Whether you want to make time to read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand and mingle with other book lovers while sipping a cold brew or the chance to meet local filmmakers and support their new horror anthology film, check out live Blues music at Eli’s, make it to the Ballers game, or find a new furry friend at the zoo and ride the gondola while you’re at it, we have an event for you.
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.
Join the Oakland Ballers for BART Night
The local baseball team is teaming up with BART to highlight public transportation’s role in helping fans get to and from sporting events throughout the Bay. At Wednesday’s Ballers game, expect activities featuring BART employees like special BART guests throwing out the first pitch and taking the first at-bat and BART Police Lieutenant Joshua Perez singing the National Anthem. Also, you can get to Raimondi Park by BART by taking the train to West Oakland, transferring to the AC Transit 29 bus, hopping on the Ballers shuttle, or walking a mile to the park.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6:35 p.m., $19-$30, Raimondi Park, 1689 20th St.
Screening of ‘Welcome Week: A College Horror Anthology’ at Grand Lake Theatre
Up-and-coming East Bay filmmaker Jack McDermott and other filmmakers from around the Bay Area and country worked on a horror anthology film called Welcome Week. The film follows Andrew and his bumbling roommate, Josh, as they set out across their dangerous campus to save their kidnapped friend. This weekend, the filmmakers are screening a sneak preview of it. The cast and crew will be in attendance to introduce the film.
Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 p.m., $15, 3200 Grand Ave.
Pours and Prose at Rose’s Taproom
Bring a book you’re reading or one you’ve been meaning to read to Rose’s Taproom for a day to chat with others about the books or quietly read by yourself. If you have little ones, you can bring them along to have them sit with a storyteller who will keep them busy. Rose’s Taproom will donate 10% of the pours to the Oakland Literacy Coalition. This organization helps Oakland kids fall in love with reading.
Sunday, Aug. 18, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., free to attend, 4930 Telegraph Ave.
Pet Adoption Day at the Oakland Zoo
Oakland Animal Services is teaming up with the Oakland Zoo and other animal organizations to bring cats and dogs ready to be adopted to the zoo for community members to visit and find their new furry friend. If you can’t make it to the zoo, the shelter is open Thursday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for adoptions. Adoption fees are waived for those who adopt from OAS. This event is limited to the Children’s Zoo, the area with rides just outside the gates. Admission tickets are required to access the rest of the zoo.
Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., zoo entrance, 9777 Golf Links Rd.
Hot tickets in the Town this week: Blue Mondays at Eli’s
Every Monday is West Coast Blues at Eli’s Mile High Club with different bands playing each week. This coming Monday, The Bobby Young Project graces the stage. There’s never a cover to attend Blues Mondays.
Every Monday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., no cover, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Coming soon to the Town: Passenger at the Fox
UK-born singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, started as a busker until his 2013 album All The Little Lights, and the song Let Her Go turned him into a household name. Now, he’s back to celebrate the anniversary of his multi-platinum album. Saturday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m., $56.25, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave.
