FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 

Got E-Waste? Free public disposal and recycling event for electronic waster from noon to 5 p.m. and Sat. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oakland Coliseum, Parking lot D,7000 Coliseum Way, off 66th Avenue at the North Mall Area. Please no microwave ovens or household appliances. 866-335-3373. www.noewaste.com 

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 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Russell A. Unbraco on “Antique Glass.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Mad Scientist Surplus Sale and preview of green technologies at 7 p.m. at The Crucible, 1260 7th St., Oakland. Cost is $10. 444-0919. http://thecrucible.org 

Thoughts of A Hangman Film Industry Mixer and Fundraiser at 8 p.m. at Spengers, 1919 Fourth St. Cost is $20.  

Circle Dancing, simple folkdancing, beginners welcome, no partners needed. From 8 to 10 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University Ave. Donation $5. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

“Seeking Jewish Community and Connection” Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at JGate, 409 Liberty Ave., El Cerrito. 559-8140. 

Womensong Circle, participatory singing for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $15-$20 sliding scale. 525-7082.  

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

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9 

Cerrito Creek Restoration Help Friends of Five Creeks volunteers control erosion and restore habitat on Cerrito Creek at the foot of Albany Hill, from 10 a.m. to noon. Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with good traction. Meet at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara St., El Cerrito, just north of Albany Hill. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

East Bay AIDS Walk at Lakeside Park, Oakland. Registration begins at 9 a.m., near the Edoff Memorial Bandstand, across from the Lakeside Park Garden Center. The walk around Lake Merritt begins at 10 a.m. 872-0568. http://eastbayaidswalk. 

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Tinkers Workshop Used Bike Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Drive at Berkeley Aquatic Park. Benefit programs for at-risk youth. www.tinkersworkshop.org 

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

Plunge Into Ponds A family pond exploration to find tadpoles, dragonflies, frog and snail from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“How Has the New Medicare Drug Plan Affected You?” A community discussion at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkeley Co-Housing Community Room, 2220 Sacramento St. Presented by OWL, Older Women’s League, 528-3739. 

Senior Safety Forum, from 10 a.m. to noon at McGee Avenue Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. Sponsored by Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action. 665-5821. 

NAACP Berkeley Branch meets at 1 p.m. to discuss voter registration and education for the Nov. 7th election at Church by the Side of the Road, 2108 Russell St. 845-7416. 

“Haiti Today: Occupation and Resistance” A panel discussion with Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste, Dr. Paul Farner, and Brian Concannon at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Donation $7-$15, no one turned away. 483-7481. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234.  

Point Richmond Music and Arts Festival with live music, orginal art and jewelry, and food from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Park Place and Washington Ave. 231-6909. 

“Living Lightly: Simpler, Slower, Smaller” A day of discussions and resources from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Cost is $15-$20. www.worldcentric.org/ 

septsimplicityconf 

Free Electronic Waste Event Recycle your electronics Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the El Cerrito Department of Motor Vehicles, 6400 Manila Ave. E-waste accepted: computer monitors, computers/computer components, televisions, VCR & DVD players, toner cartridges, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephone equipment, cell phones, MP3 players. NOT accepted are appliances, batteries, microwaves, paints, pesticides, etc. 1-888-832-9839  

Luna Kids Open House & Dance Class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. 644-3629. 

The East Bay Baby Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. www.brjcc.org  

Great War Society, East Bay Chapter meets to discuss Military Development of Weaponry in WWI at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

“Ghandi in his Youth” with Mary K. Earle at Dramatically Speaking Toastmasters at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St. in the Kaiser Bldg., Oakland. 581-8675. 

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

Early Childhood Education Workshop on Nuitrition from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oakland Asian Cultural Arts Center, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. To register call 639-1361. 

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

Spiritwalking: Aqua Chi(TM) at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Also Wed. at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $5.50, $3.50 seniors & disabled. Bring your own towels. 526-0312. 

Urban Releaf Tree Tour of Oakland and workshops in urban forestry that teach tree planting, maintenance, GIS/GPS systems, and community advocacy. For information call 601-9062. www.urbanreleaf.org 

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, SEPT. 10 

Solano Stroll from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A mile-long block party with a “Send in the Clowns” Parade at 11 a.m. 527-5358. 

Montclair Village Jazz and Wine Festival from noon to 7 p.m. in Montclair Village, La Salle and Moraga Ave. 339-1000. 

Mercury Thermometer Exchange & Safe Medicine Disposal from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Solano Stroll, under BART tracks at 1270 Solano Ave., Albany. Bring mercury thermometers sealed in two plastic ziplock bags and medicine in original containers with personal information marked out. www.saveSFbay.org 

Wildcat Peak Hike Enjoy a three-mile hike through diverse habitats, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring water, sunscreen, layered clothing and a snack. Call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

Breast Cancer Fund Bike Against the Odds from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park, Lake Merritt, Oakland. Cost is $50-$65. 415-346-8223.  

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to do a safety inspection at 10 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

Guitar Workshop with Muriel Anderson, National Fingerpicking Guitar Champion, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Berkeley. Cost is $30 in advance, $35 at door. For reservations call 912-1260. 

Pancake Breakfast on Board The Red Oak Victory Ship from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $6, includes tour of ship. Ship is located at 1337 Canal Blvd., Berth #6, Richmond. 237-2933. 

Self Defense Workshop for men and women from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in Berkeley. Cost is $115, scholarships available. For details call 800-467-6997.  

Nia Jam at 2 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Cost $15. 843-2787. 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712.  

Kickabout at Codornices Park Soccer for all, skill and talent not required. For more information contact cambour@hotmail.com  

Balinese Dance Class with Tjokorda Istri Putra Padmini at 11 a.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave. 237-6849. 

Flexible Healing Class for all ages and fitness levels at 1:30 p.m. at Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 9th St. & University Ave. Free. 390-8644. 

Ancient Tools for Successful Living Workshops in Meditation, the I-Ching, and Qi Gong begin at 5272 Foothill Blvd. Oakland. Cost is $8 per class. 536-5934. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Santosh Philip on “Treasures of Tibetan Yoga” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, SEPT. 11 

Candlelight Vigil for 9/11 Rememberance and Healing at 6 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302. 

Jim Wallis on “God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It” at 6 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $10. 559-9500. 

National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter, with Deborah Berger, president of the CA Nurses Association, at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. 287-8948. 

“Ghandi” the film starring Ben Kingsley, on the 100th anniversay of Ghandi’s non-violent movement, at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists’ Hall, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. 528-5403. 

“9/11 the Myth and the Reality” Film at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Q & A to follow with film maker, Ken Jenkins. Benefit for the Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance. Tickets are $10.  

Berkeley Community Chorus rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant, and meet every Mon. night. No auditions, all are welcome. www.bcco.org 

Albany’s New Police Chief, Mike McQuiston will speak at the Brown Bag Forum at 12:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Ave. 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people aged 60 and over meets at 9:45 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Donation $3. 524-9122. 

Nutrition for Optimal Health at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Lead Abatement Repairs Find out about funding for lead hazard repairs for rental properties with low-income tenants, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. 567-8280.  

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12 

“All Governments Lie” with Myra MacPherson, journalist and author, who will discuss her new biography of I. F. Stone, at 5:30 p.m. at North Gate Library, Grad. School of Journalism, Hearst at Euclid Ave., UC Campus. 643-3840. 

Docent Training at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden Learn about native plants and then give something back to the community by leading tours. Twenty sessions on Tues. through Feb. from 9 a.m. to noon at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park. Course fee is $125. To register call 527-9802. gkeator@aol.com  

“New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina: Lessons for California’s Levees” with Ray Seed, Prof. Civil and Environmental Engineering, UCB, at 5:30 p.m. at 250 Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Campus. 642-2666. 

Discover Northern Arizona’s Redrock Country A slide presentation with geologist Jim Scheihing at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Elderhostel: Adventures in Lifelong Learning” a video and talk by Margaret Hankle at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

Free Quit Smoking Classes on six Tues. evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. Optional free acupuncture provided. Registration required. 981-5330. quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

Torture Teach-in and Vigil every Tues. at 12:30 p.m. at the fountain on UC Campus, Bancroft at College. 

Handbuilding Ceramics Class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Also Mon. from noon to 4 p.m. and Wed. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ashby at Ellis Sts. Free, except for materials and firing charges. For information call 525-5497. 

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. 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, SEPT. 13  

Lorin District Traffic Calming A community meeting at 7 p.m. at Spud’s Meeting Room, 3290 Adeline. 981-7130. 

Katrina Update Fundraiser at 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$20, no one turned away.  

“National Security and Intellectual Freedom” Panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. at the Free Speech Movement Cafe at Moffitt Undergraduate Library, UC Campus.  

Healthy Aging Fair, with information on services and resources and health screenings, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall, 22292 Foothill Blvd., Hayward. Sponsored by the Alameda County Commission on Aging. 636-0347. 

“The End of Suburbia” a documetary on oil depletion and the collapse of the American Dream at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., between Broadway and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

East Bay Genealogical Society with Nancy Simons Peterson of the California Genealogical Society discussing her book, “Raking the Ashes: Genealogical Strategies for Pre-1906 San Francisco Research” at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room of the Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave. Oakland. Guests are always welcome. 635-6692.  

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

New to DVD: “Cache” at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $3-$5. 848-0237. 

Current Events Discussion Group meets on Wed. at 7 p.m. at the Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland. 597-4972. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome. 548-9840. 

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 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14 

Amy Goodman and David Goodman talk with Pratap Chatterjee and Michael Shenoda about “STATIC: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders and the People Who Fight Back” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Tickets are $10-$15 at Cody’s. Benefit for KPFA and CorpWatch. 559-9500. 

Richmond Southeast Shoreline Community Advisory Group meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Bermuda Room, Richmond Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, at Nevin and 25th Sts, Richmond. 367-5379. 

Financial Management Information for Seniors at 10:30 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190. 

Natural Baby Care with pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Estate Planning Seminar for You and Your Pets with attorney Timothy H. Smallsreed at 7 p.m. at Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, 2700 Ninth St. at Carleton. Free but RSVP requested, 845-7735, ext. 19. 

Poetry Workshop with Donna Davis from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Offered by the Berkeley Adult School. 644-6130. 

East Bay Macintosh Users Group, meets to discuss Concept Draw V, at 6 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. Free, all welcome. www.ebmug.org  

CITY MEETINGS 

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7410.  

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. Sept. 11, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510.  

Youth Commission meets Mon., Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. 981-6670.  

Berkeley Unified School District Board meets Wed. Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Don Brown, 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Sept. 13, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Sept. 13, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Sept. 13, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Sept. 13, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti, 981-6740.  

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs. Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5428.  

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., Sept. 14, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356. 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “The Foreigner” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St, Alameda, through Oct. 1. Cost is $12-$15. 523-1553.  

Aurora Theatre “Salome” at 8 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. and runs Wed. - Sun. through Oct. 1. Tickets are $38. 843-4822.  

Berkeley High “I Love You, Your’re Perfect, Now Change” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., through Sept. 16 at the Schwimley Little Theater, 1930 Allston Way. Tickets are $6-$20. 

“Color Stuck” a one-man show by Donald E. Lacy, Jr. at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, through Sun. Tickets are $5-$15. 663-5683. 

Encore Theatre Company and Shotgun Players “The Typographer’s Dream” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Sept. 17. Tickets are $15-$30. 841-6500.  

Masquers Playhouse “Diary of a Scoundrel” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond across from the Hotel Mac. Through Sept. 30. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. 

Their(R)evolution performances by Chileans Inés Villafañe-León and Julia Ahumada Grob at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Abstraction and Design” 2-D and 3-D abstract works in all media opens at 6 p.m. at ACCI Galery, 1652 Shattuck Ave., and runs through Oct. 2. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

FILM 

2nd Annual International Small Film Festival to Sept. 10 at Berkeley Art Center Gallery, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Cost is $2-$10. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Global Lens Film Festival “In the Battlefields” at 2 p.m., “The Night of Truth” at 7 p.m., “Almost Brothers” at 9:30 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.globalfilm.org 

A Theater Near You “The Fallen Idol” at 7 p.m. and “The Third Man” at 8:55 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Clifford Chase reads from his new novel, “Winkie” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Tucker Malarkey reads from her new novel, “Resurrection” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Sing Against the Odds” benefit fundraiser for Breast Cancer Fund with Irina Rivkin, Marca Cassity, Emily Shore, at 8 p.m. at Rose Street House of Music, 1839 Rose St. Donation $5-$50. To RSVP call 594-4000 ext. 687. 

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

Steve Smulian at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

African Roots of Jazz with E.W. Wainwright, clebrating Elvin Jones’ Birthday, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Diamante, Latin fusion, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Bill Monroe Tribute with Butch Waller, Bob Waller, Keith Little, Ed Nef and many others at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Dave Rocha Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Nomadics, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Stiff Dead Cat, 77 El Deora, Axton Kincaid at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Sour Mash Hug Band, The Bad Tings, Dandelion Junk Queens at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Albino, afro-beat, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Dave Ellis & Guru Garage at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Oscar Peterson at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $85-$100. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9 

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.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“2 the Nines” Photography by Steven Keller. Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Lavezzo Designs Studio, 5751 Horton St., Emeryville. 428-2384. 

“Through The Eye of The Artist” Group art show, mixed media. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Runs to Sept. 30. 644-4930. 

Veiled Threat: Works by Aaron Joseph Screenprints, digital prints, fiber art and fashion show inspired by the politicsof the 1970’s at 8 p.m. at The Living Room Gallery, 3230 Adeline St. Donation $3. 601-5774. 

FILM 

Global Lens Film Festival “Global Shorts” at 2 p.m., “Thirst” at 9:30 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.globalfilm.org 

The Road to Damascus: Discovering Syrian Cinema “Stars in Broad Daylight” at 6:30 p.m and “Sacrifices” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rockey Jones & Friends with ToRead Ah, D’Jeli Musa, poetry, spoken word and music, at 4 p.m. at The Adeline Artist Lofts, 1132 24th St., off Adeline in West Oakland. Donation $5. 272-9349.  

Michael Gray will talk about “The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Douglas Kent discusses “Firescaping” creating fire-resistant landscapes, at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Open Mic at the Marina with poetry, music and spoken word at 7:30 p.m. at Cal Adventures. Sponsored by the 886 Collective. 439-9777. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Pacific Collegium 9/11 Memorial Benefit Concert at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$30. www.pacificcollegium.org 

The Temescal Trio at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickes are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

Point Richmond Music and Arts Festival with Cruchy Frog, Ron Matthews, Dve Crimmen, Andre Thierry and Lava from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Park Place and Washington Ave. 231-6909. 

Dreaming the Diaspora, with Georges Lammam and His Ensemble at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Maye Cavallero and Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Ras Igel/Razorblade with Binghi Drummers at 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Maya Dorn and Marca Cassity at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Trout Fishing in America at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Aphasia, Anaura at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886.  

Dave Bernstein Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649- 3810. 

Wu Li Masters at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

The Girlfriend Experience, Wire Graffiti, Jayde Blade at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

Swoop Unit at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Monster Squad, Whiskey Rebels, The Challenged at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Workers at Ground Zero: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes” on display in the atrium of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Conversation with the artist at 1 p.m. 525-0302. 

Helen Krayenhoff Watercolors Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Sweet Adeline Bakeshop, 3350 Adeline St. Exhibition runs through to Oct 13. hkrayenhoff@yahoo.com 

“A Balanced Life” sculptures by Will Furth and “Ma Vie en Rose” paintings by Jennifer L. Jones. Reception at 4 p.m. at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave. through November 10. 204-1667.  

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

FILM 

Global Lens Film Festival “In the Battlefields” at 7 p.m., “Almost Brothers” at 2 and 9:30 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.globalfilm.org 

The Mechanical Age “Charlie Bowers: Dream Machines” at 3 p.m. and “Edward Scissorhands” at 5 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808.  

“Secret Courage: The Walter Suskind Story” followed by discussion at 2 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0237. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Quijeremá in a benefit concert for Rafael Manriquez at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Soul at the Chimes” with Ricardo Scales, Simply Toya, Traika Lewis and others at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $35. 

“Meeting the Man of the Heart” Vocal music from the Baul tradition at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. 

The Hal Stein Quartet at 3:30 p.m. at the Montclair Jazz and Wine Festival, Montclair Village. 

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

Ayelet Cohen, opera at 7:30 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $$14-$18. 848-0237. 

The Medicine Ball Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

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

Atsuko Hashimoto, jazz organ trio, at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Pressure Point, Red Tape, Giving Chase at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, SEPT. 11 

FILM 

Global Lens Film Festival “The Night of Truth” at noon at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.globalfilm.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jim Wallis on “God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It” at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary, First Congregational Church, 2345 Dana. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

Patrick Dunagan and Mark Litton read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph. 849-2087.  

Actors Reading Writers “Locomotion” Short stories by Stephanie Allen, Richard Ford and Dorothy Parker at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave.  

Poetry Express with Marc Hofstadter at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mark Atkinson Trio at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Rafael Manriquez, songs of the poems of Gabriela Mistral at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 5th floor. 981-6100. 

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

Khalil Shaheed, all ages jam, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Oliver Mtukudzi, African pop, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $24, fundraiser for Zimbabwe AIDS Relief. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12 

FILM 

Global Lens Film Festival “The Night of Truth” at noon, “In the Battlefields” at 2 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland.  

Alternative Visions: “Lunch with Fela” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Myra MacPherson on her biography of I. F. Stone, “All Governments Lie,” at 5:30 p.m. at North Gate Library,Hearst at Euclid Ave., UC Campus. 643-3840. 

Michael Chorost reads from “Rebuilt: How Becomming Part Computer Made me More Human” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. 

“Writers on Reading” with Jon Carroll, Maxine Hong Kingston and April Sinclair, in celebration of Rockridge Library’s 10th Anniversary at 7 p.m. at 5366 College Ave.  

Joan Roughgarden discusses “Evolution and Christian Faith” at 7:30 p.m. in the Large Assembly Room, First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $10. 559-9500. 

“True Admissions” College essays by Berkeley High Students at 2 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Old Blind Dogs, Scottish acoustic, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Ellen Hoffman Trio and Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Oliver Mtukudzi, African pop, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $24, fundraiser for Zimbabwe AIDS Relief. 238-9200.  

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

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13 

THEATER 

California Shakespeare Theater “As You Like It” 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 Oct. 15. Tickets are $15 and up. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

FILM 

Global Lens Film Festival “Max and Mona” at 7 p.m., “Almost Brothers” at 9:30 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland.  

Pirates and Piracy “The Pirate” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Words Upon the Waters” A Poetic Response to Hurricane Katrina at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Fundraiser for Biloxi, MS. Cost is $5-$20. 849-2568. 

Michael Pollan discusses “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Lisa Jervis and Andi Zeisler celebrate “BITCHfest: Ten Years of Cultural Criticism from the pages of BITCH Magazine” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, clarinet concertos at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864.  

Christy Dana Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ.  

Walter Strauss, blues, folk, rock, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Vission Latina at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Rachel Efron at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Old Blind Dogs, Scottish acoustic, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Peter Barshay Trio at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Oliver Mtukudzi, African pop, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s. Cost is $24, fundraiser for Zimbabwe AIDS Relief. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Edge of Desire: Recent Art in India” Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. 

FILM 

Global Lens Film Festival “In the Battlefields” at 2 p.m., “Stolen Life” at 7 p.m., “Almost Brothers” at 9:30 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. www.globalfilm.org 

Ali Kazimi: A Commitment to Justice Conversation with the filmmaker at 5:30 p.m. “Shooting Indians” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Hillside Club Arts and Crafts Lecture “Arts and Crafts Furniture Design” A lecture by Debey Zito at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10. www.hillsideclub.org 

“Signature Architects of the San Francisco Bay Area” with author Dave Weinstein, at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5-$15. 763-9218.  

Amy Goodman and David Goodman talk with Pratap Chatterjee and Michael Shenoda about “STATIC: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders and the People Who Fight Back” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Tickets are $10-$15 at Cody’s. 559-9500. 

Cecil Brown, musicologist and historian of African-American culture reads from “I Stagolee: A Novel” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with Rhonda Benin and Soulful Strut at the Downtown Berkeley BART station. Free.  

Charming Hostess music salon at 6:30 p.m. at Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950.  

Berkeley Old Time Music Convention with Ginny Hawker, Jody Stechner & Hank Bradley at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Joe Beck & Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. 

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

Stigma 13, Year of the Wildcat, Charlie Roman and the Teenage Werewolves at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. 

Uncle Buzzy’s Hometown Variety Show at 8 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline.  

Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

May Pole, Dora Flood, The Waxfire, indie rock, at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

A couple hours south of Berkeley by car, the West Coast’s longest-running jazz festival—at 49, the longest-running in the same location in the world—is gearing up to swing the weekend of Sept. 15-17, on the Monterey County Fairgrounds. 

The county fair aspect of the Monterey Jazz Festival is often a surprise to first-time attendees, especially those used to the auditorium or coliseum setting for music festivals. It’s enhanced by the more than half dozen clubs and open-air stages outside the Arena, where the succesion of headliners are featured, as well as simulcasting of the shows from the Arena stage. 

And the Grounds Pass, for as little as $30 a day—all afternoon and evening on Saturday and Sunday—is a remarkable deal for those who’d prefer to stroll from venue to venue and dig the mix of the scene and the range of music in an atmosphere more festive than the more traditional (and expensive) Arena, and the site for appearances by names and talents as big as those headlined within. 

But the Arena shows often prove to be one time only events, like this year’s Sunday night show promises to be. Dave Brubeck, 85, who went from growing up on a Central Valley ranch to becoming one of the most popular jazz artists ever (and that due in great part to the response of university students to his hit album, Take Five), will preside at the ivories as his Quartet premieres his “Cannery Row Suite,” commissioned by the Jazz Festival. 

Besides being a role model to countless jazz pianists and composers, Brubeck’s literally a patriarch of the music: his sons frequently accompany him, and one of them—Chris Brubeck—will bring his own group, Triple Play, to the Garden Stage on the Grounds Sunday afternoon. 

Following the Dave Brubeck Quartet to wrap up the Arena program will be the great Oscar Peterson, who many consider the most accomplished jazz pianist after Art Tatum. His set will cap a weekend that will also see John Coltrane’s pianist, McCoy Tyner, lead a trio with stellar Bobby Hutcherson (a Bay Area resident) on vibes and trumpeter Roy Hargrove—a ubiquitous presence in the Arena and n the Grounds all weekend; the 40th anniversary of saxophonist Charles Lloyd’s “Forest Flower” performance (and smash hit recording) on this very stage. 

Also appearing are singer Dianne Reeves, popular scat and straight-ahead singer Kurt Elling, with a variety of orchestral complements; acclaimed choir Shout Gospel From Harlem, and smooth jazz-turned-straight-ahead star Chris Botti. Bonnie Raitt shares the stage with Keb’ Mo on Saturday afternoon.  

The stages on the grounds spill over with a wide range of talent, including Hank Jones (of the Jones brothers, Elvin and Thad), one of the greatest living jazz pianists at 86, who has played with Bird and just about everybody else, holding forth Sunday night (after Dave Brubeck’s simulcast) in Dizzy’s Den. Hubert Sumlin, the 75-year-old master Chicago Blues guitar stylist from the great Chess Howlin’ Wolf sessions playing with Duke Robillard, co-founder of Roomful of Blues, and Duke’s band, also plays, followed by a set by Shout Gospel From Harlem, the masterful drumming of Babatunde Lea and his Quartet, popular vocalist Hiromi, various appearances by Jeff Hamilton, Robben Ford and Dan Ouellette, The Open World Octet from Russia, and a Hammond B-3 blow-out, featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith. 

Peter Apfelbaum, an early alumnus of the Berkeley schools jazz programs and long a Bay Area favorite, will bring his New York edition of The Hieroglyphics to the Garden Stage Saturday night, joined by very special guest Abdoulaye Diabate from Benin. The next afternnon, Dizzy’s Den features the winning bands from the Next Generation Festival, including the Jazz School Student All-Stars and the Berkeley High School Sextet play out the shape of jazz to come. 

Just blocks from Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic districts of California’s original capital, not far from John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row and the famous Aquarium, and a few miles from the gorgeous sunset viewing from the beach at Asilomar, the 17-Mile Drive, Mission Carmel and the natural splendors of Point Lobos and Big Sur, where ocean, cliff, redwood forest and mountain meld together in a unique synaesthesia, the Monterey Jazz Festival is a profusion of great musical talent in a setting of great natural and man-made wonder.

In May, the Daily Planet reviewed the theatrical re-release of Carol Reed’s 1948 classic The Fallen Idol, which had opened in San Francisco and was scheduled to open in Berkeley the following week. However, the day the review was published, we were informed that the East Bay engagement had been canceled due to poor attendance at the San Francisco screenings. A few readers were a bit annoyed.  

Well, if you’d like to catch it on the big screen before it heads to DVD (Criterion plans to release a two-disc edition in November), you have exactly one chance: tonight (Friday) at Pacific Film Archive. The film is showing as part of a double feature with another Reed masterpiece, The Third Man (1949) as part of PFA’s “A Theater Near You” series. 

The Fallen Idol is a noirish tale of a boy and his relationship with the family butler. The boy’s father, an ambassador, is frequently away, leaving Baines, the butler, played by Sir Ralph Richardson, to fill the void. When Baines is accused of murdering his wife, the boy, Phil, gets lost in the adult world of passion, lies, deceit, concealed motivations and situational ethics, a world he cannot even begin to understand. Various adults ask him to tell the truth, each with his own motives and notions of what the truth is, leading to series of events in which Phil alternately serves as the means of Baines’ salvation and downfall. 

The film, based on a short story by Graham Greene, demonstrates a masterful use of interiors, from the great, echoing hall and grand staircase of the ambassador’s mansion, which serve to highlight the growing distance between Baines and his wife, to the cramped basement where suppressed hostilities come to the fore, to the checkered tile floor which suggests a chessboard on which Baines and the police trade tense, strategic moves. 

The Fallen Idol will be followed by Reed’s most famous film, The Third Man, another Greene adaptation. Joseph Cotton plays Holly Martins, a naïve American in post-World War II Vienna, looking to join his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) in business. In Vienna, Martins learns that Lime is dead, while the local police, headed up by Calloway (Trevor Howard), inform him of Lime’s criminal record.  

Though Welles is on screen for just 20 minutes or so, he became forever associated with the role of Lime, later starring in a British radio series based on the character. The theme song also stuck with Welles throughout his life. House musicians would strike the familiar chords every time Welles entered a restaurant. 

The score for the film is almost as famous as the movie itself, consisting entirely of one man playing one instrument. “Anton Karos will have you in a dither with his zither!” ran the original trailers for the film, and indeed he does, though the value of that fact depends on whether you consider a dither a positive or negative experience. Many are put off by the score, but it adds greatly to the atmosphere of the film. Karas was playing in a Vienna nightclub where Reed heard him and recruited him. The Harry Lime theme became a top ten hit in its day. 

The film builds toward a climactic chase through the sewers of Vienna, a sequence of brilliant direction, editing, sound design and photography. Taught action shots are juxtaposed with quiet shots of the tense faces of policemen in wait, of empty passageways with glistening cobblestones and dripping water, of probing flashlights piercing the underground darkness. Take any moment in the last 20 minutes of this film and freeze the frame and you’ll find a beautiful still photograph.  

The Fallen Idol shows at 7 p.m. and The Third Man shows at 8:55 p.m. at PFA’s theater at 2575 Bancroft Ave. 

Photograph: Sir Ralph Richardson stars as Baines in Carol Reed’s The Fallen Idol.

The Global Lens Film Series starts today at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater. Now in its third year, the festival’s mission is to “promote cross-cultural understanding through cinema” by screening narrative films of merit that have been overlooked by U.S. distributors. 

This year’s offerings include seven feature-length films as well as a program of short films, running through Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Grand Lake. The films can also be seen in other Bay Area venues, including the Balboa Theater in San Francisco, Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, the Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, and the San Francisco Art Institute. 

One of the movies showing this year is Lucia Murat’s Almost Brothers (2004), a Brazillian film written by Murat and Paulo Lins which won many awards in film festivals in Brazil, Cuba and France. The story concerns two childhood friends who later encounter each other in the 1970s in the Ilha Grande prison on an island off the coast of Brazil where political prisoners are locked away. The group organizes a collective to bargain with prison officials for better treatment and operates by a strict code of conduct. Later, non-political prisoners are brought to the island and tensions arise between the two factions, with the two friends, Miguel and Jorge, often finding themselves on opposite sides of the divide.  

Years later the two meet again, when Miguel is a prominent politician and Jorge an imprisoned gang leader running his criminal activities from jail via cell phone. Miguel seeks Jorge’s support for community projects in the neighborhoods controlled by Jorge’s gang, but the distance between the two friends only increases as they discuss the troubles of the past and the politics of the present. 

Murat and editor Mair Tavares do an excellent job of juggling the three timeframes, tracing the relationship between the two men from the innocence of childhood to the idealism of youth to the resignation and bitterness of their jaded adulthood. And the characters, played in their young adulthood by Caco Ciocler and Flavio Bauraqui and later by Wenrer Schuneman and Antonio Pompeo, never seem anything less than real. 

Early scenes of the the two boys dancing together as their fathers play samba music together establish a theme of racial divides conquered by culture, music, passion and simple naivete. Later scenes in the island prison feature a similar vibe, with the collective’s members playing music together, battling the prison administration together, and voting together on the collective’s conduct and bylaws. 

When trouble arises between the two groups of prisoners, the anger and violence of the situation is made all the more heartbreaking when juxtaposed with images of the two boys dancing together before politics and race could intervene, and the growing rift is made concrete by the construction of a wall to separate the warring factions. 

And the scenes of the two grown men, facing each other across a table in a prison visitation room later in life, each entrenched in his position and wary of the other, brings the film to a gentle and disturbing coda, with ancient rivalries dashing any hope of reconciliation.  

For a complete schedule, see www.globalfilm.org. 

Photograph: Caco Ciocler and Flavio Bauraqui play childhood friends torn apart by politics and ideology in Lucia Murat’s Almost Brothers (Brazil, 2004).