Oakland’s “Love Our Lake” Party + Picnic at Lake Merritt

Submitted by the Event Organizer

About

Concert & Community Picnic in the Park

Featuring SambaFunk! w/King Theo, Jazz Mafia, and OSA Jazz Combo

Master of Ceremonies: Kev Choice

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

SambaFunk! is an Oakland-based Cultural Arts organization residing in the historic Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts. Under the Artistic Direction of Theo Aytchan Williams – aka King Theo – SambaFunk! brings a unique rhythmic spirit of soulful drumming and funky movement to diverse audiences. Through classes and performances, the organization’s goal is to present accessible pathways to African centered Art and Culture in an effort to build strong, well communities. At the May 25 Love Our Lake launch event, SambaFunk! will form a lively procession to open the festivities, followed by an energetic on-stage drumming and dance performance.

Jazz Mafia

In the year 2000, trombonist, bassist, composer, arranger, and producer Adam Theis co-founded Jazz Mafia – an eclectic artist collective of forward-thinking and accomplished players in Electro, Hip-Hop, World, Classical, and Jazz. Twenty years in the making, Jazz Mafia is a prolific staple of the quintessential Bay Area sound, uniting creative and accomplished area instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, composers, and arrangers. The collective quickly garnered a reputation for its collaborative and risk-taking spirit, and over the years has worked with Roy Ayers, Lyrics Born, Zion-I, Rebelution, Latyrx, Galactic, Ledesi, Blackalicious, and Jackie Greene, to name a few. Recently, the collective performed sold out residencies at the SFJAZZ Center, collaborated with the Oakland Symphony at Paramount Theatre of the Arts, and also curates musical experiences for Stanford University, Art & Soul Oakland Festival, and many other presenters.

Oakland School for the Arts Jazz Combo

Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) is a diverse and inclusive public grade 6-12 charter school that blends immersive, robust arts education with comprehensive academics, providing integrated opportunities for collaboration, expression and personal growth. The OSA Jazz Combo emanates from one of the top jazz and music programs in the Bay Area. Students perform in school ensembles as well as local organizations like Oaktown Jazz Workshops, SF Jazz All Stars, and Oakland Eastside All-Stars. Many of the students even have their own bands and perform locally and on tour. Musical influences range from straight ahead Jazz, to Afro-Cuban, Jazz Fusion, to R&B and Hip-Hop, and Bluegrass.

Produced by Art + Soul Oakland

Event Info

• • Dates:May 25, 2024

• • Address:Lakeside Park, Edoff Memorial Bandstand, Oakland, CA 94610

• Time:1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.