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. 

Orchid Society of California Mother’s Day Sale and Show Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 238-3208. www.orchidsocietyofcalifornia.com 

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.  

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.  

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.  

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 poetry 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.  

Mother’s Day at the Oak Grove with an interfaith blessing from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Memorial Oak Grove in front of Memorail Stadium off Piedmont Ave. www.saveoaks.com 

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 

“The Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer” with Eleanor Briccetti at 12:30 p.m. at the Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Brown bag lunch. 526-3720, xt. 17. 

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

TUESDAY, MAY 15 

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 Pointe Pinole. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

Vigil Supporting the People of Iraq from noon to 1 p.m. at the Oakland Federal Building 1301 Clay St. We create a Living Graveyard, in which people lie on the city sidewalk, five feet apart, covered with white sheets, to represent the hundreds of thousands of deaths in Iraq caused by the war of occupation. Please bring your own sheet. www.epicalc.org  

Improving Berkeley’s Public Pools and Swim Programs A community forum at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst at MLK. 649-9874. Poolsforberkeley.org 

“Climbing Mt. Shasta: Tips for First-time Climbers” with Eric White, climbing ranger with the US Forest Service at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Discussion Salon on “Will Robots Become More Intelligent Than Humans and Take Over the World?” at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut. 848-2995. 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

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

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. 

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.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, MAY 16 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland uptown to the Lake to discover Art Deco landmarks. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theater at 2025 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Hiking, conservation and nature-based activities for ages 8-12. Dress to ramble and get dirty. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

Chris Finan describes “From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books, Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 528-3254. 

Albany Library Evening Book Club meets to discuss “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler at 7 p.m. at The Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 16. 

Lead-Safety for Remodeling, Repair and Painting of older homes. A HUD & EPA approved class held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. 567-8280. www.ACLPPP.org  

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

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets 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 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley BART station. 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 17 

Bike to Work Day with energizer stations located throughout Berkeley with refreshments and information. www.EBBC.org, www.511.org 

Golden Gate Audubon Society “Coming and Going: Bay Bird Populations” with Harry Fuller at 7 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 843-2222. 

Young People United, Resisting War, Resisting Violence An evening with Camilo Mejía, Iraq War veteran and conscientious objector, spoken word, video and more at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 411 28th St., Oakland. Suggested donation $5-$20. 914-4678. 

Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative Potluck at 6:30 p.m. at LeConte Elementary School Garden, 2241 Russell St. Please bring something to share. 883-9096.  

“Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible” a documentary by Dr. Shakti Butler, at 6:30 p.m. followed by discussion at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 116 Montecito Ave., Oakland. 285-9600. 

Compassionate Communication Lori Hope discusses her new book “Help Me Live: 20 Things People With Cancer Want You To Know” at 6:15 p.m. at Markstein Cancer Education Center, 450 30th St., Suite 2810, Oakland. 869-8833, option 2. 

Simplicity Forum “Tiny Homes, Handmade Homes” at 6:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. 

“Curitiba” A film on urban solutions from Curitiba, Brazil at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Suggested donation $5. 663-2594. 

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. 

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. 

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

“Dogen and the Lotus Sutra: The Mahayana Worldview of Zen” with Dr. Taigen Dan Leighton at 8:30 p.m. at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. RSVP requested 809-1444. 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

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 

Youth Commission meets Mon., May 14, at 6:30 p.m., at City Council Chambers, Old City Hall. 981-6670.  

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., May 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6601. 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., May 16, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5344.  

Commission on Labor meets Wed., May 16, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7550.  

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed., May 16, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed., May 16, at 7 p.m. at the South Branch Library. 981-6195.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., May 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

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 20. 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 “Serjeant 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 Kuderna 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 

“Out of the Box” Works by Gera Hasse, Jaja Jackson, and Jim Woessner. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Fourth Street Studi, 1717D 4th St. www.fourthstreetstudio.com 

“Excavations” Opening exhibition for a new gallery, Johansson Projects, at 6 p.m. at Telegraph and 23rd, Oakland. http://johanssonprojects.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. 

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. 

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

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ensemble Ciaccona, viola da gamba and harpsichord music at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

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.  

TUESDAY, MAY 15 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Opal Palmer Adisa and Karla Brundage at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476.  

Kaya Oakes and Jeff T. Johnson, poets, read at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Rafaela Castro reads from “Provocaciones: Letters from the Prettiest Girl in Arvin” at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7512. 

Cheri Huber reads from “Making a Change for Good” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Barbara Kingsolver reads from her first non-fiction narrative “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $15-$20. For reservations call 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

OOGOG plays at the Berkeley Arts Festival at 8 p.m. at the Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $5-$10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Tri Tip Trio, cajun, zydeco, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

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

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

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Chris Finan describes “From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books, Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 528-3254. 

Lama Surya Das describes “Buddha Is As Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Spoken Word: Park Day School Student Writers at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

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

Cheri Huber reads from her new books on Zen and dialy life at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

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 

Whiskey Brothers at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473.  

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

HeadRush’s, The Thow Down, and Shanique Scott’s Prisons, hip hop, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$15. 849-2568.  

Groundation, reggae, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. 

Orquestra America at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Matt Morrish & Trinket Lover at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Chris Webster at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

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

THURSDAY, MAY 17 

THEATER 

Eastenders Repertory Company “Fear and Misery of the Third Reich” by Bertolt Brecht at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets are $20. 

FILM 

“Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible” by Dr. Shakti Butler, at 6:30 p.m. followed by discussion at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 116 Montecito Ave., Oakland. 285-9600. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Julie Carr and Jessica Fisher at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476. www.poetryflash.org 

Ann Jauregui describes “Epiphanies: Where Science and Miracles Meet” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Tina Barseghian introduces “Get a Hobby! 101 All-Consuming Diversions for Any Lifestyle” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “Porgy and Bess” Preview performance at 7 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $25. 625-8497. 

Aphrodesia, Antioquia at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Elaine Lucia & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $17. 841-JAZZ.  

Travis Jones and Chojo Jacques at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Sorrowtown Choir, Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $TBA. 841-2082  

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

Bunson, Panic Button, Go Kart Mozart at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.

OOGOG AT THE  

BERKELEY ARTS FESTIVAL  

OOGOG, a “rock chamber group” comprised of clarinet/alto sax (Jon Russell), electric guitar (Ryan Brown), electric bass (Damon Waitkus) and piano (Kate Campbell for this performance), will play at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15. The music is rhythmically complex though groovy, contrasted with moments of free, wild improvisation. The musicians come from various backgrounds, bringing influences of rock, jazz, free improv, electronic and world music. The program is comprised of music written by the group, with one exception: three movements from Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring arranged by Ryan Brown. $10 general, $5 students and seniors. Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. For details, see www.oogog.com or  

www.berkeleyartsfestival.com. 

BELLA MUSICA 

The Berkeley-based chorus Bella Musica presents a Mother’s Day concert, “Her Infinite Variety: Four Centuries of Shakespeare in Song,” featuring a mostly a cappella program of songs by Morley, Verdi, Vaughn Williams, Shearing, P.D.Q. Bach and others, at 4 p.m. Sunday, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman St. Admission is by donation. Recommended donation: $15 general, $12 for students and seniors. For more information, call 525-5393 or see www.bellamusica.org. 

MICHAEL CHABON 

AT CODY’S BOOKS 

Pulitzer Prize-winning Berkeley writer 

Michael Chabon will read from his new novel The Yiddish Policeman’s Union at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cody’s Books, 1730 Fourth St.

You may not be a fan of the rap industry, but if you’re looking for a movie with more heart and soul than a dozen Dream Girls, check out The Hip Hop Project, which opens today (Friday). And there’s something else that sets this film apart: all the profits from ticket sales are being donated to youth art programs. 

You might expect something out of the ordinary when Bruce Willis and Queen Latifa team up to produce a film, and HHP delivers. This is a transcendently honest and emotional film that will rip you apart and hug you back together. Over the four years it took to film HHP, you can see a rag-tag group of New York kids age from troubled but driven 14-year-olds to amazing, accomplished young adults. 

The film soars on the personalities of a number of young rappers, including “Cannon,” “Princess,” and the former street orphan who inspires them to produce one of the best rap CDs of the year. Chris “Kazi” Rolle, survived on some of Manhattan’s meanest street and found his life transformed when he became a surrogate father to a family of talented but conflicted teens who were brought together by two common forces: pain and art. 

For people who “don’t like rap,” don’t fret. This isn’t gang-banging rap. The HHP was designed to be an antidote to misogynistic, chest-thumping gangsta rap. This is Rap 2.0. Instead of rapping about being supernatural toughs, Kazi’s kids are telling their own personal stories of struggle, abandonment and achievement. 

As one tough-looking kid raps his story, his lip begins to tremble and tears stream from his eyes. This is not your Snoop Dogg’s rap. 

According to HPP’s director Matt Ruskin, this movie was intended as “a call to end the destructive forces of violence, misogyny and criminality that dominate the music our children are listening to.” Although this New Rap has been stripped of references to bitches and hos, the film was originally rated R because of 17 “fucks” that are uttered during the movie. In a rare ruling, the MPAA Ratings Review Board reconsidered and granted HHP a PG-13 rating, citing the film’s positive images and concluding that the message was “too important to turn kids away.” 

In the course of the film, HHP shows how a scruffy would-be rap artist evolves into what one might be tempted to call sainthood. Kazi is one in a million, a kid who listens, feels and heals — a Soul Buddha from the Hood. At one point in the film, Kazi is even shown introducing his young peers to meditation. 

There’s a remarkable scene where Kazi confronts the mother who abandoned him. The encounter left the audience groaning in anguish and then, amazed by a long moment of wrenching honesty unmatched in cinema and rarely encountered in real life. During a live performance following a preview screening of the film in Oakland’s UA Emery Bay Stadium, Kazi had the crowd pumping fists and swaying to one of his songs.  

Halfway through his passionate mike-waving rap, Kazi inserted the lines of the Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” 

This film has won 12 film awards, but because it’s plowing its profits back into impoverished communities, it doesn’t have a budget for expanded distribution. 

The distribution process is so grassroots that the film’s director, producer, and star are all traveling across the country to help promote these critical screenings. 

Gar Smith is a Berkeley writer and editor emeritus of Earth Island Journal. 

“He can sing you jazz, the songs,” said Richard Silberg of Poetry Flash, introducing Al Young, California’s Poet Laureate, a Berkeley resident, as one of three readers, with Floyd Salas, also of Berkeley, and Reginald Lockett of Oakland, Tuesday night, in a round robin: “They’ll riff back and forth ... in sweet conclave!” 

With Silberg as genial MC, it had the feel of Poetry Flash’s long-running weekly reading series at the old Cody’s on Telegraph. But since last October, they’ve been transplanted downtown to the Berkeley City College auditorium, 2050 Center St., mostly on Thursday evenings, after a few were held in conjunction with Moe’s Books’ ongoing series, and at Black Oak Books before that series was dropped. The readings at City College are all free of charge. 

Young opened the set with, “Like Butter,” talking about “the way heat dictates” things like love. Most of the riffing, one poem suggesting another to the next reader, went on between Young and Lockett. Salas, best-known as a novelist (Tattoo and The Wicked Cross), read exclusively from his new book of poems and drawings, Love Bites—close, emotional studies about the dogs and cats he’s known since his childhood in Oakland. 

It wasn’t just exchanges of poems, but the good-natured banter that made it a reading apart from the typical parade of poets holding forth, one by one, at the podium. 

“I like doing it round robin when I can,” said Young. “It keeps you on your toes.” And Lockett expanded on the “riff” motif: “The three of us make a chord.”  

After the humorous, pugnacious Salas read a poem about the fears of his boyhood, “to face the stranger now at last,” and the feel of “the snapping tail of a fighting dog” quelling them “until the night prowler fades and evaporates in the dawn light,” Lockett took the mic and, referring to “Floyd the boxer,” and said, “I bet people wouldn’t know where I got my love of boxing ... my grandmother!” 

He then recited a piece about his grandmother reading her Bible and writing “Christian musings” while “waiting to watch Floyd Patterson throw jabs, uppercuts,” in a rural South populated by “fireflies, possums, hoot owls ... and Floyd Patterson on Saturday nights.” 

Maybe Lockett, referring to his relations walking “three country miles to listen to [Joe] Louis knock [European champ Max] Schmelling out” on the only radio around, in a country store, prompted Young to read a poem about another German, the internal combustion engine inventor Rudolf Diesel, who wanted “what we’d now call biofuels” rather than oil to power his invention. 

Young contrasted him to Hitler, who he referred to wryly as everybody’s “favorite” German: “The History Channel could not survive without Hitler—all that footage digitalized ...” Salas, in turn, remarking how “We’re all different,” referring to Lockett as writing about “the ambiance ... of who he is,” and calling Young “Mr. Suede—he’s so smooth!” recited how he once saw a sign, “German Shepherds For Sale,” leading him to his longtime canine companion, Sergie, “the most intelligent person I’ve ever known.” 

The community feel in the room was strong. All three poets are longtime local educators, and had contributions, alongside some of their students’, in the anthology from the Oakland PEN reading series, Oakland Out Loud (Jukebox Press), as well as their individual books, offered up for sale. Two of the anthology’s poet-editors, Claire Ortalda and Kim McMillon, were among the listeners. 

Joyce Jenkins of Poetry Flash stressed the years since 1982, when the Flash formally took over the Cody’s series (which went back to the ‘60s), that saw national figures brought week after week to Berkeley. Supported by the UC Chancellor’s Initiative, it’s the first time City College has done this sort of program. 

There’ll be a benefit reading for The Flash with Michael Ondaatje (author of The English Patient) June 14 at Cody’s Fourth Street. 

Lockett read of coming to California and being put into a Special Ed class until the school nurse discovered “I needed glasses,/A pair of glasses.” Young then mentioned a beautiful girl he once befriended who was in Special Ed, his friends remarking, “I’m gonna get me somebody from the dumb class!” 

There were poems and commentary on James Brown’s death: “We danced and sweated to your songs at blue light garage parties,” in Lockett’s words—and how Gerald Ford’s death took Brown’s out of the news, recalling Rupert Murdoch’s reputed command after Ray Charles’ death was superceded by another ex-President’s: “Get Ray Charles off and put Reagan on!” One line summed it all up: “Winners will take all.” 

Lockett spoke of fried bologna sandwiches: “If you’re from the South, that’s a delicacy!” and of the hand-me-down educational materials from white schools in his classroom, surrounded by pictures of appliances his teachers “tore from Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards catalogues” to decorate.  

Young read about a photo, “a silver gelatin print,” of a married couple embracing during the Korean War period, imagining their lives, their reaction to events, “the relation between photography and the subject. We don’t usually think about that, enter into whatever dialogue’s taking place. Art is never objective.” 

“Nothing in black and white to decipher, no diction/To master, just the tenderest picture—pure fiction.” Young later said, “I tell my students it’s all fiction, choosing what to write about. Some of them say, ‘But that really happened!’ And I tell them it’s fiction, and that’ll liberate them.” 

When Salas mentioned meeting Barney Rossett, Silberg blurted out, “Barney Rossett the prize fighter?” No, no, Lockett and Young responded for Salas, saying he is the late publisher of Grove Press, which featured Salas’ books. 

“Finish it up, Al!” Young closed with “Passport Blues”: “At dawn you wake up, knowing you will not make that flight ... Before Columbus cut his deal/ With the crown of Castile, /Who was lost?” 

Al Young and Richard Silberg will read May 19 at the Jazz School, with music.