I was expecting a low-key crowd. Because of the parking lot shooting that occurred two months ago. Not only was I proven wrong, but the Art Murmur/First Friday event delivered the usual spontaneity and surprises that I expected to see. I was very happy to know that Oakland hadn’t abandoned their best artistic and economic-engine festival.

First Steps Off the BART Train…

I heard the sound of jazz. And then noticed a bus sticking out into the street surrounded by large crowd. The fun had begun already (at 6pm)! The harmony of the trumpet and the drumset and the guitar pleased my open ears, and so I checked out the center of attention. Students from the Oakland School of Visual Arts.

The Car Show

After the jazz band stopped, I continued walking towards the main Art Murmur event. A small parking lot was crowded with Impalas, Mustangs, Chevrolets, and other amazing shiny vehicles. Low-riders bumped up and down while a mix of 1950s pop music and Mexican songs filtered out the conversations that happened everywhere.

Non-Profit Tagging

A new feature at this event was donate & tag. For a donation, you could graffiti tag a car with your own writing. I thought this was an ingenious way that allowed people self-expression for a worthy cause—if you were sympathetic to the cause of a free Tibet.

Spontaneous Dance Group

A group of people decided to put on a short dance demonstration.

The Jugglers

My favorite, impressive live performance of the evening! These aerobatic professionals drew a big crowd and impressed everyone with their risky moves. I foresee a future Vegas show starring these gymnastic folks.

Comedy Corner Club

A random guy introduced a line-up of comedians. Some of them were funny, others needed further refinement. I only recorded one video, but I may tape more of these comedies in the future.

You’re A Videogame Character!

An eye-set that turns you into a videogame character! These folks used it and tried to navigate the maze. This was a hilarious experience to watch for a while.

Spontaneous Music Performances

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