This is why I love Oakland! Yes, yes, gentrification may be taking over many parts of Oakland, but Art Murmur/First Friday's is where the party's at. I've been coming here since grad school back in 2010 and it's always super fun and chill. To sum it all up picture... gorgeous art, live music, stages, performances, food trucks, festive, kids, singles, couples, families, blacks & whites, Latinos & Indians, dancing in the street, culture, creativity, peace, fun, safe, artists, vendors, colors, flavors, scents, and a whole bunch of pure and unpretentious goodness! - Hours: 5pm - 9pm (the party continues past this time) - Either take Bart, Uber or plan on parking further and taking a longer walk. read more

I was wondering where all the party extras from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" went to after the cops raided Holly Golightly's apartment. They come here to the funkiest part of Oakland the first Friday of every month. Boho types are alive and licking here in their various states of dress and degrees of piercing. All they need is Mickey Rooney in full Asian make-up shouting, "Mizz Go-rightry, I must protest!" Lots of cool gallery spaces. Johansson Projects is a particular must-stop with the grass growing on the ceiling. Lots of very skinny people in Shields-and-Yarnell haircuts. Art is meant to make the soul search, though some of the pieces I saw made the head scratch. The best part of the event has to be strolling through the Art Corridor on 23rd Street near Telegraph. Singing. Performance art. You name it...it's here. Find your inner bohemian, man. read more

Oakland Art Murmur - Local Flavor Near Me - Oakland, California

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The art murmur is definitely a great end to your friday nights. Location: Super convenient you can hop off 19th street bart and walk up telegraph. I would recommend public transportation as parking can be insane!! Although you can pay up to $15 for event parking or muscle you way through a residential areal nearly 10 blocks way and walk to the event. If you have children i would recommend attending this event earlier in the day bc as night falls most folks are pulling out liquor and recreational drugs. And this event is known to have crime and violence. However the event coordinators are aware so there is security in place maintaining safety. (whatever that means) THE ART: prices range from $1-$1,400 depending on the vendors/museums. You may have a young entrepreneur selling T-shirts that they screen printed themselves or local/ out of town street artist who create masterpieces out of legos or spray paint or charcoal or sharpie pens. The options are endless. I mean you can get some hand made body oils/ body butters or you can grab you some hand made jewelry. The sellers here are supper talented. I just saw a business man in a suite and tie beat boxing as i left the event. THE FOOD: At the end of the strip they have all types of food trucks. The cuisine ranges from sweet, oriental, bbq, mexican, sea food and so much more. An added bonus is that the local food joints are open for business so you can always dine in and vibe out to some live music. read more

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Hipsters and thugs. (3.25) Parking is insane, best to park in a garage near the event - only $10. Many take Bart but if you plan to bar hop afterwards, you might want to reconsider transportation. Several blocks shutdown, art vendors, stand up comedian, random bands in every corner, food trucks, and a lot of random stuff. Around 9:30/10 the street vendors pack up and it's time to hit the bars. SomaR Bar is usually a good choice. Expect lines, everywhere. Such a cool vibe. It's not in SF, so it's not overly packed. We drank and ate and walked. It's beautiful seeing the community come together and get along to enjoy the arts (and food). You can eat at the event or at local restaurants. Had a great time but I feel like once you seem it then you don't need to see it again because it's the same thing. It's opened my eyes to wanting to explore Oakland more often! Until the next review.... read more

Oakland Art Murmur - Local Flavor Near Me - Oakland, California

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For many more years than the Oakland Art Murmur has been around, my husband and I have been haunting these streets. What we encountered this Summer was some of the most unbearable human interactions we have ever seen. The only reason for the second star is for the vendors and artists. We went to visit a friends place of business around 5pm. He told us to go walk around a take a look at some of the other Auto Shops that open their doors for people. I had no idea what the Art Murmur was. I eventually asked an artist what was going on and what the event was called. She informed me that it was in fact called the Oakland Art Murmur. Oh, I had heard of it on the Yelp Events page. My son and I walked around and took some photos. The streets got steadily more crowded so I went back to our friends shop. His place of business was not open to the Murmur. Yet people thought it was fine to just walk in. Some of my friends who were there are not the most friendly looking of people and most people walked out. I still wasn't sure of what the whole event was about. This same night I finally found out what the term "Hipster" meant. Ill be honest, I never knew what that was before tonight. We decided to head around the corner to another friends place of business. As we were leaving one of our friends came in, who is black, and he said hes never been so afraid of white people. Then he kind of looked at us sheepishly, I told him I felt the same way. On to the next street. THE STREETS ARE NOT CLOSED TO VEHICLES!!!!! A very clean cut man with salt & pepper hair in a collard shirt and slacks, pushing a bike, yelled "FUCK YOU!" through my husbands open window into his face. We were driving to a place of business that was still open to customers and not open to the Art Murmur. He yelled just because we were driving up the street that he happened to be standing in the middle of and had to move out of the way for an oncoming vehicle. We were just driving slowly up the street? Not even 2 miles and hour because there were other people mingling around. We were being very cautious. Our friend has an auto shop and his employees lined up chairs and some caution tape across the garage opening. They still had clients who needed to come pick up their vehicles. They told us a few weeks prior that a man walked in and started climbing on the car lift racks looking at some of the classic cars they had. One of the mechanics told him that they were not open to the public and that their insurance does not cover non employees to be on their equipment. This stranger who had no business even being in their shop said, "Bullshit, I want to see your policy." The mechanic told him "My policy is on my foot now get the fuck out of here before you really see it." Who are these entitled pricks!?!? Have some respect!!!!! We stood in front with the mechanics blocking the garage door and watched the plethora of the biggest represent people Ive ever seen in my life. I grew up in Phoenix, you'd think Id seen worse but no, nothing can top this crowd. It was almost as if each individual person acted like they were the only people in the world, even though they were in a crowd of many. At the end of the evening a man walked up to the front of where we were standing and started burning an American flag. Ok look, I'm a huge proponent of free speech and its extremely hard to offend me. When two former Vietnam Vets are standing next to you, one of which is missing a leg, you kind have to take their side. Ive also lost a friend in the most recent of so called "Wars" and you know, flag burning isn't something I want to be around. You can do it but I wont be there. That being said, I appreciate art. I appreciate local chefs and bakers and I really love coming to Oakland. Having been on the opposite side, standing with actual brick and mortar business and seeing the incredible lack of concern or consideration for them by people who want to be so "In". This type of activity doesn't make me want to come back. It doesn't inspire me to buy art. It doesn't inspire me to sample cupcakes or talk to a great make up artist or stand and listen to a squeeze box player. I do know that if the "Entitlement" keeps going on business owners are going to start complaining. There is more than just 2 as well. As we left I felt embarrassed for the people we saw. I was sad because it seems like such a good idea and something I really want to participate in but I just cant. Maybe if more people read this we can bring in a new attitude. read more

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Happy new year Murmur last night. In recognition, even the freeezing temperatures didn't keep the faithful away (freezing, btw, in Oakland is just under 50 degrees). I'm not sure if it was the cold, but Murmur last night in aspects resembled the Coliseum parking lot before a New Year's Eve Grateful Dead show. Which isn't a bad thing. Just an interesting thing. The Great Wall wasn't on because of mixed signals. The Wall is one of my favorites. For those in the dark, the Wall is the projection of visual art, video and short films on the edifice behind Luca's. A three story-tall feast for your eyeballs. The galleries were sardine cans with skinny cool people trying to get in from the cold. In Mama Buzz there was a random meeting. Once, moons ago at a benefit I made the acquaintance of the Little Red-Haired Girl. At the silent auction. She stood next to me as I contemplated the NYC package. I asked - if I "win" this will you go with me? She smiled broadly, with her eyes saying you go crazy man. Then with her pretty painted lips she said yes. So I did. And I won. And in the hours between our exchanging of phone numbers and early the next morning, when she told me she had a boyfriend, it was a fabulous fantasy. She, last night, was at the gallery. We had a laugh. I love her for the story she's given me. The Murmur is one of the things that gives me hope for this city. Oakland has the potential to be very, very cool. It's the aggregation of good energy that dispels the bad. More and more, at gatherings such as this, on the first Friday of the month and on other nights in other places, the good energy comes together. It's a celebration of right now and a demonstration of strong hopefulness for tomorrow. I can't wait for spring, when I can eat one of them Jerry grilled cheeses on the curb. See you there. read more

I'm gonna venture a guess that this is the most FREE FUN that can be had in Oakland on a Friday night. What is it? Oakland Art Murmur is a hybrid: street fair (spanning multiple streets), gallery stroll, classic car rally, bar crawl, food trucking, DYI crafting, live music, performance art, and street art venue happening on the first Friday of every month starting at 6 p.m. Got that? We arrived close to 7 p.m. to see hordes of people making their way down Telegraph (between, roughly 20th - 27th). J suggested we look for street parking on a side street but I felt most comfortable paying for parking ($10) at the lot on Telegraph just behind the Paramount Theatre. From the parking place we wandered towards the crowds and here's some of the things we did: * Watched 6 aerial performers as they hung suspended from ropes off the side of a building, doing things I'd be hard pressed to replicate on solid ground * Ate pork shoulder pizza from Fist of Flour Pizza truck ($4 slice) * Ate authentic Peruvian street food from Kiwicha ($6 apiece) * Sipped strong, cheap red wine ($3 glass) while perusing cool art at Johansson Projects * Purchased "Obama Again" bumper stickers ($1 each) from a street vendor * Marvelled at the Sharpie-on-styrofoam-cup drawings created by Boey * Stood in the middle of the street to listen to some great music and see some inspired dancing * Caught the tail end of a fashion show * Ate Thai street food (from Harley Richter Catering) outdoors, beside a giant metal flower that was blasting music * Saw some cars with wheels jacked up higher than my neck. Around 10:30 p.m., things started to close up but the scene on the street was still building: More local color, more growling pit bulls on thick chains, more, more, more... For a vibrantly unique expressive art experience, you've got to check out Art Murmur. Go early, leave early, and be prepared to be packed in with hordes of people almost the entire time. Quite a scene! read more

Every 1st Friday for a while now. For, like, over a year now? I had no idea. But the girlfriend did. She was way ahead of me on this 1 & had known about the Oakland Art Murmur since the very 1st 1st Friday. Still, she hadn't yet gone until this last 1st Friday & I went along too to check it out. Specifics aside, & there are more specifics than could ever fit in this review, the impression I was left with afterwards was "wow, how cool is Oakland?" Parking is a pain & it gets really crowded, but with so many galleries participating, you're guaranteed to see the craziest & coolest eclectic collection of art anywhere. For those who get hungry from all the street hiking going from gallery to gallery to gallery, there are food trucks galore on 25th St. 1 important tip for showmanship is to "always leave them wanting more." This seems unavoidable with the Oakland Art Murmur. The girlfriend & I were there for hours & it felt like we barely scratched the surface. There is so much to see & do. There was so much left undone. We left wanting more. Which means we'll have to go back next 1st Friday. read more

Oakland Art Murmur happens every 1st fridays on telegraph from grand ave to 27th? in the sector known as Koreantow Northgate. started by 6ish art galleries, art murmur now has 10 art galleries plus many concurrent showings (cars, print sales, impromtu live street show, political events, whatever.) truth be told, i didn't visit all the art galleries. maybe next time. food was a distraction. food: -the boffo cart and the taco oax....(good stuff, tried it before) -fairy cake, indie cakes : delish surprise -cheeze guy, fist pizza,: ok, needs more work -aidell's and hal's dog.: ok .. -vesta flatbread: one of these days... -tara :good vibes, maybe next time -cole coffee: kind of late (for me) to be drinking coffee.. -food trucks with braised oxtails : sorry man, i was full. read more

Some old co-workers and I went to the Saturday Art Stroll which happens EVERY Saturday from 1pm-5pm apparently and it was way more walkable and enjoyable than the first Friday Art Murmur. You can actually get a feel for the art than get that rushed see and be seen feeling. Some of the artists are there to talk to you about their work. There are few less galleries than on Friday but you still get a good idea about the art. We had a great time strolling around Oakland and the galleries that are in the neighborhood. I'm sure we'll all be back again. It's a great way to spend the afternoon, especially on a nice day. read more

Insanity. In the best possible way. And what makes it even greater is that I stumbled onto it by complete accident. I was in town for just a couple of nights, and after dining at a pretty fantastic Cambodian place in Oakland Chinatown (thanks, Yelp!) I felt a little adventurous and headed off into downtown. The night was just right--cool, but not quite crisp. Strolling weather. As I got further and further I started hearing the sounds of music and laughter. The flame to my moth brain. And then I rounded the corner to turn up Telegraph. People. Elbow to elbow. Is that a band in a bus? Yes. Is that a giant dragon vehicle? Yes. Is that a band on top of a bus? Yes. Are those all food trucks? Yes. Oakland, you magnificent but sly dog, you. Suddenly there was art and a car show and food and a real street freestyle throwdown (I can officially say I've heard people spit some sick lyrics, yo) and every kind of human being on the planet. The sights. The sounds (hip hop, folk, orchestra - all represented) and the smells. Is there a skunk? Best happy accident in a long time. I walked the entire thing to soak it all in. By the sounds of things, it's really taken on a life of its own and has gotten big. Here's hoping it doesn't spin out of control. Now that I know it's there, I wanna come back. read more

I'm not reviewing the art galleries themselves but the event itself. The galleries on their own are great. I highly recommend you visiting them any day of the week. The event of Oakland Art Murmur has really gone downhill. My first time at Oakland Art Murmur was good. The list of participating galleries was extensive if not bloated. The distance between galleries really cut down on the crowds but because of this it never really felt like a social rollick. However this made for the only die hard of art enthusiasts and walking types. Last week's Murmur was ridiculously jammed full of bodies. The number of participating art galleries has been cut down dramatically. This might be good if you're not looking to walk that much from street to street yet you'll be contending with hundreds of other people in tight sweaty quarters. The crowd is much different too. You have your typical hipsters, art enthusiast wanabees, chain smokers, desperately entrepreneurial crafters, and individuals striving for self-expression through extroversion. Instead of a comfortable art walk the galleries are more like crammed beehives with its drones bringing nothing but body sweat and clamor. I swear some people in the galleries just stand there chatting away while other well intentioned people try to view the art with some dignity. Outside it doesn't get any better. There are smokers way too close to every gallery. Sidewalks are packed with more vacant minds. I have no qualms with you chatting with your friends, but can't you step 20 feet away from the gallery so people can get in? The crowds are only indicative of the lack of night life that Oakland has available. People clearly want to stay out later than the 9PM curfew. They don't mind spending money and a few brain cells. There's some kind of wonderful opportunity here to grasp. I wish it would come soon. ____ Support your art community - just don't go on this Friday. read more

Sensory overload, in a good way! Lots to see, touch, walk, peruse, discuss, and eat! Big gigantor bubbles floating in the air on 25th, fresh gourmand cupcakes, various mediums showcasing creativity and expression, small artisans with their craft..... The throng of folks added a vibrancy that was so enjoyable to be a part of. Truly, there are only 2-3 blocks which titillate me and have me going extra slow, taking in fine details. Of course, there is Vessel there on 25th. Such a great place for an evening out. Ran into a friend there.....met up a friend there....met some new friends there....bout time the East Bay held a hipster celebration such as this when even other smaller metropolitan cities have theirs well-established. Oba! read more

My first Murmur & I gotta say, I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped. Because I was hyping myself up for it for the past month? Probably. Never the less, I did enjoyed striking up random conversations with complete strangers, wandering all around downtown Oakland into dark, crowded ally ways, impatiently waiting in line at the taco truck, gallery hopping & snapping photos w/ drink in hand, & the journey all the way back to my car. Good times indeed. read more

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Great fun, Oakland-style. The Art Murmur is a free street fest + gallery walk on the first Friday each month. Huge, funky, loud, exciting, and very crowded. Parking is tough to find and streets are blocked off, so I took BART to 19th street. I got there around 6:30 PM, so it wasn't too busy then. Alternate transportation is the "Free B" shuttle that runs every 15 minutes. DH parked at Jack London Square (we were meeting people there later) and hopped the shuttle. Be aware that the map on their website is not entirely accurate. The bus stop in front of the Fox Theater was not accessible due to road closures. It runs along Broadway only, not Telegraph. Look for the signs marking the bus stops (also not on the right spots on the map!) All of our favorite food trucks were parked near 21st St. I was surprised at the vast number stationed there, but later in the evening, the area was completely packed with people. We ate at Sam's Chowder Mobile. We saw the Crème Brûlée truck, Vesta Flatbread, Curry Up Now, The Chairman, and several others including a hardcore BBQ rig, Vietnamese soup stand, Aidel's sausages, and a cake truck. The lady selling home-made mini pies gave me a sample of her blueberry cheese pie, which was surprisingly good! The streets are lined with vendors of Oakland merchandise, street musicians, dancer troupes, food vendors. We checked out a few galleries by 25th street. Awesome, eclectic art ranging from photography, painting, sculpture, to t-shirts and jewelry. There's something for everyone. I was worried about safety, since I live in the 'burbs, but it's actually well organized and folks were behaving themselves. At least early in the evening, before 8 PM. :) Oakland PD were directing traffic and keeping pedestrian flow going across busy streets. People of all ages and races could be seen. Some folks pushed strollers around or had their toddlers in tow. Not everyone was a "hipster" or 420 friendly. Definitely worth checking out if you're anywhere near Oakland. Keep an open mind and be prepared for a good time! read more

Great lively event, especially in warmer months. Nice place to take a date, eat, drink, people-watch, dance in the streets, shop, appreciate art, and discover amazing talent. They have other interactive activities too sometimes, including caricatures and painting murals on walls. I wish the food options were more unique/unusual. read more

Holy crap this thing has grown in the 4 years since I was last here. My feet still hurt at the end of the night and there is still a lot of art out there that I don't know how to appreciate. (Wow, I really haven't changed much in the last 4 years ....) But there are tons of food vendors now and food I DO know how to enjoy and appreciate. Next time, I'll take BART and wear better shoes. read more

A bit crunchy but love the artsy vibe. read more

Oakland Art Murmur - Local Flavor Near Me - Oakland, California

Art Murmur is one of my favorite parts of Summer to look forward to. The galleries are great, food is great, & the people are great. You must experience it yourself - 1st Friday of the month during Summer, & whenever the weather permits. My main draw is showing up in my '67 Riviera at the cruise-in at 1/4 Pound Giant Burgers @ Telegraph & 22nd. Cool oldies DJ & sub-mediocre greasy food go hand-in-hand with the lowriders, classics, ratrods, choppers & even (gag) the occasional donk (google it). A pretty in-describable event - check it out for yourself! read more

Oakland Art Murmur - 1/4 Pound Giant Burger - Local Flavor Near Me - Oakland, California

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As much as I like art, I'd never ventured over to the Art Murmur, mostly because I didn't want to hassle with the crowd. Last weekend though, I did make it to the Saturday Stroll. Saturday Stroll is the monthly Friday night Art Murmer's more mellow, not at all crowded sister. You can easily get close enough to see and hear when you come upon an artist discussing her work with attendees. 25th street, where a friend of a friend just opened a gallery, is my new inspirational zone. I love all the recycled textile and other artsy and collaborative ventures going on in this area. My friends and I had a great time hitting up the Saturday Stroll for a quick hour of viewing, interacting with artists and just soaking it all in. I even thought the art was reasonably priced with prices I noted between $90-$3500 depending on the artist and size of the work. There are currently 16 participating galleries, but we hit only 25th street this time. Next time I'll be sure to have more time to expand to 23rd street and some of the other areas. I'll continue to avoid the chaos of the Friday night Art Murmers and be back for the Saturday Stroll. It's the right kind of mellow art experience for me to enjoy with my friends and family. Every Saturday 1-5. read more

Last night before bed, I relaced my Oxfords. I starched my jumper. Rolled my leggings. I applied 100 stokes to that pesky cowlick. I took a file to my half-bitten nails. The lotion made contact with my legs and looking in the mirror, as I moisturized my face, I realized, it is totally cool to be in 9th grade. But then there was an earthquake (literally, like, this afternoon) and it shook me all the way to Oakland Art Murmur. There were kids and aliens and people who smelled good and bad and people who made pork and bean soup and ceramic monsters and those who knotted friendship bracelets and lost tourists and school bus drivers and preschool Italian teachers and artists who constructed the most awe inspiring paintings or sculptures and everyone was nice and cordial and drinking wine. It was a really good time and I'm dropping out of high school to join the movement. read more

After navigating my first Art Murmur, I have a few tips to share with any curious novices out there, to make the experience minimally intimidating and maximally fun! ... 23rd and 25th are the main arteries of action. You'll cover some interesting ground and stumble upon some fabulous galleries full of surprises on these streets. Let it linger. Things get pretty packed during Murmur, so be prepared to stroll slowly and weave leisurely through the crowds. You'll find that 3 hours is plenty of time to make some inspiring discoveries. Bring cash! There are tons of delicious vendors all throughout the Murmur district. From food trucks, ice cream, cupcakes, and wine kegs to jewelry, clothing, vintage curios, and classic cars (ok, the cars may not be for sale, but they sure are purty). Get ready to party! Lots of venues have fantastic live music, street performers, and other random forms of entertainment, turning Murmur into a progressive block party of sorts. Never a dull moment. If you prefer a more low-key gallery hop, the Saturday Stroll is the daytime version of Friday Art Murmur, with smaller crowds and more face-time with the artists. Overall, this event makes me supremely proud to be an East Bayer. I've got every first Friday sharpie'd into my calendar now! read more

I might be getting tired of Art Murmur. It's too trendy, too emo, too packed, it's too much! Don't get me wrong, I still love art murmur and what it does for the Oakland community. The art is great, the vibe is good, it's the random few idiots that ruin it for me. Why can't hipsters hold their liquor anymore!! Bottles were getting broken on the ground instead of thrown in the trash, finished cigarettes were thrown into the air. And here I thought that hipsters were into the green movement. Why can't people act like adults instead of 2 year olds and why can't people take a fuckin' shower once in awhile. I still love art murmur and I'll definitely be back next month but I'm thinking i'll have to drink a little more so things like this won't get to me so much. read more

If I read the word hipster in another one of these reviews, I'm going to poke my eyes out. Yes, there are shitloads of hipsters at Oakland Art Murmur, probably the most you'll ever see outside of the Mission. They definitely got the memo. AND Yes, 114 reviews have said it all already. This is one big clusterfuck of a scene, but this is also exactly why I'm proud to call Oakland home. Until the police show up. read more

Geez guyz! Calm down, its just an orgy of loud artsy hipsters. Don't act like you haven't seem them before. Tall, skinny, fashionable white people (who might be on coke) are mainstays of the art industry and I expect to see them frequenting these cool little events. Just accept them as a part of the urban ambiance, ditching the American preference for suburban and clean. Once you have assimilated your expectations you will be granted with a look into the lives of indie artist. Wistful youths hanging onto every penny and experience beside veterans with a little cred and swirling wines in their crummy plastic cups. Art hanging from the aging innards of Oakland architecture; the old housing the new. Nights of fun and laughter, friendships made and future connections are most likely brewed. As an aspiring artist in his early stages, I come to watch and absorb. There's definitely something to gain from this but I am hoping it isn't a meth addiction. read more

To my fellow Yelpers: Whining and moaning about "pretentious hipsters" doesn't make one any less pretentious or any more deserving of occupying the same space. Yes, the Art Murmur is so overrun with people (hipsters) that it often makes it difficult to see the actual ART, especially later in the evening. But this is still a lovely community event, complete with a variety of local street food options, several independent artist booths, rag-tag groups of gypsy folk and hobo-cabaret musicians offset by an aging, obscenity-laced solo bluegrass performer down the way a bit, unlimited people watching/engaging possibilities, and a fun, participatory sort of feel. I prefer to stroll around earlier and socialize later so I can actually see the cool art spaces before crowds are too overwhelming. Celebrate the fact that this still exists without too much interference from The Man (or whatever). Hipsters, be kind to your neighbors. Neighbors, be kind to your hipsters. read more

Epic scene! Good to bring the community together! Tons of beautiful people... This is really a wonderful thing. Don't even try driving here, take BART for a relaxing approach. Watch yer butt tho, that there is Oakland. Props. read more

Look Kid, I've been in this neighborhood even before you were born. So drink your $2 PBRs and get your skinny jeans out of my way. Seriously, you spent how much for a custom made beer bag? Oakland Art Murmur... go to see the hipsters. Oh and there's art and stuff too. read more

.. . an artsy trick or treat for unwashed hipsters with flannel shirts, skinny jeans and 40 ounces of beer in brown paper bags who try very hard to be ironic . . Thanks muchly for the free wine! read more

This monthly event is really picking up momentum and I love that it's getting to the point where people are spilling out into the streets. Unlike some other reviewers, if I wanted a quiet event, I'd note which artists I'm interested in and contact them personally. But I like the larger crowds, interacting with strangers, people-watching, and seeing art at a faster pace than private visits or Open Studios. I bought 3 pieces during my last visit and would have bought more but my arms were full. There was private security everywhere and the Oakland Police seemed happy to be there. It's a good-vibe affair, I want to see this event grow larger than it is--it's good for Oakland and the art world, which Oakland is a big player in. This is the city with the most artists per capita outside of Brooklyn. Parking is not too difficult, but of course, the earlier you get there, the easier close parking is. There are a few small lots that open up for paid parking too. Kudos to the artists that open up their private work spaces to the masses--I know it puts a lot of them on edge. Everyone, go! Buy some art! Buy some food and drink! read more

The Art Murmur is another beautiful way for Oakland to show off it's amazing citizens!!! If you have not attended the Art Murmur on 1st Fridays, it's time that you do, especially with the summer on it's way. It does get busy as the night progresses, so I would advise to come early to really appreciate the art and artists. read more

it's an experience. The hipster element has been noted and will be again, so no need for me to go on about that. There was a double-decker bus, (presumably of the kind that smashed into Morrissey and friend) all sorts of galleries, all sorts of arts and crafts, and free Oakland-made wine and beer. I've been to a couple of murmurs, and this was definitely the most crowded. It was like, "they should call this area the meatpacking district" because of how many hipsters, older-patrons-of-the-arts, and J.Crew-holiday-catalog-wearers. (don't hit me! I won't name any names! ;-) I don't have enough accessories in my wardrobe to really create a good hipster look. I mean, how long does it take to get dressed? Although I could have used some of those long no-finger gloves, it was cold as hell out there. There were a few artists I really got into, couldn't remember any names - I blame the evening ending at Air for that. ;-) One day I'll be able to splurge on an $800 painting. one day. I'm just glad that, with how crowded it was, I didn't knock down anything important. There was a crafty girl with duct tape wallets, innertube wallets much like the one I have, and innertube bracelets. I wished I needed something from her table. She was sweet and showed me how to fix my current wallet. We went on to the Trappist opening and it was packed, then met up with Tina Tamale, Gilberto Y, and Serena M. and went to Levende, then Air, where we socialized, Gracie found us, and got her mack on. ;-) read more

I enjoy wandering in art galleries...actually, I think I've shared that before. I am always struck by something, the artist's interpretation of mundane things, their creativity, something...so, when my heart suggest we go to Art Murmur, I was quite excited. The galleries are adorable! They are relaxed and not stuffy...there were a few pieces of incredible art. I would have thoroughly enjoyed the experience had I not been bumped and prodded by these poorly dressed, slightly drunk, carrying a bicycle part people! My daughter explained they are "hipsters"?! What the devil is a "hipster"!? All I know is I hope they grow up and develop manners...their fashion sense asid (I can deal with people trying to be unique and creative), I felt their sense of entitlement and complete lack of basic manners were a bit much. Esp when they were bumping into a middle aged woman! Doesn't age account for anything in this society?! The galleries should limit the number of people who pile in a given place at one time. This would allow attendees to truly enjoy the art on display...as opposed to dodging beer bottle weilding blonds in wrestling boots, green tights and some weird fairy dress! read more

I had my first experience of the Art Murmur about 5-6 months ago. I was new to Oakland at that time and was still exploring all the goodies Oakland had to offer. (Heck I still am doing that). The thing is, I also brought along two friends who were skeptical of Oakland, and I was determined to show them how cool it could be. Considering I was relatively new and had not explored the murmur previously, sadly to say, I did not succeed. I did figure out that the main event is between 23rd and 25th and Telegraph. I was under the impression that the event was spread out much more, and perhaps this is the case, but I have yet to see it. At the time there were about two food trucks, a few arts and craft vendors and three actual exhibits. I did actually see a lot of artistic exhibits with displays of many things that I would never even think of as art . So we all had a pretty good time walking through and experiencing everything. It was also entertaining to listen to all the artsy folks think up much deeper meanings behind everything. We had some pretty cheap, yet tasty wine, and were able to meander through the art exhibits with it. All this was fun, but previous reviews and word of mouth experiences have led me to believe that there is usually much, much more. So I was left wanting more, naturally. I think I will have to give the Murmur a second chance, prepare a bit more beforehand rather than trying to figure out where everything is during. However, if this is what is always offered, it is a fun event that you can spend about an hour or so drinking wine and leisurely walking around exploring the two or three exhibits. Best option is probably to hit up a lounge or eatery afterwords to enjoy the remainder of your night. I mean, hey, that might be a good idea regardless since uptown is becoming such a swanky place to spend your Friday or Saturday night. read more

Oakland Art Murmur is a necessary, significant, inspiring institution -- one of the most important events to attend as a citizen of the Bay Area. Beyond its mirrored First Thursdays in SF at 49 Geary, the collection of galleries both collaboratively and individually pursue the ideal that art is everywhere, and everything can be made into art. RPS, Ego Park, Mama Buzz, Boontling, LoBot, 21 Grand, and 33 Grand (RIP) are clearly all about innovation with materials, experimentalism, culture, activism, and the underground. Esteban Sabar reeks of boring San Francisco canvas-on-a-wall boxed-wine-in-a-plastic-cup grazing meaningless for-sale rich-kid-in-private-school music-teacher-in-tye-dyed-schrock mediocrity. Read the rest of my individual review of the place to have the full horror revealed to you. This is not to say I have not been at times disappointed with the rest. Mama Buzz tends to suck itself into a cycle of (poorly) displaying numerous miniature paintings that seek to evoke a sort of amateurish life-on-the-street early century Latin American, or even Middle European life. It's in the stroking and color palette, but the odd thing is that these paintings are not all by the same person. I feel like I've seen the same show about 3 times in a row. Mama Buzz is, however, the headquarters of Kitchen Sink Magazine, the best continuous publication I have read in a long time, has a great cafe, has wonderful music shows, and in the past has hosted much better art shows -- mostly the sculptural ones. Mama Buzz was the base -- then came Ego Park and RPS. Ego Park is a funny li'l place because its shows usually contain some kind of a reinterpretation of low-tech art. The works are sometimes befuddling, and sometimes do not do what they're intended to do, and at times the aesthetic is that of the German industrialist type; in words, confoundingly boring. But again, the shows they host, the role they play in representation of artists is a good one, and I always love going to their shows. 21 Grand is attached to the magical Smythe's Accordion Center. Now that Boaz Accordions is gone, Smythe's has to hold the community up. Their community shows are on a much grander scale (readings and dance performances and such), and that the last art show I went to was utter crap. Great, some guy took medium-resolution photos of mundane things on his digital camera, printed them out on 8.5"x11" sticker paper on an inkjet running out of ink, and arranged them in vertical bars of 5 or 6 each, to give the impression that the collection of banality will produce at least an interesting color spectrum. Lame. But that's just one show. 33 Grand (RIP) was the freakin' jewel of First Friday. After a string of pretty mediocre shows, 33 Grand would always come through with the freaky, painstaking, hilarious and frightening art of monster movie miniatures, architectural rearrangements, theoretical natural processes. I'm sad that it has closed. I consider LoBot to be on another level entirely when it comes to art. It is there that I got to see probably the best two new arts shows I have ever seen in my life. It is the place I speak of when I vehemently defend and evangelize about Oakland and its art scene. Its ambitions are limitless -- I feel that the artists who show here (usually) are the scavengers, the reinventors, the ones who never considered being confined to paint or paper or canvas or clay, the ones who snub expense and establishment and come out on top, the ones who up the averages of productivity for every schleppy excuse for a warehouse collective that exists elsewhere. If I were to say a single place defines the progressive movement of art (and even music sometimes) in the Bay Area, it would be at LoBot. A single place doesn't, though. Without Rock Paper Scissors, the Oakland art community is missing several limbs and a heart. From the vast library of handcrafted zines, clothes, jewelry, wallets, and bags to the collection of recordings by on-the-verge musicians, to the insane variety from show to show, to the almost-daily workshops that range from breakdancing to fiddling to silkscreening, RPS is an army of the most warm-and-steel hearted individuals amazing in their own rights that see no limit in the scope of what they can do -- I have this idea that they will succeed in their goal to involve and embrace every member of the community, from the forgotten minorities to the high profile figureheads, to the art spirits floating around Oakland. *** 10/7/06: Revised to 2 stars. The galleries are putting up the same ass schleppy hipster shit for the past 6 months, and now that SF institutions and newspapers are trying to act like they're paying attention to Oakland, the entire experience is fucking annoying. You're losing your original vision, folks. *** 2008: 3 stars. Johansson Projects is wonderful - excellent curatorship. The Moon is fun too. read more

This event, which happens to be right outside my door, is the best reason to be in Oakland every first Friday. It may be the best reason to be in Oakland, period. OK, who am I kidding? I'm in Oakland 99% of the time--I'm developing the East Bay allergy to the bridge. But if you're not cool enough to be a FT Oaklander, this is still a reason to make a monthly pilgrimage via bridge/BART. And I say that taking into full consideration that most of you West-Bayers have the same allergy I do in the opposite direction. Come if you like art. Come if you like food trucks. Come if you like secret beer gardens. Come if you like the unexpected. Come if you like live music. Come if you like to watch people in all possible shapes, colors, and adornments. Come if you like to buy tchotchkes, posters, t-shirts, or virtually any type of craft. Come with your kid. Come with your mom. Just come, and you can probably fill in your own reason by the time the night's over. Don't come if you don't like crowds. The monthly extensions of the length of the event--it used to only be on the side streets, and now all of Telegraph from uptown (17th?) to 27th is fully blocked off--make it much less impassable. I used to try to push a stroller through and have a hard time, while now it's a lot less difficult. But it's still quite the throng of people, so this is my one warning. But check it out anyway, at least once. There are plenty of places to escape the crowd, if you're so afflicted. read more

Amy C: Hey, you wanna go to Oakland Art Murmur with me? Elissa D: Is that where all the hipsters get together and combine hipster art with performance art? Amy C: Ummm, I guess...I mean, there'll probably be a lot of hipsters there. Elissa D:.......ugh Amy C: And a lot of alcohol! Elissa D: Sweet! Let's go! Half an hour later outside of Mama Buzz- Elissa D: How does a girl wrapping herself up in duct tape and kicking the wall constitute performance art? Amy M: and what's with all the mustaches? Elissa D: Hey! That guys mustache is FAKE! He DREW it ON with EYELINER!!!!! Amy M: Wow! He even did the curly ends and everythi...wait...I think I know him.... Elissa: Man. Mustaches making a comeback. Not ok. They only belong on Tom Selleck and the dudes on Deadwood. In the two hours spent at Oakland Art Murmur, we walked through several cooperative galleries, saw some make-shift performance art in a parking lot (though again, not sure duct tape and random kicking constitutes art) drank on the patio at Mama Buzz and covorted with random hipster types who were drinking on the street and blocking traffic. Surprising, or maybe not so surprising, lack of diversity for being so near to downtown Oakland. Amusing enough I guess, if you're into art and hipsters. I won't be back until this mustache phase blows over though. read more

I had a great time at Art Murmur in August and will definitely go back in September. I was there for the first time, face painting. Could someone yelp ME? I'd appreciate it! I met fun, kind, intelligent, artistically curious people. I ate a delicious pulled-chicken sandwich and half of a seriously tasty blackberry-lemon cupcake, drank delectable hot chai and sent my Sherpa Man back for another cup but they'd run out. The food is CHEAP! My 11-year-old felt quite comfortable there until after sundown when the pot started seriously wafting. So if you have kids, or you like your art a bit more sedate, come early. Later into the evening, the crowds got a bit stupid and herdlike - standing in the street while holding a beer, wearing black, back to traffic, when the street is not actually closed off... well, that's a short and messy flop out of the gene pool. It's not just for young hipsters; I saw quite a few aging hippies and outdoorsy types (people who were surfing, climbing rocks and riding mountain bikes back in the 70's). BTW- it irritates me when people refer to - well, someone who isn't them ... as "pretentious". Because... guess what... made ya look! :-D Ask for unpretentiousness, I'll show you a 2-year-old playing naked in the mud. After that, anyone human who gets dressed projects an image of some kind, even if it's safe and conformist. We're all pretending - on some level - all the time, folks. We're all in costume all the time. One man's pretentiousness is another man's curiosity. Or imagination. Or effort to reach out socially. Can you explain to me why your pretentiousness is better than anyone else's? I like playing dressup. Pretending, even if it's disguising myself as a suburban Mommy, is just part of being human. read more

I went to my first Friday night Art Murmur last week. It was very crowded and I wasn't really in the right frame of mind to deal with all the hipsters, and I mean wall-to-wall and back-to-back hipsters of all ages. A very wannabe Oakland uber-urban kind of scene. Didn't someone say "Oakland is the new Brooklyn." Yeah, that's it. It is a night version of a street fair, with food trucks. You have to work hard to see some actual art but what I saw was very cool. I think it would be better to go early, like 4 or 5pm and then drink some beers, hang out and watch the crowd. You have to be in the right mood for this kind of scene so I will go back in a couple of months and update my review. read more

Alcohol and art: Go and bathe yourself in this little sea of creations- oil, paper, poop perhaps. Yes, as many have noted you may have to swim past some greasy, pushy folks. But as you paddle, remember, some of these items are expressions truly lovely. read more