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Spotlight Sundays: Reimagining Justice — A Conversation with Malkia Devich-Cyril & Jessica Lanyadoo, with Music by Mahsa Vahdat

James Moore Theater

In celebration of Women’s History Month, join us for an interactive conversation with Black liberation advocate, Malkia Devich-Cyril, and activist-astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo. They will discuss how moments of great personal and collective challenges can become transformative forces in the fight for social justice and liberation.The event will begin with a call-and-response musical performance by internationally acclaimed Iranian Bay Area based singer Mahsa Vahdat and musician, Atabak Elyas. Vahdat, a passionate advocate for women’s rights, has courageously defied restrictions on female singers in Iran. Her voice blends her rich cultural heritage with universal themes of resistance and resilience. Together, we’ll engage in a collective experience to imagine a more equitable and just world.

$1 – $30

Thursday After Hours at OMCA with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing

OMCA campus

Bring your sketch pads and appetites to another Thursday After Hours at OMCA. Mix and mingle over music by DJ Mark DiVita and delightful cocktails prepared in OMCA’s Town Fare Café. After bites and beverages, head over to the Gallery of California History for uninstructed live figure drawing sessions hosted by Sketchboard Co.

Admission ticket required

Thursday After Hours at OMCA with Amihan

OMCA campus

This Thursday, get ready for an unforgettable night at OMCA with Amihan and her band, Diwa. Experience two intimate sets featuring fresh arrangements and new instrumentation, perfectly crafted to complement the exhibits in our Gallery of California Art. With a fusion of jazz, folk, and hip hop influences, Amihan’s music will take you on a journey of soulful storytelling, speaking to the struggles and resistance of working-class communities in the Bay Area. Between sets, explore OMCA’s award-winning galleries, grab tasty bites and drinks from Town Fare Café, and vibe to music curated by DJ Mark DiVita. This is a night you won’t want to miss!

Admission ticket required

Friday Nights at OMCA with Non Stop Bhangra

OMCA campus

Friday Nights at OMCA is ready to get into the rhythm with Non Stop Bhangra (NSB), the Bay Area’s ultimate dance party experience! Kicking off the 2025 Friday Nights season with high-energy beats, colorful performances, and an immersive cultural celebration, NSB brings the vibrant rhythms of Punjab, India, to life. Dance lessons, live drumming, and DJ sets will keep the energy flowing all night long, making it the perfect release for the whole family to enjoy.

Free

Member Tours: Born of the Bear Dance Tour with Drew Johnson, Curator of Photography & Visual Culture at OMCA

OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, California

Drew Johnson, curator of Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California, will illuminate the powerful communities and stories behind the exhibition’s captivating images. Join Johnson as he shares the collaborations and partnerships that brought Aguilar’s remarkable photographic collection to OMCA, resulting in this impactful display. 

Free for Members

Friday Nights at OMCA | Earth Day in the Bay

OMCA campus

This Friday, celebrate Earth Day in the Bay at OMCA! Join us for an unforgettable day in OMCA’s outdoor garden, filled with performances, games, and hands-on activities that will engage visitors of all ages. This free event, in partnership with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) teachers and students, celebrates sustainability and environmental themes with arts, sciences, and local culture, all working towards a greener future for the Bay Area. Voices of all ages will be featured, making it an inclusive, fun, and meaningful way to connect with the Earth and each other.

Free

Spotlight Sundays: Celebrating Native Heritage through Photography—A Conversation with Ashley Salaz and Haley Day Rains

OMCA Lecture Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, California

Join us for this month’s Spotlight Sundays as we dive into the power of photography in honoring and amplifying Native heritage. This thought-provoking panel discussion features two dynamic Native creatives: Oakland-based Coharie and Nahua photographer Ashley Salaz and Mvskoke photographer, scholar, and filmmaker Haley Day Rains. Moderated by Drew Johnson, OMCA Curator of Photography & Visual Culture, the conversation will explore how photography serves as a vital tool for storytelling, cultural preservation, and community connection.This program is part of the exhibition Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California—on view through June 2025—and draws on Dugan Aguilar’s legacy of documenting the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous communities. The discussion will address key themes of representation, reciprocity, and the ways in which photography can be rooted in and shaped by community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage in this meaningful conversation. 

$1 – $30

Friday Nights at OMCA with Dos Four

OMCA campus

This Friday, join us at OMCA for a night of Latin rhythms, dance, and vibrant energy! Dos Four, a dynamic fusion of Caribbean and Afro-Latin sounds, will take the stage, blending Salsa, Cumbia, Salsa Choque, Latino House, and more. Lead singer and songwriter Leyder Chapman, originally from Cuba, brings his passion for music to the Bay Area, offering feel-good tunes for all ages. With his rich musical background and past success with the band SAOCO, Dos Four continues to grow and deliver unforgettable performances.

Free

Ongoing & Annual events

Evening hours Thursday After Hours

Experience Thursday After Hours at OMCA – your weekly night out at the Museum rich with cocktails, culture, and community. Mingle at Town Fare Cafe by Chef Michele McQueen, where you can enjoy drinks and light bites against a backdrop of music, or explore the galleries  which come alive at night with a mix of pop-up performances, chats, live drawings, and more–  just for adults! 

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Evening hours Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid, Oakland’s favorite free weekly block party is back, April—October!

Gather with family, friends, and community every Friday 5—9 pm for live music, hands-on activities, Off the Grid (OTG) food trucks, and late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions, with a Museum ticket.

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Gallery Events Gallery Chats at OMCA

Join us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators.

 

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Third Sundays Spotlight Sundays

Every third Sunday, OMCA invites visitors to Spotlight Sundays, a series of conversations, performances, and experiences that showcase California visionaries.

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First Sundays First Sundays

Every first Sunday of the month, General Admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences is free and tickets to Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are offered at a discounted price of $6.

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Community Celebration Lunar New Year

OMCA celebrates the Lunar New Year and explores the shared connections between the diverse Asian cultures of the Bay Area. These family-friendly programs will include both virtual and in-person offerings that celebrate and honor Lunar New Year traditions through storytelling, performances, activities, cooking demonstrations, and more. OMCA holds space for our AAPI communities to come together and uplift each other with both in-person and virtual healing circles.

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Community Celebration Día de los Muertos

In collaboration with OMCA’s Día de los Muertos Committee, we honor Day of the Dead every October and November.

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Community Event White Elephant Sale

The Oakland Museum Women’s Board started the White Elephant Sale over sixty years ago. The annual event is not-to-be-missed.

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Gallery Events Group Chats

Knowledgeable facilitators share insights and help make meaning with your group in OMCA’s galleries.

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