Oakland, CA – Crisp autumn air and the light of the full moon glinting off the waves will set the stage for a night of fun in Jack London Square this October. In the festive tradition of Italian village fairs, the German holiday market, and the Moroccan bazaar, Jack London Square will host Full Moon Buy Night, a night market held on the evening of October 1st. Running from 5:30PM to 9:30PM, the event will celebrate all things Oakland. The market will feature local artisans and merchants selling their wares, accompanied by live music, strolling entertainers, ice skating, and delicious food.
“So much of what we’re doing here in Jack London Square is focused on community,” said Jim Ellis, Managing Principal of Ellis Partners LLC which, along with Transbay Holdings LLC, is undertaking a $375 million redevelopment of Jack London Square. “Whether it’s offering locally-grown fruits and vegetables at the Jack London Market or showcasing Oakland artisans, we’re working to make Jack London Square a resource and destination for this community.”
Dozens of vendors will line the waterfront promenade with stalls offering a cornucopia of local goods. Shoppers will see elegant hand-made jewelry, one-of-a-kind fine art, clever hats and accessories made from reused materials, safe eco-friendly toys and clothes for kids, note cards, soaps, candles, silkscreened tee’s, and more. Jack London Square is partnering with “Oakland Unwrapped!”, a program from One California Foundation which allows Oakland businesses to sell their products directly to customers in an online marketplace. Full Moon Buy Night will take that online experience into the real world for one exciting night. Shoppers will have the opportunity to interact directly with the craftspeople that make the goods on sale.
Visitors to Full Moon Buy Night will be treated a jam-packed bill of live entertainment. DJ Ron Matthews will man the turntables to set the mood for the evening, taking a break at 6PM to make way for an electrifying performance from the Cougar Drum Corps Cadets. Stilt walkers, fire eaters, magicians, and an authentic French accordionist will roam the Square throughout the night. Chabot Space and Science Center will provide activities to explore the night sky.
Palm trees and ice skating aren’t often mention in the same breath but for the month of October, visitors will see these unusual companions side by side. Taking advantage of the latest in technology, Jack London Square will offer the public ice skating on a new Hybrid-Ice rink under a grove of swaying palms. Full Moon Buy Night marks the first evening of a month of skating in Jack London Square. The rink will be open to the public throughout October.
Full Moon Buy Night shoppers will have no fear of going hungry. The Pacific Coast Farmers Market will be in the Square with farm-fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade pastas, fresh cut flowers, oils, juices, breads and cheese. In addition to the first-class restaurants housed in Jack London Square, street food carts will offer delicious festival foods. Miss Pearl’s Jam House, Il Pescatore, Kincaid’s, Scott’s, Bocanova, and Cocina Poblana will each offer drinks and light fare.
The OAKBOOK’s new Jack London Square gallery, art@theOakbook, will open its doors to display the new show, “Improvised Branches.” The exhibit will feature the work of Oakland artists, exploring the intersections between art and journalism.
Full Moon Buy Night is sponsored by Jack London Square, the Port of Oakland, the East Bay Express, Oakbook Magazine, and Oakland Unwrapped.
Full Moon Buy Night is just one of many exciting events offered to the public this year in Jack London Square. For more information, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com.
At a Glance:
What:
Full Moon Buy Night, a night market featuring: A variety of gifts and goods from local shops and artisans; Live music; Ice skating; Strolling entertainers; Celestial observations from Chabot Space and Science Center; Fresh produce; Delicious festival food.
Where:
Jack London Square, Oakland (Broadway at Embarcadero)
When:
October 1, 2009; 5:30 – 9:30 PM
Cost:
Free and Open to the Public
# # #