Discover the Vibrant Culture of Oakland: Maya Mam Textile Exhibition, Laurel Street Fair, and Town Nights Await!

Exciting Summer Events in Oakland!

As we head into the final stretch of summer, vacations are winding down and the festival and fair season is ramping up. Plenty of family-friendly events are on the horizon, starting this week with Town Nights in Fruitvale Village, featuring a back-to-school giveaway and live music, and the Laurel Street Fair World Music Festival, celebrating its 23rd year. Also this week, two opportunities to immerse yourself in the diversity of The Town, including an exhibit of Mayan Mam art and a tour focused on Oakland’s storied Black businesses.

Weaving our Stories: Exhibition of Maya Mam textiles

Part of the cohort of women weavers originally from municipalities in Huehuetenango Guatemala. Credit: Fox Nakai

Since early 2023, Naka Dance Theater (NAKA) and Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA), a grassroots organization of Latina immigrants, have been working with a cohort of women weavers originally from three municipalities in Huehuetenango, Guatemala — Torasant (Todos Santos Cuchumatan), Xjan Xwan (San Juan Atitan), and Chimb’al (Santiago Chimaltenango). The two organizations uplift and center emerging women leaders and cultural practitioners of Maya Mam backstrap weaving. The work with the weavers is now an exhibit on display through August 25, with guided tours on certain dates.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through Aug. 25, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., EastSide Arts Alliance Theater Gallery, 2277 International Blvd.

Town Nights in The Fruitvale

A previous Town Night event at Fruitvale Village. Credit: courtesy CURYJ

Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ) will host its third Town Nights at Fruitvale Village this Friday. The event lineup includes free back-to-school supplies and backpack giveaways, food, costumes, and dance contests. There will also be a local vendor marketplace and community resources, as well as kids' activities, including pony rides. Also, live performances by Mexican band Porte Blindado and Grupo Ballet Folklórico, Netzahualcoyotl.

Friday, Aug. 9, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., free to attend, Fruitvale Village, 3301 E. 12th St.

Black Arts Movement Business District walking tour

A sign for Yancie Taylor, a jazz musician who has performed at Geoffrey's Inner Circle.

In 2016, the City of Oakland passed a resolution introduced by then-councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney to designate the 14th Street corridor from Oak Street to Frontage Road as the Black Arts Movement Business District. This weekend, community members will get the opportunity to take a guided walking tour of the district through the Oakland Heritage Alliance and learn about the historical Black businesses in the neighborhood, like Geoffrey’s Inner Circle (once the all-white men’s Athenian Nile Club.) The guided walk will start with a tour of the African American Museum and Library.

Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $17.85, 659 14th St.

Laurel Street Fair World Music Festival

Dancers at a past Laurel World Street Fair. Credit: courtesy Laurel Street Fair

The yearly festival spans eight blocks of MacArthur Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Maybelle Avenue. It features musical performances by artists from different genres, a puppet theater, a kid's carnival, a beer garden, food, and local vendors. This year's musical lineup includes Salma el Assal with sounds from the Sudanese diaspora, cumbia by Los Bahianatos, Esotérica Tropical, and much more. The family-friendly event is ADA-accessible.

Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free to attend, MacArthur Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Maybelle Avenue

Hot tickets in the Town this week: KMEL’s ‘Summer Jam’

E-40, LaRusell, Mistah F.A.B., Keak Da Sneak, and Jeezy are among the hip-hop stars on the lineup for this year’s Summer Jam. The Athletics are out of town, so no need to worry about parking issues due to dual events.

Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 p.m., see website for ticket prices, 7000 Coliseum Way