A New Look for March 1 First Friday: Early Closing, Smaller Area, No Drinking

Oakland's First Friday this week, on March 1, will include a peace concert, a look and solutions to youth violence and moments of silence for those killed and injured in a shooting that followed the monthly event on Feb. 1.

This Friday's event will also be alcohol-free and shorter — in both time and space, says a press release from Mayor Jean Quan's office.

Specifics, according to Sean Maher, Quan's communications director, will include:

1. Across the event, all the programming and performances will be united around themes of unity, diversity, healing and peace.

2. There will be two long moments of silence held across the entire event.

3. The event will end one hour earlier, at 9 p.m.

4. The footprint will be shortened, to take place along Telegraph Avenue from West Grand Avenue to 27th Street.

5. Public drinking of alcohol will not be allowed. Art galleries within the immediate vicinity will suspend alcohol service on March 1 as well.

In addition, Maher said, there will be a Peace Concert and Kiante Campbell stage featuring local artists and musicians, in partnership with 38th Notes, Oaklandish and RespectOurCity.org, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Telegraph Avenue between 25th and 26th streets. Kiante Campbell, 18, a high school senior, was killed in the Feb. 1 shooting.

A “Heal the Hood” stage at 24th Street and Telegraph Avenue will feature poets, musicians, DJs and community groups. A Solutions Salon on youth violence will be held at the New Parkway Theater, 474 - 24th St., from 4 to 6 p.m.

There will also be numerous altars and peace vigils throughout the area, Maher said.

He said the changes are specific to the March 1 event, and that other, long-term changes are expected to keep future First Fridays "safe and sustainable."

The details for this week's First Friday were worked out in meetings that included Quan, City Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney, included members of the Oakland First Fridays community, Art Murmur organizers, local residents and neighborhood business owners, Maher said.

According to an article in today's San Francisco Chronicle, police now believe Campbell was one of three people who aimed pistols at one another about an hour after the close of the Feb. 1 event.

Donald Parks Jr., 19, a friend of Campbell's, is believed to have shot into the crowd and wounded at least two people, the article says. Parks has been charged with six counts of assault but not with Campbell's murder.

Police have not named a suspect in Campbell's death, according to the Chronicle report..