FRIDAY, JULY 28 

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 

Activist Series featuring Fred Jackson of the Richmond Neighborhood House and Carolyna Marks who founded the Peace Empowerment Project at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists’ Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Donations welcome. 528-5403.  

“Flowers and People: Auspicious Encounters” Ikebana with Scott Job at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Shambala Center, 2288 Fulton St. Cost is $15. Ikebana workshop on Sat. for $45 or $175 for series of workshops. Pre-registration encouraged. banner@pogodesign.com 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente, Dining Conference Room, 1950 Franklin St., Oakland. To make an appointment call 652-6188.  

Berkeley Folk Dancers Community Classes and Teacher Workshop, ages 8 and up, Fridays through Aug. 18 at 7:45 p.m. at Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$15 for five classes, $5 drop-in.  

Bookburning Comedy Showcase featuring Brent Weinbach, Moshe Kasher, Kevin Camia, & Ali Wong at 7 p.m. at the AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd. St., Oakland. Cost is $8. 208-1700. 

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. 548-6310. 

Kol Hadash Humanistic Shabbat at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Please bring finger dessert to share, and non-perishable food for the needy. Free and open to all.  

SATURDAY, JULY 29 

Tilden’s Treasures An easy nature walk for the entire family to discover some of the park’s residents, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Multicultural Storytelling Tent opens at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St., with programs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 647-1111.  

“Preserving America’s World War II Home Front: Richmond” A tour sponsored by The Northern California Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $30-$40. For details call 233-6151. david_blackburn@nps.gov.  

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Oakland Heritage Walking Tour of Temescal from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet in front of Genova Delicatessen, 5905 Telegraph Ave. Cost is $5-$15. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

“Spirit of Moncada” A day-long commemoration of the Cuban Revolution from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Casa Cuba Resource Center, 6501 Telegraph Ave., near Alcatraz Ave., Oakland. Book sale at 10 a.m. BBQ at 1 p.m. with music, salsa dance lessons, readings and more. Music by Annie and theVets and Folk This, a poetry reading by Jack Hirschman, from 6 to 9 p.m. Donation $5-$15, no one turned away. 658-3984. casacuba@california.com 

“Come Spot, Come” Teach your dog to come when called, no matter what the distraction, from noon to 1 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2128 Cedar St. Cost is $35. Registration required. 849-9323. 

“Earth Medicine” on using the healing power of nature at 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Spiritwalking: Aqua Chi(TM) at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Cost is $5.50, $3.50 seniors & disabled. Bring your own towels. 526-0312. 

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

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

SUNDAY, JULY 30 

Two Lakes in a Day Explore the natural wonders of two of Tilden’s lakes on this 4 mile hike. Bring water and a snack to share. Meet at 9 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Oakland Heritage Walking Tour of Glenview from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5-$15. Call for meeting place. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Annual Classic Taste of Italy Live auction and dinner from 4 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman St. Tickets are $15, $8 for children under 12. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Berkeley. 644-1969. 

“Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” Planetarium show at 4 p.m. at Chabot Space and Science Center. Tickets are $9-$13. 336-7373. 

Parenting Class on Child Behavior at 10 a.m. to noon at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Childcare provided if you call ahead. Sliding scale $10-$30 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. 415-312-1830. www.awakeparent.com 

Summer Sunday Forum: The Tenderloin in San Francisco with Ben Ames at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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 Hugh Joswick and Santosh Philip on “Knowing Mind, East and West” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. 

MONDAY, JULY 31 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60+ years old at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Cost is $3. 524-9122. 

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

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

Bible School Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Aug. 4, at Church on the Corner, 1319 Solano Ave., Albany. Free, but registration required. 526-6632. 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 

Tuesday is for the Birds A tranquil early morning walk through Claremont Canyon. Meet at 7 a.m. at 7173 Norfolk Rd., Oakland. Wear long pants and bring water, sunscreen, binoculars and a snack. 525-2233. 

“Obsessed with the Nose: Climbing El Capitan” with Hans Florine at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Watershed Wildlife: From Macroinvertebrates to Mammals” A workshop to explore animal life in and out of a creek, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center, 7701 Krause Ave., Oakland. Cost is $25. Pre-registration required. 665-3546 

Adoption and Foster Care Information Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. at Alta Bates Hospital. Free, but reservations required. 553-1748, ext. 12. 

Discussion Salon The U.S. and World Economies at 7 p.m. at 1414 Walnut by Rose. 

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 always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 

“Be Wise: Prevent Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft” with Elder Financial Protection Network and SAIF and Assemblymember Loni Hancock at 10:30 a..m. at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. RSVP if you would like to attend. 559-1406. 

Wild Animals of the Bay Area Meet the animals at 3 p.m. at the Melrose Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 4805 Foothill Blvd. 535-5623. 

Family Lawn Bowling Lessons from 5 p.m. to dusk at Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club, 2270 Acton St. 841-2174. 

“New to DVD Series” will screen “Transamerica” at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon in Oakland. For more information, phone Anne at 594-5165.  

“Metropolis” German 1927 film on class differentiations in the future, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction 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. 

JumpStart Networking Share infromation with other entrepreneurs at 8 p.m. at A’Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. at Alcatraz. Cos tis $10. 652-4532. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. 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, AUGUST 3 

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. 

Alameda County Community Food Bank Celebration and Information from 1 to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church 534 22nd street, Oakland. 635-3663, ext. 354. 

“Surfing for Life” A documentary on active surfers in their 70s, 80s and 90s, at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave.526-3720. 

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.  

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

ONGOING 

Energy Saving Program for Residents CYES is running its 7th annual summer program, providing direct-installation of CFLs, retractable clotheslines, showerheads, and more. Services available in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond. Free. 665-1501. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Aug. 1 at 5 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Child Care Food Program is available without charge to all children enrolled in the BUSD Early Childhood Education progam, based on income eligibility guidelines. Please call for details 644-6358.

A photo caption on the front page of the July 14 issue misidentified the woman in the photograph. The woman is Clara Johnston.

FRIDAY, JULY 28 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Night of the Iguana” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Aug. 12. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Aurora Theatre “Permanent Collection” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through JAug. 5. Tickets are $28-$45. 843-4822. www.auroratheatere.org 

California Shakespeare Theater “Restoration Comedy” at the Bruns Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. through July 30. Tickets are $15 and up. 548-9666. www.calshakes.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 

Encore Theatre Comapny and Shotgun Players “The Typographer’s Dream” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Sept. 3. Tickets are $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Impact Theatre “House of Lucky” Written and performed by Frank Wortham, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Aug. 26. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468. 

Stage Door Conservatory Children’s Musical Theatre “Gypsy” at 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$20, children and seniors $10. www.juliamorgan.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Event Horizon” Installation and sculpture exploring the industry of the human conciousness. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Transmissions Gallery , 1177 San Pablo Ave. 558-4084. www.transmissions-gallery.com 

FILM 

Janet Gaynor: A Centennial Celebration “State Fair” at 7 p.m. and “Adorable” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

John Dean on “Conservatives Without Conscience” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. 559-9500. 

Multicultural Institute’s Youth Writing Festival Reading at 6:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Celebrate Peruvian Independence Day with Lalo Izquirdo & Marina Lavalle at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Kodály Summer Institute Choir performs Fauré Requiem, at 7:30 p.m. at McLean Chapel, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Admission is free. 

Summer Youth Program Concert at 8 p.m. at the Jazz- 

school. 845-5373.  

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

Steve Lucky and 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 Wexler at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

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

Ben Stolorow, jazz piano, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Dave Lionelli and Jamie Jenkins singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Shimshai, part of the Kirtan devotional music series, at 8 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Cost is $15-$18. 843-2787. 

Fuzzy Cousins, Brian Kenney Fresno, Death By Stork at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082.  

Proudflesh 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. 

The I Grade Showcase, reggae, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15. 548-1159.  

Sol Spectrum at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Paige, Alexis Harte Band at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Kenny Burrell, 75th Birthday celebration at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, JULY 29 

EXHIBITIONS 

Takahiko Hayashi “Paintings and Color Etchings” Reception with the artist at 6 p.m. at The Schurman-Scriptum Gallery, 1659 San Pablo Ave. Exhibition runs to Aug. 31. Gallery hours are Wed.-Sat., noon to 6 p.m. and Sun. noon to 5 p.m. 524-0623. 

“New Visions: Introductions” Artist talk at 1 p.m. at Pro Arts, 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-4361. 

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 

Shotgun Players “Ragnarok: The Doom of the Gods” Sat. and Sun. at 4 p.m. at John Hinkle Park, through Sept. 10. Free, with pass the hat donation after the show. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Stage Door Conservatory Children’s Musical Theatre “Gypsy” at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$20, children and seniors $10. www.juliamorgan.org 

FILM 

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

“The Nth Commandment” with Judith Rosenberg on piano, at 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Fandango, Searching for the White Monkey” at 11:30 a.m. at the Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak St. Encentro music and dance performances at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Cost is $5-$10.  

Jewish Film Festival From noon to 10 p.m. at the Roda Theater, through Aug. 5. For complete listings of films see www.sfjff.org. Tickets are $10 and up. 925-275-9490. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sandra M. Gilbert and Phyllis Stowell read from their books on death and grief at 3 p.m. in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6107. 

“Preserving America’s World War II Home Front: Richmond” A tour with The Northern California Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $30-$40. For details call 233-6151. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Joe Vasconcellos at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20-$25. 849-2568.  

Walter Savage Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Hamsa Lila, world groove at 10 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Drum circle at 9 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Dezarie, Ikahba, Luna Angel at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $17-$20. 548-1159.  

Paul Sprawl & Jonathan Best, avant blues and boogie woogie at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204. 

Evelie Posch and Steve Taylor, singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Regina Pontillo at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

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

The Red Elvises, The Kehoe Nation at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10-$15. 848-0886.  

Hamir Atwal Trio and guests at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Rhonda Benin Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Brightblack Morning Light, Daniel Higgs, Mariee Sioux at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Acts of Sedition, Parallax, Shortchanged at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, JULY 30 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Bay Area Landscapes from Trillium Press” opens at Oakland City Center, 500 12th St., Oakland. 238-6836.  

FILM 

Janet Gaynor: A Centennial Celebration “Servants’ Entrance” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jonathan Keats in conversation with Vitaly Koma on conceptual art, collaborative process and Jewish culture at 2 p.m. at the Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $10-$12. 549-6450.  

Poetry Flash with Terry Hauptman & Sharon Doubiago at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave. 653-9965. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Midsummer Mozart Festival Program 2, at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Tickets are $30-$60. 415-627-9145. www.midsummermozart.org 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies perform Greek and Russian vocal music, at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $15, children under 16 $2. 526-9146. 

Oakland Lyric Opera’s “Italian Holiday” at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Donation $18-$20, includes post performance reception. Reservations requested. 836-6772.  

Dimensions Dance Theater Rites of Passage Youth Dance Festival at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $13-$16. 465-3363.  

San Francisco Renaissance Voices at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Alameda, 2001 Santa Clara at Chestnut, Alameda. Suggested donation $10-$15, children under 13 free. 522-1477. 

Gearóid Ó Hallmhuráin & Barbara Magone at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Bandworks at 2:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Brazilian Soul at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Americana Unplugged: Squirrelly String Band at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Joe Vasconcellos at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20-$25. 849-2568.  

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

MONDAY, JULY 31 

CHILDREN 

Puppet Art Theater “Little Red Riding Hood” at 7 p.m. at the Temescal Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave. 597-5049. 

Opera Piccola “Hansel & Gretel” at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1160 41st St. 597-5011. 

Rafa Cano, Spanish sing-along for children, at 10:30 a.m. at PriPri Cafe, 1309 Solano Ave., Albany. Free. 528-7002. 

Puppet Art Theater “Tommy’s Pirate Adventure” at 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 6833 International Blvd. 615-5728. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Revisions” Jonathon Keats: The First Intergalactic Art Exposition opens at the Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., and runs to Jan. 14. 549-6450.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mal Warwick describes “Values-Driven Business” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St.  

Poetry Express open mic theme night on “fantasy” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 

CHILDREN 

Magician Norman Ng at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Gary Laplow sing-along at 7 p.m. at the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. 482-7844. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Paul Robeson: The Tallest Tree in Our Forest” Tues.-Sat., noon to 5:30 p.m. at The African-American Museum, 659 14th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to Aug. 26. 637-0199. 

“2006 Digital Printmaking” Exhibition of large format digital prints by the Berkeley City College Multimedia Dept. at Addison Street Windows, 2018 Addison St, through Aug. 31. 525-8247. 

“Form and Light” Photographs by Eric Nurse on display at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park, Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. though Aug. 27. 525-2233. 

FILM 

Jewish Film Festival From noon to 10 p.m. at the Roda Theater, through Aug. 5. For complete listings of films see www.sfjff.org. Tickets are $10 and up. 925-275-9490. 

Screenagers “Chain Camera” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

George Lakoff will talk about “Whose Freedom? The Battle Over America’s Most Important Idea” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Open Mic with Austin Vice featuring Anthoney Pulsipher, at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zizoo at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Sonny Fortune and Rashied Ali at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 

FILM 

“Metropolis” German 1927 film on class differentiations in the future, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. 

Janet Gaynor “The Farmer Takes a Wife” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Dustin Long reads from “Icelander” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

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 

Roy Zimmerman in “Faulty Intelligence” An evening of satirical songs, Wed.-Fri. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh Berkeley, 2118 Allston Way, through Aug. 24. 800-838-3006. www.themarsh.org  

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

Ektaa, Indian Classical music and dance, at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Curse of the Zero, Empathy, Hippe Grenade at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8. 848-0886.  

Akosua, Ghanaian-American vocalist, guitarist, composer at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

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

Sonny Fortune and Rashied Ali at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 

EXHIBITIONS 

“2006 Digital Printmaking” Exhibition of large format digital prints by the Berkeley City College Multimedia Dept. Sidewalk reception at 6 p.m. at Addison Street Windows, 2018 Addison St. Exhibition runs through Aug. 31. 525-8247. 

“An American Social Landscape” Paintings by Patricia Schaefer. Reception at 4 p.m. at MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Third floor, Oakland. 817-5773. 

Paintings by Vivian Prinsloo, South African artists. Reception at 5 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery 2911 Claremont Ave. Exhibition runs to Aug. 13. 848-1228. 

FILM 

Jewish Film Festival From noon to 10 p.m. at the Roda Theater, through Aug. 5. For complete listings of films see www.sfjff.org. Tickets are $10 and up. 925-275-9490. 

Frank Borzage “The River” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free screening. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“My America: Mid-century Photography” with Drew Johnson at 6:30 p.m. at The Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8.  

Joe Quirk reads from “Sperm Are from Men, Eggs Are from Women: The Real Reason Men and Women Are Different” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Larry Everest discusses “Oil, Power and Empire: Iraq and the U.S. Global Agenda” at 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Books in Berkeley, 2425 Channing Way, at Telegraph, under the Sather Gate parking lot. 848-1196. 

Word Beat Reading Series with H.D. Moe, Marsha Campbell and Eli Elijah Le Lys 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with Sara and Swingtime at the Downtown Berkeley BART station. Free.  

Mo’Rockin’ Project, Amam & Friends at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054.  

“Past Present Future” Students of the Ailey Camp perform at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Free, but reservations suggested. 642-9988.  

Keola Beamer, slack-key guitar and vocals from Hawai’i at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

The B-Cups, Placenta at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082.  

Jonathan Richman and Los Nadies at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20. 849-2568.  

Fear of the Outdoors at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Mose Allison at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200.  

Are your kids gone at summer camp? Are you in need of some fulfillment from young people? 

For the next three nights, under the direction of Heather Raines, the Stage Door Conservatory’s 17- member cast of the Teens Onstage Program, will present Gypsy, a theatrical musical first produced by David Merrick in 1959, at the Julia Morgan Center in Berkeley. 

Right after school got out, when most students were going off to foreign countries, summer camp or summer jobs, these kids were doing theater. Teens Onstage began camp on June 19 and have been tirelessly working to produce a stellar, final product. 

“There were no auditions for the play,” remarks Raines. “We take students on a first-come, first-serve basis ... we pride ourselves on the learning that goes on as much as the final product.” 

During the first two days of camp, Raines gave the kids the opportunity to look over the play, study it, and even do some outside research. Then, they performed before Raines, who decided on a cast list. 

Ashley Swihart, 16, who plays Louise, said, “Before we do a scene, Heather tells us to interpret the scene the way we think it is supposed to be and then she guides us through it. She gives us feedback and takes a lot of our suggestions.” 

At camp, which ran from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., many different things go on. Kids participate in drama sessions, art sessions, dance sessions, and music sessions. The kids make all their own scenery as well. But most important of all, the self-described “close cast” learn to bond and work together. 

Daniela Debergue, 16, plays the leading role of Mama Rose. Mama Rose is portrayed as a “typical stage mom” who has two daughters named June and Louise. She concentrates all her efforts on her favored daughter June and wants to make June famous on the stage. 

“She’s very desperate for everything,” says Debergue. “She’s obsessed with June, because she didn’t get famous when she was younger. She’s living through her children.” 

The story continues as June and Louise are included in the picture. June is a “ditzy, annoyingly perky blonde” who is very intelligent. Her sister, Louise, played by Swihart is a child, scarred by neglect. 

Swihart says of her role, “Her mother is mean and ignores her. It is not until the end of the play that Louise is happy.” 

The Stage Door Conservatory is a theatrical program that Debbie Grossman and Gina Scher founded in 1999. It was originally located at the Berkeley-Richmond Jewish Community Center. 

“It’s a real ensemble group,” mentioned Simon Kaplan, camp director. “We give each kid a chance to shine. We really believe that everyone is important and that everyone has something to contribute.” 

Performances are at the Julia Morgan Theater at 2640 College Ave., between Derby and Parker Streets. The showtimes this weekend are Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 5 p.m. Tickets range from $15-20 for adults and are $10 for children, students, and seniors. The box office is open 30 minutes prior to the show.

What better way to appreciate and pay tribute to the songs of Leonard Cohen than to watch and listen as a cast of his less talented idolaters walk on stage and butcher them? 

This appears to be the premise of Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, a documentary that just completed its second week at the Albany Twin. 

I had read several reviews beforehand and had some idea what I was in for. I knew, for instance, that the film consists primarily of footage from a 2005 concert in which musicians, famous and otherwise, performed Cohen’s music; I knew that interviews with Cohen would be interspersed throughout, and that the man himself would not step before the mic until the film’s final moments; and I knew that among those paying tribute to Cohen in interviews would be U2’s Bono, a man who, I’ll admit, inspires in me a wholly irrational degree of hostility. But still, I thought, it’s Leonard Cohen, his words, his music, his life … how bad could it be?  

Ay caramba.  

The musicians involved are apparently incapable of appreciating just exactly what makes Cohen’s music unique. They pay homage to his words, which are indeed the most crucial element of his art, but give not a moment’s thought to how exactly those words work, how they should be delivered to accord them the respect they deserve, or how and why they have endured for decades.  

The performance of those words is an art that these lesser talents have yet to grasp. To put those words across means focusing on them, uttering them, cleanly and crisply, with delicacy but with authority. This is poetry after all, and the words speak for themselves. But these singers and musicians instead do Cohen and us a great disservice by cluttering their performances with affectation: they tremble, they squint, they gesture, they wallow, they quaver, they fidget, they clutch at their hearts. They do not so much feel the words and music as put a great deal of sound and fury into the act of convincing us that they feel the words and music. It’s as if they don’t trust each song to convey to us its greatness, but rather proclaim themselves the arbiters of that greatness, and seek to convince us less enlightened souls that, no, really, this is good stuff and you should pay attention. On the other hand, the film did succeed in sending me right home to listen to Cohen’s original records, if only to purge myself of the memory of these overwrought cover versions.  

The only exceptions are the performances of Rufus Wainwright, whose gleefully silly rendition of “Everybody Knows” demonstrates what every other figure in the film, save Cohen himself, utterly lacks: a sense of humor. Wainwright plays up the campy aspects of the song, emphasizing the wit while also taking great pleasure in letting flow the swirling stream of the song’s dizzying and decadent lyrics.  

Cohen’s humor is on display often in the film’s interview segments as he offers insightful tales and self-deprecating remarks about his life and career. Director Lian Lunson, however, is intent on presenting Cohen with the same sort of hyperbolic grandiosity with which the rest of the cast presents him, even using the absurd device of an echo to repeat some of the singer’s more resonant asides.  

When the dapper minimalist finally takes up the microphone, he puts the musicians and the filmmakers to shame, delivering a perfectly dry, perfectly dignified performance of “Tower of Song.” It’s a welcome sight: the aged man in immaculate suit, holding his glasses in his hand as he stand still and distinguished before a glittering, red curtain. Ah, this is the real deal, this is what we paid for. But then the camera pulls back for one last indignity, revealing the backing band: U2. Yes, Bono, the world’s most prolifically sanctimonious and self-aggrandizing showman, has managed yet again to stamp his wrap-around-shade-clad face on another cultural icon. It’s not enough to testify before the United Nations; not enough to stamp his maudlin mug on the Sept. 11 tribute concert; not enough to contribute a cliché-ridden celebratory montage to the finale of last month’s World Cup. Now he’s got to stake his claim to the legacy of Leonard Cohen.  

But Cohen’s music stands alone. It has endured for decades, despite the man’s infrequent releases and even more infrequent performances. It has withstood the test of time, and it can surely withstand this silly movie, just as surely as it can withstand Bono. 

LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN 

Directed by Lian Lunson. Featuring Leonard Cohen, U2, Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Linda Thompson and others. 115 minutes.  

Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man stems from a 2005 tribute concert in which a cast of Cohen idolaters covers some of his best-known songs.

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, the world’s largest and oldest, returns to the Roda Theatre Saturday for a week-long engagement. It ran last week at San Francisco’s Castro Theater and will move on to San Rafael after the Berkeley engagement.  

The festival features more than 40 films in a variety of genres celebrating the spirit of independent Jewish cinema: from documentaries to short subjects, from weepy dramas to heart-warming tales of hope. As usual, the festival has an international bent, with films and filmmakers hailing from Israel, the United States and even the former Soviet Union. 

The festival kicks off at noon Saturday with Belzec, a new documentary about a virtually forgotten Nazi concentration camp in which more than 60,000 Polish Jews lost their lives. 

Also showing in the next week are three works by Amos Gitai, this year’s recipient of the festival’s Freedom of Expression Award. Free Zone, featuring Natalie Portman, screens at 6:30 p.m. July 31; House, one of Gitai’s early documentaries, screens at 5 p.m. Aug. 5; and News From Home/News From House, an as-yet-unreleased documentary, screens at 4:15 p.m. July 31. 

26th ANNUAL  

JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 

Saturday July 29 through Saturday Aug. 5 at the Roda Theatre. $11 per screening. www.sjfjj.org. (925) 275-9490.

The exhibit “Paul Robeson: The Tallest Tree in Our Forest,” has been extended through Aug. 26. at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, 659 14th St., Oakland. 

The exhibit honors the contributions and legacy of Paul Robeson, scholar, singer, actor, athlete, and human rights activist. The multimedia exhibit features photographs, original art, documents on loan from the collection of the Bay Area Paul Robeson Centennial Committee, as well as video and audio presentations about Robeson’s early life, his careers on stage and in film, and his political awakening. 

Born the son of a former slave in 1898, Robeson rose to fame as a powerful actor and singer, but his career suffered when he became an outspoken critic of inequality and racism.  

“Standing steadfast to his convictions, he drew the wrath of many, becoming the target of a state-sponsored effort to erase his very being, ridicule his faith, and deny his right as an American citizen to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness,” Chief Curator Rick Moss said. “The exhibit’s modest examination of this complex man cannot begin to reveal all that he was, or the extent to which his sacrifices paved the way for the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1950s and ‘60s social and political movements that radically altered the fabric of our nation.”  

Robeson died in 1976.  

The display opened April 8 and was initially scheduled to close July 8 before being extended. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. Free admission; wheelchair accessible.