TUESDAY, APRIL 11 

“How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth” at 7 p.m. at 145 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. 643-7008. 

“China Syndrome: SARS and Globalization” with Karl Taro Greenfeld, former editor of Time Magazine Asian edition, at 5:30 p.m. at North Gate Hall Library, Hearst at Euclid. 

“Kayaking 101” a class with Brad Bostrom at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Raging Grannies of the East Bay invites new folks to come join us the 2nd and 4th Tues, of each month, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to sing(any voice will do), help plan our next gig, or write outrageously political lyrics to old familiar tunes, and have fun at Berkeley Gray Panthers office, 1403 Addison St., in Andronico’s mall. 548-9696. 

“Utilizing California’s Water Supply Efficiently and Effectively” with Tom Birmingham, General Manager, Westlands Water District, at 5:30 p.m. at the Goldman School of Public Policy, Room 250. Corner of Hearst and LeRoy. www.westlandswater.org 

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Film showing in a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 9:15 p.m. at the Parkway Theater, Oakland. Tickets are $7.  

“Introduction to Judaism” Class on Tues. evenings through June 6 at Lehrhaus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way. Cost is $90-$100. To register call 845-6420. 

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

Infant Massage at 10:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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 12 

Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association Lecture with Sener Akturk on “Turkey” at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $5. 526-2925. 

Native Plant Nursery Wetlands Restoration We need your help to prepare native seedlings for future plantings along The Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline and Damon Slough. From 1 to 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland. RSVP required. 452-9261 ext. 109. www.savesfbay.org  

“Arsenal of Hypocrisy” a film about the space program and the Military Industrial Complex, and “Battle for America’s Soul” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 accepted. 

Volcanoes Explore the fire beneath the earth’s crust from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 642-5132. 

“Climbing Mt. Shasta: Tips for the Novice and Expert” with Chris Carr of Shasta Mountain Guides at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Animal Communication at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Poetry Writing Workshop, led by Linda Elkin, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library ,1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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

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

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. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

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 

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.  

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 the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, APRIL 13 

Cooking Demo and Book Signing for “GRUB: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen” with essays by author Anna Lappé and menus, musical playlists, and cooking tips from chef Bryant Terry at 3:30 p.m. at Berkeley Farmer’s Market, Shattuck and Rose. In case of bad weather the event will move to Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Richmond Southeast Shoreline Area Community Advisory Group Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Convention Center, Bermuda Room, 403 Civic Center Plaza at Nevin and 25th Sts. 540-3923. 

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 

“Defend Science: The Attack on Scientific Thinking and What Must be Done” A panel discussion with Kevin Padian, Phil Plait and Michael G. Hadfield at 7 p.m. at 1 LeConte Hall, next to Campenile, UC Campus. 384-1816. www.defendscience.org 

Quakes and Shakes Do some heavy shaking to learn about earthquake engineering at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 642-5132. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at East Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. Also on Fri. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

East Bay Mac User Group presentation on .Mac at 6 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound, Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

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

Ask a Union Mechanic every Thursday, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Parker and Shattuck, until the strike is settled. They will offer advice on all makes of car. 

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. 

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 14 

Creepy Crawlies Insect-inspired activities for ages 3-7 from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 642-5132. 

Clean Up Wildcat Creek Join Verde Elementary School students and the North Richmond community in cleaning up the creek for Earth Day. From 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Verde Elementary. 412-9290, ext. 26. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Ian Mckinlay, architect on “Why the Twin Towers Fell” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020.  

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m.  

Yuri’s Night Celebrate the anniversary of Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s historic first flight into space, from 8 tp 11 p.m. at Chabot Space & Science Center Tickets are $0-$15. 336-7373. 

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. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 15 

Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations meets at 9:15 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Sproul Conference Room, 1st Floor, 2727 College Ave. www.berkeleycna.com 

Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute Benefit and tribute to Ann Fagan Ginger at 5 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Donation $15-$30. 848-0599. www.mcli.org 

California Native Plant Sale Explore the garden, and buy some plants to take home. Please bring boxes to carry home your treasures and an umbrella if it rains. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Wildcat Canyon Rd. & South Park Dr., in Tilden Park. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

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. 

Natural Egg Coloring Learn to make dyes from beets, red onions and coffee grounds, at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature CEnter, Tilden Park. Please bring your own hard-boiled eggs. Fee is $3, registration required. 636-1684. 

The Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society Show and Sale from 1 to 5 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 277-4200. 

Restore Marsh and Grassland Habitats in Richmond from 9 a.m. to noon at the West Stege Marsh. To register, and for directions call 665-3689. www.thewatershedproject.org 

Oakland Restoration Project Join Save the Bay to help remove invasive ice plant and wild radish from 9 a.m. to noon at Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland. Please register on line. 452 - 9261. www.savesfbay.org 

Monitor Water Quality at Baxter Creek Learn how to monitor basic water quality using an electronic probe. Help us assess the success of a recent restoration on Baxter Creek by collecting data on the creek’s dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature and flow. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Canyon Trail Park, El Cerrito. Please pre-register. 665-3686. apple@thewatershedproject.org 

From Frybread to Fuel Tank Send-off of a tour to bring bio-diesel to Native America at noon at the Inter-Tribal Friendship House, 523 International Blvd., Oakland. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $45. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com 

California Writers Club meets at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square, Oakland, to discuss “Border Country: Erotica or Erotic Romance.” 420-8775.  

Stress Relief Class at 4 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave. 527-8929. 

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 16 

Springtime in the Ponds See babies dragonflies, phantom midges and maybe even newts, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m., Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377. 

The Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 277-4200. 

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack Petranker on “World Without Limits” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, APRIL 17 

“Perspectives on Berkeley: Past and Present” Chuck Wollenberg’s Berkeley history class. John McBride of BAHA and John Steere of Livable Berkeley will speak on “A City of Neighborhoods: Preservation and Development” at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Meets Mon. evenings through May 22. Free. 981-6150. 

Grandmothers Against the War will demonstrate on Income Tax Day to denounce military spending for the Iraq war and to call for an end to the war and occupation, at noon at the IRS/Post Offices, Ron Dellums Federal Building, Clay St., between 12th and 14th Sts., Oakland. 845-3815. 

Tax Day Action & People’s Life Fund Granting Ceremony and Potluck at 6:30 p.m. at 1550 5th St. at Henry St., Oakland, around the corner from West Oakland BART. Outdoor Anti-War Slide Show and leafleting West Oakland Post Office 1675 7th Street, Oakland at 8:15 tp 10 p.m. Sponsored by Northern California War Tax Resistance. 843-9877. www.nowartax.org 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60+ years old meets at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave, Albany, on Mondays at 10:15 a.m. through June 19th. Cost is $2.50 per week, includes refreshments. 524-9122. 

Gay Men’s Health Collective 30th Anniversary Gala with entertainment and a reception at 8 p.m. at the Roda Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $25-$150. For reservations visit www.gmhc30.org 

Quakes and Shakes Do some heavy shaking to learn about earthquake engineering at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 642-5132. 

“How to Expand Your Mind- Body Connection with Self Hypnosis” 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. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. 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 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., April 12, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/policereview 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., April 12, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti, 981-6740. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/waterfront 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., April 13, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. Iris Starr, 981-7520. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/westberkeley  

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon. April 17, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. April 17, at 7 p.m. the North Berkeley Senior Center. Erin Dando, 981-7410. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/planning/landuse/Creeks/default.html 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. April 17, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

citycouncil/agenda-committee 

City Council meets Tues., April 18, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Berkeley Housing Authority meets Tues., April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. ww.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housingauthority 

TUESDAY, APRIL 11 

CHILDREN 

Ventriloquist Tony Borders and his puppets in celebration of National Library Week at 6:30 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

EXHIBITIONS 

The Dirt Show 30 ceramic works created by members of Richard Shaw and Lesley Baker’s ceramic studio. Reception at 4 p.m. at the Worth Ryder Gallery, 116 Kroeber Hall, UC Campus. 642-2582. 

THEATER 

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

Berkeley Rep “The Glass Menagerie” opens at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $59. Runs through May 31.647-2949.  

FILM 

Vantage Points: New Documentaries by Women “How Little We Know Our Neighbors” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tim Flannery discusses “The Weather Makers: How Man is Changing the Climate and What it Means for Life on Earth” at 7 p.m. at 145 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. 845-7852.  

Daniel Alarcon reads from his novel “War by Candlelight” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

David Hollinger, author of “Cosmopolitanism and Solidarity: Studies in Ethnoracial, Religious, and Professional Affiliation in the United States” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Singer’s Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. 841-JAZZ.  

Todd Sickafoose’s Blood Orange and the Myra Melford Group at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, and the Devin Hoff Platform at 8 p.m. at AK Press, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. A benefit for the The Prisoners Literature Project Cost is $8, or $7 with the donation of a book in good condition. 208-1700. 

Debbie Poryes & Friends at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Jovino Snatos Neto at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 

THEATER 

The Marsh Berkeley “Faulty Intelligence”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 “WR: Mysteries of the Organism” 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 Ariel,” artist and set designer, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893. 

Philip Lopate in Conversation with David Thompson on “American Movie Critics: An Anthology From the Silents Until Now” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. 

Beshara Doumani, editor of “Academic Freedom after September 11,” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

Café Poetry hosted by Kira Allen at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568.  

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 

Wednesday Noon Concert, “Japanese Music” at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864.  

Berkeley High Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

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

The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $18-$20. 525-5054.  

Famous Last Words, alt-rock and blues, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

John Scofield Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, APRIL 13 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Small Tragedy” opens at 2081 Addison St. and runs Wed.-Sat at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $38. 843-4822.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Everyting I Know, I Learned in the Movies” Color photography by Ann P. Meredith. Reception at 5 p.m. at Muse Media Center, 4221 Hollis St. at Park Ave., Emeryville. 655-1111. 

FILM 

Brave Outsiders: The Films of Kim Longinotto “Pride of Place” at 7 p.m. and “Dream Girls” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Hass will guide a walking tour of the Addison Street Poetry Walk. Meet at 6 p.m. at Half-Price Books on the corner of Addison and Shattuck. 526-6080. 

“Earthquake Exodus, 1906, Berkeley Responds to the San Francisco Refugees” with author Richard Schwartz, at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Boooksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance WIlliams discuss “The Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO, and the Steroid Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Megan Lynch with Tony Marcus, Kelly McCubbin, The Uke Apocalypse at 8 p.m. at DaSilva Ukulele Co., 2547 8th St., Suite 28. 649-1548.  

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

Pete Caragher Band, 735 Institution at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. 

LoCura, music of Spain, Cuba and California at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$7. 849-2568. 

Showtime @ 11 Hip Hop at 10 p.m. at the Ivy Room, 585 San Pablo Ave. at Solano. 524-9220. 

Dave Bernstein Duo at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Elemental Harmonics, dub, house, funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 14 

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 

Aurora Theatre “Small Tragedy” Wed.-Sat at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through May 14. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

BareStage “The Fantasticks” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. April 23 and 30 at 2 p.m., through April 30, at the basement of Cesar Chavez Student Center, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$12. 642-3880. barestage.berkeley.edu 

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. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Glass Menagerie” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $59. Runs through May 31. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Animal Crackers” at 8 p.m. Fri and Sat., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Contra Costa Civic Theater, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through May 20. Tickets are $12-$20. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

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 

“Takashi’s Dream,” the story of Takashi Teanemori, an atomic bomb survivor from Hiroshima, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.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 

“Remake/Remodel:Rebound” Studies of Transformation with ACCI artists Clayton Bain, Dina Gewing, Kate Kerrigan and Dobee Snowber. Reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527.  

FILM 

Brave Outsiders: The Films of Kim Longinotto “Runaway” at 7 p.m. amd “Divorce Iranian Style” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Joel Primack describes “The View from the Center of the Universe: Discovering Our Extraordinary Place in the Cosmos” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Chamber Music at noon at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Elephant Hunter, Angel of Thorns, DSEPD, Swamp Donkey at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Walter Savage Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Odile Lavault & The Baguette Quartette at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Mitch Greenhill & Mayne Smith with Peter Spelman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Glenn Walters Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

DJ and Brook, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Nels Cline Singers at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Funeral Shock, Blown to Bits, Fatality at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Atman Roots, jazz, funk, and afro-cuban soul, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

John Scofield Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, APRIL 15 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Estela Knott & David Berzonsky, songs from the Americas, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“From the Ground Up” Paintings and installation by Alena Rudolph. Reception at 6 p.m. at Union Art Gallery, 1232 19th St., Oakland. 444-0924.  

COMEDY 

Final Round of the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition at 8 p.m. at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, 2021 Broadway. www.BlackComedyCompetition.com  

FILM 

Brave Outsiders: The Films of Kim Longinotto “The Day I Will Never Forget” at 6:30 p.m., and “Sisters in Law” at 8:50 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Javanese Music and Dance at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $3-$10.  

Jazz at the Chimes with Melanie O’Reilly at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Donation of $15 requested for the artist. 228-3207. 

John Richardson Band at 9 p.m. at Circus Pub, 389 Colusa Ave., Kensington. Free and all ages. 

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

Reggae Angels at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Los Boleros, traditional son montuno, son cubano, boleros, cumbia and merengue at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Ross Hammond and the Jayn Pettingill/Debbie Poryes Duo at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Lost Weekend, classic western swing band, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Wits End, Sleep in Fame, Maxwell Adams at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Mark Levine Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Steve Heckman & Gini WIlson at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Sam Misner & Megan Smith, modern folk acoustic, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Howdy, The Bittersweets, Dame Satan at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Matt Heulitt Quartet, guitar, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Babyland, 8-Bit, Ninja Academy The Mormons at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 16 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “The Spirit of the Beehive” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with The Five Fingers Review contributors Julie Carr, Jaime Robles and Meridith Stricker at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ricardo Piexoto/Mark Little Duo at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged, bluegrass and oldtime music showcase, at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Urban Achievers, The Castrati, Built for the Sea at 5:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Eda Maxym and the Imagination Club with Stephen Kent on didjeridu at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, APRIL 17 

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 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Aurora Theatre “Sinker” a reading of the play by Ron Campbell at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. Free. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Ilya Kaminsky, D.A. Powell, Tessa Rumsey and others read from “Legitimate Dangers: American Poets of the New Century” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Juliet Eilperin talks about “Fight Club Politics: How Partisanship is Poisoning the U.S. House of Representatives” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

www.codysbooks.com  

Poetry Express with Linda Zeiser at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 18 

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 

Vantage Points: New Documentaries by Women “The Joy of LIfe” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Schwartz introduces “Earthquake Exodus, 1906” at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., followed by a reception at the McCreary-Greer House, 2318 Durant Ave. Tickets are $15. 841-2242. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bruce & Lloyd’s Tri Tip Trio at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

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

Brian Kane Duo at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

The following is an excerpt from Richard Schartz’s Earthquake Exodus, 1906: Berkeley Responds to the San Francisco Refugees. This is the third in a series of four installments from the book. The Daily Planet will run the last excerpt on April 18, the centennial of the 1906 quake. 

Law and order 

Providing food and shelter was at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but Berkeleyans were also concerned about criminals and con men trying to come into town and take advantage of the disruption. 

Berkeley Police Marshal August Vollmer had been on the job exactly a year and a week when the earthquake struck. He was painfully aware that his small band of policemen was no match for the thousands flooding into town. 

By the fourth day after the quake, citizens of Berkeley, led by UC English Professor Charles Mills Gayley, petitioned Governor George Pardee to institute martial law in Berkeley. 

The governor refused, insisting that the civil authorities should be able to “take care of their own affairs.” 

Vollmer set up six special police districts, most of them headquartered in real estate offices in the neighborhoods. He then asked for volunteers to help deal with the “large number of questionable characters” showing up in Berkeley. 

As many as a thousand citizens answered the call and worked largely in pairs on night patrols, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., to prevent fires and crime around town and in the camps. They were told to patrol “wherever there was straw,” referring to the straw used in the camps to make sleeping on the ground more comfortable. 

UC cadets who had not gone to San Francisco were summoned for guard duty, as were their comrades when they returned from the city. Hundreds of U.S. Army veterans were deputized. UC President Wheeler wrote to President Roosevelt that “splendid order prevails” in Berkeley only because “stringent measures” were employed. 

Parents were advised to keep children inside, a 10 p.m. curfew was imposed, and if an able-bodied male in the camps refused work or carried a weapon, he was told to leave town. Many men departed rather than perform forced labor. 

Vollmer stationed officers at train stations and ferry terminals to check incoming refugees and prevent known criminals from slipping into town. Hundreds of criminals and ex-convicts were deported before they had a chance to cause trouble. Officers also patrolled the relief camps looking for pickpockets and other thieves. 

As in any disaster, some people were determined to help themselves to a large serving from the public pot. To prevent undeserving people from receiving relief food, plans were made to deliver each order and have an inspector make sure the recipients were truly in need. 

One person caught absconding with relief supplies was Honora Bentley of 2429 Ninth St., a wealthy Berkeley woman in her sixties with property and cash assets valued at more than $60,000. 

Vollmer spotted her at the YMCA posing as a refugee under the alias of Mary Smith and taking food and clothing intended for San Francisco refugees. He arrested her himself. Although she could easily have posted the $1,000 bail, she let Vollmer escort her to the county jail. The story of her incarceration made front-page headlines. 

Stealing relief supplies became a persistent problem. At one point, Vollmer asked that several apprehended thieves be brought into his office. When the detainees entered, he acted angrier than he actually was. He told them that stealing relief supplies could be summed up in one word—looting. 

“For that there is only one penalty,” he declared. He turned his head away from the men and secretly winked at a deputy on one side of the room, then whipped his head forward and shouted, “Death!” Scowling, he told the deputies to take them away. Word of Vollmer’s threat spread, and the stealing of supplies came to a halt.  

Vollmer was also asked to investigate rumors of local grocers selling government relief food. The government’s practice was to trade its extra sugar and crackers for local grocers’ stocks of soap and rice, which were in short supply in government stocks. He was unable to find grocers who illegally possessed government goods, but did admonish storeowners to keep their prices reasonable. 

Lorin District residents, responding to complaints of “extortionate prices,” met and formed their own committee of 47 members to deal with the problem. One law enacted in Berkeley after the earthquake penalized merchants and express-wagon men who overcharged customers or refused to remain open for business. The penalty for violators was confiscation of the store or wagon, which was then given to someone who could run the business responsibly.  

As both Berkeleyans and refugees began to adjust, many wished they could escape at night to the West Berkeley saloons, which had been ordered to close early, at 8 p.m., the evening after the earthquake. 

In May, as Vollmer was trying keep order and prevent criminal activities, frustrated workingmen clamored for allowing the saloons to remain open late. Others, however, spoke out just as loudly that the saloons should be closed entirely. The initial request to restrict the saloon hours to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. had been made by the San Francisco Relief Council.  

At a May 26 meeting of the Berkeley Board of Trustees (the city council), the trustees were presented with a petition to close the West Berkeley saloons entirely, signed by 170 people. The same issue was about to be discussed by Oakland’s City Council. 

Some Berkleyans believed that it would be useless for the city to close its saloons if Oakland did not do the same. Marshal Vollmer told the trustees that he had not noticed an increase in arrests for drunkenness and did not see that San Francisco men came to Berkeley to drink. He assured the trustees that restricted hours were being enforced. 

One trustee moved that the saloons be closed until those in San Francisco reopened. The motion carried, but was overturned within weeks, when attorneys representing the saloon keepers threatened action. Everyone realized that the Oakland saloons were open for business anyway. 

Earthquake Exodus, 1906 is available at local bookstores. See www.richardschwartz.info for speaking dates. 

On April 18 at City Council Chambers, the public is invited to a 3:30 p.m. ceremony at which Richard Schwartz will present Mayor Bates with a Certificate of Honor to the citizens of Berkeley from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Also, following the ceremony, BAHA will sponsor a lecture on the 1906 Berkeley Earthquake Relief effort and the book at the Berkeley City Club at 7:30 that night. Contact BAHA for tickets, at 841-2242. 

Photograph from the book Earthquake Exodus, 1906, with permission of the author, Richard Schwartz. 

Interior of the Stedge Saloon near Berkeley. The early town of Stedge straddles what are now the cities of El Cerrito and Richmond.m

“He was her man/But he done her wrong.” That’s about all for motivation in the lyrics of that old chestnut of popular song, “Frankie and Johnny.” 

Mugwumpin, the young experimental troupe based in San Francisco (where they’ve been in residence at Exit Theatre downtown), proposes not just to flesh out the story of a murder of passion on stage, but to investigate it theatrically, literally turn over the material, in the Shotgun Lab presentation of their work-in-progress, Frankie Done it 29 Ways, playing at the Ashby Stage Mondays and Tuesdays through April 25. 

Mugwumpin doesn’t so much open up the show as slide into it. Entering the theater, the spectators are confronted with the performers doing something like what the great Soviet stage director Meyerhold called “pre-acting,” riffing off the song and whatever hook that gets them moving. 

“Frankie And Johnny” is founded on historical incident—or, the song made what was a more-or-less routine incident historic. 

On Oct. 15, 1899, Frankie Baker, a young black prostitute, shot her procurer in their Targee Street crib. “And the gun went rooty-toot toot.” 

She was tried and acquitted for acting in self-defense. But the song got minted, and pursued her with the legend of the jilted whore whacking her pimp that had so quickly sprung up around her. 

The “true story,” or what we know about it, isn’t a rarity in America, certainly not as the record of a crime of passion—or as a popular arts rendering of it. Other examples spring to mind, notably, writer-director Samuel Fuller’s first onscreen outing (in 1949), I Shot Jesse James, which featured actor John Ireland as “that dirty little coward,” Robert Ford, Jesse’s pal who plugs him in the back, and then can’t collect the reward or escape the ballad about the deed that’s flung in his face everywhere he goes, until his own shooting death, and confession that he loved only Jesse. 

Like the Bob Ford legend, like the many other stories of ordinary Americans suddenly flung into the public eye who lose their way, “Frankie and Johnny” and its afterlife, a melange of mythic overlay and factual backwash, is like a prehistoric trash dump for cultural archaeologists. And Mugwumpin mines that site, dancing around and through it in a kind of new ritual, at once skeptical and sympathetic, teasing out what can be performed of a collision between the banal and the epic, fame and anonymity. 

First of all, of course, the songs. Besides the codified rendition, that of many stanzas and hypnotic (or irritating) syncopated chorus, there’s the old Charlie Patton version, “Frankie and Albert,” which Christopher White stands still for, Walkman in his ears, replicating for us in slurs and growls as best a young white urban or suburban guy can, this Delta Blues original we can’t hear. Elvis is even present. 

The deadly, prosaic fate of the jilted, acquitted heroine is relentlessly picked over and dressed up (as it’s been in legend) with a kind of theatrical phenomenology that works and reworks tableaux and vignettes in different accents and opposite takes: the self-declared “real” Frankie acted out in succession by each Mugwumpin player, asserting his/her authenticity, while exchanging glances, attitudes, even voices—interrupted by, “You don’t own this!” 

Elvis’ “cute little bootblack” becomes an ironic play on words, as the historical Frankie Baker plies her new trade in shoeshine, tired from work and apprehensive of recognition, hazed by men who show up one by one and bait her, asking “aren’t you ... ?” 

Mugwumpin channels the juice of performance into the sloughs and sluices of the unsaid and half-said, the subliminal and the taken-for-granted. It’s absorbing, nothing but theatrical—and therefore hard to describe. A catalogue of possible influences and parallels wouldn’t do them justice. What they serve up in bits and pieces at the Ashby Stage just whets the appetite for the as-yet unrealized opus, strung along from “Frankie and Johnny.” 

Shotgun Lab presents Frankie Done It 291 Ways, created by Mugwumpin at 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through April 18 at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. $10. For more information, call 841-6500 or see www.shotgunplayers.org.