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. 

National Night Out A community discussion on the drugs and violence that plague our community,From 6 to 9 p.m. at McGee Ave Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. 843-1774. 

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 meets at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm. 524-9992. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Explore Berkeley’s would-be state capitol. Meet at 10 am at Northbrae Church, Los Angeles and The Alameda. www.berkeleypaths.org  

“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 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 

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 

Ballroom Dancing every Friday at 8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Live band and refreshments. Cost is $10. 925-934-9129. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. 548-6310, 845-1143. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 

Victorian House Tour on Angel Island Open just one weekend a year, Sat. and Sun. Tickets are $7-$15. 415-435-3522. www.angelisland.org 

A Vision for Creek Restoration Plans with local officials, environmental groups and community members to promote community-based planning from 1 to 4 p.m. at Parchester Village Community Center, 900 Williams Dr., Parchester Village, Richmond. 415-693-3000, ext 109. 

Farm Stories and Songs Come clap your hands, your paws, or anything you got! Hear some fun songs and stories, then meet the animals at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“To Bee or Not to Bee” An educational puppet show on the complex society of the honey bee, at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club for children ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening. We plant, harvest, build, make crafts, cook, and get dirty. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Registration is required. Cost is $6-$8. 636-1684.  

Sick Plant Clinic UC plant pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants from 9 a.m. to noon at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

Oakland Heritage Walking Tour of Earthquake Impacts of the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Fire Alarm Building on Lakeside Drive, opposite the Main Library. Cost is $5-$15. 763-9218.  

Robot Workshop using recycled materials, for children age 5 and up from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lakeview branch of the Oakland Public Library, 550 El Embarcadero. Reservations required. 238-7344. 

Learn About Pets with Maggie Yates, Human Education Coordinator for the Berkeley Humane Society at 2 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

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

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. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Yoga for Peace Sat. from 9:30 to 11:00 at Olone Park, MLK and Hearst St. North Berkeley. Bring a yoga mat, warm blanket, and a peace sign.  

Adult Fast Pitch Softball every Sat at noon. For location call 204-9500.  

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 

East Bay Peace Lantern Ceremony from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the north end of Aquatic Park. Decorate lantern shades, fold paper cranes, hear Japanese flute and drum music, watch the lanterns float on the lagoon at sunset. 595-4626. www.progressiveportal.org/lanterns 

Natural History Field Sketching with Tara Reinertson, naturalist, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Bring your pencils and sketchbook. 525-2233. 

Make A Felt Doll Meet our flock of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, then learn how to turn their wool into a fun felt project. For ages 8 and up. Cost is $7-$12. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Oakland Heritage Walking Tour on Oakland’s Streetcar Heritage from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $5-$15. Reservations required. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

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. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

Summer Sunday Forum with Stephen Zunes on current policies of the U.S. at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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. 

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 

MONDAY, AUGUST 7 

Talk on Aquatic Park Restoration Learn about the WPA-built lagoons at Berkeley’s Aquatic Park and the egrets, herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl, at 7 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. The speaker will be Mandy Benson, CA NOW, who will discuss Proposition 85, the far right’s latest attempt to restrict reproductive rights. 287-8948. 

“Delaying (or Accelerating) the Degenerative Disease of Aging” with Bruce Ames at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $5. www.hillsideclub.org  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8 a.m to 1 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente, 901 Nevin Ave., Richmond. Call for appointment 307-2721. 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60+ years old meets 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 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

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

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. 

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

CITY MEETINGS 

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

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil

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. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200.  

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.  

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 artist. 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, 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.  

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 

THEATER 

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

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

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Footloose” 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.  

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

Shotgun Players “Ragnarok: 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.  

Woodminster Summer Musicals “The King and I” Fri.-Sun. at 8 p.m., through Aug 13 at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Rd., Oakland. TIckets are $21.50-$35.50. 531-9597. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Ball & Chain” Pre-marital show for Gretchen Grasshoff and Jordan Mello, reception at 7 p.m. at Boontling Galery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Show runs to Aug. 27. www.boontlinggallery.com 

“Catching Ripples” Paintings and sculptures by Eric Helsley and “Those Bucolic Places” paintings by Carol Paquet. Reception at 5 p.m. at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland. 444-7411. 

“Sound and Vison II” A group show of works influenced by music. Reception at 7 p.m. at Auto3321 Gallery, 3321 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Show runs to Aug. 13. www.auto3321.com 

“Mercury Rising” A group show of new works by 15 Bay Area artists. Reception at 5 p.m. at Robert Tomlinson Studio, 25 Grand Ave., Oakland. Exhibition runs to Aug. 31. 866-8808. 

FILM 

“Atenco: Rompiendo el Cerco/ Breaking the Silence” with music by Francisco Herrera at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free. 581-7963. 

“Cartography of Ashes” A documentary on the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org.  

“Shaken Not Stirred: Martinis, Music and Mayhem” at 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

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. 

Janet Gaynor “Small Town Girl” at 7:30 p.m. at “Ladies in Love” at 8:50 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jimbo Trout and the Fish People with Birdlegg and the Tightfit Blues Band outdoor concert at 5:30 p.m. at Park Place and Washington Ave., Pt. Richmond. 237-9375.  

Bay Area Blues Society Concert at 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Bolokasa Conde & Les Percussion Malinke concert and doundounda dance party at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$20. 849-2568.  

Sage, The Nomad, Two Seconds, The Moanin Dove at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Charles Ferguson Latin Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Wylie & the Wild West at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Scott Amendola Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

AJ Roach and Adam Benjamine at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Ten Ton Chicken, Cosmic Mercy at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Set it Straight, Lifelong Tragedy, Deadfall at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Translator, Uptones, Penelope Houston and others at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $20-$25. 451-8100.  

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 

THEATER 

Shotgun Players “Ragnarok: 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.  

FILM 

Frank Borzage “Lazy Bones” at 6:30 p.m. and Janet Gaynor “A Star is Born” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Bay Area Poets Coalition holds a memorial for the poet Maggi H. Meyer followed by an open poetry reading, 3 to 5 p.m., at Strawberry Creek Lodge Dining Hall, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. 527-9905. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Coterie Dance Company “My Soul Moves” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $13 children, $15 adults. 925-798-1300. 

UC Berkeley Summer Symphony at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall UC Campus, Donation $5. 717-2126. 

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

Motor Dude Zydeco at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Ba-Tu-Ke at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12. 849-2568.  

Ken Mahru & David Serotkin at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

The David Thom Band, traditional bluegrass, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Displace at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Mark Little Duo at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

The Blue Roots, Naked Barbies at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Verse, Have Heart, Shipwreck, Hostile Takeover at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 

FILM 

Janet Gaynor “Delicious” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

UC Berkeley Summer Symphony at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall UC Campus, Donation $5. 717-2126. 

Twang Cafe with Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days and Pickin’ Trix at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. All ages welcome. 644-2204.  

Sharon Knight at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Frederick Hodge, international café music at 2 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8. 525-5054. 

Irene Chigamba & Erica Azim, mbira music from Zimbabwe, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

This is my Fist, One Reason, Hot New Mexicans at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, AUGUST 7 

CHILDREN 

Gary Laplow sing-along at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Last Word Poetry Series with Mary Rudge and Lenore Weiss at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 843-7439. 

Michael Rothenberg and Marat Nemet-Nejat read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Margaret Emerson reads from “Eyes in the Mirror” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poetry Express features Jan Steckel, followed by an open mic at 7 p.m. at Priya Indian Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Sophie Milman at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s. Cost is $6-$12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

An orchestra of marimbas playing “Down in Mexico, Joyous Mexico” ... Drinking Rum Cocos on the verandah of the Hotel Costa Verde, while below, the patrona’s nightswimming with the local boys, and that big lizard’s chafing at the end of his rope, and a hurricane’s brewing up ... 

It’s the scene for Tennessee Williams’ Night of the Iguana, put on by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley in Live Oak Theatre. 

It’s tough being the Reverend Shannon—and he’d be the first to admit it—chased by the freshly widowed patrona, chased by the “child musical prodigy” along for the ride with the Texas Baptist schoolmarms on the tour bus he’s guiding, chased by Miss Fellows, implacable ombudswoman for the vacationing ladies ... and chased by “the spooks,” or Blue Meanies or whatever, the personal Eumenides that have tracked this ex- minister since he was locked out of his Virginia church on a false charge of “atheistical sermons.” Who ever had it like this? And all in a tropical paradise? Not since Gauguin ... 

Mexico as the gringo’s devil in paradise spawned a few other literary mementos of the same vintage as Tennessee’s, which is set in 1940 near Acapulco, but was first staged in the early ‘60s. Williams’ original is practically the only stage rendition of note that comes to mind, capturing a lingering note from The Summer House, sole play by Jane Bowles, wife of Paul. 

At the Costa Verde, Shannon’s the Alpha—or is it Omega?—male, fending off all female comers. The other men are factotums, mere tourists, other tour guides, or the vague, conversational ghost of his old friend, the sport fisherman who owned the hotel, and listened to the erstwhile holy man’s tales of woe when the mood hit, while maintaining a menage of silence with his wife. “Why do you always come here to crack up?” queries the reasonable widow. “It’s the hammock, Maxine, the hammock by the rain forest.” 

But trundling out of the blue, shoving a wheelchair, comes Shannon’s match in the spinsterish shape of the globetrotting granddaughter of “the oldest living practicing poet,” who doesn’t pursue him, but tells him of small acts of love, instead, like the evening in a sampan with the fat, bald and fetishistic shy Australian woman’s undergarment salesman. 

Most of these creatures are at that end of their tether, just like the iguana—except the tourists. At least, they say as much—and admit they’re hustlers. 

Laura Jane Bailey plays Maxine coarse, loud and down-to-earth. Miss Fellows (who’s at the end of her patience, not tether) is the no-nonsense schoolmarm non plus ultra in Virginia Handley’s characterization. Handley also seems to have some real fun alternating as one of the German tourist gargoyles-in-shades, strutting and singing Nature and imperialist songs, or listening, anachronistically, to the Fuhrer’s Reichstag speech on a transistor radio. 

This goes especially ditto for her complement, Richard Dorn, splendidly overbearing as the boisterous Nazi holidayer, but all business when playing Jake, who comes to replace Shannon at the helm of the tour bus. Katie Krueger is a frantic child music prodigy, frank and precocious in her approach to the collarless minister. 

The best turn of all is Margery Bailey as Hannah, Shannon’s “stand-up Buddha,” a self-possessed, prepossessing performance, like the one her character puts in, arriving penniless, with a declaiming, “97-year-young” moribund poet (ably played, or posed, recited—and whined, by Lewis Campbell). Having to act as foil, or counterfoil, to all these over-the-top monsters of ego and want is a tough job, and Bailey does it with poise and characterization as finely shaded as Hannah’s charcoal sketch portraits, hawked to the tourists.  

Jeff Bell cuts a fine figure as bedevilled Shannon, and communicates the irrepressible seediness of a minister-on-the-skids at moments, but doesn’t convey the necessary gravity with the skid that makes Hannah exclaim, “when somebody I respect acts like a small, cruel boy ...” or another remark, “You’re still indulging yourself in your Passion Play performance ... another bit of voluptuous self-crucifixion!” This makes him seem to saw the air, getting loud a bit too often like a frantic Lear trying to outshout the storm.  

Others rush the lines, too, and some of the blocking (and the tussle between Shannon and Maxine) comes off awkwardly. It’s a long play and a temptation to speed it up might be present, but director Eddie Kurtz, an artistic assistant at The Rep, may be responsible for some of these slips, which lose Williams’ syncopated rhythms that slip on a comic banana peel as the masks fall off of even the most seemingly dignified. 

Rose Anne Raphael’s set places the action well, if maybe a little less crumby than the casa should be—a recurrent fault in recent Williams revivals. Tennessee’s is still a great play to go see, unless you’re booked in for Puerto Vallarta or Cabo ... after the show, you may just rush home to cancel. 

NIGHT OF THE IGUANA 

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 12. $12. Live Oak Theatre,  

1301 Shattuck Ave. 649-5999.  

www.aeofberkeley.org.