Oakland
California
2 May 2008
Awards in eight different categories will be handed out to independent Oakland businesses and artists during the Second Annual Oakland Indie Awards on May 2, 2008. This event, which highlights the social and environmental impact of Oakland’s small business and arts communities, will be held at the historic Sweet’s Ballroom at 1933 Broadway in downtown Oakland from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
A distinguished panel of judges will have the task of selecting winners in eight different categories – Oakland Soul, Ripple Effect, Neighborhood Dynamo, Greenie, Newbie, Innovator, Youth Empowerment, and Pillar – from the hundreds of nominations submitted by Oaklanders.
“These awards aren’t about choosing who makes the best omelets. They are more about which of those great breakfast places gives back to the community,” says Erin Kilmer Neel, Program Officer at OneCalifornia Foundation and creator of the awards program.
In its inaugural year, Indie Award honorees represented a wide cross section of Oakland businesses and artists including La Boriñquena Mex-icatessen, Farmer Joe’s Marketplace, Swarm Gallery, Nomad Café, Paws N Claws Natural Pet Food Store and Bathhouse, Parkway Speakeasy Theater, Design Action and Laurel True’s Institute for Mosaic Art.
“And it also makes for a great party,” says Kilmer Neel. “It’s sort of Oscars meets the Nobel Peace Prize for Oakland businesses and artists.”
Party guests will sample food, wine and chocolate produced in Oakland while listening to music from Oakland’s past and present -- from hip hop to rock to gospel.
An after-party begins at 8:00 p.m. with BCO Band singing its blend of soulful R&B tunes. Other activity options that evening include open houses at neighboring art galleries open late for Art Murmur, exploration of the neighborhood’s burgeoning local restaurant and nightclub scene or a combination of both.
Early bird tickets priced at $15 are available through April 1 and may be purchased online at http://oaklandunwrapped.org/indies. After April 1, the ticket price is $20.
The Oakland Indie Awards party will be hosted by OneCalifornia Foundation, a non-profit organization in Oakland.
For additional information on the Oakland Indie Awards, call (510) 663-2253 ext. 302 or visit http://oaklandunwrapped.org/indies/.
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