TUESDAY, MAY 8 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Sibley Regional Preserve. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

Hunger Action Day Join people from across California in raising your voice against hunger at the State Capitol in Sacramento. The free bus will leave Oakland at 7:30 a.m. and we will return by 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided. If you have any questions or would like to register please call 635-3663 ext. 307.  

Solo Sierrans Hike Hike at Lake Chabot Reservoir Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the boat house. Optional dinner follows. For information call Delores 351-6247. 

Oakland/East Bay Chapter of the National Organization for Women meets at 6 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, corner of Adeline and Alcatraz. 287-8948. 

“Is Wal-Mart Good or Bad for America?” A debate with Ken Jacobs, Chair, UC Berkeley Labor Center and Richard Vedder, co-author “The Wal-Mart Revolution” at 6:30 p.m. at the Independent Institute Conference Center, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$30. For tickets call 632-1366. 

“Project Rewire: New Media from the Inside Out” a talk on the decline of the news media and the rise of the Internet by former journalist, author, and historian Judy Daubenmier, Ph.D., at 7 p.m. at Shambhala Book Store, 2177 Bancroft. Cost is $5-$15, no one turned away.  

“China's Brave New World--And Other Tales for Global Times” with Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Prof. of History, UC Irvine, at 4 p.m. at the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th Floor. 643-6321. 

El Cerrito NAACP Recognition of Armed Forces Month with Major General Paul Monroe (Ret) of the California National Guard at 6:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. 526-2958. 

Free Diabetes Screening from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours beforehand. 981-5332. 

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

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. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

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, MAY 9 

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“Knocking” A documentary on Jehovah’s Witnesses at 6:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion, at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Chosing a Preschool at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. To register call 658-7353. www.bananasinc.org 

New to DVD: “Little Children” at 7 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. Discussion follows. 848-0237. 

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. 

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 

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

THURSDAY, MAY 10 

Berkeley Adult School Career Fair from 9 a.m. to noon at 1702 San Pablo Ave. 644-8968. 

League of Women Voters Annual Meeting with Dave MacDonald, Alameda County Registrar of Voters speaking on “Alameda County: Voting Successes and Areas of Continuing Concern” at 5 p.m. at Northbrae Church, 914 The Alameda. Dinner is $15. RSVP to 843-8828. 

Great Escapes Benefit for the Berkeley Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center with live jazz, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and wine at 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Yacht Club, One Sewall Drive. Tickets are $25-$75. 415-317-5675. 

“Cowboy in Caracas” a book party with Charley Hardy on his work in the barrios of Venezuela at 7:30 p.m. at 1606 Bonita, next to BFUU Hall. Not wheelchair accessible. 

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

Poetry Workshop with Donna Davis, ongoing on Thurs. from 9 a.m. to noon at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. Donation $10 per semester. 848-0237. 

Baby and Toddler Storytime at 10:30 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

FRIDAY, MAY 11 

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 

Emerson School’s 100th Birthday Celebration with a tour at 4 p.m. at 2800 Forest Ave., and a reception and Commemorative Program at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $10. For information on how to send pictures and memories see www.emerson100.org 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Raj Patel “Rights of the Poor: Democracy in South Africa” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For reservations call 526-2925.  

“Creating a Caring Economy” A conversation with Raine Eisler at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Donation $10-$100. For tickets see www.brownpapertickets.com/event/13655 

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 

Planning Meetings for a Dedication to denise brown will be on going every Fri. at 2 p.m. at LeConte, Room 104. Photos, videos and dvd's are welcome to be included in the event. For more information, contact Rita Pettit, PRitaAnn@aol.com, 559-4602. 

SATURDAY, MAY 12 

Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Leave non-perishable food donations such as canned goods, rice, dried beans and pasta near your mailbox this morning for your letter carrier to collect. Benefits the Alameda County Community Food Bank. 653-3663. www.accfb.org 

5th Annual Bike Rodeo Practice your safe riding skills and learn some new tricks from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at San Pablo Park, 2800 Park St. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley Injury Prevention and Chronic Disease Prevention Programs. 981-5347.  

Annual Spring Plant Sale at The Edible Schoolyard Featuring 50 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, as well as vegetables, fruits, herbs, annual and perennial flowers grown by King students. Proceeds support school gardens throughout the East Bay. Sat and Sun from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1781 Rose St. at Grant. 558-1335. www.edibleschoolyard.org 

Bike Day at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market with information on everyday bicycling and how to repair your bike, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Center St., btwn Milvia and MLK Way. 548-7433. 

Rosa Parks Kid’s Carnival Spring Fundraiser with live music, dance performances, petting zoo, games & prizes, great food, silent auction and quilt raffle, from noon to 4 p.m. at 920 Allston Way at 8th St. Torrezfamily@hotmail.com 

Peralta In Bloom Spring Festival from noon to 4 p.m. with live entertainment, carnival games, old fashioned high steppin’ Cakewalk, free arts & crafts activities, a climbing wall, jumper, delicious barbeque, and much more. Due to the school fire this year the festival will be held at Peralta’s temporary home, 4521 Webster Oakland, 45th and Webster. 301-4565. 

Celebration of Children Community Book Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ephesians Children’s Center, 1907 Harmon Ave., corner of Alcatraz and Adeline St. 653-2984. 

California Wildflower Show with flowers, talks and information on how to use native species in home gardens, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Pepperweed Pull Join Friends of Five Creeks volunteers removing invasive perennial pepperweed, a threat to shorebird habitat, at the mouth of Strawberry Creek. Meet at 10 a.m. at the cove west of Sea Breeze Deli, University Ave. just west of the I-880/580 Freeway. 848-9358.  

Berkeley History Center Walking Tour “Gilman and Frontage Road Area” led by Allen Stross at 10 a.m. Cost is $8-$10. For information on meeting place and to register call 848-0181. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

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 $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Reptile Rap Meet our resident snake and turtle friends in an interactive talk for the whole family at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Celebrating Elephants Learn about the Oakland Zoo’s Elephant management program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., off Hwy 580. 632-9525. www.oaklandzoo.org 

No Animal Circus Circus fun with the Circus Finelli from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., off Hwy 580. 632-9525. www.oaklandzoo.org 

Great War Society meets to discuss “Trench Art” by Jane Kimball at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

Friends of the Kensington Library Booksale Sat. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Blvd., Kensington. 524-3043. 

“The Road to Black Freedom: Revolutionary Marxism vs Black Nationalism” a forum with updates on Mumia Abu-Jamal at 4:30 p.m. at Laney College, Room D200, Oakland. Suggested donation $2. 839-0851. 

Benefit for Deaf Palestine Solidarity Project, a new project linking American and Palestinian deaf communities, with peotry reding by Jean Stewart at 2 p.m. at Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2951 Derby St. Donation $5-$15. 243-9910. 

Hopalong Animal Rescue Come meet your furry new best cat friend from noon to 3 p.m. at 2940 College Ave. 267-1915, ext. 500.  

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.  

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction 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. 

Petite Pooches Playgroup for small dogs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., one block north of Solano on Ensenada at Talbot. 524-2459. 

SUNDAY, MAY 13 

California Wildflower Show with flowers, talks and information on how to use native species in home gardens, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Annual Spring Plant Sale at The Edible Schoolyard Featuring 50 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, as well as vegetables, fruits, herbs, annual and perennial flowers grown by King students. Proceeds support school gardens throughout the East Bay. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1781 Rose St. at Grant. 558-1335. www.edibleschoolyard.org 

Farm Stories and Songs for the whole family with farm activities, at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Grandmother Oak Mother’s Day Celebrate Mother’s Day by visiting a very old oak. Bring a snack and a poem to share. Meet at Bear Creek Staging Area, Briones Regional Park, at 1 p.m. for this 5-mile hike. 525-2233. 

Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast on the Red Oak Victory Ship in Richmond Harbor from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cost is $6, children under 5 free. 237-2933. 

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Kensington Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington, behind Ace Hardware.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Hugh Joswick on “Self-Change” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, MAY 14 

“Nanoscience at Work: Creating Energy from Sunlight” with Paul Alivisatos, Associate Laboratory Director at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater 2025 Addison St. 486-5183. 

“Fostering Creative Engagement in Youth” A lecture and workshop by Eric Booth for educators, teaching artists and community members from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School auditorium, 1500 Derby St. Tickets are $25. 642-6838. 

“When the Levees Broke” Parts 1 and 2 Spike Lee’s documentary about Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans at 6:45 p.m. at the Upstairs Lounge at Geoffrey's Inner Circle, 410 14th Street, off Broadway, Oakland. Parts 3 and 4 will be shown May 21. Suggested donation $10. 262-1001. info@wellstoneclub.org 

Read Aloud Theater A free Berkeley Adult School class at 9 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190.  

ONGOING 

Food Drive for Alameda County Food Bank Drop off canned goods, peanut butter, ceareal, powdered milk, beans, rice and pasta at Citibank, 200 Shattuck Ave. from May 1 to 15. Financial donations always welcome. 635-3663, ext. 318. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., May 8, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., May 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Library Board of Trustees Special Meeting on the Budget followed by the Board’s regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Wed. May 9, at the West Berkeley Senior Cetner. 981-6195. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., May 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., May 9, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., May 9, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., May 10, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., May 10, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., May 10,, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410.  

TUESDAY, MAY 8 

CHILDREN 

First Stage Children’s Theatre “Pet Care Capers” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5 at the door.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Al Young, California Poet Laureate with Reginald Lockett and Floyd Salas at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476. 

Vendela Vida reads from her new book “Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Liza Mundy describes “Everything Conceivable: How Assisted Reproduction is Changing Men, Women, and the World” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gator Beat, cajun zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054.  

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

Robin Huw Bowen at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Debbie Poryes & Friends at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave.. 548-5198.  

Joyce & Dori Caymmi at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jeffrey Feldman and George Lakoff discuss “Framing the Debate: Famous Presidential Speeches and How Progressives Can Use Them to Change the Conversation (and Win Elections)” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

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

Nomadic Rambles, Storytelling hosted by Ed Silberman at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “Romeo and Juliet” at 7:30 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2460 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$40. 925-798-1300. www.berkeleyopera.org 

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

Balkan Folkdance at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

UC Jazz Showcase: Joyce Kwan Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The Refugees: Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland, Jenny Yeates & Wendy Waldman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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

THURSDAY, MAY 10 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Stitching Connections” Quilts designed and made by refugee and immigrant women from Cambodia,Laos, Mexico and Guatemala. Reception at 2 p.m. at Prudential California Realty, 2095 Rose St. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Charley Hardy Book party for “Cowboy in Caracas” at 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room, 1606 Bonita just south of Cedar, next door to the BFUU Hall. Cost is $5-$10. Not wheelchair accessible.  

Daniel Handler and Christopher Moore discuss Moore’s novel “Adverbs” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Bonnie Tsui introduces “A Leaky Tent is a Piece of Paradise: 20 Young Writers on Finding a Place in the Natural World” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

“Aging Artfully” with author Amy Gorman and “Still Kicking” with Greg Young at 7 p.m. at A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 LaSalle, Montclair, Oakland. 339-8210. 

Maidu Dance Tradition with Frank La Pena at 7:30 p.m. at Heyday Books, 2054 University Ave., 6th floor. RSVP to Lillian Fleer at lillian@heydaybooks.com 549-3564, ext. 316. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tim Fuller on Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar at 12:15 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 5th Floor, 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 981-6100. www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

Zimrah Trio, North African and Near Eastern music at 6:30 p.m. at the Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. tickets are $6-$8. 549-6950.  

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

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

Wendy Dewitt Duo at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Make Me, Bill Swanson, The Fits at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Terror, Hoods, Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

The Amplifiers, Flexx Bronco, Neon Nights at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $7. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Selector: DJ Gnat & Big Will at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

FRIDAY, MAY 11 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Lysistrata” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through May 12. Tickets are $12. 525-1620. www.aeofberkeley.org  

Aurora Theatre “Private Jokes, Public Places” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through May 13. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. 

Berkeley High Theater “Hair” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Florence Schwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High Campus. Tickets are $7-$15.  

Berkeley Rep “Blue Door” at 8 p.m. at 2025 Addison St., through May 20. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2949.  

Contra Costa Civic Theater “A Streetcar Named Desire” at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. Runs through May 12. Tickets are $8-$11. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Impact Theatre “Measure for Measure” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through May 26.Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468. 

Just Theater, “I Have Loved Strangers” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., to May 26. Tickets are $12-$25. 421-1458.  

Masquers Playhouse “She Loves Me” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through May 12.Tickets are $18. 232-4031.  

Shotgun Players “The Cryptogram” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through June 17. Tickets are pay what you can. For reservations call 841-6500.  

Subterranean Shakespeare “Macbeth” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., near Rose in Live Oak Park, to May 26. Tickets are $12-$17. 276-3871. 

TheatreFIRST “Sergeant Musgrave’s Dance” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theatre, 481 Ninth St., Oakland. Tickets are $18-$25. 436-5085.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Touchable Stories: Richmond” A multi-media, oral history event created by the people of Richmond. Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 6 p.m. through May 13, at 1303 Canal Blvd., Richmond (the former Kaiser Shipyard Cafeteria). Cost is $6-$12. For reservations call 619-3675.  

“Origin: Poetics of Space” Intaglios by Seiko Tachibana. Reception at 6 p.m. at Cecile Moochnek Gallery, 1809-D Fourth St. 549-1018. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Last Word Poetry Series David Alpaugh and C.O McCauley read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. at Hearst. Open mic follows. 841-6374.  

Arthur Blaustein talks about ways to “Make A Difference: America’s Guide to Volunteering and Community Service” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Geoffrey G. O’Brien and Jasper Bernes, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

David Kerns talks about his novel “Standard of Care” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Zipper Festival, three days of jazz and other music, by more than 50 musicians in a fundraiser for The Jazz House, in conjunction with the Berkeley Arts Festival, at 6 p.m. at the Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. 415-846-9432. 

Berkeley Opera “Romeo and Juliet” at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2460 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$40. 925-798-1300.  

Oakland Public Conservatory of Music Student Performance at 7 p.m. at 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. 836-4649.  

Berkeley Symphony with Matt Haimovitz, cello, at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 841-2800. 

Jerry Juderna Piano “From Bach to Babbitt” at 1 p.m. at 2323 Shattuck Ave. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

We A Dem, Friends, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Bobby Ingrams Returns at 8 p.m. Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kendington. Tickets are $15, children $5. 526-9146. 

Chelle! at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

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

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

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

Sumner Brothers, Phil Saylor Wisor at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082.  

Whiskey Rebels, Far From Finished at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Sacred Music Concert with Snatam Kaur, Guru Ganesha, Ram Dass Khalsa at 8 p.m. at Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary, 830 Bancroft Way. Cost is $20-$25. 1-888-735-4800. 

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

Celius-One, Psycokinetics at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Zadell: Zoe & Dave Ellis at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Desa, Tera Melos, Nurses at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. 

Mirthkon, The Coma Lilies, Juan Prophet Organization at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $7. 451-8100.  

SATURDAY, MAY 12 

CHILDREN  

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

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wings of Spring” Paintings of American, European and African birds by Rita Sklar at Café 817, 817 Washington St., Oakland. Through July 12. www.ritasklar.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“ultra deepfield” Bay Area artists look at urban locations in transition. Gallery talk with the artists at 2 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Exhitition runs to May 12. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

Michael Chabon reads from “The Yiddish Policeman’s Union” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

“Aging Artfully” with author Amy Gorman and “Still Kicking” with Greg Young at 1:30 p.m. at The Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Donation $5-$10. 620-6772. 

Rhythm and Muse Open Mic with Julia Vinograd at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Zipper Festival, jazz and other music, in a fundraiser for The Jazz House, in conjunction with the Berkeley Arts Festival, from 2 to 11 p.m. at the Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. 415-846-943. 

American Bach Soloists with Michael Sponseller on harpsichord at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $10-$42. 415-621-7900.  

Schola Cantorum San Francisco “Come My Beloved” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $12-$20.  

Trinity Chamber Concerts, Kazuko Cleary, piano, perfroms Beethovan and Chopin at 8 p.m. at 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

Kairos Youth Choir Sat. and Sun. at 4 p.m. at Longfellow School Theater, 1500 Derby St. Cost is $8-$10. 704-4479. 

Los Mapaches at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$10. 849-2568. 

Bluebelles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

DjiIay Kunda Kouyate at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Bhi Bhiman and Ted Schram at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

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

Ed Johnson and Novo Tempo at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10-$12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Beep with Michael Coleman at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Vanessa Lowe & Kwame Copeland at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Plum Crazy Shelley Doty X-tet at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Raya Nova, hybrid rock, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Internal Afairs, Never Healed, Trash Talk at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, MAY 13 

CHILDREN 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Allison Smith “Notion Nanny” Artist talk on her exhibition exploring traditional art and craft-making, at 3:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

Total Chaos: Hip Hop Literati A discussion with Jeff Chang, Adam Mansbach and others at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Zipper Festival, jazz and other music, in a fundraiser for The Jazz House, in conjunction with the Berkeley Arts Festival, from 2 to 11 p.m. at the Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. 415-846-943. 

Berkeley Opera “Romeo and Juliet” at 2 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2460 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$40. 925-798-1300.  

Bella Musica Chorus “Her Infinite Variety” Four centuries of Shakespeare in song at 4 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 29005 Berryman at Milvia. Tickets are $12-$15. 525-5393. www.bellamusica.org 

Presidio Ensemble performs music of Biber, Ginastera, Foote, and Goodheart at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893.  

Community Women’s Orchestra “Concertstück pour Violoncelle” at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10, children free. www.communitywomensorchestra.org 

Kathy Kallick’s 18th Annual Mother’s Day Celebration at 1 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 548-1761.  

Tango No. 9 at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ.  

Gift Horse at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe. 595-5344.  

Americana Unplugged: Corbin Pagter & Friends at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Zaedno and Friends, Bulgarian, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5-$10. 525-5054.  

Mark Murphy “The Singer’s Singer” at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373.  

Clorox Girls, The Red Dons, Sex Tape Scandal at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, MAY 14 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Celebrating the Arts in Berkeley: The Anniversary of the Arts and Crafts Cooperative, Inc., and the Berkeley Art Center at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6150. 

African/African-American Collections with Phyllis Bischoff, retired librarian, who will discuss her 30+ years developing an extensive collection of Africana for UC Berkeley at the Friends of Richmond Library Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Bermuda Room, Richmond Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 235-9056. 

“Fostering Creative Engagement in Youth” A lecture and workshop by Eric Booth for educators, teaching artists and community members from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School auditorium, 1500 Derby St. Tickets are $25. 642-6838. 

Aurora Theatre Staged Readings “Subterranea” by Craig Lucas at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. 843-4822. 

Mary MacKey introduces her story set during the American Civil War “The Notorius Mrs. Winston” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Ron Loewinsohn reads at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Express with Garrett Murphy at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Blue Monday Jam at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Classical at the Freight at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761  

Mo’Fone, The Jolly Gibsons at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146.  

The opera opens with all the characters placing themselves, one by one, facing out toward the audience on an open stage set with stylized arches, stairs and doorways portraying Renaissance Verona. The music swells tempestuously as the cast recites the prologue of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: “Two households, both alike in dignity …” At verse’s end, the cast sweeps from the stage and the action starts. 

So begins Berkeley Opera’s English-version production of Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, another of the company’s inventive remodelings, which interweaves very different cultural sensibilities into a postmodern mix that’s both engaging and fun, if not always smoothly polished. 

The major challenge the opera’s creative team faced in recreating this grand opera was more complex than the usual one of blending diverse cultural perspectives: it’s one buried deep in the musicality of the language used by Shakespeare, as opposed to the music of the French opera derived from it some 250 years later.  

Shakespeare’s language, the sine qua non of English poetic language, depends on a quick continuous presentation of a long line that is densely packed with sounds and intellectual wordplay. (Lynn Collins’ interpretation of Portia’s courtroom speech in the film version of The Merchant of Venice is a startling and revelatory example of how to speak cogent Shakespeare.) Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s earlier plays, is especially full of puns and long drawn-out metaphors that reference the 16th century. And its musicality is self-contained.  

The music of the 18th century composer Gounod is French to its sixteenth notes: tender, at times ecstatic, given to a lushness filled with delicacy but backed with intellectual precision. It is a music meant as a setting for French lyrics, with their own emphases and an abundance of vowel sounds, linguistic characteristics that create a very different understanding of what defines poetry as well as what defines musical accenting and embellishment. 

As a partial solution to the impossible task of setting Shakespeare’s iambs to Gounod’s music, Jonathan Khuner, artistic director and conductor, decided to drop the opera’s lengthy recitatives. He comments on the validity of this decision: “[Gounod] would have preferred to compose Romeo and Juliet in the operá-comique style, with spoken sections leading to sung numbers in regular alternation… [In our production] material has been shuffled, reassigned and rearranged, but always with a view towards highlighting Gounod’s best Shakespearean responses and his often transcendent music.” 

A condensed version of Shakespeare’s text was used for the spoken text and a mélange of Shakespearean text and translations of the original Barbier and Carré libretto was concocted for the songs. Some of the translations were less than happy. Why Juliet’s “Je veux vivre” (“I want to live”) was translated as “I want to fall”—especially since it was sung while standing on a balcony—is a mystery. For the most part, though, the song libretti worked well—they were concise and sweetly formed. 

Reverting to Gounod’s original idea, while it allowed for Shakespeare’s text and greater accessibility, stirred up other problems. One was the discontinuity of the music. This production would be better served with more music, if only as background, even though that requires more intensive work in the musical reduction and despite the fact that each reworking runs the risk of moving farther away from Gounod’s original. Taking risks is one of the Berkeley Opera’s more endearing and admirable traits. 

The lovely soprano Elena Krell as Juliet was vocally well-matched to tenor Jimmy Kansau’s enthusiastic interpretation of the hormonally overwhelmed Romeo. Baritone Igor Vieira was a bawdy and humorous Mercutio, and the cast as a whole gave excellent portrayals. Maestro Khuner kept his 25-member onstage orchestra in admirable form, and the chorus work was delectable.  

A final tsk-tsk. Whoever designed the codpieces, which are distracting, needs to see the Vivienne Westwood exhibition at the de Young museum. Westwood, who with Malcolm McLaren fashioned the Punk movement, has always designed in-your-face sexually challenging but innately artistic outfits. Corsets, bum cages, see-through lace kilts. But no outsized codpieces. As she comments: the designs, which emphasize the body from foot to toe, finally focus on the face, which is ultimately the body’s most erotic part. Despite the bawdiness that decorates the Shakespeare’s text, eroticism is the true virtue of Romeo and Juliet’s love-soaked soul. All in all, though, this was an adventurous and thoroughly enjoyable performance for both theater and opera lovers. It’s one you should plan on seeing. 

ROMEO AND JULIET 

Presented by Berkeley Opera at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9; 8 p.m. Friday, May 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13 at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley. (925) 798-1300. www.berkeleyopera.org. 

The Jazz House, under the aegis of the Berkeley Arts Festival, will produce the Zipper Festival, its first festival of jazz this weekend, from Friday night, with acts 6-9 p.m., Saturday 2-8:30 p.m., and Sunday 2-8:30 p.m., featuring acclaimed local players like saxophonists Howard Wiley and Dayna Stephens, Sacramento guitarist Ross Hammond, drummer Weasel Walter, saxophonist John Gruntfest, and Damon Smith on bass, at the old Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. 

“I’ve always wanted to do a festival,” said Rob Woodworth, founder of the Jazz House. “Michael Marcus, the free jazz player, came by the Jazz House when it was on Adeline and said we should have our own, like the Vision Festival that bassist William Parker started in New York, that features free and nonmainstream jazz. We don’t have anything like that out here. And something that features not only music, but links up with dance, poetry and visual art.”  

The chance came with a phone call about a month ago from Bonnie Hughes of the Berkeley Arts Festival. “She searched me out and introduced herself, offering to collaborate,” Woodworth said. “She’s helped us put on shows before, to keep a presence in Berkeley after we lost our lease on Adeline.” 

Hughes had a date open in May, and showed Woodworth the Fidelity Building, now dubbed the Berkeley Arts Festival Hall. “She has a wonderful knack for finding places for shows,” he said. “There wasn’t much time, but I sent out emails to a bunch of musicians I like to work with, and the response was so great, I asked for another day ... then, ‘How about a third day?’” 

The result is this weekend’s Zipper Festival?  

“I wanted something that would stick—in the mind, that is,” Woodworth said, explaining the festival’s name. 

Friday will feature D’Armous Boone’s Special Edition, followed by Andrew Voight’s Sunday Night Band, then Bush of Ghosts, with Damon Smith, Phillip Greenlief and Spirit. Saturday sees Jim Ryan’s Forward Energy take off, with Bill Crossman’s B-Free, the Nathan Clevenger Trio, Patrick Cress’ Telepathy (with visual arts included), and the Howard Wiley Quartet following. Sunday starts with the Dayna Stephens Trio, going on to The Lost Trio (featuring Phillip Greenlief), Ross Hammond’s V-Neck with drummer Tom Monsoon, The Greatest Little Big Band in the History of the Megaverse—John Gruntfest’s group with two drummers—closing with Weasel Walter, Gruntfest and Damon Smith. 

The Jazz House has been producing Free Jazz Fridays at Eighth Street, a block from West Oakland BART.  

“It’s doing very well,” said Woodworth; “I’m still surprised by it. And now KCSM-fm has a free jazz show, with Greg Bridges, whose father was a free jazz player.” But Woodworth said he would like to reestablish “a regular place where people know where we are, with more shows and more variety. I’m still looking for the right place—and the money.” 

ZIPPER FESTIVAL 

Tickets: $10 Friday, $15 Saturday and Sunday. A three-day festival pass is $30 at www.brownpapertickets.com or (800) 838-3006. Further info at www.berkeleyartsfestival.org, www.thejazzhouse.com or (415) 846-9432.

“You brought in a different war.” 

“I brought it in to end it!” 

“You can’t cure the pox by further whoring!”  

Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance, John Arden’s 1959 antiwar classic, abounds in piquant exchanges like this one that emphasize the complicity of all in war, when even those on the homefront are accessories.  

The mordant tale of a squad of soldiers on a recruiting mission, but one to demonstrate war’s horrors to a strike-torn town, fleshed out with song and dance by a cast of 13, has its long-overdue West Coast premiere, appropriately by TheatreFIRST in the Old Oakland Theatre. 

Arden’s play surfaced at a prime moment in postwar British drama. The well-wrought, three-act drama had just been challenged by the “Angry Young Men,” with their blue-collar “kitchen sink” realism (John Osbourne’s Look Back in Anger had actually been decried by some for having an ironing board as focus of the set).  

The first of their plays were really just a different form of the traditional chamber play, with characters speaking to each other separated by “the fourth wall” from the audience. But Continental influences—Absurdism’s postsurrealist and Brecht’s political theaters, along with a little Strindbergianism—and an upsurge of native popular forms, like Music Hall (Osbourne’s The Entertainer featured Laurence Olivier as a run-down vaudeville comedian caught up in the news of the Suez Crisis), quickly paved the way for more openly theatrical pieces, taken directly to the spectator. 

Arden’s masterpiece has been talked about—and taught—here for over 40 years, though apparently never performed. In the ’60s, pieces like Brendan Behan’s plays and Oh! What a Lovely War (staged by Robert Adler at the Festival Theatre), which were originated by Arden’s co-pioneer in British Brechtian dramaturgy, Joan Littlewood, found their way to Bay Area venues. 

But it’s taken TheatreFIRST to stage this complex work, with its demanding vocal scape of British dialect, bringing in every register, as Sean O’Casey’s The Plough & The Stars did for Ireland. 

It’s an ensemble piece, by turns rough and strangely charming, with surprisingly disarming wit. Serjeant Musgrave, a military lifer on a mission as “a religious man,” brings his little army into a mining town, far from the foreign war in which they’ve been embroiled. 

In encounters with the upper class who control the burgh, known only by their titles: Mayor, Reverend (and Magistrate) and Chief of Police, and the ordinary folk (much takes place in a pub run by women)—as well as the striking miners, suspicious the soldiers have come out of the blue to bust their strike—Musgrave and his men argue, drink and sing with the locals, taking night visits from barmaids as well as vandals, before rivetting a crowd of citizens and gentry alike, and the crowd in their theater seats, with a patriotic display turned upside down, like a distress flag, in a raw attempt to “work out the logic” of violence and its pandemic guilt. 

It’s an ensemble play, and the cast, with Clive Chafer’s steady direction, engages each other and the audience with some fine performances (a few being the finest of the respective actors), including an excellent portrayal of haunted Annie, the barmaid impregnated and left by a soldier on his way to the wars (Emily Jordan). 

But the lead role—and performance--must be singled out. Chris Ayles, who has played many parts in the Bay Area, more than a few like his excellent salt-of-the earth Petey in Aurora’s production of Pinter’s The Birthday Party (a show contemporary with Serjeant Musgrave), here plays another diffident Everyman of sorts, but one driven by a strange inspiration, and a leader of disaffected men. 

It’s a tough part, in every sense of the word, and Ayles scores magnificently, truly leading the cast—and subject to it, as when Annie tries to take the mickey out of him with a bawdy song, and to sudden laughter from the audience the Serjeant deadpans a straight line: “What you’re saying, lassie, has some sort of truth.”  

“So ye are the gay recruiters!” Yet that “good strong girlie with a heart like a horse collar” remarks about the “bleedin’ lobsters” how soldiers remain soldiers ... or “What good’s a bloody soldier but to be dropped in a slit in the ground like a letter into a box?” 

The logic of war and a violent peace plays out in that “loamy language” that Clive Chafer singles out, descendent of the gushing lines of Elizabethan theater, of Thomas Hardy and his modernist heirs David Jones and Basil Bunting, who made sonatas and symphonies of the word music Hardy rhapsodized. And TheatreFIRST has just begun its journey into that hinterland Arden charted. A brave, bold show by Oakland’s sole resident company, stalwarts of our East Bay scene. 

SERJEANT MUSGRAVE’S DANCE 

Presented by TheatreFIRST at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays through May 27. Old Oakland Theatre, 481 Ninth St., Oakland. $18-$25. 436-5085. 

www.theatrefirst.com.