ThursDates at OMCA

Thursdays, 5–8 pm | January–March

Adults 18+

This winter, join us for ThursDates at OMCA, Oakland’s most creative night out.

Every Thursday, January through March, step into OMCA’s warm after-hours glow. Experience a rotating mix of intimate performances, live figure drawing sessions, game nights, and more—designed just for adults. Or sip a signature cocktail and grab a light bite in Town Fare by Michele McQueen, all to a soundtrack of local Oakland artists and DJs.

Whether you’re exploring the Museum with a date, catching up with friends, or are coming solo and looking to meet someone new, you’ll find connection, inspiration, and creative surprises, week after week. 

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.

ThursDates January Program Dates:

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Thursday, January 29, 2026

ThursDates February Program Dates:

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Thursday, February 26, 2026

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UPCOMING EVENTS

ThursDates at OMCA with Photography Workshop & Scavenger Hunt with Black Film Guild

Step into a relaxed ThursDates evening where creativity, conversation, and community unfold throughout the Museum. Settle in for a unique in-gallery photography workshop led by director, photographer, and editor Walter Wallace, Executive Director of the Black Film Guild. Designed for photographers of all levels, the experience blends hands-on instruction* with guided exploration of OMCA’s photography collection—led by Gallery Chats Facilitator Avril Angevine—before closing with a playful photo scavenger hunt that invites collaboration and fresh perspective.

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ThursDates at OMCA with Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing & Trivia Night

Settle into ThursDates at OMCA with a signature cocktail in hand as DJ Mark DiVita lays down soulful selections that set the tone for an easygoing night of connection and play. This Thursday, gather in Town Fare for a Black History–themed trivia night, inviting friendly competition, shared knowledge, and lively conversation. Over in the Gallery of California History, Sketchboard Co. is back again to offer visitors uninstructed live figure drawing sessions.

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ThursDates at OMCA with Watermelon Couch Pop-Up Talk & Art Making w/ That Art Party

Unwind into a reflective and creative ThursDates evening at OMCA, where conversation, art-making, and music unfold at an easy pace. Spend time with The Watermelon Couch, a traveling exhibition and interactive project that transforms lived experience into shared knowledge. Join creator James Shields alongside cooperative development leader Adrionna Fike inside our special exhibition Black Spaces:Reclaim & Remain for a thoughtful pop-up discussion that draws on years of stories gathered from Black farmers and communities across the country to explore themes of local agriculture, collective power, and sustainable futures.

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FULL SEASON SCHEDULE

January

January 8 | Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing and Experimental Dance ft. Paz Hidalgo and Quinn, Mahjong Game Night, DJ Set by China G, and Gallery Chats

January 15 | Pop-Up Performance with Diana Gameros ft. Patrick Wolff, Black Vines Wine Tasting, Music set from DJ Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

January 22 | Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing, Trivia Night, DJ Set by Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

January 29 | Pop-Up Performance with Mia Pixley, Crochet Jam with Ramekon O’Arwisters, Music Set by DJ Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

February

February 5 | Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing, Gold Beams Game Night, Music Set by DJ Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

February 12 | Photography Workshop and Scavenger Hunt with Black Film Guild, Game Night, Music set from DJ Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

February 19 | Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing, Trivia Night: Black History, DJ Set by Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

February 26 | Watermelon Couch Pop-Up Talk, Art Making w/ That Art Party, DJ Set by La Femme Papi, and Gallery Chats

March

March 5 | Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing, Drag, and Burlesque, Mahjong Game Night, DJ Set by Lady Ryan, and Gallery Chats

March 12 | Musical Performance with Jessa Calderon, Good Fire Pop-Up Talks and Demos, Ihoo Taloowa Beads, Music Set by WELIVEINPARADISE, and Gallery Chats

March 19 | Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing and Burlesque, Trivia Night, DJ Set by Mark DiVita, and Gallery Chats

March 26 | Bay Area Book Fest Takeover with Maw Shein Win, DJ Set by La Femme Papi, and Gallery Chats

Highlights

Sponsor

Major support for ThursDates at OMCA is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board.