Photos by Marvin Nettles.

When’s the last time you’ve visited Old Oaktown?

While hanging out in Oakland’s Uptown a couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine posed the same question to me.

I replied with, “Where?” Well, for some of you out there (myself included) here’s yet another item to add to your “things to do in Downtown Oakland” list.

The Thursday Night Live Concert Series is a free concert held on the first and third Thursdays of the warmer months (June through October). The concerts take place in the Old Oakland district of downtown Oakland, at the intersection of Ninth Street and Washington to Eighth Street.

On my visit last Thursday, I found Ninth Street between Broadway and Washington completely blocked. Instead of car traffic, I was greeted by the sounds of Pellejo Seco playing Live Salsa on a stage set up right in the street. Along the sidewalk was a Margarita and Beer garden and a cook who was serving up some of the most amazing jerk chicken I’ve ever tasted! From groups of professionals enjoying the outside seating at Leige, to entire families, the crowd was very diverse. A good sound system, a live band and summer weather equaled people dancing in the streets of Old Oaktown.

Getting there: From the 12th Street BART Station, walk about two blocks west towards Jack London Square and make a right onto Ninth Street, or just let the music guide you! Concerts start at 5:30 p.m. and play until 9. Come early for a Salsa dance lesson (held by Club One) prior to each performance while the kiddies experience the Kid’s Art Zone (by Mocha).