Oakland Art and Soul Festival

08/17/2024

Pair your Blues with BBQ! Before our FREE concert with the West Coast Blues Society next Saturday, August 24 at the Lakeside Park bandstand, head over to Everett+Jones Barbeque at 126 Broadway (Jack London Square) to pick up a LOVE OUR LAKE lunch to-go special. Just $12 for one meat and a side of your choice! For more than 50 years, family-owned Everett + Jones Barbeque has been serving up hot, smokey, deliciousness to generations of BBQ lovers in Oakland and throughout the Bay Area.

Pre-orders are required. This is for the Jack London Broadway location only on August 24, 2024, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. To order go to: https://www.eandjbbq.com/pages/menus and indicate Love Our Lake in the notes OR call Everett + Jones Barbeque Jack London Square at (510) 663-2350.

Hope to see you and your made-to-order Everett + Jones BBQ lunch next Saturday - concert runs 1-4 pm! https://www.visitoakland.com/event/west-coast-blues-society-at-lake-merritt/32575/

08/13/2024

There is no better way to beat the end of summer blues than a FREE concert with the West Coast Blues Society! The beloved Caravan of All Stars showcases unsung heroes who define the truly American artform through high-energy, crowd-pleasing live performances. Led by Blues historian and lead guitarist extraordinaire Ronnie Stewart, the Art & Soul OG's return to Oakland’s Lake Merritt Saturday, August 24 for a rollicking three-hour gig starting at 1pm at the Lakeside Park Bandstand. Bring family and friends for a festive afternoon of Blues and community as we cap this summer’s Love Our Lake Campaign to bring joy and vitality to Oakland’s crown jewel! https://www.visitoakland.com/event/west-coast-blues-society-at-lake-merritt/32575/

07/27/2024

Today at Lake Merritt - join us for a FREE concert with seven-time Grammy nominee John Santos as he brings a powerhouse 10-piece lineup in support of Oakland and its summer-long Love Our Lake campaign. Oaktown Jazz Workshops Youth Ensemble opens followed by a community dance with Salsa by the Lake! Bring family, friends and a picnic - you can even grab yummy eats from popular local food truck ! Art & Soul Oakland is producing the concert. Festivities run today (7/27/24) from 1-4 pm at the historic Edoff Memorial Bandstand. Don't miss this very special afternoon of music and community!

07/21/2024

Happy Sunday Art & Soul community! A friendly reminder that we will be producing a free concert with seven-time Grammy nominee, Oakland treasure John Santos John Santos and The John Santos Sextet next Saturday, July 27 at the Edoff Memorial Bandstand in Lakeside Park/Lake Merritt. John has assembled an all-star lineup that includes Destani Wolf who performed internationally as the ringmaster of the Cirque du Soleil show “Bazzar” which was built around her lustrous voice; improvisational and awe-inspiring jazz singer Kenny Washington; legendary Cuban multi-percussionist Orestes Vilató; pianist and trumpeter extraordinaire Marco Diaz; high-energy bassist Ernesto Mazar Kindelán; acclaimed saxophonist Charlie Gurke; gifted Afro-Caribbean percussionist Javier Navarrette; internationally acclaimed percussionist Josh Jones and; Grammy-winner Bill Ortiz, trumpet player for Santana! Oaktown Jazz Workshops Youth Ensemble will open, followed by a community dance hosted by Salsa by the Lake. The festivities run from 1pm - 4 pm and are FREE to the public. Bring friends, family, and a picnic - you can also grab yummy eats from the popular Halal Bites of Chicago food truck that will be onsite. Hope to see you next Saturday, July 27 for what is destined to be a memorable, joy-filled afternoon of music and community!

21st Annual Art & Soul Oakland festival in partnership with AfroComicCon 2023!

07/07/2024

Hello Art & Soul Oakland community - hope your summer is off to a great start! We wanted to invite you to enjoy two FREE concerts we are producing on behalf of the Love Our Lake campaign aimed at bringing joy and vitality to Oakland's Lake Merritt this summer. The FREE concerts will be held on Saturday, July 27 featuring seven-time Grammy nominee John Santos & Friends John Santos and The John Santos Sextet, - and Saturday, August 24 with the beloved West Coast Blues Society Both of these headliners are Art & Soul alum so we hope these shows will bring a bit of the festival to you while we are on hiatus! Please mark your calendars for both concerts (7/27 and 8/24 from 1-4 pm at the Lakeside Park bandstand) and join us forgreat music and fun under the sun on the shores of beautiful Lake Merritt! Brought to you by Children's Fairyland, Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), Oakland Public Library, Visit Oakland, and the Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation. Produced by Art & Soul Oakland. More details to follow! https://www.visitoakland.com/loveourlake/

05/10/2024

Greetings friends of Art & Soul Oakland. We hope you are well and enjoying this beautiful spring weather in The Town. As our longtime supporters, we wanted you to be the first to know about a change in plans for our 23rd annual festival. Sadly, due to a months-long delay in funding support from the City of Oakland that had been approved by the Oakland City Council for last year's event, we have no choice but to cancel our 2024 festival originally slated for this fall. Instead, we will use the balance of this year to regroup and hopefully secure new funding. We would like to return next year - only time will tell if it will be feasible. So, please stay tuned for future announcements. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and attendance over the years. It is your energy and enthusiasm that made the festival iconic. With deep gratitude, your friends at Art & Soul Oakland.

09/18/2023

Thank you Art & Soul community for turning out in style yesterday for our 21st! Such a great crowd grooving to the Oaktown beat. With AfroComicCon, City Hall rocked its coolest look ever 🙂 Enjoy these images from yesterday - more to come!

09/17/2023

Head down to Art & Soul x AfroComicCon today. Crowds are gathering and the sun is out! $10 secure parking at City Center West Garage, entrance on MLK between 12th and 14th. Or take BART to 12th Street Oakland Center Station and exit directly onto the festival grounds. See you soon!

Don’t miss Oakland Art and Soul Festival tomorrow at Downtown Oakland’s Frank Ogawa Plaza! One of the Bay Area’s favorite free music festivals is returning with a special partnership with the innovative and interactive comic convention Afro Comic Con.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/OaklandArtandSoul2023

09/16/2023

We are celebrating 50 years of hip with our Women In Hip Hop R***e at Art & Soul this Sunday, 9/17 @ 2:30 pm! Also, AfroComicCon will present a special performance by Grammy-nominated hip hop pioneer Yo-Yo! She will also be featured in the Women in Hip Hop Panel inside City Hall that includes in and Nyla Lamees! Details: www.artandsouloakland.com

09/15/2023

Big shout out to Oakland Central for partnering with us to bring the Art & Soul Festival x AfroComicCon 2023 to you - free to the public! Their generous support is what makes this all possible. Oakland Central's work extends to a full slate of year-round events, marketing and beautification projects throughout the district. Your one-stop guide to all things downtown, check out Oakland Central's website for dining, shopping, bars, attractions, events and other amenities downtown has to offer: www.OaklandCentral.com

09/15/2023

It's happening everywhere on Sunday - Art & Soul music, food, kid's activities, and 150+ booths, including a special AfroComicCon area with dozens of artisans and creators. And if that's not enough, AfroComicCon is taking over City Hall with celebrity speakers, an elaborate gaming expo, and much more! Definitely a something-for-eveyrone Sunday in downtown Oakland. Free admision and fun for all! www.artandsouloakland.com

09/14/2023

Just announced - AfroComicCon lineup at Art & Soul Oakland on Sunday! It's happening on the Food Court Stage in front of the State Building on Clay just north of 14th. Grab a bite and check it out! www.artandsouloakland.com

09/14/2023

▪️‼️We are so hyped to welcome our special guest- writer, director and producer to AfroComicCon 2023! He will be joining us at 2pm for a panel discussion. Make sure to register as space is limited! www.AfroComicCon.org

09/14/2023

Our 2023 partners AfroComicCon in the news! What a great addition to our 21st annual Art & Soul Oakland. You don't have to know comics to enjoy AfroComicCon - and after this Sunday's event, we think you'll be a big fan! If you haven't checked out our music lineup yet, here you go: https://www.artandsouloakland.com/lineup

09/13/2023

Star Wars at Art & Soul x AfroComicCon on Sunday? This year's festival is going to a whole new dimension!

Once a rebel, always a rebel.

Where are the Star Wars Fans?! This we are hosting the OFFICIAL Star Wars Cosplay Meetup + Contest to celebrate STAR WARS: AHSOKA and our girl Rosario Dawson!! The gripping series is NOW STREAMING on , and you do NOT want to miss it! We want to see you show up and show out!

Participants will receive special giveaways and promotional items from to help celebrate our annual convention!! Keep an eye out on our page for details and may the force be with you! Sign-up for our meet up at AfroComicCon/Art & Soul 9/17 from 12:30 - 1 PM by the Photo Booth on the Plaza! Go to our link in bio! Can't wait!!!

09/12/2023

Our partners at AfroComicCon are bring the celebs on Sunday!

Renowned Hollywood writers/comic book creators Rodney Barnes & The Gibbs Sisters! Rodney Barnes is the hardest working and one of the most brilliant and talented writer/producers in Hollywood today! His credits are stunning, from 'The Boondocks' to 'Winning Time' After life as a sit-com writer (Everybody Hates Chris, My Wife and Kids) Barnes established himself as a force in drama, fantasy, and horror, serving as a co-executive producer and writer on shows Marvel’s Runaways, Starz’s American Gods, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and penning graphic novels Marvel/Lucasfilm’s Lando: Double or Nothing, Lion Forge’s Quincredible, Marvel’s Falcon, and Secret Empire and many more. The Gibbs Sisters are a writing team as well as producers from Oakland, California currently based in Los Angeles.

Shawnelle's credits span television, animation, film, and publishing. She’s produced on Emmy and Peabody Award winning series for NBC Universal, and countless hours of programming for networks including ABC, Food Network and Discovery, Inc. Shawnee specializes in creating content for television, film, and publishing. She’s produced a wide range of television shows for networks including The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and National Geographic Channel. As one half of the Gibbs Sisters writing team, she’s authored the YA comic book series Fashion Forward and the Glyph Award-nominated adventure series, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker. Her upcoming YA graphic novel, Ghost Roast, will be published by HarperCollins in Fall 2023. What they all have in common besides successful Hollywood careers is a love for comics, between them they have all created a multitude of amazing titles. Barnes is known for Image comics' 'Killadelphia' and recently 'Blacula' based on the 1972 Film. The Gibbs Sisters are shaking up the comic world with titles like "Energy Vampires" for Marvel and their upcoming "Ghost Roast" The fabulous Mirage Thrams will moderate. You DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS TREAT! 🔥💥☄️🎊

09/12/2023

Reaching out to our Art & Soul Oakland online community to again highlight this Sunday's headliners! Latyrx & Friends - aka Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truthspeaker - will take the Plaza Stage at 5pm, backed by special guest DJ DSharp. The Oakland trio is certain to bring it to our Celebration of 50 Years of Hip Hop!

09/11/2023

Check it out - this Sunday at Oakland Art and Soul Festival in downtown Oakland!

▪️Black Women in Horror Panel ▪️at AfroComicCon 2023! Make sure yo@sign up for all of our panels at our linktree ^^^^ link or at www.AfroComiccon.org

09/10/2023

Thank you to our 2023 major sponsors!

09/10/2023

Looking forward to Art & Soul Oakland x AfroComicCon next Sunday September 17 and thinking through best options for getting there? We've got answers! For starters, the event is BARTable with the Oakland 12th Street City Center Station exiting directly onto festival grounds! Also, the City Center West Garage (entrance on MLK, between 14th & 12th streets) will be open from 8 am to 8 pm on event day, offering secure parking for $10 per vehicle. Other good opions are bicycling - or taking Uber or Lyft - using the address 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza. And don't forget - admission to Art & Soul Oakland is free!

21st Annual Art & Soul Oakland festival in partnership with AfroComicCon 2023!

09/09/2023

Huge shout out to our dear friends at Visit Oakland for sponsoring Art & Soul Oakland/AfroComicCon 2023 and serving as official event hosts! Looking to visit our beloved city or plan the best staycation ever? Visit their terrific website and while you're at it, grab a copy of the 2023 Inspiration Guide! https://www.visitoakland.com/

09/07/2023

We're jazzing things up at Art & Soul/AfroComicCon next Sunday September 17 in downtown Oakland! Join us for Oakland Public Conservatory of Music presents Black Girls Play & Afterschool Jazz Ensemble (an OPC/SFJAZZ Education partnership that identifies, and address goals related to ethnic and gender equity and access to jazz education). This very special program, dedicated in memory of Victor McElhaney, will take place on the Clay Street Stage at 2:30 p.m

09/07/2023

Hip Hop for Change uses grassroots activism to educate people about socio-economic injustices and advocate solutions through Hip Hop culture. The Oakland nonprofit is bringing it to the Art & Soul Oakland/AfroComicCon Plaza Stage at 12:30 pm next Sunday September 17 as part of our celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop: Their lineup includes: Afro-Cuban MC Jamaica Rodriguez; The Big 3 Youth Dance Crew; Deep East Oakland rapper Sum Of Man; Sixteen-year-old Berkeley MC Brooklyn Williams; Vallejo-based artist Daylite; Bay Area “Femcee” Amani Jade; and Sounds by DJ Amir. Hosted by Unlearn.
https://www.hiphopforchange.org/about-us

09/04/2023

Our friends at are pulling out the stops in support of Art & Soul taking place on Sunday September 17 in downtown Oakland. They are sponsoring the Plaza Stage and airing our promo spot on Comcast stations and platforms throughout the Bay Area. Thank you for your partnership!

09/03/2023

Sundays and Gospel go well together, don't you think? Make plans to experience Gospel Hour at Art & Soul Oakland Sunday September 17 on the Clay Street Stage at 1pm. Produced by Sandra Hunter, hosted by Dr. Pastor Bo Jackson and J-Red, and featuring LB & Friends, Joshua Carter, and Mary Williams, this is an inspirational hour you won't want to miss.

09/03/2023

Returning to Art & Soul Oakland for the second consecutive year is the Black Cultural Zone CDC’s Liberation Park on the Road! The bustling, family-friendly mobile park features the UMOJA Roller Skating Rink, AKOMA Outdoor Market on the Road, and Outdoor Play Day! Festival attendees are invited to join at noon for the first skating session with DJ KG, and then shop with local artisans, crafters, and makers!

09/02/2023

There is no better cure for the blues than the Blues ala ! The Caravan of All Stars showcases unsung heroes who define the artform. Led by Blues historian and lead guitarist extraordinaire Ronnie Stewart, the Caravan returns to again headline the Clay Street Stage at our 21st Annual Art & Soul festival Sunday September 17 at 4:30 pm. Make no mistake - these festival favorites rock!

09/01/2023

Women have played a key – if often overlooked – role in the 50-year evolution of Hip-Hop. In honor of both the pioneers and talents of today, Art & Soul 2023 is proud to gather a powerful lineup of Bay Area artists featuring MCs Suga-T, RyanNicole, Coco Peila, Dakini Star, Gina Madrid, Breathless, Shy’an G, and Versoul, all backed by DJ LadyRyan. Don't miss this exciting, first-ever showcase Sunday September 17, 2:30 pm on the Plaza Stage.

08/31/2023

Love costumes? Strut your stuff at AfroComicCon x Art & Soul Oakland Sunday September 17!

▪️COSPLAY Contest ! Who is ready to show up and show out? Register at the link for more information and sign up to participate! We can't wait to see what you all being to this years Afrocomiccon!

08/30/2023

Love to dance? Join Carla Service of Oakland's DANCE-A-VISION at Art & Soul on Sunday September 17. Carla will hold auditions for her dance company with participants performing on stage. There will also be a choreographer's challenge where one dancer will WIN a CASH prize. Open to ages 12-25, all styles and genders welcome. Step up and audition for the most unique dance company you've ever seen! Sign up at noon on the Food Court Stage on Clay Street in front of the State Building (1515 Clay). For audition details, please call 510-763-5180. .