Paramount Theatre, Oakland
Oakland Arts
Fox Theater
DESCRIPTION: After closing this 1920s-era theatre in 1966, the Fox re-opened in 2009 after a $75 million renovation to a state-of-the-art concert venue. It has with capacity from 1,500 to 2,800 depending on the event. The theater’s wrap-around building is the permanent home for the Oakland School for the Arts, which dedicated to artistic and academic excellence. The Fox serves as the flagship live music venue for Another Planet Entertainment.
BOX OFFICE: open only on show nights
ADDRESS: 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 19th Street BART Station
PARKING: plenty of paid lots nearby
PHONE: 510-302-2277
WEBSITE: http://www.thefoxoakland.com
Paramount Theatre
DESCRIPTION: This restored art deco palace seating 3,000 patrons, is home Oakland Symphony. Superb acoustics make it “the place” for concerts, the annual Black Comedy competition and advance screenings by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. This theatre was also on the last tour schedule of Luther Vandross and hosted an advance screening of Introducing Dorothy Dandridge with Halle Berry present. Tours of the theatre provide an informative view of the building. Cameras are allowed.
BOX OFFICE: Tue-Fri 11a-5:30p and Sat 11a-3p; on the first and third Saturdays of each month, 2-hour tours begin at 10a at Box Office entrance for a small per person fee.
ADDRESS: 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 19th Street BART Station
PARKING: plenty of paid lots nearby
PHONE: 510-893-2300
WEBSITE: http://www.paramounttheatre.com
Oakland Museum
DESCRIPTION: Visitors are welcomed at the Oak Street entrance by a 90-foot stainless-steel canopy, providing a sheltered place for school kids and group tours to meet. Works from Oliver Jackson, Sargent Johnson and Mildred Howard and many others; a 60’s exhibit includes Black Panther artifacts. The beautifully restored 1st fire truck in the Bay Area driven by African-Americans in the 1800s is featured. No flash or tripod photography is permitted. The Museum Store features a healthy collection of hisotric books, calendars, cards, crafts and jewelry.
ADMISSION: Adults $8, Age 65+ and students w/ID $5, Age 5 and under enter free; enter Free on Second Sundays
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: from Lake Merritt BART Station walk 1.5 blocks north on Oak Street
PARKING: garages and paid lots nearby
PHONE: 510-238-2200
WEBSITE: http://www.museumca.org
UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive Theater
DESCRIPTION: Their mission is to inspire the imagination and ignite critical dialogue through visual art and film. Through art and film programs, collections and research resources, they aspire to be locally connected and globally relevant.
ADMISSION: Ranges from 12 and under; Free admission to the galleries and public programs on the first Thursday of every month
DAYS & HOURS: Wed–Sun 11a-5p
ADDRESS: 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Downtown Berkeley BART Station
PARKING: Sather Gate Garage Entrances on Durant and Channing just below Telegraph Ave; $2/hour, BAM/PFA offers parking validation
PHONE: 510-642-0808
WEBSITE: http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu
Zellerbach Auditorium
DESCRIPTION: Seating 2,014 patrons, this venue is well known for hosting a wide range of events ranging from concerts, ballet and comedy. In past years, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and many black vocalists have performed here.
BOX OFFICE:Mon-Fri Noon-5:30p, Sat-Sun 1-5p
ADDRESS: 101 Zellerbach Hall,
UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Berkeley BART Station
PARKING: plenty of garage space and paid lots nearby
PHONE: Box Office 510-642-9988
WEBSITE: http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu
Sleep Train Pavilion
DESCRIPTION: A great place for picnic concerts, whether under the canopy or on the lawn. The sight lines are good from any seat. Although there is plenty of parking, limited access means it can take a while to leave after a show.
BOX OFFICE: check website
ADDRESS: 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord, CA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: None
PARKING: plenty on the premises
PHONE: 925-676-8742
WEBSITE: http://www.livenation.com/venue/sleep-train-pavilion-tickets
