TUESDAY, JAN. 16 

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 Claremont Canyon. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

Berkeley Garden Club meets at 2 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. The topic will be “The Treasures of Mount Diablo” with Seth Adams, Director of Land Programs. 845-4482. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave. Registration required. 594-5165, blackstonea@usa.redcross.org 

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival Films on environmental justice at 6:15 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland, followed by panel discussion on California’s Clean Air Campaign. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

“Discover Your Inner Healer” with Jerry Zeiger, clinical hypnotherapist, at noon at Maffly Auditorium, Alta Bates Summit, 2001 Dwight Way. 644-3273. 

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. 

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

Discussion Salon on Modern China at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut.  

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. Monthly field trips. 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, JAN. 17 

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

Tilden Mini-Rangers An afterschool programfrom 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 8-12 on conservation and nature-based activities. Dress to get dirty. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

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. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code ELEPHANT) 

“Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” Byron Hurt’s documentary at 6 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Panel discussion with the filmmaker follows. Oakland. Free. 238-2200. 

Albany Library Evening Book Club meets to discuss “Snow Falling on Cedars” by David Guterson at 7 p.m. at The Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 16. 

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

Balinese Music & Dance Workshops in gamelan angklung begins at 5:15 at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. # 290, Oakland. Cost is $12 per class or $40 per month. To register call. 237-6849. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. 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. 848-1704.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JAN. 18 

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

“Bringing the Condors Home” a lecture by Joe Burnett, senior wildlife biologist at the Ventana Wildlife Society, at 12:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland. Free. 238-2200. 

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival at 6 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

“Wings in the Night: A Celebration of Bats” with Patricia Winters of the California Bat Conservation Fund at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, between Solano and Marin. Sponsored by The Golden Gate Audubon Society. 843-2222. 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss the most boring and most shocking books we’ve read at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. 981-6107. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastasters Club meets 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.  

FRIDAY, JAN. 19 

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 

Understanding the Realities of War A community meeting to help service members cope with returning from combat, at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Free for veterans and their families, $10 for others. Full day workshop for veterans and families on Sat. 415-387-0800. 

“Tales of the San Joaquin” A documentary on this hardworking and abused river, and “Affluenza” on American’s use of global resources at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 acccepted. www.HumanistHall.net 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UCB Unit 2 Dorms, Recreation Room, 2650 Haste. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code UCB) 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Linnard-Palmer on “Religion and the Medical Treatment of a Minor” 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.  

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 7:30 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

Key to Life Ministries’ Annual Crab Feed and Fundraiser at 6 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Tickets are $37. 525-0500. 

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

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

SATURDAY, JAN. 20 

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 6-9 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Dress to get dirty. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

Save the Oaks Welcomes Back Students with music, art, food, games and fun at noon at the Oak Grove, on Piedmont Ave., in front of Memorial Stadium.  

Family Bird Walk at the Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Learn birding basics with naturalist Bethany Facendini on this 2 mile walk. For information and meeting place call 525-2233. 

Wildcat Canyon/Alvarado History Walk Join Berkeley Path Wanderers and East Bay Park District Naturalist Dave Zuckermann exploring the historic Alvarado Park section of Wildcat Canyon Park on a 2.5 mile moderately paced walk. Meet at 10 a.m. at the park staging area off of Park Ave., 0.1 mile off McBryde Ave., in Richmond. Bring water and snack; dress in layers and be prepared for mud. www.berkeleypaths.org  

Understanding the Realities of War Free workshop for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Free for veterans and their families, $10 for others. 415-387-0800. 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay 2007 Planning Meeting at 11:30 a.m. at the Fireside Room, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita St. All welcome. 636-4149 www.pdeastbay.org 

“Playing President: My Close Encounters with Nixon, Carter, Bush I, Reagan, and Clinton—and How They Did Not Prepare Me for George W. Bush” with author Robert Scheer at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Public Affairs Forum, Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand St. Alameda. 

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival on Oil, Energy and Global Warming at 5 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

“Scientists Look at Love” A discussion of the latest research on the brain’s response to romance, arousal and heartbreak, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant Ave. Free, but registration required. http://plaisir.berkeley.edu. 

“Which Way the West?” How the 2006 elections will affect the public lands, water and communities of the American West, with former Interior Department solicitor John Leshy, Sierra Club conservation director Bruce Hamilton, Hewlett Foundation environmental program officer Rhea Suh and High Country News publisher Paul Larmer at 7 p.m. in the Krutch Theater, Clark Kerr Campus, UC Campus. RSVP to 800-905-1155. 

California Writers Club meets to discuss “To Be Somebody Else” with Peter Beagle at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square. 272-0120. 

Financial Planning Seminar for Women at 2 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

Piedmont Choir Placement Auditions for beginners and experienced singers aged 6-10. To schedule an audition call 547-4441.  

Developing a Personal Yoga Practice Series of four classes begins at 9:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

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.  

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

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, JAN. 21 

“Berkeley: 75 Years Ago” opens at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Hours are Thurs.-Sat., 1 to 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through March. 848-0181.  

Gone Tracking Find tracks and make a plaster cast of a racoon, fox, rabbit or deer that you can take home. All materials provided. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $3. 525-2233. 

“Open Garden” Join the Little Farm gardener for composting, planting, watering and reaping the rewards of our work, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cancelled only by heavy rain. 525-2233.  

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. 

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival on Protecting Our Native Lands at 4:15 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

“Tilden Sublime” a reception for artist Sheila Sondick at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

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

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 

Tibetan Buddhism “Tibetan World Peace Ceremony” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, JAN. 22 

“The Motherhood Manifesto” A documentary film based on the book by Joan Blades and Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, about the need for true family-friendly social policies, at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. 658-6177. 

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

“Having a Healthy Heart” with Cathy Luginbill, Coordinator of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs at Alta Bates Summit, at 12:30 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. Brown-bag lunch event. 526-3720. 

Introduction to Meditation at 6:45 p.m. at Bay Zen Center, 315 Alcatraz Ave. Donation $10. To register call, 596-3087. 

ONGOING 

Berkeley Winter Campaign for Cats We are providing free trapping assistance and spay/neuter to feral and homeless cats in Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville and Piedmont, through March 2007. The cats will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and returned safely back to their neighborhoods. To report a neighborhood in need or to volunteer, please contact Caitlin at 908-0709. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Jan.16, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed.,Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6601.  

Commission on Labor meets Wed., Jan. 17, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7550.  

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. 981-5502.  

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed. Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Kristen Lee, 981-5427.  

Board of Library Trustees meets Wed. Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at the South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St. 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 644-6128 ext. 113.  

Fair Political Practices Commission meets Thurs., Jan 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950. 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs. Jan. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400. 

TUESDAY, JAN. 16 

FILM 

Yoko Ono: Imagine Film “No. 4” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival at 6:15 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland, followed by panel discussion on California’s Clean Air Campaign. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“True West” Actors Ensemble director, Paul Shepard, will discuss the play at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-5190. 

Alan Deutschman talks about his latest book, “Change or Die” at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 527-0450.  

Poetry Flash with Natalie F. Anderson, Jessica Fisher and Lisa Coffman at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476. 

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

Rafaela Castro reads from “Provocaciones: Letters from the Prettiest Girl in Arvin” at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Fishtank Ensemble at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $TBA. 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.  

Different Strokes, jazz, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Spencer Day at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20. 238-9200.  

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” opens at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way, and runs through April 15. 642-0808. 

FILM 

“Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” Byron Hurt’s documentary at 6 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Panel discussion with the filmmaker follows. Oakland. Free. 238-2200. 

History of Cinema “Introduction to Film Language” at 3 p.m. and “Free to Be ... You and Me Invitational” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Peter Sussman reads from “Decca: The Letters of Jessica Mitford” at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 883-9710. 

Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio discuss “Hungry Planet: What the World Eats” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $10.  

Stanley Brandes introduces “Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Crucible’s Fire Ballet “Romeo and Juliet” Wed. - Sat. at 8:30 p.m. at 1260 7th St., Oakland, through Jan. 20. Tickets are $30-$55. 444-0919. 

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

No Ordinary Noise! at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Bernard Anderson & The Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West Coast Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

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.  

Mo’ Fone at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

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

Preston Reed, guitar, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Whicked Oystahs at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Ledisi at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, JAN. 18 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Shanghai Alleyways” Photographs by Jianhua Gong opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at the IEAS Gallery, 2223 Fulton St. 642-2809. 

Oakland Art Association Juried Show Reception at 4 p.m. at the MTC Offices, Bort MetroCenter, 3rd floor, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to March 30. 817-5773. 

FILM 

“Touch of Evil” Film series with David Thomson at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival at 6 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tony Bellaver, Barbara Foster and Scott Serata will give a gallery talk about their works in the exhibition “Interventions” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Exhibit runs to Feb. 10. 644-6893. 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Curator’s talk by Constance Lewallen at 12:15 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

“New Media and Social Memory” A symposium to discuss strategies for preserving digital art from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Free but regitration requested. bampfa.berkeley,edu/ciao/avant_garde.html 

Christopher Moore reads from “You Suck: A Love Story” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Rudy Rucker reads from his newest novel “Methematicians in Love” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Utah Phillips at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761.  

“The Math of Music” Suites for solo cello by J.S. Bach performed by Tanya Tomkins on Baroque cello at 5:30 p.m. in the Simons Auditorium, 17 Gauss Way, near the intersection of Centennial Dr. and Grizzly Peak Blvd. Free. 642-0143. www.msri.org 

Soul Majestic, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Teed Rockwell at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Likewise, Keith Varon at 9 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. 

FRIDAY, JAN. 19 

EXHIBITIONS 

Don Clausen Oil Paintings Abstract and Portaits at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., #4. Runs through Feb. 4. 421-1255. 

“What is This Place?” Open House at 7 p.m. at the Fourth Street Studio, 1717d 4th St. 527-0600. 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “True West” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Feb. 17. Tickets are $12. 649-5999.  

Altarena Playhouse Rogers and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing” Fri and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through Feb. 17. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553.  

Azeem’s “Rude Boy” at 8 p.m. at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way and runs Thurs.-Sat. through Jan. 27. Tickets are $15-$22. 800-838-3006. 

Berkeley Rep “The Pillowman” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through Feb. 25. Tickets are $33-$61. 647-2949. 

Masquers Playhouse “Arsenic and Old Lace” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., though Feb. 24, at 105 Park Playhouse, Point Richmond. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. 

Ragged Wing Ensemble “The Tempest” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at The Metal Shop Theater, 2425 Stuart St., behind Willard Middle School. Runs through Feb. 17. Tickets are $15-$25. 800-838-3006.  

Rough and Tumble “43 Plays for 43 Presidents” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean Theater, 1834 Eucid Ave. through Jan. 27. Tickets are $15-$20. 499-0356.  

Shotgun Players “The Forest War” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., extended through Jan 28. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Starlight Circle Players “Dead Men Tell No Tales” A piratical musical at 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun., at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Tickets are $10-$25. 647-5268. 

FILM 

The Lubitsch Touch “Madame Dubarry” at 7 p.m. and “Angel” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash presents Roxane Beth Johnson and Chad Sweeney at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Anne Finger reads from “eledy for a Disease: A Personal and Cultural History of Polio” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley High Dance Production 2007, the best of hip hop, jazz and modern, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. in the Little Theater, BHS Campus. Tickets are $10, students $5. Come early as shows sell out.  

“A Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr” including “Black Suite Blues” with the Oakland East Bay Symphony at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $20-$62. www.oebs.org 

The Crucible’s Fire Ballet “Romeo and Juliet” Wed. - Sat. at 8:30 p.m. at 1260 7th St., Oakland, through Jan. 20. Tickets are $30-$55. 444-0919. 

Dangerous Rhythm, jazz players jam at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $15 at the door. www.hillsideclub.org  

Pat Carroll Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373.  

Pamela Rose & Her Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Chelle! & Friends at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568.  

Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums with Ms. Carmen Getit at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

D’Armous Boone’s Improv Consortium at Free Jazz Fridays at 8 p.m. at 1510 8th St. Performance Space, Oakland. Cost is $5-$15. 415-846-9432. 

Ray Cepeda, Latin rock, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

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

Jenny Ferris Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Abel Mouton and Dave Hadley at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Monster Squad, Whiskey Rebels, Static Thought at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Sol Spectrum at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Ethiopian Epiphany Timkat Celebration at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15-$20. 548-1159.  

The Brothers Goldman at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Tartufi at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100. 

Ledisi at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, JAN. 20 

CHILDREN  

Drawing Techniques with Elisa Kelven at 2 p.m. in the Story Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6224. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“100 Families in Oakland: Art & Social Change” Exhibition opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland, and runs through April 22. 238-2200. 

“Transforming Vision: The Wood Sculpture of William Hunter, 1970-2005” Exhibition opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland, and runs through March 18. 238-2200. 

“Hands in Motion” Works by Adekunle Kabir Adejare. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Float Art Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place # 116, Oakland. Benefit for Paths of Native Africa. Exhibition runs through Feb. 12. 535-1702. 

B & W Archival Ink Prints by Thomas Lavin Reception for the artist at 6 p.m. at Photolab, 2235 Fifth St. Exhibition runs to Feb. 24. 644-1400. 

Fifth Anniversary Celebration at at 7:30 p.m. at the Fourth Street Studio, 1717d 4th St. 527-0600. 

FILM 

“Madame Broutte” Moussa Sene Absa’s film of a Sengalese widow at 3:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Third flr. Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6139. 

The Lubitsch Touch “Sumrun” at 6:30 p.m. and “Trouble in Paradise” at 8:40 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

Sustainable Peralta Film Festival at 5 p.m. and Sun. at 4:15 p.m. at Laney College, Oakland. Free. www.peralta.edu/sustainable 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Scheer will discuss his new collection of political writings and presidential interviews at the Alameda Public Affairs Forum at 7 p.m. at the Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand St., Alameda. 

Jacqueline Golding discusses “Healing Stories: Picture Books for the Big and Small Changes in a Child’s Life” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

“Japanese Modern Literature & Cinema” with Prof. Frederick Hsia at 1:45 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6136. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Flauti Diversi “Bach to Bach” at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Tickets are $15-$18. 527-9840. 

American Bach Soloists perform works from 18th century Leipzig at 8 p.m. at First Congregatioanl Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $16-$42. 415-621-7900. rg 

Potaje, contemorary music rooted in Flamenco and Latin styles at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

Peking Acrobats at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988.  

Terrain “WinterDances 2007” Sat. and Sun. at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 Eighth St. 848-4878. 

Dark Funeral, Enslaved, Abigail Williams at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $25-$28. 763-1146.  

Upground, Latin reggae, ska, cumbia and funk, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568.  

Eric Swinderman Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

A Night in Havana with Pellejo Seco at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054.  

Damond Moodie and Deborah Crooks at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Du Uy Quintet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Los Cenzontles, traditional Mexican music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Rocket, all-girl punk, at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

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

Heather Lauren Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Don Villa & Friends, country blues, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Dark Funeral, Enslaved, Abigail Williams at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $25-$28. 763-1146. w 

Comadre, Parasites Go, Defiant Voice at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Ledisi at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

SUNDAY, JAN. 21 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Berkeley: 75 Years Ago” opens at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Hours are Thurs.-Sat., 1 to 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through March. 848-0181.  

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

“Tilden Sublime” a reception for artist Sheila Sondick at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

FILM 

“Shellmound” A documentary followed by speakers and drum circle at 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054.  

The Lubitsch Touch “Die Flamme” at 2 p.m. and “The Oyster Princess” at 4:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sal Glynn will discuss “The Dog Walked Down the Street: An Outspoken Guide for Writers Who Want to Publish” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Susan Snyder describes “Past Tents: The Way We Camped” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Leonard Pitt reads from “A Small Moment of Great Illumination: Searching for Valentine Greatrakes, the Master Healer” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sandra Soderland “Preludes and Fugues from Four Centuries” at 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Donation $10-$15. 525-0302. 

Anton Schwartz, saxophonist, at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Peidmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10, children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Peking Acrobats at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988.  

Oberlin Jazz Septet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Steve Taylor-Ramirez, Meli Rivera, and Silvia Parra in a concert dedicated to the women victims of violence in Latin America at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Paul H. Taylor & The Montera Mountain Boys at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Natasha Miller Ensemble at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. 

John McCutcheon at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761.

BLACK SUIT BLUES 

To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Oakland East Bay Symphony will present the West Coast premiere of “Black Suit Blues” on Friday. Written by local composer Nolan Gasser and premiered by the Memphis Symphony, “Black Suit Blues” is based on a poem by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. about the impact Martin Luther King, Jr. has had on this country. The work, which draws heavily on blues and gospel styles, depicts the intense emotions following King’s assassination. The second half of the program will feature Schubert’s “Symphony No. 9, The Great.” Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$62. For details, www.oebs.org. 

INTERVENTIONS 

Tony Bellaver, Barbara Foster and Scott Serata will give a gallery talk Thursday on their work in the exhibition “Interventions” at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 6:30 p.m. Selected from the January 2006 Members’ Showcase, the artwork of Bellaver, Foster and Serata—presenting disparate media: installation, prints, collage and photography— respond to human intervention upon nature. The exhibit continues to Feb. 10. For details, 644-6893. 

THE MATH OF MUSIC 

The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute invites the public to attend its final concert in a series, part of the “Mathematics + Music” concert series, presenting “One Is One and All Alone,” the solo music of J. S. Bach and Eric Zivian on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Institute’s Simons Auditorium at Chern Hall, 17 Gauss Way, near the intersection of Centennial Drive and Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Suites for solo cello will be performed by Tanya Tomkins on Baroque cello. Composer-pianist Eric Zivian will be present to talk to the audience about his cello composition based on the works of Bach. Free admission. For details, 642-0143 or www.msri.org.

“What led me to a life of piracy on the high seas? ... It wasn’t a woman; it was a book!” 

It really is a book, “an old sea journal,” that causes Eliza (Stacy Dulan) and her old salt grandfather-with-a-brogue (Shea R. Williams) to “find themselves transported aboard an 18th century pirate ship, The Sea Hawk,” with grandfather made young again, eyes glittering, as he takes on the persona of Capt. Tom Flint—and Eliza finds herself unhappy in cabin boy garb as “Eli”—among the rough corsairs on deck, under the Jolly Roger, in Starlight Circle Players’ production of Lauren Renee Hotchkiss’ original pirate musical, Deadmen Tell No Tales, at the Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists on Cedar at Bonita (rendezvous point coordinates: N37 52’ 40, 18’’ W122 16’ 21.55’’ according to the program) running next Friday through Sunday. 

Along the way on the voyage, a Spanish ship is taken and almost scuttled (saved by the pleading of a damsel in distress, English consul’s daughter Elizabeth Greyson [Amy Muzingo]); there’s a near-mutiny (over Elizabeth’s charms) and a near walking the plank; a storm at sea with lightning flashing; brawling in a buccaneer’s bar on Tortuga with an order of “Rum and Gunpowder” flambeed at pistol-point; duels with swordfish; a ventriloquist parrot, The Admiral; a treasure map; and two swashbuckling ghosts, one skull-faced, in gauze, the other a full-blooded, hirsute Blackbeard. 

There’re also some nice touches: a budding romance middecks (though the Captain substitutes sea lore for sweet talk over sherry), a comradery (and duet) between Elizabeth and girl pirate Bonny Reed (Celeste Paradise) as they plot landing their intended corsairs, Eliza’s numbers in which she longs to return to the 21st century when “a girl can be a girl,” pacing out the treasure hunt around the audience and a neat role-reversal with the Captain ready for domestication and his would-be spouse caught up with pirate fever and lust of the sea. 

The Unitarian Fellowship has taken on the aspect of the deck and bridge of a ship and writer-composer Lauren Renee Hotchkiss leads a lusty band of guitars (including acoustic bass guitar), fiddles, recorders and drums, with a musical saw and parrot squawkings with a folky sound (there’s a version of “Fifteen Men on a Deadman’s Chest”), the composer taking on the name, in part, of Irish piratess Grainne O’Malley (in the program, everyone, down to bookkeeper “Dominica Lafitte,” is dubbed with a nom de filiboustier) and popping up everywhere in the program, cofounder with Lezlie Kinyon of the troupe and co-director of the show, with Paul Jennings. 

The Starlight Circle Players are a young troupe, brand-new and with their own twist on community theater, apparently committed to producing originals (a new play, by a different author, is due this spring in Oakland). 

They have energy and intend to have fun and take the audience along with them. Sometimes the lines get lost, due in part to the acoustics of the hall and full sound of the band, in part to the inexperience of some of the players (though the roguish crew is mostly in good voice: Martin Linhart as a Pegleg who gets bored and switches legs for his peg sometimes; Michael Fallon, with a deadman’s hand up his sleeve; Jerry Tomlinson; Nils Skudra; Richard Dromgoole and Jonathan Aclan). Besides, this merry crew really expresses itself in the songs, which sometimes seem nonstop. 

Deadmen Tell No Tales is a wry sort of family show, in a way, a block party kind of festivity—if block you live on is, in imagination, Moultrie Island in Charleston Bay, where Edgar Allan Poe set the treasure hunt of “The Gold Bug,” or outlined by the map of Treasure Island, which, according to some, is in the shape of Point Lobos, near Monterey, where Robert Louis Stevenson lived while dreaming up the book. 

Deadmen Tell No Tales 

The Starlight Circle Players 

Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 

Fri.-Sun. 8 p.m., $10-$25 

647-5268  

www.fortlangley.ca/Stars/Home.html