Friday Nights at OMCA with Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons
Live Music by Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons, DJ set by VEYN, Afro Soca Dance Lesson with Caliwynd, and Gallery Chats
September 11 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
This Friday Night at OMCA comes alive with the vibrant sounds of West Africa as Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons take the Garden Stage for an electrifying live performance. Led by Guinean master drummer and educator Bongo Sidibe, the nine-piece ensemble blends traditional rhythms with Afrobeats, reggae, Hip-Hop, and contemporary influences, creating a joyful celebration filled with soaring percussion, powerful vocals, and plenty of opportunities for the audience to join in the fun.
Keeping the celebration going, international DJ VEYN fills the Amphitheater with an infectious mix of Caribbean Global Sound throughout the evening. Drawing from Soca, Dancehall, Afrobeats, Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B, and more, the Bay Area favorite creates a vibrant soundtrack that brings people together on the dance floor and celebrates the rhythms of the African diaspora.
Guests can also get moving during an Afro Soca dance lesson with Caliwynd, whose joyful, community-centered instruction invites participants of all experience levels to explore movement, creativity, and self-expression. Set to the infectious sounds of Soca and dance styles rooted across the African diaspora, this high-energy class is the perfect way to kick off an evening of music, culture, and connection.
Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Putting a twist on the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, share personal reflections, and explore new perspectives on the artwork, artifacts, and stories throughout OMCA’s galleries. Enthusiastic volunteer facilitators can be found floating between all of OMCA’s galleries, including its Great Hall Special Exhibitions, throughout the evening. Look for the blue “Let’s Chat” shirts to join the conversation. Gallery Chats are included with Museum admission.
Program Schedule:
5:30–6:30 pm Afro Soca Dance Lesson with Caliwynd | Amphitheater
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:45–7:45 pm Live Music by Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons | Garden Stage
6:45–8:45 pm DJ Set by VEYN | Amphitheater
Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!
About Friday Nights:
The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is turning up the heat for its 2026 summer season. Friday Nights invites the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors—starting at 5 pm with a free evening of live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket purchase, exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions.
Fuel your night with a rotating lineup of Off the Grid food trucks stationed along 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, serving up bold flavors and local favorites. Inside, near the Koi Pond, purchase beer, wine, cocktails, and refreshing non-alcoholic options to sip while exploring. In the Garden, picnic tables, blankets, and a dazzling view of Lake Merritt welcome you to settle in with your meal. With games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories marked with unmistakable Oakland energy, week after week.
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
Born and raised in Guinea, West Africa, Bongo Sidibe has spent more than 15 years in the San Francisco Bay Area preserving and sharing the rich musical traditions of his homeland. A respected educator, he teaches West African drumming and dance throughout Oakland’s public schools while leading community workshops and cultural programs for organizations across the region. Backed by a nine-piece ensemble of exceptional Bay Area musicians dedicated to West African music, Bongo Sidibe & The TonTons deliver an authentic and exhilarating live experience.
VEYN is a Caribbean-born DJ from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the founder of Tropic Soul—one of the Bay Area’s premier Caribbean music and culture brands. Known for his high-energy, genre-blending sets, he seamlessly mixes Soca, Dancehall, Afrobeats, Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B, and global rhythms to create unforgettable experiences that bring people together. With over two decades in the Bay Area music scene, VEYN has become a trusted name for clubs, festivals, cultural events, and community celebrations.
Caliwynd has a dance and teaching practice rooted in the understanding that dance builds community by bringing people together and unlocking their capacity for uninhibited creative expression, healing, and empowerment.
Sponsors
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is proudly supported by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America. Additional support provided by Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, OAKLAND ROOTS AND SOUL SC, LaSalle Mortgage, and Townsend Public Affairs.
