Friday Nights at OMCA with The Seshen
Live Music by The Seshen, DJ set by Nikki Diamonds, Country Line Dance Lesson by Nora Gomperts and Leo Orringer, and Gallery Chats
June 26 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Night at OMCA brings The Seshen to the Garden Stage with their signature blend of R&B, synth-pop, and electronic sound. Powered by lush synth layers, live percussion, and magnetic vocals, the six-piece crafts a fluid set that shifts between intimate moments and full-bodied sonic lift.
As the evening unfolds, Nikki Diamonds keeps the floor in motion with a vibrant, genre-hopping mix of house, R&B, funk, disco, and more. Her sets move effortlessly between eras and moods, shaping a dance floor that feels communal, alive, and impossible not to get swept into.
Guests can also step into the rhythm with a beginner-friendly country line dance lesson led by Nora Gomperts and Leo Orringer. Designed for all levels, this easygoing session breaks down accessible moves you can pick up quickly and bring straight to the dance floor.Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features 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 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 Country Line Dance Lesson with Nora Gomperts and Leo Orringer | Amphitheater
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:30–7:45 pm Live Music by The Seshen | Garden Stage
6:45–8:45 pm DJ Set by Nikki Diamonds | Amphitheater
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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
The Seshen is a San Francisco Bay Area-based six-piece band led by singer/lyricist Lalin St. Juste and bassist/producer Akiyoshi Ehara. To create their multidimensional music, St. Juste and Ehara are joined by four remarkable bandmates: drummer Chris Thalmann, keyboard/synth player Mahesh Rao, percussionist Mirza Kopelman, and sampler Kumar Butler. They take inspiration from across the musical spectrum; their individual influences range from recognizable artists (Erykah Badu, Jai Paul, James Blake, Radiohead, and Broadcast) to genres and eras that don’t initially appear to fit together (Hip-Hop, indie rock, early electronica, and 70’s dub). Their unique alchemy of seemingly disparate sounds has led fans and critics alike to describe the band as defying categorization.
Nikki is a proud queer Nicaraguan/Samoan DJ, born and raised in the San Francisco Mission District. Her core memories are wrapped around listening to music with her nana and mom—those moments that shaped everything they know about the power of a good song. For Nikki, community means everything. The joy she feels being surrounded by family and friends, listening to music, and dancing, is what freedom looks like to them.
Nora Gomperts and Leo Orringer met each other on the dance floor at Sundance Saloon two days after Nora got to town, and later found themselves teaching line dance together at Scuff. They recently started their own community event in Oakland to offer more opportunities for advanced line dance learning and practice. Nora is currently on the board of Starlight Strut, and both Nora and Leo are in a performance group called The Heartstompers.
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.
