Gallery Chats at OMCA
2025-09-20 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-04 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-11 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-08 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 3 more dates | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Join us for Gallery Chats, an opportunity to chat with and ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable OMCA Facilitators. Gallery Chats put a twist on the traditional museum tour by encouraging meaningful conversations and fresh interpretations to connect with the artwork, artifacts, and stories in our galleries.

Gallery Chats take place in our Special Exhibitions every Saturday from 1 to 3 pm and are included with Museum and Special Exhibition admission. No reservation necessary.

GET MUSEUM ADMISSION TICKETS

OMCA Members have access to special Member Tours every second Saturday of the month from noon to 1 pm.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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Spotlight Sundays: A Conversation on Black Fatherhood
2025-09-21 13:00 - 14:30 | OMCA Lecture Hall, 1000 Oak, Oakland, California, 94607
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Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Spotlight Sundays: A Conversation on Black Fatherhood with Siyah Mgoduka, Jordan Thierry of the Black Fatherhood Project, and Chris Johnson, Co-Creator of Question Bridge: Black Males

This month’s Spotlight Sundays invites you to a powerful exploration of Black fatherhood through the lens of three visionary artists, each offering a unique perspective on its complexity and depth. Through film, conversation, and artistic reflection, we’ll engage with some of the most nuanced and resonant realities of Black fatherhood today.

We’ll begin with the short film It’s a Pleasure to Meet You (2016), co-produced by South African filmmaker Sue Williamson and artist Siyah Mgoduka. In this film, Mgoduka grapples with the loss of his father at the hands of Apartheid police and navigates what it means to step into fatherhood himself.

After the screening, the conversation continues with a dynamic panel featuring Mgoduka alongside Jordan Thierry, whose acclaimed documentary The Black Fatherhood Project traces the history and evolution of the Black family, and Chris Johnson, co-creator of Question Bridge: Black Males, a moving video installation where Black men share deeply personal reflections on family, identity, and generational wisdom.

This gathering is a celebration of intergenerational healing and Black father fellowship—an invitation to witness, reflect, and connect.

GET TICKETS

member tickets

Collaborator Bios

Siyah Mgoduka After studying Media Communication and Culture at NMMU, Mgoduka went on to further his studies at City Varsity, Cape Town, in Film and Television Production. He then pursued a career in Fine Arts as an artist, gallery assistant, and museum preparator. His relocation from South Africa to the US has given him an advantageous insight regarding cross cultural discourses within South Africa and the Diaspora. Mgoduka is featured in artist Sue Williamson’s film shorts: Can’t Remember, Can’t Forget (2016), What is This Thing Called Freedom? (2016), and It’s a Pleasure to Meet You (2016) , which examines how Mgoduka grapples with the loss of his father to the Apartheid police. He is currently a museum preparator at The Oakland Museum of California.

Chris Johnson is a photographic and video artist, educator, curator, and writer who studied photography with Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and Wynn Bullock. He served for 11 years as Chair of the Photography Program at the California College of the Arts, where he is now Professor Emeritus, and in 2025 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts. His work has been widely published and exhibited, with pieces in the collections of the Center for Creative Photography, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. In 2022, his fine art photographic portraiture was featured in a solo exhibition at the Monterey Museum of Art.

Johnson has held leadership roles including President of SF Camerawork Gallery, Chair of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Commission under Jerry Brown, and Director of the Mother Jones International Fund for Documentary Photography. He currently serves on the Board of the Oakland Museum of California and as Board President of the Alliance for Media Arts and Culture. He is the author of The Practical Zone System: for Film and Digital Photography (now in its 6th edition), and his public art projects are featured in Art as Social Practice: Technologies for Change. Johnson originated the Question Bridge concept in 1996, later co-producing Question Bridge: Black Males—a project that won the International Center of Photography’s 2015 Infinity Award and, in 2016, was inducted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.

Jordan Thierry is a filmmaker, writer, and activist. He is the owner and Creative Director of Dream Chase Media LLC, a multimedia production company that uses culture, creativity and community as inspirations for compelling storytelling. His most recent feature film, GRANDMA’S ROSES (2021) is a raw, intimate documentary exploring the labor & love women invest in their families and communities. His first feature film, THE BLACK FATHERHOOD PROJECT (2013) received wide community acclaim for its breakdown of the history of the Black family. His first short film, the regional Emmy-nominated FOOTPRINTS IN THE STRUGGLE (2006) tells the story of Beatrice Cannady.

His book tilted, A Kids Book About Systemic Racism was made to help kids understand what systemic racism is and how it’s built into laws, schools, stories, and other institutions in a way that collectively makes life much harder for people of color.

Sue Williamson is a Cape Town-based artist whose work explores memory, resistance, and social justice. Her recent retrospective, There’s something I must tell you, opened at the Iziko South African National Gallery in February 2025. She has exhibited at major biennales and is held in collections including MoMA, New York, Tate Modern, and Centre Pompidou. Williamson is the author of Resistance Art in South Africa (1989) and founder of ArtThrob online magazine. She is a recipient of the Ellen Kuzwayo Award and a Living Legend honouree by South Africa’s Department of Arts and Culture.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Soulovely
2025-09-26 17:00 - 21:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Live Music and Dance Party with Soulovely, Wh/aacking Dance Lesson with G-Funk, DJ Music Set by Brown Angel, and Gallery Chats

Friday Nights at OMCA has the stage set for you to experience the vibrant energy of Soulovely, the beloved Oakland dance party uplifting queer and trans BIPOC joy through genre-blending sets, live performances, and radical community spirit. Founded by Aïma the Dreamer, DJ Lady Ryan, and Emancipation, this high-vibe experience transforms the OMCA Garden into a space of movement, music, and unapologetic celebration.

Jump into a beginner-friendly Whacking/Waacking dance lesson with G-Funk, who will be sharing history and technique from this expressive dance style that was born in the gay clubs of LA during the 1970s. Learn to pose with power, hit arm rolls and strikes, and tap into your inner movie star—all in a welcoming, movement-forward space.

Rounding out the evening, Brown Angel takes the energy even higher with a blended DJ set rooted in house, soul, and underground rhythms. A respected voice in the Bay’s music scene, Brown Angel creates a sonic journey that’s bold, fluid, and made for the dance floor.

Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions. It’s a night to explore global traditions, find your flow, and celebrate community through music, dance, and inquiry.

Program Schedule:

5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket

5:30–6:30 pm Wh/aacking Dance Lesson with G-Funk | Amphitheater

5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries

6–8 pm Live Music and Dance Party with Soulovely | Garden Stage

6:45-8:50 pm DJ Set by Brown Angel | Amphitheater

Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!

About Friday Nights:

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Performers

Soulovely

G-Funk

Brown Angel

Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup

Performer BIOS

About Soulovely

Soulovely is a monthly cultural event founded in 2011 by Aïma the Dreamer, Lady Ryan, and Emancipation to celebrate and uplift Oakland’s queer and trans-BIPOC communities. With over 14 seasons, it has become a vital hub for music, joy, and resistance, featuring more than 300 WOC and QTBIPOC DJs and performers. With a soundtrack spanning house, neo-soul, Hip-Hop, salsa, and Afrobeat, Soulovely creates an affirming space free of misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia.

About G-Funk

Gail “G-Funk” Burks is a Bay Area-based performing artist and educator who hails from Chicago. Since entering the street dance scene in 2012, she has performed, choreographed, and taught in the States and internationally, along with placing in competitions such as Vancouver Street Dance Festival, Freestyle Session LA, and Hualien B-Boy City. You can currently find her as one of the rotating Wh/aacking teachers at In The Groove Studios in Oakland!

About Brown Angel

Brown Angel is a queer/trans Chicanx DJ/Producer based in Oakland and San Francisco. With roots in Wilmas and Long Beach, CA, they were immersed in music and culture at a young age, and started drumming at the age of 4. Their background has inspired and shaped them into one of the most respected DJs in the Bay Area’s underground music community.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with The Futurelics
2025-10-03 17:00 - 21:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Live Musical Performance by The Futurelics, DJ Set by Young Ellabaker, Hands-on Art Activity, Drag Storytime with Per Sia, and “Inside Black Spaces” Pop-up Talk and Walkthrough

This Friday Night at OMCA, jump into the fall season with a special takeover in celebration of Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week 2025. In partnership with the Museum of the African Diaspora and local Black artists and organizers, OMCA’s campus will come alive with music, movement, and conversations rooted in Black creativity, resistance, and cultural legacy—all connected to OMCA’s current special exhibition, Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain.

On the Garden Stage, The Futurelics, a dynamic band blending funk, blues, house, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, will give an unforgettable set that honors big band culture while looking boldly to the future. Over in the Amphitheater, Young Ellabaker delivers an electrifying, genre-blending DJ set that keeps the energy high and the dance floor open to all.

Families are invited to enjoy a festive and heartfelt Drag Storytime with Per Sia, featuring The Día de Los Muertos Story: Celebrating the Never-Ending Bonds of Family by Andrea Jāuregui De La Torre, as well as a hands-on art activity inspired by the themes of Black Spaces and community storytelling.

Inside the Museum, join us for Inside Black Spaces, a powerful Gallery Chats experience that begins in Oak Street Plaza and moves into the exhibition. Curator Dania Talley, architect June Grant (blinkLAB architecture), and activist Dominique Walker (Moms 4 Housing) will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain, while exploring urgent topics including housing justice, displacement, and Black community resilience in the East Bay and beyond.

Due to ongoing construction on 10th Street, access to the OMCA Garage will be limited on Friday, October 3. The 12th Street entrance will remain open; however, vehicles will not be able to enter or exit on 10th Street during this time. Please allow extra time and consider nearby street parking or local garages, as well as public transportation, to help avoid delays.

Program Schedule:

5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket5:15 pm Drag Storytime with Per Sia | OMCA Garden5:30–7:30 pm Hands-on Art Activity | OMCA Garden5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries6–6:30 pm Black Spaces Pop-up Talk | Oak Street Plaza6:30–7 pm Black Spaces Exhibition Walkthrough | Great Hall6:30–7:30 pm Live Music by The Futurelics | Garden Stage6:45-8:50 pm DJ Set by Young Ellabaker | Amphitheater

Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!

About Friday Nights:

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Partners & Performers

The Futurelics

Per Sia

Young Ellabaker

Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup

Performer BIOS

About The Futurelics

The Futurelics are sacred keepers of the flame for big band culture and Afro-Indigenous musical mystics. They honor funk, blues, house, jazz, Afro-Cuban music, and Afro-Dominican palo. The Futurelics prioritize artists’ well-being and co-create a sustainable ecosystem of sovereign artists.

About Per Sia

Per Sia comes with a pedigree from weekly performances at the late, iconic Esta Noche. Her trajectory has gone on to include art curation, stand-up, television, and maybe a quinceañera or two, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and México. Per Sia is currently a regular performer in the nationally acclaimed “Drag Story Hour” as well as an educator in residence at an after-school arts program in the San Francisco Unified School District, profiled on KQED Arts, National Public Radio, and CNN.

About Young Ellabaker

With thirteen years behind the decks, Young Ellabaker started DJing in Baltimore after college and has since become a staple in the Bay Area music scene. A resident DJ and booking manager at Fluid510, she’s played at major festivals like Oakland Pride, SF Pride, Life is Living, Soulovely, and in Juneteenth celebrations in Baltimore and Stockton.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.

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Special Guest Gallery Chat: Inside Black Spaces
2025-10-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Oak Street Plaza, 1000 Oak St, Oakland, California, 94607, United States
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Special Guest Gallery Chat: Inside Black Spaces

6—6:30 pm Black Spaces Pop-up talk in Oak Street Plaza | Free and Open to the Public

6:30—7 pm Black Spaces exhibition walkthrough | Gallery Admission

In celebration of Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week 2025, organized by MoAD, OMCA invites you to a special walkthrough and panel discussion during Friday Nights at OMCA. Starting in Oak Street Plaza and continuing into the exhibition Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain, this engaging Gallery Chats experience brings together curator Dania Talley, architect June Grant (blinkLAB architecture), and activist Dominique Walker (Moms 4 Housing) to explore the making of the exhibition and urgent themes of housing justice, displacement, and Black community resilience in the East Bay and beyond.

Complementing the evening, Friday Nights at OMCA offers hands-on family art activities inspired by Black Spaces and community storytelling, plus vibrant performances across the Museum campus. On the Garden Stage, The Futurelics deliver a genre-defying live set blending funk, blues, jazz, house, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Over in the Amphitheater, Young Ellabaker brings high energy to the decks with a genre-blending DJ set that keeps the dance floor open to all.

Join us for an evening of movement, music, dialogue, and connection—rooted in Black creativity, cultural legacy, and collective imagination.

Panelist Bios

Dania Talley is an experienced archaeologist with a Master of Arts in Historical Archaeology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her professional background includes extensive work in collections management and public history, with a particular emphasis on African American and Native American cultural heritage. As the Associate Curator of History at the Oakland Museum of California, Talley leads the development of exhibition concepts and gallery installations, oversees the stewardship of cultural collections, and engages with community partners, including the Museum’s Native Advisory Council. She plays a central role in research, documentation, and advancing inclusive, community-centered curatorial strategies. Talley is the lead curator of OMCA’s special exhibition, Black Spaces:Reclaim & Remain.

June Grant received her Masters degree in Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture. In addition to Architecture, her background includes Sculpture, Investment Analysis and Economics. Upon leaving Steinberg Architects and AECOM, where she was a Principal and Associate Principal, respectively, she launched blink!LAB in 2014. Her architecture follows a trajectory from Retail to Culture and Technology markets. She is an architect with a long interest in innovation of spaces for newly emerging social patterns.

Dominique Walker is a mother and the Co-Founder & Lead Organizer, Moms4Housing. In high school she co-founded and graduated from the School of Social Justice and Community Development. She went on to earn her B.A. degree in Sociology from Tougaloo College and supervised the lactation program at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, MS. Despite working full-time, Walker experienced homelessness. Alongside other Black mothers, she co-founded Moms for Housing (M4H) — a group of mothers fighting for housing to call attention to the alarming number of unhoused families in Oakland while hundreds of corporate-owned homes sat vacant. Together, they sparked a movement to reclaim housing for the people. Walker is currently on the Board of Directors for M4H. She is an active member of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) black housing union. She is the educator of community organizing for the Deep Medicine Circle (DMC), a WOC-led, worker-directed nonprofit organization that is committed to heal the wounds of colonialism through food, medicine, restoration, story and learning. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Pre-Medical Science and also serves as Vice-Chair of the Berkeley Rent Board, while continuing to organize with M4H through advocacy, service, and policy to affirm that housing is a human right.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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First Sundays
2025-10-05 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-02 11:00 - 17:00 | California
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

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.

In between exploring the galleries, pick up some locally-made goods from our shop, or relax outside in our updated garden.

Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets online in advance to secure your preferred entry time and reduce your wait. Tickets are available at the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis.

GET GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS

GET SPECIAL EXHIBITION TICKETS

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Highlights

OMCA Architecture Walk and Talk
2025-10-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-02 13:00 - 14:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Walk through OMCA’s landmark building and gardens with members of the Council on Architecture, and learn about the history, design, and evolution of this award-winning structure with guides who are passionate about OMCA and Oakland.

No reservations or tickets are required. Walk and Talk begins near the Mid Level ticketing desk and lasts approximately one hour.

If you’d like to visit OMCA’s Galleries or Special Exhibitions, please purchase a ticket online in advance or at the ticketing desk on the day of your visit.

GET Museum Admission TICKETS

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Friday Nights at OMCA with LaRussell
2025-10-10 17:00 - 21:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Live Music by LaRussell, Amapiano Dance Lesson with Tawo, DJ Set by DE ALMA, and Gallery Chats

In true Bay Area fashion, Friday Nights at OMCA is turning the heat up this fall with an evening packed with culture, connection, and straight-up fire performances. The Garden Stage will light up with an unforgettable live set from LaRussell. That’s right, this Vallejo-born phenomenon known for his sharp lyricism, viral freestyles, community-first ethos, and epic presence will take the stage with The Yee Section & CO-LLAB Choir and light up Oakland’s favorite block party!

*This is going to be a major vibe, and space is limited. The Garden will open at 5 pm, and wristbands are required for entry. When doors open, you can pick your wristband up at either of our two Garden entrances: 1) Lakeside entrance located at 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard, or 2) Upper Level Terrace, accessed through the Museum’s main entrance at 1000 Oak Street. You must be physically present to receive the wristband. Early Garden access will be unavailable.*

And that’s far from it! As the evening hits that electric point, come find your groove in a beginner-friendly Amapiano dance lesson with Tawo. Rooted in South African street styles, this session will walk learners through signature footwork that’s bold, rhythmic, and fun to master—perfect for dancers of all levels looking to try something new and expressive. Then DE ALMA takes over with a percussive, bass-driven set rooted in ancestral rhythms and cultural memory—just the moment to let loose and bring your new steps to life.Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions.

Program Schedule:

5 pm Garden doors open, wristband required for entry

5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket

5:30–6:30 pm Amapiano Dance Lesson with Tawo | Amphitheater

5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries with Museum ticket

6:30–7:10 pm Live Music by LaRussell + The Yee Section & CO-LLAB Choir | Garden Stage

6:45–8:50 pm DJ set by DE ALMA | Amphitheater

Know Before You Go

Getting Here

Due to increased attendance, we strongly encourage visitors to use rideshare or public transit.

OMCA is one block from Lake Merritt BART and accessible by multiple AC Transit bus lines.

Limited parking will be available in the OMCA Garage, located at 1000 Oak St.

Please note ADA parking is only available on the top level of the garage.

Campus Guidelines

+ Non-service animals are not permitted

+ No outside alcohol is allowed

+ No smoking or vaping on OMCA property

+ No chairs, tents, or large shade structures

+ Outside vending is not permitted

Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!

About Friday Nights:

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Performers

LaRussell

Tawo

DE ALMA

Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup

Performer BIOS

About LaRussell

LaRussell and his independent collective, “Good Compenny,” are pioneering change within the industry. They are supporting independent artists without requiring them to give up ownership of their art. Good Compenny provides artists with resources and opportunities to execute their ideas. With a focus on building a community that is all-inclusive, LaRussell allows the people to decide what his contributions are worth to them. He allows people to pay what they want for shows, merch, music, and all other commodities. His movement is not free, it’s priceless.

About Tawo

Tawo is a South African dancer and Amapiano instructor based in Oakland. Her Monday night classes at Zanzi have quickly become a community favorite, drawing dancers of all levels to celebrate the infectious rhythms of Amapiano. With a passion for movement and cultural connection, Tawo brings authenticity and vibrant energy to every session.

About DE ALMA

DE ALMA is a celebrated trans pioneer in the Bay Area and a trailblazer of cultural transformation. Her work is informed by the matrilineal courage, resilience, and radical care of their Latina and Afro-Caribbean foremothers. As a Latina, transexual, interdisciplinary artist and musician whose story is painted by migration between Michoacan, Mexico, and California, DE ALMA breathes life into the liminal reality of transition between bodies, bloodlines, and land.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Ouida
2025-10-17 17:00 - 21:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Live Music by Ouida, Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing, Music Set by DJ Dailo Mac, and Gallery Chats

This Friday Night at OMCA, experience an unforgettable evening of soulful sound, creative expression, and dance-floor energy as we shift into fall. Ouida takes the Garden Stage with her powerhouse nine-piece band, blending the grit of UK-inspired R&B and soul with warm jazz textures, bold brass, and soaring pop melodies. With husky, nostalgic vocals and lush arrangements, her performance channels deep emotion and vibrant celebration—offering a glimpse into the future of contemporary soul.

Inside the Gallery of California Art, Sketchboard Co. invites you to tap into the slower rhythms of fall with an evening of uninstructed live figure drawing. All are welcome to sketch, reflect, and connect in this open studio-style session celebrating the beauty and diversity of the human form.

We welcome all skill levels, including those who have never drawn before and want to try drawing. Art supplies and clipboards will be available for use, and your artwork will be yours to take home or exchange with others. A costumed model representing the diversity of the Bay Area will be posing in the Gallery of California Art for times ranging from 2 to 20 minutes. Since drawing will take place in the galleries, please be mindful of space and bring only the following media from home: sketchbooks (max size 9×12 inches) and pre-sharpened enclosed graphite, charcoal, or conté pencils.

Over in the Amphitheater, DJ Dailo Mac is delivering a high-energy, open-format DJ set blending hip-hop, R&B, K-pop, EDM, Latin, house, and more to round out the evening. With 20+ years behind the decks and a passion for community-centered sound, her sets offer a joyful, genre-fluid journey built to connect and uplift.

Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions.

Program Schedule:

5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket

5:30–6:15 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art

5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries

6:45–7:30 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art

6–7 pm Live Music by Ouida | Garden Stage

6:45–8:50 pm Music Set by DJ Dailo Mac | Amphitheater

Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!

About Friday Nights:

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Performers

Ouida

Sketchboard Co.

DJ Dailo Mac

Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup

Performer BIOS

About Ouida

Ouida has quickly built a reputation as a compelling new voice in contemporary soul. Emerging from the Bay Area, Ouida was featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest–winning ‘Bakunawa’ with Ruby Ibarra before embarking on a sold-out national tour this summer. She has opened for artists including Esperanza Spalding, Raveena, Rufus Wainwright, and Madison McFerrin, and her music and artistry have been spotlighted by KQED, MTV, Nylon, and Vogue Philippines. Her forthcoming EP is due this fall under Bolo Music Group.

About Sketchboard Co.

Sketchboard Co. is a BIPOC figure drawing collective, curating eclectic, diverse, and affordable events in the Bay Area over the last 10 years. Our mission is to feature the bodies of people at the intersection of multiple identities, offer living wages to our art models, and create an inclusive environment for the artists in our community.

About DJ Dailo Mac

DJ Dailo Mac (she/her) is a seasoned open-format DJ with over 20 years of experience energizing dance floors and curating unforgettable vibes. Known for her genre-blending style and community-centered approach, she has collaborated with artists like Son of Paper and shared stages with icons such as One Vo1ce. Her work bridges music, identity, and celebration—turning every set into a powerful space for connection.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.

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Spotlight Sundays: Russell City Remembered
2025-10-19 13:00 - 15:15 | James Moore Theater, 1000 Oak St,, Oakland, California, 94607, United States
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Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Spotlight Sundays: Russell City Remembered — Film Screening & Panel Discussion, Moderated by Alexis Madrigal

Join us as October’s Spotlight Sunday wades into the powerful story of Russell City. We will start with a screening of The Apology, a feature-length documentary that highlights Russell City’s deep history while outlining the 1963 forced relocation of the community’s residents and makes clear the harmful impacts of eminent domain.

Russell City, home to 13 businesses, several churches, and 205 families, was lost to claim the 200 acres for an industrial park. Alameda County’s calculated and utter dismantling of this beloved village pushed upwards of 1,400 residents from their homes and from the land.

Following the film, Aisha Knowles—a descendant of Russell City families and the film’s producer—will be joined by fellow descendants Marian Johnson and Vena Sword-Ratliff for a panel discussion. The conversation will be moderated by journalist Alexis Madrigal, author of The Pacific Circuit: A Globalized Account of the Battle for the Soul of an American City, which maps racialized capitalism in Oakland and the powerful resistance movements that confront it.

In light of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ recent approval of ‘redress funds’ (distinct from reparations) to the former residents of Russell City, this is a critical moment to explore what it means to make amends for a past that remains present and to acknowledge the dangers of eminent domain for Black and Brown communities.

This program is a part of our exhibition programming for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain on view through March 1, 2026

GET TICKETS

member tickets

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Gabriela Sepúlveda & MARIACHI BONITAS DE DINORAH
2025-10-24 17:00 - 21:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Live Music by Gabriela Sepúlveda & MARIACHI BONITAS DE DINORAH, Bolero Dance Lesson with Weslei Guimarães, Music Set by DJ Lizzy al Toque, and Gallery Chats

This Friday Night at OMCA, the Garden Stage will come alive with a powerful performance by Gabriela Sepúlveda, known as “La Nueva Reina Del Regional,” accompanied by the all-women ensemble Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah. Together, they deliver a heartfelt tribute to Mexican tradition—honoring love, memory, and family through timeless mariachi classics and passionate storytelling. With vibrant vocals, emotional depth, and a shared reverence for heritage, their performance invites the community to gather in the glow of the season to reflect and celebrate.

Step into the rhythm with a beginner-friendly bolero dance lesson led by Weslei Guimarães. Known for its romantic tempo and graceful movement, bolero is a timeless Latin dance style that’s easy to learn and full of feeling—perfect for dancers of all levels looking to connect through motion.

Let DJ Lizzy al Toque take you on a journey through tropical sounds from across Latin America. Spinning a vibrant mix of chicha, cumbia, Latin psych, and surf rock, her set pulses with rhythm and nostalgia. A beloved Bay Area selector and member of Chulita Vinyl Club, Lizzy’s sound transforms the Amphitheater into a joyful dance space with deep roots and irresistible fall grooves.

Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions. It’s a night to explore global traditions, find your flow, and celebrate community through music, dance, and inquiry.

Program Schedule:

5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket

5:30–6:30 pm Bolero Dance Lesson with Weslei Guimarães | Amphitheater

5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries

6:15–7:15 pm Live Music by Gabriela Sepúlveda & MARIACHI BONITAS DE DINORAH | Garden Stage

6:45–8:50 pm Music Set by DJ Lizzy al Toque | Amphitheater

Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!

About Friday Nights:

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Performers

Gabriela Sepúlveda

Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah

Weslei Guimarães

DJ Lizzy al Toque

Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup

Performer BIOS

About Gabriela Sepúlveda ‘La Nueva Reina Del Regional’

Gabriela Sepúlveda is an award-winning Mexican-Chilean recording artist and actress who began her career at 8, first gaining recognition on shows including La Voz Kids, Sábado Gigante, and American Idol. She starred as Jenicka López in Telemundo/Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “Jenni Rivera: Mariposa de Barrio,” has performed the National Anthem for major sports teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, gone viral, and shared the stage with notable artists like Banda Los Sebastianes, Pablo Montero, and Diana Reyes.

About MARIACHI BONITAS DE DINORAH

Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah was founded by Dinorah Klingler in October 2020 and has performed all over Northern California, Mexico City, and Thailand. They have also shared the stage with artists such as Los Tigres Del Norte, Ana Gabriel, Lupita Infante, Shaila Dúrcal y Mariachi Vargas, among many others.

Weslei Guimarães

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.

About DJ Lizzy al Toque

Lizzy al Toque is a Peruvian American vinyl selector, DJ, and live cumbia show producer based in the Bay Area. She digs in Peru’s hidden record shops to bring her audiences something they haven’t heard. Collecting vinyl since 2011, Lizzy al Toque’s sound is a tropical mix of chicha, cumbia, and Latin psych & surf rock. From opening for Bomba Estéreo to playing neighborhood bars, her love of filling spaces with music does not discriminate. You’ll find Lizzy spinning venues big and small in San Francisco and Oakland on her own and with vinyl collective Chulita Vinyl Club. Find her at @lisbetho on Instagram.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.

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31st Annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration
2025-10-26 11:00 - 16:00 | OMCA Campus, 1000 Oak St,, Oakland, California, 94607, United States
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Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

The 31st Annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration

Buy your ticket for this year’s celebration. $10 for all-inclusive festival and gallery access. Members and children under 12 are free with advance reservations. Tickets are sold out.

SOLD OUT

ASL Interpretation for OMCA Garden and Amphitheater stage will be provided.

This fall, OMCA invites you to the 31st annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration, honoring the vibrant traditions of this beloved cultural holiday. The day begins with a procession led by members of the Día de los Muertos Committee, welcoming all to take part in a meaningful gathering of remembrance and community.

Experience a full day of connection through hands-on activities, live music, delicious food, and the powerful presence of danza and ceremonia. Explore the Museum campus to view beautifully crafted ofrendas created by community members, each one a heartfelt tribute to loved ones and ancestors. Visit the mercado to support local artisans offering handmade goods, altar items, and Día de los Muertos–inspired art. Guests are also encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy OMCA’s gardens throughout the day.

Program Schedule

Opening Ceremony

Garden, Lower Level

11:15 am Procession to the Garden led by the Día de los Muertos Committee for the dedication of the central ofrenda

11:30 am–12:00 pm Opening Ceremony with Calpulli Ome-Tekpatl*

12:00–12:05 pm Formal Welcome featuring Mistress and Mister of Ceremony*

*In addition to ASL interpretation, these portions of the program include Spanish and Nahuatl interpretation.

Performances

Garden Stage **, Lower Level

12:10–12:50 pm Performance by The John Santos Sextet

1:00–1:10 pm Poetry Reading by Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Myra Estrada

1:20–1:50 pm Performance by Mariachi Luz de Oro de Berkeley

2:00–2:10 pm Poetry Reading by Oakland Youth Poet Laureate, Cael Dueñas-Lara

2:20–2:50 pm Performance by DíaPaSón

3:15–3:45 pm Performance by Combo Tezeta

3:45-4:00 pm Closing Palabras and Four Directions

** If raining, Garden performances will move to the James Moore Theater, Lower Level

Amphitheater ***, Lower Level

12:45–1:30 pm CANCELED Bachata Lesson with Angélica Medina & Jahaira Fajardo (In Lak’ech Dance Academy)

2:25–3:00 pm Poetry Readings by Tino V.H. Jr., Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar, and Esperanza Cabrales

*** If raining, Amphitheater poetry readings will move to the Lecture Hall, Lower Level

Traditional Cleansing

Patio 3, Mid Level

12:30–3:30 pm Receive a limpia, which is a traditional ritual to heal heavy emotions, like loss, and rebalance one’s health and relationships.

Activities

Lillie Education Center, Lower Level

11 am–4 pm Visit In Recognition of Our Community Roots which honors the departed educators, community activists, artists, and museum volunteers of our East Bay communities. This ofrenda, or ‘offering altar’, was created in remembrance of their fruits of labor that gave rise to a myriad of valuable programs and community organizations that continue to enhance our lives.

Mid Level Terrace and 12th St Plaza, Mid and Lower Levels

11 am–4 pm Support Bay Area Latinx vendors at our mercado, which is inspired by the mercados in Mexico where people go to buy Día de los Muertos items for their altars and homes.

Garden, Lower Level

11 am–4 pm Join artisan Irma Ortiz for a sugar skull demonstration and decorate your own!

12–4 pm Create colorful masks and miniature ofrendas at our hands-on art stations.

Garden, Mid Level

12–4 pm Learn how tortillas are made at this demonstration station.

Lecture Hall, Lower Level

12:30–3 pm Enjoy interviews from current and past Día de los Muertos Committee members and learn about the legacy of honoring Day of the Dead traditions for 31 years at OMCA.

Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences, All Levels

1–3 pm Regular Gallery Chats Facilitators will be available to engage in conversation.

Mercado Vendors

Art by Luna

Casa de la Fiesta

Chris Granillo Art

Corazón Mestizo

Dave Of The Dead Arts

Frida’s Ofrenditas

Rainbow Turtle Jewelry

The Designing Chica

Food and Beverages

Oak Street Plaza, Upper Level

11 am–4 pm Enjoy sweet and savory tamales, atole, and cafe de olla from La Guerrera’s Kitchen, pan de muerto from Bakery El Sol, ice cream from De La Creamery, and tacos, quesadillas, sopes, tostadas, and aguas frescas from Taca-Brona.

Mid Level

11 am–4 pm Town Fare by Chef Michele McQueen; OMCA Store, featuring The Xocolate Bar

Ofrendas

Berkeley Mental Health

DREAMS: Desired Reproductive Health Access for Maternal Services, Alameda County Public Health Department

First Exposures

Homies Empowerment

La Clínica de la Raza, Casa del Sol

Latina Leaders

Montera Latino Male Achievement

OMCA’s Día de los Muertos Committee

Richmond High School Alma Latina-Danza Tonatzi

In Recognition of our Community Roots

On view September 24–November 30, 2025

Lower Level, near the entrance to the Gallery of California Natural Sciences

Free

This ofrenda (or altar) is dedicated to the departed educators, community activists, artists, and museum volunteers of our East Bay communities who, in their lifetime, offered their time, talents, and knowledge for the enrichment of their communities. We honor them and recognize that the fruits of their labor gave rise to a myriad of valuable programs and community organizations that continue to enhance our lives, including the diverse programming at the Oakland Museum of California.

We, the members of the Oakland Museum’s Día de los Muertos Committee, have selected the symbol of the Tree of Life as the theme of this year’s ofrenda. With roots reaching back to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, the Tree of Life continues to represent the heavens (home of the divinities), the earth (home of humankind), and the underworld (home of the dead).

The Tree of Life is a motif found in many cultures and beliefs around the world. It often symbolizes that life and death are equal partners in the continuation of life. We invite you to reflect on your family roots and your connections to our community.

This installation was created in conjunction with the Oakland Museum of California’s annual commemoration of the Day of the Dead celebration by members of the Museum’s volunteer Día de los Muertos Committee.

Oakland Museum of CaliforniaDía de los Muertos Committee

Luz Alvarez Martinez, Chrissy Cano, Bea Carrillo-Hocker, Juanita Chavez-Gordon, Alicia Diaz, Sheyla Duarte, Isaac Emrick, Angelita M. Finlayson, Arnoldo García, Judi García, Luz A. Islas Rosales, Carolina Juárez, Lisa Lemus, Micaela Mariscal, Alejandra Martinez, Juliane Monroe, Annette Oropeza, Isabela Pérez, Rebecca Recco, aa Valdivia

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31.ª Celebración Anual del Día de los Muertos

26 de octubre de 2025, 11 am-4 pm

Compre su entrada para la celebración de este año. $10 con todo incluido para el festival y el acceso a la galería. Gratis para miembros y niños menores de 12 años con reservación. Las entradas están agotadas.

entradas Agotadas

Se proporcionará interpretación de lengua de señas estadounidense (ASL) en el escenario ubicado en el jardín y el anfiteatro del OMCA.

Este otoño, OMCA te invita a la 31.ª Celebración Comunitaria Anual del Día de los Muertos, que honra las vibrantes tradiciones de esta querida festividad cultural. El día comienza con una procesión encabezada por miembros del Comité del Día de los Muertos, que invita a todos a participar en una significativa reunión de conmemoración y comunidad.

Disfruta de un día lleno de conexión a través de actividades prácticas, música en vivo, deliciosa comida y la poderosa presencia de la danza y la ceremonia. Explora el campus del Museo para ver ofrendas bellamente elaboradas por miembros de la comunidad, cada una con un sentido homenaje a tus seres queridos y antepasados.

Visita el mercado para apoyar a los artesanos locales que ofrecen productos hechos a mano, artículos para el altar y arte inspirado en el Día de los Muertos. También se anima a los visitantes a traer un picnic y disfrutar de los jardines de OMCA durante todo el día.

El Programa

Ceremonia de Apertura

Jardín, nivel inferior

11:15 am Procesión al jardín encabezada por el Comité del Día de los Muertos para la dedicación de la ofrenda central

11:30 am–12:00 pm Ceremonia de apertura con Calpulli Ome-Tekpatl*

12:00–12:05 pm Bienvenida formal a cargo de los maestros de ceremonia Juanita Chavez-Gordon y Arnoldo García*

*Además de la interpretación en ASL, estas partes del programa incluyen interpretación en español y náhuatl.

Presentaciones

Escenario del jardín**, nivel inferior

12:10–12:50 pm Presentación de The John Santos Sextet

1:00–1:10 pm Lectura de poemas a cargo de poeta laureado juvenil de Oakland, Myra Estrada

1:20–1:50 pm Presentación de Mariachi Luz de Oro de Berkeley

2:00–2:10 pm Lectura de poemas a cargo de poeta laureado juvenil de Oakland, Cael Dueñas-Lara

2:20–2:50 pm Presentación de DíaPaSón

3:15–3:45 pm Presentación de Combo Tezeta

3:45-4:00 pm Palabras de cierre y Cuatro Direcciones

**En caso de lluvia, las presentaciones se trasladarán al teatro James Moore, nivel inferior

Amphitheater ***, Lower Level

12:45–1:30 pm CANCELADO Clase de salsa y bachata con Angélica Medina y Jahaira Fajardo (In Lak’ech Dance Academy)

2:25–3:00 pm Lectura de poemas a cargo de Tino V.H. Jr., Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar, y Esperanza Cabrales

***En caso de lluvia, las presentaciones se trasladarán a la Sala de conferencias, nivel inferior

Limpia Tradicional

Patio 3, nivel superior

12:30–3:30 pm Reciba una limpia, que es un ritual tradicional para sanar emociones pesadas, como la pérdida, y reequilibrar la salud y las relaciones personales.

Actividades

Lillie Education Center, nivel inferior

11 am–4 pm Visite En Reconocimiento a Nuestras Raíces Comunitarias, que honra las vidas de aquellos educadores, activistas comunitarios, artistas y voluntarios del museo de nuestras comunidades de East Bay. Esta ofrenda se preparó en recuerdo de los frutos de su labor dieron lugar a una enorme cantidad de valiosas organizaciones y programas comunitarios que continúan mejorando nuestras vidas.

Terraza de nivel intermedio y 12th St. Plaza, nivel intermedio y nivel bajo

11 am–4 pm Apoye a los vendedores latinos del East Bay en nuestro mercado, inspirado en los mercados de México donde la gente compra artículos del Día de los Muertos para sus altares y hogares.

Jardín, nivel inferior

11 am–4 pm La artesana Irma Ortiz mostrará el proceso de elaboración de las calaveras de azúcar, ¡únase para decorar su propia calavera!

12–4 pm Cree máscaras coloridas y ofrendas en miniatura en nuestras estaciones de artesanías.

Jardín, nivel intermedio

12–4 pm Aprenda cómo se hacen las tortillas en esta estación de demostración.

Lecture Hall, nivel inferior

12:30–3 pm Disfrute de entrevistas a miembros actuales y antiguos del Comité del Día de los Muertos y conozca la tradición de honrar las costumbres del Día de los Muertos que celebramos en el OMCA hace 31 años.

Galerías de Ciencias Naturales, Historia y Arte de California, todos los niveles

1–3 pm Habrá moderadores regulares de Conversaciones de galería dispuestos a conversar.

Vendedores del Mercado

Art by Luna

Casa de la Fiesta

Chris Granillo Art

Corazón Mestizo

Dave Of The Dead Arts

Frida’s Ofrenditas

Rainbow Turtle Jewelry

The Designing Chica

Comidas y Bebidas

Oak Street Plaza, nivel superior

11 am–4 pm Saboree tamales dulces y salados, atole y café de olla de La Guerrera’s Kitchen, pan de muerto de Bakery El Sol, helado de De La Creamery y tacos, quesadillas, sopes, tostadas, y aguas frescas de Taca-Brona.

Nivel intermedio

11 am–4 pm Cafetería Town Fare de la chef Michele McQueen; Tienda OMCA, con The Xocolate Bar

Ofrendas

Berkeley Mental Health

DREAMS: Desired Reproductive Health Access for Maternal Services, Alameda County Public Health Department

First Exposures

Homies Empowerment

La Clínica de la Raza, Casa del Sol

Latina Leaders

Montera Latino Male Achievement

OMCA’s Día de los Muertos Committee

Richmond High School Alma Latina-Danza Tonatzi

En Reconocimiento a Nuestras Raíces Comunitarias

Del 24 de septiembre al 30 de noviembre de 2025

Nivel inferior, cerca de la entrada de la Galería de Ciencias Naturales de California

Gratis

Esta ofrenda (o altar) está dedicada a aquellos educadores, activistas comunitarios, artistas y voluntarios del museo de nuestras comunidades de East Bay que se nos adelantaron en el viaje final y que, a lo largo de sus vidas, ofrecieron su tiempo, sus talentos y su conocimiento para enriquecer a sus comunidades. Les rendimos homenaje y reconocemos que los frutos de su labor dieron lugar a una enorme cantidad de valiosas organizaciones y programas comunitarios que continúan mejorando nuestras vidas, lo que incluye la diversa programación del Oakland Museum of California.

Nosotros, los miembros del Comité del Día de los Muertos del Oakland Museum of California, hemos seleccionado el símbolo del Árbol de la Vida como tema de la ofrenda de este año. El Árbol de la Vida, cuyo origen se remonta a la Mesoamérica precolombina, sigue representando el cielo (hogar de los dioses), la tierra (hogar de los humanos) y el inframundo (hogar de los muertos).

El Árbol de la Vida es un concepto que se puede encontrar en muchas culturas y creencias en todo el mundo. Suele simbolizar que la vida y la muerte son socios igualitarios en la continuidad de la vida. Lo invitamos a reflexionar sobre las raíces de su familia y sus conexiones con nuestra comunidad.

Esta instalación fue creada con motivo de la conmemoración anual del Día de los Muertos en el Oakland Museum of California por miembros del Comité del Día de los Muertos del museo, formado por voluntarios.

Oakland Museum of CaliforniaComité del Día de los Muertos

Luz Alvarez Martinez, Chrissy Cano, Bea Carrillo-Hocker, Juanita Chavez-Gordon, Alicia Diaz, Sheyla Duarte, Isaac Emrick, Angelita M. Finlayson, Arnoldo García, Judi García, Luz A. Islas Rosales, Carolina Juárez, Lisa Lemus, Micaela Mariscal, Alejandra Martinez, Juliane Monroe, Annette Oropeza, Isabela Pérez, Rebecca Recco, aa Valdivia

Highlights

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS AT OMCA

In collaboration with the Oakland Museum of California’s volunteer Día de los Muertos Committee, we transform our campus into a sacred space for our annual community celebration, which brings together people from Oakland and across the Bay Area. Visit OMCA every October to join in the celebration!

Artist Bios

Calpulli Ome-Tekpatl

Coming from Hayward, Calpulli Ome-Tekpatl is led by Jefe Hugo who has 26 years within the danza community. The group has been established for 8 years and their danzantes continue to practice Conquista, Conformidad, y Unión. Conquista refers to the practice of making new connections by meeting new people; Conformidad is the practice of humility, while Unión speaks to the unity shared amongst the people
Calpulli Ome-Tekpatl, procedente de Hayward, está dirigido por el Jefe Hugo, que lleva 26 años en la comunidad de la danza. El grupo se fundó hace 8 años y sus danzantes siguen sosteniendo el lema: Conquista, conformidad y unión. Conquista se refiere a la práctica de establecer nuevas conexiones conociendo gente nueva; la conformidad es la práctica de la humildad, mientras que unión habla de la unidad que se comparte con las personas.

The John Santos Sextet

Seven-time Grammy nominee, SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director (2013 & 2014), 2012 San Francisco Latino Heritage Arts Awardee, and US Artist Fontanals Fellow, John Santos and his stellar Sextet are one of the premier Afro-Latin Jazz musical groups in the United States.
Far more than a master percussionist,John Santos is an internationally renowned multi-Grammy-nominated percussionist and San Francisco native and has been a constant presence in the center of the rich Bay Area music scene for 50 years! He is a prolific Afro-Latin bandleader, composer, teacher, writer, producer, and cultural activist who has performed and recorded with countless musical giants including Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Cachao, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, and Omar Sosa.
John Santos, siete veces nominado al Grammy, director artístico residente de SFJAZZ (2013 y 2014), ganador del San Francisco Latino Heritage Arts 2012 y becario estadounidense Fontanals, y su estelar sexteto son uno de los principales grupos musicales de jazz afrolatino de los Estados Unidos.
Mucho más que un maestro percusionista, John Santos es un percusionista de renombre internacional nominado a varios premios Grammy y originario de San Francisco, y ha tenido una presencia constante en el centro de la rica escena musical del Área de la Bahía durante 50 años. Es un prolífico director de banda, compositor, profesor, escritor, productor y activista cultural afrolatino que ha actuado y grabado con innumerables gigantes de la música, como Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Cachao, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson y Omar Sosa.

Angélica Medina & Jahaira Fajardo

Angélica and Jahaira are the founders of In Lak’ech Dance Academy, a queer and POC-led Afro-Latin dance studio based in Oakland. Their mission is to co-create a community of Queer, Trans, and allied dancers to celebrate resilience, nurture collective strength, and heal from oppression. Angélica is a Queer Chicanx dancer and professional therapist. In Lak’ech is a fusion of Angélica’s passion for therapy and dance. Jahaira was born and raised in NYC, and was born to Dominican parents. Jahaira holds a Masters of Arts in Psychology and a Masters of Public Health. Jahaira is also a highly regarded speaker and educator about Afro-Latin dance as a medium to understand history, social justice, and trauma healing.
Angélica y Jahaira son las fundadoras de In Lak’ech Dance Academy, un estudio de baile afrolatino dirigido por personas queer y de color con sede en Oakland. Su misión es cocrear una comunidad de bailarines queer, trans y afines para celebrar la resiliencia, fomentar la fuerza colectiva y sanar la opresión. Angélica es bailarina y terapeuta profesional queer y chicanx. In Lak’ech es una fusión de la pasión de Angélica por la terapia y la danza. Jahaira nació y creció en Nueva York, su madre y su padre son dominicanos. Tiene un máster en Psicología y un máster en Salud Pública. También es una respetada oradora y educadora de la danza afrolatina como medio para entender la historia, la justicia social y la curación de los traumas.

DíaPaSón

DíaPaSón is an ensemble of performing artists who, in the interest of empowering voices and building resilience in our communities, delve deeply into son jarocho music and poetry. Active in the rich sonero community of the Bay Area, DíaPaSon artists have studied the son art form with internationally renowned master artists from Mexico who often perform in its programs and collaborate in their projects. The ensemble has appeared on national and international stages and is under the directorship of María de la Rosa.
DíaPaSón es un conjunto de artistas interpretativos que, con el fin de empoderar las voces y fomentar la resiliencia en nuestras comunidades, profundizan en la música y la poesía del son jarocho. Los artistas de DíaPaSón, activos en la rica comunidad sonera del Área de la Bahía, han estudiado el género del son con artistas maestros de México de renombre internacional, que a menudo actúan en sus programas y colaboran en sus proyectos. El conjunto ha actuado en escenarios nacionales e internacionales y está bajo la dirección de María de la Rosa.

Mariachi Luz de Oro de Berkeley

Mariachi Luz de Oro is a completely student-run Mariachi band made up of students from all years, majors, and ethnic backgrounds at the University of California, Berkeley. The group, first established in 2013, studies and performs traditional and modern Mexican folk music. Their mission is to preserve the art form of Mariachi, and to help share the beauty of Mexican culture on UC Berkeley’s campus.
Mariachi Luz de Oro es una banda de mariachis dirigida completamente por estudiantes y formada por estudiantes de todos los años, especializaciones y orígenes étnicos de la Universidad de California en Berkeley. El grupo, creado por primera vez en 2013, estudia e interpreta música popular mexicana tradicional y moderna. Su misión es preservar la forma artística del mariachi y ayudar a compartir la belleza de la cultura mexicana en el campus de la Universidad de California en Berkeley.

Combo Tezeta

Combo Tezeta have been bringing the vibe to many Bay Area’s music venues including The Chapel, The Brick and Mortar, The Sweetwater, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass fest in Golden Gate Park, The Ivy Room, Eli’s Mile High club and in April this year the Great American Music Hall. They have also toured up and down the West Coast playing clubs and festivals, most memorably with Satan’s Pilgrim and Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini in 2023. Combo Tezeta has also opened for a prolific show put on by Noisepop in G.G.Park, featuring Thundercat and Lee Fields and the Expressions.
Combo Tezeta viene compartiendo su estilo en muchos locales de música del Área de la Bahía, como The Chapel, The Brick and Mortar, The Sweetwater, el festival Hardly Strictly Bluegrass n Golden Gate Park, The Ivy Room, el club Eli’s Mile High y, en abril de este año, el Great American Music Hall. También han hecho giras por la costa oeste tocando en clubes y festivales, sobre todo con Satan’s Pilgrim y Thomas Lauderdale de Pink Martini en 2023. Combo Tezeta también ha sido telonera de un prolífico espectáculo de Noisepop en G.G.Park, con Thundercat y Lee Fields and the Expressions.

Poets

Tino V.H. Jr.: Tino V. H. Jr. is a Mexican-American teaching artist, spoken word poet and the editor in chief of The Poet’s Bookshelf. Born and raised in Oakland, CA. He has represented poetry teams for cities like Santa Cruz and Berkeley, CA, on national stages. Most recently, he traveled to the Bigfoot Poetry Festival with the 2023 Berkeley Slam team, where they took third place. You can find The Poet’s Bookshelf on Substack.
Tino V. H. Jr. es un artista docente mexicano-estadounidense, poeta de la palabra hablada y editor en jefe de The Poet’s Bookshelf. Nació y creció en Oakland, California. Ha representado a equipos de poesía en ciudades como Santa Cruz y Berkeley, California, en los escenarios nacionales. Más recientemente, viajó al Bigfoot Poetry Festival con el equipo del Berkeley Slam de 2023, donde quedaron en tercer lugar. Puede encontrar The Poet’s Bookshelf en Substack.
Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar: Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar is a Xicana warrior, educator, and poet. Camila has slammed since the age of fourteen and competed in the 2017 National Poetry Slam on Team Oakland. For over fifteen years, Camila has performed and workshopped spoken word poetry with youth; teaching for nonprofit organizations such as Bay Area Creative and the New Literary Project. Her work centers justice, empowerment, and healing. Camila recently received her MFA in Creative Writing at St. Mary’s College of California.
Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar es una guerrera, educadora y poeta xicana. Camila ha participado en slams desde los catorce años y compitió en el National Poetry Slam de 2017 con el equipo de Oakland. Durante más de quince años, Camila ha interpretado y realizado talleres de poesía hablada con jóvenes; ha enseñado en organizaciones sin fines de lucro como Bay Area Creative y New Literary Project. Su trabajo reúne la justicia, el empoderamiento y la sanación. Camila obtuvo recientemente un máster en Escritura Creativa en el St. Mary’s College de California.
Esperanza Cabrales: Esperanza Cabrales (she/they) is a queer Xicana slam poet, teaching artist with Bay Area Creative, crafter of beaded earrings, zines maker, recurring Berkeley Slam scorekeeper, and aspiring polyglot based in unceded Muwekma Ohlone territory, colonized and known today as Oakland, California. Self-referencing as a 1.5 generation Mexican-American, she was raised in the San Joaquin Valley where she began to write poetry in 2014 and hasn’t stopped since.
Esperanza Cabrales (ella/elle) es una poeta queer xicana de slam, artista docente en Bay Area Creative, artesana de pendientes de cuentas, creadora de fanzines, anotadora recurrente del Berkeley Slam y aspirante a políglota afincada en el territorio no cedido de Muwekma Ohlone, colonizado y conocido hoy como Oakland, California. Se autodefine como mexicana-estadounidense de generación y media; creció en el valle de San Joaquín, donde comenzó a escribir poesía en 2014 y no ha parado desde entonces.

Youth Poets

Myra Estrada: Myra is an African American and Mexican female teaching artist and poet. She is Oakland’s 2021 Youth Poet Laureate and has since then performed across the Bay Area in spaces such as the DeYoung Museum, Ella Baker Center, Youth Speaks, and The Oakland Public Library. She hopes to represent those who have walked the sacred grounds of Oakland before her and the brown babies that will come after her.
Myra es una artista docente y poeta afroestadounidense y mexicana. Es una joven poeta laureada en Oakland en 2021 y desde entonces ha actuado en el Área de la Bahía en espacios como el Museo DeYoung, el Centro Ella Baker, Youth Speaks y la Biblioteca Pública de Oakland. Espera representar a quienes han caminado por los terrenos sagrados de Oakland antes que ella y a los bebés morenos que vendrán después de ella.
Cael Dueñas-Lara: Mexican-American born and raised and currently residing in the vibrant community of Oakland California, Cael Dueñas-Lara writes poetry as an outlet to teach others the perspective of a male of color living in Oakland. Cael work aims to flip the narrative, which is often portrayed through a lens of deficit and violent stereotypes.
Cael Dueñas-Lara, nacido y criado mexicanoestadounidense y actualmente residente en la vibrante comunidad de Oakland, California, escribe poesía como medio para enseñar a otros la perspectiva de un hombre de color que vive en Oakland. La obra de Cael tiene como objetivo cambiar la narrativa, que a menudo se describe a través de una lente de estereotipos deficitarios y violentos.

Sponsors

The 31st Annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration is made possible in part by generous support from the Oakland Museum Women’s Board.La 31.ª Celebración Comunitaria Anual del Día de los Muertos es posible en parte gracias al generoso apoyo del Consejo de Mujeres del Oakland Museum of California.

Halloween Friday Nights at OMCA with Ritmos Tropicosmos
2025-10-31 17:00 - 21:00 | OMCA campus
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Live Music by Ritmos Tropicosmos, Music Set by DJ China G, Halloween-fest, and Gallery Chats

This Friday Night at OMCA, we’re summoning spectral vibes for a Halloween edition of Oakland’s favorite block party—filled with psychedelic sound, communal celebration, and underground spirit. Celebrate the season with hands-on art making and trick-or-treating throughout the Garden—perfect for visitors of all ages.

Costumes are encouraged! Take inspiration from our collection and dress up as your favorite artwork or artist and enter our costume contest for a chance to win prizes and show off your museum-inspired look! Be sure to leave full face coverings and costume weapons at home.

On the Garden Stage, Ritmos Tropicosmos conjures a genre-blurring set of cumbia sicodélica, eerie synths, live percussion, and ancestral storytelling. Emerging from Oakland’s rich cumbia scene, this seven-piece ensemble channels 70s horror, avant-garde soundscapes, and cosmic rhythms—summoning haunted dance parties, purgatory grooves, and full-moon howls for a night that’s equal parts otherworldly and unforgettable.

Over in the Amphitheater, DJ China G keeps the energy high with a genre-defying set spanning decades of dance-floor favorites. A beloved fixture of San Francisco’s LGBTQIA2S+ scene for over 25 years, her open-format style blends freestyle, disco, Y2K pop, reggaeton, house, Hip Hop, and more—creating a multigenerational, all-vibes-welcome party where everyone’s invited to move, glow, and celebrate.

Friday Nights at OMCA also offer a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike traditional museum tours, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and connect with OMCA facilitators, who combine deep content knowledge with lived experience to encourage fresh interpretations of the Museum’s exhibitions. It’s a night to explore global traditions, find your flow, and celebrate community through music, dance, and inquiry.

Program Schedule:

5–9 pm Core Galleries and Special Exhibitions evening hours with Museum ticket

5:30–7 pm Trick-or-Treating | Garden

5:30–7 pm Hands-on Art Making | Garden

5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries

6:15–7:15 pm Live Music by Ritmos Tropicosmos | Garden Stage

7:15 pm Costume Contest | Garden

6:45-8:50 pm Music Set by DJ China G | Amphitheater

Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA!

About Friday Nights:

Join us for Friday Nights at OMCA, where Oakland comes together! Every Friday from April to October, bring your crew for an unforgettable night of free live music and activities for the whole family. Bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn, or take advantage of exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions (Museum ticket needed for gallery access).

Hungry? Grab a bite from any of the ten Off the Grid food trucks lining 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, offering a delicious mix of rotating flavors. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Once you’ve fueled up, head to the OMCA Garden, where picnic tables and blankets await you to enjoy your meal. With lawn games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories at one of Oakland’s most iconic spots.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Performers

Ritmos Tropicosmos

DJ China G

Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup

Performer BIOS

About Ritmos Tropicosmos

Ritmos Tropicosmos is a seven-piece psychedelic cumbia group from Oakland, creating heavy tropical rhythms with an emphasis on live percussion, synthesizers, and familial stories put into song. Together in a time-warped crossroads of electric and acoustic instrumentation, Ritmos Tropicosmos stands somewhere within the traditional rhythms of the past and the futuristic soundscapes of The Now.

About DJ China G

California native DJ China G has been a staple in San Francisco’s LGBTQIA2S+ scene for 25+ years, spinning everything from disco, freestyle, and Y2K pop to hip-hop, reggaeton, rock, indie, and house. Known for an open-format style, China G keeps the dance floor alive across decades and genres.

Sponsors

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.

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Member Preview for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands
2025-11-06 11:00 - 16:30 | California
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Member Preview Hours

You’re invited to the Member Opening for OMCA’s newest exhibition! Good Fire: Tending Native Lands explores the past, present, and future of fire in California through Native practices. For centuries, Native communities have used intentional, low-intensity fires to renew the land and support biodiversity. This tradition was disrupted by colonial laws and fire suppression, leading to today’s destructive megafires. Good Fire shows how Native communities are reviving these vital practices to cultivate more resilient landscapes and uphold traditions. Reserved tickets are highly encouraged but not required for Member Preview Hours.

RESERVE MEMBER TICKETS

Don’t miss the opening celebration on Thursday, November 6, 6-9 pm. Join us for an evening of celebration with live music, delicious bites, and festive refreshments—an inspiring preview honoring the vital knowledge of Native California communities that you won’t want to miss! RSVP required.

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Sponsors

Major support for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board.

*Header image: Steven Saiz (Hupa) uses liquid fuel from a drip torch to spread fire. Photo by Maddy Rifka.

Member Preview Evening Celebration for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands
2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00 | California
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Member Preview Evening Celebration

Due to popular demand, our evening celebration is at capacity. We are thankful for the overwhelming support and excitement around this new exhibition. We still have availability for the Daytime Preview Hours from 11–5 pm.

Be among the first to experience this powerful exhibition alongside the curators, collaborators, and community members who brought it to life. Join us for an evening of celebration with live music, delicious bites, and festive refreshments—an inspiring preview honoring the vital knowledge of Native California communities that you won’t want to miss!

Good Fire: Tending Native Lands explores the past, present, and future of fire in California through Native practices. For centuries, Native communities have used intentional, low-intensity fires to renew the land and support biodiversity. This tradition was disrupted by colonial laws and fire suppression, leading to today’s destructive megafires. Good Fire shows how Native communities are reviving these vital practices to cultivate more resilient landscapes and uphold traditions.

RSVP required for the evening celebration. Capacity is limited. QUESTIONS? Email membership@museumca.org or call 510-318-8520.

AT CAPACITY

Can’t make the Member Preview Evening celebration?Join us for our Daytime Preview Hours from 11–5 pm and experience OMCA’s newest exhibition before it opens to the public!

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Sponsors

Major support for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board.

*Header image: Steven Saiz (Hupa) uses liquid fuel from a drip torch to spread fire. Photo by Maddy Rifka.

Member Chats with East Bay Regional Park Naturalists
2025-11-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Gallery of California Natural Sciences, 1000 Oak St,, Oakland, California, 94607, United States
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Member Chats with East Bay Regional Park Naturalists

Join Naturalists from the East Bay Regional Park District for a hands-on exploration of local wildlife—right here at OMCA! Become a wildlife detective as you examine real animal skulls; ask “Whose skull is this?”; and discover what these clues tell us about the mammals that call our regional parks home.

Perfect for curious minds of all ages, this interactive experience offers a fun introduction to basic skull anatomy, local ecology, and the East Bay’s incredible natural landscapes.

BECOME A MEMBER

Please note that tour spots are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in so get here early to grab your spot!

About The East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties that includes 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,330 miles of trails and 55 miles of shoreline. The Park District manages and preserves natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect and are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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Spotlight Sundays: Cultural Fire Storytelling and Film Screening
2025-11-16 13:00 - 15:00 | James Moore Theater, 1000 Oak St,, Oakland, California, 94607, United States
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Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

Spotlight Sundays: Cultural Fire Storytelling and Film Screening with Margo Robbins, Elizabeth Azzuz, Roni Jo Draper, and hosted by Tiśina Ta-till-ium Parker

Please join us for an afternoon of storytelling centering Native fire practices from four visionary Native Californian memory keepers. The program will begin with a film screening of Fire Tender, co-directed by Roni Jo Draper, PhD (Yurok) and Marissa Lila Kongao, which shares context on settler colonial fire suppression, highlights the work of Yurok firelighters to reclaim and pass on traditional eco-cultural knowledge, and meditates on the power of fire to heal land and communities.

The film will be followed by heart-to-heart storytelling, as the spirit of fire inspires. Margo Robbins and Elizabeth Azzuz, two Yurok fire practitioners who lead the Cultural Fire Management Council, will each share about the medicine of fire, as guided by prayer, before being joined by Tiśina Ta-till-ium Parker (Southern Sierra Miwuk/Kutzadika’a Mono Lake Paiute and Kashia Pomo/Coast Miwuk) and Draper for a group conversation. Drawing from their varied experiences as fire-women, grandmothers, filmmakers, basketweavers, and artists, they will explore the possibilities of fire as the center of the home, as well as the intergenerational abundance fire offers across time and space.

This Spotlight Sundays is a part of our exhibition programming for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands on view through May 31, 2026.

GET TICKETS

MEMBER TICKETS

Panelist Bios

Elizabeth Azzuz is a Yurok Tribal member from the village of Weitchpus in Northern CA, and a Karuk descendant from Katamiin. She is the Director of Traditional fire, family burns, and Treasurer to the board of Cultural Fire Management Council. She is also Treasurer to the Indigenous Stewardship Network, and is a member of the Indigenous Peoples Burning Network with the Nature Conservancy.

Elizabeth is a cultural practitioner, who burns for basket materials, traditional foods and medicines. She has been burning since the age of four, when her grandfather caught her playing with matches and decided to teach her about her responsibility to Mother Earth. She was taught that fire is a tool, not a toy.

CFMC provides training and jobs on the Yurok reservation, they have training exchanges to train future fire lighters in prescribed and cultural burns, giving them the needed skills to work with fire safely.

Margo Robbins comes from the traditional Yurok village of Morek, and is an enrolled member of the Yurok Tribe. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council and co-lead of the Indigenous People’s Burn Network. She graduated from Humboldt State University and resides on the Yurok reservation in far northern California. She gathers and prepares traditional food and medicine, is a cultural fire practitioner, a basket weaver, and regalia maker. She previously served as the Indian Education Director for the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School district. She is a mom, and a grandma.

Roni Jo Draper Ph.D. (Yurok | she.her), is an enrolled member of the Yurok tribe, from the village of Weispus (Weitchpec) at the fork of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers in what is now considered Northern California. Her experience as a queer, Yurok woman, and the realities and acute pain of discriminatory practices and policies enacted in school settings, has influenced her writing and work as an educator, scholar, and artist. As a former high school mathematics/science teacher and university professor, Roni has now turned her attention to storytelling practices outside of traditional academia—including poetry making, traditional basket weaving, and other art forms—as a way to explore the human experience and share stories of healing and thrivance. Roni produced SCENES FROM THE GLITTERING WORLD, stories of three Diné adolescents living on the fringes of the Navajo Nation. She also produced, directed, and wrote FIRE TENDER, a short film highlighting the work of Margo Robbins and Yurok cultural fire practices. Roni is currently in production on the feature-length documentary WE ARRIVE WITH FIRE | NE-KAH NUUE’M MEHL MECH. Roni’s work has been supported by the National Geographic Society, Vision Maker Media, Women Make Movies, Sundance, the Redford Center, Firelight Media, and other organizations interested in highlighting the stories of Indigenous women working to protect the environment and cultural lifeways.

Tiśina Ta-till-ium Parker is a California Indigenous textile designer, regalia maker and community cultural art activist. Tiśina is the granddaughter of Ralph and Julia F. Parker, daughter of Louis and Patricia Parker. Her people are Yosemite Southern Sierra Miwuk/Kutzadika’a Mono Lake Paiute from her Grandfather’s lineage and Kashia Pomo/Coast Miwuk from her Grandmother’s lineage. Tiśina was born and raised in her sacred tribal homeland of Mariposa/Yosemite. Born into a strong Indigenous lineage, Tiśina has practiced ceremony with her Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation (SSMN) & Yosemite Paiute tribal communities since birth. She descends from a powerful matriarchy of notable California basketmakers including her Grandfather’s Grandmother, Lucy Telles and her Grandmother Julia Parker.

Tiśina holds a BA in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis in Art Education and a BFA in Sustainable Fashion/Textile Design from California College of the Arts in San Francisco where she graduated with honors as “Emerging Talent.” She is an active member of Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation. In 2018 Tiśina represented SSMN, alongside tribal leaders, in Washington D.C. to petition for Federal Recognition, an ongoing 30+ year battle with the U.S. government for tribal sovereignty. In her lifeway, Tiśina designs, creates and collaborates within Native community and works deeply within regenerative design practices to create cultural art and textile work that is in balance with Indigenous ways of being. Tiśina’s life work is dedicated to community building and Indigenous cultural regeneration through the mediums of traditional regalia making, textiles, and community cultural arts activism.

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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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Semi—Annual Member Shop Sale
2025-12-05 11:00 - 2025-12-07 17:00 | OMCA Great Hall, 1000 Oak, Oakland, California, 94607
Spotlight Sundays: Alice Street Screening with Malonga Arts Dance and Drums

It’s sale time! Join us onsite and online for the semi-annual Member sale at the OMCA Shop. Starting Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7, OMCA Members enjoy double their regular discount on regularly priced items in our Shop–that’s 20% off!

Explore our full range of gifts available at the OMCA Shop and show your Membership card at check-out. The OMCA Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm and Friday Nights until 8:30 pm.

For our online shoppers, be sure to check your Member emails for exclusive coupon codes that unlock your discounts when you shop online.

Perfect Holiday Gifts

The perfect gift doesn’t exist. Or does it? This season, limited edition ornaments, laser cut cards, puzzles, housewares, jewelry, and more are sure to make your spirits bright!

Treat Yourself

Need a break from the holiday hustle and bustle? Soothe your body and soul with scented candles, natural soaps, and thought-provoking reads. Take home books featuring Angela Davis, Edith Heath, or the Bay Area Ridge Trail and give your senses a treat.

LET’S SHOP

BECOME A MEMBER

*20% off applies to regularly priced items only. A limited number of items are available online. For the full collection of OMCA products, please visit the OMCA Shop onsite during regular Museum hours.

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