Join us on December 1st for food, gifts, music and performing arts - this is a season of so much joy and love across many different communities of the world. Let’s gather this month to warm each other’s hearts
with one-of-a-kind gifts from artists and retailers,
arts, tasty treats at Oakland’s staple event.
Dear Beloved Community and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the temporary closure of Oakland First Fridays beginning of 2024 from January to March due to financial constraints. Oakland First Fridays has been a beloved community
event for years, showcasing the vibrant art, culture, and diversity of our city.
It has been a crucial platform for artists and creators, offering a space for expression and connection within the community. This decision was not made lightly, and we deeply regret the disruption this will cause to our community.
The event's success has always depended on the support of local businesses, sponsors, and the dedication of our volunteers, but in recent times, we have faced some financial challenges. These challenges have made it difficult for us to continue operating without risking the
event's long-term viability.
During this time, we will be actively seeking new sources
of funding and support to ensure the future of Oakland
First Fridays. We are committed to returning stronger than ever, and we ask for your patience, understanding, and continued support during this difficult period. Together, we can work towards preserving and revitalizing this vital cultural celebration for our city. Please stay tuned for updates and ways you can help us reopen Oakland First Fridays and continue celebrating the artistic spirit of our community.
If you would like to help during this time, feel free to
donate to our PayPal and/or our CashApp. Anything is appreciated! If you know of any potential sponsors who might be willing to support, please do not hesitate to reach out!
CASHAPP: $OaklandFirstFridays
PayPal Donation
.png)
A huge thanks to everyone who joined us for our November, Oh, Give Thanks event! Your unwavering commitment and enthusiasm played a vital role in putting together our second to last event of the year. We are profoundly grateful for your ongoing support and for your invaluable contribution to our community, which has made this event genuinely extraordinary!
This past event we had various activation zones that were undeniably attention-grabbing and visually striking! There was a bit of everything for all attendees, including a Zumba zone, the SoulBeatz Community Drum Circle, Turf Inc’s performances, the Oakland Originalz showcase, an Art Wall, and the iconic Fashion Show. This assortment of activities provided an extraordinary and diverse selection of immersive experiences that enthralled and delighted many!
On our main stage, we were treated to two incredible performances by TRAEDONYA! and Fred Ross. TRAEDONYA! started us off with her unique blend of genres and her powerful voice! Her music is truly a mix of hip hop, jazz, blues, soul, electro, reggae and funk. Up next, taking the night away we had Fred Ross take on the stage. It was truly amazing and everyone was on their feet, dancing the night away. The lively tunes had people grooving to the rhythm, creating a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere. It was a night of non-stop dancing and pure musical bliss!
Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended our Oh, Give Thanks event! Your presence and support were instrumental in highlighting the strong sense of community in our city.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our October event, Health is Wealth! Your dedication and excitement helped us create an exceptional and memorable event. Your continuous support is deeply appreciated. Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for making this event truly remarkable!
To tie into this month theme of 'Health is Wealth', we had an amazing activation zone hosted by “Heal The Hood” featuring the Vegan Hood Chefs and Cat fitness who aimed at empowering the community to prioritize their physical, mental and emotional health and wellness. They had tons of free food, music, interactive activities, a financial literacy panel, and a mental health panel!
In addition to the Heal the Hood activation zone, we also offered a variety of other activation zones with different activities for everyone! We had a Double Dutch zone hosted JumpSqaud 510, a jaw dropping Fashion Show by Mario B, an exhilarating Zumba zone, TurfInc Street performances, a beautiful Art Wall, and SoulBeatz Community Drum Circle! All these activities were truly amazing, providing a diverse array of engaging experiences that captivated and entertained many. Having such variety ensured there was something enjoyable for every person, making the occasion even more enjoyable and memorable.
Finally at our main stage, we had two amazing performances: II Funk ky Shu’s wit Nu Soles and Nzuri Soul! We started off our evening with II Funk ky Shu’s wit Nu Soles and their electrifying performance. It was truly a mix of funk, soul, a smidgen of jazz, and modern pop/rock! Their performance had many on their feet dancing the evening away. We then had Nzuri Soul and her band take on the stage! Everyone enjoyed their amazing R&B/Soul vibes. Nzuri was also out celebrating her birthday with us!
Once again, we are truly grateful to everyone who joined us at our Health is Wealth event! Your presence and support made the event truly special and showcased the strong sense of community in our city. As we eagerly anticipate the next event on November 3rd, we encourage you to mark your calendars for the upcoming events in the months ahead. Stay tuned for more information and announcements on our Instagram, Facebook, and website!
Beyond the Booth: INSTAGRAM LIVE
Every month we highlight a few of our vendors and their road to entrepreneurship. Hear what local business owners have to say! View past Instagram lives on our YouTube channel & Don't forget to subscribe!
September Live with Heal the Hood
March Live with Diedre Curry of SheeApparel
April Live with CatFitness & The Vegan Hood Chefs
May Live with Javi of Javi's Cooking
June Live with Chris of THREADZ
