Friday Nights at OMCA with SambaDá
Live Music by SambaDá, Baile Funk Dance Lesson w/ Weslie Guimarães, DJ Set by murcutian, OMCA Members’ Lounge, and Gallery Chats
April 10 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Step into your weekend with Brazilian-inspired music, dance, and joyful connection at Friday Nights at OMCA. On the Garden Stage, SambaDá delivers a joy-filled set rooted in electric Brazilian rhythms with a funky American twist. Blending samba, funk, soul, and global grooves, their infectious live performance brings radiant energy and irresistible beats that keep the crowd moving.
In the Amphitheater, a Baile Funk dance lesson with Weslei Guimarães spotlights the dynamic style born in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. This all-levels class introduces signature steps and expressive movements that celebrate the culture, creativity, and community of Brazil’s Funk Carioca tradition.
Keeping the dance floor lively, murcutian spins a fun, family-friendly DJ set of Latine favorites, ’70s classics, Y2K hits, Hip-Hop, and R&B—timeless, flavorful sounds designed to get everyone moving.
Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also feature a dynamic gallery offering with Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Moving beyond the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in conversation, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators who blend content expertise with lived experience to spark meaningful dialogue and new perspectives. Gallery Chat facilitators can be found in OMCA’s Great Hall Special Exhibitions and the Core Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Gallery Chats are included with Museum and Special Exhibition admission. Facilitators float between galleries throughout the night and can be seen wearing a blue “Let’s Chat” shirt.
Program Schedule:
5:30–6:30 pm Baile Funk Dance Lesson w/ Weslei Guimarães | Amphitheater
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:30–7:45 pm Live Music by SambaDá | Garden Stage
6:45–8:50 pm DJ Set by murcutian | Amphitheater
*Due to expected rain, our Member Lounge originally scheduled for April 10 has been postponed. We look forward to welcoming you soon and are planning to reschedule for a Friday in May—stay tuned for updates!
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 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
For over 25 years, SambaDá has built a vibrant musical bridge between traditional and contemporary Brazilian sounds and modern global influences. Led by Brazilian natives, Papiba Godinho and Dandha Da Hora, the group’s powerhouse ensemble delivers a joyous blend of Afro-samba-Reggae-funk that keeps feet dancing and hearts open.
murcutian is a Bay Area selector and founder of Her DJ Club, and a proud child of Salvadoran immigrants whose earliest memories are rooted in the rhythms and sounds of home. A self-taught DJ, she brings an eclectic flavor to any space and has rocked crowds at the California Academy of Sciences, The Exploratorium, Hello Stranger, and, most recently, KQED. She brings people together through sound, with an energy and skill that has captivated audiences across the Bay and beyond.
Weslei Guimarães is a director, instructor, and performer native to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Weslei specializes in several Brazilian ballroom dances, including Forro, Samba de Gafieira, Bolero (National Champion, 2016), and other Río-style dances such as Samba no Pé and Brazilian funk. He has performed on many stages across continents, and recently founded his own dance school, Sou Samba Studios (2023), in Berkeley, CA, where he teaches weekly classes dedicated to preserving the Brazilian arts.
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.
