Category — housewares

It seems that Spring has permanently sprung here in perpetually sunny Oakland. With First Friday just around the corner, there is no shortage of exciting events and new happenings in our downtown.

After WonderCon decided to decamp from the Oakland Convention Center (at the City Center Marriott, on 10th St) to larger digs in Anaheim, a group of community-loving comics creators decided to hold a gathering here in the DTO. Starting today, the Image Comics Expo runs through the weekend. Tonight, the Uptown (1928 Telegraph) hosts a welcome party, and fundraiser for the Comic Books Legal Defense Fund, starting at 8pm.

Diablo Magazine’s new issue rounds up all the latest restaurant news in downtown. The opening of Bittersweet Cafe on Broadway and the expansion of Beer Revolution are two highlights have haven’t been mentioned in this space before – but seeing everything lined up in one place is quite heartening. Quick update to the list – as of today, Le Cheval is operating from their original, remodeled space at 10th and Clay Streets.

Unmentioned in the magazine is the Night Light, which will open this Spring in the former Clancy’s space at 311 Broadway. The decor is beautiful, following a subtle nautical theme.

After the death of music and cultural hero Don Cornelius, a large Soul Train line formed in Times Square to celebrate his legacy. Inspired by that effort, a local group is asking for music fans to come to Henry Kaiser Park (19th off Telegraph) to mount what they’re hoping will be the world’s largest Soul Train line, on Saturday at noon. Hear from the organizers on their Facebook invite.

Uptown’s charming Entrez housewares boutique (1645 Telegraph) has moved to Walnut Creek, but its spirit will be celebrated this Sunday with a party benefiting the soon-to-open Urban Montessori School. A fundraising raffle will be accompanied by music, wine tasting by Periscope Cellars, and kid-friendly and craft activities. An after-party at Somar follows. Check out the details on Facebook.

Vitus (201 Broadway) and the Bay Area Pinball Blog welcome the debut of a new pinball machine with a tournament and party next Wednesday, Feb 29. The AC/DC machine will be greeted with a performance by the Dolomites. The tournament costs $5, starts at 5pm, and the deadline for registration is 8pm. Vitus’s four other machines, which include all-time best-seller Medieval Madness, will be available for non-tournament play.

See you on the pins!

Our humble central district is perhaps more peaceful and more quiet than it has been recently, yet more loudly buzzing with positive energy and new attractions.

The year is starting strong for investors in downtown’s older commercial buildings, as the San Francisco Business Time reports. Several office buildings have traded hands recently as busineses seeking space are taking advantage of good deals. This will hopefully presage continued strong employment growth downtown, as the City and private businesses work to make the area safer and more vibrant.

But even as things are looking up, it’s the last weekend of lovely downtown furniture and housewares shop Entrez Open House (1645 Telegraph), which is closing after five years as an anchor of Uptown. Though the shop closes after Sunday, there will be a final farewell party on Feb 26th.

Though cool stores can close, others can appear or change, and nearby sex retailer Feelmore510 (1703 Telegraph) is celebrating its anniversary this Sunday with a party at the newly-renovated Hibiscus (1745 San Pablo), which now boasts a “dance wing.” Get the details on Facebook.

As part of a statewide series, Laney College hosts a celebration of black choreographers this weekend, with performances and lectures. See ticketing site for details.

La Borinquena’s Tina Tamale hosts a Tamales y Vino party at Urban Legend Cellars (621 4th St) tonight. Tickets and information are here.

Old Oakland’s Sticks + Stones Gallery (815 Broadway) is holding a reception this evening from 5:30 to 8:30, entitled War, Women, Whiskey and More. The gallery is showing the works of Sean Dietrich, best known as a live painter.

The Art Murmur’s Saturday Stroll of mellow gallery exhibitions is now every Saturday, not just the first. Running from 1-5pm, a highlights is the Slate Gallery (473 25th St), and others listed on OaklandArtMurmur.org.

Enjoy this unseasonably warm weather with a weekend in more peaceful downtown! See you in Uptown!