I will find any excuse to re-watch Selena. Not only because I still jam to the queen of Tejano music while driving in my car or cleaning my house but also because I love JLo, who takes on the starring role in the movie. So, the outdoor screening of the film at NIDO’s backyard is music to my ears. Also, the 10-day-long Oakland International Film Festival is a can’t-miss opportunity to check out work by local filmmakers.
If you want us to consider an event for this weekly list, email me at azucena@oaklandside.org. You can also use the self-submission form on our events page to add events to our calendar for free.
22nd Oakland International Film Festival
Since it launched in 2002, the Oakland International Film Festival has showcased the diversity that makes Oakland a breeding ground for artistic talent and cultural movements. This year, the festival opens on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Grand Lake Theatre with four films: the short film Renegade, the feature documentary The Bridge, the narrative Breaking the Generational Curse, and The Forgotten Story of the Non-Violent Movement. The festival will run for 10 days through Saturday, Sept. 21.
Thursday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 21, check website for ticket prices, schedule and location
Town Benefits: A Community Vision for the Oakland Coliseum
This event has been postponed.
Last week, the City of Oakland finalized the $105 million sale of its stake in the Coliseum to private developer African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG). The group also closed the other half of the deal with the Athletics baseball team. With both agreements in place, AASEG can now start planning the site’s development. This Saturday, the Oakland United Coalition, a group of residents, faith leaders, workers, youth, community organizations, and unions, is inviting Oakland residents to help shape the future of the Coliseum, the arena, and what the Community Benefits Agreement should include to represent all the communities that make up the Town.
Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m., free, register online, YSA Empowerment Village, 633C Hegenberger Rd.
OMCA Spotlight Sundays: Making Medicine and Music for Health and Healing
Felicia Montes of Mujeres de Maiz, a Los Angeles grassroots women’s activist organization and La Botanica del Barrio, is one of the healing arts practitioners and featured artists in Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples. This Sunday, Montes will present a bilingual herbal medicine demonstration on natural, holistic, and healing methods and traditions at the OMCA Gardens. Montes will be joined by the Xicana musical group In Lak’ Ech in a ritual ceremony.
Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m., free (tickets are needed to access the galleries), OMCA’s Gardens, 1000 Oak St.
NIDO’s Backyard movie nights: ‘Selena’
Every Tuesday this month, NIDO’s Backyard, recently featured in Nosh’s guide to outdoor dining in the East Bay, is adding movie screenings in addition to serving delicious food and craft cocktails. Next Tuesday, the popular outdoor restaurant will play the now-classic 90s film Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla, the queen of Tejano music who died in 1995. Bring a blanket, dress in layers, and order food and one of the many tasty cocktails on the menu.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m., free, 104 Oak St.
Hot tickets in the Town this week: Chris Cain
World-renowned blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Chris Cain is playing five shows in the Bay Area, one of which will be in Oakland, to promote his new album, Good Intentions Gone Bad.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., $33.85, The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway
Coming soon to the Town: Alex Cooper Unwell tour
Alex Cooper, the podcaster behind Call Her Daddy, landed a lucrative $125 million deal with SiriusXM to take the podcast and her Unwell brand and shows from Spotify. Her Unwell tour will stop at the Paramount Theatre in October.
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m., $58-$120, 2025 Broadway