Friday Nights at OMCA with BULULÚ
Live Music Performance and Dance Lesson by BULULÚ, Salsa with Cheo Gómez, DJ Juanny Music Set, and Gallery Chats
May 23 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Kick off your weekend at OMCA with an electrifying evening of Caribbean rhythms, Latin dance, and vibrant energy! This Friday, BULULÚ brings the heat with high-energy Latin dance music, blending Caribbean beats that will keep you moving all night. To get you into the groove, Andreina Febres-Cordero from Making Waves Studios will lead an engaging, interactive dance session, teaching fun moves to match the rhythm and flavor of the night.
Cheo Gómez also takes the stage to teach you the art of Salsa Caleña, the dynamic salsa style from Cali, Colombia. Whether you’re new to salsa or already know your way around the dance floor, Cheo’s class will have you moving with confidence and soul. It’s all about energy, fun, and building the rhythm to conquer the dance floor, all while ensuring you enjoy every moment!
DJ Juanny will keep the energy flowing with a mix of Reggaeton, Dembow, Dancehall, House, and UK soundsystem-inspired Bass. Drawing from the vibrant music scenes of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the UK, DJ Juanny will deliver a dynamic set that takes you on a journey through underground club music from the Américas.
Friday Nights at OMCA also offer guests a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invites visitors to chat, ask questions, and connect with our OMCA facilitators, who combine content knowledge with lived experience to encourage meaningful dialogue and fresh interpretations of our exhibitions. Don’t miss this exciting night of dance, culture, and unforgettable beats at OMCA’s Friday Nights. Come for the rhythm, stay for the community, and get ready to feel the vibe!
Limited $10 flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm. Learn more about getting to the museum.
Program Schedule:
5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket
5:30–6:30 pm Learn Salsa Caleña with Cheo Gómez | Amphitheater
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:15–7:30 pm Caribbean Vibes: Latin Dance with Bululú | Garden Stage
6:45–8:50 pm DJ Juanny | Amphitheater
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About Friday Nights:
Gather with family, friends, and community every Friday at 5 pm for free live music and hands-on activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and late night access to our galleries and special exhibitions, with a Museum ticket.
Bring your own or grab dinner from any one of the 8 Off the Grid food trucks on 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets. Beer, wine, mixed and non-alcoholic drinks are available for sale. After grabbing a meal from a wide and weekly changing menu of culinary creations, head to the OMCA Garden where you’ll find picnic tables and blankets to enjoy your local eats. Play lawn and table games, enjoy weekly rotating Museum programming, and create new memories at one of the Town’s most treasured spaces right in the heart of Oakland.
No outside alcohol permitted. Performances are subject to change. Limited $10 flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm.
Accessibility
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.
Performers
Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup
Performer BIOS
In Venezuela, a BULULÚ is a gathering of people that creates a sense of excitement. Just a moment of listening to BULULÚ reveals why they have adopted this name for themselves. BULULÚ is a dynamic Latin music band known for their original repertoire that delves into the rich influences of Venezuela and the Caribbean. Their performances encompass an exciting mix of styles, ranging from calypso and salsa to cumbia, son, boogaloo, bachata, and more. BULULÚ stands out through its diverse identity, inclusive LGBTQ+ community, and a majority of female band members. Led by Venezuelan-born percussionist Lali Mejia, the band delivers a fun and vibrant show with their top-tier San Francisco Bay Area ensemble.
From Barranquilla, Colombia, José de la Cruz Gómez Rojas, known as Cheo Gómez, is a prominent Colombian dancer, choreographer, and percussionist, with extensive experience in teaching and disseminating Afro-Colombian culture, especially in the area of the Carnaval de Barranquilla. My career has spanned diverse artistic fields, from dance to music, and I have worked with traditional folkloric groups of Afro-Colombian culture, bringing Colombia’s legacy to the international stage. I am dedicated to teaching and sharing the traditions of Afro-Colombian dance and percussion to people of all ages and levels, promoting the cultural richness of my country, in every presentation and class I teach, both in Colombia and internationally.
DJ JUANNY draws inspiration from the sounds of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the UK, often blended with samples from films, TV, and pop culture. After a stint living in Miami, JUANNY became passionate about bringing the emerging club sounds of his adopted home back to the Bay Area. This led to the creation of the party series and netlabel, AMOR DIGITAL. At the onset of the pandemic, JUANNY dove into music production, eventually releasing the 4-track EP ‘SUCHITOTO’ via the seminal Mexico City label, N.A.A.F.I. His first vinyl release, ‘MIATA’, was released through the Oakland label NO BIAS.
Sponsors
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.
