It’s a long one…
The weekend, not the email. Juneteenth and Father’s Day. Gear up.
In this issue:
Your Juneteenth event lineup
Tonight’s tipsy spelling bee
Live music in the Laurel.
- 6 minute read
P.S. Let me know what you think of the newsletter by answering the poll at the bottom. I read every comment. srsly.
Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here so you don’t miss the next issue.
Town Deal
Giveaway: Win tickets to the Paramount’s Movie Classics
The Paramount’s beloved Movie Classics series is BACK — six Fridays of 35mm films, vintage cartoons, trailers, full bar service, and the return of the Dec-O-Win raffle game.
We’ve teamed up with the Paramount Theatre to give away 3 pairs of tickets — good for ANY Friday in the series. See the full lineup pictured above.
To enter, reply “MOVIES” to this email.
Three winners will be randomly selected. Deadline is Tuesday 6/23.
(Can’t wait? Films are scheduled every Friday at 7 PM, 6/19–7/24, and tickets are just $10. Grab yours →)
Town Holiday
Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Oakland?
There is a TON of Juneteenth events taking place in and around town this weekend. We’ve dropped a few choice ones below, but you can browse the full lineup at Visit Oakland.
Juneteenth | Friday, June 19
Juneteenth! at the Museum
OMCA and the Black Freedom Fund are throwing a full-day celebration of Black culture featuring live performances, DJ sets, bites from Bay Area chefs, soul line dancing, and hands-on art for all ages. Festival and gallery access is only $10. | Friday, 11am–4pm. OMCA, 1000 Oak St. See Details →
Hella Juneteenth Festival
The team at Hella Creative returns with their flagship event Hella Juneteenth Festival — this time at Prescott Market. The festival will feature live music, a cookout, local vendors, and a kids zone. The event is ticketed, but free for kids under 12. | Friday, 12–6pm. Prescott Market, 1620 18th St. See Details →
Juneteenth | Saturday, June 20
Juneteenth! The Blend: Coffee & R&B Day Party
Celebrate Juneteenth with coffee tastings, live R&B sets, and a $300-prize sing-along contest. It is ticketed and the dress code is “coffee tones,” AKA my wardrobe. | Saturday, 11am–4pm. Hella Bees, Harrison St. See Details →
The Cookout from Town Strides
Town Strides is teaming up with BLK to host a cookout in Snow Park featuring a free yoga session, game tables, and plates from Winky Dinky Dogs. (First 80 are free.) | Saturday, 11–3pm. Snow Park. RSVP Here →
Your Weekend
Our Picks for the weekend: June 19-21
Our curated lineup of top events for your weekend.
Thursday, June 18
A Buzzed Spelling Bee
I vividly remember the word that took me down in my 4th grade spelling competition. “Probably.” You’ve got one too, I know it. Tonight, you get your chance at a do-over with Kinfolx’ Buzzed Spelling Bee. Participants compete for a crewneck. | Thursday, Doors @ 7pm. See Tickets →
Piedmont Ave. hosts Third Thursday
Party on Piedmont tonight. Browse local businesses and enjoy wine tastings, live music, and exclusive deals. Highlights: Mars Records stays open late with a DJ and drinks. 20% off all plants at Moss & Spade. See Details →
Saturday, June 20
Laugh City: Comedy & Wine Night in Temescal Alley
Not THE alley, but the other one. With the wine shop and (long ago) a crème-filled donut spot. Chill out with live comedy and wine. 21+ and capped at 50 seats, so grab tickets before it sells out. | Saturday, Doors 7pm / Show 7:30–9pm. Sapphire Hill Winery, 482 49th St. See Details →
FEATURED EVENT
Montclair Beer, Wine & Music Festival is HERE
My elevator pitch for you: Unlimited tastings of 50 craft bevies, local chef-inspired bites, live music AND a kids’ fun zone. Plus, you get to keep the glass. Montclair’s staple celebration is here. | Saturday, 12-6pm. Montclair. See Tickets →
Sunday, June 21
Alameda Record Swap returns to Faction Brewing
If you’re looking to go island-side this weekend, stop by Faction for the monthly Alameda Record Swap featuring 50+ vendors and THOUSANDS of vinyls. | Sunday, 11–5pm. Faction Brewing, Alameda. See Details →
June’s edition of Live in the Laurel
The Laurel’s free, all-ages summer concert series rolls on with Orchestra Gold Unplugged and their African-inspired psychedelic world music. A youth jazz ensemble opens at 7pm sharp. Free. | Sunday, 7–9pm. Degrees Plato, 4251 MacArthur Blvd. See Details →
Town Parents
What to do with your kids this weekend?
Get our full June lineup of family-approved events here. More added each week!
This Weekend
Juneteenth at Children's Fairyland | Friday, June 19
Learn Double-Dutch jump roping from Jump Squad 510 @ 11:30am
10am–4pm · 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland · Ticketed · See Details →
Sand Castle & Sculpture Contest | Saturday, June 20
Register 9–11am, judging at noon · Robert Crown Beach, Alameda · Free · See Details →
Aesop's Playhouse Cooking Show at Fairyland | Saturday, June 20
11:30am · 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland · Ticketed · See Details →
Open Cockpit Day at the Oakland Aviation Museum | Sunday, June 21
11am–4pm · 8252 Earhart Rd, Oakland · Ticketed · See Details →
Your East Bay Real Estate Digest
Prepared by Oaktown Partner, Martin Kojnok
5869 Picardy Dr, Oakland
3 Bed, 2 Bath | 2,299 sqft
$999,000
7650 Ney Ave, Oakland
3 Bed, 1 Bath | 1,267 sqft
$585,000
280 Caldecott Ln #321, Oakland
1 Bed, 1 Bath | 773 sqft
$344,000
POP QUIZ
Think you know real estate? Tap an answer below and test your knowledge.
Q: Besides size and height requirements, which one of these does California law require to call a room a bedroom?
Got a question about real estate in the Bay? Drop Martin a note →
CORRECTION: Last week’s answer was incorrect. Fat thumbs here. It’s actually ‘No — only if the balconies have wood railings or framing.’ Interestingly, only 18% got it right. Read the full answer here →
Answer: B — A window (an egress window)
California requires an egress window — at least 5.7 sqft of clear opening, 20″ wide, 24″ tall, with a sill no higher than 44″ off the floor. A closet is not required by law to call a room a bedroom.
But here's the twist: an appraiser can disagree. A room without a closet may meet every other code requirement and still get counted as a den on an appraisal — which can matter when they value the home.
-Martin
Got a question about real estate in the Bay? Drop Martin a note →
Town News
Trending stories for your week
A new bidder wants the Oakland Arena — Legends Global has submitted a request to purchase the Arena for $102.5M. This comes after the current top bidder released a term sheet that outlined their next steps.
37,000 FIFA fans rode Bay Area transit to Levi’s — A record for public transit moving fans to the stadium.
Oakland’s ‘strong-mayor’ charter reform heads to November ballot — the proposal looks to overhaul Oakland’s unusual “hybrid” government structure granting the mayor more executive powers.
Road closures around Lake Merritt for Juneteenth — Oakland is shutting down stretches of Lakeshore and Grand Ave. to help with crowds and allow for emergency access. Check the photo before you head out.
That’s a wrap. As always, thanks for reading.
Enjoy the long weekend!
See you in town,
-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly
P.S. How’d we do today?👇
What did you think of today's newsletter?
P.P.S.
If you want to get our beer garden map or a birthday shoutout in this newsletter, refer your friends. Here’s your link: {{ rp_refer_url }}
Just drop that link and if your friend signs up and opens the first email, it counts.
