FRIDAY, DEC. 15 

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 Rita Maran, Peace and Conflict Studies, UCB on “United Nations in a Hostile World.” 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.  

Conversation with Patricia Isasa, filmmaker and Argentine torture survivor, and screening of “El Cerco” at 6:30 p.m. at The Uptown, 356 26th St., between Telegraph and Broadway. Donations accepted. 654-5355. 

Before Columbus Foundation American Book Awards Celebration at 6:30 p.m. at the African Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. Free. 228-6775. 

“Lincoln Highway in California” a slide show and discussion with author Gregory M. Franzwa, at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Central Library, 3rd floor Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St.  

Movies that Matter “Field of Dreams” at 6:30 p.m. at Neumayer Residence, 565 Bellevue Ave. at Perkins, Oakland. 451-3009. 

Kol Hadash Humanistic Judaism Pot Luck Chanukah Party at 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. For potluck assignment and other info call 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 

Celebration to Save the Oaks, with music, poetry amd refreshments from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the threatened oak grove in front of Memorial Stadium. 841-3493. 

“Bringing the Condors Home” An exhibit of the Ventana Wildlife Society’s 20-year effort to restore California condors to the wild, opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., at 10th St., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.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. 

The Crucible Holiday Celebration with fire dancers, stilt walkers and art, Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1260 Seventh St. 444-0919.  

Muir Family Christmas Tours of the Muir House in Martinez decorated for the holidays on Sat. and Sun. Cost is $3. For details call 925-228-8860. 

Lake Temescal Water Quality Monitoring We will be performing our monthly water chemistry test at the inlet of Lake Temescal. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Broadway Terrace entrance. 415-561-7762. www.ebparks.org/resources/pdf/trails/temescal_map.pdf  

Restore Arroyo Viejo Creek Have fun while helping to improve our local watershed. Sponsored by the City of Oakland Arroyo Viejo Watershed Awareness Program and the Oakland Zoo. From 10 a.m. to noon at Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center, 7701 Krause Ave., Oakland. 665-3508.  

Progressive Democrats Celebration of the work we have done this past year at 4:30 p.m. at Albatross Pub, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 636-4149. 

“Behind the Mask” A documentary about people who take direct action to save animals at 6 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Cost is $10. Benefits Animal Rescue, Media & Education and East Bay Animal Advocates.  

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.  

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. 17 

Christmas Bird Count Join Bay Area birders for the annual Audubon Society bird count in Alameda, Albany Berkeley and Oakland. For details on how to connect with a group call 704-9353, 910-1905. www.audubon.org 

Christmas Caroling in Point Richmond Join us for chili at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., corner of Richmond Ave., Point Richmond, and then stroll with us through the town. 236-0527.  

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

“Impeach the President” Dahr Jamail, Peter Phillips & Larry Everest will discuss the case against Bush and Cheney at 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way at Telegraph Ave. 848-1196. 

“The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: It’s the Economy” with Israeli economist Arie Arnon at 3:30 p.m. at the JCC of the East Bay. Doantion $5. sf-bayarea@ 

btvshalom.org  

Code Pink’s Glad Voter Tea Party to celebrate recent election victories from 3 to 7 p.m. at Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2951 Derby St. 524-2776. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

“The Divine Feminine in the World’s Religions: Christianity” 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 Bob Russo on “Holistic Work” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, DEC. 18 

“Acupuncture for Parkinson’s Disease” with Jacqueline Sohn at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-5190. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, DEC. 19 

Visioning for Downtown Berkeley Art Museum at 10 a.m. a the Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive, Gund Theater, 2625 Durant Ave. 981-7487. 

Discussion Salon on The Next ? Years at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut.  

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

Free Diabetes Screening from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. Do not eat for 8 hours before-hand. 981-5190. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20 

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

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. 

Gingerbread House Party from 9:30 a.m. at 1 p.m. at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. Please bring a bag of candy. 647-1111. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. Heavy rain cancels. 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 6:30 at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, DEC. 21 

Candlelight Vigil to Save the Oaks and to Celebrate the Winter Solstice at 5 p.m. at the Memorial Stadium Oak Grove, 841-3493. www.saveoaks.com 

Winter Solstice Gathering at 4:15 at the Interim Solar Calendar, Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina. Led by Alan Gould, dress warmly. www.solarcalendar.org 

Easy Does It Disability Assistance Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1636 University Ave. Open to the public. 845-5513. 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “Make Money in Short Sale Foreclosures” at 1:30 p.m. at Barney’s on Solano. 433-2911. 

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

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 

Holiday Food Drive Sponsor a Food Drive to help the Food Bank reach its goal of collecting food for families in need during the holiday season. 635-3663, ext. 318. www.accfb.org  

UN Association’s UNICEF & Fair Trade Gift Center Closing Sale, Tues.-Sat. noon to 5 p.m. to Dec. 16, 1403 Addison St. 849-1752. 

Magnes Museum Docent Training Open to all interested in Jewish art and history. Classes begin Jan. 18th. cultural.arts@sbcglobal.net 

CITY MEETINGS 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon. Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee meets Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, Gund Theater, 2625 Durant Ave., for a visioning session on the new downtown art museum. 981-7487. 

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15 

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 

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

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 

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 

“Wondrous Possibilities” Abstract art by Sibylle Szaggers. Reception at 5 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. 

FILM 

Janus Films “Kill!” at 7 p.m. and “Sword of Doom” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

“El Cerco” screening and conversation with filmmaker and Argentine torture survivor, Patricia Isasa at 6:30 p.m. at The Uptown, 356 26th St., between Telegraph and Broadway. Donations accepted. 654-5355. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Before Columbus Foundation American Book Awards Celebration at 6:30 p.m. at the Afircan Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. Free. 228-6775. 

Gregory M. Franzwa with show slides and discuss the “Lincoln Highway in California” at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, Community Room 2090 Kittredge St. 

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. 

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 

The Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble, the Schola Cantorum of St. Albert Priory, and the instrumental ensemble Alta Sonora will perform 14th to 20th-century Christmas music from France, Italy, Spain and Germany at 8 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. www.wavewomen.org 

Rebecca Boblak, Ben Stolorow and Javier Trujillo perform Gershiwn and DeFalla at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. giorgigallery.com 

Remembering the Ancestors, Modern and Afro-Caribbean dance, at 8 p.m. at at Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5, children free. 841-5580.  

Somos at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

John Santos Quartet “Clasicos Criollos” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

JukeJoint Sextet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Swingthing, holiday gala, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Al Stewart at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761.  

Bill Crossman Group at 8 p.m. at 1510 8th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$15. sfjazzmusic@yahoo.com 

John Thayer and Christina Kowalchuk at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Built for the Sea, The New Centuries, Pants Pants Pants at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Born/Dead, Young Offenders, Surrender at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Bucho, soul and hip hop, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $7. 548-1159.  

Sol Spectrum at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Rimshot at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $7-$10. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

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 

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 

CHILDREN  

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

La Familia Peña-Govea plays Mexican children’s music at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $6. 526-9888. 

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

EXHIBITIONS 

“Bringing the Condors Home” A look at the Ventana Wildlife Society’s 20-year effor to restore California condors to the wild opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. and runs through April 15. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Gesture and Gestalt” Paintings of Albert Hwang and glass and metal sculpture of Victoria Skirpa opens at 6 p.m. at Float Art Gallery, 1091 Calcott Place, Unit #116., Oakland. 535-1702. 

Ceramics by Lizette Sanchez and Robert Bartlett-Edney Functional and decorative raku pottery and sculpture on display from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 728 Liberty St., El Cerrito. 847-7380. 

FILM 

Jacques Rivette “Up/Down/ 

Fragile” at 5 p.m. and Janus Films “The Organizer” at 8:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

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. 

Carol Alban “Miracles at the Chimes” solo flute music at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Free. 228-3218. 

Pacific Boychoir “Harmonies of the Season” at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $20. 652-4722. www.pacificboychoir.org 

Voces Musicales “A Renaissance Christmas” Spanish and English music of the season at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. 

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 

Black Nativity Holiday Pagent at 2:30 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church Family Life Center, 8501 International Blvd, at 85th and A, Oakland. Tickets are $7-$20. 544-8924. 

“Remembering the Ancestors, An Eclectic Mix of Modern and Afro-Caribbean Dance,” directed by Cherie Hill, 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5, children are free. 841-5580. 

Melodikibolism, new works by graduates of Mills College at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

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

Naivdad Flamenca at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $18-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

Musical Night in Africa with Kotoja, West African Highlife Band, Afro-Groove Connexion at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

“A Night in Persia” Persian dance celebration at 6 pm. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $20-$35. 925-462-6691. 

James Riddle and Heather Frederick at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Henry Clement & the Gumbo Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Fred Randolph Quintet at 8:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373.  

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

Hammerlock, Cheap Skate, White Barrons at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. 

Dale Miller & Powell St. John at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Big B and His Snake Oil Saviors, Crooked Roads, Lariats of Fire at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

CV1, classic Jamaican dub grooves, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Fuga, La Plebe, Manicato, Son Del Centro at 7 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Babyland, Jewdriver, Yidcore at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, DEC. 17 

FILM 

Janus Films “Yojimbo” at 4 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Dahr Jamail, Peter Phillips & Larry Everest will discuss the new book “Impeach the President: The Case Against Bush and Cheney” at 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way at Telegraph Ave. 848-1196. 

Island Literary Series with Floyd Salas reading from “Love Bites: Poetry in Celebration of Dogs and Cats” at 3 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $2. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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. 

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra presents Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Copland’s “American Songs” and others at 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations welcome. www.bcco.org 

Pacific Boychoir “Family Holiday Celebration” at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 400 Alcatraz, Oakland. Tickets are $10, children under 10 free. 652-4722. www.pacificboychoir.org 

Kitka “Wintersongs” music from Eastern European traditions at 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $20-$25. 444-0323. www.kitka.org 

Cantabile Chorale “‘Tis the Season” at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $6-$25. 650-424-1310. www.cantabile.org 

Holiday Gospel Concert at 5 p.m. at the Linen Life Park Ave., Emeryville. 776-8222. 

Black Nativity Holiday Pagent Gala at 3:30 p.m., followed by performance, at Allen Temple Baptist Church Family Life Center, 8501 International Blvd, at 85th and A, Oakland. Tickets are $7-$20. Gala tickets are $35. 544-8924. 

Beth Custer Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Bowman/Beuthe/Wiitala Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $9. 841-JAZZ.  

John Santos and The Machete Ensemble at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $6. 849-2568.  

The Everyone Orchestra, psychedelic improv, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Filly Fads Harp Trio at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Radio Suicide, Heart Shed, Blue Mire at 6 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. Cost is $8-$10. 763-1146.  

MONDAY, DEC. 18 

CHILDREN 

Fratello Marionettes “Peter and the Wolf” at 7 p.m.. at Oakland Public Library, Main Library Children’s Room, 125 14th St. 238-3615. 

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.  

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

West Coast Songwriters Showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $5. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

E.W. Wainwright and friends in a tribute to John Coltrane, Annual Youth Arts Benefit at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, DEC. 19 

CHILDREN 

Fratello Marionettes “Peter and the Wolf” at 1 p.m.. at Oakland Public Library, Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero. 238-7344. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bayo Seco with the Creole Belles and Andrew Carrier at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/zydeco dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $59 525-5054. 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.  

The Christmas Jug Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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

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

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20 

CHILDREN 

Circus Finelli’s Holiday Extravaganza at 1 and 3 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$15. 925-798-1300. 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre Company “A Little Cole in Your Stocking” at 8 p.m., Wed.-Sat., at 2081 Addison St., through Dec. 30. Tickets are $25. 843-4822. 

Circus Fellini’s Holiday Extravaganza at 1 and 3 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$15. 925-798-1300. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Joel Ben Izzy reads at 6:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Berkeley Poetry Slam at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

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.  

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

Kurt Ribak Trio, Mingus-inspired jazz and groove at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

THURSDAY, DEC. 21 

CHILDREN 

Circus Finelli’s Holiday Extravaganza at 1 and 3 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$15. 925-798-1300. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Winter Solstice Concert with over 35 solo artists perfoming at 6 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland dress warmly and bring a flashlight. 228-3207. 

Ras Kidus, Undah P, Hurricane, McGuyva at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Benefit for Urban Community Action Network. Cost is $10-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Freight Holiday Revue and Fundraiser with Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, Cascada de Foores, and others at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $16.50-$17.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Sueco, Naomi and the Courteous Rudeboys at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

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

Loop Station, Knees and Elbows, Ragwater Review at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $6. 451-8100. 

MUSIC FROM THREE GREAT COMPOSERS 

The Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra will present Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Aaron Copland’s American Songs and the world premiere of Julian White’s She Walks in Beauty, as well as excerpts from The Children’s Hour and Five Parables, at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. www.bcco.org. 

CERRITO CLASSICS  

William Powell and Myrna Loy, as Nick and Nora Charles, set out to solve a murder mystery in the 1934 screwball comedy classic The Thin Man, the first in a series of successful Thin Man films based on a novel by Dashiell Hammet. 6 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Cerrito Theater. 10070 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 814-2400. www.picturepubpizza.com.  

‘THE NUTCRACKER’ AT JULIA MORGAN CENTER 

The Berkeley Ballet Theater will perform The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Friday, at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. $16-$21. 843-4689. 

‘THE ORGANIZER’ 

A screening of Mario Monicelli’s The Organizer (1963) will close out Pacific Film Archive’s six-week retrospective of films from the Janus collection at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. The film examines the beginnings of the trade union movement in Italy at the end of the 19th century, with Marcello Mastroianni playing a Genoa schoolteacher who finds his way to Turin to lead textile workers in a strike. $4-$8. 2575 Bancroft Way. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu.

At the outset of The Forest War, Mark Jackson’s new play (which he also directs), produced by the Shotgun Players at the Ashby Stage, a doddering old Grand Lord Karug (Drew Anderson) and his retinue slide out onto the stage, facing the audience, in an impression of Kabuki. 

The ancient lord announces he is relinquishing his office, something like the opening scene of King Lear (or the echo in Kurosawa’s Ran)—but not to his own son Kain (Kevin Clarke), the impetuous warrior. Instead, he hands over the reins (actually, the blade, sheathed) of command to another lord, Kulan (Cassidy Brown), a farmer and idealist, an aristocrat close to the people (shades of Thomas Jefferson!), a leader for a time of peace after a decade of war. 

Lord Kulan appoints his dignified wife, Lady Ema (Fontana Butterfield), as a minister to the common good, ombudsman for the voiceless. Lord Kain and General Mau Tant (Reid Davis)—a good team of villains out of an old potboiler—disgusted at the talk of peace and the ascendancy of a woman, start plotting mischief. 

Meanwhile, The People (as represented by a a cloth merchant, her son the painter, a child of the village, a drunken swordsmith and an herbalist called to the capital by Lord Kulan to be court physician, played by Carla Pantoja, Ryan Tasker, Lukas Ferreira, Richard Reinholdt and Anna Ishida), are glad the long war is over and that trusted Kulan is in command—but the gladness is expressed with the reserve of folk wisdom. The common lot is portrayed by a reflection of the Chinese Operatic look (not its style) familiar from American productions of Brecht. 

But the moral Lord Kulan has feet of clay. General Mau Tant spots him in a tryst with the old Grand Lord’s youngest concubine (Tonya Glanz) in the same meadow the painter has rendered over and over with his brush, and scandal grips the court. Later, Kulan and Ema’s daughter Ange (Caroline Hewitt) will also entertain a secret love in the meadow, and Lord Kain will further pursue his “National Security State” scheme with more trickery designed to reignite the Forest War of the title. The mood throughout darkens to one of foreboding of catastrophe, a sense of helplessness and betrayal on all sides. 

The Forest War fits in neatly in look—and outlook—with Shotgun’s last two plays, Ragnarok and Love is a Dream House in Lorin, Shotgun’s first two commissions. All are like fables or folktales that reflect contemporary events, done in a storybook style, The Forest War is a kind of Kabuki woodblock print done in Anime. In fact, there are Anime cartoon drawings in the lobby and in the program. 

Melpomene Katakalos’ set gives the sense of the bare boards of the Kabuki stage (across which skitter kurogos Erin Mei-Ling Stuart and Thu Tran, the “invisible” veiled stage assistants) with big shoji screens at back, and Valera Coble’s costumes are exotic with a dash of post-punk in some of Rhonda Kerr’s make-up, like Lord Kain’s hair. The players are well-cast, if a little restrained by the imitation of stylization, but with good presence and turns by Richard Reinholdt, Ryan Tasker, Thu Tran (as Mot) and Tonya Glanz in particular. Two talented musicians, Chris Broderick on winds and Daniel Bruno on drums (both on percussion) accompany the action—and indeed lend much in dynamics to it—taking their sound from various forms associated with Kabuki, Taiko and Gagaku. 

The overall effect, in different aspect from the last two plays, but very much in line with what seems to be a developing house style for Shotgun, is of a pageant, less stylized theater than storybook illustrations of it, promising a kind of contemporary fabulousness that goes back to the 18th-century sources of much of Brecht and modern epic theater: talking about the present situation by referring to what’s far away in time or space, like what Montesquieu did stylistically with The Persian Letters to signify the dislocations of French society of his day by describing imaginary goings-on in the exotic East. 

The play itself, though, is a curious blend, a fable without satire or irony (unless of the Alanis Morissette variety), a faux folktale without much relation to even urban myth, an impression of Asian theater without much stylization beyond a look-at-the-pictures illustrational sense. There are a few attempts at stylization with varying success: the execution of the too-honest courtesan is played simply and well, with a sense of humans being shifted around like dolls (though usually Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls); a recurring riff of dead characters shuffling backwards offstage holding white parasols (to a land where the sun don’t shine?) becomes increasingly awkward in its made-up schematism. Combined with the sometimes-fortune cookie diction of the dialogue, the neat storybook look begins to take on the qualities of the label on a Top Ramen package, “Oriental Flavor.” 

Mark Jackson, who seems to be fascinated by ingenuous characters who get into trouble by searching for something forbidden (to paraphrase Mort Sahl on Robert Redford, he wants to explore the dark side of Frank Capra—a shared trait with Steven Spielberg?), continues his pursuit of the stylized in theater, but something’s missing, or at least misplaced. I remember a teacher of Noh, after a stage adaptation of Greek tragedy featuring what was touted as Asian stylization, remarking that without the rigorous technique and dramaturgy of the old theaters, all a contemporary director could do would be to try to imitate the air of intensity that was attractive in the original. 

But the poetry—and therefore the true moral—gets lost in the process of a culinary reduction. The cover of the program gives the quote: “What is justice that it does not count love among its laws?” But what is the heart of the matter to be explored, and what really is the matter, is in what Grand Lord Karug says as a cautionary prescription at the outset of the play: “If we now have peace, it’s because we’ve forgotten why for so long we didn’t have peace.” 

THE FOREST WAR 

Presented by the Shotgun Players at 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday through Jan. 14. $15-$30. Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org.  

Caroline Hewitt, Ryan Tasker and Erin Stuart in The Forest War. Photograph by Jessica Palopoli