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. 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. 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 Acton 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 

Giving Women Power Over AIDS A four day conference and photo exhibit to encourage the development of a topical anti-HIV microbicide for women at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Sponsored by the Hesperian Foundationand UCB School of Public Health. 845-1447, ext. 229. www.hesperian.org 

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.  

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. 

“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. 

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.  

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 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.  

“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. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Spirit Walking Aqua Chi (TM) A gentle water exercise class at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Cost is $3.50 per session. 526-0312. 

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, FEB. 5 

Natural Wonders Explore nearby trails to discover what amazing offerings nature has for us. Meet at 10 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

“Are You Good Enough to be Published” A symposium with Alan Rinzler at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.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 Buddhism with Abbe Blum on “Freedom to Change” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 6 

National Read a Black Book Day A read-a-thon in celebration of Black History Month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Merritt College Library, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland. 436-2557. 

National Organization for Women, Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. The speaker will be Helen Isaacson, a member of Grandmothers’ Against the War who will discuss the group’s plan to enter Army Recruiting Offices on Valentines Day to attempt to enlist. 287-8948. 

“150 Years in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Where Do We Go From Here?” with Jeff Hart at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., at Masonic. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Basic Balkan Singing Workshhop led by Janet Kutulas Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at KITKA/Children's Advocates, 1201 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, at 12th St., Oakland. Four-session series for $60. Individual class $20. 444-0323.  

Sing-A-Long from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122.  

Beginning Bridge Lessons at 11:10 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Cost is $1. 524-9122. 

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

McGee Avenue Toastmasters meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at McGee Ave. Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. 501-7005. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. To schedule and appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

“Healthy Eating Habits Seminar” at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch Library Meeting Room, 550 El Embarcadero. 238-7344. 

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. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 7 

Kalimba Interactive Assembly with Carl Winters in the African thumb piano, in celebration of Black History Month at 10 a.m. at the Oakland Public Library, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline St. and at 1 p.m. at the Temescal Branch, 5205 Telegraph Ave. All ages welcome. 238-7352. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

“Sankofa” A showing of the Black independent film at 6 p.m. at Merritt College, Building A, Room 218.  

Introduction to Conscious Parenting If you have ever wondered about new ways of parenting, or struggled with things not going how you expected, come and find relief, community, and a host of new tools at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby near Ashby BART. 415-312-1830,  

Turn Stress into Success Workshop at 7:30 p.m. at Creating Harmony Institute, Atrium Plaza, 828 San Pablo Ave. Suite 115B, Albany. Free but registration required. 526-1559. 

Paris & Provence with photographic adventure guide Don Lyon at 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 654-1548.  

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss Love and Sex in the 21st Century from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 601-6690. 

California Shakespeare Summer Theater Camp Open House to meet with potential campers and their families from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Cal Shakes Rehearsal Hall, 701 Heinz Ave. 548-3422 ext. 127. 

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

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 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. Also, Mon. noon to 4 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Materials and firing charges not included. 525-5497. 

Brainstormer Weekly Pub Quiz every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse Brewery, 901 Gilman St. 528-9880.  

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

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

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 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7460.  

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

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs. Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7419.  

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406.  

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. Feb. 6, at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Erin Dando, 981-7410.  

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510.  

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Feb. 8,, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. ›

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 

“In Her Mother’s Shoes” Photography exhibit in conjunction with the conference “Giving Women Power Over AIDS” at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave., through Feb. 5. Sponsored by the Hesperian Foundation and UCB School of Public Health. 845-1447, ext. 229. www.hesperian.org  

“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.  

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.www.AnnasJazzIsland.com  

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.  

FRIDAY, FEB. 3 

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 

Aurora Theatre “The Master Builder” Wed. through Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 5. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.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 

The Bright River at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby at MLK. Tickets are $20. After party at Epic Arts.  

Book Burning Comedy Showcase with Will Franken, John Hoogasian, Philip Watson, Samantha Chanse at 8 p.m. at AK Press, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. Cost is $5. 208-1700. 

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 

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 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Lawn Jockey” An exhibition of works exploring the social, psychological and phenomenological implications of sod. Opening at 7.p.m. at Center Street Art Works, 1431 Center St., Oakland. csawgallery@gmail.com 

“Light Form Texture” Black and white photography of landscapes and archtecture by Mark Swanson. Reception at 7 p.m. at Fertile Grounds Cafe, 1796 Shattuck Ave. at Delaware. Exhibit runs to Feb. 28. 

“Lost & Found” Boontling's One Year Anniversary Celebration Reception at 7:30 p.m. at 4224 Telegraph Ave. 

FILM 

African Film Festival “Sisters in Law” at 7 p.m. and “The Colonial Misunderstanding” at 9:05 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

James Janko and Maxine Hong Kingston discuss Janko’s new book “Buffalo Boy and Geronimo” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Team I-Themba, South African dance and drama, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and Black History Month at 6:30 p.m. at the Little Theater, Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way. Tickets are $12, $6 students and go on sale at 5 p.m. 

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. Benefit for Berkeley Food and Housing. For reservation call 649-4965, ext. 304. 

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

Four Shillings Short with Christy Martin, Adrianne and Kyler England at 8 p.m. at Rose St. House of Music, 1839 Rose St. Donation $10-$20. 594-4000, ext. 687. www.rosestreetmusic.com 

Nik Phelps and The Sprocket Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. between Durant and Bancroft. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. http:// 

trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Slammin, all-body band, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Pamela Rose, accompanied by Danny Caron, John R. Burr, Jason Lewis, Wayne de La Cruz and Charles McNeal at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Ghetto Retro Review at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Shotgun Wedding Quintet, Felonious, Ryan Greene at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Ligia Waib’s Brazilian Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Al Howard and the K23 Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. 

Crooked Jades at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Mariospeedwagon and The Pickin’ Trix at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Steve Taylor, songwriter for Cowpokes for Peace, at 7 p.m. at A Cuppa Tea, 3200 College Ave. Free, donations accepted. 654-1904. 

The Phenmenauts, The Bananas, Shruggs, Touch Me Nots at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

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. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, FEB. 4 

CHILDREN 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Jerry Kennedy singing folk songs at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568.  

Chinese New Year Books for Children with authors Ying Chang and Oliver Chin at 3 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Claim the World of Art as Our Own” Artists’ talk at 1 p.m. at Pro Arts, 550 Second St., Oakland. www.proartsgallery.org 

Photographs by Larry Wolfley Reception at 6 p.m. at Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Exhibit runs to March 15. www.photolaboratory.com 

THEATER 

Mixtape Vol. 2, new works showcase by Everyday Theatre at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby at MLK. Tickets are $20. http://everydaytheatre.org 

Imago Theater “Biglittlethings” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $20-$32, discounts for children under 16. 642-9988.  

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

FILM 

African Film Festival “The Golden Ball” at 4 p.m. and Mikio Naruse: “Flowing” at 7 p.m. and “Floating Clouds” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Chesa Boudin introduces “The Venezuelan Revolution: 100 Questions - 100 Answers” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852.  

African American Celebration through Poetry from 1 to 4 p.m. at the West Oakland Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1801 Adeline St. Free, all welcome. 238-7352. 

Poetry Reading Annual Contest with the Bay Area Poets Coalition from 3 to 5 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, dining hall, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. 527-9905. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Violin Triumphant” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Dana and Durant Sts. Tickets are $28-$62. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

Opera Alive, an introduction for the whole family at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Donation $10-$20. 525-0302. 

“Arte y Pureza” gypsy flamenco from Andalucia, Spain, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Tickets are $30. 849-2568.  

Celebration of the Energy of Yemanja, Yoruban Goddess of the Oceans and Maternal Love, with Brazilian and Latin dance and music at 9 p.m. at the Capoiera Café, 2026 Addison St. Cost is $10. 528-1958.  

The Snake Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Lee Waterman’s Brazilian & Afro-Cuban Quintet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Jenna Mammina at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Winston Jarrett and Wadi Gas & Jahbandis, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054.  

Lo Cura and Avi Vinocur at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Daggermouth, Sabertooth Zombie, Barricade at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, FEB. 5 

CHILDREN  

Crosspulse Family Show at 3 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

FILM 

Mikio Naruse “Sudden Rain” at 4:30 p.m. and “A Wife’s Heart” at 6:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Chesa Boudin introduces “The Venezuelan Revolution: 100 Questions - 100 Answers” at 3 p.m. at Casa Cuba, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 658-3984. 

Poetry Flash with Geraldine Kim and Tessa Rumsey at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “Falstaff” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are $15-$40. 841-1903.  

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Violin Triumphant” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Dana and Durant Sts. Tickets are $28-$62. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

Opera Alive, an introduction at 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Donation $10-$20. 525-0302. 

Oluyemi Thomas and Positive Knowledge at 7 and 8:30 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby at MLK. Tickets are $15. 

Mark Little-Ricardo Peixoto Duo at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Shaykh Yassir Chadly at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. 

Brook Schoenfield at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Head Royce High School Jazz Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

MONDAY, FEB. 6 

THEATER 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Spoken Word by Charles C. Blackwell and Poetic Grove in celebration of Black History Month at 5:30 p.m. at Oakland Public Library Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave. 597-5023. 

Actors Reading Writers “The Dangers of Romance,” stories by Jonathan Franzen, David Schickler and Don Shea, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave.  

Po Bronson discusses “Why Do I Love These People? Honest and Amazing Stories of Real Families” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

Poetry Express with CR Jacobs at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

Last Word Poetry Series with Teka-Lark Lo and Dan O at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

El Cerrito High and Portola Middle School Jazz Bands at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, FEB. 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

James Gayles’ “East Bay Blues Master” and other works by George Hopkins at the Richmond Health Center, 100 38th St., enter at 39th and Bissell. Celebrating Black History Month. 231-1348.  

FILM 

Women’s Preservation Film Festival at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Marion Nestle discusses her reasearch on culinary history in northern California at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

Bernard-Henri Lévy introduces his new book “American Vertigo: Traveling America in the Footsteps of Tocqueville” at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

New Pacific Trio at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $20. 525-5211. 

Swamp Coolers, cajun, zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

David Thom Band, Dark Hollow, Grizzly Peak and Marty Varner at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761.  

Mingus Big Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

The seventh annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival runs Feb. 2-12 with workshops and intimate East Bay concerts featuring living legends like Ralph Stanley and rising local talent such as the Crooked Jades. 

The festival boasts a range of acoustic music including bluegrass, old-time (the fiddle and banjo-laden precursor to bluegrass) and a sprinkling of “jamgrass,” which combines bluegrass and jam band influences. Festival Chair Tom Lucas hopes to not only bring all types of bluegrass to the festival, but to introduce fans of particular styles to new kinds of music. Over the course of the festival, music lovers will have the opportunity to see numerous rising local groups throughout the Bay Area, and celebrated venues like the Freight and Salvage and Epic Arts will be packed with music that should not be missed. 

Of special note, the internationally renowned Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys will play three Freight and Salvage concerts on Feb. 9 and 10. During his 55 years in the business, Ralph Stanley has achieved unparalleled status as a banjo picker, recorded 170 albums, and won countless awards for his artistry. Additionally, gospel music extraordinaire Doyle Lawson and Quick Silver will perform at Freight and Salvage on Feb. 2, along with local acoustic favorite Matt Bauer.  

San Francisco performances of special note include multi-instrumentalist Peter Rowan at Noe Valley Ministry on Feb. 4; former David Grisman fiddle player Darol Anger and his trio at the Make Out Room on Feb. 5; and Leftover Salmon mandolin player Drew Emitt at Noe Valley Ministry on Feb. 11. Peter Rowan has performed with legends from Jerry Garcia to Bill Monroe and rose to fame as a solo artist in the 1980s. Darol Anger has been an innovator in incorporating the fiddle into jazz and has worked with jazz instrumentalists Bela Fleck and Stephane Grappelli, among others. And Emitt’s band Leftover Salmon plays a major part in the jamgrass scene now extremely popular among a new generation of listeners. 

While the festival brings top national performers, bluegrass and old-time fans also get the chance to experience the music of rising local performers. For example, veteran Bay Area old-time musicians the Crooked Jades perform at the Freight and Salvage on Feb. 3. A staple of the area for more than 10 years, the Crooked Jades bring unique arrangements of obscure old-time music and driving dance tunes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to venues across the country.  

“The Crooked Jades are moving up to the national circuit,” East Bay concert organizer and festival committee member Tom Wegner said. “This may be one of the few chances for people to see them in a small venue before they make it big. Their music is haunting, extremely interesting, and has incredible energy on stage.” 

For another local option, the East Bay’s Lone Mountain Sisters and Backyard Party Boys can be seen at Epic Arts on Feb. 5, as part of Wegner’s monthly Twang Cafe live music series. Wegner describes the Lone Mountain Sisters as a straight-ahead bluegrass foursome of two sisters and their husbands with comic onstage banter. Moreover, the members of the Backyard Party Boys bring decades of experience in bands of varying styles to a new eclectic group. If you are looking for a taste of old fashioned bluegrass as you would have heard it in the 1920s, East Bay natives Julay Brandenburg & the Nightbirds play at Connecticut Yankees in San Francisco on Feb. 2. This relatively new group goes to great lengths to achieve a style of bluegrass quite rare in the current music scene. 

Bluegrass and Old Time Music can be heard from Feb. 2-12 at East Bay venues including Jupiter’s, Freight and Salvage, Epic Arts and McGrath’s in Alameda. Details and a complete concert schedule can be found at www.sfbluegrass.org.  

Contributed photo:  

The Lone Mountain Sisters will peform at Epic Arts Feb. 5 as part of the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival. 

The seventh annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival runs Feb. 2-12 with workshops and intimate East Bay concerts featuring living legends like Ralph Stanley and rising local talent such as the Crooked Jades. 

The festival boasts a range of acoustic music including bluegrass, old-time (the fiddle and banjo-laden precursor to bluegrass) and a sprinkling of “jamgrass,” which combines bluegrass and jam band influences. Festival Chair Tom Lucas hopes to not only bring all types of bluegrass to the festival, but to introduce fans of particular styles to new kinds of music. Over the course of the festival, music lovers will have the opportunity to see numerous rising local groups throughout the Bay Area, and celebrated venues like the Freight and Salvage and Epic Arts will be packed with music that should not be missed. 

Of special note, the internationally renowned Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys will play three Freight and Salvage concerts on Feb. 9 and 10. During his 55 years in the business, Ralph Stanley has achieved unparalleled status as a banjo picker, recorded 170 albums, and won countless awards for his artistry. Additionally, gospel music extraordinaire Doyle Lawson and Quick Silver will perform at Freight and Salvage on Feb. 2, along with local acoustic favorite Matt Bauer.  

San Francisco performances of special note include multi-instrumentalist Peter Rowan at Noe Valley Ministry on Feb. 4; former David Grisman fiddle player Darol Anger and his trio at the Make Out Room on Feb. 5; and Leftover Salmon mandolin player Drew Emitt at Noe Valley Ministry on Feb. 11. Peter Rowan has performed with legends from Jerry Garcia to Bill Monroe and rose to fame as a solo artist in the 1980s. Darol Anger has been an innovator in incorporating the fiddle into jazz and has worked with jazz instrumentalists Bela Fleck and Stephane Grappelli, among others. And Emitt’s band Leftover Salmon plays a major part in the jamgrass scene now extremely popular among a new generation of listeners. 

While the festival brings top national performers, bluegrass and old-time fans also get the chance to experience the music of rising local performers. For example, veteran Bay Area old-time musicians the Crooked Jades perform at the Freight and Salvage on Feb. 3. A staple of the area for more than 10 years, the Crooked Jades bring unique arrangements of obscure old-time music and driving dance tunes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to venues across the country.  

“The Crooked Jades are moving up to the national circuit,” East Bay concert organizer and festival committee member Tom Wegner said. “This may be one of the few chances for people to see them in a small venue before they make it big. Their music is haunting, extremely interesting, and has incredible energy on stage.” 

For another local option, the East Bay’s Lone Mountain Sisters and Backyard Party Boys can be seen at Epic Arts on Feb. 5, as part of Wegner’s monthly Twang Cafe live music series. Wegner describes the Lone Mountain Sisters as a straight-ahead bluegrass foursome of two sisters and their husbands with comic onstage banter. Moreover, the members of the Backyard Party Boys bring decades of experience in bands of varying styles to a new eclectic group. If you are looking for a taste of old fashioned bluegrass as you would have heard it in the 1920s, East Bay natives Julay Brandenburg & the Nightbirds play at Connecticut Yankees in San Francisco on Feb. 2. This relatively new group goes to great lengths to achieve a style of bluegrass quite rare in the current music scene. 

Bluegrass and Old Time Music can be heard from Feb. 2-12 at East Bay venues including Jupiter’s, Freight and Salvage, Epic Arts and McGrath’s in Alameda. Details and a complete concert schedule can be found at www.sfbluegrass.org.  

Contributed photo:  

The Lone Mountain Sisters will peform at Epic Arts Feb. 5 as part of the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival. 

The Berkeley Opera opened its 27th season Saturday with Verdi’s final opera, Falstaff. Written when the composer was eighty, this opera breaks out of the mold of his earlier works: first, because it is a comedy (of his previous 27 operas, 26 are tragedies) and second, because he abandons his trademark style of grandiloquent vocalism, and uses the singing voices almost as orchestral accents. In Falstaff, the dynamic rhythmic pulse is punctuated by only a few lyrical moments. The singers, with the exception of the central character, sing mainly in intricate ensembles. It is partly because of Verdi’s focus on mathematical precision and brilliance, rather than on passionate melodic line, that this opera has remained out of the mainstream repertoire, and is considered by many to be overly eclectic and lacking in spontaneity. 

Boito, the librettist, takes scenes from Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays, and cuts and pastes them together with segments from The Merry Wives of Windsor. It is said that Queen Elizabeth, after seeing Henry IV, grew so enamored with that “huge hill of flesh”(Falstaff), that she commanded Shakespeare to write a play about Falstaff in love. Boito reduces The Merry Wives to about one half and constructs a composite profile of the loveable oversized rogue: a braggart, a glutton, a lecherer, a con-man always on the make, who lives by his lightning wit. Boito takes us through Falstaff’s ridiculous escapades; the consequences of his scheme to woo two rich married women in order to fill his empty purse. The women decide to punish the vain old knight for his insolence. Although tricked and humiliated, his spirit and his girth are undiminished. Life remains a joke; a joyous game. 

Above all, what is demanded to carry the opera, is a protagonist with extraordinary comedic skill. He must be able to combine the nuanced timing of Charlie Chaplin, the arrogance and cynicism of W.C. Fields, and the hauteur of Charles Laughton. I well remember the legendary portrayal of this role by the 65 year old Giuseppe Taddei at the Met: swaggering, grandiose, eloquent, sly, and supremely self satisfied. Not one nuance was missed. The gleaming ebullience of his manner made him, in spite of all his roguish deviltry, irresistibly lovable. Young artists who assay this unique and challenging role would do well to familiarize themselves with the works of past masters who have defined the standard of excellence, and who have had a direct link to Verdi himself through Toscanini. 

It is heartening to see how the Berkeley Opera has improved certain aspects of its performances, such as the orchestral sound, the costumes, and the general quality of the principal singers. However, attention to a few more things would enhance the quality of their productions. There is no excuse for blurry surtitles which make deciphering the text a real struggle for the audience, since suitable technology is available today without great cost. Even scenic elements ought to be able to be rendered with higher aesthetic standards in a company that has been in existence for over a quarter of a century. Further, the subtlety brought into the work by the genius of Shakespeare, Boito and Verdi, demands an execution with greater attention to a coordinated acting style for the entire ensemble that is appropriate to the character of the work. Falstaff, as written, begins explosively and takes off like the bullet train from Paris to Marseille; it is suffused with high-powered energy musically and textually. This momentum never lets up. Without physical acting, full vigor on stage, and carefully honed team work, the opera invariably stalls.  

The highlight of the evening both vocally and dramatically was the excellent Brazilian baritone Igor Vieira. He parodied the jealous husband, Ford, with vocal mastery, and precise Italianate style. He raged and fumed over the suspected adultery of Falstaff with his wife in the most farcical manner, perfectly timing gesture, text, and music. 

Jonathan Khuner, artistic director of Berkeley Opera, and Saturday’s conductor, was able to elicit a laudable, well intoned, performance from the orchestra and cast. The able ensemble included: Ann Moss (Nanetta), Jillian Khuner (Alice Ford), Katherine Growdon (Meg Page), Donna Olson (Mistress Quickly), Andrew Truett (Fenton), Jo Vincent Parks (Falstaff), Norman DeVol (Dr. Caius), Mark Hernandez (Bardolfo), Isaiah Musik-Ayala (Pistola), Tony Ambrose (Innkeeper), David Briggs (Robin). Lovely Nymphs and Fairies rounded out the evening. 

›

In a sort of homecoming, the Jazz House (formerly at 3192 Adeline St.) will host a CD release party for East Bay jazz artists Positive Knowledge on Sunday Feb. 5 at the Ashby Stage. 

Positive Knowledge includes Oluyemi Thomas (bass clarinet), Ijeoma Thomas (spoken word and percussion), Ike Levin (saxophones) and Spirit (drums).  

“I met Patrick Dooley (artistic director of the Shotgun Players at Ashby Stage) when we were going out and they were coming in,” said Rob Woodworth, founder of the Jazz House. “We were both members in the Ashby Arts District. Our last shows were in October of 2002, when we lost our lease. After producing shows here and there, I decided to start up having a regular monthly event again as of January. We had a show with Tony Malaby, just off tour with Charlie Haden, in a space donated by a friend, just over on the Oakland side, followed by a hands-on workshop the next day, with the participation of local musicians. 

“Ike Levin, who had played a very successful show with pianist Joel Futterman for us before, had called up saying he was playing with Positive Knowledge, who I knew about through William Parker’s Vision Fest on the East Coast,” Woodworth continued, “And Patrick came up with a free date at Ashby Stage. I’m very grateful. It’s hard to find locations, whether temporary or permanent, to produce live music of this type. I usually end up warning a few people that it’s not going to be traditional jazz, not the type of stuff you hear on KCSM.” 

Woodworth started up the innovative project to feature lesser-known musicians and include younger people in both the audience and onstage—though past shows have also featured such luminaries as saxophonist Sam Rivers. Most recently, Jazz House co-produced a Sunday night series of jazz and poetry with Kimball’s Carnival at Jack London Square. But last-minute announcement of double-bookings (including a wedding) left musicians, poets and audience stranded outside the doors, and Woodworth called it off. “It was a lofty goal, to say the least,” he said. “I love the mixture of jazz and poetry—and we’re still making it happen. Ijeoma’s the poet in this show.”  

Woodworth talked about the difficulty of producing off-mainstream music events: “The most important thing is getting back on the track with some regularity, make another attempt to get people to hear the vibe. Otherwise, they won’t be able to make a decision whether they even like this kind of music or not. There’s just not any middle ground anymore, no real places for these guys to go and play. We’ve had shows where only five people showed up, and the musicians would still call me later, asking when they could play again.” 

Although, in Woodworth’s view, there’s a need for a venue where both aficionados and new listeners can hear lesser-known players and groups, the obstacles to finding a permanent location can be daunting. Woodward spoke of the owner of a storefront in downtown Berkeley—“an ideal location”—who contacted Jazz House a few months ago. “He believed in what we’re doing. But when he really understood how many hoops had to be jumped through, just dealing with the city to get necessary things done, he withdrew. People still call in, telling me about empty buildings, urging me to do it fly-by-night. But the hole-in-the-wall jazz cafe’s a thing of the past! At least, I don’t have the patience or nerves to book and publicize shows, wondering if I’m going to get shut down by the fire marshal.”  

“We’re fundraising now,” Woodworth said, “I just added a ‘donate’ button to our website. We need $40,000 for a sprinkler system and other necessities, once we find a new home. Until then, we’ll produce a show a month at different locations, which I’m always searching for, especially for someone who’ll host us, or donate their space for regular shows. And our supporters have been great, continuing to come despite the loss of our old place. There are some who come all the way from Sacramento or Monterey to catch a show. That’s dedicated support.” 

Woodworth announced a show on Friday, March 31, that’s in search of a venue: the Andre Sumelius Trio from Finland. For more information, contact the Jazz House at www.thejazzhouse.com or (415) 846-9432. 

Positive Knowledge will perform at a CD release party at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday Feb. 5 at the Ashby Stage. Admission:$15; students, $10; 15 and under, free.

Berkeley Rep Artistic Director Tony Taccone just presided over his Broadway debut with one show he directed at The Rep—Sarah Jones’ solo act Bridge & Tunnel—only to move on to prepare for the New Haven opening of another, the Maurice Sendak-Tony Kushner a daptations of Brundibar and Comedy on the Bridge. The double bill, which played Berkeley during the holidays, also opens uptown in New York this spring. 

Bridge & Tunnel had a seven-month sold out run in 2004, co-produced by Meryl Streep at New York’s C ulture Project, garnering an Obie for Jones and an Off-Broadway record for single-day ticket sales. It was workshopped further in performances last year at The Rep, including new music for the show by Taccone’s son, Asa, and opened Jan. 26 for a two-month run at the 590-seat Helen Hayes Theatre on Times Square, a space Taccone called “ideal” for Jones’ intimate show. 

Called “a generous, funny valentine to the kaleidoscopic, cacophonous melting pot of New York” by New York Variety and “the best new play on Broadway” by the New York Sun, Bridge & Tunnel features Jones playing different, ethnically diverse characters reading their poetry at an open-mic night in a New York nightspot. The New York Times commented that the play was “focussing on the immigrant experience ... embodying in theatrical form the durable dream that keeps drawing immigrants to America.” 

“I first discovered Sarah Jones in a tiny theater in New York’s East Village, performing for a rapturous crowd of young people,” commented Taccone ab out Jones’ 1998 performances of Surface Transit, which he brought to The Rep in Spring, 2003. “Identified by the media as a member of the ‘hip-hop generation,’ Ms. Jones reaches out to every age, every race, every class of person willing to take a journey with her through the prism of her polyrhythmic world.” 

Brundibar, which will open Feb. 10 for a month at the Yale Repertory Theatre (which co-produced with Berkeley Rep) before its New York opening at the New Victory Theater April 26, represents the fru its of a much older collaborative relationship, which dates back almost a quarter century to Taccone’s stint as artistic director at San Francisco’s Eureka Theatre, where he helped develop Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, later commissioning and co-direc ting it for Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum. 

“Brundibar is my sixth time collaboration with Tony Taccone,” said Kushner. “It’s my fourth show at Berkeley Rep.” Speaking for himself and Maurice Sendak, the popular creator of children’s books who designed th e production, Kushner said, “We’re immensely proud of the results, which Berkeley saw first, and which will travel around the country.” 

Taccone has said of the two one-act “children’s operas” from midcentury Central Europe that “through these fairy tales, we can explore the reality of wartime for children in modern culture and the desire to sustain a community under the most trying of circumstances.” In a story in Variety, Kushner said he hoped the run at Yale would make the one-acts even more “Sendakian,” imbuing them with a surrealistic quality for their New York debut. 

Himself a native of New York, Kushner told Variety, “Call it the marquee, call it the amount of people in Times Square, call it the legacy of Broadway—there’s a sense of history here, and I’m honored to be part of that.”