Members have expressed an interest in art and restaurant reviews.  This is the first in our new review feature.  We would love for our members to write a review of your favorite artist, restaurant or food truck especially given Oakland’s nationally recognized emerging art and food scene.  It’s really easy to write a review.  Here is an example based on my recent experience at Friday Nights @ OMCA.  Send an email to whitney@acbanet.org and let us know if you would like to contribute!

Friday Nights @ OMCA has become a favorite Friday night activity for me.  At the end of a long week the last thing I want to do is go home and cook.  Off the Grid eliminates the need to cook with at least ten different food trucks to choose from.  The trucks change from week to week so there is always something new and delicious to try.  If asked to choose a favorite truck, I honestly don’t know what I would say–they are all so good (beignets and fried chicken, anyone?)!  I recommend getting there early, if you can, as some of the lines can be quite long, but the food is always worth the wait.

Each week, you can also learn from local foodies in the Makers & Tasters Series, from 6 to 8 pm. The Makers & Tasters Series is where you can join local beer brewers, coffee roasters, jam makers, urban homesteaders, organic farmers, and authors for talks, demos, and tastings.  Something new is featured every week, with products featured in the OMCA Store or on the menu at Blue Oak café.

Evolving out of last summer’s monthly Summer Nights event, the weekly Friday Nights @ OMCA combines the best of the Oakland Museum of California with the fun of food trucks, music, and dancing.  This is a family-friendly take on a festive night market.  Admission to the museum is half-price for adults, and anyone under 18 is FREE!  In addition to the exhibits, there are also free hands-on art workshops for all ages.  OMCA also has a cash bar that serves beer and wine.

One of the best things about Friday Nights @ OMCA is its location.  The Oakland Museum of California is conveniently located near the Lake Merritt BART station, so it is easy to meet up with friends on their way home from work.  For those traveling by car, OMCA has a parking garage onsite and charges a $5 flat-rate on Friday nights.  Street parking is also fairly easy to find, especially earlier in the evening.