Friday Nights at OMCA with MacArthur Maze | 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party

Live Performance by MacArthur Maze, Music Set by DJ Black Woman™, Live Figure Drawing with Sketchboard Co., and Gallery Chats from This Friday Night at OMCA, the Museum is excited to be part of a series of programming celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party, bringing together music, film, storytelling, and community throughout the evening. On the Garden Stage, East Bay Hip-Hop ensemble MacArthur Maze takes the stage. Featuring four emcees and special guests Loove Moore and DJ Kream, the group delivers a distinctly Bay Area sound rooted in real-life storytelling, love, and community. The evening—happening in the final weeks before Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory closes October 18— also features a special documentary screening of Memories in Motion: Selected Stories of Mildred Howard. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with the film’s director and Howard’s grandson, Lamar “MYL3Z” Brown, offering an intimate conversation about her work, legacy, and lasting impact. Keeping the momentum going, Oakland native DJ BlackWoman™ takes over the Amphitheater with a high-energy, genre-bending set. Blending nostalgic Hip-Hop, R&B favorites, and unexpected gems, her open-format style brings a fresh Oakland energy designed to keep the crowd moving all evening long. Guests can also head to the Gallery of California Art for live figure drawing sessions with Sketchboard Co., included with gallery admission. We welcome all skill levels, including those who have never drawn before and want to try drawing. Art supplies and clipboards will be available for use, and your artwork will be yours to take home or exchange with others. A costumed model representing the diversity of the Bay Area will be posing in the Gallery of California Art for times ranging from 2 to 20 minutes. Since drawing will take place in the galleries, please be mindful of space and bring only the following media from home: sketchbooks (max size 9×12 inches) and pre-sharpened enclosed graphite, charcoal, or conté pencils. Alongside an exceptional event experience, Friday Nights at OMCA also features Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Putting a twist on the traditional museum tour, Gallery Chats invite visitors to engage in meaningful conversations, share personal reflections, and explore new perspectives on the artwork, artifacts, and stories throughout OMCA’s galleries. With music, film, art, and conversation happening throughout the Museum, this Friday Night at OMCA is an opportunity to come together, celebrate Oakland’s creative spirit, and reflect on the enduring legacy of the Black Panther Party. Join us for an evening rooted in culture, community, and connection. Program Schedule: 5:30–6:15 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art 5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries 6–7 pm Memories in Motion Film Screening and Panel Discussion | James Moore Theater 6:15–7:15 pm Live Music by MacArthur Maze | Garden Stage 6:45–7:30 pm Sketchboard Co. Live Figure Drawing | Gallery of California Art 6:45–8:45 pm DJ Set by DJ BlackWoman™ | Amphitheater Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA! About Friday Nights: Don’t miss the final weeks of Friday Nights at OMCA! As the days get shorter and fall settles in, Oakland’s favorite weekly block party—complete with Off the Grid food trucks—is wrapping up its current season with a bang. Join us for a few more festive fall evenings of music, community, food, and fun before Friday Nights takes a seasonal pause. OMCA will continue to welcome visitors during regular Museum hours, with plenty to explore—including our latest special exhibition, BeHere/1942: A New Lens on Japanese Incarceration, and featured experiences like OMCA’s 32nd Annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration. Visit museumca.org for Museum hours, exhibitions, and program details. OMCA also offers a $10 flat-rate parking in the OMCA Garage until 10 pm. Please note that outside alcohol is not permitted, and event details and performances are subject to change. Please view our Garden Guidelines and Dog Policy. Accessibility Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. Performers MacArthur Maze Loove Moore DJ Kream DJ BlackWoman™ Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup Performer BIOS About MacArthur Maze Independent hip-hop ensemble and crew, MacArthur Maze, combine only the most organic Bay Area ingredients to create a powerhouse. Mac Maze comprises four emcees (Blvck Achilles, Champ Green, D.Bledsoe, & Roux Shankle). Given the game and entrepreneurial spirit made famous in the Bay, MacArthur Maze has the makings of something uniquely special and necessary. While reality is the basis for their overarching themes, love and community are ever present in their messaging and visuals. All members contributing their respective specialized talents at the highest levels creates a maze you’d be reluctant to want to find your way out of. About DJ BlackWoman™ DJ BlackWoman™ (Nia) is a self-taught professional DJ and proud Oakland native whose sound is deeply influenced by the culture and musical legacy of Oakland and the West Coast. Known for her versatility, crowd awareness, and infectious energy, she has performed for organizations and stages including Google, the NFL, the California Academy of Sciences, Oakland Ballers, and Hiero Day, where she serves as a resident DJ. Her globally influenced, open-format style connects cultures and generations while bringing an unmistakable Oakland energy to every room she plays. About Sketchboard Co. Sketchboard Co. is a BIPOC figure drawing collective, curating eclectic, diverse, and affordable events in the Bay Area over the last 10 years. Our mission is to feature the bodies of people at the intersection of multiple identities, offer living wages to our art models, and create an inclusive environment for the artists in our community. Sponsors Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is proudly supported by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America. Additional support provided by Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, OAKLAND ROOTS AND SOUL SC, LaSalle Mortgage, and Townsend Public Affairs. Learn more about becoming a Friday Nights at OMCA sponsor. Return to Events