Friday Nights at OMCA with Oakland Ballet Company

Friday Nights at OMCA | Live Performance of by the Oakland Ballet Company (La Luna Mexicana) , Dance Lesson with Samantha Valazquez, DJ set by Black, and Gallery Chats

This Friday Night, packed full of dance, music and celebration kicks off with a captivating performance by the Oakland Ballet Company, showcasing excerpts from La Luna Mexicana. This enchanting presentation captures the essence of Dia de los Muertos, blending vibrant dance, colorful costumes, and joyous music to honor family and tradition in an elaborate celebration.

Following the ballet, get ready to cultivate your own  moves with an introductory Salsa and Bachata lesson led by Samanth Velazquez. This engaging class will introduce you to the basics of these lively dances, focusing on rhythm, technique, and creative expression in a welcoming and energetic setting. The night wraps up with a dynamic DJ set by Black. Known for his deep-rooted expertise in global rhythms and infectious beats, Black will keep the energy high and the dance floor packed.

In addition to an outstanding event experience, every Friday Nights at OMCA also offers guests a well-rounded gallery experience with Gallery Chats. Unlike the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invites visitors to chat, ask questions and connect with our OMCA facilitators who combine content knowledge with lived experience to encourage meaningful dialogue and fresh interpretations of our exhibitions.

Limited $10 flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm. Learn more about getting to the museum.

Program Schedule:

Program Schedule: 

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

5:30–6:30 pm Intro Samba & Bachata w/ Samantha Valasquez | Amphitheater 

5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats  | Gallery of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences

6–7:15 pm Oakland Ballet– Excerpts from Luna Mexicana | OMCA Garden

6:45–8:45 pm Set by Black  | Amphitheater

About Friday Nights:

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

Bring your own or grab dinner from any one of the 8 Off the Grid food trucks on 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets. Beer, wine, mixed and non-alcoholic drinks are available for sale. After grabbing a meal from a wide and weekly changing menu of culinary creations, head to the OMCA Garden where you’ll find picnic tables and blankets to enjoy your local eats. Play lawn and table games, enjoy weekly rotating Museum programming, and create new memories at one of the Town’s most treasured spaces right in the heart of Oakland.

No outside alcohol permitted. Performances are subject to change. Limited $10 flat rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage until 10 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 [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

Sponsors

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