The Oakland Museum of California has been receiving lots of well-deserved critical praise (and endowment money [http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=44371]) since undergoing a major renovation and curatorial overhaul last year.
This Friday, the museum is sure to keep the love coming when it throws a doozie of a launch party for the Oakland Standard, an ambitious new series of projects -- ranging from a blog (http://museumca.org/theoaklandstandard/blog) by Believer Managing Editor Andrew Leland to community dinners and film screenings -- aimed at getting a younger demographic to connect to the museum. Or, in the Standard's own words: "It's a dance party, a conversation, a baby shower, and a toast to Oakland."
Tomorrow night's festivities include tag team talks by local cultural luminaries such as hilarious science writer Mary Roach, MacArthur "genius" and musical instrument builder Walter Kitundu, and visual artist and riot grrrl Tammy Rae Carland. Afterward, turf dancing crew Turf Feinz will give what's sure to be a blistering performance and Oakland-born DJ Mia Moretti will take the evening out with a special set of California-themed tunes.
(by Matt Sussman)
