We know things are weird right now, and you might not even be working with everything going on, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a chance to enjoy the weekend! Life goes on, and having a little fun and/or some relaxation is still necessary to your mental health. So check out these (safely social distanced) events you can participate in this weekend!
Click on any of the event titles for a link to the event.
Friday, June 19th
Justice for Juneteenth Protest
Lake Merritt, Oakland
5PM, All Ages
Free
Update: The correct meet up address is at Pergola at Lake Merritt, 599 El Embarcadero and not at 568 Bellevue Ave.
There will be a peaceful protest in solidarity with the Black Live Matter Movement.
Meet up at Lake Merritt, Oakland on June 19 at 5 pm. Brings signs, water, please wear a mask and practice 6 feet apart.
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Virtual Friday Nights Juneteenth Celebration
Online
5 PM, All Ages
Free
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is continuing its popular weekly community event–now Virtual Friday Nights at OMCA during the Museum’s closure–with a powerful program in commemoration of Juneteenth 2020.
The online program brings together a cross-section of Oakland artists, educators, and activists to honor efforts made in the ongoing struggle for the liberation of Black people everywhere. A schedule and list of participating artists are included below.
OMCA presents this program with humility and gratitude in hopes that this offering will be a source of inspiration and joy as people continue to demand respect and dignity for all Black Lives. The program will air on OMCA’s YouTube channel.
OMCA staff have also compiled a list of resources and suggested organizations to support, shared on the Museum’s website: museumca.org/resources-support-black-lives
VIRTUAL FRIDAY NIGHTS: 2020 JUNETEENTH PROGRAM WHEN: Friday, June 19, 5-7 pm PT SCHEDULE: 5:00 pm – Welcome! 5:15 pm – DJ Set by DJ Nina Sol + Photographs by Amir Abdul-Shakur 5:39 pm – Conversation with Johwell St-Cilien 5:46 pm – Storytime with Shane Evans 6:00 pm – Dance class with Samara Atkins 6:20 pm – Conversation with Fresh “Lev” White 6:35 pm – Live Music + Conversation with Kev Choice 7:14 pm – Cupid Shuffle
Saturday, June 20th
BLM Yoga
Dolores Park, San Francisco
10 AM, All Ages
Free
The Black Lives Matter movement doesn’t stop when the media does. We are organizing a donation-based, community yoga class to directly give back and help support the work of The East Oakland Collective, an organization dedicated to serving the communities of deep East Oakland by working towards racial and economic equity. Please donate what you can via Venmo to @BLM_YOGA.
*We will be following current social distancing guidelines*
Location: Dolores Park by tennis courts @ 11:00 am
Schedule: 11:00 am – Refreshments + Community Member Acknowledgments 11:10 am – Opening Statements 11:30 am – Yoga 12:20 pm – Commencement
SoFa Saturdays
6 PM, All Ages
Free
SoFA Saturdays is a weekly virtual visit to Downtown San Jose’s eclectic arts and cultural district. Experience and engage with dozens of artists, musicians, poets, bars, restaurants, galleries, theaters, and more.
Click through various curated channels to find wonderful new interactive events showcasing the talent of SoFA. PLUS you can order food, beer, and cocktails from your favorite SoFA businesses to pick up and enjoy from your sofa at home.
Feeling generous? Find links to tip artists and show your support in their sessions.
Visit sofamusicfestival.com for the full schedule, info, and links. Links to the ICA Zoom Channel are available on your digital ticket when you register and will be emailed to you.
Sunday, June 21st
Stern Grove's "Best of the Fest" Virtual Concert Series
All Day, All Ages
Free
The Stern Grove free outdoor music festival was initially scheduled to take place on Sundays from June 14 through August 16, 2020. It is the first time in the Festival’s long history that it has been canceled.
This summer, in place of canceled performances, the Festival is creating Best of the Fest, a virtual video series featuring highlights from the Festival’s vast library of concert footage from the past 13 years.
Hosted by TV and radio personality and seasoned emcee Liam Mayclem, Sheila E. (2012), Pink Martini (2013), The Doobie Brothers (2015), and George Clinton (2016) are among the musicians to be included in the weekly concerts.
Best of the Fest will also feature artist interviews, scenic footage of the Grove, and special guests. It will be posted on the Festival’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page every Sunday from June 14 through Sunday, August 16.
Beginning Sunday, May 31, visit sterngrove.org for each Sunday’s lineup.
In addition to Best of the Fest, the Festival will be offering a virtual arts education program utilizing many of the teaching artists who would have participated this summer. Classes in music-making and dance will be offered online on the Festival’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
Virtual Forest Therapy Walk
Zoom Link Provided Upon Registration
2 PM, All Ages
Free (Donations Accepted)
As we continue social distancing and shelter in place, the healing powers of connection, community, and our natural world are more important than ever. So I’m joining my cohorts from around the world to bring you a virtual Forest Therapy walk. We’ll take advantage of whatever sources of nature you have available.
RSVP for Zoom Link
WHERE: If you can safely get to a natural area and have reception, you may join from there. For this journey into nature, you can also join from your yard or your balcony or even inside your home either looking out on the natural world or even simply looking at a photo or painting of a favorite nature.
WHEN: Sundays May 10 – 31, 2020 @ 2pm – 3:30pm PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)
WHAT: Borrowing from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku or Forest Bathing, we’ll come together over zoom (link provided upon registration) for a series of invitations to engage our senses both real and imaginal in exploring the natural world. There will be an opportunity to share via voice or chat on what you are noticing as we deepen the experience through a shared connection. These invitations will be equally suitable whether you are in the woods, following an ant on your sidewalk or looking at a picture of the beach and everything in between.
If you have the resources, donations are welcome in any amount with a suggested $5-$20 range. I know times are hard for some of us. I want this walk available to everyone regardless of income so please don’t let lack of funds stop you, accept a free ticket if you need it.