Fairy Land Adult Party || Friday 7p-10p
For us local kids, Fairyland holds many a childhood memory. We fondly recall the puppet shows, the pirate ship, the yellow dragon, the animals, and definitely the colorful keys and speaker boxes that played all our favorite fairy tales. It is a place filled with such child like wonder that it actually inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland. Strangely, tonight there will be no little lads or lasses in sight. Instead, the park will be filled with frolicking adults reveling in an über-rare opportunity to access the magical park sans children.
DJ Dion Decibels will be spinning records out of the Old West Junction, there will be beer from Linden Street Brewery, wine from Urban Legend Cellars and delicious comestibles supplied by a variety of local food trucks. If you were here last year, you already know you’re in for a treat. Dress up if that’s your bag, and definitely dig up your old keys for story time. This event is hosted by Oaklandish, and all proceeds benefit Children’s Fairy Land.
This event is sold out, so you better get creative! || It is also 21+
Oakland Jazz Festival || Saturday 12p-8p
The Oakland Jazz Fest takes place at the legendary Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate in the Oakland Hills. The crown jewel of the estate is the 37 room Neoclassical Revival mansion that was built in 1899, but nowadays the main draw is the amazing events that take place on the estate’s sprawling grounds. One such event is the annual Oakland Jazz Festival. You can tell by the picture above what a beautiful setting this National Historic Site is for a summer day of family, friends, food, and amazing music. This year Oakland girl Ledisi will be gracing the stage along with Kem, Eric Benet, Norman Brown, Wayne Wallace, and Rodney Franklin. Visit the Oakland Jazz Fest’s website for event details.
This event is $75.00 at the gate, so you might want to climb a tree along the perimeter instead!
Brave New Voices Grand Slam Finals: 7pm
Youth Speaks is an amazing literary arts organization founded in San Francisco that has transformed generations of Bay Area youth’s relationship to the written and spoken word through writing workshops and performance opportunities. In 1998 they founded Brave New Voices, an international teen poetry slam that brings together young people from all over the world to compete, share, and build with each other. This year BNV is back in the Bay where it all started and boasts teams from 46 cities, including squads from Taiwan, South Africa and Guam!
There are still semi-final bouts Friday morning starting at 10am (Click HERE for the schedule), but it’s all leading up to Saturday’s Grand Slam Finals at Oakland’s historic Fox Theater. You won’t want to miss the talent, intelligence, and fellowship demonstrated by this dynamic generation of writers, performers, and leaders. Get your tickets now!
Tickets are $20 at Ticketmaster. Buy them HERE
