Participating attendees will receive cocktails or delectable bites depending on the venue, with the purchase of one of three ticketing options. Participating venues for cocktails include Luka’s Taproom, Pican, Plum, Ozumo, Make Westing, Somar, and Era. Participating venues for small bites include Hawker Fare and Farley’s East. Beverage sponsor Pernod Ricard USA graciously is donating spirits including Absolut Vodka, Jameson, Avion Tequila, Malibu, and Plymouth.
In an attempt to raise funds for the youth programs and public schools within the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the past two years, East Bay Loop and Vail Event Services have hosted the event, having raised roughly $15,000 annually, all of which was donated directly to schools and youth programs within OUSD, including Cleveland Elementary, Westlake Middle School, Oakland Schools Foundation, OPR Youth Scholarship, and Children’s Fairyland. “Last year’s event was great, and this year should be even better”, an OUSD spokesperson stated. 2012 promises to be the most successful year yet, with a goal of raising $60,000. This will be achieved by expanding the venues to include restaurants and bars outside of the Uptown District of Oakland. In addition, live DJ’s have been added to the annual event, as well as including community based organizations and the Oakland Raiders and KBLX radio station. The concept is to engage and entertain the community.
East Bay Loop is the East Bay’s online concierge guide that aims to highlight the very best in community, art, food, music, nightlife and shopping, throughout the cities that make up the East Bay Area. Jasara Lawrence, East Bay Loop’s Founder, notes the importance of East Bay Loop’s mission of corporate responsibility within their community, "…we look forward to raising even more funding for OUSD during our third year of hosting the block party."
Vail Event Services is a unique party and event planning service which represents the venue directly, thus they have a variety of venues to place clients in the perfect setting for every occasion. Vail Event Services specializes in corporate events and buyouts, birthday parties, holiday parties, table reservations and bottle service, large group dinners, wedding receptions, and other celebrations. "The Oakland Block Party is so rewarding for us. It is our best event of the year because we get to help the Oakland Public Schools with fundraising, create an event for the community, promote local businesses, and it keeps growing each year! "
The collaboration between East Bay Loop (www.eastbayloop.com)
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