Switch it up this Friday night at OMCA as we welcome the innovative sounds of The Dogon Lights ft. Mamadou Sidibe to the Garden Stage. Self-described as “West Africa meets West Oakland,” this crew makes seriously danceable music with a mix of African vocals and instruments paired with Hip Hop and funk. Get further perspective with an immersive genre-defying sonic experience created and performed by Sami Freeman. Using a blend of deep bass, synth, and organic instrumentation, Freeman’s music moves the audience through a shifting cinematic soundscape. DJ Sizzle is sure to get you to shift your body and find new angles on the dance flow with an irresistible mix of Cumbia, Reggaeton, Salsa, Banda, Merengue, Hip Hop, RNB, Top 40’s, and more!

Celebrating 30 years since their debut album, The Souls of Mischief return to their hometown Oakland and take the Garden stage at Friday Nights at OMCA. After more than 150 shows worldwide, Souls of Mischief will perform a mix of tracks from their classic album, 93 Til Infinity, as well as other favorites. This will be a night full of great memories—both old and new. Prepare for high-energy, classic, homegrown Hip Hop!

July’s final addition to Friday Nights at OMCA brings The Whoadees to the Garden stage! Self-described as “a gumbo of styles and sounds from around the globe including roots sounds of world music, Hip Hop, funk, and jazz,” the Whoadees stay true to their Bay Area roots by bringing a fusion of multiple genres to the mix inspiring you to dance or simply close your eyes and be filled with soulful sounds.

Let the summer heat and Friday Nights at OMCA ignite you this August! BULULÚ sets our Garden stage alight with an electrifying blend of Latin dance music and Caribbean rhythms that’s guaranteed to get you and your crew dancing. BULULÚ is sure to make this Friday Nights at OMCA full of savory beats, engaging performances, and even a few exciting surprises along the way. 

Friday Nights at OMCA is offering up powerful vibrations with live music performances from Artelia Green & The Bandanas and Let’s Lab w/ Shanté!. Artelia Green & The Bandanas craft an immersive sound experience that brings audiences to a different time and space. Blending together gospel and funk, Artelia Green & The Bandanas invites audiences to contend with grief on the road to transcendence. Let’s Lab w/ Shanté! offers healing tones as Shanté is set to share her warm and cozy blend of Hip Hop, R&B, and rap that is sure to inspire you.

Join us for another sensational installation of Friday Nights at OMCA! This Friday, OMCA is honored to welcome Orchestra Gold to the OMCA Garden stage. Spearheaded by the dynamic Mariam Diakite—known for her raw, hypnotic vocals and poetic Bambara lyrics—Orchestra Gold pays homage to Malian musical traditions while crafting a fierce new sound with heavy swinging rhythms, a funky fresh brass section, and cosmic guitar licks. Their most recent album, Medicine, mobilizes dance-inducing music to invoke the spirit and spread healing and community. DJ Teao Sense and their highly eclectic stylings with music from all over the world also celebrate how our diversity can create powerful and groovy waves.

Come join us for the Afrobeats Oakland Friday Nights Takeover! Oakland’s most exciting arts and culture brand is partnering with OMCA to host the welcome party for their Annual Afrobeats at the Lake Festival. Afrobeats Oakland shares a taste of their main festival by coloring Friday Nights with a melding of various African cultures, music, and dance. Between the dance tutorials and dance party, the Ethiopian tea ceremony, the live DJ set and the performances from Juan G, KOKO, Christina Alexandria, Asaba, and other special guests, OMCA is set to welcome guests of all ages and backgrounds to a Friday Nights like none other!

Come through to Friday Nights at OMCA to be a part of a magical moment rooted in Oakland! OMCA is excited to host WHO GOT THE MOVES, a turf dance battle with community leader Telice Summerfield. Featuring not only various competition structures including 1v1 battles, youth battles, and an all style tournament, but also a free prize giveaway with a chance to win free food at some of Oakland’s best restaurants, this event is set to fill the OMCA Garden space with authentic Oakland culture. The second of its kind and once again driven by Telice’s passion for community, the turf battle is also meant to support the exposure, connection, and collaboration of Oakland businesses and organizations. This unforgettable Friday Nights at OMCA will be backdropped with killer beats from DJ Nick Fury who blends Hip Hop, Afro Beats, House, and Bounce to craft a sonic atmosphere where everyone feels the beat and moves as one!