The Oakland City Council voted unanimously on June 1, 2004, to rename the Alice Arts Center to honor Malonga Casquelourd, who was killed last Father’s Day by a suspected drunken driver. Casquelourd was a master drummer, dancer and teacher who dedicated his life to promoting African culture in the East Bay.

The beautifully restored turn-of-the-century Arts Center is one of the area's busiest performing arts facilities. Patrons can participate in a variety of arts programs or rent spaces for arts events and activities.

Spaces available for rent include a 400-seat theater, five dance studios, meeting rooms and rehearsal spaces. Four long-standing Oakland arts institutions - Oakland Ballet, Citicentre Dance Theater, Dimensions Dance Theater and Oakland Ensemble Theater - are founding resident companies. Numerous other art groups present activities or have offices at the Arts Center...