Friday Nights at OMCA with MXKA

Live Music by MXKA, DJ Set by Louie El Ser, Cumbia Wepa Dance Lesson with Mireille Ruiz, Community Activation with NIAD Art Center, and Gallery Chats from Kicking off the summer season of Friday Nights at OMCA, MXKA takes over the Garden Stage with a captivating blend of regional Mexican music and R&B. Through soulful vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and genre-bending sounds, the Bay Area artist reflects her Blaxican identity while creating a space for connection, self-expression, and celebration. Keeping the energy flowing, Louie El Ser delivers a dynamic DJ set blending emerging Latin sounds with alt-pop experimentation. Her dreamy soundscapes and infectious rhythms create an immersive, uplifting atmosphere that invites guests to embrace curiosity and joyful movement on the dance floor. Guests can also jump into the rhythm with a lively Cumbia Wepa dance lesson led by Mireille Ruiz. Rooted in the vibrant traditions of cumbia sonidera, this energetic class introduces playful footwork, upbeat movement, and cultural connection in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment. Throughout the evening, NIAD Art Center joins the festivities in the Garden with a community activation celebrating Disability Pride Month with creativity, inclusion, and artistic expression. Visitors can participate in an art-making activation led by artist Jason Powell-Smith, browse and purchase original artworks and special-edition pieces, meet other artists and staff, and learn more about the organization’s work supporting professional artists with disabilities while fostering connection through the arts. 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. Enthusiastic volunteer facilitators can be found floating between all of OMCA’s galleries, including its Great Hall Special Exhibitions, throughout the evening. Look for the blue “Let’s Chat” shirts to join the conversation. Gallery Chats are included with Museum admission. Program Schedule: 5–7:30 pm Community Activation: NIAD Art Center | Garden 5:30–6:30 pm Cumbia Wepa Dance Lesson with Mireille Ruiz | Amphitheater 5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries 6:45–7:45 pm Live Music by MXKA | Garden Stage 6:45–8:45 pm DJ Set by Louie El Ser | Amphitheater Join our email list to stay in the loop about Friday Nights at OMCA! About Friday Nights: The Town’s favorite block party, Friday Nights at OMCA, is back for the 2026 season, inviting the Bay to kick off the weekend with the crew—whether family, friends, or neighbors. From April–October, join us every Friday at 5 pm for a free evening of live music, interactive activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and, with a Museum ticket, exclusive late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions. Fuel your night with a rotating lineup of Off the Grid food trucks stationed along 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets, serving up bold flavors and local favorites. Inside, near the Koi Pond, purchase beer, wine, cocktails, and refreshing non-alcoholic options to sip while exploring. In the Garden, picnic tables, blankets, and a dazzling view of Lake Merritt welcome you to settle in with your meal. With games, engaging museum programs, and a vibrant community atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for making memories marked with unmistakable Oakland energy, week after week. 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. 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 MXKA Louie El Ser Mireille Ruiz NIAD Art Center Off the Grid Food Truck Lineup Performer BIOS About MXKA MXKA is a Blaxican artist from the Bay Area who creates a unique blend of Regional Mexican music and R&B. She brings together both sides of her culture through music, visuals, and storytelling. Through emotionally driven songwriting and genre-blending sounds, MXKA explores identity, love, culture, and self-expression while building a distinct artistic world rooted in authenticity. About Louie El Ser Louie El Ser is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer from the Bay Area. From self-produced hits to DJ sets, Louie has spent the majority of her life studying sound design and sonic reconnaissance. Having played around the world in metropolitan music hubs like Paris, Los Angeles, and México City, she’s been on bills with top artists such as Isabella Lovestory, La Goony Chonga, Los Eclipses, and more. About Mireille Ruiz Mireille Ruiz, born and raised in Mexico City, grew up dancing and listening to Latin music as part of her culture, including cumbia. She learned her first following techniques dancing with her father at every family fiesta. She has a Mexican folklore, jazz, tap dancing, and gymnastics background, and grew up performing since the age of four. She is also a percussionist, drummer, and Montessori teacher. A Bay Area bachata, cumbia, and salsa dance instructor, Mireille has been teaching, performing, and leading dance teams around the USA since 2010. About NIAD Art Center Founded in Richmond in 1982, NIAD Art Center is a groundbreaking disability arts organization that promotes creative expression, independence, dignity, and community integration by, with, and for people with disabilities. More than 75 artists practice across our 23rd Street studio in Richmond and in their Virtual Studio, building professional careers as contemporary artists. Visit niadart.org to explore and collect original artwork, join their mailing list, and learn more about their work. Sponsors Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and Bank of America. Additional support provided by OAKLAND ROOTS AND SOUL SC, Donahue Fitzgerald LLP, and Townsend Public Affairs. Learn more about becoming a Friday Nights at OMCA sponsor. Return to Events