Oakland’s magnetic Art + Soul festival, celebrating local spirit, style, creativity, and pride, takes place July 27 & 28 from Noon-6pm. The 19th annual assemblage of world artists that call Oakland home will bring together the people of America’s most diverse and culturally exciting city to honor its rich musical heritage.
The two-day festival will kick off Saturday with Grammy-winning international R&B singer/songwriter Estelle. Her headlining main stage set will be preceded by rousing performances by local favorites Agape Sol, Sol Development and Grammy-nominated hip hop artists Alphabet Rockers. Rounding out the Saturday program will be our annual gospel, turf and emerging artists (aka Oakland Jams) stages. On Sunday, the high-energy main stage lineup continues with our biggest Blues showcase ever, featuring two-time Grammy winner and pride of Oakland, Fantastic Negrito. His headlining set will follow a rousing afternoon of school blues presented for the 19th consecutive year by the West Coast Blues Society. Sunday’s program rounds out with our annual world dance stage presented by Carla Service’s Dance-A-Vision, day two of our emerging artists stage, and back-by-popular-demand, a full stage presented by Jazz Mafia. The full festival lineup, with performance times, will be posted on July 1 at: http://artandsouloakland.com/lineup.htm
The ever-evolving festival fuses new activities and annual favorites, this year including:
• The ever-popular artisan marketplace offering hand-made goods ranging from clothing and housewares to artisanal soaps and unique art objects.
• A tempting array of food booths reflecting the myriad cultures that make Oakland and America great.
• An eclectic world/urban dance stage featuring some of the hottest urban and ethnic dance troupes performing hip hop, modern, afro-fusion, jazz and more, presented by Oakland’s Dance-a-Vision.
• Yak to the Bay (a.k.a. Yak Films) returns with another high-flying, must-see Turf Dance Battle.
• One of the largest Family Fun Zone of any festival in the Bay Area with kiddie rides, carnival games and interactive arts.
● Aerialists, contortionists and acrobats mesmerize at the standing-room-only Kinetic Arts Circus Stage.
• New activities this year include an interactive public mural painting project with Art Murmur where festival-goers can create a collective work celebrating Oakland spirit and pride.
Art + Soul Oakland 2019 is Northern California’s most accessible festival with direct service via both BART’s 12th Street City Center station and AC Transit, in addition to $5 parking in the adjacent City Center West Garage, 12th Street at Martin Luther King Jr., Way.
Art + Soul Oakland 2019 takes place in downtown Oakland on Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20, from noon to 6 p.m., centered in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, encompassing 10 strollable city blocks.
TICKETS & ADMISSION
Advance Ticket Sales:
$12 adults - one day; $18 adults - two day ticket (advance sales only, not available at the gate); $6 seniors (65+) - one day; $9 seniors - two day ticket (advance sales only, not available at the gate); ages 18 & under enjoy free admission
At the Door/Gate:
$15 adults - one day; $8 seniors (65+) - one day; ages 18 & under enjoy free admission
Tens of thousands are expected for the popular two-day event, now in its 19th year, packed with sensational music, food, fun, dance and art in beautiful downtown Oakland. Blues, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Funk, Gospel, Rock, Indie, Hip Hop, plus Turf and Urban/World Dance will take place on four stages.
For tickets and information, including the complete 2019 lineup, visit ArtandSoulOakland.com.
