• ThursDates at OMCA with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing & Mahjong Game Night

    OMCA campus

    Settle into the warm, after-hours glow of the 2026 ThursDates season with a signature cocktail, laid-back beats from DJ China G, and the kind of unhurried energy that allows connection and creativity to flourish. This Thursday, DJ China G will be setting a groove-worthy atmosphere in Town Fare for a Mahjong (麻将) game night, all while Sketchboard Co. hosts enchanting unrestricted live figure drawing sessions in the Gallery of California Art. Models Paz Hidalgo and Quinn animate each session, bringing gentle butoh dance and experimental movements to their poses.

    Admission ticket required
  • Basketry Demonstration & Conversation with Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk)

    Gallery of California Natural Sciences 1000 Oak St,, Oakland, California, United States

    Join Mewuk basket weaver Jennifer Bates for a special basketry demonstration and conversation exploring the artistry, techniques, and traditions of California Native basketmaking. Jennifer will share her personal practice, discuss the plants and materials used in traditional basketry, and walk audiences through key steps of gathering, cleaning, splitting, and preparing materials. Enjoy an up-close look at her artistry, learn the difference between twined and coiled techniques, and take part in a lively Q&A.

    $1 – $30
  • Introductory Basketry Workshop with Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk)

    Gallery of California Natural Sciences 1000 Oak St,, Oakland, California, United States

    In this introductory workshop, led by Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) and her apprentice, Jeannette Innerarity (Ione Band of Miwok), attendees will explore basketry materials, learn foundational techniques, and be guided through weaving a basket base. All materials will be provided. This intimate workshop emphasizes close instruction, cultural context, and an opportunity to learn directly from two experienced weavers.

    $10
  • ThursDates at OMCA with Diana Gameros ft. Patrick Wolff

    OMCA campus

    Slip into the easy cadence of ThursDates with an evening that blends music, flavor, and community. Begin by exploring a curated tasting from Black Vines*, featuring wines crafted by Black-owned wineries, paired with tasty bites from Town Fare. As you wander, DJ Mark DiVita sets a smooth, soulful backdrop that gently fills the cafe. Later, settle in for an intimate set by acclaimed singer-songwriter Diana Gameros, joined by Patrick Wolff on clarinet and saxophone, offering reflective melodies rooted in stories of home and belonging. It’s a night designed for lingering conversations, quiet discoveries, and the pleasure of experiencing art, music, and culture at your own pace.

    Admission ticket required
  • ThursDates at OMCA with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing & Trivia Night

    OMCA campus

    Unwind in the gentle pulse of ThursDates at OMCA with a signature cocktail and smooth beats from DJ Mark DiVita, setting the perfect backdrop for a relaxed evening of creativity and connection. This Thursday, make new connections with a “Spaces of Belonging” trivia night in Town Fare, while Sketchboard Co. hosts uninstructed live figure drawing sessions in the Gallery of California Art. 

    Admission ticket required
  • ThursDates at OMCA with Mia Pixley & Crochet Jam

    OMCA campus

    Ease into an evening of creativity and connection at ThursDates, where music, movement, and hands-on art come together in the warm after-hours shine of OMCA. Start with Crochet Jam, a relaxed, no-rules finger-knitting experience rooted in African American weaving traditions, where you can weave, chat, and unwind at your own pace. In the same gallery, lose yourself in the meditative sounds of Mia Pixley, whose cello, voice, and spoken word combine classical and experimental influences to create stirring, transformative melodies. All the while, DJ Mark DiVita fills Town Fare with eclectic beats, setting a vibrant and inviting atmosphere with cocktails, bites, and mingling among new friends or old.

    Admission ticket required
  • 25th Annual Lunar New Year at OMCA: Year of the Horse

    OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, California

    Gather with us at OMCA for our 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Celebrate and honor Lunar New Year traditions through family-friendly storytelling, performances, activities, and more! Come together to uplift AAPI communities and explore the shared connections between Asian cultures of the Bay Area.

    $10