This week, Oakland is celebrating the reopening of the historic Henry J. Kaiser building, following a $100 million renovation and two-decade closure.
Performances and a free community party on Saturday are scheduled for The Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, the 115-year-old Beaux-Arts structure on 10th Street at the foot of Lake Merritt.
“Oakland is on the move, and partners are stepping up to be part of our future, investing boldly in this city and bringing a beautiful cultural destination back to life for all of Oakland and the Bay Area to enjoy,” said Mayor Barbara Lee.
Opening week activities include Skate The Town, a participatory roller dancing party (taking advantage of the historic wooden arena floor) from 7 to 11 p.m. today; and the free opening festival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, including performances by Children’s Fairyland puppets, the dance crew Turf Feinz, Prescott Circus stilt walkers and Oakland Taiko artists.
On Saturday night, there’s Scott Silven’s The Lost Things, a magic and illusion act, along with storytelling by Oakland’s hilarious Don Reed, as well as dance and dessert party. Tickets are $54-$75 for the event, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
Other upcoming events include concerts by Brian McKnight on Jan. 30 and Mandy Patinkin on Feb. 5.
The historic landmark building has five restored event and performance spaces, including a 45,000 square-foot arena that can accommodate 6,000 people, the Calvin Simmons Theater, with seating for about 1,400; as well as three ballrooms ideal for smaller performances, rehearsals, meetings and community events.
The restoration is a partnership between the city of Oakland and Orton Development, a Bay Area company known for historic restoration, working with Heller Manus Architects.
Limited paid parking near the building is available; officials note that the building is a short walk from the Lake Merritt BART station and easily accessible by AC Transit.
The Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts is at 10 Tenth St., Oakland. Visit jhkarts.org.
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