“Question Bridge: Black Males” opened up last weekend at the Oakland Museum of California and has already been regarded as one of the top exhibitions to see in the Bay Area in 2012 by the San Francisco Chronicle. The collection of video interviews by multimedia artist Hank Willis Thomas and photography professor Chris Johnson, Question Bridge creatively discusses societal issues among 150 black men in 11 different cities.
The exhibit will run until July 8 at the OMCA and will also be featured simultaneously at museums in Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City.
For more information, check out this article in the Oakland Tribune and the OMCA’s page.
That’s what Oakland is deemed in this video report by Yahoo for its “growing community of artists, fabulous restaurants and rich history that have helped the city evolve into one of the West Coast’s most vibrant cities to live in”.
How many Jack London Square establishments can you spot? There are aplenty!
To commemorate the Year of the Dragon beginning January 23, the Jack London Square Farmer’s Market is devoting this Sunday’s Do-it-Yourself Day (every 4th Sunday) to Lunar New Year themed activities. Whether you’re finding “qi” (life energy), learning how to properly tend to your orchids, or getting an education in Asian produce, you can experience the Lunar New Year in a myriad of ways. See the full schedule of to-do’s below and be sure to venture over to Oakland’s Chinatown for the Lunar New Year Bazaar after!
Immediately following our weekly free yoga class, learn Qi Gong, an ancient Chinese practice for balancing your “qi,” or life energy. Qi Gong’s slow meditative movements have roots in Chinese martial arts and medicine, and offer light exercise.
- Orchid Care Workshop with Rose Mae Orchids | 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Urban Living tent
It is very lucky to see a flower blooming on the Lunar New Years Day! Come learn from A.J. at Rose Mae Orchids how to keep beautiful, enchanting orchids healthy, happy, and blooming!
- Introduction to Asian Produce with Fresno Family Farm | 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Urban Living tent
Let one of our Asian produce growers be your guide to the various Asian vegetables available at the market! If you’re not sure what to cook using bok choy, or can’t tell an opo squash from a bittermelon, this workshop is for you!
- Kids Craft: Make your own Chinese Lantern | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 2 p.m. at the Urban Living tent
Traditionally, a Lantern Festival ends the New Year festivities — bring the kids to the Urban Living tent to color and create their own paper lanterns!
Inside the kitchen of Oakland Restaurant Week participant Plum
It’s the best thing around since last year’s night on the town! Oakland’s Restaurant Week (1/20-29) celebrates our wonderful collection of cuisine with special prix fixe menus at $20, $30, or $40. It’s a great way to try new tastes of the town and score nice deals at the same time.
For the full run-down of participating restaurants and their menus, click here.
Here’s just a taste of what to expect from Restaurant Week participant and Jack London Square favorite Yoshi’s:
Restaurant Week Deal:
$30 for a three course dinner, also including a dessert and a complimentary glass of Yoshi’s Sake.
Menu
First Course – Choose one of the following:
- Kale & Sauteed Litt le Gem ‘Caesar’ – kaiware, tamari oil saikyo-miso caesar dressing
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts – shichimi, lemon juice, cauliflower puree
Second Course – Choose one of the following:
- Yoshi’s Sushi Roll Combo – california/spicy tuna/rock ‘n’ roll/alaskan – 2pc of each
-‘Kakiage’ Seafood Fritter – tiger shrimp, onions, carrots, enoki mushrooms
Third Course – Choose one of the following:
- Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon – housemade teriyaki
- Grilled Organic Baby Back Pork Ribs – sauteed baby carrots, mache, miso-barbeque sauce
- Mary’s Farm Organic Chicken Thigh – crushed herbs, spicy miso, housemade teriyaki
Dessert – your choice from our full dessert menu
Bon Appetit!
Eat better, move more. Seems like a pretty easy concept towards a healthier life right? The question is, what tangible steps can we take to make it happen?
It just so happens the Institute for Urban Living, a project of the Jack London Square Farmer’s Market, is devoting this Sunday (and every third Sunday of the month) to eating better and moving more with a full schedule of events (see below).
Enjoy the wellness this Sunday in Jack London Square!
Eat Better:
- Cookin’ the Market Cooking Demos | 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.
Nutrition educators from Common Seed Nutrition partner with Market Chef Mario for a lesson on eating healthy and how to do it with produce at today’s market! This week, we’re featuring a simple raw salad to help detox after all those rich and sweet holiday foods.
- Free Nutrition Consultations | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sign up at the information booth for a 15-minute one-on-one consultation with a nutrition educator from Common Seed Nutrition, a North Oakland organization dedicated to making health education affordable and accessible to everyone.
Move More:
Cue Sweet Georgia Brown, for the Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their infamous hardwood hijinx to Oracle Arena this weekend. Bringing fans of all ages a unique performance of basketball theater since 1926, the globetrotters have lived up to their name by traveling the world to display amazing feats of athleticism and charm.
Young or old, seeing the Harlem Globetrotters is a must-do (I rank it second behind Disneyland). Make sure to catch them while they’re in town, just avoid the splash if they throw a bucket of water your way!
Renato Sardo is bringing fresh, locally sourced wheat pasta to the soon-to-be staple of Jack London Square, Baia Pasta. An Oakland resident and former head of Italy’s Slow Food International, Sardo is coming to the rescue of educated foodies demanding ingredients grown close to home.
Baia Pasta plans to set up shop by the end of the month. In the meantime, read up on Sardo and the wheat pasta movement.
Looking for a New Year’s Party? This year those at the Ellington don’t have to worry about any lengthy travel to get there. This Must Be the Place is throwing the bash of the year, and next, at the Oakland Metro this New Year’s Eve.
From 9pm to 2am ring in the New Year with 10 DJs in two different musically themed rooms. Whether you like dance or old school hip hop (or even a little of both), there will be a lively soundtrack for your celebration.
Make sure you score a discounted pre-sale ticket here, pick out your finest attire, and welcome 2012 in style!
Santa has his milk and cookies this time of year. We have good, fresh crab. This Christmas Eve, Bocanova celebrates the Holidays with a Crab Feast of epic proportions. For $50, diners get to experience an exquisite five course menu that features crab cakes, crab soup, roasted crab, and crab salad. For the full, decadent menu, look below. Reservations are required, so arrange your seating and enjoy the feast!
CHRISTMAS EVE CRAB FEAST
Peruvian Black Olives
Dungeness Crab Cakes—avocado habanero sauce & fried
beets
Mexican Dungeness Crab Soup—cilantro aioli
Fried Padron Peppers—pink sea salt
Mexican Christmas Eve Salad—grapefruit
vinaigrette
Roast Dungeness Crab—sweet garlic sauce
Market Steak—spicy crab salad
Crispy Cauliflower—mint & serrano coconut sauce
Sweet Potato Gratin—chipotle
Spicy Creamed Spinach—coconut bechamel
Tres Leche Cake—cashew brittle
As we scramble through holiday parties and shopping malls this time of year, sometimes sitting back to enjoy a performance is just the remedy to revive that Christmas spirit! This year’s production of The Nutcracker really brings it all together: performance by the Oakland Ballet Company and accompaniment by the Oakland East Bay Symphony, all of which will be staged at the historic Paramount Theater.
From Dec 22-24, there will be five performances to catch the action. For more info. and to purchase tickets, click here.
