Live music in Oakland, CA

Lydia Pense & Cold Blood bring the storied East Bay Grease sound to Yoshi’s Oakland, led by vocalist Lydia Pense, whose range spans fiery soul shouts and quietly intense blues. The group first broke through during the Fillmore’s prime, drawing the attention of Bill Graham, who signed them to his label. Their late-sixties and early-seventies run helped shape a funky blend of soul and R&B that still resonates today. Early releases such as Cold Blood, Sisyphus, First Taste of Sin, and Thriller remain among their best-known work, and the band continues to record and perform with a veteran Bay Area lineup featuring a gritty horn punch and a deep-groove rhythm section, with credits alongside Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Starship, Boz Skaggs, and Albert Collins. Performances often include essentials like You Got Me Hummin’, I Just Want To Make Love To You, I’m A Good Woman, and Down to the Bone, alongside songs from Soul Of The Gypsy, a collection that shows how the group pushes ahead while honoring its roots. Admirers over the years have included Bonnie Raitt, Michelle Shocked, David Lee Roth, and, in earlier days, Janis Joplin.

At Club Cali, FloLab hosts a weekly rap writing showdown rooted in Bay Area Hip Hop, created to push back against gentrification and keep the culture in community hands. Artists, writers, listeners, and neighbors come together for a $300 contest infused with open mic energy, giving MCs a place to test lyrics, sharpen delivery, and connect with a crowd that truly participates. You do not need to rap to be part of the room, spectators are welcome to take in the performances and the cypher. The contest awards $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. Guidelines ask entrants to follow the organizers on Instagram, check posts for the current topic and beats, register in advance to reserve a spot, and review all rules. For each beat, prepare one verse, with hooks or choruses allowed. Memorizing verses can strengthen a performance, and crowd response determines who takes home the prize. FloLab is also working toward expansion into San Francisco and San Jose with support from monthly donors, aiming to sustain authentic Hip Hop spaces and a growing Bay Area community centered on substance, style, and truth.

A dance party at Just Dance Ballroom welcomes both seasoned dancers and those curious to try something new. It offers a friendly atmosphere that provides a refreshing break in the middle of the week.

At Yoshi's Oakland, Wild Night honors the music of Van Morrison with a show built on the legacy of its founder, the late Gary Coppola, who launched the project in 2019. The lineup features lead vocalist Jason Feddy, whose career includes opening for Neil Young, Tears for Fears, The Cranberries, Joe Cocker, and Christie Moore at stages such as the London Palladium and Albert Hall. Guitarist and singer Magic Kramer has performed and recorded with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, The Knack, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Diana Krall, Michael MacDonald, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Bramlett, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, and Phillip Bailly of Earth, Wind, and Fire. Bassist and singer Bobby Pickett has worked with Sugarloaf, Etta James, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Big Joe Turner, The Drifters, The Coasters, Martha Reeves, Bobby Freeman, and Greg Allman, and he spent many years with Detective. Drummer Chris Ross has toured and recorded with Maria Muldaur, Coco Montoya, Lyle Lovett, Mark Chestnutt, Kenny Loggins, John Waite, Three Dog Night, Grammy Award winner Pete Anderson, and Hall of Fame singer Sam Moore. Keyboardist Chris Rhyne has appeared on stage and on record with Santana, Whitney Houston, Jean Luc Ponty, Gino Vannelli, Dianne Reeves, Dave Koz, BB King, Buddy Rich, Burt Bacharach, and George Benson. Saxophonist and flutist Mel Steinberg has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, The Beach Boys, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Lesley Gore, Sam "The Sham," Joe Williams, Emmanuel, Lupita d'Alessio, Little Joe y La Familia, Yoram Gaon, Dudu Fisher, and Alexander Bisenz. Baritone sax player Chris Jennings has credits with Martha Reeves, Freddy Cannon, Brian Wilson, José Feliciano, John Entwistle, Carla Olson, Doug Fieger, and Bob Hope. Trumpeter Gary Bivona has performed and recorded with Tom Jones, The Four Tops, Mel Torme, and Phil Hartman, and has also played on and produced tracks for Survivor and for television shows including Seinfeld, 21/2 Men, Hill St Blues, Frazier, Murphy Brown, Everybody Loves Raymond, and The Tonight Show. Promotional videos for the group were filmed by Nathaniel Beaver with support from Steve Vlasak and edited by Beaver with help from Magic Kramer.

Grammy nominee Syleena Johnson, a celebrated recording artist, brings her rich R&B and soul sound to Yoshi's Oakland - Jack London square. A singer, songwriter, author, and daytime talk show host, she shares her talents across many platforms and has been connecting with listeners for nearly two decades. The performance highlights expressive vocals, classic style, and songs delivered with power and heart.

A tango weekend in Oakland explores the genre’s breadth, from Golden Age favorites to contemporary and alternative sounds. The schedule features workshops with Nick Jones and Diana Cruz, live music by Trio Tangazo, and five milongas. Each evening includes two curated dance rooms, with the Golden Room presenting selections from the Golden Age through contemporary tango, and the Spectrum Room highlighting contemporary through alternative music. Designed for dancers who value musicality, creativity, and connection, it offers opportunities to learn in depth, dance with joy, and discover the wide range of tango.

West Coast Swing takes center stage at Just Dance Dance & Event Center with instruction from Stephanie Krul and Jason Wayne. The program starts with lessons for beginners and pre-intermediate dancers, followed by an intermediate class. After the classes, the dance floor opens for a West Coast Swing party.

Yoshi's Oakland -Jack London square hosts a performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist Syleena Johnson, an R&B and soul vocalist whose voice and clear, heartfelt delivery have resonated with listeners for many years. Her catalog spans the Chapter album series with songs like 'I Am Your Woman' and 'Guess What', collaborations with Kanye West, Common, and Anthony Hamilton, and the live-in-the-studio project 'Rebirth of Soul' created with her father, the legendary Syl Johnson. She also released the single 'WOMAN' from the album of the same name with Grammy-winning Toxic Productions. Beyond music, she has appeared on television programs including R&B Divas: Atlanta and Marriage Boot Camp, is part of the TV One daily talk show Sister Circle, and is the author of the self-help book 'The Weight Is Over'. This show brings her blend of classic soul and contemporary R&B to the stage.

Kruder & Dorfmeister bring their K&D Kicks 30 Anniversary Tour to Oakland’s historic Fox Theater. Another Planet Entertainment offers a presale that uses the password ace, and presale tickets are available online only. A general on-sale follows the presale.

Karaoke Night at The New Parkway offers a relaxed evening of music and community. Take the mic or sing along from your seat, and enjoy a welcoming setting for every voice and comfort level. Come solo or with friends, choose a track when you arrive, or simply enjoy the performances. Song choices are pulled from YouTube, providing a wide range of options. There is no need to be perfect... heartfelt, playful, bold, or reserved performances are all encouraged, and first-timers are welcome. Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the event, including beer, wine, and nonalcoholic choices. Arriving a little early can help with finding a seat and getting your song in before the list gets full. All are welcome as they are for a low pressure night of singing and cheering together.

Yoshi’s Oakland hosts a showcase built on the legacy of Detroit-born talent linked to Rick James’s punk funk era and Motown history. At the center is vocalist Val Young, who started out singing behind acts like The Gap Band, George Clinton and P-Funk, and Roy Ayers before Rick James elevated her at Motown with a glamorous "Black Marilyn Monroe" image. Her debut album Seduction became a gold seller with songs such as "Mind Games," "Piece Of My Heart," and "If You Should Ever Be Lonely," followed by Private Conversations on Amherst Records. Her credits span collaborations with artists including Mariah Carey and Tupac Shakur, notably the track "To Live & Die In L.A.," and sessions with members of Rufus. Sharing that lineage is Candice "Candi" Ghant, another Detroit native who signed to Motown at 19, moved to Hollywood, and was selected by Rick James as one of the Mary Jane Girls. Her studio and stage work ranges from background vocals for Ice Cube and other hip hop and R&B figures to soundtrack contributions and production projects that highlight her range behind the scenes. The story also connects to Farah Saraya Melanson, an L.A. artist who has performed with The Mary Jane Girls featuring Val Young, New Birth, and Jon B, and has recorded with Barry White. A multi-instrumentalist with formal music studies, she has collaborated with Val Young and Candi Ghant for several years. Together, these histories trace a path from Motor City roots to Hollywood studios, reflecting the voices and collaborators that shaped a distinctive chapter of funk, soul, and R&B.

This once-a-year flamenco night returns to The Dome for its fourth edition, showcasing Melissa Cruz in live performance with an ensemble of dancers and musicians. The program highlights Roberto Zamora on flamenco vocals, Brenna McDonald on flamenco guitar, Yeshe Wingerd on flamenco guitar and vocals, Jesse Torre on flamenco guitar, and Bob Sanders on electric bass, with Melissa Cruz leading in flamenco dance. Additional artists will be announced. Guests can settle in to enjoy the distinctive setting along with drinks and light snacks. A suggested donation of $25 per person is requested, and a separate reservation should be made for each attendee. Thanks to The Dome, performers receive 100 percent of donations.

Pandit Nayan Ghosh and Ishaan Ghosh are presented together from a distinguished musical lineage in Indian classical music. Nayan Ghosh is celebrated worldwide for rare mastery of both tabla and sitar, the result of rigorous training with his father Padmabhushan Pandit Nikhil Ghosh and guidance from Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa, with further sitar mentorship from Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta. Known for an authentic tabla baaj, a deep repertoire, and a resonant sound, he has shared music with luminaries such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. His recordings appear on labels including RAGA Records, India Archive Music, BOL Records, and ARION, and his contributions to promoting Indian music in the West were honored with an Achievement Award presented by California Lt. Governor Gray Davis. Ishaan Ghosh, a leading voice of the younger generation, began as a child prodigy and gave his first tabla solo at the age of three. Under the close tutelage of his father, he has developed a striking solo presence and a refined approach to accompaniment, weaving intricate rhythmic designs with clarity and flair. His collaborations span eminent figures such as Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, Ustad Nishat Khan, and others. He also explores creative projects with artists from a variety of genres and countries, has appeared on platforms like TEDx, and continues to perform, lecture, and tour to inspire new audiences for Indian classical music. Highlights of his early international journey include a 2016 performance for the Habitat for Humanity project in Atlanta, where he was felicitated by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Together, their artistry offers tradition and innovation in equal measure, uniting virtuosity, lineage, and heartfelt expression in the language of rhythm and melody.

Isaiah Collier appears at Yoshi’s Oakland with a forward-looking take on contemporary jazz that bridges heritage and the present moment. A South Side Chicago native, he is a composer, arranger, educator, and self-described sonic scientist whose work has earned international recognition. Honors include selection as a Steve Jobs Archive Fellow, being named Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz in 2024, a cover feature in DownBeat Magazine, and placement on The New York Times list of the year’s best jazz albums. His suite The Story of 400 Years was highlighted on NPR’s Jazz Night in America, and he has received a DownBeat Critics Poll award along with the Jazz Journalists Association’s Up and Coming Artist of the Year.