TUESDAY, NOV. 14 

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 Sobrante Ridge. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

“The Way To Win: Taking the White House in 2008” with ABC News political director Mark Halperin and Washington Post editor and author John Harris at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

“GMOs and the Law: One Farmer’s Battle with Monsanto” with Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser at 7 p.m. 121 North Gate Hall, UC Campus. 643-3840.  

Berkeley High School Governance Council meets at 4:15 p.m. in the Berkeley Community Theater Lobby. Topics will include Attendance Policy, Homework Inequity, CAHSEE Funding, Student Placement Demographics, Late Start Schedule. 644-4803. 

Haymarket Commemoration with Barry Pateman speaking on the history and legacy of the Haymarket Martyrs, and live music by the Devin Hoff Platform at 7 p.m. at the AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. Suggested donation $5-$10, no one turned away for lack of funds. 208-1700. 

American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation at 6 p.m. at the Oakland office. Advanced sign-up is required. 594-5165.  

Choosing Infant Care A workshop for parents at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 658-7353.  

Choosing a Pre-School for Your Child at 6 p.m. at Habitot Children’s Museum. Registration required. 647-1111, ext. 14. 

“Population Policy in Senegal and Nigeria: Framing the Future Through Health and Progress” with Rachel Sullivan, doctoral student, at 4 p.m. at 652 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 642-8338. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Free Prostate Cancer Screening for men age 40-70 at Alta Bates Herrick Campus. To schedule an appointment call 869-8833. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 

Silent Walking Vigil to Save the Oaks Join students and community members at 11:45 a.m. at Telegraph and Bancroft for a one-hour walk through the UC campus to mark the day the Regents will be voting on UC’s plan to cut down the oak trees at Memorial Stadium. Co-sponsored by Save the Oaks at the Stadium and the Student Coalition to Save the Oaks. 845-6441. 

“A Glimpse of South Berkeley” with Sarah Shen on “Pixar in the Neighborhood” 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. 

“These Streets Are Watching” documentary on police misconduct and what to do and say when stopped by police, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Donation $5-$20. Benefit for Copwatch. 415-810-4665. 

“Voices of Courage” Family Violence Law Center Annual Dinner at 6 p.m. at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant, Jack London Square. Cost is $90. 208-0220, ext. 18. 

New to DVD “Word Play” at 7 p.m. at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “Drugs, Oil & War” by Peter Dale Scott at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, El Cerrito. 433-2911. 

Open House at Revolution Books from 7 to 9 p.m. at 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Natural Solutions for Holiday Stress at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 16 

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

“Anatomy of an Oakland Redevelopment Project” The History and Politics of West Oakland’s Central Station Project at 7:30 p.m. at the Piedmont Gardens Residential Center, 110 41st St., Oakland. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club. www.mgoclub.org 

“How Museums Represent Native People” with Amy Lonetree of Portland State Univ, and a member of the Ho-Chunk Tribe at 7 p.m. at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum, UC Campus. 643-7649. 

Diversity Film Series “Waging a Living” at 7 p.m. followed by discussion, at Frank Havens Elementary School Auditorium, 325 Highland Ave., Piedmont. 835-9227.  

“Invisible Children” A documentary on the war in Nrothern Uganda and the impact on children recruited to fight at 8:30 p.m. in 2050 Valley Life Sciences Bldg., UC Campus. 209-648-2578. 

NorCal High School Mountain Bike League presents “Cobbles, Baby!” Scott Coady’s Paris-Roubaix Adventure at 8 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12. 452-3556.  

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. Training session from noon to 3 p.m. For information call 524-2319.  

“Natural Solutions to Manage Arthritis” with Dr. Jay Sordean, LAc, OMD., at 1 p.m. at The South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5174. 

Easy Does It Disability Assistance Board of Directors meets at 6:30 p.m. at 1744A University Ave. 845-5513.  

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

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at East Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, UC Campus. 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 17 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Professor Emeritus Didier de Fontaine on “Cosmology.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

“The State Vs. Reed” A documentary on a death row inmate’s case, followed by discussion at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Donations requested. 528-5403.  

“Mission Against Terror” A documentary about five Cuban men in prison in the U.S. at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., between Broadway and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

Movies that Matter “The Secret” at 6:30 p.m. at Neumayer Residence, 565 Bellevue St. at Perkins, Oakland. 451-3009. http://joyfulharmony.org 

Share Berkeley History The Berkeley Historical Society is looking for photographs, stories and other memorabilia of Berkeley history. Drop by the North Berkeley Senior Center from 1 to 3 p.m. with your stories and photographs so that Berkeley Historical Society embers can archive them. 848-0181. 

Panel Discussion on Adoption with authors Micky Duxbury and Susan Ito at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

“Go to Your Library and Make Art” A craft program for children in grades 4-12 at 3 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. http://ccclib.org  

SATURDAY, NOV. 18 

Finalists for the Position of Library Director will give presentations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Story Room, 4th floor, Central Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. at Shattuck. 981-6195.  

Dig In To Fall Planting Season Volunteers need to help with the ongoing restoration of West Stede Marsh from 9 a.m. to noon at The Watershed Project, 1327 South 46th St., Richmond. To register call 665-3689. www.thewatershedproject.org 

Solo Sierrans Sunset Walk in Emeryville Meet at 3:30 p.m. behind Chevy’s Restaurant small parking lot for an hour’s walk through the Marina. Paved trail, wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 234-8949. 

Origami Ornaments at 10:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

Arts and Crafts Faire, with activities for children, from 9 to 5 p.m. at Cottage in the Woods Preschool, 3917 Lyman Rd., Oakland. 531-3121. 

“No Safe Haven” with Leena Khandwala, Appellate Advocacy Fellow with the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies on the exploitation of women and girls, at 2 p.m. in the basement auditorium at Berkeley City College. 

Music Business Seminar from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Cost is $30-$65. Sponsored by California Lawyers for the Arts. 415-775-7200, ext. 107. 

“Video Games Review” with Gen Katz of games4girls, and Lou Katz of Family Media Literacy, at 1:30 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave., Oakland. Sponsored by American Assn. of University Women. 

“Positively No Filipinos Allowed” Building communities and discourse, a panel discussion with Antonio Tiongson, Rick Bonus and Dylan Rodriguez at 2 p.m. at Heller Lounge, 2nd flr., Student Union building, UC Campus. 548-2350. 

California Writers Club meets to discuss Writers’ Dilemmas: Markets, Mania and Melancholy at 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, Jack London Square. 272-0120. 

Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale begins at 9 a.m. in the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. For more information or to volunteer to help call 526-3720, ext. 5. 

ProArts Benefit Auction “Box Art” at 6 p.m. at 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-9425. 

Kol Hadash Non-Theistic Thanksgiving Shabbat at 10 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Please bring finger dessert to share, and non-perishable food for the needy. 428-1492. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 19 

Turkey Tales Meet Tilden’s tom turkey and learn all about him at 10 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Open Garden at the Little Farm Join the gardener for composting, planting, watering and harvesting at 2 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Rain cancels. 525-2233. 

Clouds and You Join us on a short hike to learn about cloud names and cloud families. Meet at 3 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

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

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “UC in 1931: An Era of Change” led by Steve Finacom at 10 a.m. Cost is $8-$10. To register and learn meeting place call 848-0181.  

Mayan Weaving with Celia Santiz Ruiz Learn about her experience as a weaver and a member of the Jolom Mayaetik weavers’ fair trade cooperative at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Live Oak Park. 644-6893. 

“Learn How To Build A Living Roof Garden” Learn how to convert a flat roof into a planted garden with Steph Lind. This is a hands-on workshop, converting the Ecohouse tool shed roof into a living garden and add a duck pond and planted drainage swale. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berkeley Eco-House, 1305 Hopkins St. Cost is $15 sliding scale, no one turned away. 548-2220 ext. 242. ecohouse@ecologycenter.org 

Play Reading Group meets to read Tom Stoppard’s “Travesties” at 2 p.m. in the community room of 1471 Addison St., corner of Sacramento, rear of the 1473 building. Donation $5. 655-7962. 

Yiddish Films “Letter to Mother” at 3 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Lama Palzang and Pema Gellek on “Cultivating the Mind of Compassion” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, NOV. 20 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Dining Conference Room, 1950 Franklin St. To schedule an appointment, call Rachelle at 625-6188. 

CodePINK Monthly Eat and Greet at 6 p.m. at 1248 Solano Ave. Donation $20. 524-2776. www.bayareacodepink.org 

ONGOING 

All Net Youth Basketball for ages 9-11 begins Nov. 21 at Berkeley Youth Alternatives, 1255 Allston Way. For information call 845-9066. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Nov. 14, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. 

Berkeley School Board meets Wed. Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6601.  

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7533.  

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Nov. 15, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5344.  

Commission on Labor meets Wed., Nov. 15 at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7550.  

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415.  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950. 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Nov. 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7010. 

TUESDAY, NOV. 14 

CHILDREN 

P&T Puppets “Just So Stories” in celebration of children’s book week at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

FILM 

“Generations of Women” with filmmaker Gunvor Nelson in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Susan Dunlap reads from her newest Darcy Lott mystery “A Single Eye” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poet M.K. Chavez reads at Works in Progress Women’s Open Mic at 7:30 p.m. at the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 276-0379. 

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 

Stone-Zimmerman Duo, violin and piano, performs works by Brahms, Enescu, Rohde and Critten at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $20. 525-5211. www.berkeleychamberperfrom.org 

Bandworks, band recitals, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 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 

Frank Jackson at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$12. 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, NOV. 15 

EXHIBITIONS 

“At Thadeus Lake” by Sherri Martin, winner of the 2006 Kala Board Prize at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Exhibition runs to Nov. 25. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“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 

“Lottery of the Sea” with filmmaker Allan Sekula in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Bettina F. Apthekar reads from “Intimate Politics: How I Grew Up Red, Fought for Free Speech, and Became a Feminist Rebel” 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. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with music from the graduate seminar in jazz improvisation at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Diana D. Zamba and Aaron Sage, jazz at 1 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. Free. 981-5190. 

Danceworx Showcase at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$8. 925-798-1300. 

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 

Balkan Folkdance at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Kids and Hearts, soul, punk, jazz at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Liz Caroll & John Doyle, Irish fiddle and guitar, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Tito y su Son de Cuba at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, NOV. 16 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Process and Sustainability” Works of Robert Becker Reception at 5:30 p.m. at AIA East Bay Chapter, 450 Clay St., Oakland. 464-3600. www.aiaeb.org 

Winter Dreams Reception at 5 p.m. at Transmission Gallery, 1177 San Pablo Ave. 558-4084. 

Semina Culture: Wallace Berman and His Circle Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. in Gallery 2, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

“Drawings” by Amy Sollins opens at North Berkeley Frame and Gallery, 1744 Shattuck Ave. and runs through Jan. 13. 549-0428. 

FILM 

“Dog Day Afternoon” with screenwriter Frank Pierson in person at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Guerrilla Radio: The Hip-Hop Struggle Under Castro” at 6:30 p.m. and “Las Comnatientes” at 8:15 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $6-$8 for each film. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Barbara Sjoholm reads from “Incognito Street: How Travel Made Me a Writer” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Heriberto Yepez, Mexican poet, at 6:30 p.m. in the Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. holloway.english.berkeley.edu 

“The Politics of Music” A panel discussion wth Mat Callahan, Golnar Nikpour and Joel Schalit at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674 A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Judy Yung will give a slide talk of historical photographs from her new book “San Francisco’s Chinatown” at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7512. 

Joseph McBride, in conversation with Jim Kitses on “What Ever Happened to Orson Welles? A Portrait of An Independent Career” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Blue Roots, New Orleans blues, jazz, gospel, and soul, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Gidon Kremer, violin with Andrei Pushkarev, percussion and Andrius Zlabys, piano, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $36-$68. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Girlyman, contemporary folk, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Paufve Dance “8 x 8 x 8” at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Jazz Mine at 6:30 p.m. at King Tsin Chinese Restaurant, 1699 Solano Ave. 525-9890. 

Hubert Laws at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

The Trucks, electroclash from Seattle, at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

FRIDAY, NOV. 17 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Hedda Gabler” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. through Nov. 18 at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Tickets are $12. 525-1620. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Aurora Theatre “Ice Glen” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through Dec. 10. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Azeem’s “Rude Boy” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way, through Nov. 25. Tickets are $15-$22. 415-826-5750. www.themarsh.org 

Berkeley Rep “Passing Strange” at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. through Dec. 3. Tickets are $45-$61. 645-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Andromache” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through Nov. 19. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1382. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “And Then There Were None” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito, through Dec. 9. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theater “Jukebox Stories” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 10. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Company” by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through Dec. 16. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org  

TheatreFirst “Criminal Genius” Thurs.-Fri. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theatre, 481 Ninth St., at Broadway, Oakland, through Nov. 19. Tickets are $19-$25. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

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 

“Living Dreams in a Dying Village” A documentary exhibit about children affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in central China. Receptions at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley High School, Building C, 2nd Flr. 486-1221. 

FILM 

“Dog Day Afternoon” Shot-by shot analysis with screenwriter Frank Pierson at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Poeta del Guaran” at 6:30 p.m. and “La Sagrada Familia” at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $6-$8 for each film. 849-2568.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Panel Discussion on Adoption with authors Micky Duxbury, and Susan Ito at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

University Chorus performs “Elijah” by Mendelssohn at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-9988. http://music.berkeley.edu 

San Francisco City Chorus performs Mendelssohn’s St. Paul Oratorio at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $15-$20. 415-701-SONG. www.sfcitychorus.org 

The Jack Gates Trio, jazz, Brazilian and popular music at 7:30 p.m. at A Cheerfull Noyse, 1228 Solano Ave., Albany. Donations accepted. 524-0411. 

V Neck, Ross Hammond on guitar and Tom Monson on drums, at 8 p.m. at 1510 8th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$15. sfjazzmusic@yahoo.com 

Lua Hadar & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Reggae Angels at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

John Gorka, songcrafter, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Bill Bell Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Freys at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Everest, The Parties, Praba & the Substitutes at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Jason Webley, Jherek & Alex Sprouts, The Pastries, Shakey Bones 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. 

Ashkon, hip hop, urban at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

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

Partyline, Dinky Bits at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Hubert Laws at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, NOV. 18 

CHILDREN  

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

Asheba, calypso music and stroytelling, at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. at Gilman Cost is $6, children under 1 free. 526-9888.  

FILM 

“Cool Hand Luke” with screenwriter Frank Pierson in person at 6:30 p.m. and “Cat Ballou” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lee Tanner on “Masters of Jazz Photography” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Flauti Diversi “Classical Rhapsody” Quartets by CPE Bach and Mozart, at 8 p.m. at Music Sources, 1000 The Alameda, at Marin. Reservations recommended. Tickets are $15-$18. 527-9840. 

Chora Nova “Treasures of Michale Haydn” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $15-$20. www.choranova.org 

Trinity Chamber Concerts Music of Aaron Blumenfeld with Pamela Hicks, soprano and John D. Frederick, baritone, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www.trinitychamberconcerts.com 

San Francisco Taiko Dojo at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

“The Music Party” Song, dance and poetry at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Cost is $15-$20. 525-0302. 

Works in the Works Dance performance by St. Mary’s College Dance Company, Davalos Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. at Eighth Street Studio, 2424 Eighth St. Tickets are $10 at the door. 527-5115. 

Kirtan: Jagadambe at 8 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Cost is $16-$18. 843-2787. 

Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Robin Gregory & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Haitian Vertieres Day Celebration with Kalbasskreyol and Rasine Bambou at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Kompa dance lesson at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $12-15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Crooked Roads and Zac Cahn at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

John Gorka, songcrafter, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Maya Kronfeld Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Kurt Ribak at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Mark Lemaire with Elaine Kreston at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Matthew Hansen Band, The Trenchermen, The Inversions at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

The Living Remix at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Sarah Manning Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Babyland, Replicator 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. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 19 

EXHIBITIONS 

The Photography of Matt Heron Artist talk by the civil rights photojournalist on his work covering the struggle for voting rights in the South, at 2 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Berkeley Arts Center Annual Members’ Showcase opens at 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park, and runs through Dec. 21. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

“Wild About Birds” mixed media paintings Rita Sklar. Reception at 4 p.m. in the Foyer Gallery of the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. Exhibition runs to Feb. 16. 524-9283. www.ritasklar.com 

Semina Culture: Wallace Berman and His Circle Guided tour at 2 p.m. in Gallery 2, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

THEATER 

Wilde Irish Productions “Beckett Centennial Celebration” with staged readings of his work at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City Club Library, 2315 Durant Ave. Free, but reservations suggested. 644-9940. www.wildeirish.org 

FILM 

Yiddish Films “Letter to Mother” at 3 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

“King of Gypsies” with director Frank Pierson in person at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Riches, Rivals and Radicals: 100 Years of Museums in America” A talk and film screening with Marjorie Schwarzer at 2 p.m. at the Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950. 

Poetry Flash presents a reading for 26 Magazine with Kit Robinson, Sarah Rosenthal and Todd Melicker at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

St. Mark’s Choir Association, Music of Arvo Part: Berliner Messe, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. 845-0888. 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 116 Montecito, Oakland. Admission free, donations requested. www.prometheussymphony.org  

Contra Costa Chorale and Octangle Wind Octet at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $12.50-$15. 527-2026. 

“The Bringer of Light” Early Scandinavian Yuletide Music and Nordic Folk Music at 7:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. Tickets at the door are $12-$15. 486-2803. 

“Jazz at the Chimes” with vocalist Kenny Washington at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland Tickets are $10, children under 12 free. 228-3218.  

Paul Arnoldi, folk and western, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Feminina & Cerro Negro/Brasil at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

“Thangs Taken” Rethinking Thanksgiving, A People’s Holiday event with poetry, music, visual art and hip hop at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Works in the Works Dance performance by St. Mary’s College Dance Company, Davalos Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. at Eighth Street Studio, 2424 Eighth St. Tickets are $10 at the door. 527-5115. 

Gabriela Frank, music of the Americas, at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Flamenco Open Stage at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Demonstrations, The Slits, Tussle at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $15. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

MONDAY, NOV. 20 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Journeys East: Patterns of Collecting” Art and artifacts fromNorth Africa, India and the former Ottoman Empire on display at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., through May 7, 2007. 549-6950. www.magnes.org 

“Through the Eye of the Needle: Fabric Art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz” opens at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., through Feb. 11, 2007. 549-6950. www.magnes.org 

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 

Thomas Pynchon’s “Against the Day” Countdown to the release from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Express with Lucy Lang Day and Chas from Los Angeles at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-9988. http://music.berkeley.edu 

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

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

Ben Goldberg Group at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

THE MAGIC OF ANIMATION 

Pixar Animation Studios Software Engineer Sarah Shen will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the studio’s techniques with a lecture entitled “The Making of Today’s Magic: Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Cars,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the South Berkeley Community Church, 180. $10. Proceeds go to the restoration fund. Kids under 16 free. For additional information, call Leona Martin at 652-1040. 

THE RAVAGES OF AIDS 

Opening receptions will be held at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Friday on the second floor of Berkeley High School’s Building C for a documentary exhibit about children affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in central China 486-1221. 

NOMADIC MUSIC 

Saturday is singer-songwriter night at Oakland’s Nomad Cafe. This week features the Crooked Roads Band who describe themselves as a cross between Hank Williams and The Beatles, and Portland, Ore. musican Zac Cahn. 6500 Shattuck Ave., Oakland. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net.  

GUILTY PLEASURES AT MIDNIGHT 

Downtown Berkeley’s UA Theater will conclude its series of midnight screenings of guilty pleasures from the 1980s with a Thursday night showing of The Goonies. 2274 Shattuck Ave.

The visitor from New York, who wandered into the Gaia Building lobby by mistake, caught a glimpse of the program for Azeem’s solo show at The Marsh, and said as he left, “I get enough ‘Rude Boy’ at home!” 

But as Azeem performs it in a string of black-out vignettes, it’s not so much in your face as an anatomy of a rough-hewn man (who shows various faces, one Jamaican) getting caught up in the wrong side of the Stateside system. 

Sung, declaimed, rapped, gestured out at the audience, Rude Boy is a sad, loosely episodic tale enacted—or acted out—with humor and high spirits, an attempt to see things from the other side of the social mirror. 

Taking the stage, which is covered with janitorial gear, after sweeping up in the pit, Azeem starts in: “Listen, man, I’m not complaining or nothing,” moving by degrees into the turmoil of surviving street life, mirrored by an inner turmoil and humor—and into a character, Tommy Burke, based on two of Azeem’s late cousins—through tough situations that just seem to erupt, and the institutionalizations that follow.  

Azeem’s like a channel for “hearing voices, not like a murderer hears, but a psychic”—with the disclaimer, “except I’m not psychic.” He uses his expressiveness to slip in and out of character, besides narrating or commenting on what’s happening in a variety of styles. 

The show’s a bunch of vignettes, broken up, but not abruptly, with blackouts. It plays like a series of sketches, and still reads like a work in progress; maybe the rough edges reinforce the rudeness of the characters, its real material. 

The sketches go from the rhymed tirade on identity Azeem delivers, looking down from the desk of a social worker, who has him committed, to the visions of a fellow inmate (“Don’t think you watching TV—TV is watching us”) who only speaks in acronyms and numbers; a dissertation on Anger and his stepsister Sadness, and about Rage and those twins, Reason and Logic; Johnny Burke’s predicaments, which land him in The Hole, the prayer he learned from his cellmate (“a muslim dude—that’s Arab. You learn a lot when you get locked up”); a letter to “The President, Santa Claus, Governor or Mayor—Dear Sir;” and songs, raps and assorted ramblings that form the interlocking soliloquies that blossom into fantasy (“Space is, like, God’s Rolex!”) or burst out in tart anger (“Do the police a favor; I’ll kick my own black ass.”). 

Azeem appeals directly to the audience, and he is an appealing presence. You want to hear what he’s got to say. And maybe to see him in a more rigorous show, too, responding to others, not just the characters in his head, something more intensive, not just bursts of intensity that transfix Azeem’s geniality. 

AZEEM’S RUDE BOY 

8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 25 at The Marsh Berkeley, The Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way.  

Contributed photo  

Azeem’s appealing presence makes you want to hear what he has to say.