The Menagerie Oddities Market celebrated International Women’s Day by presenting “Women of Oddities,” the organizer’s first event of the year. Held March 8 in downtown Oakland, it provided an opportunity for local goths, pagans, steampunks, and others to shop for handcrafted wares from a curated group of female vendors.
Items for sale included teas, coffees, pastries, art prints, assemblage, apparel, jewelry, ceramics, taxidermy, and lots more. The event also featured tarot readings and workshops.
The location, Preservation Park, was fitting for a gathering with such a heavy vintage vibe. Designed to resemble a 19th century neighborhood, it features 16 historic buildings, 11 of which were moved to the site after being slated for demolition. Most of the buildings now house offices for non-profit groups and small businesses.
The market occupied two structures that serve as event venues—Niles Hall and the Ginn House—plus an adjacent outdoor area.
In recent years, Preservation Park has also hosted presentation of the annual Locus Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in science fiction and fantasy. The awards are presented by Locus magazine, whose offices are in the park.
The Menagerie has a full slate of events scheduled for the rest of the year, including its flagship World Goth Day celebration, May 3-4 at the U.S.S. Hornet Museum in Alameda, California. See their website for more info. In the meantime, check out the scenes from Saturday in the gallery below.
