TUESDAY, FEB. 6 

Disaster Preparedness in Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville A brown bag lunch event sponsored by the League of Women Voters, at noon at Albany Library Edith Stone Room, Marin and Masonic Avenues, Albany. 843-8824. 

“Thirst” A documentary on the politics of the bottled water industry in the U.S. and the world, followed by discussion with producers Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Cost is $5-$10. Part of the BFUU Social Justice Committee's Conscientious Projector series. 644-4956. 

Kayaking Alaska’s Inside Passage A slide show with Julie Hinkle and Zephyr Sincerny at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Livable Streets: Celebration, Reflection, And The Future Of A Path-Breaking Legacy at 7 p.m. at 112 Wurster Hall, UC Berkeley Campus. 

Free Legal Assistance the first Tues. of the month at 6 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Advance registration required. 526-3720, ext. 5. 

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. or from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For information call 524-2319. www.writercoachconnection.org 

Sports Nutrition with Carol Lourie on genomic testing, nutritional suppements and accupuncture at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Volunteer Storyreaders Needed Training classes begin at 6 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave. Registration required. 238-7453. 

Animal Communication Consultations from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. For appointment call 525-6255. 

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

Discussion Salon on Social Change and Activism 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.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 always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Explore Oakland’s Shoreline Parks Meet at 10 am at the restrooms adjacent to parking lot at 7th St. and Middle Harbor Rd, Oakland. Dress in layers and bring water and snack for this level, wheelchair- and stroller-friendly walk of about two hours. 848 9358. www.berkeleypaths.org 

“Waves, Wetlands, and Watersheds” An interactive workshop for educators that covers watershed, coastal, and marine issues. From 4 to 6 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Registration required. 636-1684. www.ebparks.org 

Volunteer with the Native Plant Nursery Your help in the nursery will enable Save The Bay to continue restoration of some of the last remaining wetland habitat in the East Bay and help us reach our goal to plant 10,000 native wetland plants at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Park this winter. From 1 to 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland. RSVP requested. 452-9261 ext. 109.  

Community Meeting on Pacific Steel Casting Tell the Mayor and Berkeley City Council: Stop Pacific Steel Casting's pollution. Our community deserves clean air & environmental justice! It is important for residents to show up and express their concerns about the ongoing pollution and violations at PSC. at 7 p.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 6th St. at Hearst. 415-248-5010. 

“Little House on a Small Planet” with Shay Salomon on the small house movement at 1 p.m. at Wurster Hall, 315A, UC Campus. http://laep.ced.berkeley.edu/events/colloquium 

“Race to Execution” a documentary on the factors that influence who lives and who dies at the hands of the state, at 6 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Oakland. Free. 238-2200. 

Wild Goose Qi Gong classes at 5:45 p.m. at Rudramandir, Room 106, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th St. Cost is $15. 496-6047. 

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. 548-9840. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, FEB. 8 

“Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson’s American Journey” at 7 p.m., at Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens School, 325 Highland Ave., near Oakland Ave., Piedmont. Judge Henderson will speak after the film. Presented by Appreciating Diversity Film Series. 835-9227. 

“Breaking the Gridlock!” What will it take to have better transit in Berkeley? Panel and discussion, with Chris Peeples, AC Transit Board of Directors; Matt Nichols, City of Berkeley Transportation Planner; Betty Deakin, Director, Institute for Transportation Studies at UC Berkeley at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar at Arch St. Free. 843-8724. 

“Little House on a Small Planet” Live in less space but have more room and enjoy it, with Shay Salomon of the small house movementand photographer Nigel Valdez at 7 p.m. at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

“The Hydropolitics of Israel & Palestine” A slide presentation by Skip Shiel, followed by discussion at 7:30 p.m. at Friends Church , Fellowship Hall, 1600 Sacramento St. at Cedar. http://teeksaphoto.org 

Richmond Southeast Shoreline Area Community Group meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Convention Center, Bermuda Room, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Nevin and 25th Sts. For information call 540-3923. To volunteer call 367-5379. 

East Bay Macintosh Users Group Learn how to sync your Mac to your cell phone or PDA, at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. www.ebmug.org 

Café Literario, a Spanish book discussion group begins a new session at 7 p.m. at the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 981-6140. 

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

Family Story Time for children ages 3-7 at the Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, at Hopkins. 981-6107. 

Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, writer, on “False Self/True Self” at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito St. off Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. 625-5831.  

FRIDAY, FEB. 9 

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 Ed Klinenberg on “Dramatic Impressions of China.” 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.  

Forum on Bullying In The Workplace and The Role of The Unions In Fighting It from 4 to 6 p.m. in Room G-209, Laney College, Oakland. Go up the stairs where Eighth St. ends at Fallon St. and turn right. 464-3181. 

First Annual Chinese New Year Sidewalk Parade at 6 p.m. starting at the top/east of Solano Ave. 527-5358. 

“On the Wealth of Nations” A evening with humorist P.J. O’Rourke at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Cost is $15-$30. For reservations call 632-1366. 

Womansong Circle A participatory circle of song for women at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing. Donation $15-$20.  

“An Inconvenient Truth” screening at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

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

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 

SATURDAY, FEB. 10 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Exploration of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park with ethnologist and wildlife biologist Jim Hale. The walk includes several rock sites used by Native Americans and is followed by an optional drive to see rock art at nearby Poinsett Park in El Cerrito. Meet at 10 am at the Wildcat Canyon Staging Area, Park Ave. 0.1 mile northeast of McBryde Ave., Richmond. Bring water and lunch. Dress in layers and be prepared for rain and mud. 925-939-4304. www.berkeleypaths.org  

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $3-$5. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Demystifying Tofu and Tempeh” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $45, plus $5 materials fee. To register call 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com 

“Taking Out Country Back From the Right: A Strategy for Liberals and Progressive for the Coming Two Years” with Rabbi Michael Lerner at 7:30 p.m. at Twin Towers United Methodist Church, Oak and Central, Alameda. Presented by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum. www.alamedaforum.org 

“Principles and Controversies of Evolution” with David Seaborg, evolutionary biologist, to Celebrate Darwin Day at 1 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., midtown Oakland. 393-5685. 

“Conservation Biology” A symposium from 8 a.m. to 7 pm. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Register on-line www.bacbs.org 

“Ethnography of Roses” with horticulturist Peter Klement from 10 a.m. to noon at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $15-$20. Registration required. 643-2755. 

“The Orchid Guy” Brian Petraska will give an overview of orchids and their culture, at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. Bring an orchid that you want to re-pot. 704-8222. 

“Does Humor Belong in Buddhism?” A conference beginning on Fri. at 4 p.m. with a lecture by Donald Lopez on “What’s So Funny About the Laughing Buddha?” in the Toll Room, Alumni House, UC Campus. Conference continues on Sat. For details call 643-6536. http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu/events 

Great War Society, East Bay Chapter, meets to discuss “German & British Military Revisions, 1917-1918” by Robert Deward, at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

Origami for Valentine’s Day from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Art and Music Room, 5th Flr., Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale Sat. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. To volunteer call 526-3720, ext. 5. 

Choosing Green Building Materials For Your Remodel from 9 to 11 a.m. at Truitt & White, 1817 Second St. Free, but registration required. 649-2674. 

Healing Muses Balkan Dance Workshop with Catherine Sutton from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Healing Muses Workshop on Songs from the French Renaissance from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

“Love Stories From the Heart” at 9 a.m. at Dramatically Speaking Toastmasters, at 1950 Franklin St., Room 2F. RSVP required, ID needed to get into building. 581-8675. 

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 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, FEB. 11 

Rainbow Berkeley’s 8th Annual Berkeley Pride Celebration at 5 p.m. at the Gaia Building, 2120 Alston Way. Suggested donation at the door is $10 to $20. No one turned away for lack of funds. 658-8143. 

Berkeley Hiking Club Explores Berkeley Pathways This 8-mile hike begins at 9 a.m. For information on how to join, please call 524-4715. 

“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.  

Oakland 2007 Tet Festival Celebrate Vietnamese New Year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Clinton Park, Oakland, with food, entertainment, and traditional cultural rituals. 436-5391. www.vaced.org 

Workshop on Rounds and Harmony Singing at 1:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

“A Rabbi’s Consideration of the Da Vinci Code” with Rabbi Harry A. Manhoff at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 535-0302, ext. 306.  

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin CAton on “I Can’t Meditate!” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 12 

“The Evolution of Influenza Viruses in the 20th and 21st Centuries” with Dr. Arnold Levine at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Free. www.msri.org 

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. 

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. 

Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League Open to girls in grades 1-9. Spring season begins March 3. To register call 869-4277. www.abgsl.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Tues., Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520.  

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

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 8, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Feb. 8, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410.  

TUESDAY, FEB. 6 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “The Other Side” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Leslie Scalapino and Rae Armantrout read at 7:30 p.m. at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Jon Sullivan with show slides and talk about “Berkeley: The One and Only” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Donna Bee-Gates discusses “I Want It Now: Navigating Childhood in a Materialistic World” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zabava and Yalazia, Balkan, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

S.F. Bluegrass & Old Time Festival with Earl Brothers, Circle R Boys and Dyad at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Barbara Linn & John Schott at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Ignacio Berroa Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 

THEATER 

“Colorstruck” Donald Lacey’s one-man show at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, through Feb. 11. Tickets are $5-$15. 663-5683. 

FILM 

“Race to Execution” on the factors that influence who lives and who dies at the hands of the state, at 6 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Oakland. Free. 238-2200. 

Film 50: History of Cinema “The Man with a Movie Camera” at 3 p.m. and Compilations “LunchFilms” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Brian Copeland, author of “Not a Genuine Black Man, or How I Claimed My Piece of Ground in the Lily-White Suburbs” will speak at 6 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

Woodruff Minor describes “The Archecture of Ratcliff” at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

Brenda Webster reads from her translation of Edith Bruck’s “Letter to My Mother” a memoir of her life in wartime Auschwitz, at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert with Jared Redmond, piano, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

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

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

Gerard Landry & the Lariats, Cajun/Zydeco. at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Ignacio Berroa Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Clive Carroll, fingerstyle guitarist, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, FEB. 8 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Flight Out of Time” Exhibition of contemporary prints by Barbara Foster, Jimin Lee and Tadayoshi Nakabayashi opens at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave., and runs to March 17. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“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. 

“Paintings of Abu Ghraib” by Fernando Botero at 190 Doe Library, UC Campus, through March 23. 643-5651. www.clas.berkeley.edu 

“Used and Re-Used: decorative objects made from utilitarian materials” at the The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St. through March 31. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

"The Children of Chaguitillo” Photography exhibition by Harold Adler Reception form 6 to 9 p.m. at Au Coquelet, 2000 University Ave. through March 31. 472-3170. 

Michael Howerton “Portraits” at Chachie’s Coffee Shop, 1768 Broadway at 19th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs though Feb. 28. www.howertonphoto.blogspot.com 

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

“African Art” by Okaybabs, Yinka Adeyemi, Adeyinka Fashokun, honoring Black History Month. Reception at 4:30 p.m. at the LuchStop Cafe, joseph P. Bort MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Exhibit runs to March 30. 817-5773. 

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

“Fire in the Heart” Paintings by Foad Satterfield influenced by African art at the Community Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave., through March 2. 204-1667. 

“Street Portraiture” Photographs by Tom Stone at The LightRoom Gallery, 2263 Fifth St., through Feb. 28. 649-8111. 

“Revisions” Works by Amy Berk using Jewish ceremonial textiles on display at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., through Aug. 5. 549-6950. 

“Environmental Surrealism” works by Guy Colwell and Michelle Waters at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland, through Feb. 23. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

“Berkeley: 75 Years Ago” 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.  

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

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

FILM 

“Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson’s American Journey” at 7 p.m., at Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens School, 325 Highland Ave., near Oakland Ave., Piedmont. Judge Henderson will speak after the film. Presented by Appreciating Diversity Film Series. 835-9227. 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Conversations on Museums with David Behar, Israeli artist, at 6:30 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950. 

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

Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell describe “A Thousand Names for Joy: A Life in Harmnony with the Way Things Are” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

Dana Whitaker describes “Transforming Lives $40 at a Time: Women and Mircrofinance” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Pauline Chen describes “Final Exam: A Young Surgeon’s Reflections on Mortality” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

John Searle will discuss “Freedom and Neurobiology: Reflection on Free Will, Language, and Political Power” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

SF Bluegrass & Old Time Festival with The Mercury Dimes, Flat Mountain Girls, Jeff Kazor & Lisa Berman at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

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

Tom Duarte, guitar, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Chaplain, Dead Ringer, Scene of Action at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Pat Martino at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, FEB. 9 

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. www.aeofberkeley.org 

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. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre Company “The Birthday Party” Wed. - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 4. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Pillowman” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through March 11. Tickets are $33-$61. 647-2949. 

Black Repertory Group “Love Don’t Cost a Thang” a gospel play at 8 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St. Cost is $15. 472-5608. 

“Colorstruck” Donald Lacey’s one-man show at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, through Feb. 11. Tickets are $5-$15. 663-5683. 

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. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “Cartoon” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid, through March 10. Tickets are $10-$15. www.impacttheatre.com 

The Marsh “Shopping for God” Thurs.-Sat. at 7 p.m. at 2120 Allston Way, through March 3. Tickets are $15-$22. 1-800-838-5750. www.themarsh.org 

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. www.raggedwing.org 

TheatreFirst “Nathan the Wise” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theater, 481 Ninth St. at Broadway, Oakland, through March 4. Tickets are $21-$25. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Obsession” Works of Fire and Passion Group Show opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave., and runs to March 3. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

Tony Bellaver “Interventions” Performance art from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Donations accepted. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

FILM 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

P.J. O’Rourke reads from “On the Wealth of Nations” at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Cost is $15-$30. For reservations call 632-1366. 

Jonathan Raban introduces his novel “Surveillance” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alan Chen piano, at noon at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Healing Muses “Trillium” Three harps and two fiddles, at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Alam Kahn, Indian classical music at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $15. 526-9146. 

Orquesta La Moderna Tradición, Cuban charanga music, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Spanish Harlem Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Hurricane Sam & The Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Callaloo, Caribbean, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sarah Manning, jazz, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Darryl Henriques “The Social Secutiry Show” at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Arlington Houston Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

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

Tartuffi, Pillows, Tippy Canoe at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Albino, Afro-beat, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Pat Martino at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, FEB. 10 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Uncle Eye & the Strange Change Machine at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Dragonwings” An Active Arts Theater production for ages 7-14, Sat. at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater for the Arts, 2640 College Ave, through Feb. 25. Tickets are $14 children, $18 adults. 925-798-1300. 

EXHIBITIONS 

Richmond Art Center Winter Exhibitions Reception for artists at 3 p.m. at 2540 Barrett Ave., entrance at 25th St., Richmond. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

“All Heart” A collaborative show with Children’s Hospital Aokland and Art For Life Foundation. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Runs through March 9. 644-4930. 

“Found Object Robots” Reception for the artist, Richard Amoroso, at 2 p.m. at the LAkeview Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

“Sexicon: The Art and Language of Erotica” Reception at 9 p.m. at Living Room Gallery, 3230 Adeline St. Cost is $6. www.myspace.com/livingroomcollective 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “The Cabinet of the Brothers Quay, Program 1” at 6:30 p.m. and “institute Benjamenta” at 8 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mary Ellen Jones, Gary Norris Gray and Patriece read from their works at 3 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 154th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

Selene Steese and Jan Steckel, featured poets, at 7 p.m. at The Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St., Alameda. Admission free, donations accepted. 523-6957. 

Renay Jackson, author of “Oaktown Devil” reads from his latest book “Crack City” at 2 p.m. at the Elmhurst Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1427 88th Ave. 615-5727. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Arts Festival: John Schott’s Dream Kitchen, guitar, tuba, drums trio, at 8 p.m. at The Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert at 8 p.m. at Valley Center, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. 849-9776. 

Healing Muses “La Vie en Rose” at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Martha & Monica “100 Years of Russian Revolution” music for cello and piano at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

Steve Taylor-Ramirez at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

“Queen of Spain” musical theater at 5 p.m. at Music Sources, 1000 The Alameda. For reservations call 528-1658. 

Spanish Harlem Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Alúna, traditional Colombian music, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Ed Reed & Peck Allmond All-Star Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Samba Ngo, African-Congolese, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Joshua Eden and Jeremy Hox at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Upsurge! jazz-poetry ensemble, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Moment’s Notice with Deanna Anderson, Antyne, Peter Giordano and others at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Tickets are $8-$10. 847-1119. 

Dangerous Rhythm with Tim Fox at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Lost Cats, swing, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Battle of the Bands: Finals at 6 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

John Howland Trio, Nucleus, Wayward Monks at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Pat Martino at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, FEB. 11 

CHILDREN 

Asheba at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Mitali Perkins introduces “Rickshaw Girl” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Ira Marlowe sings songs for children under ten, at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Recent Works of Changming Meng” Reception for the artist at 3 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite #4. 421-1255. www.altagalleria.com 

“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 

Screenagers: Bay Area High School Film and Video Festival at noon and 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Meet at the koi pond, first level at 1 p.m. 238-2200. 

Luis Garcia and Richard Krech read at 7:30 at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

“Measure of Time” Gallery talk with Bill Berkson at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

Poetry Flash presents Martha Collins and Diana O’Hehir at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert at 2 p.m. at Valley Center, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Special outreach concert, free for students and seniors. 849-9776. 

Chamber Music Sundaes featuring San Francisco Symphony musicians and friends in concert at 3 p.m. at St John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door are $18-$22. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org  

Dawn Upshaw, soprano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $68. 642-9988.  

Community Women’s Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1331 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10, children free. 463-0313. www.communitywomensorchestra.org 

Healing Muses “Sweet Persuasions to Enjoy” music from 17th centry England at 5 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Seth Montfort and Thomas Penders, piano, at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

Soulful Swing Jazz Duo, Yancie Taylor, vibraphone, Ben Stolorow, piano, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. berkeleyartcenter.org 

Aileen Chanco and Raja Rahman, piano duo at 4 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. at Sacramento. Tickets are $12. 559-2941. www.crowden.org 

“Sounds New” Contemporary American classic music at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kendington. Suggested Donation $10-$15. 524-2912. www.SoundsNewUS.org 

Ms Pumpkin’s Talent Show at 6 p.m. at Black Reportory Theater, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $35. 652-2120. 

Pappa Gianni and the North Beach Band at 2 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Black Irish Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Aleph Null, CD release party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Bob Marley Birthday Tribute with Soja, Native Elements at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 12 

FILM 

United Nations Association Film Festival “Armenian Lullaby” and “Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $8-$10. 769-7350. www.unaff.org 

SF Independent Film Festival “Stalking Santa” at 7 p.m. and “Unholy Women” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

THEATER 

Shakespeare Intensive “Henry V” 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 

Monday Night Blues Lecture and performance held every Mon. night during Black History Month at 8 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St. Donation $5. 836-2227. 

Poetry from the Heart, readings and open mic at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. Kensington. 524-3043. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Livingston Taylor at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Parlor Tango at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

OLD TIME MUSIC IN BERKELEY 

The San Francisco Bluegrass and Old Time Festival journeys across the bay to Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse with a show featuring the Earl Brothers, Circle R Boys and Dyad at 8 p.m. Tuesday. $15.50-$16.50. 1111 Addison St. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org.  

NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN 

Brian Copeland, the author and performer behind Not a Genuine Black Man, or How I Claimed My Piece of Ground in the Lily-White Suburbs, will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the African American Museum and Library. 659 14 St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

‘FLIGHT OUT OF TIME’ AT KALA INSTITUTE 

An exhibition of contemporary prints by Barbara Foster, Jimin Lee and Tadayoshi Nakabayashi entitled “Flight Out of Time” opens Thursday and runs through March 17 at the Kala Art Institute.  

1060 Heinze Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org. 

A THOUSAND DECISIONS IN THE DARK 

Film critic David Thomson continues his film and discussion series examining the state of cinema toward the end of the 1950s with a screening of Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo (1959) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Pacific Film Archive.$4-$8. 2575 Bancroft Way. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu.

In his interview with Robert Hass to an overflowing crowd at International House, the Columbian artist Fernando Botero mentioned that when reading Seymour Hersh’s article in The New Yorker about American soldiers using torture in the same prison at Abu Ghraib where Saddam Hussein used similar violent tactics, he was deeply shocked. 

This, he had not expected of the North Americans. Compelled to respond to this outrage with pencil and brush, he spent the next 14 months creating over a hundred drawings and paintings, based on the photographs which had been published showing the humiliation, abuse, depravity and torture. 

Botero, Latin America’s most celebrated artist, has been known for his whimsical, lighthearted pneumatic figures. Retaining aspects of his personal style, he now addressed issues of deep human concern. The victims in the paintings, currently on view at Doe Library are still volumetric and refer to the Renaissance tradition. 

Botero, growing up in rural Colombia, went first to Mexico and was indelibly impressed by the by the murals of Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros which used modern syntax for an art that would speak to the people. Botero went on to Paris, but was drawn to Florence. It was the Florentine Renaissance painters—Giotto, Massacio, Piero della Francesca, Michelangelo, who gave volume and flesh to the human body and who conveyed space in artistic terms. The large bodies in the Abu Ghraib series occupy this Renaissance space. The grid of the cell bars in many of the paintings give clear structure to the compositions. 

But we have to look for precedent of these powerful works beyond the formal aspects. They relate to all the paintings of tortured martyrs and, above all, to the pictures of the Crucifixion. In later art they reiterate the horrific paintings and etchings by Goya, especially the bleeding corpses and severed limbs in his “Disasters of War.” And, of course Picasso, whose painting of “Guernica” has eternalized and universalized the first bombing from the air of the small Basque town. “Art is permanent accusation,” Botero said.  

Close to our own time Leon Golub’s “Mercenaries” of the 1980s, relating America’s covert operations in Latin America come to mind. Whereas Golub focused on the perpetrators, Botero spares us the well known images of Pfc England leading naked prisoners on a dog’s leash. We must remember that, while these uneducated soldiers were court-martialled, the initiators of the torture program were never touched. Indeed, Alberto Gonzales, who probably was in charge of the program, was rewarded by the “Decider” who appointed him attorney general of the United States. The banality of evil is only too apparent. 

Botero shows us the degradation, the pain and suffering of the prisoners. They are blindfolded while pain is inflicted on their persons. Nakedness is great humiliation to Muslims. Here they are made to wear brassieres and pink panties. The torturers are indicated by green gloves and heavy boots or the stream of piss directed at the helpless bodies. Sado-massochistic acts as well as forced homosexual ones are displayed. And there are the grey-green hellhounds, staring at the victims, bearing their razor-sharp teeth as they brutally attack the defenseless naked victims. 

The exhibition at Doe Library on the Berkeley Campus was organized by the Center for Latin American Studies, which transformed a computer room into a fine exhibition space in record time. The exhibition was offered to the Berkeley Art Museum, which did not have the space, the time slot or the inclination to mount this exhibition, which is without doubt the most controversial and important show seen hereabouts in many years.

Robert Ernst, cofounder of ’70s-’80s Berkeley experimental performance cooperative The Blake Street Hawkeyes and writer, director, teacher, musician and actor, has a new play, Catherine’s Care, onstage for two more weeks in San Rafael. 

Ernst’s play—in which he performs as a musician in a three-man band backing the constant action onstage—is the story of an older country woman from the Border States and her confinement, against her will, in a care facility, spun out in her dreams, her squabbles with the head nurse, her private anguish and considerable humor. It’s told in the latest edition of Ernst’s celebrated performance style, as directed with choreographic precision and imagination by Jon Tracy and performed by a talented four-player ensemble. 

“It’s a little like combining film acting with stage,” said Ernst. “When the audience is this close, everybody can see the smallest expressions.” 

Ernst became a big part of the local cultural scene in the ‘70s, after he arrived with playwright John O’Keefe from Iowa, where both had been involved with the famed Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa, and where Ernst cofounded a performance group inspired by Polish Theatre Lab’s Jerzy Grotowski’s ideas. 

Ernst and O’Keefe worked with The Magic during its Berkeley days, and when founder John Lion parted company with the troupe, “he kept the warehouse that had been the scene shop for storage, and let us live and work there. Our wonderful, eccentric landlord never figured it out! [Clown] Dave Shine joined us from Iowa. [Mime and author] Leonard Pitt, another Grotowski connection, was just up the street. It was our whole world—I seldom had to travel much, just from cafe to cafe, and often just on Shattuck.” 

From 1975 until the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, Ernst was resident in Blake Street, mainly doing solo performances and teaching workshops. He kept the warehouse into the 1990s, “but the earthquake did us in; the advanced legacy of Reaganomics didn’t help either.” 

Then “love brought me to Marin,” where he now resides, “and I was driving all the time back to the East Bay, the city, down the Peninsula, wherever I was working,” wearing his different hats as playwright, teacher, and, increasingly, actor in demand with professional companies like ACT and touring shows. 

Jeanette Harrison of Alter (short for Alternative) Theater called him up two and a half years ago, but Ernst was committed to projects and couldn’t perform with the brand-new troupe. “I told Jeanette about the play, then a solo piece for an actress with band, and she shepherded it through a long—and continuing—development, including staged readings at a rocking chair store and Z Space in the city. And got us grants. It’s from the experience of having my own mother in a care facility. Catherine isn’t my mother, but a lot of the situations are the same.” 

Ernst teaches as guest artist at Marin’s Tamalpais High and in SF’s Mission High for the California Young Playwrights Project through the Magic. “It took me 20 years to realize the Bay Area isn’t a theater town, but a place where artists meet. I don’t know what it is, the mountain, the latitude ... Catherine’s Care’s a bit dark—the essence of life is a kind of tragedy—so the audience is unsure when to laugh. But the other night we had a bunch of college kids in to watch, and they had no problem knowing when to laugh.” 

CATHERINE’S CARE 

7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 18. $20 (pay what you will Thursday, Feb. 8). 1557 Fourth St., San Rafael (Central San Rafael exit).www.altertheater.org (415) 454-2787. Free parking.