Arts and Culture

“Old School Copes Day” in the City Of Oakland

Published

5 years ago

September 26, 2019

Oakland residents Zack and Odell have something in common; they both wore their “Born n’ Raised in Oakland” T-shirts in Paris, France and at the Great Wall of China, respectively, and posted their photos online for the world to see.

The T-shirts were designed by entrepreneur and businessman, James V. Copes. Bay Area residents and visitors alike have been purchasing Cope’s T-shirts for nearly four decades, making him a ‘one-man retail institution’ in the city he has always loved so much.

Copes will be honored and recognized by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff and invited council members to the ceremony on Sept. 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The ceremony will officially dedicate the day as “Old School Copes Day” in the City of Oakland.

The proclamation will recognize Copes for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the City of Oakland, spreading the message that Oakland is the most-loved, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city in the nation. The event will also mark the first-year birthday celebration of his daughter Lisa Margo.The public is invited to attend the afternoon event, which will include music, food and family activities.

The event will also mark the grand opening of Copes’ new kiosk, located adjacent to Oakland City Hall, which he dedicates to his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Salem (aka Granny Goo Goo with the Quickness); his father James L. Copes; the Honorable Judge James S. White, and friend, mentor and tennis champion the late Arthur Ashe.

“These people have given me unwavering support and unrelenting guidance, which has allowed me to continue my path to success,” said Copes.

A West Oakland native and household name to thousands in the Bay Area, Copes started his entrepreneurial career at an early age. During this time, he also taught tennis to Oakland youth, and went on to become a protégé to the late-great tennis icon Arthur Ashe.

In 1972, Copes began creating, marketing and distributing his Oakland-themed T-shirts, later opening his first store on Foothill Boulevard in 1981 under the name “Copes T-shirts & More,” which later became “Copes California,” “Copes of Oakland,” and finally “Old School Copes.”

In 1985, Copes opened up his Eastmont store, and during thattime he was elected president of the Eastmont Merchant Association. He later became affectionately known as the Mayor of Eastmont, a title bestowed upon him by then-Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris, and recognized by the East Bay Express.

Copes also coined the term “Oaktown” in 1987 and released his “Oaktown is Kickin’ It” T-shirt which is still in print. His other staple T-shirts include “I Found My Soul in Oakland,” “Oakland Forever,” “I Hecka Love Oakland,” Brooklyn In Oakland,” “Puttin Down Roots” and the popular “Christmas In Oakland,” among others.

Copes later expanded his operations with the opening of another store on Lakeshore Avenue which became the most popular retail clothing store in the area. In recent years, he became a founding member and organizer of Oakland’s First Friday’s event on Telegraph Avenue. Currently, Copes continues his community involvement throughout Oakland’s neighborhoods.

Since its inception to present-day, Old School Copes remains the oldest privately-owned T-shirt business in Oakland. Copes is often a prominent street merchant across the street from the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market, as well as Jack London Square’s waterfront. He is also a mainstay at just about all annual and major street festivals and fairs throughout Oakland.

To learn more about Old School Copes, visit his website at www.oldschoolcopes.com or contact Copes at 510-205-7507.

Clifford L. Williams

Posts by Clifford L. Williams

Related Topics:City of Oakland James V. Copes Mayor Libby Schaaf Oakland T-shirts Old School Copes Day

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Arts and Culture

Richmond Preps for Full Weekend of Cinco de Mayo Festivities

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival. The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Scene from the 2023 Cinco de Mayo parade from Richmond to San Pablo. Photo courtesy The Richmond Standard.

By Mike Kinney

The Richmond Standard

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival.

The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.

The parade’s Grand Marshall this year will be community organizer Diego Garcia, owner of Leftside Printing.

The festivities continue Sunday with the Cinco de Mayo Festival along 23rd Street, which last year drew over 100,000 people, according to the 23rd Street Merchants Association. This year’s festival will again run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between the intersections of Rheem Avenue and Clinton Avenue. It will feature two entertainment stages, one sponsored by La Raza 93.3 FM at 23rd and Rheem, and another sponsored by Radio Lazer FM at 23rd and Clinton.

Both events are important for the city and the region’s Latino community.

San Pablo Mayor Genoveva Calloway, who co-chairs the parade alongside John Marquez, president of the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees, says Saturday’s festivities are about bringing the Richmond and San Pablo communities together in unity.

“This truly connects the spectators and people in the parade as one,” Calloway said. “The parade showcases the real communities of Richmond and San Pablo – our nonprofits, schools, horse riders, classic cars and trucks, our local businesses. All of these people represent the heartbeat of our community.”

Rigo Mendoza, vice president of the 23rd Street Merchants Association, said that at its heart, Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival celebrates the date the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

But John Marquez started up the popular festival to bring the community together and also to exhibit the community’s businesses and culture to visitors, Mendoza said. The gathering was also a way to promote peace in the community.

Oakland Post

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Art

Mario Van Peebles’ ‘Outlaw Posse’ Screened at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Film director Mario Van Peebles, who also stars in “Outlaw Posse,” appeared at a press conference held at RBA Creative on MacArthur Boulevard hosted by the Oakland International Film Festival. Photo By Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland International Film Festival hosted a screening of “Outlaw Posse” at the Grand Lake Theatre on Monday. Special guests included director/actor Mario Van Peebles and his co-star, Oakland native Scytorya Rhodes. The film is Peebles’ second western, the first being ‘Posse,’ 13 years ago. Filmmaker Van Peebles shared his passion for independent artistry and producing projects with his son, Mandela, who also starred in the film, along with Whoopi Goldberg and Cedric the Entertainer. Next week, The Post will publish an in-depth interview featuring Peebles’ reflections on his work, future projects, and continuing his father’s legacy and Rhodes on her grandfather, a real-life cowboy.

Oakland Post

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Arts and Culture

Kedrick Armstrong: New Music Director for the Oakland Symphony

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director. In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Kedrick Armstrong is the new music director for the Oakland Symphony. Photo credit Scott Chernis.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director.
In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Armstrong is the successor to previous music director and Conductor Michael Morgan, who passed away in 2021 after a 30-year tenure at the Symphony.

Armstrong will open the Oakland Symphony 2024-2025 season on October 18.

Armstrong, who is 29 and hails from Georgetown, South Carolina, is currently the creative partner and principal conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony.

The Chicago Tribune has praised Armstrong for his ability to “simply let the score speak for itself.” He enjoys a wide range of repertoire, spanning early music to premiering new works, using his joy and curiosity for all music to cultivate understanding and collaboration within diverse communities.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new music director of the Oakland Symphony,” Armstrong said. “As a Black conductor, I find it humbling to stand on the shoulders of both Michael Morgan and Calvin Simmons,” the most recent and the first African American music directors of the Symphony, respectively.

Armstrong led three programs at the Symphony between 2022 and early 2024, which showcased his broad knowledge of the classical repertoire and enthusiasm for spotlighting diverse voices.
On his Oakland Symphony subscription debut on Feb. 16, Armstrong led the world premiere of “Here I Stand: Paul Robeson,” an oratorio by Carlos Simon on a libretto by Dan Harder, commissioned by the Oakland Symphony.

Armstrong was selected unanimously by the Oakland Symphony’s board of directors and musicians after an extensive two-year search. “The search committee was overwhelmed by Kedrick’s scholarship and curiosity about all kinds of music, from classical and jazz to gospel and hip-hop,” said. Dr. Mieko Hatano, executive director of the Oakland Symphony. “We are thrilled to have him join us at the Oakland Symphony.”