Your New Favorite Bay Area Event Might Be ‘A Thing To Talk About’

In the Bay Area it’s easier to find a talented artist than a quality parking spot. And platforms that highlight the work of local creatives are even more scarce. Artists might make this region a cultural hub, but it’s hard for them to stay afloat out here.

That’s why the event series A Thing To Talk About is a necessity.

Since its first event in January 2023, A Thing To Talk About has hosted game nights, comedy shows and live music. The group has featured artists, activists and entrepreneurs, supporting people who make up the cultural fabric of the region.

Attendees have enjoyed performances from a long list of artists, including Pinole vocalist August Lee Stevens and Oakland poet Jay Rice. A Thing To Talk About has also done interviews with folks like San Francisco tattoo artist Erica Gonzalez and Vallejo hip-hop juggernaut LaRussell.

Surprisingly enough, the person who created this platform isn’t from the Bay and isn’t an artist. The guy behind the events is actually a San Francisco-based nurse who simply wanted to be a “good actor” in the community.

Widmaer “Wid” Jean was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. when he was 10 years old. He relocated to the Bay Area for his job in 2020, and his experience as a healthcare worker in San Francisco brought about a few revelations.

Firstly, Wid noticed that he was treated differently and often excluded because of his Haitian background. Secondly, he realized that he’s in a relatively privileged position; his job pays him enough that he can travel to majority-Black places like the Caribbean, where he doesn’t feel othered. Lastly, he took account of the fact that there are so many people who can’t just up and leave to escape the -isms of society. 

“I just wondered,” says Wid, “What would life be like if I had 1% less? Imagine someone having 50% less, or even 75% less — and they have to go through these [exclusionary] experiences.”

With that in mind, Wid decided to take his disposable income and do something for his local community. As people began rebuilding in-person connections after COVID lockdowns, he threw his first event. 

It started with a game night at an Ethiopian restaurant and bar in Oakland, Cafe Colucci. As he continued to plan more events, A Thing To Talk About started incorporating live performances. 

Rob Woods, one of the performers at an early iteration of the series, explains Wid’s approach as “nothing more, nothing less than an average dude connecting with the local artists to put together something that highlights creators and other entrepreneurs on a high level — all done with money out of his pockets.”

Woods, who now works with Wid and produces an artistic food video series called Soundbites, emphasizes that Wid uses “every penny, nickel and dime” from his personal paychecks to make this happen. “It’s hard to find a person out there that just wants to invest not only in you as an artist, but in the community around you,” says Woods.

Wid has now become a part of this community of artists. He’s recently learned how to DJ, edit video and shoot photos. “And I’m slowly building out my presence online,” says Wid, who admits he’s not used to being “out there.” 

And he’s got plenty of events brewing.

On Sept. 14, A Thing To Talk About is teaming up with The Speed Dating Company to host an event for those who are single and ready to mingle at Fluid510 in downtown Oakland.

On Sept. 21, A Thing To Talk About and Your Homies collective will host a concert with Berkeley rapper LOE Gino, East Oakland singer Shanté and a handful of others at Oakland’s Cafe Lakeview.

Earlier this month, A Thing To Talk About dropped a pilot episode of Soundbites. Formatted as a two-way discussion, the interviews pair musicians and spoken word artists with chefs who create meals based on the artists’ work.

By throwing these in-person events and creating content, A Thing To Talk About is creating much-needed connections for audience members and artists alike.

“I want to provide a high-production platform,” says Wid. “I want to create a paid opportunity for people who are videographers and editors; I want people within our community to tag on to a project like this one.”

For artists who are interested in getting involved, Rob and Wid suggest reaching out to them directly through their Instagram page. “It’s an incubator for other individuals who might want to do something,” Woods says. 

When it all boils down to it, Wid’s goal is a simple and relatable quest: “I just want to grow community.”

A Thing to Talk About presents speed dating at Fluid510 in Oakland on Sept. 14. Tickets and details here. On Sept. 21, they team up with Your Homies for a concert featuring LOE Gino, Shanté and more at Cafe Lakeview. Tickets and details here.