Oakland - Midbrow (Page 2)

A Majorly Millennial Meal

West Oakland is widely known as a food desert, vast stretches of it devoid of any victuals outside of corner-store fare.

Sarah Bass

7 Oct 2024 · 4 min read

His Name Is Alive — Haunting Riff-Rock from Motor City

His Name Is Alive The New Parish 1743 San Pablo Ave, Oakland September 22nd, 2024

Fred Noland

3 Oct 2024 · 1 min read

Lucinda Williams Knows A Thing Or Two About Fighting

Lucinda Williams Fox Theater 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland September 23rd, 2024

Fred Noland

2 Oct 2024 · 1 min read

Mike Birbiglia Calls Back

Mike Birgiglia — Please Stop the Ride at the Fox Theater

Fred Noland

2 Oct 2024 · 1 min read

Razzing the Nerds

Vexillology: That’s the study of flags, in case you didn’t know. It’s an interest of mine, one I never imagined could be used as a comedic weapon — let alone against me.

Agustín Maes

1 Oct 2024 · 5 min read

“These Things Are Like Yeast”: 50 Years On, New College Artists Remain Collective

Once, when I was a young, bright-eyed MFA student, a professor told the class to “look to the left of you. Look to the right of you. You should know that only one in five of you will still be making art in five years time. As the years go on, it will be even less.”

Vita Hewitt

26 Sep 2024 · 4 min read

Small Sculptures Steal the Show

Ever lost hours in search of a sculpture you saw a decade ago and only vaguely recall, both online and among your own poorly archived history? She’s bronze, just smaller than life-sized, arms behind her back, facing the vista, standing on the side of a hill. She may be getting ready to swim…

Sarah Bass

25 Sep 2024 · 4 min read

Prescott Not-Quite-Night Market’s Got the Golden Goods

Thirsty, not a little sweaty, and determined to fill up on some fried and salty food: a perfect recipe for enjoying an evening at West Oakland’s successful new-ish night market, now in its fourth month.

Sarah Bass

19 Sep 2024 · 4 min read

Proud to be Scratchy

At the opening of the special exhibition “Creative Growth at 50: A Visual History,” a woman with a guide cane asked if I’d seen her reflectors. I didn’t know who she was, and I didn’t know what reflectors she was referring to. She held out her hand…

Agustín Maes

19 Sep 2024 · 4 min read

Comedy Up and Comers at Amber Lounge

I was coaxed out by Amber Lounge’s comedy night on Thursday. The price was right (free) and the location was irresistible (on my way home).

Fred Noland

16 Sep 2024 · 1 min read

Local Music, Re-Channeled

Producer Beth Cloutier termed this event a “relaunch” of her Local Music Channel…and this live music show as a means of “bring[ing] people together to bond and create long lasting friendships that transcend time.”

Jeff Kaliss

12 Sep 2024 · 2 min read

Shapeshifters Cinema: Avant-Garde on the Edge of Town

Housed in adjoining Victorians, The Shapeshifter’s trifecta—cinema, brewery, and cafe, occupies a stretch of 5th St…I have to admire the building surviving the one-two punch of urban renewal and imminent domain that razed countless other neighboring structures.

Fred Noland

10 Sep 2024 · 1 min read

Oakland Comedy: No Bridge and Tunnel Required

Comedy Oakland does things a little different…

Fred Noland

9 Sep 2024 · 1 min read

What’s In A Name? San Enrique Makes Art For All

Painted on a cinderblock enclosure for Two Star’s Dumpsters, it caught my eye with its somber yet gentle rendering of a pair of cupped hands with a diamond floating above them against a stark black background, framed by the words “Dimond District” and “Oakland.”

Agustín Maes

5 Sep 2024 · 4 min read

Comedy Bang! Bang! All Star Improv Takes the Stage

“Come see my improv group” are five words that have ended many friendships and estranged family members from one another. But these are professionals.

Fred Noland

4 Sep 2024 · 1 min read

LOW LIFE SCUM THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ME

These rambunctious, cheeky, ketamine-loving miscreants also happen to be smart, angry at the British, and versed in Welsh, a dying language and deeply important part of their heritage. Cue the mayhem, and wear your stomping boots.

Sarah Bass

4 Sep 2024 · 3 min read

A Sophisticated Forest

I certainly didn’t expect Ross-esque paintings, and the works on exhibit are definitely not “happy little trees.”…This is a decidedly more sophisticated forest than those broadcast on PBS years ago.

Agustín Maes

27 Aug 2024 · 4 min read

Oakland

A Breathtaking Sax Summit

The café tables and booths at Geoffrey’s filled quickly at the 6 p.m. start time on a recent Sunday for what was billed as The Great Saxophone Summit, hosted by Faye, with Joe sharing house…

Jeff Kaliss

25 Aug 2024 · 2 min read