Friday Nights at OMCA with Óskar Ly & Rumbalú and Asociación Cultural Kanchis
Live Music by Óskar Ly & Rumbalú, Folkloric Dance Performance by Asociación Cultural Kanchis, Music Set by dj tuMadre, Community Tabling by Bike East Bay and Lake Merritt Institute, Live Figure Drawing with Sketchboard Co., and Gallery Chats
July 17 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
In honor of both Peruvian and Colombian Independence Day, this Friday Night is alive with celebration as Asociación Cultural Kanchis shares the beauty of Peruvian folkloric dance through a vibrant performance honoring the rich cultural heritage of Fiestas Patrias and the generations who keep these traditions thriving.
Continuing the festivities, Óskar Ly & Rumbalú deliver a lively musical performance inspired by the rhythms and sounds of Peru, Colombia, and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. Blending salsa, cumbia, Latin jazz, and global flair, the ensemble creates an infectious atmosphere that invites guests to dance, connect, and celebrate community together.
Keeping the energy high, dj tuMadre spins an eclectic mix of sounds rooted in culture, community, and movement. Blending genres, eras, and unexpected musical discoveries, her vibrant set creates a colorful atmosphere designed to bring people together and keep the dance floor buzzing.
Throughout the night, guests can connect with local organizations, including Bike East Bay and Lake Merritt Institute, offering interactive activities, community resources, and opportunities to learn more about building a healthier, more connected East Bay. With gallery admission, guests can also join Sketchboard Co. in the Gallery of California Art for live figure drawing sessions.
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.
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:
5–7:30 pm Community Tabling: Lake Merritt Institute | Garden
5–7:30 pm Community Tabling: Bike East Bay | Garden
5:30–6:15 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:15–6:35 pm Dance Performance by Asociación Cultural Kanchis | Garden Stage
6:45–7:30 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art
6:45–8:45 pm Music Set by dj tuMadre | Amphitheater
7–8 pm Live Music by Óskar Ly & Rumbalú | Garden Stage
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About Friday Nights:
The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is back for the 2026 season, inviting the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors. From April–October, join us every Friday at 5 pm for a free evening of live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket, 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
Asociación Cultural Kanchis is a non-profit Peruvian cultural association founded in 1995. Its goal is to preserve and promote Peru’s rich and colorful culture through its most popular expression, the folkloric dance. With dancers spanning three generations, Kanchis showcases music and dances from all regions of Peru.
Óskar Ly & Rumbalú is a vibrant musical ensemble bringing together Afro-Caribbean rhythms—such as rumba, salsa, cumbia, and bomba—blended with jazz, R&B, and world music in a bilingual project celebrating love, freedom, and exploration. Led by Colombian pianist, composer, and arranger Óskar Ly, Rumbalú has brought their love to audiences at SFJazz, San Jose Jazz Fest, New Mexico Salsa Congress, Bayview Opera House, and many more, delivering an irresistible groove that gets bodies moving.
dj tuMadre is a Latina hailing from the Bay Area. A playful music selector with a knack for eclectic fusion, she mixes sounds you didn’t know you needed. Her style is rooted in rhythm, cultura, y comunidad—blending genres, eras, and vibes to create sets that bring people together and keep the dance floor alive.
Sketchboard Co. is a BIPOC figure drawing collective, curating eclectic, diverse, and affordable events in the Bay Area over the last 10 years. Their 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.
Bike East Bay mobilizes by bike to build thriving communities that are joyful, safe, and inclusive. They are building a movement for safe streets and connected, thriving communities where people come first, not cars.
Lake Merritt Institute is a community-based, non-profit corporation that works with volunteers, schools, and the City of Oakland in a cooperative, positive relationship.
Sponsors
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America. Additional support provided by OAKLAND ROOTS AND SOUL SC, Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, and Townsend Public Affairs.
