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Spotlight Sundays: Buffalo Soldiers and the Philippine American War—A Multimedia Experience

OMCA Garden 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, California, United States

In honor of Filipino American History Month, join us for a moving multimedia experience highlighting stories of African American soldiers and Filipinos during the Philippine–American War. Developed by John Calloway, this artistic showcase combines live music, Indigenous dance, and spoken word to narrate powerful depictions of this history and the fight for freedom. The program will be emceed by Mario Nomi from the Oakland based Filipino Advocates for Justice. 

$1 – $30

Friday Nights at OMCA with La Doña

OMCA campus

This Friday night at OMCA, don’t miss the grand finale of our 2024 Friday Nights season! We’re thrilled to welcome the phenomenal La Doña to our garden stage. With her groundbreaking fusion of Latin Femmeton, hip hop, jazz, and cumbia, La Doña delivers a powerful performance that blends ancestral traditions with modern diasporic sounds. Her shows are more than just concerts—they’re transformative ceremonies that unite audiences through music, dance, and collective action.

Free

Gallery Chats at OMCA

OMCA campus

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

Admission ticket required

Special Guest Gallery Chats: Yolanda Ronquilo, Rosa Terrazas, and Irene Perez

OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, California

For OMCA’s 30th annual Día de los Muertos community celebration, please join us Saturday, October 27 from 1 to 2 pm in the Great Hall  for a special edition of Gallery Chats led by Yolanda Ronquillo, Rosa Terrazas, and Irene Perez, friends and family of Margaret ‘Margie’ Terrazas-Santos, whose poster collection inspired is on view in OMCA’s  latest special exhibition, Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples. Yolanda, Rosa, and Irene will share reflections, stories, and memories and lead visitors in a hands-on activity to honor Margie Terrazas-Santos’ life, work, and enduring legacy. 

Admission ticket required

Gallery Chats at OMCA

OMCA campus

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

Admission ticket required

Member Preview for Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California

You’re invited to the Member Opening for OMCA’s newest exhibition! Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California offers guests a first look at a significant collection that highlights Indigenous endurance and explores the vivid tapestry of contemporary Native California life. Reserved tickets are highly encouraged but not required for Member Preview Hours.

Free for Members

Special Exhibition Opening of Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California

OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, California

Prepare to bear witness to a powerful expression of Native Californian cultural legacies with the opening of OMCA’s latest special exhibition, Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California, coming Friday, November 8, 2024. Through the lens of celebrated Native photographer Dugan Aguilar, this exhibition offers a first look at his vibrant collection exploring the tapestry of contemporary Native Californian life.

Special Exhibition ticket required

Member Tours: The Art and Practice of Native Basket Weaving with Featured Basketmaker, Jennifer Bates

OMCA Great Hall 1000 Oak, Oakland, California

Join us for a tour of the art and practice of Native basketry with Jennifer Bates. Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) has been a basketmaker for over four decades.  She began learning traditional Mewuk basketry by studying with tribal elders as a child and continues to teach basketry from traditional methods of gathering and processing raw materials into her weaving.

Free for Members

Ongoing & Annual events

Evening hours Thursday After Hours

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

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Evening hours Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid

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

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

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Gallery Events Gallery Chats at OMCA

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

 

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Third Sundays Spotlight Sundays

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

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First Sundays First Sundays

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

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Community Celebration Lunar New Year

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

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Community Celebration Día de los Muertos

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

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Community Event White Elephant Sale

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

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Gallery Events Group Chats

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

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