Top Tickets: January 14-20

Diablo's picks for the can't-miss events of the coming week.

What a big week for America, huh?  Over the next several days, the East Bay joins the rest of the country in celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the historic presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.  Here are your top tickets…

Martin Luther King, Jr. events

Honor Dr. King’s legacy with Oakland Celebrates the Dream featuring keynote speaker Angela Glover Blackwell and live entertainment from the Oakland School for the Arts and Oakland Public Theater. Thursday, January 15, Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., free, (510) 444-2489, www.oaklandnet.com/celebrations.

Hear from Paul Von Blum, senior lecturer in African American Studies at UCLA at the Oakland Museum’s MLK Community Day, which also includes performances by spoken-word artist Ise Lyfe, baritone Autris Paige, and Jetaun Maxwell from Dance Theater of the Gospel. Sunday, January 18, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland, 12–4p.m., free with museum admission, (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org. 

Later that day, several arts groups come together for the lively musical tribute In The Name of Love, including the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Destiny Arts Youth Performance Co., Oakland Children’s Community Choir, and the Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Sunday, January 18, Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, 7:30p.m., $5–$12, (800) 838-3006, www.mlktribute.com.

Presidential Inauguration events

Laugh-in the new president with Obama-Haha, when comedians Will Durst, Johnny Steele, Dan St. Paul, and Joe Klocek come together to “maul McCain, pulverize Palin, chew out Cheney, ravage Rove, and of course kick W. back to Crawford.” Sunday, January 18, Sebastiani Theatre, 476 1st St. E, Sonoma, 2p.m., $15–$18, (707) 996-9756, and Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St., Vallejo, 7p.m., $15, (707) 552-2400, www.obamahaha.com.

Set your alarm and start your day with the Presidential Inauguration Viewing live on the big screen at Oracle Arena. There will be thousands in attendance, so get there early! Parking gates open at 6a.m.; doors open at 7a.m. Tuesday, January 20, Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, 8a.m., $5, (510) 569-2121, www.coliseum.com.

Saint Mary's College offers its own Presidential Inaugural Watch Party. Community members are invited to join faculty, staff, and students for the telecast and breakfast. Afterward, hear from Saint Mary's staffer Tim Farley, who will phone in comments from the real deal in Washington D.C. Free buttons for the first 250 to arrive. Tuesday, January 20, Soda Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga, 7:30a.m., free, (925) 631-4222, www.stmarys-ca.edu.

Celebrate later in the day at the Walnut Creek Inaugural Ball sponsored by Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center. The evening begins with acoustic music by All Night Flight, followed by the dance grooves of Big Bang Beat. Food included with ticket; no host bar. Tuesday, January 20, Shadelands Art Center, 111 Wiget Ln., Walnut Creek, 7-11p.m., $35, (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.org.

...and one bonus event

I can’t end this week’s blog without mentioning the 30th annual Shellie Awards. Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, this black-tie affair celebrates the best local theater productions, performers, and technicians, with live music, backstage interviews, and other red-carpet fun. Saturday, January 17, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, 7:30p.m., $30, (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.org.

For even more events happening this week, browse the complete listings on Diablo’s Community Calendar.

Posted at 11:08 AM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink