out for a stroll

This man and his daughter were out for a stroll at the local street fair.  They both seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and mellow vibes.  Cute, don't you think?

tilt-a-whirl

One of the many mini rides at last week's annual Temescal Street Fair.

veiled view

I don't know who was more surprised---them at being photographed or me never expecting to see veiled women in West Oakland.  Cultural diversity in Oakland is something we're proud of; seeing these women walking on Mandela Parkway taught me that our diversity is greater than I realized.

Happy Halloween

 These shots are from the annual Piedmont Avenue Halloween Parade.  The street is closed off for several blocks, there's a costume parade in the middle of the street, and local businesses become trick or treat stations that give away candy.

Even the adults get into the spirit.

I'll be out of town for a few weeks and won't be able to leave comments.  

Oakland Pride

Sunday was Oakland's gay Pride parade and music festival.  This is the first parade in the 5-year old event.  It definitely had a home grown feel and lasted only about 20 minutes.  In an amusing nod to the much larger San Francisco event, this parade was started by Tykes on Trikes (rather than Dykes on Bikes).  These are some of the tykes that participated in the parade.  The Oakland event is family oriented, generally G-rated, and focuses on our city's large population of gay households with children.  One more example of the diversity we're proud of.

Chinatown street fair

You always see happy faces at the rides section of a street fair.  This is last weekend's annual Chinatown street fair in downtown Oakland.

street chat

This cutie pie looks like she was having a serious conversation with her momma.  I think she wasn't too sure about the Balloon Man on stilts who was looming over her.  Seen at the Temescal Street Fair.

Oakland marathon

The 5th annual Running Festival was Sunday and 10,000 people participated in the events.  It's a big deal and a point of pride for all Oaklanders.  I couldn't attend this year but am posting a photo from last March to commemorate the event.

dancing in the plaza

These students are dancing to a West African band that is performing.

day out at the lake

When you walk around Lake Merritt, not all the treats are visual.

farmer's markets

The season's bounty is evident at the local farmer's markets.  We're lucky enought to have several every week in Oakland.  It makes shopping a pleasure.

W is for the Wobble

During last Fall's Black Cowboy Parade music came on and everyone jumped up to dance the Wobble.  This was new to me but not to dozens of cowgirls, teens, girl scouts, cheer leaders, and grandmas in the crowd.  Since then I've found a gazillion YouTube posts showing the line dance.  It's easy and mega fun like most line dancing.  You can tell everyone enjoyed themselves.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

los mariachis

Drat!  Missed the performance of this group during last Sunday's Love our Lake Day.  Bad timing on my part.  Love their charro outfits.

bouncing on a tight rope

Here's another activity seen at Love our Lake Day.  I never learned what this activity is called.  Participants, usually young men, sit and bounce on a 2 1/2 to 3 inch wide woven cable that has been attached between two trees.  After bouncing high enough, they jump up and balance on the cable like a tight rope walker.  Then the tricks start.  Like jump rope, if you fail at a trick or don't get back to rope walking, you give up your turn to the next guy.  They had cables at different heights from three feet off the ground to only 4 inches for the beginners.

When I finally walked away I decided 20-somethings are fearless.

V is for vivacity

The first entertainment we ran into at the Love our Lake Day was this Afro-Puerto Rican dance troupe at the lake's pergola.  The dancers interact with the drummers and move based on the drums rhythms and accents.  All this while the drummers and other dancers chant a song.  It was fascinating.

For the "aww" factor we have the following shot:

She couldn't have been more than 5 years old.  Yet she knew what she was doing.  Like her mama, she made eye contact with the drummers and followed their lead in how and when she swirled or shook her skirts.  The crowd loved her.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

U is for ukulele

Meet Lenny San Jose who serenaded the crowds that showed up for the reopening of the Oakland Museum's Natural History gallery.  Sorry, it could be a better picture.   It doesn't convey the warmth and openness of his voice as the uke covered standards from 60s, 70s, and 80s.  Such a pleasure to hear him perform.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.