Oakland, CA – Jack London Square will be the East Bay’s venue to celebrate warm summer weather in 2011. Today Jack London Square announced a full slate of public events that will bring months of movies, music, dance, activities, and more to Oakland’s waterfront.
This year, Jack London Square will introduce a new outdoor music series called SoundWaves. SoundWaves will present the best local musical talent in an unparalleled setting. Artists will cover genres ranging from smooth jazz, to big band classics and more. Visitors can enjoy these bands while overlooking the beautiful waterfront. Concerts will begin on Thursday evening May 19 and continue weekly at 5:30pm through June. It’s a great way to end the workday and enjoy the outdoors.
On Friday Nights this summer, Jack London Square will play host to sizzling salsa, tight turns, and elegant waltzes. But on this dance floor, there will be no judges and no one will be voted out. Dancing Under the Stars returns June 3rd with over a dozen sessions of free outdoor dance classes from Oakland’s Linden Street Dance Studio. Beginning at 8:30 each Friday night, beginners and experts alike will receive professional instruction in a range of popular steps, all on Oakland’s waterfront and by the light of the stars.
The one-of-a-kind movie experience, Waterfront Flicks, will return this summer with a full slate of food-themed movies projected on giant screen by the waterfront every other Thursday. This year, films will focus on food and will kick off with Julie & Julia on July 7. The movies will begin at sunset. The program will continue through September and include Ratatouille, Big Night and others.
There will be many other unique and on-going events this summer by the water at Jack London Square. These include monthly Full Moon kayaking and cruises available on the Presidential Yacht Potomac.
On May 22, the DooF-a-Palooza Family Food Festival will arrive. On June 4 & 5 and June 11 & 12, East Bay Open Studio at Jack London Square will feature more than 40 artists. Visitors can meet the animal of their dreams at the East Bay SPCA Adopt-a-thon on July 17. In August, wine-lovers can sip along with the East Bay Vintners Alliance at the Urban Wine Experience on August 6.
In addition, don’t forget to mark your calendars now. The Eat Real Festival will return on the weekend of September 23-25.
With an array of first-class dining options, Jack London Square gives visitors a chance to enjoy an exceptional meal when they come to the Square for any of the season’s many events. Bocanova, Cocina Poblana, Miss Pearl’s Jam House, Scott’s Seafood, Il Pescatore, Kincaids, Yoshi’s and Hahn’s Hibachi each offer diners unique cuisine in a picturesque waterfront setting.
Vistors can also swing by each Sunday morning to visit the Jack London Square Farmer’s Market – one of the largest in the region.
In addition to these summer series, Jack London Square will play host to a wide range of special events.
For more information, you can check out www.jacklondonsquare.com. You can also find Jack London Square on Facebook and on Twitter at @JackLondonSq. Highlights of Calendar of Events include:
SoundWaves – Live Musical Entertainment
Thursdays – 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM FREE
May 19 – Crystal Monee Hall, Smooth Jazz
May 26 – Ben Oni Orchestra, Big Band
June 2 – Lava, Latin
June 9 – Faye Carol, Blues
June 16 – The Shotgun Wedding Quintet (Jazz Mafia), R&B/Soul
Dancing Under the Stars Schedule:
Fridays – 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM FREE
June 3 – Salsa
June 10 – Cha Cha
June 17 – Rumba
June 24 – Swing
July 1 – Hustle
July 8 – Merengue
July 15 – Waltz
July 22 – American Tango
July 29 – Foxtrot
August 5 – Samba
August 12 – Argentine Tango
August 19 – Salsa
August 26 – “The Final Lesson” featuring live salsa music
Waterfront Flicks Schedule – All Films with a Food Theme
Every other Thursday – Movies begin at sunset FREE
July 7 – Julie and Julia
July 21 – Big Night
August 4 – Ratatouille
August 18 – Dinner for Schmucks
September 1 – Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?
September 15 – No Reservations
September 29 – Chocolat
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