End of Summer Celebration, Oakland Public Library (Main Branch), Aug. 2, 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The library comes alive both indoors and outside at this year’s annual event marking the last few days of summer bliss before Oakland (and Piedmont) public schools return on August 11.
*The East Bay Regional Parks will bring their mobile aquarium to offer a glimpse of oceanic, lake, creek, and marshland wildlife.
*Oakland firefighters provide BBQ while supplies last, starting at 11:00 am.
*The marvelous Eat. Learn. Play. mobile resource center on wheels will be on site, with snacks and books for children.
*Presentations on the half-hour launch at 10:30 a.m., with Storytime presented by OPL Children’s Librarians, an Aerial Performance by Gina the Fae, a visit with Scrappy the Rally Possum, followed by Daisy the Clown, and wrapping up with Zumba with Tabitha.
*Classic video games courtesy of the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment
*Opportunities to learn from community partners about bike sharing, pet adoption, glucose testing, and supportive services for families.
*Crafts made with OPL staff and pictures made at the library’s photobooth give everyone something to take home.
Support comes from the Friends of the Oakland Public Library, so make sure to stop by and say “thank you!”
The Oakland Public Library Main Branch is located at 125 14th Street.
Ashley Jordan in conversation with Jasmine Guillory, Orinda Books, Aug. 13
Expect conversational sparks when Atlanta native Jordan and New York Times best-selling author and Oakland resident Guillory join forces to discuss Jordan’s novel, “Once Upon a Time in Dollywood.” A rising playwright and a single dad cross paths; sometimes clashing, sometimes clasping, and always striving to hang onto the romantic football called “new love.” What will eventually happen to them, individually and as a couple, is up in the air.
Jordan’s Southern roots lace the novel with sweet nostalgia, but years of living in Brooklyn, a psychology degree from Spelman College, her work in public health, and love for Beyoncé concerts and baseball, spice every story she writes with contemporary relevance. The $20 ticket for admission includes a copy of the book.
Aug. 13, 6 p.m., $20, orindabooks.com
An Introduction Clio’s, and two special events, Aug. 4 and Aug. 14
If this hybrid bookstore-bar is not yet on your radar, hustle over to its below-street-level location near Lake Merritt. Clio’s organizes its wide-ranging book selection — including a noteworthy number of used books and a “secret” kid’s section hidden behind a bookshelf — by decade, which creates a paradoxical sense of both time and timelessness.
Adult and alcohol-free beverages and a light food menu, along with chess boards for anyone to enjoy, lend a convivial atmosphere. Importantly, Clio’s strikes a rare, authentic, no-screens note. That means cell phones and laptops are a no-go and the only chimes, pings, vibe-y ring tones and clickety-clack rhythms heard are in the soft background music and the sound of people engaged in actual in-person conversations. Stop in during business hours posted on their website, or join one or two of the activities in August highlighted here:
“All Power to the Imagination” and “Last Nerve”, Clio’s Books, Aug. 4 and 14
Counterculture historian Pat Thomas and Heyday publisher Steve Wasserman will discuss The Bay Area’s long history of rebellious disrupters. Circling in on writing from the 1960s and 70s, topics connected to art, politics, film, journalism, and literature of the time demonstrate the masterful display of talent from people such as Allen Ginsberg, Tim Leary, Dennis Hopper, Jean Genet, Susan Sontag, Gore Vidal, Bobby Seale, Christopher Hitchens, Orson Welles, and others.
Ten days later, Mindy Uhrlaub, memoirist and cofounder of Genetic ALS&FTD: End the Legacy, is joined by essayist/author Marianne Lonsdale. The discussion will include Uhrlaub’s dynamic memoir, “Last Nerve,” and conversation about her work on a National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committee will lead to ways to make ALS a liveable disease. Both events begin at 7 pm and books of all four authors will be available for
purchase. Memberships are available; inquire at the store for details.
Aug. 4 and Aug. 14, both 7-9 p.m., tickets come with options and range from $7-40, cliosbooks.com
Author Cleyvis Natera, “The Grand Paloma Resort”, Mrs. Dalloway’s, Aug. 29
Author Cleyvis Natera was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in New York City. With a BA from Skidmore College and a MFA from New York University, Natera’s grasp of class, family, culture, and community is truly global. Her new novel set in the Dominican Republic tightens the suspense with a seven-day timeline and a climactic, complex confrontation within lives of luxury, liability, love, lies and more. Only true acts of courage can save the lush resort’s staff and guests.
Natera and Pulitzer Prize finalist and writer Ingrid Rojas Contreras are likely to discuss writing stories rooted in their native lands and cultures, the nuances of language and ancestral history, finding identity as longtime immigrants, the response and awards they have received to their work, and other topics that rise to the forefront during Q&A with readers and fans.
Aug. 29, 7 p.m., free, mrsdalloways.com