Guitar Gods, Monster Trucks & Oakland Blooms
From First Fridays to Fox Theater, the East Bay is bringing the heat this weekend
The Town is absolutely loaded this weekend. Oakland First Fridays kicks off a spring-themed block party on Telegraph, the Oakland Museum opens its Friday Nights season with Caribbean grooves by Lake Merritt, Goapele celebrates 25 years at Yoshi’s, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai bring face-melting guitar to the Fox Theater, and Monster Jam shakes the Arena all weekend long. Here’s the rundown.
🌸 Oakland First Fridays: Oakland Blooms
Friday, Apr 3 @ 5:00 PM
Oakland’s beloved free monthly street festival returns with the spring-themed “Oakland Blooms” — a vibrant evening celebrating growth, creativity, and the season of renewal. Thousands of people flood Telegraph Avenue between 27th Street and West Grand for an evening of live music, local art, street food vendors, interactive art projects, and performances that capture the creative spirit of The Town. No tickets needed — just pull up from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM and soak in the energy of one of the East Bay’s most iconic community gatherings. All ages.
The Move: The Hotboys Oakland spot at 1601 San Pablo Ave is just blocks from the First Fridays action on Telegraph. Grab a hot chicken sandwich on the way in — perfect walking-around fuel for the festival.
📍 More info at oaklandfirstfridays.org
💃 Friday Nights at OMCA: Yeny Valdés & TeamBahia
Friday, Apr 3 @ 5:00 PM
The Oakland Museum of California kicks off its beloved 2026 Friday Nights season with a free evening of live music, food trucks, and community vibes on the shores of Lake Merritt. Cuban-born powerhouse Yeny Valdés & TeamBahia bring the Caribbean heat with a high-energy set blending timba, salsa, son, and tropical fusion on the Garden Stage, while Oakland’s DJ Kream spins deep house and funk grooves. Families can enjoy Drag Storytime with Per Sia and make colorful dance ribbons. Off the Grid food trucks line 10th Street, and you can grab drinks by the Koi Pond with views of Lake Merritt. Gallery access requires a ticket, but the outdoor party from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM is completely free. All ages.
The Move: The Hotboys Oakland location at 1601 San Pablo Ave is an easy trip from the Oakland Museum by Lake Merritt. Grab a hot chicken sandwich before you go — OMCA has drinks and food trucks, but nothing hits like Hotboys before a night out.
🎤 Goapele: 25th Anniversary — Closer to My Dreams
Thursday, Apr 2 – Saturday, Apr 4
| Oakland’s own Goapele celebrates 25 years in music with a special multi-night residency at Yoshi’s on Jack London Square. The R&B and neo-soul visionary — who put the Bay Area on the map with “Closer” — performs intimate sets marking a quarter-century of artistry with her “Closer to My Dreams” anniversary run. The residency kicks off Thursday with a single show (Thu 7:30 PM), then expands to two shows each night (**Fri 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM | Sat 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM**) at the legendary 310-capacity venue — about as up-close-and-personal as it gets with one of the East Bay’s most cherished voices. |
The Move: Yoshi’s is right on Jack London Square, a short drive from the Hotboys Oakland location at 1601 San Pablo Ave. Swing through for some Nashville hot chicken before catching one of the most soulful shows of the weekend.
📍 Get tickets at yoshis.com
🎸 SatchVai Band ft. Joe Satriani & Steve Vai with Animals As Leaders
Saturday, Apr 4 @ 8:00 PM
Two of the most celebrated guitarists on the planet — Joe Satriani and Steve Vai — bring their brand-new SatchVai Band to the historic Fox Theater on Telegraph Avenue for the Surfing With The Hydra Tour. Backed by a powerhouse lineup of Kenny Aronoff on drums, Marco Mendoza on bass, and Pete Thorn on guitar, expect blistering new material from the forthcoming SatchVai album alongside deep cuts from both legends’ iconic catalogs. Progressive metal outfit Animals As Leaders opens. Doors at 7:00 PM. This all-ages show at one of Oakland’s most gorgeous venues is a bucket-list night for any guitar fanatic.
The Move: The Fox Theater is right on Telegraph Ave, just a quick stroll from the Hotboys Oakland location at 1601 San Pablo Ave. Fuel up with some Nashville hot chicken before doors open at 7 PM — you’ll need that energy for a night of face-melting guitar.
📍 Get tickets at ticketmaster.com
🏁 Monster Jam
Friday, Apr 3 – Sunday, Apr 5
| Monster Jam rolls into Oakland Arena for a full weekend of earth-shaking, high-flying monster truck action. Watch world-class drivers compete in racing, freestyle, and two-wheel skills challenges in trucks like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, and Sparkle Smash. With four shows across three days — **Fri 7 PM | Sat 12 PM & 6 PM | Sun 1 PM** — including a Saturday matinee perfect for families, there’s a showtime for everyone. Tickets start at just $15, and you can add a Post-Event Driver Meet and Greet package — which includes a souvenir checkered flag — for an extra charge. All ages. This is one of the most fun family outings the East Bay has to offer. |
The Move: Hit up the Hotboys Oakland location at 1601 San Pablo Ave before heading down to Oakland Arena. A hot chicken combo is the perfect pre-show meal to match the Monster Jam energy.
📍 Get tickets at ticketmaster.com
The Hotboys Connection
From First Fridays flooding Telegraph Ave to Goapele’s soulful homecoming at Yoshi’s, from Satriani and Vai melting faces at the Fox to Monster Jam shaking the Arena all weekend long, we’ve got locations across the East Bay ready to keep you fed through every last show.
- Oakland: 1601 San Pablo Ave (9am – 10pm Sun – Wed)
- Walnut Creek: 1394 N Main St (9am – 10pm Sun – Wed)
- Hayward: 27826 Mission Blvd (10am – 10pm Sun – Thurs)
- Novato: 5800 Nave Dr, Suite D (10am – 10pm Sun – Thurs)
The 510 is giving you guitar gods, monster trucks, neo-soul royalty, Caribbean grooves by Lake Merritt, and the biggest block party in the East Bay — all in one weekend. Pull up, eat some heat, and make it count. 🔥