New sights and sounds abound for those looking for distractions in Downtown Oakland. City Center Plaza is hosting an outdoor concert series, Summer Sounds, that begins in the spring, and continues through the summer. Meanwhile, Art and Soul, Oakland's largest annual event, boasts eleven stages, including world-famous acts, and over 250 vendors. The annual Black Cowboy Parade, which travels down Broadway, draws large crowds of enthusiasts, and is the only event of its kind in the country.
A large selection of bars and lounges are helping Downtown Oakland re-emerge as the Center of East Bay nightlife. Café Van Kleefs offers live music amongst eye-catching decor and mouthwatering libations. For art enthusiasts, galleries such as 510 Studios are sprinkled throughout the Downtown district. Just footsteps away from Downtown, Lake Merritt/Uptown is home to the East Bay's primer concert venues, the FOX Theatre, and the Paramount Theatre.
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