Temescal Street Fair

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. **I know this wasn't technically the annual Temescal Street Fair, but I don't believe the event on Sunday, October 25, had an actual name. It was referred to as a picnic which made sense if you took advantage of the neighborhood restaurants offering outdoor seating. Jamie W. and I did by having our first real outdoor dining experience together right outside of Daol Tofu & BBQ, a relatively new Korean spot that made an excellent Bo Ssam for two with tables that were properly distanced from each other.Even more than that though, this urban picnic offered us an opportunity to roam the neighborhood and take notice of all the ethnically diverse array of eateries at our own pace. I actually found the absence of mobile amusement rides, performance stages, and free salsa lessons blessings in disguise. This was held in response to Oakland's Flex Streets initiative, where restaurants and shops take over closed blocks for brief periods of time. During these challenging times, I welcome these picnics and hope more are scheduled.RELATED - Exploring Temescal? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2I0RAHj

This is a big Street Fair!! I decided to take BART here, a super convenient way to go, just get off at MacArthur station, and it's literally around the corner. I also took my bicycle, lots of bike parking here also.Lots of food choices here, and I like how all the businesses in the area are open also for even more choices. There are 2 music stages, the one at the end had salsa going when I got there, with everybody doing the salsa. Lots to see, buy, and taste, I'll definitely be back!!!

Today was the last day of my Staycation and it was a good day !!!Why you may ask Because today was the Day of the Temescal Street Fair .This Street Fair has a lot Flavor !!!There's 3 Band Stages setup .The Band Stage on 40TH Street has a Reggae Band and their Jamming Man all Love.There's another in the Middle of the Fair that Has the 57th Street Gallery with a Jazz Band and you can feel the Soul.Fun Fact 57th Street Gallery used to be located in Oakland for many years . But their Lease ran out and they were forced to closed their doors . To the Dismay of several Art and Jazz Lovers . But the good news they may have found a location in Emeryville and may open up again . I hope so as I love live music especially Jazz and Blues.On the 51TH Street Stage Juan Escovedo -Sheila E Brother was playing Funk and Pop Music with his Band on the 510 Stage .They were tearing the house There where Climbing Walls , Mini Carnival , Arts and Crafts Booths . Setup for the Kids. Plenty of Crafts , Art , and Clothes Booths for the Ladies .There were Beer Booths Setup and Numerous Food Booths setup. My Favorite food booth was the Nora Cocina Espanola Booth - They make the Yummy Shrimp Paella which I watched the Proprietor Sergio make today Fresh and Piping Hot . It was finger licking good.I also had the Korean Chicken Wings from BOWLD BBQ . They were Delish . Temescal is a Hot Bed of Restaurants and Specialty Eatery's Definitely one of my Favorite Parts of Oakland.

I failed diversity training. They never should have sent me in the first place. I told them it was a bad idea. They said everybody had to go. Even me. Even though I was going to fail. I failed miserably because as the paid instructor said maybe the hundredth time that uber alles we should focus on our differences, that we should vive le difference, I raised my hand and when asked said yes this is fabulous but might it not be useful to also celebrate what we have in common? If peace love and understanding are what we're after wouldn't maybe perhaps it almost be better to celebrate this first? Like, establish that we're all in this together and of in an absolute sense a common ancestry and above all usually we're just simply struggling to make sense of it all and get through another day. Then, after this is more brightly illuminated, we celebrate our diversity. Not doing this is a slippery slope that more often divides, not unites. Though a world divided is a business opportunity for the "trainers" and in this day and age who'd want to deny anybody a chance to make a buck, even if it perpetuates a problem? Certainly not me. You want to check out the opposite of diversity training? You want to put yourself in the middle of folks who get the commonality and by association in their midst be reminded of it yourself? Go to the Temescal Street Fair. Without question, this is the best local example of how a better world could be. If this vibe could be bottled and released in the subways around the planet I kid you not - people would start behaving a little better to their brothers and sisters. People wouldn't need to be sent to the classroom (or to the woodshed after). Yesterday was the best fair yet. Right outside my front door and for blocks in either direction Telegraph Avenue was empty of cars and filled with booths and stages and people of all shapes and sizes and colors, all manner beliefs and political persuasions. And you know what? They were all smiling. Every single one of them. This neighborhood has hit its stride. This stretch of street has gotten its act together. If you missed the festival this year, come in 2012. If you're a stranger to this part of Oakland you're missing out. The street-filling at celebration-time is just an overtly obvious version of what's there now all the time. Come over.

It was our first time at this fair! As it was noon when we got there, we had to get some grub right away! So many choices of food, but we settled for Cholita Linda for their delicious fish tacos and mango agua fresca. Can't go wrong with their tacos! We walked all the way to 40th St from 51st and saw a bunch of booths selling hats, clothing, t-shirts, jewelry, pottery, art work and etc...There were also booths with representatives from the offices of local politicians. Entertainment stages were set up in different areas for bands and performers. Lots of kids entertainment too--craft stations, jumpers and rock climbing. Truly, there's something for everybody!

REVIEWER # 16My first time at the Temescal Street Fair and I have to say it was GREAT! The Temescal Street Fair was held on June 12th, 2016 from 12PM to 6pm. The location was on Telegraph Ave between 40th and 51st street. The blocks that they utilized where good and plus most of all the restaurants stayed open despite the festival which made it nice because if people didn't want to order food from the vendor they didn't feel like they had too.The Temescal Street Fair has been around for 13 years! Yes people!! 13 years and began in 2004 as a small group of vendors who has now flourished into such a great cultural event!The street fair offers everything festive from: Food, bike showcase, homemade art and crafts, multiple music stages, painters, and did I mention totally family friendly? They even have a side for children to play! It doesn't get any better than that!My first thoughts about this street fair were:-No Parking-No one is going to be there.-No good vendors-No music or anything to keep the crowd goingAnd after I had arrived all the thoughts that I had about this fair was thrown out of my head!I was able to find parking in the shopping plaza which was open to the Temescal Street Fair.They had a great line up which featured:12:45 - 1:45 - Kim Lembo (Blues guitarist) www.kimlembomusic.com2:15 - 3:15 - John Brothers Piano Company (Early Jazz, Bebop, Swing) www.johnbrothers.net3:30 - 4:30 - Jesse Strickman (Indie Folk/Rock singer-songwriter) www.willowsteps.com5:00 - 6:00 - Zeal Levin (Funk/Rock guitarist) www.zeallevin.com And12:45 - 1:30 - Fredreick Douglass Youth Ensemble of the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music1:45 - 2:15 - Oakland Future Trio2:30-3:15 - The Influence3:20 - Lyrik Lazard3:25 - Victoria Smith3:30 - Dezeree Riley3:35 - Ashanti Johnson3:45 - 4:30 - 4 Minds One Groove4:45 - 5:45 - Sisters Keeper BandThey had tons of vendors from:-Cholita Linda-Famous for their tacos!-Lanespitter Pizza and Pub-La Calaca Loca-The Avenue-Taras Organic Ice Cream-Curbside CremeryOverall, TONS & TONS of fun. I spent about 1 hour and 20 mins here and most of the reason was because all the lines were long. It was a great turn out.I definitely look forward to coming to this again!Until next year!REVIEW 51/196

2nd Times the Charm! This was my second time at the Temescal Street Fair, and it was even better than the year before. The Temescal Street Fair is a wonderful way to bring local and non-local East Bay Residents together through music, shopping, and food. I brought two out of towners to give them a taste of East Bay life. East Bay seems so much more relaxed than the busy, chaotic nature of San Francisco events. This festival is also a good way to meet local vendors--from bicycle shops to restaurants. I've been to Temescal numerous times, so I'm already a big fan of Bakesale Betty, Sura Korean BBQ, Burma Superstar, and Donut Dolly. However, there are so many other places I have yet to try. In the spirit of the fair, I got food from the Cholita Linda stand. I had one fish taco, one pork taco, and the mango passionfruit smoothie. I practically inhaled each taco--it was that tasty. They were fresh, very Baja California-inspired. The smoothie transported me to the beach. The sweetness from the mango, a little pucker from the passionfruit, and to top it off a hint of lime...All I needed were a pair of flip flops and that gentle ocean breeze caressing my face. This paired well wil the foot-stomping music. The fair had eclectic music from jazz to salsa to reggaeton. It was a hip shaking good time. Couple of all ages dancing, smiling, and having fun! This street fair only comes once a year, so best come next year!

The Temescal Street Fair is a celebration of bountiful variety.Lots of energetic live music sending out the positive vibes. Lots of food vendor pop-ups on a street with lots of great restaurants too. Lots arts & crafts stands offering a bazaar of every imaginable knick-knack.& lots & lots of people of all sizes, shapes, colors, beliefs, orientations, & any other way you could possibly categorize human beings. All of them mingling about & having a good time in the presence of 1 another.For just a brief moment in time, each year, the Temescal Street Fair is a feel-good microcosm of a human ideal. So rich in variety & such a feeling of happiness because of it.

Having a great day before work at The Temscal Street Fair. Lots of coool venors. Plenty of food.

Trifecta of music, arts-crafts, and delicious food. Complete with sunny Oakland-hipster vibe and lots of Square around so I could spend more via credit card, I am already looking forward to next year's fair!Food: Bakesale Betty was open, so a definite plus. Lots of 5-dollar eats from Burma, Tara's, Lanesplitters, Barlata, Aunt Mary's, Sura, Donut Dolly, Cholita Linda, Whole Foods (strawberry agua fresco, score), Dona Tomas, Juhu. Shopping: So many women's jewelry baubles I thought I'd go blind. Oaklandish of course and a few other screen print vendors. Music: 3 live stages and lots of fun community dancing Ashkenaz style.Very bike friendly, kid friendly, pet friendly, wheelchair friendly, college student friendly... but not parking friendly.