Art + Soul Oakland celebrates local and global music, food, art ---  

After 12 years of top musical talent, food from around the world, hundreds of artisans and the largest family fun zone of any festival in the Bay Area, the City of Oakland has again introduced a world-class lineup for its biggest festival. One of the most popular summer festivals in Northern California, the 13th Annual Art + Soul Oakland promises to rock the town with two days of music, dance, food, and art.        

Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4, the festival will deliver non-stop music as diverse as the city itself. Popular mobile food trucks and vendors serving global cuisine return, along with more carnival rides, music and art for kids.

The diverse list of bands at the festival represent many musical flavors - Latin, reggae, blues, jazz, folk, pop, and rock. Two of the top performers are Grammy-nominated Lisa Loeb and Vintage Trouble, one of the hottest bands in both the U.S. and Europe. Their energetic juke music has entranced enthusiastic fans who have watched them open for bands such as Lenny Kravitz, The Who and the Rolling Stones.

Music on Saturday focuses on hot local bands in the urban and world genres. Headliner Los Rakas features Panamanian cousins Raka Rich and Raka Dun, both of whom now call Oakland home. Known for its fresh mix of hip-hop, plena, reggae and dancehall music with both Spanish and English lyrics, Los Rakas represents the cutting edge of Pan-American flows.

The band Bang Data was born in the Bay Area in 2008 and mixes slick and melodic guitar, bass and electro-acoustic rhythms combining Latin, reggae and hip-hop – a sound that’s familiar, but reflects a futuristic vision of Latin alternative music. Performing with Bang Data is Maisa Santana Duke. Founder of the Energia do Samba Dance Company, Maisa has an ability to move her body to the complex, poly-rhythmic beats of samba music with a singular beauty and grace. The City Center Stage on Saturday features Oakland Latin jazz favorite Ray Obiedo who brings a fresh, world beat sound.

A family paradise, the festival features the largest Family Fun Zone of any festival in the Bay Area, complete with kiddie rides, children’s entertainment and free festival admission for age 12 and under. Packed with interactive activities for children of all ages, the Family Fun Zone offers kid-friendly carnival games, inflatable bouncers and hands-on activities for creating their own art to take home. Every year, Art + Soul Oakland features hundreds of artisan and vendor booths as well as a mouth-watering array of food reflecting the rich cultural diversity found in Oakland—the most diverse city in America. 
            
“Festival-goers from all over Northern California flock to Oakland for our diverse music, food and crowds that blend an exciting, eclectic experience unlike any other,” said Samee Roberts, City of Oakland Marketing Director and festival executive producer.

Art + Soul Oakland 2013 takes place in downtown Oakland on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 12 noon to 8 PM and Sunday, Aug. 4, from 12 noon to 6 PM. The festival is centered in Frank Ogawa Plaza and City Center, encompassing 10 walkable city blocks. Adult tickets are $10 per day (with advance online purchase); Seniors (65 and older) and Youth (ages 13-17) are $5 per day (with advance online purchase). At the event, adult admission is $15 daily and Seniors/Youth $8 daily. Children 12 & under enjoy free admission. For tickets and additional information, visit www.ArtandSoulOakland.com or call (510) 444-CITY.