The “Historic Block Party” is an event collaboration to celebrate Oakland’s 150th Birthday. The event is sponsored by the OHA, with support from the City of Oakland, First Unitarian Church, the Pardee Home Museum, Preservation Park, and the newly opened African American Museum and Library of Oakland (AAMLO). On May 4th, there will be diverse programs and activities held in each of our partner venues from 11 AM to 3 PM.
 
The following is a partial listing of the events to be held in Preservation Park from 14th Street and Martin Luther King Way to 11th and Castro Streets in downtown Oakland.
 
Pardee Home Museum:

· 12:00-2:00: Square dancing on 12th Street. Free.

· 2:00 Unveiling of the city's first landmark plaque with Mayor Jerry Brown. Free.

· “Populists, Visionaries, & Self-Promoters: 46 Mayors” Historical exhibit in Coach House. Free.

· Everett & Jones barbecue on 12th Street. Charge.

· Ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn sold in 12^th Street. Charge.

· Premium beer and soda sold on 12th Street. Charge.

In the front Courtyard

· 12:30 and 1:15 Half-hour tours of church. Meet at front steps. Free.

· 12:00 Learn to play indigenous Filipino music in workshop featuring gong & bamboo instruments with Diskarte Namin. Free.

· See flags of dozens of nations in the courtyard, from the United Nations. Free.

In Wente Hall

· Make your own commemorative tile with local artisan Diane Winters, or purchase tiles from her collection.  All ages. $6 materials fee for workshop.

· Arts and crafts on the theme of Oakland's birthday, at the Museum of Children's Art (MoChA) table. All ages. Free.

In Starr King Room

· 12:15 – 12:45 and 1:00-1:30: Two half-hour interactive shows of Gary T. & his Poet Tree. Free.

· 2:15 – 3:00: Learn about the ArtShip docked here in Oakland, and do drawing. Free.

In Hamilton Hall

· 11:00 - 11:30: Slideshow by Slobodan dan Paich of the ArtShip. Free.

· 11:45-12:15: Mexican folk dance performance by Sol Mejica. Free.

· 12:30-1:00: Traditional Filipino Hip-hop fusion performance by Diskarte Namin. Free.

· 1:30-1:45: Aztec folk dance performance by Sol Mejica. Free.

· 2:00-2:30: Mixture of traditional folk dance by The Chinese Folk Dance Association led by Patty Chu. Free.

· 11:15 and 2:15: Forty-five minute tour of Preservation Park. Meet at front gate on MLK. Free.

· 12:00-2:00: Performance by Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Free.

· 11:45: Swing lessons led by the Bay Area’s premier dance hostess Cynthia Glinka (also provided during band breaks). Free.

· Vintage cars displayed in the park all day, courtesy of Piedmont Piano Company. Free.

· People in vintage art deco costumes, courtesy of the Art Deco Society of California.

· Booths galore! Here you can get information on Oakland Heritage Alliance (including our brand-new line of gift items) and buy some antique Oakland memorabilia. Other local organization informational booths as well.

· Food at Rio California cafe. Charge.

· See the magnificent restoration and view the collection of the African American Museum and Library at Oakland. Free.

· “Oakland Authors” presentation and lectures featuring Diem Jones, William & Nellie Wong, Jack & Adelle Foley, Catalina Cariaga, Leza Lowitz, Paul Flores, Francisco Alarcon (winner fo the Fred Cody Lifetime Achievement Award), Reginald Locket, Juvenal Acota, Alison Fletcher, Avotcja, Chinaka Hodge (18-year-old poet) and Forrest Hamer. Free.

More? Yes, more!

· Wandering Scottish bagpipe players. Free.

· The Splash Family Circus wanders around to entertain. Free.

· Horse-drawn wagon making its way up and down 14th Street, between the Historical Block Party and the City of Oakland events in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. $1 charge.

· “Oakland-Love Retrospective Poster Campaign,” public artworks by Jeff Hull of Divine Nonchalance featuring local legends from Julia Morgan and Calvin Simmons to Bruce Lee and Jim Otto, displayed @ 14th & MLK Jr. Way. Free.  

WHEW! We'll give you an update as more information comes in!