Zombies swarm Oakland streets on bikes (Plus 116 scary photos!)
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Tue, 12 Oct at 7:13am.

First you hear the thump of approaching party music. Then a cry from a bullhorn: "Love that right lane, people!"

A loud chorus of energetic shouts: "BIKE PARTY! Yeah!" Ding ding ding go dozens of bike bells ... and a torrent of nearly 200 happy bikers begins to sweep past.

Read the whole story...

Zombie bike ride infests Oakland - Friday, Oct. 8
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Wed, 6 Oct at 6:23am.

Zombies are known to shuffle, stagger and crawl - but now, they bike too!

On Friday, Oct. 8, join bicyclist and zombie fans from Oakland and elsewhere for this month's East Bay Bicycle Party ZOMBIE RIDE!

This is a nighttime event, so be sure to bring your bike lights. Also, come decked out in your zombie finery - or zombie-fighting finery. Here are the gory details ...

Read the whole story...

Community Views: Zombies, Rights, and Christmas
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Mon, 28 Dec at 9:55am.

Most people only encounter zombies while shooting at them or while being eaten. This holiday season the Oakland zombie community decided to to mend fences and build bridges with local humans by gathering in a popular shopping district to groan "Feliz Navidead!"

On the evening of Dec. 22, a small but vocal, energetic, and cheerful contingent of the local undead congregated at Jack London Square in Oakland to demonstrate for their rights -- and to wish passersby a happy holiday season.

The gathering represented much of the the diversity of the local zombie community. It was an all-ages, all-species, queer- and disability-friendly event.

Watch the video (note: light gore and profanity)...

Read the whole story...

Undead Rights March TONIGHT Jack London Square!
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Wed, 23 Dec at 9:25am.

What if it was impossible for YOU to legally get a meal in Oakland? Welcome to the daily humiliations of undeath.

Enough is enough.

Tonight, zombies and other members of the local undead community (as well as their friends and supporters) will gather in Jack London Square to march for undead civil rights. Oakland Local zombie reporter Amy Gahran will be on hand to cover the event.

Details...

Read the whole story...

Chris Lane, Zombie Illustrator: Talk at Diesel Books, Oakland
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Thu, 12 Nov at 1:58am.

On Nov. 5, 2009, local illustrator Chris Lane gave a talk about his new book Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection, at Diesel Bookstore, Oakland, CA.

Read the whole story...

Why Zombies? Why Oakland?
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Fri, 23 Oct at 2:30pm.

After moved to Oakland earlier this year, I made a stunning discovery.

Finally, I can embrace my inner zombie.

Zombies are more popular than ever -- and this isn't just a Halloween thing. Sure, there's the hot feature film Zombieland, and many zombie events in and around the Bay Area (and elsewhere). And a slew of popular books (like Breathers).

But it's more than that. Being a zombie is a whole different way to be free. Even better, it doesn't need to cost anything.

Maybe it's the recession. Maybe it's a pop culture virus. Maybe the mouth of hell has yawned open and vomited a social meme. Or maybe it's just easier or more fun to be undead.

Whatever the reason, I find myself shuffling inevitably toward the siren groan of zombie life. (Or unlife. Or post-life. Geez, we need a whole new PC lexicon for zombies...) And you're welcome to shamble along with me.

Read the whole story...