To create a safe haven for diverse groups of artists to come together is many activists’ goal, and one such success story is that of EastSide Arts Alliance. Built in what was a struggling part of Oakland in 2007, EastSide Cultural Center has become a bulwark against negativity, whether it was providing a place for aging foster children to call home, a stage for aspiring dancers or a gallery to showcase upcoming painters, EastSide Cultural Center is the pinnacle of Lower San Antonio’s community and proof that hard work can, indeed, pay off. However, the work of the alliance is not done and the cultural center is just the beginning of building a safer community for everyone and reaching across a diverse selection of cultures.
Our Events
The Alliance works with multiple community groups to provide events and projects annually, such as the regular Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival, a wonderful event celebrating renowned legacy of Malcolm X, who was a voice for black communities around the globe. The festival highlights the musical tradition of classic jazz, which has inspired thousands of musicians across the decades. There are stalls showcasing local arts & crafts, varieties of cuisine and, of course, music. It is a wonderful example of people coming together to celebrate and empowers those to bring their own talents to the world, whether by dance, painting or music.
The Center even has regular ongoing events that are free to attend such as an open mic poetry night titled Holla Back, which is held every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 8pm until 10pm. Suya is a monthly celebration of African cultures, which begins at 9pm and ends at midnight. Finally, on the last Friday of every month you can go to Final Friday Films, which is produced by the EastSide Art Alliance. All events are held at the Cultural Center, 2277 International Boulevard, Oakland. If you find yourself free and looking to fill your evening with something meaningful and entertaining, please go give one of these extraordinary projects a try.
Our Mission
The EastSide Arts Alliance is dedicated to make East Oakland better, both artistically and communally. As such, we have joined forces with various grassroot groups, governments and other communities to empower East Oakland’s businesses and pride. The Bus Rapid Transit line threatens to undermine the work being carried out by the EastSide Arts Alliance, and so in response the Alliance proposed the creation of the Black Cultural Zone (or BCZ). The Alliance wants to promote the pride of black people and bolster the community by educating youths about their culture, history and traditions, such as music and the visual arts. Currently, we are trying to procure a historic building as the headquarters for the movement, which should see East Oakland becoming the epicenter of black culture and the promotion of diversity. We’re fully and unequivocally dedicated to our vision of arts being a platform for fighting social injustice and to bring together communities of all ages, races, genders and backgrounds, to teach people to celebrate every individual and their talents. If you believe in the work of the Alliance, consider giving us a monthly donation and becoming an ‘EastSide Sustainer’, joining a group that is fully and thoroughly dedicated to making a safer, happier, more beautiful East Oakland a reality.