Elevate Oakland

Free RSVP with a suggested tax-deductible donation. All contributions directly support the East Oakland Vocal Program serving youth ages 7-18  in Deep East Oakland public schools.

FREE RSVP

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name , Thank you for registering for our event. We look forward to seeing you on April 24th! If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer, or talk to your friends about our cause! Elevate Oaklandinfo@elevateoakland.org

<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Elevate Oakland, Town Business Inc., OUSD and Castlemont High School are proud to present the Third Annual East Oakland Vocal Festival! Join us for one night celebrating more than 150 budding vocal students hailing from more than 5 of OUSD's East Oakland elementary, middle and high schools.<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">This year's event will feature a Community Resource Fair prior to the performance hosted in collaboration with <a href="https://oaklandpromise.org/" target="_blank">Oakland Promise</a> the East Oakland Promise Neighborhoods network of organizations, offering free food, music, interactive art, and community services for East Oakland residents. Come by before the performance kicks off to to gather, give, and grow with the East Oakland community.<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1743616597/wysiwyg/gnmboy1exe8ekpw7a2e9.jpg" style="width:443px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /><p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">When: Thursday, April 24th<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Community Resource Fair - 4:30pm<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Performance - 6:00pm<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Where: Castlemont Auditorium &amp; Surrounding Courtyard<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">8601 MacArthur Blvd Bldg. 300, Oakland, CA 94605<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Event admission is FREE with RSVP. There is an option at checkout to make a suggested donation in support of the growth and longevity of the East Oakland Vocal Program.<p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Participating schools include: Castlemont High School, Elmhurst United Middle School, REACH Academy, Edna Brewer Middle School<p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Resource Fair Partners Include: Oakland Promise, Castlemont High, Oakland Kids First, EOYDC, Black Cultural Zone, Kingmakers of Oakland, BANANAS, Roots Community Health, Oakland Natives Give Back, East Bay Agency for Children, MOCHA, MISSSEY, Oakland Symphony, Oakland Rising, PEERS &amp; more. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1740546717/ierquduahyxpvi247jyv.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">ABOUT THE EAST OAKLAND VOCAL PROGRAM<p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Spearheaded by OUSD educator and long-time producer Keenan Foster of Town Business Inc. with the support of Oakland-based nonprofit <a href="http://www.elevateoakland.org/" target="_blank">Elevate Oakland</a> and the Oakland Unified School District, the East Oakland Vocal Program--established in the fall of 2022--aims to develop and implement vocal and choral music curriculum that will be offered as classes during the school day to students across a continuum of elementary, middle and high schools.<p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">Rooted in the belief that music and arts programs are most successful and sustainable when students are engaged throughout the lifespan of their K-12 education, this program centers partnership between local teaching artists and school site educator and administrators to offer year-long curriculums in choral music and vocal performance.<p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">The East Oakland Vocal Program is built off the rich history of choral music in East Oakland, dating back as early as 1929 with the founding of the Castlemont Castleers choral group, which garnered national and worldwide recognition during the peak of the chorus’s success in the 70s and 80s. The strength and success of East Oakland’s choral music programs bred some of Oakland’s best-known musicians such as D’Wayne Wiggins, Raphael Saadiq, and Timothy Christian Riley of Tony! Toni! Toné!, all who were members of the Castlemont Castleers during their high school years. <p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%"> <hr /> <p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">ABOUT THE EAST OAKLAND PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS<p style="margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 0px;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.5rem;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">The East Oakland Promise Neighborhoods (EOPN) initiative is a community-driven effort focused on improving educational and developmental outcomes for children and families in East Oakland. By fostering collaboration among schools, community organizations, and residents, EOPN aims to create a pipeline of support that addresses the interconnected challenges facing the community, ultimately working to break the cycle of poverty. The EOPN initiative is proud to collaborate on this event, hosting a Community Resource Fair that complements the Vocal Festival and creates a powerful platform for community engagement. This partnership exemplifies the collective impact approach, where organizations work together to provide comprehensive support and opportunities for East Oakland residents. For those interested in getting connected with the EOPN work, please reach out to <a href="mailto:eopn@oaklandpromise.org" target="_blank">eopn@oaklandpromise.org</a>.

Elevate Oakland

2025 East Oakland Vocal Festival & Community Resource Fair

8601 MacArthur Blvd Bldg. 300

FREE RSVP

Free