TUESDAY, JULY 4 

Fourth of July at the Berkeley Marina, from noon to 9:30 p.m. A free admission, alcohol-free event, with live entertainment, arts & crafts, food, and activities for children. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us.  

Fourth of July Open House at Tilden Park Visit the Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to meet critters, make nature crafts and have fun. 525-2233. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring change of clothes, windbreaker, sneakers. For ages 5 and up. cal-sailing.org  

Red Oak Victory Ship 4th of July BBQ at 6 p.m. Music, tour of the ship and a great view of fireworks around the Bay. Cost is $20. Located in Richmond harbor, Berth # 6, off Canal Blvd. Reservations required. 237-2933. 

Save the Bay Fireworks Paddle Enjoy the Bay Area Fireworks by canoe off Arrowhead Marsh, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Minimum age 10, children 10-12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Cost is $30-$40. Registration required. 452-9261, ext. 109. www.saveSFbay.org 

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 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. 

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. 548-3991.  

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, JULY 5 

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“Super Size Me” a documentary on the physical, legal and financial costs of Americans and fast food, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donations of $5 accepted. 

“Predators and Their Prey” An introduction to live wild animals by Wildlife Associates at 2:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon. Help is needed to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month all over the East Bay. For information call 594-5165.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Herrick Campus, Maffley Auditorium, 2001 Dwight Way. To make an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

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

Sleep Seminar at 7 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

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. 

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.  

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, JULY 6 

First Thursdays at Fruitvale Village A street fair and farmer’s market from 5 to 8 p.m. with music, tastings, and children’s activities. Sponsored by Los Cantaros Taqueria and the Unity Council. 534-6900.  

Teen Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club will discuss Poul Anderson’s “The Broken Sword” and J.R.R. Tolkein’s Ring trilogy at 4 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. 981-6133. 

East Bay Vivarium An introduction to insects, lizards, amphibians and reptiles at 11 a.m. at the Brookfield Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 9255 Edes Ave. 615-5725. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline at Alcatraz. jstansby@yahoo.com 

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.  

FRIDAY, JULY 7 

Impeachment Banner Fridays at 6:45 to 8 a.m. on the Berkeley Pedestrian bridge between Seabreeze Market and the Berkeley Aquatic Park, ongoing on Fridays until impeachment is realized. www. Impeachbush-cheney.com 

“Keep the A’s in Oakland” Tailgate Party from 5 to 7 p.m. at the B parking lot tailgate area on the Hegenberger side. Entertaintment and speeches fromlocal leaders. chooseorlooseoakland@yahoo.com 

Stagebridge Story Workshop with local storytellers on Fridays in July from 10 a.m. to noon at Arts First Oakland Center, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Bring a bag lunch. Cost is $10 per workshop, or $25 for the series. 444-4755.  

Celebración: Food and Music of Peru at 6:30 p.m. at Crowden Center for Music, 1475 Rose St. Suggested donation $15. Please RSVP to 526-5194. 

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

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, JULY 8 

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. 

Crown Beach Clean-up in the aftermath of the 4th from 9 a.m. to noon at Crown Beach, Alameda. Trash bags, gloves and other equipment provided by Save the Bay. 452-9261, ext. 109. www.saveSFbay.org 

Oakland Heritage Walking Tour of the F. M. “Borax” Smith Estate from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the redwood tree, corner of McKinley Ave. and Home Place East, one block off Park Blvd. Cost is $5-$15. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Walking Tour of Historic Oakland Churches and Temples Meet at 10 a.m. at the front of the First Presbyterian Church at 2619 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/ 

walkingtours 

Produce Stand at Spiral Gardens Food Security Project from 1 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon St. 

Guide Dogs for the Blind Meet a puppy in-training at 2 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Sushi Basics Learn the natural and cultural history of sushi as you prepare and taste several different types.Fee is $25-$39. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Himalayan Cooking Class from 3 to 5 p.m. at Taste of the Himalayas. Cost is $50. Registration required. 849-4983. 

ChiRunning/ChiWalking A talk at 3 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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.  

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. 

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, JULY 9 

Toddler Nature Walk for two and three-year-olds to look for butterflies and other inscets at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Oakland Heritage Walking Tour of the Mountain View Cemetery from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at Chapel of the Chimes, 4400 Peidmont Ave. Cost is $5-$15. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Green Sunday: Oakland’s Oak to Ninth Street Scandal Can we stop this massive give away of our waterfront? From 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. 

New Farmers’ Market Opens in Kensington, and will run year-round on Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the parking lot behind ACE Hardware at 303 Arlington Ave. at Amherst. 528-4346. 

Summer Sunday Forum: Wold Vision with Angela Mason at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to keep your bike in excellent working condition through safety inspections, from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Twilight Tour to Learn Botanical ABC’s at 5:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $8-$12. Registration required. 643-2755.  

Miksang Contemplative Photography A talk at noon at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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

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 Sylvia Gretchen on “Visualization and Sacred Art” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

CITY MEETINGS 

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

commissions/women 

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

commissions/landmarks 

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

TUESDAY, JULY 4 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jazz Jam with Michael Coleman Trio at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Free, bring your instrument. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

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

Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz Band, featuring Faye Carol, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $5. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Bay in Bloom” A Group Show by the artists of The Artful Steps Program, opens at the LunchStop Cafe, MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. 817-5773. 

FILM 

Global Rhythms on Screen: “Step Across the Border” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Hadai Ditmars will talk about “Dancing in the No-FLy Zone: A Woman’s Journey Through Iraq” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

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 www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Roy Zimmerman in “Faulty Intelligence” An evening of satirical songs, Wed.-Fri. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh Berkeley, 2118 Allston Way, through July 27. 800-838-3006.  

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Whiskey Brothers, old time and bluegrass, at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473.  

Cajun/Zydeco Benefit for Agi Ban at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10.. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

The Look, The Static Rising, Antioquia at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Bootysatva at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Vital Information at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, JULY 6 

FILM 

Beyond Bollywood: “Kumar Talkies” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free first Thursday. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Edge of Desire: Recent Art in India” Guided tour at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Free First Thursday. 642-0808. 

Word Beat Reading Series with Marc Elihu Hofstadter and Dian Gillmar at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave., near Dwight Way. 526-5985. 

Poetry at the Albany Library with Robert Lipton, followed by an open reading, at 7 p.m. at 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with Pamela Rose at the Downtown Berkeley BART station. Free. www.downtownberkeley.org 

Junior Reid, reggae, at 10 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $17-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Trillium, harps and vocals, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

All One Thing, The Fair Saints at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Tremendo, Ise Lyfe, Got it Boys at 10 p.m. at The Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $7. 524-9220. www.ivyroom.com 

Torrettes Without Regrets at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $7. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Jump/Cut, live organic electronica, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Vital Information at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, JULY 7 

THEATER 

Ambitious Theatre Company “As You Like It” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, Alameda. Tickets are $8-$15. 800-838-3006. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Permanent Collection” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through July 23. Tickets are $28-$45. 843-4822. www.auroratheatere.org 

Central Works “The Inspector General” a new comedy, Thurs., Fri., and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through July 30. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Footloose” the musical based on the 1984 film at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Contra Costa Civic Theater, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through August 5. Tickets are $12-$20. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Crowded Fire Theater Company “We Are Not These Hands” a comedy about the friendship between two teenaged girls in a fictional third-world nation, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. through July 16 at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $10- $20. www.crowdedfire.org 

Kids Take the Stage “Annie” Fri. at 7:30 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 7:30 p.m. at Chabot College Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. Tickets are $10-$20. 864-7061. 

Masquers Playhouse “The Fantasticks” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sunday Matinees at 2:30 p.m. on July 9 and 16, at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through July 22. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Pinole Community Players “Oliver!” the musical, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., selected Sun. at 2 p.m., at the Community Playhouse, 601 Tennent Ave., Pinole, through July 15. Tickets are $14-$17. 724-3669, 223-3598.  

Woodminster Summer Musicals “Ragtime” Fri.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Rd., through July 16. Tickets are $21.50-$34.50. 531-9597. www.woodminster.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Overhung Award: Kyle Mock and Josh Keyes” Reception at 7 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave. Exhibition runs to July 30. www.boontlinggallery.com 

“Realities: Picture Stories of the Modern World” by Guy Colwell and Mural Drawings by Rocky Baird. Reception for the artists at 5 p.m. at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., at Telegraph, Oakland. http://estebansabar.com/index.htm  

FILM 

Labor’s Love Lost: The Films of Vittorio de Seta “Bandits of Orgosolo” at 7 p.m. and “Half a Man” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Anodea Judith with Dr. Leonard Shlain, Dawson Church and Allan Hardman on “Waking the Global Heart” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Marta Acosta reads from her novel “Happy Hour at Casa Dracula” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The David Thom Band, The Billy Boys at 5:30 p.m. at Park Place and Washington Ave., Pt. Richmond. 237-9375. www. 

pointrichmond.com/prmusic  

Forrofiando from Brazil at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, East Coast swing, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Walter Pope Trio at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Audrey Auld Mezera & Nina Gerber at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jim Grantham Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Wayblonde and Vanessa VerLee, singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Bunny Numpkins and the Kill Blow-up Reaction, Anton Barbeau, Mandrake at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. 

Rogue Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The Phenomenauts, Onion Flavored Rings, Ghengis Khan at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Outformation, Spindrift at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Diane Schurr at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, JULY 8 

CHILDREN  

Peruvian, Columbian & Mexican Music, an introduction to maracas, cajon and guitar music with Lina Ortiz and Anthony at noon at the Lakeview Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 550 El Embarcadero. 238-7344. 

Puppet Art Theater “Tommy’s Pirate Adventure” at 2 p.m. at the Montclair Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd. 482-7810. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Microcosm” Group exhibition of artists inspired by patterns in nature. Reception at 2 p.m. at Richmond Art Center, 240 Barrett Ave., entrance at 25th St. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

“And All That Jazz” Works by artists relocated from the Gulf Coast after Katrina. Reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Wed.-Sat. Exhibition runs to July 27. 644-4930. 

“Creation Ground” Paintings by Diane Williams and Chuck Potter, and ceramic sculpture by Ari Lyckberg opens at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave. and runs through Sept. 8. 204-1667.  

THEATER 

Everyday Theatre “Dreaming in a Firestorm” by Tim Barsky at 8 p.m. at 2232 MLK, Oakland. Tickets are $12-$20. 644-2204. www.everdaytheatre.org 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Godfellas” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Cedar Rose Park, 1300 Rose St. 415-285-1717. 

Women’s Will “Twelfth Night” Sat. and Sun. at 1 p.m. at John Hinkle Park. Free. 420-0813. www.womanswill.org 

FILM 

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum “The Little American” at 7:30 p.m. at 37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont. Cost $5. 494-1411. www.nilesfilmmuseum.org 

Rhythms on Screen “Mahaleo” at 6:30 p.m. and “Woman in the Dunes” at 8:40 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

William Talcott Memorial Reading at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Robin Meyers explains “Why the Christian Right is Wrong” at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Donation of $10 is suggested. 559-9500. 

Rhythm & Muse with Rashna Owen and The Winds of Mercy at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice and Rose. 644-6893. 

Artemio Rodriguez, printmaker and author at 6 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. www.kala.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alameda Civic Light Opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave., Alameda. Tickets are $27-$31. 864-2256. www.aclo.com 

Snake Trio and Leo Blanco Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

A Celebration of Guinean Music and Dance at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

José Roberts & Friends “América en Mi Sangre”at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568.  

Elizabeth August, Aireene Espiritu and Rick DiDia at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

John Keawe, Hawaiian music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Charmless, Pebble Theory, Kaura at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

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

Odori Simcha with Neal Cronin, at 7:30 p.m. at A Cuppa Tea, 3200 College Ave. 654-1904. 

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Green Lemon at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Carl Sonny Leland Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

The Lost Cats, jazz and swing, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. All ages. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Future Pilgrim, Famous Last Words, Rick DiDia, at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Wil Blades Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Verbal Abuse, Decry, America’s Dirty Thirtys 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. 

SUNDAY, JULY 9 

CHILDREN 

Asheba, Caribbean music, at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Photographic Images of Migrant Women” By Saundra Sturdevant. Reception at 5 p.m. at La Peña. Exhibition runs through August 31. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Form and Light” Photographs by Eric Nurse. Reception at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

FILM 

Labor’s Love Lost: The Films of Vittorio de Seta “Diary of a Schoolmaster” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Edge of Desire: Recent Art in India” Guided tour at 2 pm. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. 

Karen Shepard reads from her new novel “Don’t I Know You?” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

Len and Aya Brackett on “Building the Japanese House Today” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts, 2904 College Ave. www.mrsdalloways.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Eric Bibb, contemporary blues and gospel, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50- $19.50. 548-1761.  

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

Jason Armstrong and Joe Kenny at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Carola Zertuche and Sara Ayala, flamenco, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Dick Conte Trio at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Americana Unplugged: Ragged But Right at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Mister Loveless Monolaturs, The Tuesday Club at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, JULY 10 

CHILDREN 

Magic with Timothy James for all ages at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 160 41st St. 597-5017. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Randall Balmar examines “Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America” at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Donation of $10 is suggested. 559-9500.  

Dale Pendell reads from “Pharmako/Gnosis: Plant Teachers and the Poison Path” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Script Club Reading of “Art” by by Yasmina Reza, at 7:30 p.m. at Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St. 843-4822. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Dubconscious, reggae, at 11 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Blue Monday Jam at 7:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Street to Nowhere, Audrye Sessions, Broken Dolls at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. 763-1146.  

Roomful of Blues at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Somewhere, across the river from ... somewhere else ... there’s a cyber-cafe with two strange young women peering in, in hysterics over what they see and trying to get inside. 

That’s how We Are Not These Hands, Sheila Callaghan’s play as produced by San Francisco’s noted Crowded Fire Theater Co., opens in its world premiere at the Ashby Stage.  

Callaghan, who’s achieved recognition in New York for pieces like Dead City, a Joycean Bloomsday in the Big Apple that starred singer Patti Smith and others, said of her new play, “I wanted to write about the challenges of third world countries, but I didn’t know how. So instead I wrote a love story.” 

The genesis of her play came during a trip to China, where in poor villages along the Yangtze, she noted illicit cyber-cafes hidden down side alleys. In news stories at home, she read of the death of 41 students, blown up while assembling firecrackers in their eastern China school, and of 24 people dying in Beijing when two teenagers set fire to an unlicensed cyber-cafe from which they’d been 86ed. 

Those anecdotes all figure in We Are Not These Hands, reset from specific locales to a kind of nowhere in between, and acted out by Cassie Beck and Juliet Tanner as local teenagers, Belly and Moth. 

The two also express themselves in the dialect of their zone, a clipped, racy idiom stuck together more expressionistically than grammatically. It settles into a kind of run-down rube jargon. At just about the point when the locals become comprehensible, a man in a sports coat and carrying a briefcase (Paul Lancour) appears inside the cafe, where he types up a storm in academese (visible on a big screen where, otherwise, media and advertising images rush). The girls immediately dub him “Leather.” 

Leather later delivers a monologue into a pocket tape recorder while in the restroom; he speaks as if to his mother, who he later declares is dead. A good deal of the play’s hook is in the disparity between the girls’ slangy dialogues and Leather’s soliloquies into his machine. 

In one of the funniest scenes, the two teenagers, outlandishly dolled up, accost Leather at his computer screen and pantomime puerile sex acts. He tries ignoring them, then treats them as panhandlers until he finally gets the idea and propositions Moth. 

In his all-but flophouse room above, Leather loquaciously explains to the wide-eyed, uncomprehending Moth why he came to their backwater, and about the social economics manuscript he’s researching and writing there that’ll make him big back home. 

His rambling circumlocutions are almost as thick as the girls’ jumbled-up speech. Moth mostly answers “okay” to everything, until Leather starts to make love to her, when she bubbles over in a fount of words, a little like Molly Bloom at the end of Ulysses. 

Later Moth tells Belly of her orgasm and Belly wants the same treatment. The two scheme how to get Leather to take them with him when he leaves; when they realize he’s digging in for a long haul, and uninterested in a menage à trois, they retaliate on what started it all: the cyber-cafe.  

A play like this depends on the exuberance of the performers, and the cast pulls it off, inhabiting strangeness quite naturally. Tanner gives a sensitive and nuanced performance as Moth, following Leather and his endless stream of words with her “big, wild eyes,” punctuated by an occasional “okay.” 

In fact, some of the best moments are the silent ones, the girls staring into the cafe or when the characters’ mostly self-absorbed speech breaks down and actions take over. 

Kent Nicholson, a specialist in new play development, has directed We Are Not These Hands well, lending rhythm and atmosphere to a text that is groping, even threadbare at times, a one-trick pony that neither takes off from its sources nor explores them in depth, analogizing them into limbo. 

It’s an old device to juxtapose characters from different backgrounds to examine reality, but the characters in We Are Not These Hands never achieves the binocular vision of Don Quixote and Sancho, or Robinson Crusoe and Friday, not to mention the wealth of examples in Paul Bowles. 

The primitiveness of the language is amusing but not particularly inventive. The equation of the childlike (or childish) and the primitive sometimes becomes cloying, too close to babytalk. 

Science fiction writers have long juxtaposed unlikely environments and exotic characters to cast light on things closer to home. The living science fiction of the New World Order goes a lot further than cyber-cafes: A few years ago in places around east Asia, peasants would go out at dawn to a cafe for a latte, dressed in Italian suits and shoes, then return home to change into overalls and drive a tractor in the fields where a few decades previous life was green tea and ox, or hand-pulled plows.  

We Are Not These Hands tries to hold onto a sense of wonder, both childlike and eccentric, a funny valentine to intercultural mix ’n’ match. Its intimate naivete misses the speechless awe of a composite, self-involved world that could only dub itself “postmodern” and the astonishment of taking a step back and looking at it.