“My hat is off, as are my glasses and all other accessories — that was the best party I’ve seen in Oakland since… hell, ever.”
- Kevin Seal, Executive Producer, Pandora.com
“SO inspiring to see something like this come off smoothly and to see everyone enjoying themselves so much. The people watching was as-good-as-it-gets! So much great music, art, food and creative stuff! East Bay R-U-L-E-S!!!!!!”
- Marc Weinstein, Owner, Amoeba Music
“…the East Bay Express, each year, stages this one event that brings the East Bay Music scene <of all genres< together for the best summer outdoor party that draws audiences from all backgrounds. It makes you proud that you are from this area and a part of this close-knit community!”
- Larry Trujillo, The Uptown Nightclub, Oakland
“The East Bay Express throws the best community parties I’ve ever seen. Two years in a row, the Best of the East Bay party has blown me away, with thousands of people eating, drinking, dancing and observing crazy performances that can only be found in the Bay Area. It’s so much fun to see the diversity of the East Bay community represented in both the guests and the performers, and to see families, college students, adults, all celebrating together on a warm summer night in Oakland. It’s like a midwest county fair meets Coachella meets a burlesque show.”
- Erin Kilmer-Neel, Program Officer, OneCalifornia Foundation (this year’s nonprofit recipient)
“We had one of the best experiences ever playing the EBX Best of the Bay show and we’ve heard back from people in the audience that this was a great event.
We (the band) are just so pleased that an event of this caliber happened on our home turf. As for the line-up, you really worked to represent the full range of Bay Area music, including its harder edge often overlooked in other Bay Area circles.
It felt like a coming out party for us as Oaklanders and Oakland music in general. An overflowing crowd of all ages proved that Oakland needs and deserves this kind of celebration, outcry, voice, whatever. We hope you’re able to continue the tradition. Events like this will give every other festival a run for their money — true hope for Oakland. Finally!”
Dick Blick Art, Montana Cans and East Bay Express hosted a great mix of Bay Area old school graffiti legends and up and coming talent!
Estria Miyashiro, Max Ehrman Eon 75, Jared Roses, and Mel Waters all came through and hit up giant 4-sided canvas “cubes” with their own unique styles.
At the Montana Gold table, party people could stop by and drop their name in our Montana “guestbooks” using Montana Hardcore markers and Sharpies.
We think he most eloquently sums up the night by saying:
“As Goapele sang and poured her heart and soul into her music, and the crowd no doubt ruminated on how wonderful it was to have such a positive event happening in Oakland — a city so long mired in a negative light — I glanced out at the sea of happy faces of all races, ages, and orientations enraptured by the Oakland born-and-bred artist and I thought, Damn, it’s so good to be here in Oakland, California and to be a part of this memorable event! Only twelve months until Best of the East Bay 2010!”
Read his full article, view video and photos here.
Click here to see Stephen Loewinsohn’s photos from the party. Stay tuned, more will be posted to this blog soon, including videos shot of the main stage by LiveVenu.com and Pandora.com.
FREE EVENT – ALL AGES – BIKE VALET PARKING – BART TO LAKE MERRITT
The East Bay Express invites you to the Best of the East Bay Party, a celebration of everything great about the East Bay!
Check this blog frequently for announcements. A full event program guide will be inserted into the Express on Aug. 5.
See you Friday, Aug. 7, at the Oakland Museum of California.
