Peralta Junction Project

Super fun. For all of you who flaked out on Markus’s UYE, y’all missed out. Part carnival, part steampunk with a dash of DIY arts and crafts. The lifesize mousetrap failed which is unfortunate because when it works, it’s pretty cool. I saw it at the Maker Faire a few years ago and the soundtrack is fitting.
There was a guy putting a butter knife in his nose. He also enjoyed the crowd watch as he invited audience members to smash himself with nails for your entertainment.
There were booths of steel crafts, vintage fashion, a Unilocal bag and so much more. I ended up picking up some pretty kick ass slugs (sleeve gloves/​fingerless gloves for all of you hip kids). They have lightning bolts because the star ones were not available in my size but I’m quite happy with my purchase either way — I welcome the change. Super Sugar Ray Ray — the vendor that was selling these slugs even offered to ship the star ones for me if I really wanted them. I figured the «super power» slugs were just as awesome as stars if not more awesome.
There wasn’t a whole lot of food or drink but I’m pretty sure you can bring your own. It’s happening Thursday until Sunday until the end of the month. I know some nights bands and/​or movies are on the roster so step right up and check it out before West Oakland’s best kept secret is out.
Parking can be a bit tricky but I highly recommend driving or getting a ride out here. There’s not a lot in this area besides art lofts and warehouses.
It’s free to get in but donations are generously accepted.

The minute you walk through the entrance, you are transformed into Carnivàle. You are instantly warped into 1930’s depression era. It’s cold, it’s drab, it’s rustic, it’s slightly errie with a hinge of sadness. The theme continued through the costumes that worker bees wore, they looked like they popped out of the movies too. Though the styling of the festival was eerie, there was plenty of joy in the air! Dogs were happily running around off leash, little kids were laughing, playing and eating bags of buttery popcorn and adults were walking around arm in arm smiling at the sights.
I didn’t see the food trucks anywhere, so, I was disappointed with that. But the local artist selling their goods (with costumes on), the neat letter writer for hire, the cute ticket booth lady, the outhouse, and everything else made up for that. There was a neat stage next to the mousetrap show, but I didn’t stick around long enough to see what was playing but I thought to myself, «cool stage».
The major act is the human sized mousetrap. That was a dizzy display of nuts, bolts, pipes, skeletons, bathtub, bowling balls, and swirly twirly loop de loops. The show was about 29 minutes of fluff and 1 minute of the actually thing going off. They sang a silly song, reset the the contraption for the live domino effect thingy, and joked around with the audience. After all that was said and done, a special guest would hit the START button. The bowling ball worked its way s-​l-​o-​w-​l-​y through all the phases… There were a few malfunctions, like the big safe fell down before it should and the bowling ball got stuck on the last stair. But overall, it was entertaining and fun to watch, though it was not perfect. Gotta appreciate the artistry of this giant thang!
Tip: Get there early for front row seats, I had to bop back and forth to see. And yet, I still couldn’t see all the action. It’s donation based, give a little mula to support the local artist. There’s plenty of free parking. Afterwards, head over to the Emeryville mall for real food.

Want a dash of whimsy in your weekend? Step right up, look no further, and stay put at Peralta Junction, a carnaval of creativity and commerce in West Oakland.
You’ll definitely get more than a dash of whimsy, more like a wallop of it. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at the giant maze, bean bag toss at the broads, hat flip, or pellet shooting the zombie varmint roadkill. Shake your tail feather with people of all ages and walks of life at the stage with whomever is performing. Get your fortune read, shop for the holidays, eat locally, and stay as long as possible, and come back soon.
Peralta Junction is kind of like the Land of Oz, full of beauty and wonder, creatures big and small, and magic galore.

Finally, someone brought a little touch of fun, glamour and charm to West Oakland’s industrial section. Prop, yo! By the by, didst thou knowest that there’s a UYE planned for this approaching Sunday? Go! -
The C. told me to join him there a couple weeks ago, but did so in a secretive, magickal way. I had no idea what I was getting into, and I was all a-​skeptical. This place is like a steampunk dream come true! The booths are a sight to winess with their fine craftsmanship, and the games, vendors and people that outfit them are absolutely delightful. I came away with a «new» used skirt and two succulents to decorate my abode.
Come join us this Sunday, where there will be a life-​sized Mousetrap to gaze in wonder at. There’s fun to be had for everyone!

Carnival theme? Apocalypse stage? Local merch, food vendors, & music performances? Could this space be any more amazing. Oh yes, it can: they’re having a human-​sized mousetrap game starting November 10!
We saw the tents go up and the carnival murals start to appear throughout summer, and I can’t believe how great it turned out. It’s amazing seeing what can be created out of a long-​abandoned lot in a small triangle of West Oakland.
We’ve visited during the day to see live music, face painting for kids, local art & clothing vendors. At night, the lights go up and the space transforms into a dance party some nights or a movie showing others. Love it!

This is a charming artistic recreation of a small carnival. Lot’s of music and free activities. We went last weekend and we plan on going again this weekend. Hope to see you there.

A swanky carni place to reminisce of what the times may have been like a century ago. The kids had a blast and even though the joint is small, there is enough to keep you occupied for a bit. Games to play, food to eat, stuff to buy, characters in abundance. A definite must check in.

First, because I have a problem stemming the flow of neurotransmitters likely owing to the reason (one of the reasons) I’ll never hold elected office I have this free association thing going on in my head along with all the voices and songs. I see or hear the words Peralta Junction and I immediately experience:
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up two boxcars and making ‘em run right.
Milk and honey, bread and butter, peas and rice.
Hey that’s nice!
Dirty but happy, digging and scratching,
Losing your shoe and a button or two.
He’s poor but honest, sad but true,
Boo-​hoo-​hoo-​hoo-​hoo!
Second, I only knew the first line of the song and a search engine brings you the rest but with full attribution I feel I’ve helped here, not stolen.
And third …
Irrespective my condition, these lyrics fit.
West Oakland is and always has been a pretty incredible place. Its potential has been in my opinion largely locked up by a hope or assumption that some public entity was going to lead a revitalizing effort that would catalyze the potential energy. Thank the Great Society for the first dose of that narcotic. That is bad tar heroin, babies, and the sooner you kick the habit the better off you’re going to be.
Peralta Junction is a completely independent undertaking. Creative folks cut a deal for a lease on an underutilized piece of land and built themselves and for you a sweet little carnival with booths showing off local art and wares (Christmas is coming!), a midway that brings you through a wrinkle in time, music, face painting, food trucks, dusty goodness. People, go.
It isn’t huge, but what isn’t there in the way of expanse is there in the way of spirit. People, take notice. You want to make your world a better and more interesting place? DIY.
You’ll be better for it. Trust me.

Peralta Junction Project lies in a triangular lot near mandela way & w. grand. the retro-​carny themed art show will continue till early december.
schedule:
thursday: 7 – 10, free movie
friday, 7 – 10, popup progamming
sat, 12 – 10, sun, 12 – 6, free carnival
the carnival is set up with arisan vendors in retro dress (1800’s?). free workshops, (pumplin carving, face painting), games, local food trucks (pizza, donut, pupusa, vietnamese), local entertinment, visual retro artifacts, stage entertainment.
PJP is a visual delight, dogs and children really love this place!
key sponsors/​contributors
–cass recycling
–the burning man project
–stageworks productions
–the crucible
–american steel studios