Friday Nights at OMCA with Ouida
Live Music by Ouida, Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing, Music Set by DJ Dailo Mac, and Gallery Chats
October 17 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
This Friday Night at OMCA, experience an unforgettable evening of soulful sound, creative expression, and dance-floor energy as we shift into fall. Ouida takes the Garden Stage with her powerhouse nine-piece band, blending the grit of UK-inspired R&B and soul with warm jazz textures, bold brass, and soaring pop melodies. With husky, nostalgic vocals and lush arrangements, her performance channels deep emotion and vibrant celebration—offering a glimpse into the future of contemporary soul.
Inside the Gallery of California Art, Sketchboard Co. invites you to tap into the slower rhythms of fall with an evening of uninstructed live figure drawing. All are welcome to sketch, reflect, and connect in this open studio-style session celebrating the beauty and diversity of the human form.
We welcome all skill levels, including those who have never drawn before and want to try drawing. Art supplies and clipboards will be available for use, and your artwork will be yours to take home or exchange with others. A costumed model representing the diversity of the Bay Area will be posing in the Gallery of California Art for times ranging from 2 to 20 minutes. Since drawing will take place in the galleries, please be mindful of space and bring only the following media from home: sketchbooks (max size 9×12 inches) and pre-sharpened enclosed graphite, charcoal, or conté pencils.Over in the Amphitheater, DJ Dailo Mac is delivering a high-energy, open-format DJ set blending hip-hop, R&B, K-pop, EDM, Latin, house, and more to round out your autumn evening. With 20+ years behind the decks and a passion for community-centered sound, her sets offer a joyful, genre-fluid journey built to connect and uplift.
Over in the Amphitheater, DJ Dailo Mac is delivering a high-energy, open-format DJ set blending hip-hop, R&B, K-pop, EDM, Latin, house, and more to round out the evening. With 20+ years behind the decks and a passion for community-centered sound, her sets offer a joyful, genre-fluid journey built to connect and uplift.
Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions.
Program Schedule:
5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket
5:30–6:15 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:45–7:30 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art
6–7 pm Live Music by Ouida | Garden Stage
6:45–8:50 pm Music Set by DJ Dailo Mac | Amphitheater
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About Friday Nights:
Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).
Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.
OMCA also offers a $10 flat-rate parking in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm. Please note that outside alcohol is not permitted, and event details and performances are subject to change.
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
Ouida has quickly built a reputation as a compelling new voice in contemporary soul. Emerging from the Bay Area, Ouida was featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest–winning ‘Bakunawa’ with Ruby Ibarra before embarking on a sold-out national tour this summer. She has opened for artists including Esperanza Spalding, Raveena, Rufus Wainwright, and Madison McFerrin, and her music and artistry have been spotlighted by KQED, MTV, Nylon, and Vogue Philippines. Her forthcoming EP is due this fall under Bolo Music Group.
Sketchboard Co. is a BIPOC figure drawing collective, curating eclectic, diverse, and affordable events in the Bay Area over the last 10 years. Our mission is to feature the bodies of people at the intersection of multiple identities, offer living wages to our art models, and create an inclusive environment for the artists in our community.
DJ Dailo Mac (she/her) is a seasoned open-format DJ with over 20 years of experience energizing dance floors and curating unforgettable vibes. Known for her genre-blending style and community-centered approach, she has collaborated with artists like Son of Paper and shared stages with icons such as One Vo1ce. Her work bridges music, identity, and celebration—turning every set into a powerful space for connection.
Sponsors
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.
