This past Friday was a good example of why Oakland has become a cultural mecca.

A few years ago, that statement would have invited ridicule. But these days, Oakland’s renaissance is in full swing, to the extent where East Bay culturati often have to choose between two (or more) equally-compelling events going on at the same time.

Of course, with a little advance planning and good time-management skills, it’s possible to hit them both, especially if they are within reasonable proximity.

First stop on Friday was the Oakland Museum of California, OMCA, whose monthly O Zone event sported an eco-friendly, naturalist theme in honor of the current John Muir exhibit. Folks took advantage of the Make-Your-Own-Mustache Salon and gazed at J. Otto’s version of Muir’s Yosemite shack.

In addition to all the art in the gallery, O Zone includes a performance art component - this time supplied by DJ Platurn and The Coup. As usual, Platurn executed technical demonstrations of beat-juggling finesse, while playing a dope selection of grooves. And Coup leader Boots Riley is a man who needs no introduction. Nor does he need a mustache salon, having had one for years.

Seeing the Coup in Oakland is always a treat, and the hometown heroes energized the hometown crowd. The show was much the same as it’s always been - it’s been several years since the group has released a new album - with Boots spitting fiery dialectical materialist couplets over funk riffs. Pam the Funkstress did her trademark "titty-scratch," which is always good for a chuckle. The surprise was vocalist Silk-E, who matched Boots for energy and stage presence.

After that, it was off to the New Parish, where Top Ten Social was presenting "London Calling: Voices from the Diaspora". (Full disclosure: I wrote the press release for the event.)

This was an interesting, engaging, performance-oriented take on a lecture/discussion. As Marcus Cohen and The Congress played jazzy musical interludes, one by one, storytellers (including Afrofunkster Sila, journalist/radio personality Davey-D, educator Greg Hodge and sometime OL contributor Dafina Kuchina ) told their stories: personal accounts, songs, reminiscings, musings, what have you.

The impact of the oral tradition can be pretty potent as well as poignant, especially in a setting, which furthers the notion of community-building. Once again, two more reasons why Oakland is on the rise.