The 5^th Annual Oakland Indie Awards were a smashing success! On May 13^th, Oaklanders honored local artists and small businesses at the Indie Awards. Check out photos of the event at http://www.flickr.com/photos/onepacificcoast. The Oakland Indie Awards encourages people to recognize the community, economic, environmental, and political impact of supporting Oakland’s locally-owned businesses and artists instead of chain stores. It also provides rare opportunities for recognition for the small businesses and artists that make Oakland such a wonderful, creative place. Finally, it’s a chance for Oaklanders to just celebrate Oakland by enjoying Oakland food, wine, chocolate and music.

Congratulations to the Indie Awards winners:

• Business Greenie Award – The Rising Loafer Café & Bakery

• Artist Greenie Award - Jamie Vaida

• Pillars – Montclair Vet Hospital & Give Something Back

• Innovative Newbie – Back to the Roots Ventures

• Ripple Effect – Mandela Foods Co-operative

• Socially Responsible Rockstar – Karen’s Flowers

This event would not have been possible without the support of our committed sponsors including: Mattmar Group, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass, Uptown Apartments, Dan Carroll and Stasia Obremskey, Pete Higgins and Leslie Magid, Blue Heron Catering Company, SuperPrint, Exploratorium, Jack London Square, California Waste Solutions, First Solar, YMCA of the East Bay, City of Oakland, Urban Legends Winery, East Bay Community Foundation, Ron Beller and Jennifer Moses Family Foundation, Bay Area Derby Girls, Oakland Outlaws, AnewAmerica, Kipp and Sara Howard, Nancy Neel, and Bruce and Susan Kelley.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Art and Soul, Oakland’s live music and art festival in downtown Oakland.  The event takes place on Saturday, August 21st and Sunday, August 22nd.  This year’s lineup features well known groups, including Cake, MC Hammer, En Vouge, Tony! Toni! Toné! as well as local East Bay talent.  The event also features a Family Fun Zone for kids, art and artistic creations for purchase, lots of yummy food, and more!  Tickets are available for purchase online.  To purchase tickets and find out more information, check out their website here.

Before fall is officially over and winter is upon us (in all its holiday-music-glory), be sure to check out the Oakland Youth Orchestra’s Fall Concert this Sunday, November 8th, at 3 PM at the Allen Temple Baptist Church.  Admission is free, so why not check out some live classical music for a relaxing Sunday afternoon?  For more details, visit their website.

The Rockridge District Association is pleased to bring you “Rockridge Out & About” on Sunday, September 27th.  This event will showcase the best of the Rockridge and North Oakland neighborhoods, including local businesses-from boutiques to restaurants to book stores and more-as well as health forums, live music and dancing, cooking demonstrations, children activities, a fashion show, and more!  Check the event website for more information.

Jack London Square is hosting a ton of fun weekly events this summer, including:

Musical Mondays
Live music, board games, and cocktails outside Heinolds’ Last Chance Saloon.  Family friendly, of course!  Mondays through July 27. 5:30 - 8pm

Waterfront Flicks - Every Other Thursday
Fun movies and Oakland trivia games 7:30pm

Dancing Under the Stars - Every Friday
Free outdoor dance lessons Fridays through September 25th. Prix fixe menus at JLS restaurants and a different dance every night! 8:30pm

See details and more events at the Jack London Square website.