Wanda's Picks Friday, July 27, 2012 Summer Nights at OMCA

This weekend there are a multiplicity of events in Oakland and the Greater Bay Area. I mention several on the air this morning, one of them sponsored by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, in its second year is a day of community service, Oakland Style called appropriately: Throw Down for the Town! Visit http://ellabakercenter.org/soul-of-the-city/throw-down-for-the-town

In Orinda, Cal Shakes with Starchild Traci Bartlow are having a wonderful time with Zora Neale Hurston's SPUNK! set to the sound track of the blues and jazz. Traci is hosting dance lessons following the show Friday nights and this is the final Friday, as the show closes Sunday evening, July 29. Visit www.calshakes.org

Sunday, July 29, Avotcja celebrates her 71st birthday at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, 7 p.m. Avotcja's friends always drop by for a wonderful concert that ends with a blues party. Visit www.lapena.org

Telling Secrets: Mary Bowser, Black Civil War Spy with Lois Leveen
The Museum of the African Diaspora is highlighting the career of a black woman who went behind antebellum walls to spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. Imagine intentionally allowing oneself to be enslaved. Visit www.moadsf.org

This morning we speak to Cynthia Taylor, Assistant Dir. of Public Programming at the Oakland Museum of California, about Summer Nights, tonight, Fri., July 27, 2012, 5 - 9 p.m. yes, extended hours at half price! Visit museumca.org We wax at length about tonight's programming which besides a book signing with Oakland cartoon artist, Dan Clowes with Chris Ware. There will be a special bus out front for folks to get on and explore 1968 memories while Amoeba Records is spinning all the hits of that era or season. Funny Girl screens outside, the Blue Cafe popping hot corn treats for patrons to eat. Taylor and I also spoke about a special ceremony tomorrow, 1-3 p.m. the Ohlone basket weaving ceremony, which is free admission and next week's annual Celebration of the Summer Reading Program with the Oakland Public Library.

We are then joined by Thomas Simpson, AfroSolo founder whose program is in its 19th year. The AfroSolo season kicks off Mon., July 30, at the Common Wealth Club with a panel discussion on Race with Joyce Gordon, Sherri Young, Marcus Shelby and Sean San Jose. Visit afrosolo.org

We close with a rebroadcast of Safi wa Nairobi's interview with Watts Prophets co-founders Richard. DeDeaux and Father Amde Hamilton and Oakland drummer Ajayi Jackson who will join them.

Music featured comes from Donald Bailey Blueprints of Jazz Vol.3. Again Mr. Bailey is honored this weekend at the "Nat'l Treasures Concert" at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music at 1616 Franklin @ 17th Street. Visit opcmusic.org

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