailweek.com/donate.

09/18/2020

Tune in this morning around 11:45am on ABC to find out about a plan in place help to increase vibrancy in downtown Oakland with 'Flex Streets' initiative. The initiative is a way to better utilize the streets and sidewalks while continuing to maintain social distancing and safe space for people to gather in downtown Oakland.
https://abc7news.com/watch/?ex_cid=vuemix_HP_live

Tune in this morning around 11:45am on ABC to find out about a plan in place help to increase vibrancy in downtown Oakland with 'Flex Streets' initiative. The initiative is a way to better utilize the streets and sidewalks while continuing to maintain social distancing and safe space for people to gather in downtown Oakland.

https://abc7news.com/watch/?ex_cid=vuemix_HP_live

09/11/2020

Oakland Central

Guess who has a new look and feel? The www.oaklandcentral.com website, that’s who! Stop by to check out the fresh vibe and content and, while you’re there, take a look at the revamped business directory and events page. Show your OAKLAND LOVE and shop local!

Our passion at Oakland Central is to promote and support our independent businesses, especially during these difficult times, but we know they will need even more Town love as we emerge from the disruption created by the pandemic. OC will continue to evolve its approach to meet the needs of our beloved businesses, so keep coming back to see the latest news and happenings in downtown Oakland by signing up on the email list!

Be sure to follow Oakland Central at @oakcental both on Facebook and Instagram.

#oakcental, #oaklandcentral, #downtownoakland, #oakland, #oaklandsmallbusiness, #supportoaklandlocal

Guess who has a new look and feel? The Oakland Central website, that’s who! Stop by to check out the fresh vibe and content and, while you’re there, take a look at the revamped business directory and events page. Show your OAKLAND LOVE and shop local!

Our passion here at Oakland Central is promoting and supporting our independent business, especially during these difficult times, but we know they will need even more Town love as we emerge from the disruption created by the pandemic. We at OC will continue to evolve our approach to meet the needs of our beloved businesses, so keep coming back to see the latest news and happenings in downtown Oakland!

Be sure to check out the new www.oaklandcentral.com and follow us on our social media channels @oakcental for ongoing updates on happenings in downtown Oakland.

06/24/2020

Oakland Small Biz Week 2020(Virtual)

Day 2 of the Oakland Small Business Week, #SBWOak, is happening right now. Register and join LIVE now! https://oaklandfwd.splashthat.com/

Oakland Small Biz Week 2020(Virtual) - Tuesday, June 23, 2020

06/24/2020

myCovidMD is providing FREE COVID-19 Testing in Oakland TODAY in downtown Oakland on 13th Street at 1300 Broadway from 1pm-5pm.

There will be a DJ on-site and other community-centered surprises!

For more information about COVIDmd visit: https://covidmd.org/

06/08/2020

Mayor Libby Schaaf

It was incredible to see the hundreds of volunteers who came out today to help clean-up #Oakland look good. Thank you Charles Taylor and Charlese Banksnks of The Town Experience!!!

Over 500 volunteers out today cleaning up downtown and supporting our small businesses. This is Oakland 💚 A huge thank you to Uptown Downtown and #TheTownExperience for organizing this incredible event.

06/02/2020

Oakland Black Business Damage Fund organized by Elisse Douglass

Elisse Douglass, one of our board members, organized a GoFundMe to help support the Black-owned businesses affected during the demonstrations and what an incredible response that was received in raising over $45K!

Due to the amount of support that was received, businesses will be able to start applying for funds this evening!!! The funds will start with up to $500 grants per business and will allocate more funds as more money is raised. See link in the comments to apply.
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The GoFundMe project is still accepting donations: click here for more information: https://www.gofundme.com/f/oakland-black-business-damage-fund?utm_source=fb_copy_link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Oakland Black Business Damage Fund“A riot is the voice of the unheard” - MLKFriends… Elisse Douglass needs your support for Oakland Black Business Damage Fund

06/02/2020

We want to thank all of the volunteers who have come out to help clean our downtown Oakland! Thank you! Thank you!!

Thank you Jana Pastena for keeping the volunteers hydrated and a great big thank you to Charlese Banks of @The Town Experience and Charles Taylor for keeping everything going smoothly.

If you are interested in signing up to volunteer please visit https://downtownoakland.org/ and complete the form for further detailed information.

05/19/2020

East Bay/Oakland Arts Relief Fund Launches - Kenneth Rainin Foundation

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation has partnered with the City of Oakland to launch a relief fund with $625,000 for artists and culture workers living in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Approximately $300,000 of the funds will be made available for Oakland residents. https://krfoundation.org/east-bay-oakland-relief-fund-for-individuals-in-the-arts/.

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation, working with the City of Oakland as well as a host of partner funds, foundations, and individuals, announced today that they have launched a relief fund with $625,000 for artists and culture workers living in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties with at least $300,000 ded...

05/07/2020

Be sure to enter win a $50 gift card to Bar Shiru. They are offering cocktail kits, a Whiskey of the Week special, Japanese whiskeys, spirits, beer, wine, and sake available for Saturday delivery. Orders must be received by Friday at 2pm with deliveries happening on Saturday between 2pm-6pm, Delivery service limited to Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, and San Francisco.

Must 21 or over to purchase alcohol.

#supportsmallbusiness, #supportoaklandlocal, #oaklandbars, #oakland, #downtownoakland.

$50 Gift Card Sweepstakes - Day 4 is all about Bar Shiru! Do you still love the sound of vinyl? If so, you will want to head to Bar Shiru located 1611 Telegraph.

How do you enter? Please 'Like" and comment 'Pick Me' on this Facebook post.

You can also enter to win on Instagram with a 'Like' and tagging 3 friends on the $50 gift card sweepstakes post.

One winner will be randomly selected by and announced the following morning after 10am. For details on sweepstakes rules please review the attached document.

One of Bar Shiru's missions is to celebrate the connective power of music and harness that power to build and strengthen community. During this extended closure due to the pandemic, when we can't be together physically, the Bay Area's first hi-fi vinyl listening bar has been keeping the musical spirit alive virtually, posting daily record picks on Instagram and hosting a virtual happy hour every Friday at 4pm on Instagram Live that features two hours of vinyl selections streamed live from Bar Shiru's hi-fi. If you'd like to support Bar Shiru, they have gift cards available at www.barshiru.com. You can stay connected to all the happenings over on their Instagram Bar Shiru

#oakcentral, #oaklandcentral, #oakland, #supportsmallbusiness, #covid19businesssupport, #downtownoaklandbusiness, #downtownoakland,
#giftcardgiveaway. #oaklandbars

05/05/2020

Free Legal, Financial & Marketing Workshops & Classes for Small Businesses — Start Small Think Big

These times are causing everyone to rethink marketing and messaging for business. Start Small Think Big is offering FREE webinars to help small businesses with tips in navigating the waters at this time. Click the link for more information.

https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/workshops-classes

Start Small Think Big offers classes and workshops to entrepreneurs on a variety of topics related to business success, including financial, legal and marketing. We work with top partners in New York City and the Bay Area to provide informative and powerful events. Join us!