Friday Nights at OMCA with Raye Zaragoza
Live Music by Raye Zaragoza, Afro Dance Lesson by Tomiko Iyalla, Music Set by DJ Moteef, and Gallery Chats
July 11 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday Nights at OMCA brings you an evening of music, movement, and connection across cultures and generations! Experience a captivating live performance by singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza, whose soulful blend of folk and Americana channels themes of self-discovery, joy, and resilience. With powerful vocals and storytelling rooted in lived experience, Raye’s music uplifts often unheard voices, creating space for reflection, healing, and celebration.
Get ready to move during an energetic Afro Dance lesson with Tomiko Iyalla! Drawing from her Nigerian heritage and passion for community, Tomiko leads an Afro Dance session filled with joyful choreography designed for all levels. Come as you are and leave feeling empowered.
Then keep the vibes going with DJ Moteef, a Bay Area favorite known for her intentional sets that blend R&B, House, Funk, Afrobeats, and more. Her music offers a sonic journey that invites nostalgia and honors culture.
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
5:30–6:30 pm Afro Dance Lesson with Tomiko Iyalla | Amphitheater
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
6:45-8:50 pm Music Set by DJ Moteef | Amphitheater
7–8 pm Live Music by Raye Zaragoza | Garden Stage
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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 [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.
Performers
Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup
Performer BIOS
Raye Zaragoza is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who challenges traditional expectations placed on women as they age. Her album Hold That Spirit explores themes of self-investment, joy, and the female experience. The album’s feminist undercurrent is evident in songs like “Strong Woman,” which celebrates female strength, and “Not A Monster,” which candidly addresses Zaragoza’s personal struggles. She collaborated exclusively with female artists on the album, aiming to create a communal, emotionally safe space to process her breakup and make honest art about her life. Zaragoza also hopes to provide visibility for Indigenous artists and foster a sense of community through her music. In addition to her music, Zaragoza is a songwriter for Netflix’s animated children’s series Spirit Rangers and has just finished touring nationally in the reimagined Broadway production of Peter Pan, bringing representation and a fresh perspective to the classic story.
Tomiko is a Nigerian American multidisciplinary artist whose primary work and emphasis is teaching Afro Dance. Using the influence of her Nigerian culture and life experiences, Tomiko brings to life colorful narratives of her people, ancestry, and personal story.
DJ Moteef is a Bay Area-raised and based sound selector whose love for music was shaped by her Nigerian upbringing and the Bay’s hyphy movement. A student of the Beat Junkies Institute of Sound, she has played venues across the Bay including 1015 Folsom, Crybaby, Parliament, and more, while collaborating with brands like LinkedIn and Apple. Her sets celebrate a global soundscape, nostalgic selections, and are grounded in community, culture, and connection.
Sponsors
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America.
