TUESDAY, JUNE 5 

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 the Wildcat Regional Trail. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

“Empty Bowls” fundraising event in conjunction with National Hunger Awareness Day at 5:30 p.m. at Alameda County Community Food Bank, 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland. Tickets are $20, or $40 for a family. 635-3663, ext. 328. www.accfb.org 

Free Diabetes Screening Come find out if you might have diabetes with our free screening test and make sure not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours beforehand, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Downtown Oakland Senior Center, 200 Grand Ave. 981-5332. 

Eco-Oakland Volunteer Opportunity Help elementary school students with mapping and habitat restoration at Lion Creek, near Merritt College. For information call 635-5533.  

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. 

“The Citizen Powered Energy Handbook” with author Greg Pahl on renewable energy technologies ways that individuals and communities can work toward sustainable energy, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220 . 

Climate Action Networking Lunch with strategies for reducing our community-wide GHG emissions at noon at Spud's Pizza, 3290 Adeline near Alcatraz. Hosted by the City of Berkeley. 981-7081. 

Digital Earth Symposium: Humanitarian and Climate Change Presentations A 5 day conference on using satellite and aerial images of the earth at UC Berkeley. For information see www.isde5.org 

Berkeley Rep Book Club meets to discuss “The Real Oliver Twist” by Jonathan Waller at 6 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. RSVP to 647-2916. 

Berkeley School Volunteers training for summer volunteer opportunities in preschool, elementary, and middle schools from noon to 1 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

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. 

Family Storytime for preschoolers and up 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.  

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, JUNE 6 

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 

Workshop for Low Income Berkeley Homeowners on how to get help for maintenance of your home, at 10:30 a.m. at West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5180. 

“Sustainable Futures” a documentary about seven communities where sustainability is a high priority at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., between Telegraph and Broadway, Oakland. Donation $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

New to DVD Screening and Discussion at 7 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. Discussion follows. 848-0237. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. 594-5165. 

Backpacking 101, a talk on the fundamentals needed for a weekend trip, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

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, JUNE 7 

“Last Journey for the Leatherback Sea Turtle” A video and talk with Karen Steele, the coordinator of the Sea Turtle Restoration Network, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way. 548-2220, ext. 233. erc@ecologycenter.org 

“Israel & Palestine - What Peace Could Look Like” with Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom and Husam El Nounou at 7 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave, corner of Grand Ave. and Fairview, Piedmont. Donation suggested $10-$25. 547-2424. 

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

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.  

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

FRIDAY, JUNE 8 

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 Philip P. Frickey on “U.S. Law of Federal-Indian Tribal Relations” 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.  

“Born into Brothels” Academy Award winning documentary at 7:30 p.m. at The Center of Light, 2944 76th St., Oakland. 635-4286. 

Free Diabetes Screening Come find out if you might have diabetes with our free screening test and make sure not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours beforehand, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Latine Center, 3919 Roosevelt Ave., Richmond. 981-5332. 

Womansong Circle Participatory singing for women with Betsy Rose and Kelly Takunda Orphan at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donation $15-$20. 525-7082.  

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, JUNE 9 

Live Oak Park Fair, juried festival of arts and crafts, Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1301 Shattuck Ave. 898-3282.  

Temescal Street Fair with music, art making, craft and community booths and food from noon to 6 p.m. along Telegraph Ave. between 48th and 51st. 654-6346, ext. 2. www.temescalmerchants.com 

Berkeley History Center Walking Tour “Buddhist Churches: Jodo Shinshu Center” led by Sady Hayashida, architect and Glenn Kameda, at 10 a.m. Cost is $8-$10. For information on meeting place and to register call 848-0181. 

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 

“Point Pinole: A Place Apart” An exhibition on the explosive and peaceful past of the Point Pinole Shoreline. Opening reception at 1 p.m. at Contra Costa County Historical Society, 610 Main St., Martinez. Exhibit runs to Aug. 23. 925-229-1042. 

Trails Challenge in the Eastshore State Park from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen and sturdy walking shoes for the eight-mile excursion. For information and meeting place call 525-2233. 

Shotgun Player’s Silent Auction Fundraiser at 6 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 841-6500, ext. 301. 

Berkeley Garden Club Spring Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 547 Grizzly Peak Blvd., at Euclid. Many native plants, succulents and perennials available. 845-4482. 

NAACP Meeting to discuss the 98th National Convention in Detroit, MI, and some local events at 1 p.m. at 2108 Russell St. All are welcome. 845-7416.  

Learn to Row Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero, Oakland. Participants must know how to swim. Call for more information. 208-6067. 

Great War Society meets to discuss “Sinking of the Lusitania” by S. Compagno at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

California Writers Club celebrates the fifth-grade winners of the story contest at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square. 272-0120. 

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. www.hopalong.org  

Exotic Birds 101 An introduction at 2 p.m. at RabbitEARS, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

Training for Small Business Owners and people interested in starting their own business at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd floor community room, 2090 Kittredge St. Sposored by The Small Business Administration and the Berkeley Public Library. 981-6148. 

“Drought Tolerant Mediterranean Plants” with Gail Yelland, landscape designer, at 10 a.m. at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

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. 

Hall of Health Medical Mystery Festival for children ages 4 to 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hall of Health, lower level, 2230 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5. 705-8527.  

An Evening of Chanting with religious leaders from different Asian styles/traditions at 7 p.m. at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. at Fulton St. Donation $10. 809-1460. 

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

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

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

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 10 

Live Oak Park Fair, juried festival of arts and crafts, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1301 Shattuck Ave. 898-3282. www.liveoakparkfair.com 

Wild About Watersheds A 2 mile roundtrip hike in Wildcate Creek Regional Trail in Richmond. Meet at 10 a.m. For information and meeting place call 525-2233.  

Creek Care A resource conservation project from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail in Richmond. Wear layered clothing that can get wet and dirty. For information and for meeting place call 525-2233. 

Green Sunday: The Successful Picket at the Port of Oakland What it means for the longer term struggle against the war and for funding our needs at home at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., at 65th in North Oakland. 

Liquid Gold Fertilizers Learn how to turn weeds, kitchen scraps and natural byproducts into plant fertilizers. A workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at EcoHouse, 1305 Hopkins St., near North Berkeley BART. Bring 2 liter plastic bottles, old hoses/ bicycle tubes, cardboard or newspaper, large containers or 5 gallon buckets w/ lids. Cost is $15, no one turned away. 548-2220 ext. 242. ecohouse@ecologycenter.org  

Social Action Forum with Antonio Medrano on Amnesty International at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “The Art of Happiness” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, JUNE 11 

“Voices of Iraqi Workers U.S. Solidarity Tour” with Iraqi labor leaders at 7 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School, 1781 Rose St. 527-1222. 

Berkeley School Volunteers training for summer volunteer opportunities in preschool, elementary, and middle schools, from 4 to 5 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Drop in Knitting Class at the Albany Library Work on your own project or make pet blankets and children’s hats to be donated to charity organizations. At 3:30 p.m. at 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., June 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190.  

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. June 6, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

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

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs. June 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7419.  

Community Environmental Advisory Commission Workshop The Co-Benefits of Climate Protection Thurs., June 7, at 7 p.m. at 2118 Milvia Street, 1st Floor Conference Room. 981-7461.

As part of an ongoing effort to print stories by East Bay residents, the Daily Planet invites readers to write about their experiences and perspectives on living healthy. Please e-mail your essays, no more than 800 words in length, to firstperson@berkeleydailyplanet.com. We will publish the best essays in upcoming issues.

TUESDAY, JUNE 5 

THEATER 

Shotgun Players presents Week 30 in “365 Plays/365 Days” Tues. and Wed. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $5. 841-6500. 

FILM 

“Unreleased Beatles” film clips and music shown by rock music historian Richie Unterberger at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Ilona Meagher, editor of the online journal “PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Austin Grossman introduces “Soon I Will Be Invincible” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Book. 559-9500. 

Gordy Slack reads from “The Battle Over the Meaning of Everything” at 7:30 p.m. at Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 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.  

Middian, Minsk at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100.  

Bill Charlap at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “Great Men of Genius” with Mike Daisy in four different monologues at 2025 Addison St. through June 30. Tickets are $30-$75. 647-2949. 

“Colorstruck” Donald Lacey’s one-man show at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, through June 15. Tickets are $10-$20. 663-5683. www.colorstruck.net 

FILM 

“From Saturday to Sunday” on Jazz Age Prague at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free screening. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sally Denton describes “Passion and Principle: John and Jessie Fremont, the Couple Whose Power, Politics and Love Shaped Nineteenth-Century America” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

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 

Johnny Smith Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ.  

Sauce Piquante at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Sweet Crude Bill and the Lighthouse Nautical Society at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

In Harmony’s Way, a capella, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

Two Sheds, Dame Satan at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Anat Cohen at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200.  

Disappear Incompletely at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Unknown Knowledge” Paintings and collages by Nicollette Smith. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Lisa Gluskin, Alison Powell and Barbara Yien at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476.  

Joseph Lease, poet, followed by an open mic, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Larry Doyle reads from “I Love You, Beth Cooper” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

New Century Chamber Orchestra with guest concertmaster Cho-Liang Lin at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $28-$42. 415-357-1111. www.ncco.org 

Berkeley Edge Fest “The Tyrant” composed by Paul Dresher, John Duykers, tenor, at 8 p.m. at the Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $36. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2006/edgefest/ 

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

“Two Cities, One Song” Rhonda Benin & Youth Choirs at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

GoGo Fightmaster, Dear Liza, Jon Raskin at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Anat Cohen at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200.  

Blurred Vision, The Cons, Hazerfan, rock, at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 8 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “The Last Five Years” Fri and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through June 10. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Berkeley Rep “Oliver Twist” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. through June 24. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org  

Berkeley Rep “Great Men of Genius” with Mike Daisy in four different monologues at 2025 Addison St. through June 30. Tickets are $30-$75. 647-2949. 

California Shakespeare Theater “Richard III” at the Bruns Ampitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda, through June 24. Tickets are $15-$60. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

“Colorstruck” Donald Lacey’s one-man show at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, through June 15. Tickets are $10-$20. 663-5683.  

Masquers Playhouse “Ring Round the Moon” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through July 14. Tickets are $15. 232-4031.  

Shotgun Players “The Cryptogram” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through June 17. Tickets are $17-$25. For reservations call 841-6500.  

Travelling Jewish Theater “Death of a Salesman” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., through June 10. Tickets are $15-$44. 1-800-838-3006. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Lush Life” A group show by 15 artists whose work celebrates the garden. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. Exhibit runs through July 8. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jason Roberts reads from “A Sense of the World” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Cameron Stracher describes “Dinner with Dad: How I Found My Way Back to the Family Table” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

Rafaella Del Bourgo, Rose Black, Gayle Eleanor read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. at Hearst. 841-6374. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble, Lab Bands and Combos at 7 p.m. at the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High Campus. Tickets are $3-$10. 

Berkeley Edge Fest “The Music of Frederic Rzewski” with Frederic Rzewski and Ursula Oppens, piano, at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2006/edgefest/ 

Clerestory “In the Midst of Life” Men’s octect performs music by Purcell, Elgar and Tavener at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Bancroft Way at Ellsworth. Tickets are $8-$10. www.clerestory.org 

Susie Davis, TapWater at 5:30 p.m. at Park Place at Washington Ave., Point Richmond. Free. www.pointrichmond.com/prmusic/ 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies at 8 p.m. Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $15, children $5. 526-9146. 

Hanif & The Sound Voyagers at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Donny Dread, Ancient King, Xcaliba and Nubian Natty, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Darol Anger & the Republic of Strings at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

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

The Bleu Canadians, The Phenomes, Bob Wiseman at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Ninja Academy, Walken at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

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

5 Days Dirty, Round Three Fight, Traces of Reason at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146.  

Nora Whittaker Band & Macabea at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

San Pablo Project at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Chrome with Helios Creed, Triclops, progressive rock, at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10-$12. 451-8100.  

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña ¡Vamos A Cantar! with Jose Luis Orozco at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568.  

Flute Sweets and Tickletoons “Little Kids Little Songs” at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

ALICE, Arts and Literacy in Children’s Education with Congolese Dance, Ballet Folklorico and trapeze arts at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Donation $25. RSVP to 482-0415. www.aliceprogram.org 

Bookpals Storytelling at 11:30 a.m. at Children’s Fairyland, at 699 Bellvue Ave., Oakland. 452-2259. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Self as Superhero” ArtEsteem’s annual exhibition at 3 p.m. at ASA Academy and Community Science Center, 2811 Adeline St., at 28th St., Oakland. 652-5530. www.ahc-oakland.org 

“Animals, Sea Creatures and Animation” Paintings, sculpture, digital and fiber art and more, in a benefit for Hopalong Animal Rescue. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2053 Ashby Ave. 644-4930.  

“One Thousand Words: New Paintings by Mary Younkin” Artist reception at 6 p.m. at Luka’s Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway at Grand, Oakland. 451-4677.  

East Bay Open Studios Sat. and Sun. at various studios around the East Bay. For maps see www.proartsgallery.org 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “A Dream Play” Sat. and Sun. at 3 p.m. on the lawn in front of Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Wlnut St. at Berryman, through July 1. 841-5580. www.aeofberkeley.org  

FILM 

“Under a Shipwrecked Moon” by Antero Alli, at 8 p.m. at Kaleva Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. Cost is $5-$10. 464-4640. www.verticalpool.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Edge Fest Composer Interviews with Sarah Cahill, Frederic Rzewski and Ursula Oppens at 2 p.m. at 125 Morrison Hall, UC Campus. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2006/edgefest/ 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mozart for Mutts and Meows Midsummer Mozart Festival fundraiser for Berkeley Humane Society at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club. For information call 845-7735, ext. 19. 

Berkeley Edge Fest “The Tyrant” composed by Paul Dresher, John Duykers, tenor, at 8 p.m. at the Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $36. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2006/edgefest/ 

Matthew Owens, cellist and poet, will perform his new works at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Cost is $10. 644-6893.  

Keith Doelling, double bass, at 4 p.m. at Crowden School, 1475 Rose St. 

Slavyanka Men’s Russian Chorus at 7:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $16-$20. www.slavyanka.org 

Na Leo Nahenahe Summer Concert at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $15.00 at the door, children 12 and under are free. 

Passamezzo Moderno “Venice and Vienna in the Early 17th Century” at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

The Sacred Jazz Symposium: Exploring Spirituality in the Music at 2 p.m. at The Black New World and Pleasure Club, 836 Pine St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20, no one turned away. Sankofacc@earthlink.net 

La Peña’s 37th Anniversary and Open House at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $22-$24. 849-2568.  

Brazzissimo! at 8 p.m. at Piedmont High School Auditorium, 800 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. Tickets are $5-$10. www.brazzissimo.com  

Gateswingers Jazz Band at 8 p.m. at Central Perk, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 558-7375. 

The Ravines at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

Ellen Robinson and her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Pellejo Seco, Luis Valverde, and Ekobios, rhumba cubana, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cuban salsa dance lesson at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Katherine Peck and Michael Burles at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Mucho Axe at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Robin Flower & Libby McLaren at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Meshugga Beach Party, The El Dorados, The TomorrowMen at 8:30 at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Sheila Jordan “Jazz: A Life’s Work” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Draggin’ Suzy, Sorrow Town Choir, The Backorders at 9 p.m. at The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakland. 

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

Diego’s Umbrella, Tippy Canoe & the Paddlemen at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Insaints, Fabulous Disaster in a benefit for A Safe Place Shelter, at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6-$10. 525-9926. 

Varukers, Scarred for Life at 7 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

SUNDAY, JUNE 10 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Photographs of China and Mongolia” by Berkeley photographer Caroline Johnson. Reception at 1 p.m. at The LightRoom, 2263 Fifth St. 649-8111. www.lightroom.com 

Paintings by Michael Adkins Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Jersey Boys cast will discuss the musical based on Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at 11 a.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Khaled Hosseini introduces his new novel, “A Thousand Splendid Guns” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Ticekts are $12-$40. 559-9500. 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California at 1 p.m. at the koi pond, first level, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th St., Oakland. 238-2200. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Junteenth Freedom Mass with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir at 10 a.m. at St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church, 7900 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. www.stcuthbertsoakland.org 

Berkeley Edge Fest “The Music of Frederic Rzewski” with Frederic Rzewski and Ursula Oppens, piano, William Winant and Ben Paysen, percussion, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2006/edgefest 

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

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert at 2 p.m. at Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 849-9776. 

Soul at the Chimes with Promise, Called Out and the East Bay Church Men’s Chorus at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $20-$25. 464-3086.  

Abji Dibril CD Release Party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Americana Unplugged: Donner Mountain Bluegrass Band Reunion at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

BandWorks Concert, with kids, teens and adult rock bands, from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Piano Trio Summit with Dick Hindman, Joe Gilman and Mark Levine at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazz 

school. Cost is $18. 845-5373.  

Have Heart, Allegiance, Soul Control, Turn it Around at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Damnweevil, Walken at 6 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $6. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Jessica Williams Trio at 7 and 9 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $14-$24. 238-9200.  

A cellist strikes up in pizzicato as an older man, dressed in the fashion of the late ‘40s, shambles onstage at the Julia Morgan Center, gazing out above the audience as if down the road—or into the past. A crowd forms, staring at him—and disperses. A woman’s voice is heard, calling his name. “I’m tired to the death!” And Willy Loman, brilliantly rendered by Corey Fisher, is home again, in Traveling Jewish Theatre’s remarkable version of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. 

As Willy and his wife, Linda (Jeri Lee Cohen as a steady foil to Fisher’s Willy), talk about Willy’s abrupt return soon after departing on a New England sales trip, as well as the constant nag of payments on house, car, appliances, all bought on time—and about family: the return of ne’er-do-well son Biff from a stint wandering the West—the mood shifts constantly, from apprehension over Willy’s driving to a quick memory of peacefulness, to an admonition from Linda about his too-apparent disapproval of Biff. “I said he’s not making money. Is that criticism?” Willy replies. 

He is lost in revery, as the audience too is caught up in his quickly intercut visions and fantasies, memories of the past. The mention of his older brother Ben’s death triggers an apparition (Julian Lopez-Morillas, a presence as ironic as Hamlet’s father’s ghost) and a refrain, “When I was 17 I walked into the jungle; when I was 21 I walked out—and by God I was rich!” 

Ben’s hurried shade, always rushing off—as life itself seems to rush away from Willy—becomes a surrogate, a kind of trumped up co-dependent for the suicidally depressed, broken-down old salesman, an auto-suggestive confidant and executor. Ben also reminds Willy of their wayward father, a flautist and roving handyman, both free on the road Willy’s married to. 

The opposite of Ben’s specter is Charley, next door, (a playful yet direct Louis Parnell), and his nerdy son Bernard (Zac Jaffe, who modulates the ages of his part very well), “liked, but not well-liked,” another refrain. Charley is Willy’s true mainstay—and Willy rankles at his kidding and at his very decency, until finally admitting Charley’s his only friend, and how strange that is. Bernard is the only peer who both challenges and cares for Biff. 

Biff (starry-eyed, slack-jaw Michael Navarra) and brother Hap (scrappy John Sousa) keep mixing it up with the women (Meghan Doyle and Juliet Strong, both sharp in dual roles as chippies and secretaries) and with their thwarted dreams, their gags, their sparring. Biff, exasperated with self-consciousness, is leading the life Willy pines for (”If I’d only gone with my brother Ben to Alaska!”), only to earn the opprobrium of his parents: “Ah, go out to the West and be a cowboy; enjoy yourself!” says Willy, and Linda says, “You can’t look around all your life ... a man is not a bird to come and go with the springtime.” 

“Look at the moon, moving between the buildings!” exclaims Willy, in bed with Linda before slipping off into delusion and disaster. “It takes so little to make him happy,” she tells the boys. But “let go” by his dilettante employer, young Howard (a smarmy Danny Webber, doting on his wire recorder, touting it to Willy as a way to get the maid to record radio programs a busy socialite must miss), Willy is beyond both sadness and happiness, rapt in his passion, oblivious as he walks the line down the road that runs downstage through the middle of Giulio Perrone’s splendid, spare set. 

The mood swings of Willy and his family are the pivot, in Aaron Davidman’s excellent directorial conception, for the true theatrics of the play, reflecting Miller’s innovations as a former radio playwright adapting the multiplex style of the medium to the live stage. Jim Cave’s spot-on timing with lights and sound design by Rex Camphuis (also production manager) and cellist Jessica Ivry’s original music help deliver the goods to this audience, which is on three sides of the action, up on stage left and right as well as in the orchestra section in front. Few productions ever get the humor, the lyricism (which Miller would hauntingly refer to), the synthesis of approaches that catches up the social, the psychological, the moral, the sheerly pathetic content up into a vortex that sways back and forth until, as Antonin Artaud said of Euripides’ tragedies, “the floodgates are open ... and we don’t know any more just where we are.”  

There’s been much talk of Traveling Jewish’s intention to make this a Jewish show with a Jewish Willy Loman. The notes in the program recall the Yiddish theater translation and production of 1951, with a review speaking of that show “bringing the play ‘home’ ... [catching] Miller [son of immigrant Jews], as it were, in the act of changing his name.” 

True to their principle of being inspired by Jewish experience, Traveling Jewish has fashioned less a tragic look back at the Jewish diaspora in America than a true, multifaceted revelation of American experience through a Jewish perspective. “I still feel kind of temporary about myself,” says Willy. It opens up speculation as to other representatives of assimilated cultures being seen in the chief roles. Jackie Gleason, for instance, regarded more highly as a dramatic actor than as a comedian by the likes of Orson Welles and others, might have made a great Brooklyn Irish (or German-Irish) Willy Loman. 

Because this production’s accents, inflexions and mannerisms give this monumental play a different and fascinating texture, a new syncopation of street and domestic rhythms, it is a truly New York City Death of a Salesman—Manhattan-born Arthur Miller brought home. 

DEATH OF A SALESMAN 

Presented by the Traveling Jewish Theater at 8 p.m. Thursdays—Saturdays and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through June 10 at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. 2640 College Ave.  

$15-$44. 1-800-838-3006.

Leave it to the Shotgun Players to organize a posse to go after weeks 26, 27 and 30 of playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ monumental, year-long, nationwide collaborative theater project.  

The three companies—Shotgun, mugwumpin and Just Theater—will gang up tonight (Tuesday) and Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the Ashby Stage to play a grand total of 21 of Parks’ plays—three whole weeks’ worth—each night. 

In addition, Shotgun has announced they’ll be offering 365 drinks, 365 snacks and intermissions of 3 minutes 65 seconds to extend the numerical conceit of Parks’ astonishing outpouring of pieces to be staged. Admission is $5, which includes a drink. 

Parks’ project began a few years back when she set herself the goal of writing a play a day for a year. Now they’re being produced around the country, about midstream to conclusion. The Bay Area is one region of production—and East Bay companies have leapt at the challenge, devising unusual, creative ways to collaborate and stage each week of seven plays. 

But Shotgun decided that wasn’t quite enough ... 

“The question we asked ourselves was how we could make an interesting evening of theater which would do justice to the concept of the whole cycle of plays,” said Shotgun’s Liz Lisle. “So we decided to do a stretch, and invited two other companies we respect and have worked with before to join us in getting a leg up on it, to do three whole weeks at once: 26 (Just Theater), 27 (mugwumpin) and 30, which is ours.” 

As part of the process, Shotgun assembled a “mini-ensemble” to put on their portion of the plays.  

“Every piece will have a different director, and every ensemble member will both act and direct,” Lisle said. “This kind of immediacy of feedback isn’t usual with the process we go through to mount a production. Like Parks’ plays, it’s something really playful.” 

Denmo Ibrahim of mugwumpin, the innovative physical theater troupe in residency at San Francisco’s Exit Theatre, concurred: “We wanted to find a way of using the plays as a test to find new collaborators, new ways of working.” 

To that end, the troupe staged their week’s portion one night a few weeks back, as a party at Root Division in San Francisco’s Mission District. “It was crazy!” laughed Ibrahim, who both directed and performed. “Each director had a half-hour to cast and rehearse.” 

Molly Aaronson-Gelb of Just Theater, said, “This’s been right up our alley, using theater to reflect, create community, and to create a common conversation among theater people.” She compared it to the nationwide, antiwar Lysistrata Project a few years back, in which she participated. 

Asked about running themes and motifs in their portions, Aaronson-Gelb mentioned “a lot about war and peace; it affected our costuming!” Ibrahim quoted Richard Foreman, “Everything makes sense!” and went on to identify mugwumpin’s plays as having in common “the lonely sense of being witness to the last of something happening.” 

Lisle brought it all into perspective by reflecting on the playwright’s impulse: “What she does is transform her everyday into theater, which rolls over into the next day. In one of our plays, the characters from the next one come on and announce, ‘Your play’s over!’” 

The Daily Planet’s Justin DeFreitas swept two categories at the Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards Saturday night at Foster City’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. The contest is sponsored by the Peninsula Press Club. 

In the non-daily newspapers division, DeFreitas took first place for entertainment reviewing for his critique of the movie Cowboy del Amor (published Feb. 24, 2006), and second place for The Devil and Daniel Johnston (April 7, 2006). He also netted an honorable mention in the specialty story category for a preview of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival (July 11, 2006). 

DeFreitas also swept the editorial cartooning category, which spans all divisions—daily and non-daily newspapers, magazines and trade publications. First place was awarded to his “Mousetrap” cartoon (May 5, 2006), regarding the proposed mixed-use development and Trader Joe’s at University Avenue and MLK; second went to “Sept. 10” (June 13, 2006); and an honorable mention was given to “Media Balance” (Sept. 1, 2006). 

The contest covers the 11 counties of the greater Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma. Entries were judged by the Florida Press Club, Milwaukee Press Club, the Press Club of Cleveland, San Diego Press Club and the Press Club of Southeast Texas. For more information and a complete list of winners, see penpressclub.org.