This weekend has lots to offer for Oaklanders, with live music, a food festival and a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. Here's what's on tap for Labor Day weekend in The Town.
George Cole Trio
Singer and acoustic guitarist George Cole will perform live at the Terrace Room Friday night, offering a set that takes cues from gypsy jazz, rock and the Great American Songbook. Currently a guitarist for the David Grisman Quintet, he mentored Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt for about a decade in the Bay Area.
When: Friday, August 31, 7-10 p.m.
Where: The Terrace Room, 1800 Madison Ave.
Price: Free
Improv Comedy at Pan Theater
Pan Theater's improvised shows use ideas, topics or themes from audience volunteers to create a completely off-the-cuff, 100% original brand of comedy. Formats include the Montage, One Act, and classic theater games, a la Whose Line Is It Anyway? And if you don't laugh, you'll get your money back — they guarantee it.
When: Friday, August 31, 8-9:30 p.m.
Where: Pan Theater, 120 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Price: $9-10
Taste of Oakland
This celebration of music, tech and food will feature performances by Tony Toni Tone, Alabama Mike, the East Bay Gay Men's Chorus, the Taste of Oakland Gospel Choir and a whole lot more. Also on tap: cooking demonstrations by chefs Niki Shaw and Tamearra Dyson, wall climbing, street jugglers, face painting and more. Local food trucks will serve up their favorite eats, and on-site bars will offer drinks like craft beer, wine and margaritas. Proceeds from the festival will directly benefit Youth Aid, a nonprofit that provides music lessons and business tools to youth in Oakland.
When: Saturday, September 1, 12-5 p.m.
Where: Jack London Square
Price: Free
'In the Heights' at Woodminster Amphitheater
Before writing the hit Hamilton, composer Lin-Manuel Miranda debuted another hip-hop musical: In the Heights. Like Hamilton, this Tony-winning musical tells its story — that of a small community in Washington Heights, New York dealing with change and gentrification — through larger-than-life characters singing and dancing in a wide variety of styles.
When: Sunday, September 2, 7-9:30 p.m.
Where: Woodminster Amphitheater, Joaquin Miller Park, 3540 Sanborn Dr.
Price: $32-69
