Oakland

Why The “Doom Loop” Isn’t Real.
Hey, I’m not sure if you know this, but Downtown San Francisco is struggling. I know, this is news that is entirely new. This isn’t a horse that has been beaten to death by every struggling media agency on the planet in a desperate attempt to get a few clicks

If You Care About The Bay Area, Ride BART.
There are few things as inextricably tied to the experience of day-to-day life in the Bay Area as BART. Bay Area Rapid Transit is more than a rail network or a type of public infrastructure, it’s a cultural icon that serves as a microcosm of everything the San Francisco Bay

Reviving History, Oakland’s Historic Smitty’s Cocktails is Rescued
Editor’s Note: Smitty’s Cocktails is officially re-opening after a hiatus of over 3-years. After some delays, it’s finally all happening! Opening night is January 26th at 8pm. There will also be a large Grand Re-Opening Party later – date for that TBD. Smitty’s Cocktails, one of Oakland’s oldest dive bars,

“Rainbow Dances” by Queer BIPOC Oakland Ballet is the Future of Dance
Images courtesy of John Hefti. “Oakland has a Ballet?” is the usual reply given whenever the burgeoning young troupe is brought up in conversation. This past weekend (May 5th – 7th), the lesser known Oakland Ballet Company took over the modest stage at Laney College Theatre with four presentations of

Big Win for Black Owned Real Estate & Black Artists in Oakland
Oakstop’s purchase of its campus building represents a big win for art, artists, entrepreneurship, and Black real estate ownership in the Bay Area. Oakstop not only provides very flexible rental spaces for businesses, non-profits, and artists, but they also make sure to feature the work of Black artists, using their wall space to exhibit their work and host artist-fueled events too.

Why I’ve Fallen In Love With Lake Merritt
When I was little, I didn’t spend a lot of time at Lake Merritt. I would play with friends in my part of Oakland and rarely venture outside of it. Lake Merritt felt far away. In reality, it was only 3 miles away, but I seldom went. I was always

6 Organizations Step In To Save Artist Housing in Oakland
A “dream team” of six organizations has been formed to help a group of residents living above a 100-thousand square foot grow operation in Oakland at The Cannery live-work warehouse. Will it be enough to save them from a toxic living situation? While there is plenty of goodness in this

All The Hullabaloo Behind Rumpus and Ruckus Revival
With the show now reaching nearly 25 years in existence, DeWolf has a dedicated and expanding crew, some even started going to the show as an audience member and then performing at later events.