Tag: oakland music

Mayor Jean Quan on Oakland Music

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan stopped by Raymond Arbuckle’s barber shop to celebrate his 70th birthday and the opening of the Birdland Jazzista Social Club in North Oakland. She shared a little history of the Oakland music scene and how she got into politics.

Temescal’s Leo’s Pro Audio Building: New bar, music venue, and boutique

Leo's Pro Audio

Temescal’s Leo’s Pro Audio Building: New bar, music venue, and boutique

Parish Entertainment Group, which owns The New Parish in Oakland and Brick & Mortar Music Hall in San Francisco, has confirmed that it purchased the former Leo’s Pro Audio building, at 5447 Telegraph Avenue, to open a new bar, music venue, and boutique.

Earlier this year, co-owner Michael O’Connor revealed that the partners were searching for an Oakland space closer in size to its 250-capacity venue, Brick & Mortar, to book local acts. Co-owner Jason Perkins said the venue — which will be called Leo’s in honor of the recording equipment store that closed its doors in 2012 after 56 years in business — could open as early as October, if the permitting process goes smoothly.

“We find that working with the City of Oakland is easier than SF. People are willing to spend time with you,” Perkins said.

The North Temescal neighborhood was once home to iMusicast, an all-ages venue that closed in 2005 when the building was turned into lofts. “We’re really dedicated to working in Oakland,” Perkins said. “That’s our focus for the rest of this year.”