Settle into the warm, after-hours glow of the 2026 ThursDates season with a signature cocktail, laid-back beats from DJ China G, and the kind of unhurried energy that allows connection and creativity to flourish. This 星期四, DJ China G will be setting a groove-worthy atmosphere in Town Fare for a Mahjong (麻将) game night, all while Sketchboard Co. hosts enchanting unrestricted live figure drawing sessions in the Gallery of California Art. Models Paz Hidalgo and Quinn animate each session, bringing gentle butoh dance and experimental movements to their poses.

Slip into the easy cadence of ThursDates with an evening that blends music, flavor, and community. Begin by exploring a curated tasting from Black Vines*, featuring wines crafted by Black-owned wineries, paired with tasty bites from Town Fare. As you wander, DJ Mark DiVita sets a smooth, soulful backdrop that gently fills the cafe. Later, settle in for an intimate set by acclaimed singer-songwriter Diana Gameros, joined by Patrick Wolff on clarinet and saxophone, offering reflective melodies rooted in stories of home and belonging. It’s a night designed for lingering conversations, quiet discoveries, and the pleasure of experiencing art, music, and culture at your own pace.

Unwind in the gentle pulse of ThursDates at OMCA with a signature cocktail and smooth beats from DJ Mark DiVita, setting the perfect backdrop for a relaxed evening of creativity and connection. This 星期四, make new connections with a “Spaces of Belonging” trivia night in Town Fare, while Sketchboard Co. hosts uninstructed live figure drawing sessions in the Gallery of California Art. 

Ease into an evening of creativity and connection at ThursDates, where music, movement, and hands-on art come together in the warm after-hours shine of OMCA. Start with Crochet Jam, a relaxed, no-rules finger-knitting experience rooted in African American weaving traditions, where you can weave, chat, and unwind at your own pace. In the same gallery, lose yourself in the meditative sounds of Mia Pixley, whose cello, voice, and spoken word combine classical and experimental influences to create stirring, transformative melodies. All the while, DJ Mark DiVita fills Town Fare with eclectic beats, setting a vibrant and inviting atmosphere with cocktails, bites, and mingling among new friends or old.

Ease into the cozy, after-hours atmosphere of ThursDates at OMCA as Gold Beams—in partnership with The Black Neighborhood, Regulars Only, and Timothy B.—hosts Game Night. Known for cultivating warm, welcoming environments for Black creatives and the broader community, Gold Beams brings their signature mix-and-mingle approach to the Museum. Sip drinks and enjoy bites from Town Fare as OMCA takes on a softer nighttime glow.

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.

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 星期四, 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.

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.