Friday Nights at OMCA with PHER
Live Music by PHER, DJ Set by JAZZ.FM, Drag Storytime with Per Sia, Suncatcher Making, and Gallery Chats
September 4 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
This Friday Night at OMCA, Oakland-born vocalist and songwriter PHER brings his soulful sound to the Garden Stage with a powerful live performance. Blending contemporary R&B, jazz, and soul with heartfelt storytelling, the three-time Grammy-winning collaborator delivers an uplifting set of original music, reimagined classics, and joyful grooves that invite audiences to sing, reflect, and celebrate together.
Keeping the music going throughout the evening, Bay Area JAZZ.FM takes over the Amphitheater with an energetic DJ set that moves effortlessly across genres. Rooted in Hip-Hop and R&B while inspired by the energy of the crowd, her vibrant DJ set creates the perfect soundtrack for dancing, relaxing, and enjoying a summer night at the Museum.
Families can also gather in the Garden for Drag Storytime with Per Sia, San Francisco’s Drag Laureate, featuring a reading of I Am Me: A Book of Authenticity. Guests of all ages are also invited to create their own colorful suncatcher inspired by the beauty of the sky, making a keepsake to take home after an evening of creativity and self-expression.
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:
5:15 pm Drag Storytime with Per Sia | Garden
5:30–7:30 pm Make a Suncatcher | Garden
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:30–7:30 pm Live Music by PHER | Garden Stage
6:45–8:45 pm DJ Set by JAZZ.FM | Amphitheater
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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
Oakland-born vocalist, songwriter, and educator PHER is a three-time Grammy-winning collaborator whose work spans R&B, soul, jazz, and beyond. He has shared the stage and studio with artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Robert Glasper, The Roots, Esperanza Spalding, Jon Batiste, Bilal, and Usher. Following the release of his debut album, “Songs by PHER”, he has returned home to Oakland, where he continues to build community through performances that celebrate love, healing, family, and the city’s rich musical legacy.
JAZZ.FM is a DJ born and raised in the Bay Area. Although most rooted in Hip-hop and R&B, she is all about feeling the energy of a crowd rather than sticking to one genre. By tuning into JAZZ.FM, listeners tune into her own unique frequency—an experience filled with joy and connection.
San Francisco’s current Drag Laureate, Per Sia, is a first-generation Trans Mexican-American drag artist raised in South Central Los Angeles, with drag roots in San Francisco’s Mission District. Her multidisciplinary practice spans performance, curation, television, and storytelling, presented in spaces ranging from local bars to major museums, including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Oakland Museum of California. A graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, she is a co-founder of Drag Story Hour and an educator with Children’s After School Arts, with work featured on KQED Arts, National Public Radio, and CNN.
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.
