FRIDAY, JAN. 27 

Reduced City Services Today Call ahead to ensure programs or services you desire will be available. 981-CITY. www.cityofberkeley.info 

Fib and Quibble Showcase, in celebration of Black History Month, at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., at Malonga Casquelord Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St. Donation $5. 839-9192. 

Alice Walker in conversation with Amy Goodman at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. Benefits Media Alliance. 832-9000, ext. 305. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Benjamine Griffin on “The Genius of Mark Twain” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Lunar Lounge Express A party under the stars to view the Red planet and see the Sonic Vision planetarium show at 8 p.m. at Chabot Space and Science Center. Tickets are $15-$20. 336-7373. 

“Alameda's History and Architecture from the Gold Rush To Today” with Woody Minor, Alameda historian and author, at 7 p.m. at Home of Truth, 1300 Grand St., Alameda. Suggested donation $20. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at Unit 4, Hillside Assembly Room, 2700 Hearst Ave., UC Campus. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.  

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., room 17. 843-0150. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

“Healing and Pain” a two day workshop at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. Cost is $100. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

SATURDAY, JAN. 28 

Afternoon with Owls Learn the natural history of our local owls, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Berkeley. Cost is $25. Sponsored by Keep Barn Owls in Berkeley. 549-2963. www.kboib.org  

Free Emergency Preparedness Class from 10 to noon at 997 Cedar St., between 8th and 9th. To sign up call 981-5605. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html 

Help Save The Bay Plant Native Seedlings, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland. Gloves, tools and snacks provided. Families welcome. Registration required. 452-9261, ext. 109. www.savesfbay.org 

Peace and Freedom Party mobilization to support Berkeley Honda strikers. at 1 p.m. at Parker and Shattuck. 465-9414. 

Lunar New Year Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 388 Ninth St., Oakland. www.oacc.cc 

Introduction to California Chinchilla Rescue from 1 to 5 p.m. at RabbitEARS Adoption Center, 303 Arlington Ave., behind ACE Hardware, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Preschool Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

The Festival of Brigit A workshop for women at 7 p.m. at Changemakers, 6536 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. To register call 800-694-1957. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, JAN. 29 

Believe in Basketry Learn about Native American basketry and make your own periwinkle basket, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $3. 525-2233. 

“Mad Hot Ballroom” A film presented by Diversity Works at 3 p.m. at Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens School, 325 Highland Ave., Piedmont. Free, for all ages. 599-9227. 

Lunar New Year Celebration for children with a dragon parade and other activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Habitot Children's Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Family Film Series will show “Babe” at 11 a.m. at the Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Cost is $5. 845-8542. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Tibetan Peace Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, JAN. 30 

Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association General Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 

Launch Party for “Greater Good” Magazine, reception and panel discussion, at 5:30 p.m. at North Gate Library, Hearst at euclid, UC Campus. 

“Electoral Guerilla Theatre: Speaking Mirth to Power” with UC Davis professor of theater, Larry Bogad, at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Great Directors Film Series will show Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” at 7:30 a.m. at the Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Cost is $5. 845-8542. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at UC Berkeley Unit 3, 2400 Durant Ave. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

Free Business Loan and Business Plan Writing Boot Camp Mon. and Fri. from 9 a.m. to noon at 519 17th St., 2nd Floor, Ste. 200, Oakland, through March 31. 395-6003. 

Free Small Business Counselling with SCORE, Service Core of Retired Executives at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. To make an appointment call 981-6244. 

World Affairs Discussion Group for seniors at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center. Cost is $2.50. 

TUESDAY, JAN. 31 

Birdwalk on the MLK Shoreline from 3 to 5 p.m. to see the ducks and shorebirds here for the winter. Beginnners welcome, binoculars available for loan. 525-2233. 

West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs Community Meeting on Pacific Steel Casting Company with representatives from Pacific Steel Casting, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and Berkeley City Council Member Linda Maio’s office. At 7 p.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 6th St. 558-8757. http://westberkeleyalliance.org 

“Eminent Domain: Abuse of Government Power?” with Steven Greenhut, author of “Abuse of Power” and Timothy Sanefur of the Pacific Legal Foundation, at 7 p.m. at the Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. For reservations call 632-1366. 

Chinese New Year with author Rosemary Gong to say goodbye to the Year of the Rooster and hello to the Year of the Dog, at 7 p.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7512.  

Yarn Divas Basic Knitting Come learn the basics of knitting, especially, but not exclusively, for women with cancer. Experienced participants are welcome. Learning materials provided. At 7:30 p.m. at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. 420-7900, ext. 111.  

“Travel Photography: Pueblos & Canyons: The American Southwest” Oakland photographic adventure guide Don Lyon, at 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 654-1548.  

“A Mile Down: Disaster at Sea” with author David Vann on his trip form Turkey to the Caribbean in a 90 ft. yacht at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at UC Berkeley Unit 1, 2650 Durant Ave. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

Stress Less Seminar with hypnosis and relaxation skills at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave. Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. In case of questionable weather, call around 8 a.m. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Free Handbuilding Ceramics Class 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Materials and firing charges not included. 525-5497. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 

Kalimba Interactive Assembly with Carl Winters in the African thumb piano, in celebration of Black History Month at 10:30 a.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Ave. and at 3:30 p.m. at the Cesar Chavez Branch, 3301 East 12th St. All ages welcome. 615-5727. 

“Painful Deception” a film on the 9/11 destruction of the Twin Towers at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, but $5 donations accepted. 704-0268. 

Bookmark Book Group meets to discuss “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell at 6:30 p.m. at 721 Washington St., Oakland. The Bookmark is the bookstore for Friends of the Oakland Public Library. 444-0473. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Mozart’s Birthday Concert at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave., Albany. 524-9122. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon at the Oakland office. We need your help with blood drives all over the East Bay. 594-5165. 

Small Business Seminar on taxes at 2 p.m. at 2129 Shattuck Ave. To register call 655-2041. 

Breema Open House with free body work session at 6 p.m. at 6201 Florio St., Oakland 428-1234. 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters welcomes curious guests and new members at 7:15 a.m. at Au Coquelet Cafe, 2000 University Ave. at Milvia. 435-5863.  

Entrepreneurs Networking at 8 a.m. at A’Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. at Alcatraz. Cost is $5. For more information contact JB, 562-9431.  

Stitch ‘n Bitch Bring your knitting, crocheting and other handcrafts from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Action St. 841-2174.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes. 548-9840. 

Sing your Way Home A free sing-a-long at 4:30 p.m. every Wed. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities. 

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, FEB. 2 

“A Forgotten Resistance: The Mosque of Paris” A documentary by Derri Berkani with a discussion with Annete Herskovits, a Jewish woman who was protected by Muslims in Occupied France, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. 

Kalimba Interactive Assembly with Carl Winters in the African thumb piano, in celebration of Black History Month at 10:30 a.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. and at 3:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Branch, 6833 International Blvd. All ages welcome. 615-5727. 

“Locating Buddhist Nuns in the Urban and Cultural Landscape of Early North India” A colloquium at 5 p.m. at the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th floor. 643-6492. http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu/events/  

St. Paul’s Episcopal School 30th Anniversary Celebration at 6 p.m. at Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero West, Oakland. Cost is $85. 285-9613. 

FRIDAY, FEB. 3 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with The Hon. David Sterling, on “Issues Before the Pacific Legal Foundation” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925. 

Benefit for Berkeley Food and Housing with blues and jazz by The Soul Sisters Band, The Dave Mathews Blues Band & Denise Perrier and Anna De Leon from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $25-$30. For reservations call 649-4965, ext. 304. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MLK Student Union, 5th Floor Tilden Room, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., room 17. 843-0150. 

SATURDAY, FEB. 4 

“Francis Albrier and Social Change in South Berkeley” with local historian Donna Graves at 2 p.m. at the Frances Albrier Community Center in San Pablo Park. 981-7533. 

Progressive Democrats of America, East Bay Chapter, strategic planning meeting for the 2006 elections from 1 to 3 p.m. at Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph, Oakland. All welcome. 524-4424. www.pdeastbay.org 

Redwood Park Mushroom Walk with the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association. Meet at 10 a.m. at the last parking lot, next to a meadow and well past the trout monument, on the road inside the Redwood Gate entrance. www.berkeleypaths.org  

Brooks Island Kayak and Walk with Save the Bay. All equipment and instruction is provided. Minimum age 16. Trip departs from Richmond Harbor at noon. Cost is $70. For information call 452-9261 ext. 109. www.savesfbay.org 

Sick Plant Clinic UC plant pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants from 9 a.m. to noon at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

Volunteer on Cerrito Creek Join Friends of Five Creeks volunteers planting natives and removing invasives to restore habitat along the new Cerrito Creek walkway. Meet at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara St., El Cerrito at 10 a.m. Wear shoes with good traction and clothes that can get dirty. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

French Broom Removal Work Party at 9:30 a.m. at the Skyline Gate Staging Area, Skyline Blvd., Oakland. We walk to the work site so arriving on time is important. Please bring your own gloves. Weed wrenches and other tools will be provided. Rain cancels. 684-2473. californica@mac.com 

East Bay Atheists Glenn Branch of the National Center for Science Education will speak on “Who’s Winning the Evolution Wars?” at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd floor ,2090 Kittredge St. 

Disaster Mental Health Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon at 997 Cedar St. Sponsored by the Office of Emergency Services. To register call 981-5506. 

Turn Stress into Success Workshop at 10 a.m. at Creating Harmony Institute, Atrium Plaza, 828 San Pablo Ave. Suite 115B, Albany. Free but registration required. 526-1559. 

“New Era, New Politics Walking Tour” at 10 a.m. at the African American Museum, 659 14th St., at Jefferson, Oakland. A two-hour guided tour of the points of interest in African American history in Oakland. 238-3234. 

Mindful Drumming for Opening Minds and Healing Hearts in celebration of Black History Month at 7 p.m. at 3278 West St., Oakland. Cost is $20, scholarships available. 652-5530. 

Kids’ Night Out Party for ages 4.5 to 10 years at The Berkwood Hedge School in Berkeley. Cost is $25-$40. Proceeds benefit Monkey Business Camp’s scholarship fund. To register call 540-6025. www.monkeybusinesscamp.com  

“Careers in International Trade” workshop at Vista College, 2075 Allston Way. Cost is $13 for California residents. To register call 981-2913. 

Preschool Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

ONGOING 

“Sprout Hope” Half-Pint Library Book Drive to benefit the library at Children’s Hospital, Oakland, is looking to register schools in the book drive. To register see www.halfpricebooks.com 

Free Tax Help—United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! program provides free filing assistance to households that earned less than $38,000 in 2005. To find a free tax site near you, call 800-358-8832 or visit www.EarnitKeepitSaveit.org 

Pee Wee Basketball for ages 6-8 begins Feb. 4, and All Net Basketball for ages 9-11 begins Feb. 23. For further information contact Berkeley Youth Alternatives, 845-9066. www.byaonline.org 

Albany Library Free Drop-in Homework Help for students in third through fifth grades, Mon. - Thurs. from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Emphasis is placed on math and writing skills. No registration is required. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/housing 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs. Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/landmarks 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

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FRIDAY, JAN. 27 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, “Twelfth Night” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Feb. 18. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

“MacHomer” Rick Miller’s one-man show of “Macbeth” featuring impressions from “The Simpsons” at 8 p.m., Sat at 7 and 10 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at The Roda Theater, 2015 Addison, Tickets are $30-$35. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Berkeley Rep “9 Parts of Desire” about women in war-torn Iraq, at 8 p.m. at the Trust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through March 5. Tickets are $30-$59. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “One Flew Over the Cockoo’s Nest” Fri. and Sat at 8 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave. at Moeser Lane, El Cerrito, through Feb. 25. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Masquers Playhouse "Over the River and Through the Woods" Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. through Feb. 25 at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

“Walkin’ Talkin’ Bill Hawkins ... In Search of My Father” performed by W. Allen Taylor at 7 p.m. at the Marsh-Berkeley, 2118 Allston Way, through Feb. 5. Tickets are $15-$22. 800-838-3006. 

Ragged Wing Ensemble “Splinters ... and Other F-Words” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, through Feb. 11. Tickets are $12-$25 sliding scale. 800-838-3006. www.raggedwing.org 

Shotgun Players “Cabaret” Thurs. - Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Through Jan. 29. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Fib and Quibble Showcase, in celebration of Black History Month, at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 3 p.m. Sun at Malonga Casquelord Cener for the Arts, 1428 Alice St. Donation $5. 839-9192. 

FILM 

African Film Festival “Delwende” at 7 and 8:50 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Alice Walker in conversation with Amy Goodman at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. Benefits Media Alliance. 832-9000, ext. 305. 

Suzanne Braun Levine talks about “Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gabriel Trop, cello and Jim Prell, piano at noon at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Pellejo Seco, Cuban son, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Rami Bar-Niv, Israeli pianist, at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Tickets are $15. 848-1228. 

“New Works in the Nabe” new works by local writers, comedians, dancers, and musicians at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$15. www.hillsideclub.org  

Sol Rebelz, Jerneye, Forensic Science at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Karen Blixt & Yooyoo Wolfe at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Don Carlos with RazorBlade at 10 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $18-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Hal Stein Quartet at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Bobs at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Josh Workman Duo at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Stevie Harris and Aria at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Hostile Takeover, I Object, Abductee SD at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Sila & The Afro Funk Experience at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Amy Lou Blues Band at 9 p.m. at Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way., Oakland. Cost is $7. 654-4549. 

Three Faces of Evil, cabaret music with Carolyn Mark, Amy Honey and Lily Fawn at 9 p.m. at The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakland. 444-6174. 

Ali Handal, guitar, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10.  

Guru Garage at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

McCoy Tyner Residency, with Joe Lovano, Dave Holland & Lewis Nash at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Feb. 5. Cost is $15-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, JAN. 28 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Asheba at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Regla: Revolution” Selected prints from Cuban printmaker Antonio Canet. Reception at 2 p.m. at NIAD Art Center, 551 23rd St. Richmond. www.niadart.org 

Richmond Art Center Reception for Artists from 2 to 5 p.m. at 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. 620-6772. 

FILM 

Mikio Naruse “Husband and Wife” at 7 p.m. and “Wife” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Asian American Poets with Ed Bok Lee, Barbara Jane Reyes and Justin Chin at 2 p.m. at Heller Lounge, MLK Student Union, UC Campus. Sponsored by Eastwind Books of Berkeley. 548-2350. 

Dave Barry introduces “Dave Barry’s Money Secrets: Like: Why is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “Falstaff” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, through Feb. 5. Tickets are $15-$40. 841-1903. www.berkeleyopera.org 

Berkeley Symphony “From Bach to Carter” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $10-$54. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Arlekin Quartet Concert, benefiting the Young Peoples Chamber Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington, Kensington. Tickets are $10-$20 at the door. 595-4688. www.ypco.org 

Santa Fe Guitar Quartet at 7:30 p.m. at Regents Theater, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd. Tickets are $25-$40. 549-3504. www.fourseasonsconcerts.com 

Ed Reed & Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

West African Highlife Band at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Larry Stefl Jazz Group at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Dream Sequence, with Sistas in the Pit, Company of Prophets, and headRush, hip hop and poetry at 9 p.m. at The Oakland Noodle Factory, 1255 26th St., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$20. All ages. 595-5526. 

The Mash Bash with Red Horizon, Secondhand Seranade, Story Told, and others at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. 

Jeff Rolka and Duff Ferguson at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

The Ravines and Jon Cooney at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

John Schott’s Dream Kitchen at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Lou & Peter Berryman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Thrill Train R&B at 9 p.m. at Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way., Oakland. Cost is $7. 654-4549. 

Crack Pot Theory, Ghost Next Door, Absent Society at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Left Turn No Signal at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Warren Gale Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Megan Mclaugin and Patty Espeth at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Rio Brasil Forró Band, Brazilian, at 9 p.m. at Capoeira Arts Cafe, 2026 Addison St. Cost is $8. 666-1255. capoeiraarts.com 

Mandrake, Lemon Lime Lights, Black Bird Stitches at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Lights Out, Internal Affairs, Down to Nothing at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, JAN. 29 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Art in Progress: Styles of the Artist” from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Poetry readings by John Curl, Meg Withers, and Patti Chepourkova at 2 p.m. at 800 Heinz. 845-0707. 

THEATER 

“Civil Rights Tales” By Stagebridge Senior Theater Company at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets are $5-$8. 848-0237.  

FILM 

Mikio Naruse “Older Brother, Younger Sister” at 4:30 p.m. and “Late Chrysanthemums” at 6:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Edward Weston: Masterworks from the Collection” with curator of photography Drew Johnson, at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Poetry Flash with Amber Flora Thomas, Rose Black and Joseph Zaccardi at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Anna Carol Dudley, soprano, celebrates her 75th birthday with a free concert at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, at Dana and Durant. 848-3696. 

Novello Quartet performs Haydn’s string quartets on period instruments at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Tickets are $10-$15 at the door. www.novelloquartet.org 

Distant Oaks, a mid-winter Celtic celebration at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Alameda, 2001 Santa Clara at Chestnut. Donation $10-$15. 522-1477. www.AlamedaChurch.com 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Admission is free, donations requested. 

Maria Loreto at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568.  

Vicki Genfan at 5 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

International Contemporary Ensemble “Composer Portrait Magnus Lindberg” at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32. 642-9988.  

Alma Brasileira at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

John Worley & Worlview at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Bandworks at 2:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $4. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jessie Turner, and Vanessa Lowe at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Push to Talk, Aberdien, One Way Letter, at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, JAN. 30 

THEATER 

Subterranean Shakespeare “King Lear” Staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1924 Cedar St. Donation $5. 276-3871. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Writing for the Greater Good” panel discussion to celebrate the latest issue of Greater Good magazine at 5:30 p.m. at North Gate Library, Hearst at Euclid, UC Campus. http://peacecenter.berkeley.edu/greatergood 

“Electoral Guerilla Theatre: Speaking Mirth to Power” with UC Davis professor of theater, Larry Bogad at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698.  

Kathleen Ragan describes “Outfoxing Fear: Folktales from Around the World” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

Poetry Express with Zara Raab and HD Moe at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Daniel Sheridan, solo traditional and classical guitar at 6:30 p.m. at Fellini Restaurant, 1401 University at Acton. 

Nels Cline, music of Andrew Hill at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, JAN. 31 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Making History in Avant Garde Film” Introduction and book-signing with Jeffrey Skoller at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

Bruce Andrews, performance artist and poet at 5:30 p.m. in the 1st floor Living Room, Mills Hall, Mills College, Oakland. 430-2236. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bandworks at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $4. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ellen Hoffman Trio and singer’s open mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

McCoy Tyner Residency, with Bobby Hutcherson, Ravi Coltrane, Charnett Moffet & Eric Harland at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Feb. 5. Cost is $15-$50. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Randy Craig Trio, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 

EXHIBITIONS 

African American Inventors and Scientists at the Junior Center of Art and Science, 558 Bellvue Ave., Lakeside Park, Oakland, through April 8. 839-5777. www.juniorcenter.org 

Israel Artfest 2006 Collection of works by over 100 Israeli artists. Reception at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. Exhibition runs to Feb. 5. Cost is $10. 848-3988. 

Artists for Social and Political Awareness “Artifice” Reception at 5:30 p.m. at North/South Gallery, 5241 College Ave., at Broadway. 

FILM 

Film 50: “By The Law” at 3 p.m. at Weird America: “In a Nutshell: A Portrait of Elizabeth Tashjian” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “Falstaff” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are $15-$40. 841-1903. www.berkeleyopera.org 

Lura, Caboverdian artist at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $18-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ned Boynton Trio at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

3 Strikez, K Diezel, G-I Joes, Hot Lipps at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Calvin Keys Trio Invitational Jam at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Saoco at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Chuck Brodsky, old-fashioned story songs, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

McCoy Tyner with Bobby Hutcherson, Ravi Coltrane, Charnett Moffett & Eric Harland at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $20-$35. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, FEB. 2 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Telegraph 3pm” Poetry by Owen Hill and photographs by Robert Eliason at 7 p.m. at the YWCA in Berkeley, 2600 Bancroft Way. 

FILM 

“Al’léési ... an African Actress” free screening at 5:30 p.m. and Mikio Naruse: “Sound of the Mountain” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kate Gale, poet, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Nomad Spoken Word Night at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Word Beat Reading Series with Jesse Redpond and Monique de Magdalene at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

John Stowell/Mike Zilber Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 701-1787. 

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. 

Blue Roots Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is. $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Deep Roots Urban Teahouse Hip Hop Show at 7:30 p.m. at 1418 34th Ave. , Oakland. Free for all ages. 436-0121. 

Dave Bernstein and John Wiitala at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. ?

“Early in the morning, always early, I come to throw dead shoes in the river ... today the river must eat.” 

The shadow of a woman with a vessel on her head glides beneath a ruined facade of blue tile and plaster, her figure in traditional abaya emerging from behind the plastic tarps screening off the rubble, past sandbags (which later double as pillows) and pours sandals into a pool surrounded by yet more tile, as she pronounces these words. 

She is a professional mourner in Baghdad, the first of the fe male characters played by Mozhan Marnò in 9 Parts of Desire, the solo show written by Heather Raffo, now on the Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Thrust Stage. 

She goes on: “When the grandson of Genghis Khan burned all the books in Baghdad, the river ran blac k with ink ... We were promised so much. The Garden of Eden was here ... Bring me back to the water I was created in.”  

Marnò changes quickly from one character into another, cutting across class lines as well as leaping geographically, playing an exile d Iraqi woman. 

“Exile in London is mostly Scotch,” she says. “Let it [the war] be chaos; maybe something will come out of it ... I’ve always been political, though I’m bourgeois. In Beirut I protested ... Everywhere I go there is a war ... This war is ag ainst all my beliefs, yet I’m for it.” 

She also portrays a young Iraqi-American, compulsively watching TV, spending hours trying to reach family members. “We make a movie, go on Oprah, talk about it like we’re moving on,” she says. “‘The war, it’s so hea rtbreaking,’ the woman next to me said. She was getting a pedicure; I was getting a pedicure ... I can’t walk down the street and see people smiling.” 

It’s diversity with a vengeance. An artist favored by the regime, based on a woman portraitist of Sadda m that Raffo interviewed in the 90s, speaks of her love life, brushing off an unseen interlocutor’s questions with a wave of her cigarette holder: “Iraqis know not to open their mouths, even for the dentist ... I will never leave, not for freedom we don’t have. Your Western culture, sister, will not free me from being called a whore.” 

Later, a poor street vendor will try to sell one of the artist’s watercolors: “You must buy ... Our history is finished, so it is more worth. Two dollars! I have to eat.” 

There is the doctor retching over the sewage overflowing in the hospital wards, talking about the genetic abnormalities, how the depleted uranium from ordnance will go on for centuries (and children wear radioactive shell fragments as trinkets), revealing her own scars to a girl with breast cancer who embraces her—and how she’s pregnant. The woman who leads tours of the shelter where over 400 people died, named just Umm Gheda, “Mother of Tomorrow,” after her dead daughter, Gheda: “Wild greens are growing. Nature chooses to grow around this grave of Iraqi people. My family is all here. We could not live together like this.” 

9 Parts of Desire seems to follow closely the typical format of the more socially committed solo performances, like Anna Deveare Smit h’s pieces on the L.A. riots, and so on. But there’s a difference in both depth and nimbleness; maybe there’s a formula that equates speed with clarity. 

Marnò, an Angelina of Iranian heritage, playing what Raffo (whose father is Iraqi) has written and pe rformed to acclaim in New York and London, displays an exceptional, disarming ability to almost dance, but just a single step at a time, from one role into the next, or reprise an earlier one, with an agility of gestures, expressions, accents. Each identi ty is established with its own peculiarities, its own rhythms, which add up to a syncopation of sensibilities, emotions—hearts beating together, though not in unison. 

Solo performance is a very elastic form—usually too much so, all content (whatever fits), no form. 9 Parts of Desire doesn’t blaze any trails, but works within its limitations with grace and brevity, reflecting the good work of author, performer and director (Joanna Settle)—as well as of the designers (Antje Ellerman, set; Peter West, light s; Obadiah Eaves, sound—all of the New York show), and getting across the message, composed of all the little conflicting messages, with a directness and exceptional clarity that doesn’t stint the complexity of its subject. 

Many have complained, with jus tice, that this war has been treated as “about us;” Iraqis are reduced to a shadowy enemy or to “man in the street” sound-bites of no consequence. 9 Parts of Desire makes an opening into the lives and talk of a people, of women, without sentimentality, an d at just the point where both domestic tyranny and the spin of the invasion/occupation has tried to speak for them. 

It’s refreshing—upbeat, even—harrowing, absorbing and humane, bringing a situation overwrought with commentary back into focus, revealing figures, not images.  

Berkeley Repertory Theatre presents 9 Parts of Desire on the Thrust Stage through March 5. For more information, call 647-2949 or see www.berkeleyrep.org.  

Photograph by Kevin Berne 

Mozhan Marnò stars in Nine Parts of Desire, a o ne-woman show about women in war-torn Iraq, on Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage.›

Ah, a cappella.  

Concerts today are often so elaborately staged and embellished with everything from pyrotechnics to video backdrops, huge sound systems, background choruses, and full orchestras, that it’s can be a relief to periodically hear good singers perform with no amplification, no instrumental accompaniment, no lip synching—nothing but their natural voices.  

One need look no further than the University of California campus for that sort of musical entertainment.  

Cal boasts several excellent a cappella student groups, most of them student-run and loosely affiliated as part of the UC Choral Ensembles. 

Spring brings a variety of public concerts by these groups, individually and in combination. 

A cappella (“from the chapel”) music was originally sung in small religious precincts where instrumental accompaniment from organs or orchestral groups wasn’t available. It also developed a sturdy secular tradition. 

Collegiate a cappella has a long history on the East Coast, especially in the Ivy League, but there’s a venerable and thriving spirit and array of a cappella groups at West Coast universities as well. 

A good opportunity to hear some of them sing comes this Saturday, Jan. 28, when a regional quarterfinal of the National Championship of College A Cappella takes place at Wheeler Auditorium on the campus. The concert is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door. 

Two Cal student groups—the co-ed Decadence, and the Men’s Octet—are on the competition program, along with the Troy Tones from USC and the cleverly named Fermata Nowhere (men) and Nothing But Treble (women) groups from Mount San Antonio College. 

Founded 58 years ago, the Men’s Octet fittingly won the National Championship in its 50th anniversary year. One of the best performances I’ve ever seen on any stage was the Octet in that championship season singing not only traditional favorites but also Madonna and a pitch-perfect send-up of “Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound of Music. 

The membership has changed over entirely now, but the new Octet still sings with vigor and enthusiasm.  

A fine complement to the all male group is the nine-woman California Golden Overtones, with a rich singing tradition of their own. Unfortunately they’re not performing in the Berkeley quarterfinal concert on Saturday—they’ve been seeded in another competition in the Pacific Northwest—but there are later opportunities to hear them sing. 

A cappella concerts at Cal are inexpensive, fun, and good entertainment. If you’re older than, say 25, you may initially feel a little out of place since college friends and classmates of the singers tend to dominate the audience.  

But the music—ranging from Cal spirit songs to “Golden Oldies” to contemporary pop and rock—is engaging, the students are fine singers and entertaining performers, and you should enjoy yourself at least as much as if you’d spent five or ten times more for a “professional” concert. 

If you can’t attend the competition concert this weekend, there are other opportunities this spring, although they aren’t well publicized off campus.  

Check the website of the UC Choral Ensembles, http://ucchoral.berkeley.edu/, particularly the Spring 2006 Calendar section.  

The Octet has its Spring Show on March 3 and 4. The Overtones follow with theirs on April 7 and 8th. There’s an “A Cappella Against AIDS” concert on Feb. 24, and something called the “Octet UnButtoned” on April 28.  

Events run through early May, and include an intriguing listing for the Perfect Fifth Spring Concert on April 29, staged in the soaring lobby of the Hearst Memorial Mining Building. And all the Choral groups get together for a cumulative Spring Show on May 5 and 6. 

The scheduled concerts aren’t the only public performances by any means. During the school year several groups perform weekly for free at Sather Gate. If you happen to be on the Berkeley campus at 1 p.m. you can hear the Octet sing on Wednesdays, the Overtones on Fridays, and Noteworthy on Mondays.  

Photograph by Steven Finacom 

The UC Men’s Octet, performing here at Sather Gate, will compete this Saturday evening in the  

National College A Cappella Championship quarterfinals on campus.m