One thing I love about summer in the Town is the endless options of outdoor markets and fairs during warmer weather. This week, the Temescal Fair and the Prescott Night Market are worth mentioning, with many others to come. We can’t forget all the shows across local venues, like this weekend’s concert by Las Cafeteras, one of the best cumbia bands from LA.
If there’s something you’d like us to consider for this weekly list, email me at azucena@oaklandside.org. And if you want to promote something on our calendar, you can use the self-submission form on our events page.
Prescott Night Market
Last month’s inaugural Prescott Night Market had over 2,000 visitors, most vendors sold out, and the market raised $6,500 from beer sales to help support Bandaloop, the artistic program housed in West Oakland. For this month’s market, there will be 29 vendors selling desserts, juices, smoothies, and more. This and next month’s market coincide with the Oakland Ballers home games.
Thursday, July 11, Aug. 15, Sept. 5, and Oct. 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 1620 18th St.
‘Reflections on Lake Merritt’ virtual chat
Reflections on Lake Merritt is a documentary collaboration between filmmaker Brandon Jourdan and East Bay Yesterday’s Liam O’Donoghue. The doc “promises to be a poignant and insightful film that not only celebrates the beauty and diversity of Lake Merritt but also addresses the profound social and environmental issues facing Oakland and similar urban areas globally.” The film includes commentary from locals like former librarian-turned-author Dorothy Lazard, Katie Noonan from the Rotary Nature Center Friends, Corrina Gould from The Confederated Villages of Lisjan, and others. The duo has a sold-out event at Camron-Stanford House this Wednesday. If you didn’t get tickets for the in-person event, the Rotary Nature Center Friends and Brandon Jourdan will host an online event this Friday.
Friday, July 12, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., RSVP to get the Zoom link
Temescal Street Fair & Nosh Food Festival
This year’s Temescal Street Fair returns with many fun activities for the whole family. The festival will include local food, expanded outdoor dining, vendors, works by local artists, and three different stages for live music, including Cardboard People, Kev Choice, Los Bahianatos, MacArthur Maze, Merhawi Tewelda, Namorados da Lua, and Samba Funk. TURFinc will also host a dance battle, celebrating its 12th anniversary and the King of Turf dance competition. The street fair also coincides with Nosh’s first food festival, at Temescal Brewing (4115 Telegraph Ave.) from noon to 4 p.m., which features some of our favorite East Bay pop-ups, including Tacos Mama Cuca and Asúkar.
Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., free to attend, Telegraph Avenue between 45th and 51st Streets
Spotlight Market at Sweet July
Sweet July, the Black-owned and woman-owned brand by entrepreneur Ayesha Curry and headquartered in Oakland, is hosting a two-day market retreat to showcase products from five local artisans and vendors. The items on display range from jewelry and beauty products to skincare essentials. Participating vendors include AyoCathy, Cocoa Centric, Ice Body Skincare, SpaNouveau, and others. Attendees can purchase from the different vendors, indulge in delicious bites such as Sweet July’s signature bread pudding, and enter a raffle.
Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free to attend, 455 21st St.
Hot tickets in the Town this week: Las Cafeteras at The New Parish
Las Cafeteras, one of LA’s favorite cumbia bands, is returning to the Town for the album release party of A Night in Nepantla. This “from the LA to the Bay” night includes sets by Neblinas del Pacífico, lyricist Deuce Eclipse, and Mariposas del Alma, both from the Discos Resaca Collective. Expect a night of cumbia and Afro-Latin sounds to dance the night away.
Friday, July 12, doors open at 8 p.m., $37.70, 1743 San Pablo Ave.
Coming soon to the Town: André 3000 at the Fox Theater
Grammy-award-winning artist André Lauren Benjamin, better known as André 3000 and formerly of the iconic Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast, is coming to the Town to promote his new album, New Blue Sun. Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m., $80 and up, 1807 Telegraph Ave.