Friday Nights at OMCA with LaRussell
Live Music by LaRussell, Amapiano Dance Lesson with Tawo, DJ Set by DE ALMA, and Gallery Chats
October 10 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
In true Bay Area fashion, Friday Nights at OMCA is turning the heat up this fall with an evening packed with culture, connection, and straight-up fire performances. The Garden Stage will light up with an unforgettable live set from LaRussell. That’s right, this Vallejo-born phenomenon known for his sharp lyricism, viral freestyles, community-first ethos, and epic presence will take the stage with The Yee Section & CO-LLAB Choir and light up Oakland’s favorite block party!
*This is going to be a major vibe, and space is limited. The Garden will open at 5 pm, and wristbands are required for entry. When doors open, you can pick your wristband up at either of our two Garden entrances: 1) Lakeside entrance located at 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard, or 2) Upper Level Terrace, accessed through the Museum’s main entrance at 1000 Oak Street. You must be physically present to receive the wristband. Early Garden access will be unavailable.*
And that’s far from it! As the evening hits that electric point, come find your groove in a beginner-friendly Amapiano dance lesson with Tawo. Rooted in South African street styles, this session will walk learners through signature footwork that’s bold, rhythmic, and fun to master—perfect for dancers of all levels looking to try something new and expressive. Then DE ALMA takes over with a percussive, bass-driven set rooted in ancestral rhythms and cultural memory—just the moment to let loose and bring your new steps to life.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 pm Garden doors open, wristband required for entry
5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket
5:30–6:30 pm Amapiano Dance Lesson with Tawo | Amphitheater
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries with Museum ticket
6:30–7:10 pm Live Music by LaRussell + The Yee Section & CO-LLAB Choir | Garden Stage
6:45–8:50 pm DJ set by DE ALMA | Amphitheater
Know Before You Go
Getting Here
Due to increased attendance, we strongly encourage visitors to use rideshare or public transit.
OMCA is one block from Lake Merritt BART and accessible by multiple AC Transit bus lines.
Limited parking will be available in the OMCA Garage, located at 1000 Oak St.
Please note ADA parking is only available on the top level of the garage.
Campus Guidelines
+ Non-service animals are not permitted
+ No outside alcohol is allowed
+ No smoking or vaping on OMCA property
+ No chairs, tents, or large shade structures
+ Outside vending is not permitted
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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
LaRussell and his independent collective, “Good Compenny,” are pioneering change within the industry. They are supporting independent artists without requiring them to give up ownership of their art. Good Compenny provides artists with resources and opportunities to execute their ideas. With a focus on building a community that is all-inclusive, LaRussell allows the people to decide what his contributions are worth to them. He allows people to pay what they want for shows, merch, music, and all other commodities. His movement is not free, it’s priceless.
Tawo is a South African dancer and Amapiano instructor based in Oakland. Her Monday night classes at Zanzi have quickly become a community favorite, drawing dancers of all levels to celebrate the infectious rhythms of Amapiano. With a passion for movement and cultural connection, Tawo brings authenticity and vibrant energy to every session.
DE ALMA is a celebrated trans pioneer in the Bay Area and a trailblazer of cultural transformation. Her work is informed by the matrilineal courage, resilience, and radical care of their Latina and Afro-Caribbean foremothers. As a Latina, transexual, interdisciplinary artist and musician whose story is painted by migration between Michoacan, Mexico, and California, DE ALMA breathes life into the liminal reality of transition between bodies, bloodlines, and land.
Sponsors
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.
