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Things to do in Oakland: Apr. 9-12

Things to do in Oakland: Apr. 9-12

This Weekend: Bull riding, local club showcase, and free cones

Kolby Hatch
April 09, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Happy Thursday!

Rain is on the menu this weekend, starting late tonight and staying damp through Sunday evening. Monday, it’s dry. Of course it is…

In other news:

Every 2026 Greek show
A hip-hop, startup pitch competition
Oaklands first club showcase

- away we go

P.S. Wait!

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Town Civics

Why the June Primaries matter (to Oakland)

It’s time again folks… Oakland voters will head to the ballots on June 2 during the statewide primaries to cast their vote on a number of issues including three tax measures and Oakland’s new District Attorney.

Why care about the primaries?

Truth: Primary elections have historically lower turnouts. Which means every vote has more weight.

AND for Oakland specifically, several important measures, like the DA and Measure E, will be decided during this June vote. Not in November.

It’s one of the more impactful primaries for Oakland in a long time.

So, vote. Seriously.

Empower Oakland, a volunteer-led civic organization, recently released their 2026 June Primary voting guide for Oakland voters. You can find it here.

And if you’re not registered, get it done here.

Some important dates:

May 4 - Ballots are mailed
May 5 - Ballot drop-off locations open
May 18 - Last day to register
May 30 - Early in-person voting opens throughout California
Jun 2 - Last day to vote in-person and return ballot by 8pm

(If you know of other voting resources, send them my way.)

Today’s Town Sponsor

Daily news for curious minds.

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Your Weekend

Things to do in Oakland Apr. 9-12

Our curated list of events for families, couples, and everyone in-between. Got an event you’d like to promote? Submit it here.

Thursday, Apr. 9

Wild Things comes to The Continental Club
The monthly variety show returns to Oakland with a combination of circus, comedy, burlesque, beat-boxing, pole performance and loads more. 3 hours of chaos, sign me up. | Thursday, 8-11pm. The Continental Club. See Tickets →

Friday, Apr. 10

Spring Fest returns to San Leandro
San Leandro… Oakland’s southern cousin. Enjoy live music, vendors, food, and a downtown Easter Egg Hunt in this special edition of San Leandro’s Second Friday Series. | Friday, 4-9pm. Downtown, San Leandro. See Details →

Saturday, Apr. 11

If a hip-hop musical and Shark Tank had a stage baby…
Get this: a live musical experience AND a pitch competition that will award $30k on stage. Yes, it’s real. And yes, it’s happening in Oakland this weekend. | Saturday, 2pm. Henry J. Kaiser. See Tickets →

Catch professional bull riding at Oakland Arena
PBR — the league, not the beer — is coming to Oakland this Saturday as part of the league’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour. And full disclosure: whenever I see the words “whisk(e)y” and “velocity”, I’m sold. | Saturday 7pm. Oakland Arena. See Tickets →

The Oakland Join-up Fair and Film Screening
Can clubs save us? The Joiners think so. Stop by the 2-day event which will feature a screening of the film Join or Die and an activity fair showcasing local clubs and organization YOU can join. All ages, raffles and prizes for attendees. | Saturday & Sunday, Two Pitchers Brewing, Oakland. See Details →

Sunday, Apr. 12

The FIRST Contra Costa vintage market
Taking place in the heart of Lafayette, meet the new Contra Costa vintage market. Organizers plan to host the event every second Sunday of the month, with this Sunday being the kick off. Free admission. | Sunday, 10-3pm. 3583 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. See Details →

Next Week

Free cone day is April 14th at Ben & Jerry’s
That’s right, 8 hours of free B&J ice cream is coming next Tuesday. Just remember to tip. Upgrade to a waffle cone to support local students. | Tuesday, 12-8pm. Jack London, Oakland. See Details →

Town Real Estate

New East Bay Listings This Week

Interested in advertising in Oaktown? Let us know.

Town News

Stories from The Bay

Childcare prices pushing 50% a paycheck — No surprise, the Bay Area being the most expensive in CA with an average of $31k for annual infant care.

2-alarm blaze burns Fairmount Ave. apartment — The Tuesday night fire damaged multiple units. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No one was injured.

Get caught up on Emeryville’s cookie drama — The story of Kehinde Koyejo, the founder of Choc’late Mama Cookie Co. a popular Emeryville cookie business that’s now on the ropes after a complaint from a neighboring artist turned sour.

Presenting the 2026 Greek Theatre Lineup — For your viewing pleasure. Also no doubt we’ll be lining up some giveaways here. Holler for your favorite.

And that’s a wrap.

But before you go…

Do me a favor, and tell me what you think with this short survey.

Much appreciated.

See you out there,

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

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