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Dear Art + Soul Oakland Community:

Important Update - September 3, 2025: You may have heard about an event called Art, Soul & Jazz Oakland slated for Frank Ogawa Plaza on September 13, 2025. Despite hearing of practices that give us pause, we are not going to take a position on the event itself. However, we do want everyone to know that this event is in no way affiliated with Art + Soul Oakland nor is it being planned by our longtime nonprofit. In fact, the organizer is using the name Art + Soul Oakland (to which we have the rights) without authorization or permission.

When approached via phone about the issue of using our name, the organizer said that he was doing everything he could to make sure folks know it is a new event, despite the name. He proceeded to modify it slightly to Art Soul Oakland & Music Festival but kept it close to our original name in what we believe to be a clear effort to capitalize. He even applied for the permit to hold it on our regular weekend, which admittedly is up for grabs this year because we don’t have the funds but is further proof that he intended to capitalize on our name, date, and reputation. Our message to him was that the Bay Area arts and culture community should not poach from but rather support one another, which we stand by.

All of this said, should you attend and enjoy the September 13 event, it’s all good in that it promotes music and the arts in the Bay Area. Looking ahead, please check back for updates as Art + Soul Oakland is involved and will continue to be involved in producing events in Oakland. We thank you for your continued suport and look forwrad to celebrating together again soon!

Previous Update:
Over the years, Art + Soul Oakland has drawn hundreds of thousands to Oakland to delight in a treasured annual tradition spanning generations, backgrounds, and corners of our beloved city. The world-class festival awakened a sleepy downtown and positioned Oakland as a regional destination for art & culture by showcasing its vast artistry steeped in nationally-acclaimed and emerging local talent.

After 21 years of bringing Oakland and the Bay Area together in the heart of our city, it is time to reinvent and explore new directions for our small nonprofit. We are pursuing opportunities for presenting exciting new events like the free summer concert series we produced on behalf of Love our Lake at Lake Merritt this past summer, and Joy to The Town, a festive new citywide holiday celebration produced last month of behalf of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce in support of local businesses.

To each and every one of the cherished members of our Art & Soul community - we thank you for your steadfast support over the years, and invite you to bring your wonderful energy to these new events presented by Art & Soul Oakland/Heart of the Town Events.

Looking ahead: please check back for updates as we chart a new course for Art & Soul Oakland!

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