Put Duolingo down, it’s not helping. If you’re serious about learning Spanish, here’s the truth: Do it locally and in-person.

I’ve been taking Spanish classes for the last 2 years. And yes, it makes Bad Bunny that much more enjoyable, but it’s also a life skill that’s literally enriched my life.

My school: Easy Spanish Para Ti. It’s an Oakland-based Spanish Language school offering group and private 1:1 instruction both in person and online.

For Oaktown Subscribers: ESPT is offering a FREE language assessment. There you can get the 411 on classes AND find out exactly what level speaker you are. S/o B1’s.

Our roundup of the best Super Bowl events in the East Bay this weekend.

All Weekend

Celebration of Champions Festival at Gold Bar Distillery

Trekking to Treasure Island is no small feat, but Gold Bar Distillery is out to make it worth the trip this weekend. Friday and Saturday, Gold Bar is hosting 49ers legends, kids football workshops, and slinging BBQ all day. Plus, performances at night. | Friday & Saturday, 10-4pm. Gold Bar Distillery, Treasure Island. See Details →

Friday

Divine 9 & HBCU Flag Football Classic

Flag football is having a moment. From the Pro Bowl to the Olympics. See it live at Laney College this Friday. Come support D9 sororities and fraternities, and HBCUs at the Flag Football classic. Free to the public. | Friday 3-7pm. Laney College, Oakland. See Details →

Saturday

Thiccnesse Super Bowl 5k

The folks behind Drink Thicc are on a roll. Join them Saturday morning for a 5k around Lake Merritt starting and ending at Drink Thicc. After party with smoothies and DJ Jambalaya. | Saturday @ 8:30am. 372 24th St. Oakland. RSVP →

The Complex Family Style Food Fest at The Coliseum

This is everything you’d want in a Bay festival: local chefs slinging curated menus, plenty of drinks, and live performances from LaRussell. GA tix are free and the merch is tiiight. | Saturday 12-8pm. Coliseum. RSVP →

Sunday (Super Bowl LX)

Where to watch in Oakland

• Cry Baby’s watch party hosted by La Doña | Food trucks and drink specials. Doors @ 2pm. $10 cover, All ages.

• Athletic Club Oakland | 40 screens, DJs, and drink specials. Doors @ 2pm. $20pp. All ages.

• Bill McNally’s Irish Pub | Rockridge’s Seahawks Bar. Doors @ 2pm. No cover. 21+

• Tiger’s Taproom | Filipino street food. Doors @ 2pm. No cover. 21+. Reservations open.

• Official Oakland Super Bowl Watch Party | The ONLY official watch party. Sold out, but there is a Fan zone. All ages.

We know not everyone is into football, so for the rest of you… your weekend.

Got an event you’d like to promote? Submit it here.

Friday

White Elephant Warehouse Sale

It’s open to the public now, but last we checked Friday is the only day this weekend with tickets still available. Come get disoriented in the largest swap meet in NorCal. | Friday 10-2pm. 333 Lancaster St. Oakland Get Tickets → 

Holy S**t Magic Show every First Friday

Don’t watch football, but love magic? Treat yourself to some live, local magic at All Out Comedy Theater. Show features a variety of magic, circus, and clown performers. | Friday, Doors @ 8:30pm. 2550 Telegraph Ave. See Tickets →

Saturday

Narrative Oakland’s First Saturday Vintage Market

It’s a mouthful, but it’s worth the drive to Jack London. Every first Saturday Native Oakland — the vintage superstore — organizes a vintage market in Jack London. | Saturday 10-3pm. 222 Jefferson St. Oakland. See Details →

Children’s Fairyland Lunar New Year Festival

Celebrate the Lunar New Year all weekend at Fairyland. Featuring special live performances, sweet treat samples, and lion dancing. | Saturday & Sunday 10-4pm, Children’s Fairyland. See Tickets →

Sunday

Tallboy’s V-Day Market

Need a gift for that special someone that doesn’t scream, “I Amazon’d this yesterday.” Nope. Support local artists this Sunday at Tallboy’s V-day market. Bonus: you get to shop with a martini in hand. Yup. | Sunday 2-6pm. Tallboy, Temescal. See Details →

Have an event you’d like featured? Tell us here.

Interested in advertising in Oaktown? Let us know.

Descendants sue City of Piedmont — The descendants of a black family who were harassed and run out of Piedmont in the 1920’s are suing the city to compensate for the long-term value of the lost property.

A “pro-billionaire” march is coming to SF — The March for Billionaires is apparently a real thing, and is expected start at Pac Heights and head to Civic Center Plaza.

OUSD’s new $62M headquarters is empty — After going over budget by $5M, the school district’s new administrative headquarters is now mostly empty. Plans to fill it are currently being evaluated.

That was a long one…

Thanks for sticking with it.

ENJOY your Super Bowl Weekend.

Stay safe and if you’re going DT… don’t leave anything in your car.

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

P.S. We’re looking for advertisers for March!

Hit us up if you want to get in front of thousands of Oakland locals.