Aug 11, 2025 - Culture

Oakland Museum celebrates culture, music and community this fall

Nadia Lopez

Open green lawn with a tall white building and a large tree in the background under a clear blue sky. Concrete stairs and benches with colorful flowers surround the area. — The Oakland Museum of California and Lake Merritt Amphitheater. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The Oakland Museum of California is packing its September calendar with live music, dance and an event examining Black fatherhood.

State of play: The museum will host family-friendly festivities with food trucks, gallery access and live performances every Friday through October.

Performances include:

Sept. 6: Alphabet Rockers bring social justice-themed hip-hop for kids and families.
Sept. 13: Awesöme Orchestra Collective performs with Mexican-American singer Dia Luna.
Sept. 20: Cuban vocalist Yeny Valdés performs with TeamBahia.
Sept. 27: Afro-group Soulovely takes over the dance floor.

Between the lines: The museum will also present a conversation on Black fatherhood with the director of "The Black Fatherhood Project" and others on Sept. 15, reflecting on personal experiences, values men are instilling in their children and how they're working to break cycles of absenteeism.

If you go: Friday night festivities are free; tickets required for gallery entry at 1000 Oak St. in Oakland.

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Oakland Museum celebrates culture, music and community this fall

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