If you haven’t been to the First Fridays Oakland Art Murmur, you’re missing out. It’s not just the art, though it’s worth seeing. It’s not just a chance to see our cousin in the East Bay and say “hello, sorry it’s taken me so long to visit”, though we San Franciscans should come down off our high horse. And it’s not just because, let’s be honest, it IS warmer there.
Go because it’s simply a good time.
Go because you’ll see something you haven’t seen before.
In addition to the 21 art galleries that open to the public for your viewing pleasure – where by the way, the art is extreme and varied, ranging from pseudo-typical acrylic/oil paintings detailing flowers, landscapes, and abstracts to pen ink drawings to bright colorful anime panels to ceramic sculptures that evoke a wince and a hmmm as easily as you might dismiss a touristy t-shirt – you’ll see things you don’t expect.
Perhaps an entire street filled with jewelry and leather craftsmen, a man who juggles fire while his friend DJs off an iPad, a series of comedians with a microphone teasing pedestrians as they walk down the street, food trucks for when you get hungry, a community art project and a crowd of people dancing in the street simply because they can.
The entire event celebrates its Oakland flavor with an open invitation that should not be passed by.
Oakland Art Murmur, happening the first Friday of every month, 6pm-9pm, more details.
