Live music in Alameda County, CA

Del Valle Winery hosts an evening centered on music made for dancing, presented in a charming winery setting.

West Coast Swing takes the spotlight at Just Dance Dance & Event Center with instruction from Stephanie Krul and Jason Wayne. The program features a beginner and pre-intermediate class, followed by an intermediate session, then a social West Coast Swing party to keep the dancing going.

This concert features singer songwriter Maya de Vitry with an opening set from Mark Erelli. Raised in the rolling hills of Lancaster County and now based in Nashville, de Vitry began as a fiddler and has grown into a writer whose voice balances tenderness and strength. Her songs travel from canyons and kitchens to cold lakes and highway truck stops, weaving together joy, sorrow, and unflinching honesty. The stories can span hungover bachelorettes in the Nashville airport to reflections on the confines of our own adaptations, all rooted in a belief in the power of song to change us. De Vitry first came to prominence with The Stray Birds, releasing four full-length albums and two EPs while touring for seven years across the United States, Canada, and Europe. She launched her solo work with Adaptations in 2019, followed by How to Break a Fall, Violet Light, The Only Moment, the EP Infinite, and a run of singles. Her fifth album, All My Faith, embraces the spontaneity of live performance and a truth-seeking lyrical focus. Recorded and mixed by five time Grammy winner Sean Sullivan and self produced, it brings together a close circle of collaborators on her Mad Maker Studio label. Mark Erelli opens with a distinctive blend of rock, folk, and Americana, pairing lyrical depth with intricate instrumentation. His career includes collaborations with Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, and Anaïs Mitchell, opening slots with Marc Cohn, Watchhouse, and Josh Ritter, fourteen solo albums and three with the bluegrass band Barnstar!, and production work on two records for Grammy winning artist Lori McKenna.

An all ages party celebrating Metallica.

Karaoke Night at The New Parkway offers a relaxed, low-pressure way to sing, cheer, and spend time together. Take the mic or sing along from your seat, with a welcoming atmosphere for every voice and comfort level. Songs are selected from YouTube, giving you a wide range of choices. Performances can be heartfelt, silly, loud, or shy, and there is no expectation of perfection. First-time singers are just as welcome as regulars, with a friendly crowd that supports everyone. Food and drinks are available for purchase, including beer, wine, and nonalcoholic options. Arriving a little early can help you find a seat and add your pick before the list fills. It is a come-as-you-are space to choose a tune and enjoy an easygoing evening of music and community.

Michigander performs a live set at Cornerstone.

Dave "Ouzo" Land brings live music to Union City Farmers' Market, adding an upbeat soundtrack to a bustling scene of tasty food and fresh, locally grown produce.

Celebrate the finale of the Concerts on the Plaza series at Niles Town Plaza, featuring music by The Beatles performed by local favorites, including The Collective. This no-cost event welcomes all ages. Pack lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy a day of live music in the center of Niles.

At the Niles Film Museum, F. W. Murnau’s 1922 NOSFERATU will be presented on 35mm. The story follows Count Orlok, who hires an estate agent to handle a transaction, adapted from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The feature is preceded by two shorts: Edison’s 1910 Frankenstein, approximately ten minutes and shown digitally, and Koko’s Haunted House from 1928 by Inkwell Studios featuring Koko the Clown. Greg Pane provides live piano accompaniment. Unless otherwise indicated, films are projected on 16mm. Suggested donations are $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Tickets are available online. The museum and store are open on Saturdays and Sundays.

A tradition that began when dancers from Chicago visited the Bay Area in 1998, igniting the first documented lindy hop exchange and a global culture of traveling for the dance, returns in a fresh reimagining that celebrates the distinct personalities of Bay Area dance communities. The festivities include DJed sets, live music, friendly inter-scene competitions, and plenty of social dancing. The main set features Andrew Stephens' Savoy 7, followed by a late night led by the Curiosities Jazz Band. The main gathering is with Lake Merritt Dance at the Veterans Memorial Building, then the late night takes place at the Omni, also known as Revival Hall. Registration and competition signups are available.

Cori Jacobs and a live band honor Sly Stone with a vibrant celebration of the trailblazing blend of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia that made Sly and the Family Stone legendary. Expect big vocals, tight rhythms, and singalong moments with favorites like Everyday People, Dance to the Music, Family Affair, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You, and more. This upbeat tribute brings Sly’s spirit to the stage for an evening of unity, groove, and feel-good energy.

A goth-inspired yoga session at Spire the Church weaves movement with a moody, carefully curated soundtrack. All experience levels are welcome, from seasoned practitioners to first-timers, with guidance that encourages strength, ease, and stillness while the music sets an immersive tone. Beyond the physical practice, it offers space for reflection and connection with a community that appreciates both yoga and goth culture. Sliding scale contribution is $10 to $20 with $15 suggested, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Donations are accepted at the door via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. Please bring a yoga mat or borrow one on site, and wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. The venue is in a residential neighborhood where mutual respect is essential, and parking nearby is very limited, so consider biking, carpooling, walking, rideshare, or public transit and plan ahead.

At Ashkenaz in Berkeley, take part in a community drum circle that centers on connection through rhythm. Experience the joy and freedom of playing together while building community, easing stress, and lifting spirits through a shared beat. The session is led by Jeni Swerdlow, MA-ATR, founder of DRUMMM Rhythmic Events and Chief Rhythm Activator. Expect an interactive experience that gets everyone making music, regardless of background or skill level. This gathering is open to all, from first-timers to experienced drummers, and welcomes all ages, cultures, genders, and abilities. Minors need to attend with an adult. Bring a drum if you have one, or use a house instrument for a $5 fee. Chairs are provided.

An immersive ambient DJ set and sound bath unfolds at Far Leaves Tea in Berkeley, presented by SIMAGO and Femme Jatale. Complimentary tea welcomes attendees as they arrive and settle in. The session blends crystal singing bowls, chimes, voice, and other sound healing instruments with spacious ambient selections to create a calm space for deep listening, rest, and reflection. Seating is flexible, with the option to sit or lie down. Those planning to recline should bring a yoga mat or other comfortable padding. Floor space for mats is limited on a first come basis. Tickets are offered on a sliding scale starting at $25, and space is intentionally limited, so reserving in advance is encouraged.

Part of the West Oakland Sound Series, this program at Dresher Ensemble Studio in Oakland, California features vocal experimentation and chamber improvisation. Jaap Blonk presents original pieces, spontaneous creations, and sound poems from earlier periods. Born in 1953 in Woerden, Netherlands, he is a largely self-educated composer, performer, poet, and visual artist whose deep inquiry into phonetics and the possibilities of the human voice began in the early 1980s. His performances often incorporate live electronics and occasional projected imagery, and he is known for an energetic, unrestrained presence on stage. He has performed and taught on every continent. His output includes roughly 75 releases across recordings and books, and his visual art, developed from sound poetry scores and informed by mathematical ideas, has been exhibited internationally with selections published in the Americas and Europe. Echo’s Bones, a San Francisco Bay Area woodwind trio, brings improvised music with an avant, pastoral character. The group features Amber Lamprecht on oboe and English horn, Sheldon Brown on clarinet and bass clarinet, and Joseph Noble on flute, alto flute, bass flute, and bamboo flutes. Admission is 20 dollars. Cash and Venmo are accepted at the door, and students and underemployed attendees are admitted free. Produced by sfSound and New Performance Traditions.

Bumpin Uglies brings the Orange Crush Tour to Cornerstone, performing live with Artikal Sound System.

Jon McLaughlin brings The Scenarios Tour to The Freight, featuring piano-forward pop and songwriting rooted in everyday life. Raised in Indiana and now based in Nashville, he shapes his music around his experiences and beliefs, including being a father to two young daughters. Since launching with his 2007 debut Indiana on Island Def Jam, he has followed with six additional full-length albums while refining both his keyboard work and his singing. His career has included shows with Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson, and Adele, creative collaborations with Sara Bareilles, co-writing with Demi Lovato, and a performance at the Academy Awards in 2008. Releases along the way include Like Us on Razor & Tie, the holiday EP Red & Green, and a 2018 album featuring the song Still My Girl, written for his youngest. The tour takes its name from his latest album, Scenarios, which opens a new chapter and puts the focus on his storytelling and piano-centered sound. Each performance is built around connection, turning personal moments into songs that resonate.

This free, drop-in gathering blends conversation and listening with artists from the Bay Area jazz scene. This session features trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader Christopher Lowell Clarke, who leads his own groups and has worked as a side person with Eddie Marshall and Holy Mischief, the Marcus Shelby Big Band, the Howard Wiley Quintet, and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, then studied jazz and studio music performance at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His festival appearances include Umbria, Fillmore, and Monterey, and he teaches with SFJAZZ, Oaktown Jazz Workshops, and the Oakland Public Conservatory. Attendees may bring lunch or order in advance from the JazzCaffè by calling 510-654-0148.

Brit Floyd brings The Moon, The Wall and Beyond to Oakland's Fox Theater. An advance presale through Another Planet Entertainment takes place before the general sale, and presale tickets can be purchased online only.

Dos Santos brings its Chicago-rooted quintet sound to Yoshi's Oakland in Jack London Square, weaving border-crossing Latin rhythms into vivid storytelling. Formed in 2013, the group has spent years exploring the outer limits of the genre, turning unfamiliar textures into music that feels close to home with flashes of barrio cumbias, psychedelic western tones, and desert songs under moonlight. A fourth full-length album is on the way, produced by Grammy Award winner Beto Martinez, showcasing a seasoned ensemble whose vision remains sharp in a time crowded with imitation. Their music is direct and heartfelt, grounded in ancestral grooves from across the Americas.

Sister Sadie grew from a spontaneous jam at Nashville’s Station Inn into a celebrated bluegrass ensemble known for dynamic performances, precise musicianship, and harmonies that bridge tradition and fresh ideas. The six members bring notable individual accomplishments, and together they have earned the IBMA Vocal Group of the Year award three times, along with Entertainer of the Year. Their recordings span a self-titled debut, Sister Sadie II, and No Fear, with the second album earning a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album and the newest release delivering another nomination on the strength of songs like Diane and the Ashley McBryde written Willow, which climbed the charts. From appearances on the Grand Ole Opry to headlining major festivals, they pair heartfelt storytelling with technical skill, carrying bluegrass forward while honoring its roots.

FloLab anchors a space for authentic Bay Area Hip Hop, pushing back against forces that dilute or displace the culture. It offers a consistent home where MCs hone their writing, the crowd’s voice carries weight, and community keeps the art rooted in people, politics, struggle, and skill. Each week, artists, writers, listeners, and neighbors gather for a $300 rap writing contest and cypher with open mic energy in a room that prizes substance, style, and truth. Performing is optional, so guests can simply take it in and be part of a growing scene that refuses to let Hip Hop be stripped from the Bay. Contest details put craft front and center. Topics and beats are announced on Instagram, advance registration reserves a performance slot, and entrants write one verse per beat with hooks or choruses allowed. Memorizing verses improves the odds, and crowd response decides the outcome. Prizes are $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. People return for authentic culture, a supportive Bay Area network, timely prompts that reflect real life, and a stage where MCs can build, test, sharpen, and perform while an attentive audience truly engages. Organizers are also working toward expansion into San Francisco and San Jose with support from monthly donors.

SamoaBoy sets the mood at Forbidden Island with a 70s and 80s 45 rpm session called Miami Magic, blending disco, yacht rock, and Euro pop, and featuring Miami Dave's Cocktail Experience. Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge offers a breezy tropical escape with classic and original cocktails alongside snacks, all in a retro setting that often draws comparisons to Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room. Expect island curios throughout, from carved tikis and softly glowing puffer fish to velvet Tahitian artwork. A rum collection of more than 150 bottles from around the world invites discovery, with the Kill Devil List and the Kill Devil Rum Club available for those exploring sugarcane spirits.

Thursday evenings at Spire, the Church, bring a blend of yoga and goth aesthetics to life. A carefully chosen soundtrack of dark, atmospheric music guides the flow while participants move through poses. The practice is suitable for all levels, inviting newcomers and experienced yogis alike to build strength, stretch deeply, find calm, and spend time in personal reflection. The gathering emphasizes connection as much as movement. Those who appreciate both yoga and goth culture can meet others in a supportive, inclusive space that welcomes thoughtful community engagement. Bring a yoga mat or borrow one at the venue, and wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement. Contributions are offered on a sliding scale of $10 to $20, with $15 suggested. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Donations are accepted at the door through common payment apps such as Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle. Presales are available. A separate Sunday session is also offered each week. The venue is in a residential neighborhood, so respect for nearby residents is essential. Parking on the immediate street is very limited, so consider biking, carpooling, walking with friends, using rideshare, or taking public transit, and plan ahead. If you need to drive, park a block away rather than directly in front of the venue to reduce the impact on neighbors. Disrespectful behavior toward the community may result in exclusion from this and future sessions.