Thomas McElroy Jr. is set for a boxing career like no other, assisted by family, coaches and Oakland’s community network. His mother tells the story in a new documentary. https://www.kqed.org/arts/13989273/oakland-boxing-thomas-mcelroy-lightnings-gym-documentary

This year, the outpouring of love for the San Francisco rapper was a beautiful thing, writes Pendarvis Harshaw.

The 'OAKLAND IS PROUD' mural has been repainted in the same spot as the original (below), along E. 12th Street in East Oakland. @ogpenn.bsky.social with the story:

New fall wallpaper just dropped.

For composer Damani Rhodes, vocalist Vadia and poet Tongo Eisen-Martin, it took lots of brief stints and long breaks — seven years total — to complete their just-released album, 'Traveling Shoes,' which they will perform live this weekend in Oakland.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the City of Oakland will celebrate the 89th birthday of Black Panther Party cofounder Bobby Seale with a formal proclamation of “Bobby Seale Day” and a commemorative street renaming.

On view now through Nov. 7, the Día de Los Muertos exhibition at the San Francisco gallery and cultural center SOMArts embodies modern interpretations, ideas and concepts of the afterlife.

When legendary Sacramento rapper Marvaless was asked what to expect during her performance this Saturday at an event titled “Real Emcees Don’t Rap Over Their Lyrics” in San Francisco, she replied: “They should expect bars, you know what I’m saying?”

The Oakland artist’s cover for D Smoke's ‘Wake Up Supa’ tells a story about grief, hope and perseverance. D Smoke performs this Sunday, Nov. 2 at San Francisco’s August Hall.

Over the past year The Office Hours Studio, a monthly live performance series in Oakland, has played host to some of the most decorated names in Bay Area hip-hop and R&B. The next event takes place this weekend in Oakland: www.kqed.org/arts/1398323...

NOW on @kqednews.kqed.org radio... with @ogpenn.bsky.social !

Has it been 20 years 🤯 since #Katrina? Just a few families relocated to the Bay Area. Read how one mother shepherded her family to safety in the Bay Area. 🙏🏻 #NoEasyFeat #WhatResilienceLooksLike www.kqed.org/arts/1398055... via @kqednews.kqed.org @ogpenn.bsky.social

Morgan Freeman, one of the country’s finest and most celebrated actors, finds himself his new role: a blues ambassador. His latest production, combining the sound of the South with a symphony orchestra, takes place at SF Symphony this Friday:

Charlotte rapper MAVI and Oakland lyricist and producer Ovrkast. recently teamed up on the new track “MAVKAST!,” and its music video dropped today. On Saturday, the two artists will headline a benefit concert hosted by Jerusalem Coffee House. www.kqed.org/arts/1397913...

I was halfway thru this when I recognized the writing as most definitely yours @ogpenn.bsky.social www.kqed.org/arts/1397689...

"He was so supportive to all his students. He had the biggest heart ever"

Ruby Ibarra, a research scientist and fiercely poetic lyricist raised in San Lorenzo, is the winner of NPR’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest. Her winning track, “Bakunawa,” was inspired by the dragon-like serpent of Philippine mythology. Read our interview: www.kqed.org/arts/1397603...

At Indie Auxperience, a monthly industry mixer and talent showcase held on Treasure Island, artists come together to express themselves and create ways to generate revenue.

Rejoice! Netflix, PBS and PBS KIDS will air brand new installments of ‘Sesame Street’ on the same day. Netflix will also run 90 hours of old episodes.

Give me some Pointer Sisters... #SesameStreet

This weekend, entheogenic plant advocates and psilocybin lovers will convene in Oakland for an event dedicated to understanding, celebrating and creating community around psychedelic mushrooms and related medicinal plants.

It's @ogpenn.bsky.social talking with Ryan Coogler onstage at the Grand Lake about ‘Sinners,’ a tremendous film.

Really enjoyed #Sinners @sinnersmovie.bsky.social Check it out 🎥 🍿💕 Great discussion about the film w/ Ryan Coogler, Delroy Lindo & Raphael Saadiq moderated by @ogpenn.bsky.social in Oakland

Here's what happens when we turn over our public space to third-party art agencies and privately funded artworks, with no real opportunities for public feedback. aka bad temporary public art in SF www.kqed.org/arts/1397440...

D’Wayne Wiggins, founding member of the multi-Platinum R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, died last month. A public memorial for the award-winning Oakland musician will be held on Sunday, April 27 at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, his daughter announced. Details:

"Like Amazon, but with human beings."

For Union City-based award-winning journalist Hana Baba, it’s about preserving culture through her latest podcast venture, 'Folktales from Sudan.'

Some scenes from the Oakland and Berkeley "Hands Off!" protests today, opposing the Trump administration's radical policies of dismantling government, deportations, anti-LGBTQ and anti-diversity demands. oaklandside.org/2025/04/05/h...

BREAKING: China imposes a 34% tariff on imports of all U.S. products beginning April 10, matching the rate of Trump's "reciprocal" tariff imposed this week.

Award-winning filmmaker Joslyn Rose Lyons' new short film, 'The Masquerade,' depicts a fictional city's fight to retain its history and spirit while it grasps for a high-tech future. It also stars former San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis: www.kqed.org/arts/1397372...

"Taking Down Everything Black": Fired Kennedy Center VP Marc Bamuthi Joseph on Trump's Takeover

This weekend at Oakland’s Fluid510, while people in cosplay outfits face off against each other at video game consoles, DJs will spin hip-hop and Afrobeats during the inaugural Plus Arcade Party. Details: www.kqed.org/arts/1397346...

At the Oakland Roots' next home game at the Coliseum on March 29, the soccer club is set to host a Rooted & Rising: Women’s Empowerment Night, which will feature the work of renowned photographer Brittani “Brittsense” Sensabaugh.

On the corner of Jones and Ellis Streets in San Francisco, there’s an open-air art gallery filled with images of the very people who reside in the Tenderloin. The project, celebrating the oft-misjudged community, is the work of photographer Harry Williams. www.kqed.org/arts/1397296...

After her mother’s unexpected death, San Francisco rapper So Vicious is postponing her next release and taking some time off before taking over her mother’s business and furthering her legacy.

Sloane Gross’ ‘ARTY BUS’ tour!!! Photos by Erin Ashford.

A visual artist from Sacramento who lives in Oakland, Esteban Samayoa’s pieces depict ethereal images of lowriders on Daytons, dogs barking, tatted homies, smiling kids, Black revolutionaries and Brown pride. His new show opens in San Jose next week:

Michel Martin goin in 😭😭😭

Mani Draper, a rapper, DJ and producer from Richmond, is the embodiment of that old saying, “You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react.”

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful U.S. resident who has not been charged with any crimes. He was arrested Saturday in New York and taken to Louisiana for participating in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

D’Wayne Wiggins, founding member of the legendary R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, died this morning. He was 64. “D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” his family wrote in a social media post.

The Oakland Ballers have announced that Billie Joe Armstrong, along with pioneering Oakland rapper and entrepreneur Too Short, are now investors in the Ballers. They join a long list of fans who also own a portion of the team.

Festival at the Lake, held annually in Oakland from 1982–1997, holds warm memories for many longtime Oakland residents. Unfortunately, not much footage from the festival exists.

What does the future hold for West Oakland? New initiatives to revitalize the neighborhood can learn from those who’ve contributed to it in the past, like Art Shanks II.

In her new book, Oakland author Dr. Nia Imara challenges the notion that science and art exist in separate worlds, illustrating instead that everything in this universe is actually connected. ‘Painting The Cosmos’ is released today:

The trailer for ‘Freaky Tales’ is packed with Oakland landmarks and references to the Town's culture. The Oakland-set film, starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, and the late Angus Cloud, will be released in theaters this April.

Hundreds of artists signed a letter sent to the National Endowment for the Arts asking it to reverse policy changes made as a result of recent executive orders issued by President Trump.

This week in Oakland: Black Joy Parade and Jazz brunch at The Cook and her Farmer