FRIDAY, JUNE 29 

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 Mayor Tom Bates on “State of the City” 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.  

“Indigenous Permaculture Progam in El Salvador” A slide show on rural community development and sustainable communities, and a Mayan cultural presentation, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Donation $10-$35. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Free Compost for Berkeley Residents Self-serve for the general public from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Berkeley Marina Maintenance Yard, 201 University Ave., next to Adventure Playground, Berkeley. 644-6566. 

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

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 to 11 a.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. at Ashby. 981-5332. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction. Potluck supper at 7 p.m., dancing at 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253.  

0 to 100 Watts in 4 Days A workshop to build an FM broadcast transmitter, sponsored by Free Radio Berkeley. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, you will learn how to solder, identify electronic components, assemble a 40 watt transmitter from a kit of parts, build and tune an antenna, properly setup and test broadcast equipment, and more. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, at 2311 Adeline, Unit P, Oakland. Cost is $200-$250 sliding scale. 625-0314. www.freeradio.org 

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 

Drip Irrigation A workshop on landscape watering that utilizes low-flow and conservation principles from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Alameda County Cleanwater Program and EBMUD. Call to register and for location. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“Restore Wetlands in Oakland” A volunteer opportunity with Save the Bay on a wetland restoration project near the Oakland Airport. From 9 a.m. to noon. RSVP to 452-9261 ext. 109. 

Walking Tour of Oakland Chinatown Meet at 10 a.m. at the courtyard fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza at 388 Ninth St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. For reservations call 238-3234.  

Full Moon Walk at John Muir National Historic Site Join a Park Ranger for a walk under a full moon to see noctunal animal life. Reservations required. Call for details. 925-228-8860. 

Canned Food Collection for the Alameda County Food Bank at the film showing of “Ratatouille” at the Berkeley 7 Theater, 2274 Shattuck Ave. Bring 2-8 cans from 1 to 5 p.m. 635-3663, ext. 358. 

Origami for All Ages Learn to fold five different origami shapes from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext 17. 

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.  

Preschool Storytime for 3 to 5-year-olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext. 17. 

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

SUNDAY, JULY 1 

Habitat Hunters A hike for the whole family to discover what makes a habitat, at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233.  

Solo Sierrans Waterfront Bike Trip from the Emeryville Marina to Berkeley. Meet at 3 p.m. in front of the Watergate Clipper Club, 5 Captain Dr. for a leisurly five mile round trip ride. 923-1094. 

“Open Garden” Join the Little Farm gardener for composting, planting, watering and reaping the rewards of our work, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233.  

EcoHouse Tour Visit the the Ecology Center’s environmentally friendly demonstration home and garden from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1305 Hopkins St., entrance on Peralta. Cost $10, sliding scale. 548-2220 ext. 242. 

Insect Hunt A capture and release program for the whole family at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Social Action Forum with Eric Mills on animal rights at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302. 

Peach Tasting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kensington Farmers’ Market, 303 Arlington, behind ACE Hardware, Kensington.  

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

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack Petranker on “Learning to Be” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, JULY 2 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. 548-0425. 

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. Yarn and needles provided for donated items. At 3:30 p.m. at 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

TUESDAY, JULY 3 

Alternative Fourth of July Celebration commemorating Frederick Douglass’ Independence Day Speech, at the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society, 1852, with a concert and BBQ dinner at 6 p.m. at Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., downtown Oakland. Tickets are $20-$30. www.opcmusic.org 

Fourth of July Celebration with music by the Milt Bowerman Band at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190. 

The Red Oak Victory Ship BBQ and Fireworks Viewing at 6 p.m. at 1337 Canal Blvd., off Hwy 580, in Richmond. Cost is $20. For information and reservations call 222-9200. 

Insect Discovery Lab See and touch live bugs as you learn more about them at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Tuesday Documentaries at 7 p.m. at the Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Donation of $5 benefits the Berkeley Food and Housing Project. 665-0305. 

Community Sing-a-Long every Tues, at 2 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 1247 Marin Ave. 524-9122.  

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

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, JULY 4 

Fourth of July at the Berkeley Marina from noon to 9:30 p.m. with live entertainment, arts & crafts, food, and activities for children. Alcohol-free event. Free admission. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us.  

Celebrate Inter-Dependence Day with a vegetarian potluck from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Laurel Picnic Area in Tilden Park. Bring a vegetarian dish to share. Dogs and musical instruments also welcome. Sponsored by The Network of Spiritual Progressives 644-1200. www.spiritualprogressives.org  

People’s World Barbeque “Que Viva Cuba!” with report-backs from recent visits, music, and Cuban and BBQ food, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 2232 Derby St. Cost is $10. 548-8764. 

Fireworks on the Bay Canoe Trip An easy paddle to see the welands before the fireworks show. All boating equipment and instruction is provided. Mimimum age is 10. Cost is $35-$45. For reservations call 452-9261, ext. 119. bayevents@saveSFbay.org  

Fourth of July on the USS Hornet with live music, games for all ages, and tours of the aircraft carrier, and firework viewing, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. Tickets are $10-$25. 521-8448, ext. 282. www.hornetevents.com 

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 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club, Berkeley Marina. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. www.cal-sailing.org 

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. 

THURSDAY, JULY 5 

“From Gaza, With Love” with Palestinian physician and human rights activist, Dr. Mona El-Farra at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1606 Bonita at Cedar. 548-0542.  

California Telephone Access will display phone equiipment for those with vision, hearing and mobility issues from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190. 

Cope with Creativity shows the video “The Gifts of Grief” at 6:30 p.m. at 4401 Howe St., Oakland. To register call 888-755-7855, ext. 4241. 

El Sabor de Fruitvale Farmers’ market, salsa making, and live music with La Familia Son afrom 3 to 7 p.m. at Fruitvale Transit Village, 3411 East 12th St., Oakland. 535-6900. 

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 at Alcatraz. Free, all are welcome. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

CITY MEETINGS 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., July 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs. July 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7419.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Bosoms and Neglect” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., SUn. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through July 22. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

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

Black Repertory Group “Love Don’t Cost A Thang” written and directed by Danesha Simon Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $25. 652-2120. 

Central Works “Bird in the Hand” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through July 29. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Meet Me in St. Louis” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. in July at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito, through Aug. 4. 524-9132. 

Impact Theatre “Impact Briefs 8: Sinfully Delicious” Thurs.-Sat. through July 21 at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468. 

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. www.masquers.org 

“Prisons” by Shanique Scott Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Tickets are $15-$18. 849-2568. 

Virago Theatre Comapny “The Death of Ayn Rand” and “A Bed of My Own” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda to July 7. Tickets are $10-$17. 865-6237.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fairytales and Other Stories” Series of 21 photographs based on fairytales, classical paintings and film stills by Diania Elliott. Opens at 6 p.m. at ASUC Art Gallery, Lower Sproul Plaza, UC Campus. 642-3065. www.asucartstudio.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Julia Glass reads from “The Whole World Over” at 12:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Jeremey Adam Smith & Loren Rhoads, Benjamin Perez & Matt Rohrer read at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “Some Enchanted Evening” Opera arias and art songs with Andrew Chung and Kate Howell at 7:30 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 868-0695. 

Indian Classical Music Concert with sitarist Srinivas Reddy and tabla player Michael Lewis at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $15. www.uucb.org 

Natasha Miller & her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Vowel Movement, beat box, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

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

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

Fred Odell and James Moore at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

That Man Fantastic, Suburban Slow Death at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Terezodu, Sad Boy Sinister at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

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

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 

CHILDREN  

Animal Weekend with puppet shows and activities from 11 a.m. on at Children’s Fairyland, at 699 Bellvue Ave., Oakland. 452-2259. 

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 Walnut St. at Berryman, through July 1. 841-5580.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Unicorns Puke Rainbows and the Packing Foam Swimming Pool” works by Michael Deane at 9 p.m. at the Living Room Gallery, 3230 Adeline St. www. 

myspace.com/livingroomcollective 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Margaret Ahnert discusses “The Knock at the Door: A Journey Through the Darkness of the Armenian Genocide” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Naomi Guttman and Robert Lipton read their poetry at 7:30 at Pegasus Bookstore, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose “Poetic Splendor in Bharatanatyam” at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 408-983-0491. www.sulekha.com/bayarea  

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

Rankin Scroo, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $TBA. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Zion-I, Pigeon John at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $12-$15. 548-1159. 

Emily Kurn and Marianne Barlow at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Married Couple at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Local Women Musicians at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

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

Kurt Ribak Jazz Group at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473.  

The Steve Deutsch Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Mirthkon, Three Piece Combo, Inner Ear Bridge at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

The Freeze at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. w 

SUNDAY, JULY 1 

CHILDREN 

Abby & The Pipsqueaks at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054.  

THEATER 

The Herstories Project “Tapestries” at 6 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets are $10-$25. 207-6623. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Viewpoints” plein-air landscapes by Barbara Ward, many of Tilden Park, on display at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park, Tues.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to Aug. 26. 525-2233. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Barbara Siesel “Flute Music from Around the World” at 2 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext 17.  

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

Falso Baiano Brasil at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Salvador Santana, Antioquia, new world grooves, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8. 525-5054. 

Art Lande, Bruce Williamson, Alan Hall and Peter Barshay at 7 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. COst is $10-$15. 845-1350. 

Rebecca Mauleon, Jimmy Branly and Gary Brown “Piano y Ritmo” Clinic from 4 to 6 p.m., concert at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $15-$25. 849-2568.  

MONDAY, JULY 2 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Tsunami Affected Lives: Moving Beyond Disaster” Photographs by Adrienne Miller at La Peña, through Aug. 31. 849-2568. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Actors Reading Writers “It’s a Mystery,” stories by Lee Child, Agatha Christie and Donald Westlake at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 932-0214.  

Readings from the Bootstrap Book of Poetic Journals at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Itals, Malika Madremana & The Greensphere Band, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054.  

Fito Reinoso at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s. Cost is $10. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, JULY 3 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sambadá, Brasilia, funk, at 5 p.m. at Cerrito Vista Park, Moeser at Pomona St., El Cerrito.  

Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Cajun/Zydeco, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Kutandara Marimba Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Dick Conte Quartet with Steve Heckman at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$10. 238-9200.  

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mariachi San José, Voco, On Taiko, ObeyJah and other world music performers from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at at Cerrito Vista Park, Moeser at Pomona St., El Cerrito. www.worldoneradio.org 

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

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

Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz with Faye Carol at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $5. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, JULY 5 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Lasting Impression” Group show of ceramic sculptures, and “Injuries, Improvised Paintings by Luke Riles” Artist reception at 6 p.m. at Estaban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Exhibition runs to July 30. 444-7411.  

THEATER 

Crowded Fire Theater “Anna Bella Eema” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun at 2 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 415-439-2456. www.crowdedfire.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

United Capoeira Artists at noon at the downtown Berkeley BART station. info@downtownberkeley.org 

George Cotsirilos Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Damon and the Heathens, October Allied, Kemo Sabe at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. 

“Un Regalo para Garabato” Music and spoken word to celebrate the life of Carlos Carabato Gonzales at 7 p.m at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$50. 849-2568.  

Kevin Eubanks at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FAIRYTALES AND OTHER STORIES 

Photographer Diana Elliott’s 21 color and black and white portraits, from three distinct series, are on display in “Fairytales and Other Stories,” opening today (Friday) and running through Aug. 3 at the UC Berkeley ASUC Art Studio Gallery, MLK, Lower Sproul Plaza, MLK Jr. Student Union Building. An opening reception will be held tonight 6-9 p.m. 

The first set of photos in the exhibit are images inspired by fairytales, the second on classical paintings, and the third series appears to be inspired by movie stills. Elliott, who is originally from New York, lives in Berkeley where she is a freelance photographer. For more information, see wwww.dianaephoto.com/asuc/ or call 642.3065. Art Studio Hours: Mon.-Fri., noon-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun., noon-5 p.m. 

A dense and dazzling, vertically and horizontally rectilinear installation of color photographs by contemporary Chinese artist Wang Gangfeng awaits visitors at the entrance to Alta Galleria in Berkeley (2980 College, Suite #4, near Ashby Avenue). The show closes July 10. 

Additional color and random black-and-white photographs fill the other walls of the gallery. The self-taught artist escaped from a job at the Shanghai Net and Rope Factory, where he was expected to spend the remainder of his working life, in 1980, when his sister gave him a camera. He knew then that the camera would be his career and that the common people of China would be the focus of his interest. 

The images throughout the exhibition are as varied as the dishes of a Chinese banquet. Indeed, one of the most engaging is that of a group of young women gathered at a table to enjoy a meal together. Those of us who live here at the Portal to Asia may vicariously enjoy the flavors, fragrances, textures and colors that have the attention of the young women. 

Other subjects are farmers’ markets; village rooftops; a young woman carrying baskets on a yoke crossing her shoulders; a mass of bicycles moving to the viewers’ right except for one in the middle moving perversely to the left; a girl holding clumps of fiber; cityscapes; young Buddhist monks frolicking; and other subjects typical of China. Wang, who has exhibited internationally, has enjoyed great commercial success as well as critical acclaim. All of his photographs, which he prints himself, possess a grace and authenticity characteristic of a committed artist, as, for example, the sinuous, curvilinear forms of a rice paddy.  

The finest work of art in the exhibition (to my eye) is a black-and-white image of an urban scavenger bent double beneath an immense load of empty containers on his back, presumably destined for recycling. The subject and those passing him in the street seem indifferent to the noble poetry he conveys. A comparison to the great photographer of American distress Dorothea Lange comes easily to mind. 

At an opposite pole is Wang’s black-and-white image of two boys, about five years of age, sitting on the first of several ascending stone steps. Their grins from ear to ear are totally seductive. This is, incidentally, Wang’s most popular photograph in China. The artist did not come by the boys’ pose easily. One of the boys was recalcitrant until his father said, “If you smirk, you don’t have to go to school today.” 

The exhibition of photographs by Wang Gangfeng at Alta Galleria has had a long gestation period. When Alta Gerry visited Shanghai six years ago, it had not yet occurred to her that she might become the owner of an art gallery. Nevertheless, when she visited Wang’s studio, ironically named “The Gang of One” for China’s foremost freelance photographer, in contrast to the infamous “Gang of Four,” she was immediately seduced by his work, recently organizing this exhibition which continues through July 12. 

Photograph: Photographer Wang Gangfeng’s varied images of China, including “Weight,” above, and “Swamp,” below, are on display at the Alta Galleria.

Lars von Trier’s The Boss of It All, opening this weekend at Shattuck Cinemas, is something of a departure for the Danish director. He has returned to Denmark and the Danish language to produce, for the first time, a comedy, and a rather light-hearted comedy at that. No politics, no commentary, no overarching cinematic code of ideals to weigh down his creation—just a clever idea, a witty script and a talented cast. 

An unemployed hack actor (Jens Albinus) is hired to impersonate a non-existent corporate boss in order to facilitate the sale of an information technology firm. Trouble is, the actor’s benefactor (Ravn, played by Peter Gantzler) is the true owner and has been masquerading as an employee for 10 years, manipulating his colleagues to his own ends while blaming his unpopular decisions on the never-seen CEO, a faceless entity named Kristoffer who has been running the company by email from the United States. 

When the hapless actor is brought in to sign away the company in a private meeting with an Icelandic buyer, a firestorm of nationalistic tensions interrupts the negotiation and spills out into a corridor where the company’s employees catch their first glimpse of the man they believe is “the boss of it all.” And thus begins a convoluted series of interactions in which “Kristoffer” is constantly forced to improvise, trying to match his performance to the various preconceptions of the employees, all of whom think they have developed some sort or relationship with the man via e-mail, though in fact all of those interactions were with puppetmaster Ravn. At times Kristoffer benefits from these situations, and at times he suffers; he finds himself sexually involved with one employee, romantically linked to another, and the source of anxiety and anger for several more. 

Ravn starts off allowing Kristoffer a great deal of leeway in shaping his character, but increasingly tries to usurp more and more control. The actor of course rebels as he gains confidence in the role, pompously delving deeper and deeper into his character’s motivation until, with the help of his ex-wife, who coincidentally works as an attorney for the Icelandic buyer, he finally taps into a few crucial insights that will allow him to alter the course of the intra-office melodrama. That said, he doesn’t necessarily glean much insight into himself, and one of the closing scenes features a hilarious episode in which the actor essentially holds up the plot’s resolution for an extended meditation on his character’s motivation, the obvious point of which is merely to draw attention to himself and his self-proclaimed mastery of his craft.  

It all makes for an entertaining film, a clever comedy that uses the familiar construct of mistaken identity to stage a more complicated self-reflexive commentary on film and theater, on acting, directing and filmmaking.  

Von Trier breaks the fourth wall in the first shot by introducing himself and the principal characters, following with a vow to dispense with artsiness for the duration of this “harmless” comedy. Yet this is a particularly artsy method of poking fun at all things artsy, and the director continues to emphasize the artifice of the film at crucial junctures, at one point taking center stage to announce that he has decided to add a new character to the mix just to further complicate the plot. Thus von Trier never lets us forget who is really the boss of it all. 

Von Trier uses many of the principles of the stripped-down Dogme school of film that he co-founded, but with a lighter, less didactic approach. He eschews artificial lighting, makeup and scoring, for instance, but employs a unique and decidedly un-Dogme-like technique for photographing the film called Automavision. Von Trier selected each camera setup, but then employed a computer to randomly select various parameters for the shot, tilting the camera, changing the focal length or shifiting the composition. The computer controlled a similar set of parameters for the sound recording. The result is a film that is constantly shifting, as though through a series of jump cuts, giving the impression that the scenes and dialogue were patched together in the editing process.  

But what we’re really seeing is a framing device that has removed the human element and replaced it with computerized randomness. Most viewers won’t notice the technique on a conscious level, conditioned as we’ve become over the years to hand-held cameras, jump cuts and disjointed editing. But thematically it works, as the constantly shifting perspectives mirror the shifting alliances and realities of the characters, adding to the confusion and chaos of a situation over which the principal players—and to some extent the director—have lost control. 

THE BOSS OF IT ALL 

Written and directed by Lars von Trier. Cinematography by Automavision. Starring Jens Albinus, Peter Gantzler, Thor Fridriksson, Benedikt Erlingsson, Iben Hjejle, Henrik Prip, Mia Lyhne, Casper Christensen, Louise Mieritz, Jean-Marc Barr, Anders Hove. 

99 minutes. Not rated. In Danish with English subtitles. Playing at Shattuck Cinemas. 

Photograph: Peter Gantzler and Jens Albinus negotiate a contract in The Boss of It All.

With a clap of thunder, a lightning fla sh illuminates an enormous shadowy figure, behind gauze, before a window. A man hastily enters, pulling away that curtain, revealing a much smaller female form standing in the window casement, with greenbacks safety-pinned to the lace curtain that frames the window. 

The man, Scooper (Cassidy Brown), insouciantly inquires of his mother Henny (Joan Mankin) what’s the matter. She, after muttering deliriously about staunching up the bleeding with Super-Kotex and waving a St. Jude over it, parts her robe ... her son yelps—and, as we later learn, she’s carted to the hospital for an emergency mastectomy. 

So much for the title of Bosoms and Neglect, John Guare’s screwy play of black New York Irish humor, now onstage at the Aurora. The title’s easily explained. But “the matter”—that is, the dialogue and action, and the story material that zig-zags, relentlessly back and forth—constitutes another question, or bunch of questions, altogether. 

John Guare’s plays—and this one dates from the late ’70s—have been called “semi-absurd,” like a pair of oddly polished saddleshoes, which Scooper seems to be wearing. Guare has talked about his “war with the kitchen sink,” though in his burlesqued domestic dramas, the sink seems to be stopped up—or something’s crawling out of it. 

In this case the creature is ostensibly Henny, though it may really be her son, considering the narrative he pours out to Deirdre (Beth Wilmurt), a kind of comfort station and book-bombardier for famous authors (if her own story makes any sense), in her apartment, above and across the street from her and Scooper’s adored psychiatrist, where she can watch the comings and goings.  

Actually, though the psych’s waiting room should have provided the stage for their meeting (and Deirdre avers she spent much time and anguish trying to attract Scooter’s attention), it’s just that morning they’ve collided for real, outside a mutually favored bookstore, where Scooper’s picked her up—or thinks he has—for a bit of chat and solace on the day he’s been planning to run away with his friend and business partner’s wife to Haiti, a steamy tropical retreat from New York, itself steaming into August. 

What gradually erupts—the dialogue and action are jerky and self-contradictory—is a frenetic mating dance, played out across a couple of sofa-daybeds, syncopated with a kind of demented literary or psychiatric coitus interruptus, one-upmanship with the names of authors or syndromes to send off as teasers. 

It all ends in mayhem, with Scooper joining Henny in the hospital for a filial chat, though no repose, soon to be joined by Deirdre, who joins forces with the man she lacerates in yet another quest for a Freudian slip, while blind Henny, unaware she’s alone, tells the true tale of Scooper’s recurring primal scene and the secret of his real name. 

Black humor is a tough thing to flesh out onstage, continually pushing the envelope until even the postman bursts out in laughter at the overload. And Guare’s special, regional branch of it (something related can be seen in Philip Kaufman’s hilarious parody of juvenile delinquent movies and postwar nostalgia in general, The Wanderers, set in The Bronx) demands a kind of careless exactitude, an off-the-cuff delivery of true gravity, with the fingers crossed on both hands folded behind the back. 

Joy Carlin is a fine director of actors, and Cassidy Brown and—especially—Beth Wilmurth contribute what’s easily for both of them among their finer characterizations. 

But it doesn’t quite come off. Brown’s whimsical, palatized accent begins to drone, and the cavorting he and Wilmurth do is nutty and amusing, but the play demands a little more than demonstrable eccentricity or today’s common coin in humor, quotidian silliness. The zaniness throws off Guare’s strange rhythms, and the dialogue and story take on the consistency of pudding, with these crazy borough Irish characters relegated to merely surveying the linguistic bog they caper on. 

Only Joan Mankin, at start and finish, provides the bass line that makes it a fugue, indeed. Her characterization is clearly reflected in the funhouse mirror of Henny’s crabbed consciousness—and conscience. It’s right in the heart of that true form of Pirandellian humor that apprehends “what’s there instead of what’s supposed to be there” versus the conflating of deliberate, self-serving illusion with reality, only to come back around and drive the obtuse point home. 

BOSOMS AND NEGLECT 

8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through July 22 at Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addision St. $38. 843-4822. www.aurotatheatre.org.