FRIDAY, OCT. 13 

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

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with The League of Women Voters on the Nov. 7 Election. Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

“Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War” A documentary by Robert Greenwald at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Cost is $5. 

“Political Prisoners: 40th Anniversary Reunion of Black Panther Party” A forum to learn about political prisoners in the US and elsewhere at 4 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., at 14th St., Oakland. 393-5685. 

Circle Dancing at 8 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University Ave. Beginners welcome, no partners needed. Donation $5. 528-4253. 

Womansong Circle with Betsy Rose A participatory circle of song for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing Way. Cost is $15-$20, no one turned away. 525-7082.  

Kol Hadash Non-Theistic Family Shabbat at 6 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Please bring simple child-friendly food to share. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 14 

Livable Berkeley's Candidate’s Forum Mayoral Candidates at 11 a.m., City Council Candidates at noon at the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St. 

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. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. at the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234.  

Walk in Honor of Our Ancestors Meet at 8 a.m. at the El Cerrito BART Station on San Pablo Ave. Walk goes down San Pablo and up University and ends at 1 p.m. at Krober Hall at the University for a memorial for the human remains stored at the Phoebe Hearst Museum. 575-8408. www.vallejointertribalcouncil.org 

Toddler Nature Walk We’ll look for spiders, insects and other fascinating creatures from 2 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“The Big Buy” film and discussion at 2 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. Continuing discussion Mon. at 7 p.m. 525-9450. 

“Alameda's Pivotal Election 2006” A program of the Alameda Public Affairs Forum at 7 p.m. at the Home of Truth, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda.  

“Temescal Creek and the Interstate Bakery Property” A presentation on the development of the Interstate Bakery Property at 53rd At. and Adeline, at 10:30 a.m. at Temescal Creek Park Amphitheater, 47th Street, corner of Adeline & 47th Street, Emeryville. 434.3840.  

Tour of the EBMUD Water Treatment Plant To learn about sewage treatment and its role in Bay water quality, from 10 a.m. to noon. For details and to RSVP please call 452-9261 ext.109. www.savesfbay.org/bayevents 

“Iraq For Sale: the War Profiteers” Documentary at 5 p.m. at CodePINK East Bay, 1248 Solano Ave., Albany Not handicap accessible. To RSVP call 524-2776. 

Africa Matters in Zimbabwe A fundraiser and presentation on Africa Matters Scholarship Fund at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 655-4528. 

The East Bay Bonsai Society presents its 45th Annual Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat. and 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sun. at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. 521-9588.  

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Comfort Foods for Chilly Nights” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., at Castro, Oakland. Cost is $50. To register, please call 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Maven Urban Design and Craft Fair for women artists from noon to 5 p.m. at 1700 Dwight Way at McGee. www.mavenfair.com 

Great War Society monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. The discussion topic will be “Military Strategy of the Germans & British, 1914-1918” by Robert Deward. 527-7118. 

Berkeley Branch NAACP meets at 1 p.m. at the Church by the Side of the Road, 2108 Russell St. 845-7416. 

Reiki for Post Partum Women at 10 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Dramatically Speaking” with Paul Rowan and Tevis Thompson, Jr., on Commercial Acting and Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St., Oakland. Free, but RSVP required. 581-8675. 

The Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society will hold its 19th Annual USA Symposium on Sat. and Sun. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Seaborg Room, Faculty Club, UC campus. The theme of the weekend is “Know Yourself.” Fee, donations accepted. 415-250-1817. www.ibnarabisociety.org 

San Francisco Chapter of the Romance Writers of America with agent Jessica Faust at 8:30 a.m. at Pyramid Restaurant, 901 Gilman St. Cost is $30. Reservations requested, email dginny1942@cs.com 

Lead-Safety for remodeling, repair and painting of older homes. HUD & EPA approved class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention, 200 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. For information call 567-8280.  

A Better Chance Independent School Fair from 3 to 6 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Education Center, 2825 International Blvd., Oakland. www.abetterchance.org 

Non-Anesthetic Teeth Cleaning for Dogs and Cats from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $35. To make an appointment call 525-6155. 

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

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

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.  

Yoga for Peace at 9:30 a.m. at Ohlone Park, MLK at Hearst. Bring a yoga mat, warm blanket, and peace sign.  

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

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. 

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, OCT. 15 

Oakland Heritage Alliance House Tour of the Temescal neighborhood. The self-guided tour begins at Acorn Kitchens and Baths, 4640 Telegraph Ave. Tickets are $25-$35. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Partners in Preservation Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. at multiple locations in the East Bay. For details see www.partnersinpreservation.com. 415-365-8532. 

Bike Ride to the Open House at the Watershed Project Meet at 11 a.m. at the El Cerrito Plaza, west parking lot to bike to the open house at the Watershed Project. En route visit the tidal sloughs of 4 local creeks, where the watersheds empty into the Bay. Bicycle and rider should be in good shape, and riders must wear helmet.  

Richmond: Celebration by the Bay with the Watershed Project with tours, bird watching, food and drink, from noon to 3 p.m. at the garden at the Richmond Field Station. For more information and directions call 665-3430. www.thewaatershedproject.org 

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Indigenous People’s Day Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Peralta House and Park, 2465 34th Ave., corner of Coolidge and Hyde, Oakland. Live entertainment features the Amah-Ka-Tura Ohlone dancers of Santa Cruz, youth performers from Calvin Simmons Middle School and music by Phoenix and Afterbuffalo. Other activities will include children’s crafts, free guided tours. www.peraltahacienda.org 

“What Does it Mean We Don’t Have a Vote Anymore?” An open conference and discussion at 3 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. 

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

Meditation Walk Walking meditation, quiet sitting and poetry writing. Meet at 9 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Felt Mask Making Learn the soapy, slippery and fun art of making felt, for ages 6-12, accompanied by an adult, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $7-$9, registration required. 636-1684. 

Mayan and Aztec Medicinal Plants Tour at 11 a.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $8-$12. Registration required. 643-2755.  

Black Panther Party Reunion with videos and photographs at 1:30 p.m. at the West Oakland Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1801 Adeline St. 238-6718. 

Fundraiser for City Slicker Farms A local grassroots nonprofit that converts empty lots in West Oakland into high yield urban farms, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mama Buzz Café, 2318 Telegraph Ave., at 23rd, Oakland. Cost is $15, no one turned away. 763-4241. 

The Friends of the Kensington Library Booksale from noon at 4 p.m. at Kensington Library. 524-3043. 

Kensington Pumpkin Parade and pumpkin pie-eating contest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 Arlington Ave. at Amherst. kensingtonfm@yahoo.com 

Halloween Pumpkin Painting for children at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Friends of Albany Seniors Pasta Dinner Fundraiser to support the senior center, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 846 Masonic Ave., Albany. Cost is $8, children under six $3. 534-9122. 

“25 Years of Culinary Creations” A commemorative lunch to benefit Berkeley Food and Housing Project at noon at Oliveto’s. Tickets are $100. 649-4965. 

6th Annual Crabby Chef Competition at 2 p.m. in Spenger’s parking lot. 845-7771.  

“Dreamgirls: Girls and Women in Sports” with talks by women athletes and a screening of the film “Dare to Dream” at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Bike Tour of Oakland Explore Oakland its history and its visionaries and scoundrels. Meet at 10 a.m. at the 10th St. entrance of the Oakland Museum of CA, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. Participants must be over twelve years old and provide their own bikes, helmets and repair kits. Free. 238-3514. www.museumca.org 

Saint Ambrose Parish “International Night” Fundraiser for its sister parish in India, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 1145 Gilman St. Food, music, dancing, and humor from all parts of the world. Cost is $5. For reservations call 525-2620. 

Don’t be Six Feet Under Without a Plan A free workshop to learn more about the complexities and costs of Creating a Living Will, Powers of Attorney, End of Life Planning and Services at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley Rd. 562-9431. 

Adult Sunday Sing-Along at 3 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Chinese Medicine for Meopause Relief at 11:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Ausar Auset Society Open House with introductions to the I-Ching, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at 5272 Foothill Blvd.,Oakland. 533-5306. 

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

“10,000 Christs...” with David Fitzgerald on the search for the historical Jesus at 9:30 a.m at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“Judaism Without God? Understanding Humanistic Judaism” at 10 a.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Cost is $5.  

MONDAY, OCT. 16  

“What We Want, What We Believe” DVD showing and conversation with Newsreel archivist, Roz Payne and former Black Panthers at 7:30 p.m. at the AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

“Never Again” Photographs and discussion of the physical and human consequences of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at 4 p.m. at the Bade Museum of the Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave.  

“Last Atomic Bomb” Benefit screening with producer Kathleen Sullivan at 6 p.m., film at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland. Benefit for Western States Legal Foundation, working for peace and justice in a nuclear free world. Cost is $25 for reception and film, $10 for film only. 839-5877. www.wslfweb.org 

“The Shocking Truth About Gluten: Why Bread Eaters Get Sick” A new film by Ann Marks at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. Training session from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For information call 524-2319. www.writercoachconnection.org  

CodePINK Monthly “Eat and Greet” at 6 p.m. at Nabalom Bakery, 2708 Russell St. at College Ave. Donation $20 no one turned away. 524-2776. www.bayareacodepink.org 

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. 

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

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

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 

Tuesday is for the Birds An early morning walk for birders through Bay Area parklands. Bring water, sunscreen, binoculars and a snack. This week we will visit Point Isabel. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

Berkeley Garden Club “Georgeous Gardens Made Easy” with Kim Haworth, producer of KRON4’s “Henry’s Garden” at 2 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. 524-7296. 

Willard Neighborhood Association Candidates Forum featuring the candidates for the Mayoral, District 7 and District 8 City Council races at 6:45 p.m. at the Willard Middle School, Auditorium 2425 Stuart St. 

Fall Fruit Tasting at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market, Derby at MLK, from 2 to 7 p.m. 548-2220. 

“Saving the Animals in Afghanistan” with Pamela Constable, a foreign correspondent for the Washington Post in Afghanistan, who has helped stray dogs and cats in Kabul find shelter, veterinary care and happy adoptive homes, at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Street. Donation $20. Reservations requested. 594-1613. ruphotos@earthlink.net  

“Rainwater Harvesting” Brad Lancaster explains tools and techniques for implementing sustainable water systems for your home, landscape, and community at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2240. www.ecologycenter.org 

“The Reality and Legacy of the Iraq War” with Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow at The Independent Institute and author of “The Empire Has No Clothes” and Mark Danner, author of “The Secret Way to War,” and Professor of Journalism at U.C. Berkeley, at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute Conference Center, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. For tickets please call 632-1366. www.independent.org 

Panel Discussion on Breast Cancer with Rachel Whalen, Diana Murphy and Cheryl Cohen-Greene at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

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

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. Various East Bay opportunities available. Advanced sign-up is required; please call 594-5165.  

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Discussion Salon on Should Voting be Mandatory? at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut.  

Sleep Soundly Seminar A free class on how hypnosis can help you sleep at 6:30 p.m. at 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. To register call 465-2524. 

Handbuilding Ceramics Class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Free, except for materials and firing charges. For information call Diana Bohn, 525-5497. 

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, OCT. 18 

“A Glimpse of South Berkeley” with Belva Davis on “Newsroom and Beyond” at 7:30 p.m. at South Berkeley Community Church, 1802 Fairview St. at Ellis. Tickets are $10 and benefit the church’s restoration efforts. 652-1040. 

South Berkeley Mayoral Debate at 7:30 p.m. at B-Tech Academy auditorium, 2701 Martin Luther King Jr., Way at Derby. 849-4319. 

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. 

Neighborhood and Community Green Space with Susan Schwartz on “The Santa Fe Rigth of Way” Meet at 1 p.m. at Spiral Gardens, 2850 Sacramento St. at Oregon.  

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have our annual nature treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Kayaking the British Columbia Coast” with John McCormack at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Music in the Community Fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. 444-6979. 

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

Gray Panthers Movie Night showing “Wag the Dog” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St. Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St. 

New to DVD “United 93 ” Film and discussion at 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. 548-9840. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

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, OCT. 19 

Mayoral Candidate Debate Between Tom Bates and Zelda Bronstein at 7:30 p.m. in the Le Conte School cafeteria, Russell St. entrance. Sponsored by the LeConte Neighborhood Association. All are welcome. www.neighborhoodlink.com  

“Global Warming: What Can California Do About It?” with Dr. Stephen Schneider of Stanford at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Clean up the Air Pollution from Pacific Steel with Lois Gibbs, Executive Director of the Center for Health and the Environment at 7:30 p.m. at West Berkeley Senior Center, 6th and Hearst.  

“The Washington Post at War: Reporting From Baghdad” with a panel of reporters and editors from The Washington Post at 7 p.m. in Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Sponsored by The Graduate School of Journalism. Tickets are $5 available from 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu/events 

An Evening with Robert Scheer Author and columnist at 7:30 PM at the Piedmont Gardens, 110 41st St., Oakland. Sponsored by MGO Democratic Club. 834-9198. www.mgoclub.org 

“The Current Gandhian Movement in India” with Dr. M.P. Mathai, author of “Mahatma Gandhi’s World View” at 7 p.m. at 166 Barrows Hall, UC Campus.  

Breast Cancer Update Learn about the latest research in diagnosis and treatment at 6:15 p.m. at Summit Campus, Peralta Pavilion, Markstein Cancer Center, 430 30th St., Oakland. Registration required. 869-8735. 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have our annual nature treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Environmental Film Series “Thirst” on corporate attempts to buy up local water supplies, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Simplicity Forum with Rachel Laws on “Neighbors: Celebrating the Folks on the Block” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. 

Community Shabbat with singer Gary Laplow at 6 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $12 adult, $5 chidren. 848-0237. 

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline at Alcatraz. Free, all are welcome. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. Oct. 16, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon. Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Oct. 4, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed., Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/library  

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7010. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportation 

FRIDAY, OCT. 13 

THEATER 

Antenna Theater, “High School” An interactive theatrical walking tour of Berkeley High, 1980 Allston Way. One audience member enters the show every minute. Walk lasts about 45 minutes. Fri. and Sat. from 6 to 9 p.m. and Sun. from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $8 students. Reservations required. Runs through Oct. 29. 415-332-9454. www.antenna-theater.org/highschool.htm 

Berkeley Rep “Mother Courage” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2025 Addison St., through Oct. 22. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

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 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “The Orchid Sandwich” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Oct. 21. at 951 Pomona Ave. El Cerrito. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “Colorado” A dark comedy about celebrity worship, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. Runs through Oct. 28. 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

Shakespeare in the Yard “Mack, A Gangsta’s Tale” WordSlanger’s version of Macbeth, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. at Sister Thea, an outdoor theater at 920 Peralta St. Oakland Tickets are $5-$20. 208-6551. 

Shotgun Players “Love is a Dream House in Lorin” by Marcus Gardley, inspired by true stories of Berkeley’s historic Lorin District, Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Nov. 5. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

UC Dept. of Theater “Suburban Motel” six plays by George Walker at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus, through Nov. 19. Tickets are $8-$14. For schedule see http://theater.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fiber 2006” Featuring eight Bay Area artists. Opening Reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. Exhibit runs to Nov. 4. 843-2527. 

“The Black Panthers” Photographs by Stephen Shames and posters from the archives of Alden Kimbrough on display at the Oakland Asian Resource Gallery, 310 8th St., Oakland., through Nov. 30. 532-9692. 

“Recycled Runway” An installation by Artist in Residence artists Sandy Drobney and Daphne Ruff opens at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Runs through Nov. 5. 763-9425. 

“Full-Plate Tintypes: Painted Puzzles” at The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St., through Jan. 10, Mon.-Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “Overlord” at 6:30 p.m. and Ousmane Sembene “Ceddo” at 8:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lee Grue, New Orleans poet with musician Eluard Burt and local poet Adam David Miller, a community-building poetry-and-music program in support of the rebuilding of New Orleans at 7 p.m. in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room, Berkeley Public Library, Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Elisha Cooper reads from “Crawling: A Father’s First Year” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

K.E. Silva reads from her novel “A Simple Distance” at A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Opera “Les Enfants Terribles” Fri. - Sun. at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro Opera House, 201 Broadway, through Oct. 22. Tickets are $32-$36. www.oaklandopera.org 

Eisa Davis “Cockleburrs in my Sock” at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $$10-12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Hypnogaja at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Hurricane Sam & the Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

New Life Band, traditional and contemporary music of Tanzania at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Jack Williams, Tim Mason opens, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

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

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

Fish Ranch Road, The Bittersweets, Victoria George at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Acts of Sedition at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Albino, afro beat, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Zoe Ellis, soul, funk, jazz at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Laudanum, Silentist, Silentist, Times of Desperation, Cropduster at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Ray Brown 80th Birthday Salute with Marlena Shaw, Benny Green, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, OCT. 14 

CHILDREN  

“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day” at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$18. 925-798-1300. 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Gary Laplow at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lissa Rovetch introduces her two new books on Hot Dog Bob at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Educate to Liberate: A Retrospective of the Black Panther Community News Service” Exhibition in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party, on display in the Oakland History Room at the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St. 238-3222. www.oaklandlibrary.org 

“The Face of Poetry” Photographs by Margaretta Mitchell on display at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., through Oct. 30. 981-6100. 

“Looking for Hope” Photographs by Matt O’Brien with text by students in the Oakland Public Schools opens at the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Museum Gallery, 2465 34th Ave. Gallery open Thurs.-Fri. 4 to 6 p.m. and Sun. noon to 4 p.m. to March 31. 532-9142. www.peraltahacienda.org 

Paintings by Mary Ann Hayden opens at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave. Reception at 3 p.m. Runs through Dec. 9. 421-1255. 

“Masks, Myths, Magic and Witches” Group show reception at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Exhibition runs through Oct. 31. 644-4930. 

Trent Burkett “New Work in Salt and Wood” at Trax Ceramics Gallery, 1812 Fifth St. Exhibition runs to Oct. 15. 540-8729. www.traxgallery.com  

“Geographic Premonitions” Group show of fifteen emerging artists. Reception for the artists at 4 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Exhibition runs through Nov. 11. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

20th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5630 Bay St., through Oct. 29. Free. 652-6122. www.EmeryArts.org 

Blown Glass Pumpkins on display at the Cohn-Stone Studios, 560 South 31st. St. near the Regatta Blvd., exit from the 580 Freeway, Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 29. 234-9690. 

THEATER 

Central Works “Andromache” opens at the Berkeley City Club at 8 p.m. and runs through Nov. 19. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1382. 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “Overlord” at 6:30 p.m. and Ousmane Sembene “Xala” at 8:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Judy Yung on “San Francisco’s Chinatown” slide talk at 3 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. 

Jane Poynter talks about her experience in “The Human Experiment: Two Years and Twenty Minutes Inside Biosphere 2” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Readings from “Modern Words: a thoroughly queer literary journal” with Gary Kong, Jim Nawrocki, David Scronce, and others at 7:30 p.m. at Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

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 

The Pacific Collegium “Music of the English Renaissance” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $8-$18. 848-5107. 

Roberta Piket Trio plays original jazz compositions, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $15. 845-1350. www.hillsideclub.org  

“Best of Brazzissimo” concert at 8 p.m. at Piedmont High School Auditorium, 800 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. Cost is $5-$10. 408-529-2120. www.brazzissimo.com 

Gamelan Sekar Jaya at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $20-$32. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

“Moment’s Notice” improvised music, dance and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Cost is $8-$10. 649-1791. 

Fuga! at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Big Thing Live with Funkyman at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Larry Vuckovich Latin Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Fela Kuti Birthday Tribute with Sila & The Afrofunk Experience, Baba Ken and Afro Groove Connexion at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Taiko Drumming with Kelvin Underwood at 7 p.m. at the Capoeira Arts Cafe, 2026 Addison St. Cost is $10.  

Ira Marlowe and Kenny Dinkin at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Doppler Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Reilly & Maloney at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Flyhead, The Wearies, Animal Underground at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Kat Parra at 8 p.m. at the Jazz 

school. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

“Babshad” Barbara and Charles Hadenfeldt at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Hali Hammer, folk rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Antiquia, The Wayward Monks at 10 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Onion Flavored Rings, Peelander-Z, Ghost Mice at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 15 

THEATER 

“An Evening with Leonardo da Vinci” with Rob Weiner at 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$12. 848-0237. 

FILM 

The Mechanical Age “Human, All Too Human” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Strictly Speaking with Paula Poundstone at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Flash with Elline Lipkin and Lisa Sewell at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poets for Peace with Susan Rich, Robert Lipton and Ilya Kaminsky at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

University Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

California Bach Society “Die Familie Bach” at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. 415-262-0272. www.calbach.org 

Bluegrass for the Greenbelt Benefit Concert with Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum and Todd Phillips, Eric and Suzy Thompson, The Backyard Party Boys at 3 p.m. at Coventry Grove, in the Kensington Hills. Tickets are $50-$65. 415-543-6771. www.BluegrassForTheGreenbelt.org 

Vagabond Opera, theatrical mix of eclectic music, at 8 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center. Tickets are $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Rahim Al Haj, Iraqi oud master, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Na Leo Nahenahe Hawaiian Chorus at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. Children under 12 free. www.naleosf.com  

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

Tango Number 9 at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged: The Mercury Dimes at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Stephanie Bruce at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Ziyia, traditional Greek music, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

MONDAY, OCT. 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

PlayGround Six emerging playwrights debut new works at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $18. 415-704-3177. www.PlayGround-sf.org 

Soyhel Dahi and Sharon Doubiago read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Meg Tilly and K. E. Silva read from their new novels at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Francine Prose introduces “Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and For Those Who Want to Write Them” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Kirov Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, with Valery Gergiev, conductor and Alexander Toradze, piano, at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$86. 642-9988.  

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

Khalil Shaheed, all ages jam, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.. 

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

Marta Topfera at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “War and Video Games” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Aftermath” large-scale photographs of post 9/11 destruction in New York by Joel Meyerowitz. Lecture at 7 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Graduate School of Journalism. www.fotovision.org 

Isaiah Wilner reads at 7 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Rachel Whalen, Diana Murphy and Cheryl Cohen-Greene in a panel on Breast Cancer at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Jeffrey Goldberg decribes “Prisoners: A Muslim and A Jew Across the Middle East Divide” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Swamp Coolers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Super Heavy Goat Ass, The Distants at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Benefit for Oaktown Jazz Workshops with the Bay Area Music Educators Band and others at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $25. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 

THEATER 

“The Secret Circus” Wed. and Thurs. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, through Oct. 19. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. 800-838-3006 www.themarsh.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

Photo Exhibit of Foster Children and Youth sponsored by the Bay Area Heart Gallery on display at the Berkeley Public Library central lobby, 2090 Kittredge St. and Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, through Oct. 31. www.bayareaheartgallery.com 

“Grapefruit” Yoko Ono’s instruction paintings opens at at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way, and runs through March 28. 642-0808. 

Allen Ruppersberg “The Singing Posters” A tribute to Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” opens at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. and runs through Dec. 10. 642-0808. 

Walter Berman and His Circle at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. and runs through Dec. 10. 642-0808. 

FILM 

Pirates and Piracy “The Pirates of the Great Salt Lake” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Wild Cursive and Modern Chinese Calligraphy, a panel discussion at 6 p.m. at the Women’s Faculty Club Lounge, UC Campus. 642-2809. 

Morton Felix will read from his novel, “In Quest of Another's Suicide” at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20. 848-0237. www.brjcc.org  

Andy Stern, SEIU President, on “A Country That Works: Getting America Back on Track” at 6 p.m. at 2221 Broadway at Grand Ave., Oakland. 

Emily Wu and Larry Engelmann describe growing up in Mao’s Cultural Revolution in “Feather in the Storm: A Childhood Lost in Chaos” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Peter S. Beagle reads from his book of stories “The Line Between” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, chamber music, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Acoustic Africa, featuring Vusi Mahlasela, Habib Koité and Bamada, and Dobet Gnahoré at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

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

Bernard Anderson and the Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West Coast swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is TBA. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sugar Shack, soul, R&B, funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Carpathian Folk Quartet at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Secrets of Ousiders” Mixed media paintings by Diego Rios, oil paintings by Bernadette Vergara Sale and acrylic paintings by Liz Amini-Holmes at the Estaban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Runs through Nov. 1. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

THEATER 

Fusion Theater “Beauty and the Beast” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10. 464-3544. 

FILM 

The Mechanical Age “Spinning Up, Slowing Down: Industry Celebrates the Machine” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Films by Jerry Abrams from the 1960s, including “Berkeley Peace March” at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $5-$15. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

George Lakoff introduces his new book “Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

Monique El-Faizy describes “God and Country: How Evangelicals are Transforming America” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congragational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

“The Washington Post at War” with Rajiv Chandrasekharan, author of “Imperial Life in the Emerald City” and former Baghdad Bureau Chief for the Washington Post at 7 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $5. 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

John Moe discusses “Conservatize Me! How I Tried to Become a Righty with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith, and Beef Jerky” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Savage Jazz Dance Company “Everything’s Everything” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $14-$20. 415-256-8499. savagejazz.org 

Ba-Tu-Ke at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Chris Smither at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Manuel Morena & Quejerema at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Danny Allen’s High Diving Horses, Liz Pappademas, Courtney Fairchild at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Earl Klugh at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Selector: Petri Disk Showcase at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Showtime @ 11 Hip Hop at 10 p.m. at the Golden Bull, 412 14th St. at Broadway, Oakland. 893-0803. 

Last year Schultze Gets the Blues, a German film, played in Berkeley theaters for just a week and to generally small audiences. After one matinee screening, a group of women walked out casting sideways glances at each other and rolling their eyes. “What did you think?” one asked another. “I don’t knowwwww…..” was the response.  

Taste is subjective of course, but I couldn’t help but feel that an opportunity had been missed, for Schultze is a film of rare intelligence and grace, the sort of film that is not often made in America today. It is not only an excellent film and a far deeper one than may be first evident, but a superb opportunity for the film novice who is just beginning to take an interest in the possibilities of cinematic language. Schultze is full of simple, subtle visual cues—composition, lighting, editing and juxtaposition—expertly used to reveal character, plot and subtext.  

And now that the dust has settled around the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, having been kicked up by the media rushing back into the beleaguered city for a series of breathless updates, it seems a good time to revisit the image of New Orleans that we had before disaster struck; a chance to look back, with affection, nostalgia and sadness, at the myths and legends of the city, myths and legends that we once believed in and hope to one day believe in again.  

The story itself is simple: Schultze, a staid, unadventurous man, retires after a life spent working in the salt mines of Germany only to find that he has little to occupy his time. Until, that is, he discovers Zydeco music, a happy accident that leads to a life-altering journey. 

Our first glimpse of the man comes in the film’s opening shot. A solitary windmill turns slowly above a flat horizon as Schultze, in silhouette, traverses the frame on his bicycle. We then get a series of scenes with little dialogue that establish Schultze as something of a non-entity. His two friends do most of the talking while Schultze sits silently and watches. He is merely a sidekick to more charismatic men, a mute witness to the lives and passions of others. He is inscrutable, distant, dutiful and bland, his face often concealed by the brim of his hat, and expressionless when not. Director Michael Schorr composes his frames carefully, often keeping the horizon and this characters low in the frame to show that it is a big world and Schultze is just one small part of it, an inconsequential figure amid a vast landscape.  

It is a good 25 minutes before we finally get a good look at his face. When Schultze discovers Zydeco he comes into the foreground for the first time and finally looms large before us, his face illuminated by the glow of the golden light of the radio dial: the magic of Zydeco by way of a magic Philco. He has finally become a presence, a personality rather than a mere figure occupying space. 

And suddenly life begins to take shape for him. He immediately picks up his accordion to play his usual polka, but soon begins playing faster and faster until he has achieved something resembling Zydeco. He is no longer merely a vessel for the continuation of his traditional polkas and waltzes; Zydeco has transformed him.  

Eventually Schultze makes his way to America to play in a Texas music festival, but Texas doesn’t have what he’s looking for and he soon heads for New Orleans. The fact that he manages to secure himself a boat and sets off down the Mississippi River is the cue that the film has now taken another direction. This is no longer a simple road trip but a hero’s journey into a mythical city. Schultze becomes a sort of Huck Finn, or even a Marlowe perhaps, but he is not venturing into some dark and brooding heart of darkness but deeper into his own dreams and hopes in search of the joy and love and music and passion that has lain dormant within him for so many years. He has risen from the dark of the mineshaft into the golden light of music, and is finally releasing himself into the lowdown, muddy swamps of pleasure and camaraderie.  

Once the river journey begins it may it may seem that Schorr is indulging in stereotypes, as Schultze is taken in by an earthy black mother of a fatherless child, a woman who welcomes him without question and cooks him soul food—the very picture of the spiritual African-American so often idealized in trite Hollywood movies. But bear in mind here, this is no longer a trip through the American South or through the Louisiana Delta as it truly exists, but rather through the delta as seen through the prism of folklore. We are witnessing the South as seen through the eyes of a man who has never before left his German homeland and who has only vague and romanticized notions of what he may find. Whether his vision is true is hardly the point; it only matters that it is true for him, that he has found a world in which he wants and needs to believe, a sort of final reward for a life of duty, hard work and quiet diligence.  

Schultze’s stay in New Orleans concludes with a wistful closing shot of silhouettes dancing in silence to the joyous rhythms of Zydeco and fades out with a gentle sigh, the contented exultation of a man who has seen the promised land and found peace. It is a glimpse of the myths and legends of the New Orleans we believed in until the levees broke and reality came flooding in. Schorr then finishes the film as he began it, with the steady, timeless whirl of the windmill above a landscape as silhouetted figures continue on their way, a quiet reminder that life goes on, and that the gentle, impish spirit of joy and passion will endure. 

SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES (2003) 

Written and directed by Michael Schorr. Starring Horst Krause. In German with English subtitles. Paramount. 114 mimutes.  

$29.98 

Photograph: Horst Krause plays a staid, unadventurous man who becomes enthralled by Zydeco music in Schultze Gets the Blues.

Candace Johnson can belt out a Mozart opera aria with the soul of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. A chancellor’s postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley’s music department, Johnson dazzled an audience at her debut vocal recital on campus in September.  

Johnson, 33, infuses classical music with jazz, spiritual, and improvisational elements in a repertoire rich with African-American art songs. 

“I sing the music that represents what I have to say,” Johnson said. Her latest program, which consisted of works by African-American composers, gave her that very opportunity.  

“I enjoy singing all classical music, and I chose to specialize in works by African-American composers,” she said. “This body of literature is rich and beautiful, but unfortunately is infrequently performed.” 

One series of songs, entitled “Three Dream Portraits,” includes verses written by Langston Hughes. “These powerful words are couched in this sweet-sounding music,” she said.  

Her music advisor Olly Wilson said Johnson has successfully put the art form within a cultural context. 

“A real serious interest in scholarship in the tradition feeds her performance,” Wilson, an African-American composer and UC Berkeley professor emeritus, said.  

The Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, a two-year program designed to increase minority representation in university teaching positions, is awarded to four people annually. 

“Candace has an incredibly unique background in terms of not only her discipline, but also as a remarkable performer,” said Cristina Perez, facilitator of the prestigious fellowship. “Her work crosses so many boundaries. It makes your heart stop, it’s truly beautiful.” 

Johnson began singing at the age of 5 when she volunteered to perform in a church concert in her hometown of Jackson, Tenn. She continued to sing in local churches and took music lessons in elementary school.  

“Singing was always my first love because it felt very natural to me,” Johnson said. 

Johnson’s mother, who served as her daughter’s first voice coach, helped develop her skills. “My mom knew how to cultivate talent,” Johnson said.  

Growing up, Johnson never thought she would make classical music a part of her life.  

“I expanded from church music to inspirational and light pop. Classical wasn’t in the picture. I thought I was going to be the next Whitney Houston,” she said. 

But when Johnson entered a NAACP-sponsored singing contest in high school, a judge saw her potential for singing classical music. 

“This was the first person who helped me realize there was a difference in the way you sing classical. I didn’t really know what it was because you don’t really see a lot of African-Americans singing classical. You tend to do what you’ve already seen,” she said. 

Soon after Johnson watched a DVD concert of two popular African-American classical singers, she started to become more interested in this musical style. “I became entranced with what I saw. I could relate to this because they were singing spirituals, which is part of my cultural heritage. They were singing it in a way that was glorious.”  

She decided to study voice at Vanderbilt University, where she was confronted with a dilemma: whether to give up the style of singing she grew up with in order to further her classical career. Her instructors told her she couldn’t do both since it would strain her voice. 

“I had a struggle going on in my heart,” she said. “I wanted to do what I loved, which was gospel and inspirational while studying classical. I really believed I could do both.” 

During her doctoral studies in Michigan, Johnson discovered that art songs could combine soulful, spiritual expressions with the European classical tradition. So, she decided to make that her focus. 

Though she enjoys the academic part of studying music, she remains a performer at heart. “I wanted to do something with music that would touch people’s lives,” she said. 

Not only does Johnson reach out to audiences through her singing, but she also instructs a new generation of singers as a teacher for underprivileged children in the Young Musicians Program. 

“She has the god-given gift to inspire young children to want to learn classical music,” said Daisy Newman, Director of the Young Musicians Program. 

Johnson, who has enjoyed teaching from an early age, hopes to influence young people. 

“Historically, classical music was a tradition designed by and for affluent people. I want to make classical music accessible to everyone, from the inner-city person who listens to rap to the rural person who listens to folk.” 

She plans to audition for regional opera houses and continue performing. “I enjoy acting, so I’ll definitely do opera. It demands a lot of energy.” 

Photograph by Sonia Narang  

Candace Johnson, a chancellor’s postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley’s music program.