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.  

NCRA Recycling Update The Northern California Recycling Association’s eleventh annual Recycling Update with experts on what is happening and what works in the world of resource recovery. From 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the California State Office Bldg.,1515 Clay St., Oakland. Cost is $80, includes lunch and refreshments. 217-2433. www.ncrarecycles.org 

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 

$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 

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. 

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. 

“Who Wants to Be a Mathematician?” A competition for the smartest Bay Area math students, semi-finals at 11 a.m. finals at noon atSimons Auditorium in Chern Hall at MSRI in Berkeley. www.msri.org 

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 

Teach-In and Vigil on U.S. Torture Policy, every Thurs. from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. outside the classroom of Prof. John Yoo, Boalt Hall, UC Campus. Weekly speakers. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and other organizations. www.bpf.org 

“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. 845-6874. 

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 

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Bernice Linnard & Dennis Kuby on “Why Shakespeare Matters” 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. 

Inspiration Point Walk Meet at 4 p.m. in the Inspiration Point parking lot for this walk with stunning views. Walk at your own pace. Rain cancels. Sponsored by Solo Sierrans. 925-376-4529. 

Poison Safety Day at 11 a.m. at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org  

“To Bethlehem and Beyond” A report-back with Jim Haber at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 2125 Jefferson St. 482-1062. 

Fundraiser for Sacred Ride to Albuquerque to promote green energy in the Native community at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita. Cost is $10. zacharyrunningwolf@yahoo.com 

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

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A drop-in, rated scholastic tournament follows from 7 to 8 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 8 

Yard Sale and Bake Sale to benefit the animals of the Berkeley Animal Shelter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1257 Hopkins St. http://share4shelter.org/ 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association walk to explore the paths and gardens of the Claremont district. Meet at 10 a.m. at the historic plaque at the northeast corner of Claremont Ave. and The Uplands. Bring water and a snack. 524-2383. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Toddler Nature Walk to look for different animal habitats at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Especially for 2-3 year olds and their grown-ups. 525-2233. 

“Alternative Materials Cob and Strawbale” an introduction to two natural building materials from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $75. 525-7610. www.bldgeductr.org/seminars 

“Two Seas, Two Feet” with Andrew Skurka who walked the entire 7,778-mile transcontinental Sea-to-Sea Route, at noon at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“Dilemmas of Getting Old: How Can We Cope?” A presentation by Nina Falk at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley co-Housing Community Room, 2220 Sacramento St. Presented by OWL, Older Women’s League. 528-3739. 

Organic Vegetable Gardening Learn how to grow your own food from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UC Village Community Garden in Albany. Cost is $10-$15. Registration required. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Berkeley History Center Walking Tour: “Downtown! Culture and Character Before World War II” led by Steve Finacom, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0181. www.cityofberkeley.info/histsoc 

Bird Walk on Mt. Wanda led by Park Ranger Cheryl Abel. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Ave. and Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and binoculars. Rain cancels. 925-228-8860. 

Beyond Good Intentions Equipping the Ministries of LGBT Allies from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Episcopal seminary in Berkeley, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2451 Ridge Rd. Free, but registration required. 204-0720. allytraining@gmail.com  

“Menopause: A Naturaopathic Perspective” at 4 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave. 527-8929. 

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

Fasting Made Easy at 4 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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. 

Jewish Literature Discussion Group on “The Centaur in the Garden” by Moacyr Scliar at 2 p.m. at The Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 9 

Garden Glory A walk through the native plant butterfly garden and a chance to lend a hand pulling weeds, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“Green Sunday” on the The Criminalization of Our Culture with Mike Wyman, Green Party Candidate for Attorney General, at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. 841-8678. 

Steps for Peace: Peace Festival & Walk Around Lake Merritt Peace Social at 1 p.m., Peace Awqards at 2 p.m., and Peace WAlk at 3 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. 336-3676. pearising@sbcglobal.net 

California Horticultural Society’s Plant Sale, featuring thousands of unusual and rare plants and free lectures by gardening experts, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., off Grand Ave., Oakland. www.calhortsociety.org  

Red Oak Victory Ship Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berth #6, 1337 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Cost is $6, children under 5 free. 237-2933. 

National Women’s Political Caucus Susan B. Anthony Award will be presented to the California Nurses Association at 4 p.m. at the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 549-2839. 

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

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 

Beat the Cycle of Stress at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Feminism and Religious Dialogue” with Jewish scholoar Susannah Heschel at 11 a.m., brunch at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. Cost is $5. RSVP to 848-0237, ext. 132. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Bob Russo on “Prayer Wheels for the West” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, APRIL 10 

Earthquake Day Make a house that keeps standing when the earth moves, from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 642-5132. 

“Punishment and Redemption: The Death Penalty in America” with Judith Kay and Elisabeth Semel at 4:30 p.m. in the Richard S. Dinner Boardroom, 2400 Ridge Rd. Free and open to the public, but RSVP appreciated. 649-2420. 

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

Freedom From Tobacco A new series of free quit smoking classes, with the option of free hypnosis begins at 5:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, and runs through May 15th. To sign up call 981-5330. 

“End of Life Medical Issues” with Dr. McGillis at 10:30 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-5190. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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 

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 

School Board meets Wed. April 5 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Queen Graham 644-6147 or Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

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   

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. April 10, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Youth Commission meets Mon., April 10, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/youth 

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. 

“Everyting I Know, I Learned in the Movies” Color photography by Ann P. Meredith opens at Muse Media Center, 4221 Hollis St. at Park Ave. Emeryville. 655-1111. 

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. Cost is $4.50$5.50. 548-1761.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bandworks with five teen and adult bands at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 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.  

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.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays 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.  

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. 

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.  

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.  

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. 

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

Neurohumors, improv, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Sakai, neo-soul singer, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Drawn Together by Line” works on paper by Nora Pauwels, Ann Stoeher and Livia Stein, opens at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Reception at 6 p.m. 549-2977.  

“Amid Abstraction” Paintings by Mary Vaughan at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473.  

“Masque Romance ... George to Genesse” works by visually impaired artist Genesse McGaugh. Reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Prescott-Joseph Center, 920 Peralta St., off 10th St. in West Oakland. 835-8683. 

Livia Stein Paintings and works on paper. Reception at 4 p.m. at the Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. 817-5773. 

FILM 

65 Seconds that Shook the Earth Commemorating the 1906 Earthquake with works by George Kuchar, Christina McPhee, Dolissa Medina, Bill Morrison, and Semiconductor at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES.  

Leslie Freudenheim presents “Building with Nature” at 7:30 p.m. Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

Jan Steckel, poet, followed by open mic at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Jacquelyn Baas author of “Smile of the Buddha: Eastern Philosophy and Western Art from Monet to Today,” in conversation with Lawrence Rinder at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

Robert Barnett introduces “Lhasa: Streets with Memories” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

Word Beat Reading Series with Alice Templeton and Christina Hutchins at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet and Orchestra “Swan Lake” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $36-$68. 642-9988.  

Garnet Rogers, musical storyteller, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

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

The Buttless Chaps, Lane Murchison, The Porch Flies at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082.  

Chelle and Friends at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568.  

Sebastien Lanson & Marcus Shelby at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Subnautic, electronic jazz funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Joey DeFrancesco with George Coleman at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $15-$22. 238-9200.  

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 

CHILDREN 

Stage Door Conservatory Children’s Musical Theater presents “Into the Woods, Jr.” at 7:30 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$20 sliding scale, for adults, $10, children. 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “The Devil’s Disciple” by G.B. Shaw, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through May 6. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

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” opens at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. and runs Thurs.-Sun. to April 23. Tickets are $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

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

“Books Open, TV Off” An exhibition to promote reading. Reception at noon at Richmond Health Center, 100 38th St. (enter at 39th and Bissell), Richmond. Sponsored by ArtsChange. www.artschange.org 

“Headache New Work” Figurative sculpture and line drawings by John Casey and Lucien Shapiro. Reception at 7 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. www.boontlinggallery.com 

“Organics 3” Cibachrome prints by Kiyo Eshima. Reception at 6 p.m. at Fertile Grounds Café, 1796 Shattuck Ave. Through April 30. 548-1423. 

“Gigantic” A group show exporing scale, proportion, and impact in a variety of media. Reception at 7 p.m. at auto3321art gallery, 3321 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 593- 8489. 

FILM 

65 Seconds that Shook the Earth Commemorating the 1906 Earthquake “Earthquake” at 8 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

2006 EarthDance: Short Attention Span Environmental FIlm Festival at 7 and 9 p.m., with receptions at 6 and 8 p.m at the Oakland Museum of California. Cost is $8. 238-2200. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

J. California Cooper reads from his collection of short stories, “Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns”at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Iris Stone, violin, and Eva-Maria Zimmerman, piano, at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Cost is $12. 848-1228.  

Chamber Music at noon at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 

“Music in the Dharma, Dharma in the Music” Songs that embody the teachings of Buddha, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinely Ave. 845-2215. 

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet “Swan Lake” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $36-$68. 642-9988.  

Future Action Villians, Coin Operated Machine, Stereo Chromatic at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Monk’s Bones at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Rami Khalife & Kinan Azmeh, Arabic, jazz, contemporary and classical music at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$18. 849-2568.  

Helene Attia/Owen Davis Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums with Ms Carmen Getit at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Judy Wezler, jazz, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Del Rey & Steve James, Eric & Suzy Thompson, traditional American music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Jon Steiner Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Nate Cooper and Jack Irving at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Oddua, Diamond Moodie, Judea Eden Band at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Brutal Knights, Tamora, Rabies at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

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

Stolen Bibles at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Joey DeFrancesco with George Coleman at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $15-$22. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, APRIL 8 

CHILDREN 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Bonnie Lockhart, interactive music for children, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568.  

Stage Door Conservatory Children’s Musical Theater presents “Into the Woods, Jr.” Sat. and Sun. at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10-$20. 

EXHIBITIONS 

The Crucible Student Art Show and Open House from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1260 Seventh St., at Union, Oakland. www.thecrucible.org 

Nancy Backstrom watercolor show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at the Terrace Cafe, 5891 Broadway Terrace, at Clarewood, Oakland. 482-9602. 

FILM 

65 Seconds that Shook the Earth Commemorating the 1906 Earthquake “Disaster at Dawn” at 7 p.m. and “Flame of the Barbary Coast” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rhythm & Muse All Open Mic at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose Sts. 644-6893.  

“How Poetry Can End Global Warming, and Other Dilemmas” with Robert Aquinas McNally at the Annual Poets’ Dinner at noon at Spenger’s on Fourth St. Tickets are $25. 

Traditional Chinese Opera Lecture and demonstration with Grace Wang, Roger Lin, and Mark Kuo at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Shattuck. 981-6136. 

California Society of Printmakers annual business meeting and public program with Larissa Goldston of the Larissa Goldston Gallery in New York City, and Pam Paulson and Renee Bott, of Paulson Press in Berkeley, from noon to 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

American Bach Soloists, with soloist Mary Wilson, at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $18-$40. 415-621-7900.  

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet and Orchestra “Swan Lake” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $36-$68. 642-9988.  

African Music & Dance Ensemble at 8 p.m. in Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $3-$10. 642-9988. 

Claudia Schmidt at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

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

Yancie Taylor Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Son De Madera at 8 p.m. at at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568.  

Gary Wade at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7 per family. 558-0881. 

The Highway Robbers , The Devil's Own , The Wiggle Wagons at 10 p.m. at The Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $7. 524-9220.  

Jai Uttal & The Pagan Love Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Last, Nasty Habits, Aliplast at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Dick Conte Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Evan Raymond and Splintered Tree at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Tarnation, Last of the Blacksmiths, Two Sheds at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Hostile Takeover, Annihilation, Bad Reaction at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

CV1 at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 9 

ARCHITECTURE TOUR 

Oakland Museum of California Tour of the building and gardens, designed by architect Kevin Roche and landscape architect Dan Kiley. Meet at 1 p.m. at the koi pond on the first level. 238-2200. 

EXHIBITIONS 

Berkeley Treasures Series 1 Opening Reception at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893. 

The Crucible Student Art Show and Open House from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1260 Seventh St., at Union, Oakland. www.thecrucible.org 

FILM 

65 Seconds that Shook the Earth Commemorating the 1906 Earthquake “The Night the World Exploded” at 6 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Laura Sims, Danielle Pafunda and Geraldine Kim, poets at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Joanna Fuhrman, Donna De La Pierre and Joseph Lease will read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

“Selections from the Collection” A gallery talk and booksigning, Peter Selz with Timothy Dresser at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum. 642-0808.  

Poetry Flash with Phyllis Stowell and Elaine Terranova at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet “Swan Lake” at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $36-$68. 642-9988.  

Trio Tangria at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Grupo Folklórico, Reflejos de México at 2 and 4 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$7. 849-2568.  

Bill McHenry Trio at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Willy Porter, guitarist and songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Flamenco Open Stage with Adela Clara & La Monica at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Philips Marine Duo at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

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

The Ballad Singer strikes up with the one about Mack The Knife—“Mackie Messer,” more properly—and the upside-down underworld odyssey of Brecht and Weill’s Threepenny Opera begins. 

The show runs the gamut through the stews, prisons and streetlife of a L ondon that’s really Weimar Republic Berlin (or anywhere “civilized” today) as the quarrels and antics of beggars, crooks and whores are valorized in great songs that have become the staple of cabaret. 

Virago Theatre Co.’s reprise of their sold-out run of this masterpiece of musical theater, which plays this Saturday at Alameda’s Masonic Hall, capitalizes on all these elements. 

Though staged many times, and filmed several—with roles originated or taken up by performers ranging from Weill’s wife Lotte Len ya and Peter Lorre, to Raul Julia and Sammy Davis, Jr.—most people are familiar with at least a song or two, rather than the full-dress version. And Virago’s production takes it up from here with staging that has the flexibility of cabaret. 

“The actors e ngage with the audience,” said Virago’s Artistic Director Laura Lundy-Paine, who staged the show. “Mack The Knife will take a seat next to a spectator, glance at their program, even blow them a kiss. The songs are directed to the audience, and the ensembl e performs the action around it. 

We’ve done everything, too, to make this performance one of today’s world—no accents, no historical settings. When Peachum, the head of the beggars union, derides Mack The Knife for being a crook while Peachum’s a business man, when one character offhandedly orders another to die—these are the lawless struggles among the powerful in any city, anywhere, any time in history.” 

Virago’s production is mounted with a pocket orchestra of three (piano, accordion and drums) and a c ast of nine, most of whom act multiple roles. 

“It’s fun to watch spectators flip through their programs to identify a tough gangmember that just came onstage,” laughed Lundy-Paine, “when they just saw the same actor singing demurely, quite a lady!” 

Ther e’s been a spate of Brecht revivals over the past year or so, the first time since the ‘60s and ‘70s that as much interest has been shown to the socially-conscious playwright, who endeavored to found a form of theater on a new way of getting the message a cross. 

Threepenny Opera, his most popular work (and one of a handful of works he did with composer Weill), both charms and scalds the audience, its easy air of skepticism a model for the cynical pose of later representations of pre-World War II Weimar Be rlin, like Caberet. 

Based on John Gay’s 18th century ballad drama, The Beggar’s Opera, this masterpiece has the timeless air of its predecessor—a satiric touch for the sacred cows of polite society, an ageless entertainment that delivers its message with a crooked smile. 

Virago Theatre presents Threepenny Opera at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8 at Masonic Hall, 2312 Alameda Ave., Alemeda. $17; students $10. For more information, call 865-6237 or see www.viragotheatre.org. 

Photo by: Philip Kaake 

Virago Theatre’s Cynthia Rogers Baggot, Michelle Mills, Anthony Abate and Eileen Meredith perform Threepenny Opera in Alameda this Saturday.

“How much do I love my child?” The question is repeated over and over like a mantra in Eric Coble’s Bright Ideas, a comedy that “combines Macbeth, pesto and murder,” now running in Shotgun Players’ production at the Ashby Stage. 

Joshua (Ben Ortega) and Genevra (Anna Ishida) are ambitious young parents, but haunted by their memories of a hard-scrabble upbringing and put off by the more middle-class couples they find themselves competing with at work and with the jockeying to get their three-year old into a prestigious preschool. 

Finding out her colleague Denise (Melanie Case) has placed her son at the prestigious Bright Ideas, where Genevra and Josh’s little boy’s on the waiting list, through a well-placed family donation to the school’s aquatic center, Genevra invites divorcee Denise over to dinner. Dinner develops into a culinary conspiracy to “whack” the mom of their little boy’s competitor, sending the orphan back to grandparents and freeing their wait-listed preschooler “to matriculate among the pros,” as poet Lew Welch once dubbed his (higher) educational opportunities.  

Spurred on by her husband, who needles her with an inverted “what kind of mother are you?” argument, Genevra prepares a killer pasta pesto. Among the many comic gestures in the show, the couple’s green-stained hands brandished over their Cuisine-Art with ghastly, appalled expressions—between sprints to the living room by Josh to “entertain” their unsuspecting guest and back to the kitchen to escape her advances—bring some faux-melodramatic theatrical parody to the glib, amusing gags of Coble’s script. 

Bright Ideas is a kind of Macbeth of the dotcoms, its atrocities appropriately escalating with a role-reversal: Josh, so hot on doing the deadly deed to ensure their son’s future, seems hit by the consequences, sliding into alcoholism and self-pity, while Genevra’s now flush with ambition, after quailing at dispatching her perceived rival mother. She becomes the meglomaniacal soccer mom of the preschool, organizing field trips that exhaust the kids, spurring competition among the other parents that amounts to blood-sport—and threatening staff and administrators with invitations to dinner. 

This tournament of parenting finally peaks with a showdown at a balloon-strewn fourth birthday party, complete with a song-and-dance beaver.  

Director Mary Guzman notes that “the possibilities of staging” were a plus that made her want to take on Bright Ideas for Shotgun, and she has taken every opening the script’s offered to block out a brisk, funny comedy of gestures, expressions and quick interplay between cast members. 

The cast of five contribute everything to this development of humorous expression, asides, touches, with all but the leads serving multiple duty in a range of roles: anxious parents, self-absorbed coaches, loopy teachers and administrators, even exasperated flight attendants. A couple of the players have considerable experience in improv comedy, and it shows, as the vignettes break down into sketches, one overlapping with the next. 

Bright Ideas is billed as black humor, by an author of “biting political and societal farce.” The play did well in New York, and is more the neo-”New Yorker” type of humor—off-handed gags ricocheting off a topical theme, in this case yuppies or dotcoms. It doesn’t have the explosive surprise, the over-the-top excessiveness of comedie noire. Few sacred cows are punched, much less sacrificed; at one point, Lynzie (Rami Magron), the pregnant mom, even lectures Genevra with a “have you hugged your kid today?” kind of harangue, as if the audience hadn’t gotten the point of all the wannabe super-parental shenanigans. 

The most interesting point in the staging remains undeveloped: the play is all adults, reacting with goo-goo eyes and cameras to children never seen or heard. A parent-teacher conference on the garishly orange set is carried out on wee plastic chairs, to show the parents the kids’ point-of-view. 

More of this contrast between the two worlds that look up and down at each other, with trust, expectation, hope and longing, would have served up a real comedy, one with an inherent message in the style of playing, instead of a well-performed fashionable treat, a series of pot-shots at easy targets. 

Shotgun Players presents Bright Ideas at 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday through April 23 at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. $15.  

For more information, call 841-6500 or see www.shotgunplayers.org.