FRIDAY, MARCH 31 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Sally Baker, producer of “Wee Poets” 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.  

“Preparing Our Communities for the End of Cheap Oil” A presentation by the Post Carbon Institute at 7:30 p.m. at Laney College Forum, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Cost is $10. Day-long conference on Sat. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. http://bayarea.relocalize.net, www.postcarbo.org 

Arts and Crafts Cooperative of Berkeley Gallery Spring Seconds Sale from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

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 

SATURDAY, APRIL 1 

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

Women on Common Ground Hike Meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Bear Creek Staging Area, Briones Regional Park. Hike is four miles with some hills. RSVP to 925-862-2601. 

Free Compost at the Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Center St. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Bring your own container, two buckets are suggested or large garbage bags. Backyard amateur gardeners only. Sponsored by the Ecology Center. 548-3333. 

Container Gardening and Design with Gail Yelland at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Landscape Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

Mt. Wanda Wildflower Walk in the hills where John Muir took his daughters. Meet at 9 a.m. in the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Ave. and Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez. Wear walking shoes and bring water. 925-228-8860. 

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.  

Sun and Earth Day Hands-on activities for families from noon to 5 p.m. at Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $9-$13. 336-7300. www.cahbotspace.org  

Bike Helmet Safety Day Purchase a helmet for $7, and from 10 a.m. to noon toddlers can get fitted, decorate their new helmets, and participate in a toddler rodeo at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org  

“And Still I Rise ...” A soul gathering and benefit for the people of New Orleans with music, poetry, dancing and film at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Donations $15 and up. 415-864-2321. 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay meets to discuss clean money and electoral reform at 12:30 p.m. at Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph. 636-4149. www.pdeastbay.org 

Berkeley Progressive Convention Coalition Planning meeting at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita St. 540-1975. 

Arts and Crafts Cooperative Gallery Spring Seconds Sale from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

East Bay Atheists Berkeley meets at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge, 3rd floor meeting room. We will watch a video of Sam Harris speaking on his book, “The End of Faith.” 222-7580. 

Kids Day at Studio Rasa from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with movement, yoga and dance classes, at 933 Parker St. Cost is $10. 843-2787. www.studiorasa.org 

Free Craniosacral Self Care Techniques with Dr. Raleigh Duncan from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave.  

Protest Rally at Berkeley Honda Shattuck and Parker every Thurs. at 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Sat. from 1 to 2 p.m. until the labor dispute is settled.  

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, APRIL 2 

Spring Forward Walk to mark the start of Daylight Savings Time at 10 a.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

El Cerrito Historical Society with guest speaker Richard Schwartz on his new book “Earthquake Exodus, 1906” at 2 p.m. at the El Cerrito Senior Center, 6510 Stockton Ave., just behind the El Cerrito Library. www.elcerritowire.com/history 

97th Anniversary of Philip Temple CME Church, with a talk by Rev. Charles Haynes at 3 p.m. at 3233 Adeline St. 655-6527. 

Hands-On Bicycle Clinic on bicycle safety inspections from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

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 

“Are You Good Enough to be Published?” a workshop with Alan Rinzler at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Bob Byrne on “Deepening Meditation” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com  

Ancient Tools for Successful Living at 10:30 a.m., and the following three Sun. in April at 5272 Foothill Blvd. at Fairfax, Oakland. Cost is $8-$20. 533-5306. 

Chabad of Berkeley honoring Rabbi Yehuda Ferris at 5:30 p.m. at the ASUC Building, Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. Tickets are $125. 540-5824.  

MONDAY, APRIL 3 

“Youth Connect” To help connect transitional age youth to services and other experiential activities from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University Ave., at McGee.  

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

United Nations Association Film Festival “Statement of Hope and Courage” 6:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$10. 849-1752. unaeastbay@sbcglobal.net 

“Perspectives on Berkeley: Past and Present” Chuck Wollenberg’s Berkeley history class begins at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., and continues on Mon. evenings through May 22. Free. 981-6150. 

National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets to discuss options for senior housing at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. 287-8948. 

Green Business Discussion with green business leaders at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Free. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

“Healing from Sexual Abuse” with author Carolyn Lehman at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Neuropathic Treatment for Allergies and Hayfever at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“How to Expand Your Mind- Body Connection” at 5:30 pm. in the Rose Room at Mercy Retirement Center, 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $30 or $120 for the entire series. 534-8547, ext. 666. 

Introduction to Meditation at 6:45 p.m. at the Bay Zen Center, 315 Alcatraz near College Ave. Cost is $10. 596-3087. www.bayzen.org 

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. 

McGee Avenue Toastmasters meets at 7:30 p.m. at McGee Ave Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. 501-7005. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 4 

“Rafting the Colorado” A photo journey with Steve Miller at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“American Theocracy: Oil, Preachers, and Borrowed Money: America’s Coming Catastrophe” with author Kevin Phillips at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way.  

Discussion Salon on “Taxes and Investing” at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. at Rose. Please bring snacks to share, no peanuts please. 

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

Free Guitar and Music Lessons for Teachers Beginners at 7 p.m. and Intermediate at 8 p.m. at Marin Elementary School, 1001 Santa Fe Ave., Albany. Sponsored by Guitars in the Classroom. 848-9463. 

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. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 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. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association walk to explore the churches of North Berkeley. Meet at 10 a.m. at the large redwood in front of Live Oak Park Theater, 1301 Shattuck at Berryman. Bring water and a snack. 524-2383. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association Lecture with Darren Zook on “China and India” at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $40 for the eight lecture series. 526-2925. 

$390 Million Bond Measure for Peralta Community College District with Tom Smith, Chief Financial Officer for the Peralta Community College at 12:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. http://lwvbae.org 

Chiapas Support Committee Report from Zapatista Territory at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$15 sliding scale. 849-2568.  

“What I Have Learned About U.S. Foreign Policy: War Against the Third World” A compilation of documentaries about CIA covert operations at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 accepted. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Publisher’s Group West, 1700 Fourth St. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

“The Spanish Civil War—the First Battle in the War of Globalization” with Richard Bermack at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. www.brjcc.org 

Bookmark Nonfiction Group meets to discuss George Lakoff’s “Don’t Think of an Elephant” at 6:30 p.m. at Bookmark Bookstore, 721 Washington St., Oakland. 444-0473. 

“Awaken Your Strongest Self” with Neil Fiore, psychologist and hypnotist at 5 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave. 527-8929. 

Breema Open House at 6 p.m. at 6201 Florio St., Oakland. 428-1234. www.breema.com 

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 and a warm hat. 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.  

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

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. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. www.geocities. 

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 

“Sir, No Sir!” A preview screening benefit for Iraq Veterans Against the War, at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Lake Ave. Tickets are $8-$10. 415-255-7296, ext. 244. 

“Building with Nature” with Leslie Freudenheim at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St.  

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

“Model Citizen Canine” A lecture on teaching your dog good behavior at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books in Emeryville. 644-0729. www.openpaw.org 

Natural Solutions for Digestion at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Healthy Eating Habits Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne St. Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

ONGOING 

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.  

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is seeking volunteers who will spend a morning or afternoon greeting tour participants and answering questions at the free native plant garden tour, featuring sixty-four gardens located throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Sunday, May 7, 2006. Volunteers can select the garden they would like to spend time at by visiting the “Preview the 2006 Gardens” section at www.BringingBackTheNatives.net 

Public Art Opportunities Request for Entries The City of Berkeley is looking for artists for the 2006 Civic Center Art Competition and Exhibition. Entries are due April 18. For details contact the Civic Arts Program, 981-7533. 

Artwork for the Corporation Yard Gates Request for Proposals Applications are due April 3. For details call the Civic Arts Program at 981-7533. 

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. 

Find a Loving Animal Companion at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Adoption Center (open from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday). 2700 Ninth St. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org  

Medical Care for Your Pet at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society low-cost veterinary clinic. 2700 Ninth St. For appointments call 845-3633. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. April 3, at 7 p.m. the North Berkeley Senior Center. Erin Dando, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/planning/landuse/Creeks/ 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., April 3, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., April 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Tasha Tervelon, 981-5190. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Planning Commission meets Wed., April 5, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., April 6, 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. April 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., April 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., April 6, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning   

?

Over the years I’ve probably been asked how I inspect a house or what am I looking for at least a thousand times. It’s a valid question. I guess it’s like saying “How do you inspect a square kilometer of desert?” 

How do you decide what to look at and what to disregard and how, in a fixed frame of time do you arrive at the end and say anything of substance. Again, a valid question and sometimes troubling because no matter how much you see or what you have learned, there is bound to be more that you do not know. Therefore, one needs a methodology, a series of habits, some set protocols and perhaps a set of tools with which to carry those protocols out. 

Although there is great truth in what I have just said, there is a missing piece as is often true for mysterious trades like medicine and lawnmower repair. For me, the truth to my job is that I have to find a place where I can see a whole bunch of stuff and sit down and look. That’s right. I find a spot where I can see a wall or the underside of the house, or maybe the whole house and I look. 

If you sit in the woods very quietly in one place for a long time, you are going to begin to notice all sorts of things that would surely escape your notice when tromping along from one fiefdom to another. After a while you might start to notice the many sounds and perhaps eventually identify some of them. You might start to see that a line of ants were working their way from their hill to a tree-stump and back again. 

Inspecting a house, when done properly is a bit like this. It creates problems too because people sometimes come up to me and say, “How much longer is this going to take?” and I have to say, “When is the grasshopper going to lay its eggs in the tall grass?” my epicanthic folds hidden beneath the shadow of my muslin hood. 

This thing is mysterious, goshdarnit, and I refuse to be deterred by things like efficiency. Actually, this sort of unprejudiced seeing is very efficient, especially when I’ve seen something of importance that would have been missed in a hurried examination of the premises. 

The reason this works is that there is a great deal of “noise” when looking at houses. There’s so much raw data that you have to let your mind sit and filter out all the extraneous stuff at its own pace. 

Invariably, within a short while, the naturally curious mind will begin to weed out all the obvious stuff and start to notice that there are tiny holes in the joists under the floor (beetles?) or the fact that the cripple studs (the ones that hold up the joists) are all hanging off the edge of the foundation sill on one side. 

The best place to show this to people is from across the street from the house we’re looking at. 

If your vision is fair, you can probably make out relatively small cracks and all sorts of irregularities from this sort of distance but better, you can see things that are almost certainly missed when one is close to the house. I’ve often done this with clients when I noticed something that requires this distance and want to give them a treat. 

I invite them to cross the street with me and look back at the house. I ask them to look at everything and tell me what they see. They start with the color (that they HATE), the cultured stone veneer that they also hate (cultured, my inverse perspective!), the rocks on the roof (rocks on the roof?!) and then they say it. “Hey, the whole house is … sort of ... tilted to one side.” 

That’s when I hand out the junior inspector badge, the decoder ring and teach them the secret handshake. 

It didn’t take a professional to figure out that the house was wracked or tilted. It just took a few minutes of attentive seeing (which we all know is not the same as looking). 

Even the seller of the house may have been unaware. I swear to Joshua when I say that I saw a house about a month ago that had this very condition and the owner was completely unaware until I showed it to her. She recently left me a message saying that she is now seeing it and seeing it and seeing it. 

She walks by a doorway and sees that it’s a parallelogram but certainly not a rectangle. She notices the cracks and separations that had previously been filtered out by the busy brain (and this is a very bright woman). 

What it takes is a little extra time to stop and look. Now there is clearly more to it than that but this is my rule number one. The other part is to get your inverse perspective over to all the places where important things can be seen. 

So crawling under the house is important (if it’s a house you want to inspect), Getting into the attic and bringing your lunch, climbing on the roof and spending some special moments with the clouds and the shingle. This really works. Believe me. 

After a while you’ll start to learn all the other stuff but if you don’t get a look at every facet of the house from every perspective, you are destined to miss something and, conversely, if you don’t, it doesn’t matter how many gadgets you have or how sharp your visual acuity, you’re going to miss something. 

Another thing about this process is that it provides a lot of great raw data for the back-of-the-head, long-range, subconscious thinking stuff. After you’ve looking a lot at every angle and in every place around the house, lights tend to come on (yes, in your head). 

The illusory elements start to coalesce if you’ve given them enough material around which to form their germs. 

It has often been the case for me that it was only in the third hour (or later) of an inspection that some really important aspect began to come together. This might be a general issue regarding the manner of construction or it might be the fact that there had been a fire in the house some years ago and it took seeing a lot of little facts to bring it out. 

Again, the important thing is that one simply looks slowly and attentively to many aspects and lets the information slowly emerge. 

Now you’ll have to add some construction experience in order to use this method professionally but the next time you’re working with someone like me (or your auto mechanic) you can do what attentive clients have been doing to me for years.  

Just as I’m fully saddled upon my high horse pontificating about the dangers of dryer lint, my attentive client will point over my horse’s left ear and say “We’ll yes, but what about that hole in the side of the house?” 

Thank goodness, I’ve trained myself to control that blush response. 

Persistent readers may have noticed, in this and other writings in this and other publications (I refer specifically to my every-other-Tuesday back page column on the trees of Berkeley in the Daily Planet), that I have definite opinions and strong feelings about, of all things, the treatment of trees. 

I come by those honestly, through study and experience. I’ve recommended Plant Amnesty, a funny and accomplished gang based in Seattle, for some pointers on what—and what not—to do to trees in your care, but that’s not where I first learned about caring for them.  

There’s a resource closer to home than Seattle where you can learn about the principles of good pruning, and its people have gone way beyond my skills and knowledge. You can also hire many of these folks to work on your trees; visit the website below. I suggest watching while they work, if you can. There’s much to learn that way. You can learn in other ways from this new school too.  

In the 1980s, I took landscape horticulture classes up at Merritt College. I’ve had a number of brushes with academia, and this was absolutely my best experience of it. One really good part was meeting Dennis Makishima there. 

Already an accomplished professional arborist, he was taking an arboriculture class because he wanted to learn more about productive fruit trees. While he was doing that, he was teaching the rest of us about Japanese-style pruning. I think he couldn’t help it; he’s a born teacher.  

I lucked out and got to spend some time as Dennis’ apprentice. He took several of us on, at various stages and for various times, as he was expanding his own practice and later taking months off to study with a bonsai master in Japan. 

It soon became clear that there were more people eager to learn than he could handle that way, so he and several of his students founded the Merritt College Bonsai and Aesthetic Pruning Club. 

The two branches of the club, with some overlapping membership, meet periodically to learn and discuss trees, but a lot of the teaching goes on in classes that Dennis’ first few tiers of students teach at Merritt, and in their work on trees in local public gardens, communities, and institutions. That started with the refurbishing of the Japanese Friendship Garden at Lake Merritt, and expanded all around the Bay Area.  

One major accomplishment of the group is the bonsai garden, also at Lake Merritt, built and gardened largely through their volunteer work. Every volunteer job they do is also an occasion to pass on their knowledge, via talk and hands-on practice.  

Club members also teach Saturday classes at Merritt, for a modest fee—usually under $30. That’s a good place to start. It’s an investment in your trees, in your land and even property values, in your community. 

The hort department will throw its annual plant fair on Saturday, April 22, and that’s a good place to get acquainted with the pruning club. If you want to hire someone from this powerhouse group, there’s a list on their website.  

Merritt College Bonsai and  

Aesthetic Pruning Club 

www.aestheticpruning.org 

Fee class registration, call 436-2413  

Plant Amnesty 

www.plantamnesty.org 

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “Culture Clash’s Zorro in Hell” at 8 p.m. in the Roda Theater. Tickets are $45-$59. Runs through April 16. 647-2949.  

Masquers Playhouse “Relative Values” by Noel Coward. Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through May 6. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “Bright Ideas” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. to April 23. Tickets are $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

FILM 

The Enchanting World of Jacques Demy “Bay of Angels” at 7 p.m. and “Model Shop” at 8:35 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mark Klett and Rebecca Solnit describe “After the Ruins, 1906 and 2006: Rephotographing the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Duamuxa, worker’s songs from the countryside to the factory, in celebration of Cesar Chavez’ birthday at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jazz From Finland with drummer Andre Sumelius in trio with Jussi Kannaste, saxophone, and John Shifflet, bass, at 8 p.m. at Da Silva Ukulele Co., 2547 Eighth St. Donation $10. Sponsored by The Jazz House, 415-846-9432. 

Karen Wells, Madeline Prager, and John Burke perform Mozart, Brahms and Shostakovish at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Cost is $12. 848-1228. 

“Dangerous Beauty” Hip-hop, modern, African and jazz dance, with spoken word and rap performed by Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company at 7:30 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourde Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $6-$20. 597-1619. 

ACL/Nac1, underground hip hop, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

Hurricane Sam & The Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Slammin’ with Keith Terry at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13-$15. 525-5054.  

Chojo Jacques at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Shana Morrison at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Scott Amendola’s “Monk Trio” at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Ni Project at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Godstomper, Crime Desire, Bafabegiya at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

The Regiment at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 1 

CHILDREN 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Juanita Ulloa & Ginny Morgan, songs from Mexico and Latin America, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Inside Out” Detail in Dress from 1850 to the Jazz Age opens at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, 2982 Adeline St. Open Mon.-Sat. noon to 6 p.m. 843-7178. 

“Cultural Encounters” travel photographs of Canada, China and Turkey by members of the Berkeley Camera Club. Reception at 1 p.m. at the San Pablo Arts Gallery, 13831 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo. 215-3204. 

“Aftershock! Voices from the 1906 Earthquake and Fire” with artifacts and photographs, opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Pastels by Leslie Firestone at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave., through April 30. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

“Modulations of Light” color photographs by Sidney J.P. Hollister. Reception at 6 p.m. at Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. 644-1400.  

FILM 

The Enchanting World of Jacques Demy “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” at 6:30 p.m., “Jacquot” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Creating an Illustrated Field Guide for the Sierra Nevada” with John (Jack) Muir Laws at 10:30 a.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Sarah Waters introduces her novel “The Night Watch” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Bay Area Poets Coalition Open Reading at 3 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on street. 527-9905. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Novello Quartet celebrates Mozart’s 250th birthday at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St., between Durant and Bancroft. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

Pacific Boychoir sings Bach at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. 452-4722.  

“Dangerous Beauty” Hip-hop, modern, African and jazz dance, with spoken word and rap performed by Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company at 7:30 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourde Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $6-$20. 597-1619. 

New Praise Choir performs at the 97th Anniversary of the Philip Temple CME Church at 5 p.m. at 3233 Adeline St. 655-6527. 

Duct Tape Mafia in a benefit for the Africa Educational Trust at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $10. For all ages. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Berkeley Broadway Singers “April in Paris” at 8 p.m. at St. Ambrose Church, 1145 Gilman St. at Cornell. Free, donations appreciated. 604-5732. 

The Mixers, classic rock, ska/reggae, blues, at 10 p.m. at The Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $7. 524-9220.  

Eddie Palmieri and His Septet at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall , UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988.  

The Venezuelan Music Project at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Tickets are $12-$14. 849-2568.  

Mad and Eddie Duran Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Edlos. a capella, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Braziu at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$12. 548-1159.  

Grapefruit Ed with Pickin Trix at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$12. 525-5054.  

The Ravines, folk rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

The D Sides and Cowpokes for Peace at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Sol Rebelz, The Attick, Illadapted at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

The People, Blue Bone Express at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Jewdriver, Until the Fall, The Shemps at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Hip Bones, instrumental jazz eith funk and rock, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Mel Sharpe’s Big Money in Gumbo Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

SUNDAY, APRIL 2 

CHILDREN  

“Eggstravaganza” Celebrate spring with an egg decorating contest, egg games and activities from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wild Things” with watercolor artist Rita Sklar. Reception at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Jeanne Dunning “Study After Untitled” Guided tour at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 642-0808. 

FILM 

The Enchanting World of Jacques Demy “the Young Girls of Rochefort” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Houses and Housings: Portability in Jewish Faith and Culture” with Henry Shreibman in conjunction with the current exhibit at the Magnes Museum, at 2 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

“Tails of Devotion: A Look at the Bond Between People and Their Pets” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Flash with Greg Hewett and Ted Mathys at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

BUSD Performing Arts Showcase from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Community Theater, Allston Way between MLK and Milvia. 644-8772. 

Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers at 4 p.m. at St. Ambrose Church, 1145 Gilman St. at Cornell. Tickets are $5-$10. 887-4311. www.ggbc.org 

San Francisco City Chorus performs Handel’s “Israel in Egypt” at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $13-$20. 415-701-7664.  

Sor Ensemble performs chamber music by Shostakovich at 4 p.m. at the Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. at Sacramento. Tickets are $12, free for children. www.crowden.org 

San Francisco Choral Artists “Wisdom of the Ages: Sages and Seers” at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $18-$25. 415-979-5779. 

Berkeley Broadway Singers “April in Paris” at 4 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church, 400 Alcatraz Ave. Free, donations appreciated. 604-5732. 

Leslie Hassberg sings Women Singer-Songwriters of the 60s and 70s, at 4 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Cost is $12-$15.  

“Dangerous Beauty” Hip-hop, modern, African and jazz dance, with spoken word and rap performed by Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourde Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $6-$20. 597-1619. 

Brentano String Quartet, with Hsin-Yun Huang, viola, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Pre-concert talk with Mark Steinberg at 2 p.m. Tickets are $42, available from 642-9988.  

Twang Cafe, americana, at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

Bandworks from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with 17 youth bands at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. 

Houston Jones at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Vocal Sauce at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged bluegrass and oldtime music showcase at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Pierre Bensuan, French-Algerian guitar, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $21.50-$22.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Variety Show with Raum, Ula, a shadow puppet show and short films at 3 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $4. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, APRIL 3 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab: muwumpin presents “Frankie & Johnny” Mon. and Tues. to April 18 at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $10. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

FILM 

United Nations Association Film Festival “Statement of Hope and Courage” 6:30 p.m.at Pacific Film Archive, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$10. 849-1752. 

“Stupid Cupid” at 9:30 p.m. at the Parkway Theater in Oakland. Director Chris Housh and several cast members will be present. Cost is $5. 593-9069. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Actors Reading Writers, short stories by Penelope Lively and W. Somerset Maugham at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Free. 

Poetry Express with KC Frogge and guest Frank Anthony at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $3-$7. 642-4864. 

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

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 4 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab: muwumpin presents “Frankie & Johnny” Mon. and Tues. to April 18 at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $10. 841-6500.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“American Mythology: The Monstrous and the Marvelous” Works by 22 artists on the idea of the mythic, opens at 4 p.m. at the Worth Ryder Gallery, UC Campus, College and Bancroft. 

“Nude Photographic Work” by Dana Davis opens the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave., and runs through June 29. 

FILM 

Vantage Points: New Docu- 

mentaries by Women “The Tailenders” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kevin Phillips on “American Theocracy: Oil, Preachers, and Borrowed Money: America’s Coming Catastrophe” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Seating opens at 6:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Mimi Koehl author of “Wave-Swept Shore: The Rigors of Life on a Rocky Coast,” with photographs by Anne Wertheim at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

Freight and Salvage Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $4.50$5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bandworks with five teen and adult bands at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

PhilipsMarine Duo at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Karen Blixt at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 

THEATER 

The Marsh Berkeley “Faulty Intellegence”satirical songs by Roy Zimmerman, Wed.-Thurs. at 7 p.m. at 2118 Allston Way, through April 27. Tickets are $15-$22. www.themarsh.org 

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “Au Hasard Balthazar” at 3 p.m. and Video: Recent and Strange at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Treasures “A Conversation with John Toki,” ceramic sculptor, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. 644-6893. 

“Creativity is a Muscle” A beginner’s guide to community-based arts with Mat Schwarzman at noon at California College of the Arts, Center for Art in Public Life, 5275 Broadway. 

“Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade” with photographer Richard Bermack at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Suggested donation $5. 848-0237. 

Theodore Roszak will speak about his book “World Beware: American Triumphalism in an Age of Terror” at 1 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic. 524-9122. 

Gary Hart looks at “God and Caesar in America: An Essay on Religion and Politcs” at 12:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

David Edmonds introduces “Rousseau’s Dog” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Movement Spring 2006 Showcase at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Also on Thurs. Tickets are $8. 925-798-1300. 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with the Copland and Beethoven Quartets at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Ned Boynton Trio with Jules Broussard on sax, at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Edessa at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

3 Strikez and guests at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Neurohumors, improvisational music, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277.

“I get goosebumps listening to that music,” Howard Wiley said. “Anything you do that gives you goosebumps—that experience is good.” 

Saxophonist Wiley was talking about the spirituals and field shouts of prisoners in Louisiana’s Angola State Prison—and the musical sounds from his own background—that brought him to create his “Angola State Project,” commissioned works that set these songs for an unusual sextet plus two vocalists that he will lead at the premiere this Tuesday at Intersection For The Arts, 446 Valencia St., near 16th Street, in San Francisco’s Mission District.  

Wiley, a Berkeley native and Berkeley High alumnus who has been attracting national attention as a player, credited his writer friend, John Atkinson (who wrote the notes for Wiley’s CD) with getting him to hear the Angola inmates’ music. 

“He hounded me to listen to it, so I came home one day from the airport, picked up an album at Down Home Music in El Cerrito, and listened to ‘Rise And Fly.’” Wiley said. “It was something I’d never heard before. It had that intangible something I got in listening to Coltrane or Mahalia Jackson, but not nearly so refined. You could call it transcedant spirituality.”  

Wiley explained how the Project unfolded. 

“My friend made a trip down there and came back with a recording, emailing me two tracks,” he said. “That solidified it for me. I made him mail me all the pictures and documentation of the trip. I wanted to present it in some way, do this music justice—take it to the next level.”  

Angola State Prison is a self-sufficient, enclosed, working prison plantation, part of a three-prison farm system that includes the more notorious Parchman Farm. Pioneer music ethnographer Alan Lomax made field recordings there in the middle of last century. The tradition endures—and captivated Wiley. 

“When somebody entraps you like what these guys did ... I’d be listening to The Pure Hard Messengers, a quartet doing ‘The Keys To The City,’ and I’d think, ‘Man! Prisoners? In jail, struggling to find the key?’” Wiley said. “I was listening more and more, breaking down and analysing what these untrained musicians, these singers could do—so many inflections, so much personality ... It’s so powerful, moving; weird seven bar, two and three bar phrases in odd meters—it’s like the intro to ‘A Love Supreme.’” 

The Intersection commission—Wiley’s first commission—came through Kevin Chan. 

“He deals with pre-jazz, with the development of American music, and is familiar with Angola,” Wiley said. “The commission made it possible for me to compose two pieces.” 

Rob Woodworth of The Jazz House, where Wiley played and jammed when it was on Adeline Street, and since, is co-producing the project.  

Wiley’s band will feature his saxophone playing (tenor and soprano), trumpet, two acoustic basses, a cello, drums and two singers. ”One opera, one scat,” Wiley explained. “It’s very odd instrumentation with a very unique sound, reflecting the influences we’ll bring to it, to add our experience and interpretation. Those harmonies strike a chord, undeniable when it hits that chord, like when Coltrane did.” 

Wiley said he first heard that “intangible something” in the music at the churches his grandmother and mother took him to, Star of Bethel and Triumph Church of God and Christ, both in Oakland. 

“Every Sunday for 16 years,” he said, “I had a choice—and I decided to bypass the belt and go. It was the source of my inspiration. I played, learned in A flat—not the new jazz keys. There was one sister there, I loved to go and hear her sing; she sounded just like Mahalia. then I caught that thing again in Bird, in Coltrane playing ‘Blues Attributed To Sidney Bechet’ and in late Billie Holiday ... and Ornette Coleman’s ‘Lonely Woman,’ where I couldn’t hear the form and didn’t know what’s going on ... 

“Now I’ve picked those who embody that something, to add some vibe and flavor to the Project. We can’t just sit and play patterns ... where’s the inspiration? That’s what music is.” 

Howard Wiley and The Angola Project performs April 4, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., at the Intersection For The Arts, 446 Valencia St., San Francisco. $12-20. For more information, see www.theintersection.org.

The Jazz House, homeless this past year and a half since losing their lease on Adeline Street, is coming back to Berkeley tonight (Friday) at 8 p.m. with a show by young Finnish drummer Andre Sumelius, with his countryman, saxophonist Jussi Kannaste, and bassist John Shifflett, at Da Silva’s Ukelele Shop, 2547 Eighth St., co-produced by Berkeley Arts Festival. Sumelius won the Finnish Grammy for his 2001 album Kira.  

“Andre plays straight-ahead jazz,” said Rob Woolworth. “He first met local players right after he moved here, jamming with Howard Wiley and Dana Stephens at The Jazz House. He fit right in. Steve Da Silva’s Ukelele Shop has mostly featured intimate, world music-type shows, like house parties. It should be perfect for Andre’s trio.” 

André Sumelius trio performs March 31, 8 p.m., at DaSilva Ukulele Company, 2547 8th St., No. 28, Berkeley. Tickets $10. For more information, see www.thejazzhouse.org. 

›

Jacques Demy has taken a lot of hits over the years. He was a man who attempted to make movies for everyone, yet he was never what people wanted him to be. He wasn’t political enough, wasn’t edgy enough, wasn’t rebellious enough. 

But his critics were often missing the point. Demy did not aspire to be political, edgy or rebellious. He did not attempt to portray characters burdened with the world’s problems. He didn’t look for timely themes, didn’t try to capture a moment in history. Demy was more concerned with the timeless themes of love, happiness and heartache; he merely wanted to show people swept up in the joy and agony of love.  

Pacific Film Archive is seeking to rectify these misconceptions with “The Enchanting World of Jacques Demy,” a series of five of his films, as well as Jacquot, a documentary about the director made by his wife, filmmaker Agnes Varda. The series began Thursday and runs through Sunday.  

Demy’s first film, Lola, was greeted with praise by his contemporaries. Lola embodied so much of what the French New Wave embraced: young French people in modern, realistic locales, facing real-life dilemmas, sprinkled with references to American movies and culture. 

The New Wave was about aesthetics and attitude; its characters shared a certain disaffection with or alienation from their surroundings. Demy’s work shares the referential nature of the New Wave; his films are steeped in Hollywood lore and mannerisms, but he doesn’t share the New Wave’s alienation and rebelliousness. For while Demy’s characters may become restless and disenchanted with their surroundings, all it takes is a little affection from the opposite sex to rekindle their excitement with the world—much too bourgeois for the New Wave. 

Lola’s male lead, Roland (Marc Michel), is lost and wandering through life, as are his counterparts in such New Wave classics as Francois Truffaut’s 400 Blows and Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless and Band of Outsiders. But there is no grand meaning or sociological statement behind Roland’s predicament—he’s just lazy. And lonely. He wanders from job to job and cafe to cafe, but he’s not looking for a religion, a political cause, or for fulfillment through work. Nor is he searching for identity, really. He is simply looking for love. And yes, it is through companionship that he hopes to find meaning and fulfillment, but this is almost an afterthought; Roland more or less just wants to be happy. 

Though Lola has all the trappings of the New Wave, it is at odds with the movement in that its story is at its root a simple one. Demy is not trying to make a grand statement, he is only trying to make a movie about love lost, found and lost again. 

Demy was also at odds with the political motivations of the Left Bank school of thought, of which Varda was a cornerstone. Once again, somewhat by chance, he had become associated with a school of filmmaking to whose tenets he did not adhere, and this misunderstanding of his work and his aspirations again led to criticism. His films are not about politics; they are about love, romance, dreams and failure, all wrapped up in a layer of escapism.  

And this informs one of the central premises behind Demy’s work: that pain and loss go down better with a layer of frosting. His films are light, fluffy confections of infectious music, swirling emotions and bright, lovely faces surrounded by bright, lovely colors. 

The actors in Demy’s films are young, beautiful and full of dreams and longing, and it is difficult not to fall for them. The women—from Anouk Aimée’s Lola to Catherine Deneuve’s Genevieve to Ellen Farner’s Madeleine and even Annie Dupéroux’s precocious 14-year-old Cécile—are without fail lovely and engaging and easily draw empathy from the audience. 

Unlike Godard’s heroines, who often have a certain detached aura, Demy’s women have more in common with the flushed-faced excitable young belles of Hollywood’s heyday. Demy’s actresses evince the fresh, bubbly wholesomeness of the Hollywood starlets of the ‘40s and ‘50s while managing to convey much of the moodiness, sultriness and complexity of America’s leading ladies of the ‘20s and ‘30s. 

The men likewise are compelling, though Roland at times seems a bit too bland to be fully engaging. Guy on the other hand, in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, with his gentle, soulful eyes and all-around good-guy qualities, is a sympathetic character from the start. 

In 1967 Demy pursued Gene Kelly as star and choreographer for The Young Girls of Rochefort. Kelly, already in his mid-50s, was well past his song-and-dance prime and was working primarily as a director. Bringing him back in front of the camera in a French musical may have seemed like an odd decision at the time, but it was a perfectly logical extension of Demy’s work. Demy was a great admirer of Hollywood’s golden age of musicals, and Kelly especially embodied much of the creative spirit Demy sought for his films.  

Check out Kelly’s musicals of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s and you can see the influence they had on Demy. Kelly was fascinated with dreams and fantasy, placing in each of his great films extended show-stopping dream sequences full of color, dance and romance. On The Town features a balletic demonstration of love and longing; An American in Paris shows the whirlwind of emotions of a couple in love amid the joy and glamor of Gay Paree; and Singin’ in the Rain features an episodic sequence filled with bright, splashy colors as his Don Lockwood character goes from rags to riches to lovelorn in 10 minutes of highly stylized fantasy.  

There is a satisfying thread that runs through the PFA series. Umbrellas, strong on its own merits, is all the more engaging when you have seen Lola, which gives you the full import of the character of Roland—his wandering spirit, his lost love, and all the pain and shiftlessness that leads him to Genevieve and to the profession of diamond-selling. (You’ll have to rent Lola though; it screened at PFA on Thursday.) And Model Shop likewise gives the audience a chance to follow up on Lola’s title character, catching up with her after she has left France and made her way to Los Angeles.  

To see these films together makes clear what so many of Demy’s critics missed: that he was in fact a filmmaker of great originality and integrity. He may not have been the director some wanted him to be, but he stayed true to his vision, making simple, emotional movies about simple, emotional people, regardless of the politics, trends and preferences of his era. 

The Enchanting World of  

Jacques Demy 

Bay of Angels 

Friday, 7 p.m. 

Model Shop 

Friday, 8:45 p.m. 

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg  

Saturday, 6:30 p.m. 

Jacquot 

Saturday, 8:30 p.m. 

The Young Girls of Rochefort 

Sunday, 3 p.m.  

Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way.  

642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu.r