TUESDAY, JAN. 23 

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 the Albany Bulb. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, who may be accompanied by an adult, at 3:15 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. We will learn about bird migration. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley High School Governance Council meets at 4:15 p.m. in the Community Theater Lobby. 644-4803. 

El Cerrito Democratic Club meets at 7:30 p.m. at Makemie Hall, Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury, El Cerrito. 526-4874. 

Berkeley PC Users Group meets at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St., near corner of Eunice. MelDancing@aol.com 

Pirate School Interactive Program for ages 3 and up at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. Free. 524-3043. 

MySpace Safety Program A discussion for parents at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland. 482-7844. 

Learn How to Tune and Wax Your Skis/Snowboard at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Copwatch Report Mailing Party Help mail out the Winter 06-07 Copwatch Report at 6 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, who may be accompanied by an adult, at 3:15 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. We will learn about bird migration. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Bobby Seale, a founder of the Black Panthers will speak at the Gray Panthers meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. All welcome. 548-9696. 

The Stewardship Council Public Meeting to discuss the Land Conservation Plan and the Youth Investment Program from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Preservation Park, 1233 Preservation Park Way, Oakland. 650-286-5150. www.stewardshipcouncil.org 

“Nanotechnology – The Power of Small” a production of Fred Friendly Seminars, will be taped at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Rep, Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St., for broadcast on PBS. Audience members should plan to be seated by 6:45 pm. Free but registration required www.smartscience.org/berkeley ffs registration.htm  

New to DVD “Eternity and a Day” at 7 p.m. at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

THURSDAY, JAN. 25 

“Berkeley’s Economic Future” with Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, at 1 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St. Light lunch served at noon. RSVP to 981-7100. 

Tom Hayden, former California Legislator and peace activist will speak on “The Politics of Iraq in the Democratic Party” at the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club meeting at 7 p.m. at the Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. www.wellstoneclub.org 

YMCA Martin Luther King Community Banquet at 7 p.m. at 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oaklnad, to raise funds for YMCA programs. Tickets are $150. 451-8039, ext. 457. 

Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans A review of proposals for Alameda County at 5:30 p.m. at ACTIA, 426 17th St., Suite 100, Oakland. www.actia2022.com 

Easy Does It Emergency Services Board of Directors’ Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1636 University Ave. 845-5513. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and thinking skills. Commit to 1-2 hours per week during the school day and work one-on-one with students in their English classes. Training from noon to 3 p.m. 524-2319. www.writercoachconnection.org 

Home Remodeling Seminar: How to Make it a Success, at 6:30 p.m. at Truitt & White Conference Room, 1817 Second St. Free, registration required. 653-7288. 

“Redefining Our Relationships” with Wendy O. Matick at 7 p.m. at AK Press, 674A 23rd. St., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15, sliding scale, no one turned away. 208-1700. 

Storytime for Babies & Toddlers at 10:30 a.m. Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

FRIDAY, JAN. 26 

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 

“Prospects for Peace: The Role of the American Jewish Community” with Marcia Freedman at 8 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave. at Fairview, Piedmont. 547-2424 ext. 100.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MLK Student Union, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code UCB) 

“An Inconvenient Truth” Al Gore’s documentary at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 acccepted. www.HumanistHall.net 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Milton Gordon on “Weapon Control and the Second Amendment” 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 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Potluck supper at 7 p.m. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

“Reading Repetition in Biblical Narrative” with Robert Alter at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 848-3988. 

Kol Hadash Family Pot Luck Shabbat at 6 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., followed by Installation Celebration for Rabbi Miriam Jerris. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, JAN. 27 

Worm Composting Learn how to enrich your garden soil while reducing kitchen waste, from 10:30 to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Help Friends of Five Creeks Volunteers needed to remove invasives and plant natives on Cerrito Creek at the foot of Albany Hill. Meet at 10 a.m. at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara St., El Cerrito, just north of Albany Hill. Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with good traction. Heavy rain cancels. 848 9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

“Blooming Perennials and Shrubs for the Winter Season” at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off 7th St. 644-2351. 

“The Ins & Outs of Cacti and Succulents” from 10 a.m. to noon at the UC Botnaical Garden. Cost is $20-$25. Registration required. 643-7265. 

Latino Education Summit with a conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and resource fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m at CSU East Bay, Hayward Campus. Free, but registration encouraged. 536-4477. 

Freedom of Speech Dance Party in support of National Radio Project and journalists Sarah Olson and Dahr Jamail at 7:30 p.m. at Uptown Body and Fender Community Space, 401 26th St., Oakland. Cost is $10. 251-1332, ext. 102. 

Marketing for Artists Boot Camp from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St., Alameda. Cost is $75-$80. 523-6957. 

Copwatch Stretegy and Structure Meeting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

Computer & Electronics Recycling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

East Bay Atheists meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr., 2090 Kittredge St. Emma Krasov will speak on “Religious Consciousness in the Authoritarian Society of the Former Soviet Union and Thereafter.” 222-7580. 

“Make Marriage Work“ A conversation with Dr. John Gottman, sponsored by the Psychotherapy Institute, from 9 a.m. to noon at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. For tickets call 548-2250. 

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

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. 

“The Challenge of Translating the Bible” with Robert Alter at 10:30 am. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 848-3988. 

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. www.nativeplants.org 

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

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. 28 

“Winter Time at Little Farm” A puppet show for the whole family at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 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. www.ebparks.org 

Winter Wildlife Hike Join naturalist Tara Reinertson to look for winter birds and explore the pebble beaches and salt marshes of Pt. Pinole, from 2 to 4 p.m. For information and meeting place call 525-2233. 

Tour of the Berkeley City Club, the landmark designed by Julia Morgan, at 1:15, 2:15, and 3:15 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. Free, donations welcome. For information or group reservations call 848-7800. 

United Nations Association East Bay Chapter Annual Meeting at 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 1924 Cedar St. Keynote speaker will be David Seaborg on “The Global Environmental Crisis and the Role of the U.N.” 

“Bloodlines: Recovering Hitler’s Nuremberg Laws From Patton’s Trophy to Public Memorial” with Anthony M. Platt at 10:15 a.m. at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. Cost is $5. 223-2560.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Bob Byrne on “Longchenpa: Writings on the Magic of Being” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, JAN. 29 

Parent Education Workshop Learn how to keep your children safe with self protection, self esteem and bullying prevention skills at 7 p.m. at Jingle Jamboree Music; 1607 Solano Ave., Albany. Cost is $30. 1-800-467-6997. 

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 

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. Gil Dong, 981-5502.  

Energy Commission meets Wed., Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Mental Health Commission meets Wed., Thurs. Jan. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5213.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Jan. 25, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. 

TUESDAY, JAN. 23 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Art of Living Black” Exhibition opens at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond, and runs through March 16. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

FILM 

Yoko Ono: Imagine Film “Rape” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kala Fellowship Artist Talk with Karen McCoy and Daniel Ross at 7 p.m. at Kala Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977.  

Tell on on Tuesdays Storytelling with Brian M. Rosen, Allison Landa, Erica Lann-Clark, and Marijo, at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Cost is $8-$12 sliding scale. www.juiamorgan.org 

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

Dorothy Fall reads from “Bernard Fall: Memories of a Soldier-Scholar” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Robert Stone describes “Prime Green: Remebering the Sixties” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tri Tip Trio at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

The Lovell Sisters at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

The Jazz Fourtet at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Broken Teeth with Jason McMaster at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland.  

God Forbid, Goat Whore, MNEMIC, The Human Abstract at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $15-$18. All ages. 763-1146.  

Avance at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24 

FILM 

History of Cinema “From the Cinema of Attractions to Narrative Illusionism” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Carmen Yuen discusses “The Cosmos in a Carrot: A Zen Guide to Eating Well” Buddhist wisdom, nutritional information, and health advice at 5:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Colson Whtehead reads from “Apex Hides the Dirt” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

“Songs to My Beloved” with poet Charles Burack at 7:30 p.m. at JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20, benefits Aquarian Minyan. 465-3935. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE. 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Karen Shinozaki Sor, violin and Miles Graber, piano at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Bobby McFerrin with Voicetra at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$62. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

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

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

Matt Heulitt Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

No Strangers at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

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

The Ale Moller Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Brian Auger at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, JAN. 25 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

“Pyramids and Smoke Signals—A Global Warning” Paintings by Herk Schusteff at Berkeley YWCA, Bancroft at Bowditch, through Jan. 223-8707. 

FILM 

“The Mind is a Liar and a Whore” A new film by Antero Alli at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Cost is $10. 464-4640. 

Film Series with David Thomson “Vertigo”at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Vladimir Guerrero, author of “The Anza Trail and the Settling of California” will speak at the Alameda County Historical Society Annual Dinner at 6 p.m. at Spenger’s Restaurant, 1919 4th St. Cost is $35. For information and reservations call 339-2818. www.alamedacountyhistory.org  

“Reading Chinese Buddhist Monastic Hagiographies: A New Approach” with Jinhua Chen at at 5 p.m. at the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St. 643-6536. 

“Conversations on Museums” with Anthony Platt at 6:30 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

New Century Chamber Orchestra performs Telemann, Britten, and Schubert at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $28-$42. 415-357-1111. www.ncco.org 

Eliza Gilkyson at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Peter Anastos & Iternity at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Barry Syska, acoustic rock, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Rivkah Amado and Joel Siegal perform Jewish music from Medieval Spain at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

La Peña Latin Jazz Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Kenny Garrett with Bobby Hutcherson though Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$66. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

The Prids, Veil Veil Vanish, Red Voice Choir at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $6. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

FRIDAY, JAN. 26 

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. 

Black Repertory Group “Wild Roots” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St., through Feb. 4. 652-2120. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito., through March 3. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132.  

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 

EXHIBITIONS 

ProArts Juried Annual, selections by Berin Golonu, opens at 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-9425. www.proartsgallery.org 

FILM 

The Lubitsch Touch “The Wildcat” at 7 p.m. and “The Smiling Lieutenant” at 8:35 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Christopher Bollas, psychoanalyst and author at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Calvin Trillin reads from “About Alice” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Arts Festival Jerry Kuderna, piano with Nora Martin, soprano, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St. Caost is $10. 665-9496. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Country Joe McDonald in a Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. at Café de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $30-$45. 843-0662. 

Trisha Brown Dance Company at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

The Four Bags at 8 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$15. 845-1350. 

Dance Braided Lives A collaboration between artists, poets, dancers and musicians at 7 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Donation $10-$50. 843-2787. 

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

Indian Classical Music and Dance at 8 p.m. at Yoga Kula, 1700 Shattuck Ave. at Virginia. Cost is $10 at the door. 

Rumbaché, salsa, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Sambada, Antioquia, Afro-Brazilian-Funk at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Meli Rivera at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Stephen Bennett, guitar, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Dave Bernstein Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Noah Grant and Fred Odell at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

The Family Arsenal, Bye Bye Blackbirds, The Light Footwork at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Gravy Train, Groovie Ghoulies, Ninja Academy at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

The P-PL at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Martin Luther, Anthony David at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$12. 548-1159.  

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

The Look, The May Fire, Excuses for Skipping, indie rock, at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

The Clash in Oaktown at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. All ages. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Kenny Garrett with Bobby Hutcherson though Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$66. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, JAN. 27 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Maria Fernanda Acuña & Melissa Rivera at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Diana Shmiana’s Puppets and Music at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St., at Gilman. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

FILM 

The Lubitsch Touch “The Marriage Circle” at 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rhythm & Muse “Poetry Inside Out” with Yesenia Isabel Canada, Mehrnush Golriz, Alex Rowland, others at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose. 644-6893.  

Vesta Kirby will discuss her works in “New Beginnings” at 2:30 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Exhibition runs to Feb. 644-4930. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Concertante with Terrence Wilson, piano, at 7:30 p.m. at Regents Theater, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $35-$40. www.fourseasonsconcerts.com 

Trisha Brown Dance Company at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

“Winds Across Russia” at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Richmond, 770 Sonoma St., at Solano Ave., Richmond. Tickets are $10. 243-0514. 

Donne di Mezzi “A Due Voci” 17th and early 18th century duets for matched voices at 8 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman St. Donation $5-$10. 

TomKat Roher, Mike Glendinning, The Trencherman at the Missouri Lounge, 2600 San Pablo Ave. Free. 548-2080. 

The Mixers at 9 p.m. at The Pub at Baltic Square, 135 Park Place, Pt. Richmond. Cost is $5. www.balticsquarepub.com  

Lo Cura! at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lava Nights, AIDS Marathon Benefit at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Mo’ Rockin! at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Baba Ken & The Afro-Groove Connexion with KTO Project at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Evelie Posch and Eileen Hazel at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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

“Shimshai” Kirtan Devotional Music Series at 8 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Tickets are $16-$18. 843-2787. 

Smith Dobson V Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Jeremy Steinkoler Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

George Cotsirilos Jazz Group at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Dirty Martinis at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Nate Cooper & Mario Desio, folk and rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Tempest, Caliban at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $12. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Beep! Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

30 Foot Tall, Fleshies, Abi Yo Yo’s 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. 

Kenny Garrett with Bobby Hutcherson though Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$66. 238-9200.  

SUNDAY, JAN. 28 

CHILDREN 

Family Explorations “Musical Masterpieces” A special Black History day with jazz musicians, and the opportunity to paint to live music. From 1 to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Winter Time at the Little Farm” A puppet show for the whole family at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Family Workshop and Concert with Odile Lavault of the Baguette Quartette, for ages 10 and up, at 2 p.m. at Black Pine Circle Theater, 2017 Seventh St. at University. Followed by a concert at 4 p.m. For information and tickets call 528-3723. 

THEATER 

The Chris Chandler & David Roe Show with singing CIA Agent George Shrub at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $18-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

365 Days/365 Plays Week 11 at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Rep School of Theater, Nevo Education Center, 2071 Addision St.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“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. 

FILM 

African Film Festival “A Child’s Love Story” at 3:30 p.m. and “New Visions from Africa” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kathryn Alice reads from “Love Will Find You: Magnets to Bring You and Your Soulmate Together” at 6 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Sonia Gaemi discusses “Eating Wisely for Hormonal Balance” at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Poetry Flash with Paul Hover reading from “Edge and Fold” and Dawn Michelle Baude reading from “Egypt” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Symphonica Toscanini with Lorin Maazel conducting, at 3 p..m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$76. 642-9988. 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Free, donations requested. www.prometheussymphony.org 

Live Oak Concert with Lawrence London, clarinet, Victor Romasevich, violin, Lena Lubotsky, piano, and the Jupiter String Quartet, performing works by Mozart, Brahms, Iosif Andriasov at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. berkeleyartcenter.org 

Country Joe McDonald in a Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. at Café de la paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $30-$45. 843-0662. 

Bill Evans String Summit with Scott Nygaard, Tashina Clarridge, Tristan Clarridge, Michael Witcher and Cindy Browne at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Live Oak Concert with performances of Mozart, Andiasov and Brahms at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Cost is $8-$10, choldren under 12 free. www.berkeleydartcenter.org 

Kitka & Trio Kavkasia “Songs from Beyond the Black Sea” at 5 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. TIckets are $20-$25. 444-0323. www.kitka.org 

The Chris Chandler and David Roe Show with Singing CIA Agent George Shrub and satirist Dave Lippman at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

“ViolinJazz” Quartet at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Bandworks Recitals at 1 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

MONDAY, JAN. 29 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Paintings of Abu Ghraib” by Columbian artist Fernando Botero opens at 6 p.m. at 190 Doe Library, UC Campus, and runs through March 23. 643-5651. www.clas.berkeley.edu 

THEATER 

Shakespeare Intensive “A Winter’s Tale” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1925 Cedar at Bonita. Other plays to be read each Mon. to Feb. 26. Cost is $5. 276-3871. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Page to Stage A conversation with Tony Amendola and Les Waters at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Free. 647-2949. 

Ann Sherman at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Kim Todd reads from “Tinkering with Eden: A Natural History of Exotics in America” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Stephen Hinshaw discusses “The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Classical at the Freight with San Francisco Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

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

Sony Holland at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Kent Nagano, after a meeting with the musicians of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra to discuss his plans, announced Friday that he will step down as music director of the symphony at the end of the 2008-09 season. 

He will continue to work with the orchestra as conductor laureate and as founding music director for Berkeley Academy Ensemble, a small orchestra created to explore new musicological approaches to a repertoire drawn from 18th and early 19th century composers, debuting this coming season with two performances.  

“This is consistent with my 30-year relationship with Berkeley Symphony,” Nagano said. “It was my first orchestra, and I still maintain that relationship with it.” 

Nagano cited difficulties in scheduling and in finding the time to dedicate to community involvement over the past few years. Last year, he became music director of both the Montreal Symphony and the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.  

Nagano, 55, who attended UC Santa Cruz and San Francisco State University, was appointed as musical director to Berkeley Symphony in 1978. He was born at Alta Bates when his parents were graduate students at UC Berkeley. 

“It was funny to them that my first important position brought me back here. I’ve always considered the Bay Area my home,” said Nagano, who lives in San Francisco with his wife, Mari Kodama, and their daughter. After assisting Sarah Caldwell at the Opera Company of Boston, Nagano came back to Berkeley with his appointment to the symphony, when it was still officially known as the Berkeley Promenade Orchestra. 

Nine years later, Nagano took the reins of the Opera National de Lyon, and rumors began to fly in earnest that he would leave Berkeley. But, though leadership positions later came with Manchester’s Halle’ Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera and the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester in Berlin, Nagano continued to guide the Berkeley Symphony, premiering many new works, including those by Olivier Messiaen and Elliott Carter, and collecting three Grammy awards, as well as steadily increasing international recognition. 

A search committee, drawn from the symphony board, staff, musicians and the community, is being formed to find a successor for Nagano. Candidates for the musical directorship will be selected to lead subscription programs over the next two years, with Nagano conducting the remaining programs, as well as directing the Academy Ensemble.  

Of the new project orchestra, Nagano said he was excited “to explore a specific repetoire” drawn “from Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert ...” 

“It’s a rare chance to hear what isn’t heard so often with full orchestras,” said the symphony’s Kevin Shuck. “There are few mid-size ensembles like the Academy Ensemble will be.” 

With musicians mainly drawn from the Symphony, the Academy Ensemble will debut with two concerts in April and May, both shows already “essentially sold out,” though each is accruing a waiting list for tickets that become available.  

Shuck also commented that the subscription shows at Zellerbach, including the premiere of Berkeley composer Olly Wilson’s Hold On symphony two weekends ago, had been running “up to 95 percent sold out, with the balcony opened up for seating.” 

Nagano returned to Montreal after the meeting and announcement, where last week he was made an honorary citizen by the mayor.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” A series of blackout tableaux like snapshots: Prospero and Caliban; “Melted into air, thin air;” then Prospero alone, touching the rude crown, cloak and staff that accoutered Caliban; then crowning himself, taking up the feathered magic staff: “Our revels now are ended ...” 

Hooded spirits watch Miranda read to Caliban, a mask atop his head leering when he crouches: “The cloud hath powers ...” Then a storm of human and spirit bodies as Prospero shouts, presiding from above as they are cast about, tossing on the weblike rigging that drapes the set, almost dancing as they flounder ... 

So begins Ragged Wing Ensemble’s spellbinding show of The Tempest, that last great play of The Bard wherein it’s thought he takes his bow as Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, as he leaves the exile of his desert isle, renouncing both magic and earthly powers. 

The levels of the Metal Shop Theatre (behind Willard School on Telegraph) are hung with rigging and a stylized sail (set by Sarah Samonsky) that doubles as a screen for the exceptional video scenography by Aiden Fraser (himself doubling nicely in baggy pants, floppy hat and suspenders as Trinculo, the drunken jester). But the mainstay of the action is literally that: Ragged Wing, since their inception two years and two shows ago, has been an exciting collective of practitioners of physical theater moving together. 

In this production, directed with clarity and imagination by Keith Cory Davis, Ragged Wing shows what it can do with a redoubtable monument of dramaturgy—and they outdo themselves. Their previous outings were an exciting staging of a somewhat faded ’60s experimental pastiche, The Serpent, and an original, a kind of psychodramatic fantasy that riffed off of “The Snow Queen,” Splinters ... and Other F-Words, by company member Andrea Hart. 

Those pieces suited their purposes well, but the real possibilities and power of their approach has become apparent now, harnessed to the dramatic engine of Shakespeare’s parable of exile, magic and redemption. 

There are fine performances, especially pert Amy Sass (also choreographer) as a wound-up, spring-tight Ariel, almost maliciously proud of magical prowess, yet abashed at servitude to Prospero. A procession of almost unreadable emotions cross that silvered face, or it’s deadpan as the spirit hangs like a spider from the rigging, watching, waiting for the moment to insinuate its sorcery. Jeffrey Hoffman plays a wronged Prospero who can vent his rage and then back off, in light of his larger, gentler ambitions. 

Many of the performances are enhanced in ensemble: Maya Gurantz (founder of Ten Red Hen) as acerbic King Alonso, with Mark Jordan’s gimped-up but genial optimist, Gonzalo; Christine Odera’s snaky Caliban glows with humor when teaming up with the baggy-pants comedian-tipplers Stephano (a splendid Phil Wharton) and above-mentioned Trinculo, exchanging spirits from a bottle for betrayal of Prospero: “first possess his books!” 

There are some unusual cuts—the songs are deep-sixed—but the dialogue is crystal-clear and the play’s intention unwavering, with fine detail down to the costuming and the red-glove-to-mouth chorus of spirits drawn from high school students. More refreshing than many a Shakespeare festival, and a fascinating panoply of riotous movement and quiet moments of romance and reflection, Ragged Wing’s The Tempest opens up a new era for a still very young—and very talented—local troupe. 

Photograph: Andrea Hart 

Phil Wharton as Stephano and Christine Odera as  

Caliban in Ragged Wing Ensemble’s The Tempest. 

THE TEMPEST 

Presented by Ragged Wing Ensemble at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 17. $15-25. Metal Shop Theatre,  

2425 Stuart St. 

(800) 838-3006. or www.raggedwing.org  

By KEN BULLOCK 

Special to the Planet 

Zemaryalai Tarzi, internationally recognized as the senior Afghan archaeologist, will speak and answer questions on recent finds at Bamiyan and the crisis of looting and vandalism for archaeology in Afghanistan in “A Stop on the Silk Route,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 101 (Archaeological Research Faculty), 2251 College Ave. (behind Boalt Hall). 

The event is cosponsored by the Near Eastern Studies Department, the American Institute of Archaeology and the Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology (APAA), Tarzi’s own organization. Admission is free. A reception will follow the talk. 

Tarzi went to France on a scholarship at age 20 to study at Strasbourg, where he now teaches, dividing his time between the university and fieldwork in Bamiyan during the summer. He was an associate of Daniel Schlumberger, the director of the French delegation of archaeology to Afghanistan, at a time when France had an exclusive contract with the (then) Kingdom of Afghanistan for excavation and research. 

Tarzi directed the Archaeological Institute in Kabul and edited the national journal for archaeology, and specialized in the conservation of historical monuments, particularly mosques and Buddhist temples. He established the outdoor museum at Hadda, site of one of the largest Buddhist temples in Central Asia, and wrote his thesis on the art and architecture of the famous caves at Bamiyan. Afghani archaeology was coming into its own, scientifically, carrying on its own research and partnering with international teams. 

Then came the Soviet invasion of 1979. 

“My father was forced to flee to Pakistan, hidden in a double-decker trunk, with my step-brother disguised as a girl,” said Nadia Tarzi, cofounder with her father of the APAA.  

Tarzi (who will translate for her father, lecturing in French) described the genesis of their project to protect and promote Afghan archaeology: “I grew up in Strasbourg, where my father came, after his escape. I knew he was an archaeologist, in the way another kid might know her father’s a dentist or accountant. I didn’t really understand what he did.” 

“One day in 1994,” she continued, “He received an express packet from a colleague still in Afghanistan. His whole demeanor changed; he opened the envelope and became sad. When I asked why, he finally picked up a book, showed me a picture in it of a beautiful niche with reliefs of waves in an aquatic scene with statues standing around, Buddha fighting demons from the Gandhara period—then said, ‘Here’s what it looks like today,’ showing me the photos he’d received, which looked to me like piles of mud. I started crying. I understood my father’s passion.” 

After the Taliban blew up the giant statues of Buddha in the Bamiyan Valley in 2001 (“and it took them four days to destroy them because of the steel reinforcements my father helped put in”), Tarzi suggested to her father that they co-found an organization to educate the general public, both Afghani and Western, about the “5,000-year-old cultural heritage—even before Buddhism, before Islam—of Afghanistan, the diversity of cultures that have flourished there,” to support further efforts in research and recovery of antiquities “and to give some sense of national awareness and pride to the Afghan people, who have such a task in rebuilding their country.” 

Father and daughter founded the APAA in 2002. Tarzi returned to his native country after the defeat of the Taliban to teach and do fieldwork, dividing his time with teaching in Strasbourg. With the support of President Karzai and of the first female governor of Bamiyan, work goes on, on several different levels. 

“There’s been 20 years of rampant, relentless looting,” Tarzi said. “It’s important to get archaeologists to the sites before the looters and the dealers to at least document what’s there. Bamiyan is secure, and the population supportive, but elsewhere the Taliban is again on the rise, and there’s a debate whether or not to even continue excavations.” 

Educational work has been carried on in Afghanistan and in the Bay Area. 

“The first schools I visited were in the Berkeley-Oakland area,” said Tarzi, who lives in Marin. “One class even put on a play about what they learned. In Bamiyan, we hope to teach the children to make pottery, then show them museum pieces in the same style. My own daughter taught me that. I call it art with a heart.” 

For more information: www.apaa.info.