TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 

Rally to Support the Woodfin Workers at 4:30 p.m. at Woodfin Inn and Suites, Shellmound Ave. and Shellmound Way, Emeryville. 

Monitor Native Oysters in the Bay Help monitor oyster populations and set up equipment for our Native Oyster Monitoring Study at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave. 452-9261, ext. 119. www.savesfbay.org/oysters  

“Youth Prison Reform: Does the Governor Have It Right?” with Pat Kuhi. Brown Bag lunch at noon at the Albany Library, Marin and Masonic Ave. Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville. 843-8824. http://lwvbae.org 

Opening of the Southside Community Park, serving the Santa Fe nighborhood of Richmond, at 3:30 p.m. at the end of Virgina Ave. off Harbour Way St., Richmond. 307-8150. 

WIllard Neighborhood Ice Cream Social Part of National Night Out, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Willard Park, corner of Derby St. and Hillegass Ave.  

Lawyers in the Library Free legal information and referral presented in conjunction with the Alameda County Bar Association. Sign-ups at 5 p.m. for appointments between 6 and 8 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

Dance Dance Revolution Interactive Game at 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

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.  

Community Sing-a-Long every Tues, at 2 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122.  

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. 

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. 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, AUGUST 8 

LBNL Building Plans Learn about the plans for the 160,000 sq-ft Helios building and the 150,000 sq-ft Computational Research Facility at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. See www.lbl.gov/Community/Helios and www.lbl.gov/Community/CRT 

Walking Tour of Oakland City Center Meet at 10 a.m. in front Oakland City Hall at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Pax Nomada Bike Ride Meet at 6 p.m. at Nomad Cafe for a 15-25 mile ride up through the Berkeley hills. All levels of cyclists welcome. 595-5344. 

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 8:45 to noon at the Latina Center, 3919 Roosevelt Ave., Richmond. 981-5332. 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“Coming Out to Your Children” a workshop for LGBT parents at 6:30 p.m. at Women of Color Resource Center, 1611 Telegragh Ave., #303, Oakland. 415-981-1960. stephanice@ourfamily.org 

Farsi Club at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190. 

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

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

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 

The Cultural Landscape of Strawberry Canyon with Charles Birnbaum at 7:30 p.m. at the Town & Gown Club, UC Campus. Cost is $20, reservtions required. 842-2242. www.berkeleyheritage.com 

Introduction to Urban Permaculture Hear and see local permaculture designers from the Ecological Division of Merritt College’s Landscape Horticulture Department discuss what’s possible in a city, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death” A new documentary film based on thebook by Norman Solomon at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater 3200 Grand Ave , Oakland. Tickets $12. www. 

warmadeeasythemovie.org 

“Can a New Virus Explain Diabetes?” a discussion forum at the East Bay Science Cafe at 7 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. 558-0881.  

East Bay Macintosh Users Group reviews the iPhone at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shelmound, Emeryville. http://ebmug.org  

Screening to Reduce Risk of Stroke at Bayview El Cerrito Fraternal Order of Eagles at 3223 Carlson Blvd., El Cerrito. Cost is $139. To schedule an appointment call 1-877-237-1287. 

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 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 

A Ramble into, through, and above Strawberry Canyon, with guides, at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Farmers’ Market Barbeque at 7 p.m. at the Haas Club House, UC Campus. For details call Berkeley Architectural Heritage 841-2242. www.berkeleyheritage.com 

Peace Meditation & Origami class for all ages with Hiroshima survivor Takashi Tanemori at 7 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Suggested donation $10-$20, no one turned away. 528-8844. 

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. 

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.  

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 

Art Deco Walking Tour of Downtown Berkeley Meet at 11 a.m. in front of United Artists Theater, 2274 Shattuck. www.artdecosociety.org 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Temescal Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Genova Delicatessen, 5095 Telegraph Ave. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

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. 

The Great War Society meets to discuss “What the Doughboy Wore” by Norm Miller at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

“Amazed” A family maze and labyrinth making event from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Museum of Children’s Art, 528 9th St., Oakland. Cost is $5. 465-8770. 

Introduction to Permaculture Learn the principles of using permaculture, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10-$15, no one turned away. Call to pre-register and for location. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Re-Dedication of Brookdale Park with entertainment, food, spoken word and community booths at 11 a.m. at 2535 High St., Oakland. 533-2366. 

Re-Leaf the San Pablo Creekside Help push out the invasive plants and bring back native vegetation from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante. For information call 665-3538. www.thewatershedproject.org 

“Less Safe, Less Free: The Failure of Preemption in the War on Terror” with Jules Lobel at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Hopalong Animal Rescue Come meet your furry new best friend. Cats and kittens available for adoption from noon to 3 p.m. at Your Basic Bird, 2940 College Ave. 267-1915, ext. 500. 

CoHousing Potluck at 2 p.m. at 2220 Sacramento St. 849-2063. 

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

Fast Pitch Softball for Adults at noon on Saturdays in Oakland. For information call 204-9500. 

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

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Laurel Neighborhood Meet at 10 a.m. at the Albertson’s parking lot, 4055 MacArthur Blvd. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Mumia Abu Jamal on the Road to Freedom? with Mumia’s lead counsel, Robert R. Bryan on developments in Mumia’s case at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Suggested donation $5-$10. 526-4402. 

The Red Oak Victory Ship Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1337 Canal Blvd in Richmond harbor. Exit Canal Blvd off Hwy 580. Cost is $6, children under 5 free. 237-2933. 

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 

Middle East Peace Petition Release Party from 3 to 6 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby. 548-9840. 

Community Meditation and Potluck at 7 p.m. at 1940 Virginia St. Sponsored by The East Bay Open Circle. 495-7511. www.eastbayopencircle.org  

MONDAY, AUGUST 13 

Peace Child Summer Arts Camp for Children ages 8-12 with singing, dancing, acting, music-making, shadow puppetry, and art-making about peace runs to Aug 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $100. 526-9146. 

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

Dragonboating Year round classes at the Berkeley Marina, Dock M. Meets Mon, Wed., Thurs. at 6 p.m. Sat. at 10:30 a.m. www.dragonmax.org 

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 

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Aug. 8, at 7 p.m., at 997 Cedar St. 981-5502.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Aug. 8, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.  

Regarding a report in the Aug. 3 article “Spring Agrees to Negotiate Campaign Violation,” a July 26 FCPC staff update clarifies that Berkeley City Councilmember Dona Spring did not incur any late filing obligation for the SEIU Local 535 PAC $250 contribution because it was hand-delivered a week after the date on the check.

The Planet incorrectly stated in a story Friday on the proposed South West Berkeley Benefits District that in the draft budget there are no funds allocated to address zoning issues. The draft budget, however, allocates $60,000 for the first year for “overall district management,” which will include funding a district administrator responsible for “oversight of contracted services.” Those services are to include: “Hiring professionals (to) advise on land use issues, transportation planning, [and] input on [the] West Berkeley Plan.” South West Berkeley zoning is spelled out in the West Berkeley Plan adopted by the city.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 

CHILDREN 

Crosspulse Rhythm Duo at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

P&T Puppet Theater, “The Adventures of Spider and Fly” at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library, West Branch. 981-6270. 

FILM 

Abbas Kiarostami: Image Maker “Rugs, Roads and Palaces” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Zilpha Keatley Snyder reads from her children’s book “The Egypt Game” at the Middle School Mystery Book Group at 4 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. All ages welcome. 981-6223. 

Anita Thompson describes the legacy of her late husband in “The Gonzo Way: A Celebration of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

CZ & The Bon Vivants at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 

CHILDREN 

Gary Lapow “Get A Clue @ Your Library” for ages 3-8 at 3:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public LIbrary. 981-6280. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A New Home, A New Life” Photographs by Refugee Youth in Oakland. Exhibition closing reception at 5:30 p.m. at Oakland Art Gallery, 199 Kahn’s Alley, Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Exhibit co-sponsored by the International Rescue Committee who helped to resettle the youth in Oakland. www.oaklandartgallery.org 

Scott Kildall and Victoria Scott artist talk at 7 p.m. at Kala Art Gallery. www.kala.org 

FILM 

Eco-Amok: An Inconvenient Film Fest “The Mutations” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Cara Black and Peter Gessner discuss their latest mysteries at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Café Poetry at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

A Night of Rumi, Persian Sufi music and poetry at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

La Verdad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

J-Soul at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Mikie Lee and Amber at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Big Blue Whale at 9:30 p.m. at the Stork Club Oakland, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. 444-6174. 

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

Vusi Mahlasela, South African singer-songwriter, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 

THEATER 

Women’s Will “Romeo and Juliet” Thurs. and Fri. at 8 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes. 420-0813. www.womenswill.org 

FILM 

“War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death” at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12. www.warmadeeasythemovie.org 

Abbas Kiarostami: Image Maker “First Graders” at 7 p.m. and “Fellow Citizen” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

William Gibson reads from his new novel “Spook Country” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Louann Brizendine describes “The Female Brain” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sara & Swingtime at noon at the downtown Berkeley BART station. info@downtownberkeley.org 

John Jorgenson Quintet at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Houston Jones & Jacques at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave 548-5198.  

Squaretape, The Fourfits, The Corner Laughers at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Julia Lau at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Maldroid, Royalty at 9:30 p.m. at the Stork Club Oakland, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. 444-6174. 

Marco Benevento at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sat. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $8-$18. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “All in the Timing” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Aug. 11. Tickets are $12. 525-1620. www.aeofberkeley.org  

Altarena Playhouse “Oh My Godmother” Fri and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through Aug. 11. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

California Shakespeare Theater “The Triumph of Love” at the Bruns Ampitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda, through Sept. 2. Tickets are $15-$60. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Woodminster Summer Musicals “The Wizard of Oz” Fri.-Sun. at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Rd., Oakland, through Aug. 19. Tickets at $23-$36. 531-9597. www.woodminster.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

Mark Axelrod “Sticks and Stones Not Only Break Bones” oil paintings, and Linda Braz “Explorations” mixed media installations and sketches, opens at The Gallery Of Urban Art, 1746 13th St. Oakland. 706-1697. 

“Art in Wood” works by Ervin Somogyi on display at the City of Berkeley Building, 1947 Center St. Lobby Gallery, through Nov. 9. 981-7546. 

FILM 

From the Tsars to the Stars: A Journey through Russian Fantastik Cinema “Planet of Storms” at 7 p.m. and “The Amphibian Man” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

H.D. Moe and Mel C. Thompson read at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. 841-6374. 

“Prosody Castle 2” Performance poetry at 7 p.m. at The Gallery of Urban Art, 1746 13th St. at Wood, Oakland. Donations accepted. www.thegalleryofurbanart.com 

Diane LeBow, Katherina Audly and others read from “Greece: A Love Story” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Steve Gannon and Cruise Tones at 5:30 p.m. at Park Place at Washington Ave., Point Richmond. Free. www.pointrichmond.com/prmusic/ 

University Summer Symphony perfoms Beethoven, Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$10. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

The Dunes, part of The Arab Cultural Initiative, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Abyssinians, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

“Maniko” with Kit Walker on keyboards, Teerth Gonzalez on percussion at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Space at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way, at 6th. Cost is $20. 486-8700. 

Bluegrass Buffet with the Mighty Crows, Belle Monroe & Her Brewglass Boys, and Bluegrass Revolution at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Seconds on End, rock, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Scott Amendola, Wil Blades, Jeff Parker at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com  

Brook Schoenfield at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. w 

Stormcrow, Limb from Limb, Sixteens at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

2ME at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

The Memphis Murder Men at 9:30 p.m. at the Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. 444-6174. 

Mushroom at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Marco Benevento at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sat. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $8-$18. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 

CHILDREN  

The Panchatantra: Animal Lessons from India Sat. and Sun. at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. 452-2259. 

THEATER 

Shotgun Players “The Three Musketeers” Sat. and Sun. at 4 p.m. at John Hinkle Park, Southampton Ave., off The Arlington, through Sept. 9. Free. 841-6500. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Around the Globe” Works by various artists opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

“New Visions” Group show of work by Bay Area artists. Artists’ talk at 1 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-9425. 

FILM 

The Overdub Club “Year of the Caves” film and music experiments at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., at Broadway, Oakland. 444-7263. 

Abbas Kiarostami: Image Maker “Taste of Cherry” at 6:30 p.m. and “And Life Goes On” at 8:35 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jules Lobel discusses “Less Safe, Less Free: The Failure of Preemption in the War on Terror” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

“Jewish Literature: Identity and Imagination” with Dr. Naomi Seidman at 2 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bay Area Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Chorus and the Vukani Mawethu Chorus, in a benefit for The Highlander Center at 8 p.m. at Kehila Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Tickets are $7-$12.50. 415-648-3457. 

University Summer Symphony perfoms Beethoven, Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$10. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

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

Gary Wade & Friends, guitar and vocals, at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

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

Lloyd Gregory and Friends at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Three Mile Grade, bluegrass, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Ruben Quinones and Rick Hardin at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Gearóid Ó Hallmhuráin & Barbara Magone at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Andy Tisdall, The Fancy Dan Band at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Royal Hawaiian Serenaders at 9 p.m. at Temple Bar Tiki Bar & Grill, 984 University Ave. 548-9888. 

Something New at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

“Cari Lee & the Saddle-ites” at 9 p.m. at Downtown Restaurant & Bar, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

Blind Duck, Irish music, at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Misner & Smith at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Broun Fellinis at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WarKrime, Rabies, Second Opinion at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 

EXHIBITIONS 

Exhibition of Remastered Black Panther Posters and book signing by Emory Douglas at 3 p.m. at Guerilla Cafe, 1620 Shattuck Ave.  

FILM 

From the Tsars to the Stars: A Journey through Russian Fantastik Cinema “Aelita, Queen of Mars” at 4:45 p.m. and “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum and Gardens at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Sheila Kohler reads from her new novel “Bluebird, or The Invention of Happiness” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Invocation to the Sun God Narayana” by the Jyoti Kala Mandir College of Indian Classical Arts at 6 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-15. 86-9851. mail@jyotikalamandir.org 

Bill Evans String Summit at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Americana Unplugged: Big B and his Snake Oil Saviours at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

María Volanté “Intima” at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Cafe Bellie at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Randy Marshall at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

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

Sunny Hawkins at 7 and 9 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200.  

MONDAY, AUGUST 13 

CHILDREN 

“The Case of the Missing Mutt” with Tony Borders and his puppets at 10:30 a.m. at the South Branch, Berkeley Public Library. 981-6260.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wood Bodies” Photo mosaic portraits of home and place by Marty Kent and Ted Harris. Reception for the artists at 7 p.m. at Café Strada, 2300 College Ave. 848-1985.  

THEATER 

Duck’s Breath Mystery Theatre, comedy, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jane Booth describes “Transformed by Triathlon: The Making of An Improbable Athlete” at 7:30 p.m. at Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

City Concert Opera Orchestra performs Haydn’s “L’Isola Disabitata” Opera in two acts with period instruments at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $10-$20. www.cityconcertopera.com  

Nada Lewis, Eastern European songs, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

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

Edgardo y Candela, salsa, at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200.

You have compromised the honor of a lady!” “And you’ve bastardized an English poet!” With repartee and ripostes, fast dialogue and swordplay, Shotgun Players’ The Three Musketeers, an adaptation by Joanie McBrien (who also directed) with Dave Garrett of the rich Alexandre Dumas epic of the wars of religion in 17th-century France under the sway of Cardinal Richelieu, is in full swing weekend afternoons in John Hinkel Park, for free—and it’s quite a crowd-pleaser.  

The tale of young Gascon (read “Southern country boy”) D’Artagnan, come to the big city to make it as a king’s musketeer, and the incredible web of adventures he’s enwrapped in from his first day in Paris, still makes for a great page-turner—or scene-changer. And the scenes furiously revolve as the stalwart (if wet-behind-the-ears) lad finds himself lined up for three consecutive duels against guess who, only to take sides with them against a kind of ambush by the cardinal’s guards, earning him the eternal comradeship of a troika of off-beat masters of the blade, his surrogate older brothers, and (unwittingly) his key into the intrigues of court and red cap. 

The Players toss off the juicy melodramatic lines with slight tongue-in-cheek somewhat different from Dumas’ stagey irony. The audience takes up where the Players leave off, laughing sarcastically at manners and mores, theatrical turns and turns-of-speech that are more 19th-century Romantic (as interpreted by the adaptors) than 17th-century classicist (or lusty or whatever one conceives the French of that century to be) and displaying an easy skepticism about religion, royalty, chivalry and whatever else seems creaky or preposterous to contemporary enlightenment. It would be curious to see if future generations take our self-serious enlightenment in much the same dismissive way. Even on the page, Dumas’ theatricality was as double-edged as his heroes’ swords. 

The Shotgun cast reels it out with a great deal of exuberance. This is one of the things the company does best, expressing their own enjoyment at making a spectacle.  

There’s a kind of cinematicization of the material; it plays well outdoors, but (like a mini-series) isn’t expansive. It doesn’t burst out of itself only to gather itself back in and burst out again, as the original story and all great episodic and serial fiction do. Still, the swashbuckling is bracing, with whole ensembles erupting at any moment, fencing their way across the sward at the base of the amphitheater, with the able guidance of musketeer and fight director Dave Maier (Athos) and fight captain and choreographer-ensemble member Andrea Weber. 

And the director is to be congratulated for omitting the almost-obligatory dose of fake Gallic kitsch American productions always seem to foster on the French. 

Much of the cast is familiar of face to those who follow Shotgun: the musketeers themselves—Dave Maier as brooding, misogynist Athos, Eric Burns as Porthos the Dandy and Gabe Weiss as Aramis—are longtime Shotgun troupers. Fontana Butterfield, a very familiar company member, almost steals the show as Lady deWinter, with a dose of noirish femme fatale and sleek stage movement. Dan Bruno is fine as that English rake Buckingham, who to be near his secret love, Anne, Queen of France (well-played by Marissa Keltie), would expend the lives of countless Protestant martyrs—“and what of that!”  

Others are return collaborators—notably Meghan Doyle, in a nice turn as D’Artagnan’s damsel-in-distress love interest Constance, and Carla Pantoja, a turncoat lady-in-waiting, charmingly called Kitty, who nonetheless retains a very soft spot for the dashing D’Artagnan. 

D’Artagnan, played with elan by Ryan Montgomery, is very much the ingenu (male version of ingenue), counterpointed by Constance, herself more worldly-wise, who arranges for him to be the courier for the Queen’s diamond necklace, unaware that Milady deWinter is after the self-same stones. Opposite in the spectrum is the totally cynical Cardinal Richelieu, played by Dennis McIntyre like a clerical Ming the Magnificent, evil chortle and all. Carson Creecy IV represents the foppish king, drawing laughter every time he exits with his prissy carriage. 

The show runs seamlessly until the end—and this might be true only for readers of the book, or the Classics Comic book at least—when the truly tear-jerking and spectacular demises, respectively, of Constance and Lady deWinter have been trivialized somewhat into a continuous action-movie stab-and-slash. But the adaptors deserve praise for the clear exposition of the plot, which literally is a plot with many sub-conspiracies and counter-plots. It was amusing to read a review of the show in one of the city papers that praised it for dwelling on lesser-known subtleties of the story. But those “subtleties” are all part of Dumas’ grand design for what’s been accorded the status of a boy’s book. His original story is so jam-packed with incident and detail that there’s no time in a two hour-plus stage adaptation for anything but the resume’ of that grand design itself. 

Ryan Montgomery and Dave Maier in The Three Musketeers.