Each calendar month , Oakland First Fridaystakes over five block of Telegraph Ave , transforming them into a walker - only melange of live music , seller , nutrient truck , and some seriously good multitude watching – it ’s an experience well worth checking out whether you consider yourself specially " artsy " or not . Oakland Art Murmur , which start this whole shebang , host the First Friday Art Walk , encouraging gallery to last out unresolved tardily for your ( possibly boozy ) cultural consumption . So get off the Xbox , and get on the streets – we ’ve got the step - by - step guide for how to do it with style .
Transport the smart way
Parking around here is a animal . Be smart and take BART to the 19th St Station . Feeling slothful ? Do n’t worry , it ’s a abbreviated manner of walking to the action mechanism – and we ’ve contrive , ahem , stops for recreation along the way . If for some inexplicable reason you just love to hunt for parking , avoid non - city lot – you do n’t want to give your lettuce to some beau at a rogue mass , only to realise later that your auto is impede in until all the other suckers come back , too ( not that we ’re talk from experience or anything ) .
Kick off with a beverage
Walking north from BART , caput to Telegraph and W. Grand , where the festivities get started . There ’ll be music , vendor , and plenty of company citizenry – but before you get drag up , finish atThe Legionnaire Saloon , where you could play pinball game , have a pint , rock the one-time school nickelodeon , and get yourself ready to journey on . If you ’re sad to leave , do n’t worry : you’re able to always pop in later for the no - cover saltation political party hold up until the wee hours on First Fridays .
Get started on the art walk
Conveniently enough , Chandra Cerrito Contemporaryart space is located flop around the corner from Legionnaire on 23rd . Take the opportunity to scope out their current exhibit and breathe in how badass Oakland ’s artistic production scene is .
Get your street party on
Now ping - pong across Telegraph to the 23rd St Performance Area and take in the street performing artist . This is a public show - off area , so if you ’re in the climate , you may bring your hula-hula - hoop or dijurido and flaunt your skills ( or deficiency thereof ) .
Cure your thirst
You ’ve been working hard need in all this cultivation . It ’s time to cross Telegraph again for a pit stop at theTelegraph Beer Garden . This is the perfect speckle to rendezvous with your crowd if you ’ve been on a solo mission to see all the street stalls . take hold of a child’s play mesa amid the 20- and 30 - somethings sporting beards , cut - offs , and Converse , refresh , and move on .
Take in a performance
Zig - zag back across Telegraph to the twenty-fourth St Stage , one of two official carrying out degree at the street fair . Expect the unexpected . From a local rock rig to a visiting Cambodian circus company , there ’s always something exciting go on .
Slip down the side streets for surprise shows
As you stroll north , glint right down 24th and scope out local cool - shaver movie theater , The New Parkway . They ’ll often host band for First Friday , not to mention offer fresh popcorn and adult bevs inside . Post - Zea mays everta , hook a right field on 25th , and pop into a block wedge - full of participate Art Murmur gallery . If you want to know what ’s where ahead of time , check out this super - usefulgallery mathematical function .
Consider becoming famous
After your prowess immersion on 25th , jump back into the street fair fray by crossing Telegraph to the 25th St level . control out the acts and realize that you , too , can do for the people of Oakland . If you ’re an unsung rose hip - hop hero or band grind , you should totallyapply .
Take a break for food trucks
You ’ve plausibly work up an appetite at this point , and fortunately , the final one and a half cylinder block of the carnival are consecrate to an awesome reach of snacks : BBQ , tacos , Tamale , wings , P.O. - boy , Indian food , pies … almost anything your piddling heart desires . The fair ’s only alcohol vendor – a sake garden where you’re able to sip concoctions like Sake Coladas in manner – allows you to booze it up while you get your collation on , too .
Pick up a piece to take home
Make your manner back down to the festival and find a painting or print that will cure your apartment ’s walls of their current case of severe bland - itis . Plus you ’ll be abide local artists in the process – win / win .
Don’t miss the Great Wall of Oakland
Stop by this 100x100 ft facility projected onto a bulwark at Grand and Valley anytime between 7 - 10pm . It ’ll go away you starry - eyed – and cue you how all-fired cool this township is .
Keep the party going
Think pop off home is for babies ? Head uncoiled toMake Westing , which is right down the street from the iconic Fox Theater . you could tell swank nibbles ( like roast bone marrow with duck fat ail ) , sip fancy cocktail , and gainsay cunning stranger to a plot on their indoor bocce ball court . It ’s a fun scene – and an easy bit to confabulate up without being a creeper .
THE QUICK & DIRTY
What : Oakland First FridayWhen : First Friday of each monthTime:5:00pm to 9:00pm ( 9:30pm in summer)Where : Telegraph Ave between W Grand and 27th StFestival Vendor Map : HereArt Walk Gallery Map : HereTaking BART:19th St Station Transport InfoParking : Go forCity - owned lotsand garage
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Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Courtesy of Shari Godinez
Courtesy of Shari Godinez
Courtesy of Shari Godinez
