FRIDAY, DEC. 8 

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 Michael Sturtz on The Crucible, a non-profit educational colaboration of arts, industry at community. Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

“The Ground Truth” A documentary about soldiers returning home from Iraq at 7 p.m. at Buena Vista United Methodist Church, 2311 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda, followed by a panel discussion. Sponsored by the Lt. Ehren Watada Support Committee. Suggested donation $5. 527-1401. 

Womansong Circle with Betsy Rose “Fertile Darkness, Winter Light” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Cost is $15-$20. 525-7082. 

Chai, Pie and Buy Art Party with artwork donated by local artists to benefit homeless children at the Learning Center and the Ursula Sherman Village, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1208 Peralta at Gilman. Also Sat. and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. 649-1930. www.self-sufficiency.org 

“The Heart of the Buddha’s Message: The Middle Way and Other Disputed Concepts in Early Buddhism” with Oliver Firberger of the Univ. of Texas, at 5 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th flr., 643-6536. 

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

SATURDAY, DEC. 9 

Berkeley Hills Path Walk led by Charlie Bowen, head of Berkeley Path Wanderers Assoc.’s path-improvement efforts. Meet at 10 a.m. at the toddler play area at Glendale LaLoma Park. Wear shoes with good traction and bring a walking stick. www.berkeleypaths.org 

“Holiday Sustainability Event” Make new toys out of reclaimed lumber, sew hats and stockings from salvaged fabrics and produce decorative wrapping paper, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Tinkers Workshop, 84 Bolivar Drive alongside Berkeley’s Aquatic Park. Fees for materials will be minimal or by donation. www.tinkersworkshop.org 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Holiday Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Center St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way with local craftspepole, live music and prepared food. Benefits the Ecology Center. 548-3333.  

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Fair with more than 200 vendors, music and food, Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Holiday Fair at California College of the Arts, with live jazz and gifts made by students, alumni and staff, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5212 Broadway at College Ave., Oakland. 594-3666. 

3rd Annual Albany Community Art Show from 9 a.m. to noon at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 524-9283. 

iPride Holiday Craft Celebration with special activities for children, from noon to 5 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave. Benefits iPride’s work with multi-ethnic adopted children. 832-2375. www.ipride.org 

World of Good Development Organization Fundraiser with fair trade handcrafts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1380 10th St., near Gilman. www.worldofgood.com 

Folk Art Nativity Exhibit with over 250 creches from 74 countries on display from 5 to 8 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2837 Claremeont Blvd. Donation of $15 goes to St. James Food Pantry. 843-2678. 

“Afghan Women: Victims of War” with Rahima Haya, co-founder of the Afghan Women's Association International at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2020 Center St., basement auditorium.  

“The State of Surveillance” Government Monitoring of Political Activity in Northern and Central California” with Mark Schlossberg, Police Practices Policy Director, ACLU, at 7 p.m. at Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand St., Alameda. www.alamedaforum.org 

“Framing of an Execution” A documentary by Danny Glover on the case of Mumia Abu Jamal at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Suggested donation $5-$10, no one turned away. 526-4402. 

Dimond Winter Festival “An Interfaith Celebration” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church, 2735 Mac Arthur Blvd. & Coolidge, Oakland. Donation $5. Canned goods appreciated. All ages welcome. 336-0105. 

Tree Trimming Contest from 1 to 6 p.m. at Expression Art Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class “A Healthful Holiday Feast” 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 

“Solar Electricity For Your Home” A seminar from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $75. 525-7610. 

Wreath Making Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $25-$30. Registration required. 643-2755. 

“Temescal Legacies...” with Jeff Norman, Temescal resident and artist at 2 p.m. at Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 597-5049. 

“Local Wildlife and Habitat” with naturalist Josiah Clarke at 10 a.m. at Stanford Ave. Natural Habitat Garden, Stanford Ave. and Vallejo St., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. 428-2082. 

Great War Society, East Bay Chapter meets to discuss “Small Arms of WWI” by Terry McGill at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

Community Spelling Bee From 3 to 5 p.m. at 1481 Solano Ave., Albany. Students in all grades welcome. Call to sign up. 558-8179. 

Origami at the Albany Library Learn to make a holiday star at 2 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. For all ages. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Dramatically Speaking Holiday Storytelling Party at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St., Room 2F, Oakland. Admission is free, but RSVP required. 581-8675. 

“Discover Spiritual Keys to Life’s Mysteries” from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Preservation Park in Oakland, 660 13th St. 549-2807.  

One on One Animal Communication at 5 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $25. Appointments required. 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 at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Petite Pooches Playgroup for small dogs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., one block north of Solano on Ensenada at Talbot. 524-2459. 

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, DEC. 10 

Winter Festival Hands-on activities for the whole family for Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Chai, Pie and Buy Art Party with artwork donated by local artists to benefit homeless children at the Learning Center and the Ursula Sherman Village, from noon to 4 p.m. at 1208 Peralta at Gilman. 649-1930. www.self-sufficiency.org 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California Meet at the koi pond at 1 p.m. 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Fair with more than 200 vendors, music and food, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Kensington Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kensington Farmers’ Market, Arlington and Amherst. 

Folk Art Nativity Exhibit with over 250 creches from 74 countries on display from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2837 Claremeont Blvd. Donation of $15 goes to St. James Food Pantry. 843-2678. 

Chanukah Fair in the afternoon at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. For more information call 848-0237, ext. 127. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring change of clothes, windbreaker, sneakers. For ages 5 and up. cal-sailing.org  

Holiday Appeal for Class-War Prisoners Benefit party for 16 political prisoners including Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier from 1 to 4 p.m. at the YWCA, 1515 Webster St., Oakland. Donation $5-$10. 839-0852. 

“Landmark Cases Left Out of Your Textbooks” with Ann Fagan Ginger and Abiola Afollyn on the Angela Davis case, the Pentagon Papers case and others at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita. 848-0599. 

“The Last Abortion Clinic” a documentary at 2 p.m. at Parkway Speakeasy Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. 415-864-1278.  

East Bay Atheists Solstice Party at 2:30 pm. at Giovanni’s Restaurant, 2420 Shattuckk Ave. 222-7580. 

“The Divine Feminine in the World’s Religions: Judaism” with Anna Matt of the GTU at 9:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Tools for Inner Change” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, DEC. 11  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the UC MLK Student Union. To schedule an appointment see www.BeADonor.com 

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 

Anti-Torture Teach-in and Vigil with Trevor Paglen member of the UC Berkeley Geography Department, investigator and author of “Torture Taxi: On the Trail of the CIA’s Rendition Flights” at 12:30 p.m. at Boalt Hall, School of Law, UC Campus. 649-0663. 

“Adventures from the Mojave to the Antarctic” with Lucy Jane Bledsoe at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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 welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13  

Golden Gate Audubon Society Volunteer Orientation Learn about the ways you can help protect local birds and their habitats at 7 p.m. at 2530 San Pablo Ave, Suite G. RSVP to 843-7295.  

“New Treatments for Irregular Heartbeat” with Dr. Steven Kang, cardiologist at 9:30 a.m. at Alta Bates Summit, Merrit Pavillion, Cafeteria Annex B & C, 350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 869-6737. 

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

New to DVD “The Devil Wears Prada” at 7 p.m. at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

“Natural Treatments for Low Back Pain” with Dr. Jay Sordean, LAc, OMD, at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

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, 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. 848-1704.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m.at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 

“Robert Fisk on Iraq and Lebanon: Pointing the Finger of Guilt” at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2619 Broadway at 27th, Oakland. Donations $20, $50 for reception. 548-0542. 

“Natural Treatments for Low Back Pain” with Dr. Jay Sordean, LAc, OMD, at 1 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5174. 

ONGOING 

Help with Medicare Part D Enrollment Seniors who need to enroll in the prescription drug plan, or change their plan can get help and advice at Berkeley Senior Centers. Appointments required. Call 1-800-434-0222. www.lashicap.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m., at City Council Chambers, Old City Hall. 981-6670.  

City Council meets Tues., Dec. 12, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 8 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “ The Man Who Saved Christmas” at holiday family musical Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through Dec. 17. Tickets are $15-$18. 523-1553. www.altarena.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 

Berkeley Rep “All Wear Bowlers” at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. through Dec. 23. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2949. 

Checkov International Theatre “Twelfth Night” at 8 p.m. Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 and 7 p.m., at Zellerbach Playouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $65. 642-9988. 

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  

Naked Masks “Far Away” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City Club. Tickets are $10-$20. Runs through Dec. 17. 883-9872. www.nakedmasks.org 

Prophecy Theater, “Broken Moments: What’s Your Pleasure?” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Egypt Theater, 5306 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $15. 1-800-838-3006. 

Shotgun Players “The Forest War” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Jan 14. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Sacred Flame” An exhibition of menorahs, candelabras and votives opens with a reception at 5 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

FILM 

“Burning Man Festival” at 7:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Janus Films: “Il Posto” at 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

“McSweeney’s Wholphin III: DVD Magazine of Unseen Things” Preview at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater, “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $16-$21. 843-4689. 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Voices in Peace” music from the Americas at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Tickets are $15-$20. 531-8714.  

Bella Musica Chorus and Orchestra Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Blvd., Kensington. Suggested dontation $10-$15. 525-5393. www.bellamusica.org 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864.  

California Revels “Christmas Revels” Celebrating the stories, songs, dance, and drama of 19th century Quebec, at 7:30 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Drive near Lake Merritt, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$42. 452-3800. www.calrevels.org 

La Familia Son, contemporary Cuban, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. 

Yerbabuena Ballet Flamenco at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Sacred and Classical Turkish Music Necati Celik on oud and Arif Bicer on ney, with American Sufi musicians at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$25 at the door. 707-824-2230. 

SFJazz All-Star High School Ensemble at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373.  

Hanif & The Sound Voyagers at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Tito y su Son de Cuba at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Cris Williamson with Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761.  

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

Ragwater Revue, Vermillion Lies, Kira Lynn Cain at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Iron Age, Cold World, Never Healed 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. 

Les Nubians, Jennifer Johns, Femi at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance from ticketweb.com . 548-1159.  

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

Caroline Chung Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, DEC. 9 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Colibri, Latin American music for the whole family, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Gris Grimly reads from “Santa Claws” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Elmwood Theater Matinee Benefit for local schools showing “Shrek 2” at 10 a.m. and noon, and noon on Sun. Cost is $2. Sponsored by Elmwood merchants. 843-3794. 

EXHIBITIONS 

3rd Annual Albany Community Art Show & Sale from noon to 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. Features the work of many local artists. The event is free and wheelchair accessible. 524-9283. 

THEATER 

Checkov International Theatre “Twelfth Night” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Playouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $65. 642-9988. 

“Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” Solo performance by Kristina Wong at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Seldom Seen Acting Company of St. Vincent de Paul “Rock Bottom Hope” at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum's James Moore Theatre, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. Tickets are $20. 812-9421. 

FILM 

“Rare Rockin’ Film Clips” with rock historian Richie Unterberger at 10 p.m. at Fellini Restaurant, 1401 University Ave. Free. 841-5200.  

Janus Films “La strada” at 5 p.m. and “Seven Samurai” at 7:10 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jeff Norman introduces “Temescal Legacies” at 2 p.m. at the Temescal Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave. 597-5049. 

John Scharffenberger discusses “The Essence of Chocolate” at 2 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater, “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $16-$21. 843-4689. 

Yerbabuena Ballet Flamenco at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “Messiah” Singalong at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakand. Tickets are $15-$28. 625-8497. www.oebs.org 

Kensington Symphony performs holiday favorites by Handel, Johann Strauss, (pere and fils), Tchaikovsky, Telemann, others, at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Suggested donation $12-$15, children free. 524-9912. 

California Revels “Christmas Revels” Celebrating the stories, songs, dance, and drama of 19th century Quebec, Sat. and Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Drive near Lake Merritt, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$42. 452-3800. www.calrevels.org 

Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus “Pacem” at 8 p.m. at Lakedhore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.oebgmc.org 

Kairos Youth Choir “Choose Something Like a Star” at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1325 Portland St., Albany. Tickets are $10-$12. 704-4479.  

Oakland School for the Arts Concert Ensemble performs carols and gospel music at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. 228-3207. 

Rhythm & Muse Open Mic features jazz vocalist Felice York with Eliza Shefler, jazz piano, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose Sts. 644-6893.  

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

La Pena Community Chorus at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Pete Excovedo & Ray Obiedo with Mambo Caribe at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Groundation, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Holler Town and Ronnie Cato at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Claudia Russell, Lucy Kaplansky at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761.  

Danny Mertens Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

The Bean Bag Apostles, folk, rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Kirtan: Jaya Lakshimi at 7:30 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Cost is $16-$18. 843-2787. 

Workingman’s Ed at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

Ned Boynton’s North Beach Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Mucho Axe, South American world grooves, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, DEC. 10 

CHILDREN 

Childrens’ Authors’ Party with Joyce Carol Thomas, Thatcher Hurd, Barbara Quick and others at 6 p.m. at Black Oak Books. For all ages. 486-0698. 

Samantha Tobey and the Squeegees at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054.  

THEATER 

Checkov International Theatre “Twelfth Night” at 3 and 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Playouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $65. 642-9988. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Works by Hana Waters” Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

FILM 

Jacques Rivette “Joan the Maiden, Part 1” at 1 p.m. and “Joan the Maiden, Part 2” at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Desert to Dream: A Decade of Burning Man” slide show and discussion with Barbara Traub at at 2 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Robert Hartman and Mary Snowden in conversation on the exhibition “Measure of Time” at 3 p.m. in Gallery 6, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

Ann Fagan Ginger and Abiola Afollyn introduce “Landmark Cases Left Out of Your Textbooks,” including the Angela Davis case, the Pentagon Papers case and others at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Felloship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita. 848-0599. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bay Area Flute Fest from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Performers include Roger Glenn, John Calloway, Amy Likar and others. Free. 333-0474. www.bayareaflutefest.com 

Berkeley Ballet Theater, “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $16-$21. 843-4689. 

Bella Musica Chorus and Orchestra Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” at 4 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman at Milvia. Suggested dontation $10-$15. 525-5393. www.bellamusica.org 

Kairos Youth Choir “Choose Something Like a Star” at 4 p.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1940 Virginia St. Tickets are $10-$12. 704-4479.  

Berkeley Symphony Orchestra “Underconstruction” at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Free. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Arlekin Quartet, chamber music, at 4 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Tickets are $12, children under 18 free. 559-2941. www.crowden.org 

Healing Muses with Eileen Hadidian on recorder and flute and Patrice Haan on Celtic harp at 2 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Sacred and Profane “Christmas in London” at 7 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Church, 2220 Cedar St. Tickets are $12-$18. 524-3611.  

Selections from Handel’s “Messiah” at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., corner of Richmond Ave., Point Richmond. Free. 236-0527.  

San Francisco Choral Artists “From Darkness to Light” at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., at Bay Place, Oakland. Tickets are $12-$25. 415-979-5779.  

Chamber Music Sundaes “Memory Beams” at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $18-$22. 415-753-2792.  

Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus “Pacem” at 5 p.m. at Lakedhore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.oebgmc.org 

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

John Stowell/Mike Zilber Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Madeline Eastman & Taylor Eigsti at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373.  

Jared Karol and Jayne Pohl at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

MONDAY, DEC. 11 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“From Toothpicks to Cow Bladders: The Conservation of Modern Art” A brown-bag lunch with Michelle Barger, Conservator of Objects at the Museum of Modern Art at 12:30 p.m., Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Thomas Lynch reads Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Rabbi Edward Zerin presents “Jewish San Francisco” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Roches, with a Holiday Twist, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $21.50-$22.50. 548-1761.  

SoVoSo, holiday concert, at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14.. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 

CHILDREN 

Opera Piccola “The Guest” at 7 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

EXHIBITIONS 

The Photography of Matt Heron “Voting Rights: The Southern Struggle, 1964-1965” on display in the Catalog Lobby, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., through Jan. 6. 981-6100. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Susan Snyder introduces “Past Tents: The Way We Camped” at 7 p.m. at Phoebe A. Hearst Museum, 102 Kroeber Hall, UC Campus. 643-7649. 

George Leonard reads from “The Silent Pulse: A Search for the Perfect Rhythm that Exists in Each of Us” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Swamp Coolers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/zydeco 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 

The Roches, with a Holiday Twist, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $21.50-$22.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Charlie Hunter Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $16-$28. 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, DEC. 13 

THEATER 

Azeem’s “Rude Boy” Wed.-Thurs. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way, through Dec. 14. Tickets are $15-$22. 415-826-5750. www.themarsh.org 

FILM 

Janus Films “Throne of Blood” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Café Poetry hosted by Kira Allen at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Daniel Lev and Bobby Kinkead, storytelling at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Robert Marshall reads 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 

Music for Advent with Ron McKean, organist, at noon at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

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

Zaatar at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Brown Bums, delta blues and soul at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

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

Greenbridge, Celtic trio, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 

FILM 

Jacques Rivette “Va savoir” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Fisk on Iraq and Lebanon at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 2619 Broadway, at 27th, Oakland Tickets are $20, no one turned away. Benefit for children in Gaza, via the Middle East Children's Alliance. 548-0542. www.mecaforpeace.org 

Eric Kos and Dennis Evanosky talk about “East Bay Then and Now” with historic photographs of Oakland at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue. Donation $8-$10. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org  

Nomad Spoken Word Night at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Robert Hanson introduces “The Rough Guide to CLimate Change” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Symphony performs Shostakovich “Leningrad” and works by Arvo Part at at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $10-$56. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Patrick Ball, “Christmas Rose” music from England, Ireland and Wales, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Steve Gannon’s Monday Blues at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tommy Carns, Sean McArdle, Sweetbriar at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Razero the Band, Unequaled Clarity and Five Characters in Search of an Exit at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$7. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Charlie Hunter Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $16-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

The Time Flys, The Pets, The Makes Nice at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

BAY AREA FLUTE FEST COMES TO OAKLAND 

Roger Glenn, John Calloway and Amy Likar lead the list of performers at this year’s Bay Area Flute Fest from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. Flutists, flute students and music lovers of all stripes are invited to attend an afternoon of music, exhibits and workshops. Admission is free. For more information, call 333-0474 or go to www.bayareaflutefest.com. 

‘BLACK NATIVITY HOLIDAY PAGEANT’ 

The Allen Temple Baptist Church Music Department will present a series of holiday performances beginning this weekend. Two shows will be presented on Saturday, the first at 2:30 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m.; Sunday’s show will be held at 6 p.m.; there will be a single matinee show at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16; and a gala will be held at 3:30 Sunday, Dec. 17, followed by the final performance of the season. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and teens, $7 for youth, and free for children under the age of 5. 8501 International Blvd., Oakland. 544-8924. 

CELLULOID FLASHBACKS IN EL CERRITO 

The Cerrito Theater will present a couple of cinematic gems from yesteryear along with its usual fare this weekend. In its  

“Cerrito Flashback” series, the newly restored Art Deco theater will screen The Princess Bride, the popular 1987 fantasy, and the “Cerrito Classics” series will feature Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Louis Armstrong in High Society, the 1956 musical remake of The Philadelphia Story. The Princess Bride shows at 9:45 p.m. Friday through Thursday, Dec. 14, and High Society shows 6 p.m. Saturday and at 5 p.m. Sunday. 10070 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 814-2400. www.picturepubpizza.com.

A fascinating pair of Italian films will screen this weekend at Pacific Film Archive. The first, Il Posto (1961), could be seen as a sequel to Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows, presenting another quietly observant portrait of a young man suffering through a rite of passage. It’s as though the 13-year-old Antoine Donel of the earlier film has now grown into the 18-year-old Domenico Cantoni, sent by his parents into the big city of Milan to find a job.  

Directed by Ermanno Olmi, Il Posto fits in with the Italian neo-realism school of filmmaking in its presentation of a humanistic tale of youthful dreams and ambitions sacrificed at the altar of security and conformism.  

Domenico seems to dread his entry into the working world, a world presented as one of time-worn adults marking time in soulless, dreary employment. However, a ray of light appears in the form of a young woman named Antonietta (Loredana Detto), and her sparkling presence illuminates the screen as well as the life of the hero. Together they navigate the job application process and take pleasure in each other’s company, the two bright-eyed youths constituting a slightly subversive presence in an otherwise stale maze of corridors, offices and standard-issue furniture.  

The key to the film is Sandro Panseri, a non-professional actor with soulful eyes and the gentle, timid face of a youth trying to comprehend and master the ways of a foreign territory. He’s a small, skinny waif masquerading as a grown-up in ill-fitting grown-up clothing. He hits all the right notes and Olmi captures each one, showing us in wordless close-ups the fear, uncertainty, shyness and delight that flitter across the face of the young protagonist.  

But about three-quarters into the film, Olmi suddenly abandons the main character for an extended sequence in which we learn something of the personal lives of each one of a number of accountants at the unnamed firm where Domenico has landed. It may seem like a tangent at first, but the sequence marks the opening salvo in a tour de force closing sequence that drives home the film’s major themes.  

Domenico is promoted, and in an uncharacteristic but highly effective montage, Olmi shows us why. One of the accountants we’ve encountered has passed away, possibly by suicide, and his desk is turned over to Domenico, much to the dismay of his new colleagues. One, a 20-year veteran, complains to the manager, and when Domenico agrees to move to a desk in the back of the room, a frenzied and ruthless rush ensues as the other accountants begin a mad dash to claim the desk immediately in front of their own, a desperate game of musical chairs for which they’ve apparently been waiting for decades. 

The final shot shows Domencio watching a man at the front of the room as he cranks what appears to be a mimeograph machine, feeding paper into one end and removing it from the other as a deafening mechanical whirr dominates the soundtrack. The grind has begun.  

Yet as bleak as this conclusion may seem, it is also somewhat ambiguous, for throughout the film we have seen Domenico warmly befriended by the adults in his new environment, receiving a series of reassurances that a simpler life of lower expectations is not all bad but is in fact full of small pleasures. With these gentle moments of camaraderie and kindness, Olmi provides a welcome softening of the film’s sharp edge.  

Domenico may have found himself in a dispiriting situation, but there is still energy and vivaciousness and curiosity in his face, a sign that although life is certainly capable of pummeling the spirit out of a young man, he still has a choice, plenty of choices as a matter of fact, and retains the power to shape his own destiny. And the fact that Domenico is able to so clearly see his predicament in the closing scene leaves us with hope that he has the strength and determination to overcome it, now that he finally understands it. 

Federico Fellini’s La Strada (1954) similarly focuses on a main character with enormously expressive eyes in the form of Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina), another youthful spirit facing dire circumstances. But the style and delivery of the tale could not be more different from the observational calm of Olmi’s Il Posto.  

La Strada tells the tale of a boorish brute of a traveling sideshow performer, Zampano, played by Anthony Quinn. When his wife dies, he travels back to her remote, impoverished village and essentially purchases her younger sister to take her place. Gelsomina has a clown-like countenance, and eventually she takes on the makeup of a clown, too. Her childish innocence calls to mind silent film comedian Harry Langdon, blending an adult body with an infantile purity that at times confounds us with its ambiguity.  

And despite its rather simple story, the film is full of ambiguities. Gelsominia is at once innocent and deeply aware of her place in Zampano’s life. And the Fool, a character capable of both cruelty and martyrdom, provides lessons in life and love for the main characters while treating them with a degree of contempt. 

The film itself seems to straddle two realms, leaning at times toward realism and at times toward a sort of fable-like fantasy. Beneath its circus settings, desolate stretches of beach and never-ending highways, it is a simple love story about a man who cannot admit his feelings and a child-like woman who is entirely governed by her own. 

La Strada concludes with a powerful shot of Zampano alone on the beach after learning that his dismissal of Gelsomina has led her to madness and death. As he faces the open sea, he glances upwards for a moment, as though discovering God for the first time and begging his forgiveness. And it seems like the first time that he has lifted his brooding gaze from the ground, the first time we have seen the whites of his eyes. But it is too late now, and Zampano simply crumbles to the ground as though merging with the brittle sand.  

The two films are showing as part of PFA’s tribute to Janus Films, the American distributor responsible for bringing so many foreign art house films to the United States in the 1950s and ’60s. The series concludes next week with a screening of Mario Monicelli’s The Organizer (1963). 

Both Il Posto and La Strada are available individually on DVD from the Criterion Collection or as part of Criterion’s new 50-film Janus box set, 50 Years of Essential Art House, available at www.criterionco.com. 

IL POSTO (1961) 

Directed by Ermanno Olmi. 93 minutes.  

6:30 p.m. Friday.  

LA STRADA (1956) 

Directed by Federico Fellini. 108 minutes.  

5 p.m. Saturday.  

Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way. $4-$8. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

Photograph: Sandro Panseri plays a young in search of secure job in Ermanno Olmi’s Il Posto (1961).

“We wanted to do these plays in people’s homes. My mentor called theater-making in this day and age ‘cultural migrant labor’—that is, you load your stuff into your car and go to where you do it.” 

So said Maya Gurantz, founder of Ten Red Hen, this past Wednesday in welcoming everybody to Day One of Week Four of Suzan-Lori Parks’ ongoing national 365 Days/365 Plays project, in Ruth Lym’s remarkable Bernal Heights townhouse, designed by architect Glenn Robert Lym. The show was followed by house party/performances at a trapeze artist’s studio in Fruitvale on Thursday. 

It continues in San Francisco’s Mission District tonight (Friday), and concludes Saturday at a housing co-op on the Berkeley-Oakland-Emeryville border. All shows are pay-what-you-will and BYOB. Reservations and directions are available by calling 547-8932 or e-mailing 365@tenredhen.net. 

The lively scene at the Lym townhouse underlined the troupe’s self-description: “a fledgling theater company based in Oakland ... committed to creating engaging, relevant new theater that integrates both the form of live art-making and the world around us.” 

Pulitzer Prize-winning, MacArthur “Genius” grantee Parks wrote a play a day throughout 2002. Before taking on performing week four of the project, Ten Red Hen produced a few months back as maiden voyage The 99-Cent Miss Saigon in the Willard School Metal Shop on Telegraph Avenue, one of the most audaciously theatrical events in the Bay Area this past year. In a way, they’re already old hands at putting on plays in places no one else would think of as a stage. 

Indeed the scene Wednesday had the feel of a bright holiday party in a fashionable and comfortable home, though with at least one noticeable difference: Jane Chen, featured in a one night only rendition of Napoleon Or Wellington? as the Imperial Eagle himself, practiced her accent on all and sundry with Gallic party patter, handing out blue handkerchiefs to those who agreed to be her loyal partisans.  

But then the chit-chat over wine and finger food suddenly died down as a fiddle stuck up an air reminiscent of Ken Burn’s “Civil War” TV theme, and a play began to take form as a tableau around a metal utility cart in the middle of the living room. 

The cart was being pulled ineffectively by a Confederate soldier (George Chan): “I can push the cart, sir!” The officer aboard took a pipe from his mouth: “Then go!” As he pushed with little more effect, the young soldier said: “I never seen a general walk. They all rode on carts, or horses—or over the shoulders of the men. My mother told me I was a general’s son, and that generals flew!” 

The scene was casual, but had the authority and tension to generate real stage presence; a few feet away, all around, the rest of us were rapt. As the motley crew settled down to camp, on what seemed one of the last days of that first great war of attrition, movie music—from a very particular movie—sounded out, and a vignette of two women (Alexis Wong and Issabella Shields), proved to be the rear guard of the retreat: “Do I look old? ... What is 20 years between two people who know each other ... who wrote letters!” And the Southern Belle had last word on it all: “Damn this war!” — “Yes, ma’am!” So played “House of Jones.” 

And so the evening went, in and out of the party, from which the plays seem to swirl up, like the dancers on the floor, or conversations over cocktails. Sometimes the only way to tell if a piece was starting was the silence that fell over the room.  

Some of the pieces are little more than poses, crystallizing a pensive moment, or one in transition. Others are sketchy, quick, playful takes the players sometimes sing their way through, refer to other plays out of context (“Why do you always wear black?” a dancer asks his partner in “Blackbird;” “Black is Beautiful!” she replies, playing off the opening lines of The Seagull), or various pairs of actors repeat a tableau, a phrase ... These often reminded me of bits and pieces, details from sometime-Oakland playwright Ed Bullins’ wonderful plays, seldom produced now, but pervasively influential in ephemeral touches as well as ideology. 

Finally, the whole party divided in two for The History Lesson, behind Wellington waving red scarves from the floor up at the blue scarf-wavers behind Jane’s Little Corporal in newspaper hat, along the staircase—who laughed derisively as Jane exclaimed, “Are you trying to teach me something?” To which the Iron Duke drew his toy sword and the French retreated upstairs. Maybe the colors, like “Red States and Blue States” were off, as well as battlefield topography, but The History Lesson was exhilarating. 

Following the principle that the end of a party is special, Dave Malloy and Conrad enacted a little male confrontation, “Pussy” (one of the “secret,” optional pieces) when almost everyone, including some of the players, had gone: “Looks like it hurts ...”—“I ain’t no pussy!”—closing with contention, a urinary obstruction, and architectural detail. 

Gurantz exhorted all to follow the future weeks of 365 Days/365 Plays on the Z Space or Theater Bay Area website, staged by East Bay groups like Berkeley Rep, Shotgun Players, TheatreFIRST, mugwumpin, Opera Piccola and Encinal High School. 

Next up for Ten Red Hen: Scriptural slapstick as Jane Chen plays both God the father and the Son of Man, in Clown Bible, just in time for Easter, this late March.