TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 

End the Occupation Vigil every Tues. at noon at Oakland Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay St. www.epicalc.org 

“Koyaanisqatsi” or “Life out of Balance” a film on the collision of the urban/technology world and the natrual environment at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Advanced sign-up is required. 594-5165.  

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 

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

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 22 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Recording African American Stories Add your voice to the Library of Congress and the National Museum of African American History, Wed. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment, at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, through Sept. 12. For appointment call 228-3207. 

Green Chamber of Commerce Mixer at 5:30 p.m. at LJ Kruse Company, 920 Pardee St., Cost is $5-$15. RSVP to chivachuca@yahoo.com, www.greenchamberofcommerce.net 

GPS Training for Mapping Creeks with the Contra Costa County Mapping Programs at 7 p.m. at 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante. To register call 665-3538. www.thewatershedproject.org 

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

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 23 

“The Energy Revolution is Now” with Prof. Daniel Kammen at the League of Women Voter’s Community Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Hs Lordships, Berkeley Marina. Tickets are $75. 843-8828. office@lwvbae.org 

“24 Hours on Craigslist” A documentary by Michael Ferris Gibson at 7:30 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donation $5. 843-8724. 

Easy Does It Board of Directors’ Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1636 University Ave. 845-5513. 

Art Workshop for ages 5 and up at 3 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Origami at the Library for students in grades 6-12 to learn how to fold a butterfly, heart, wallet, and sailboat, at 6:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. RSVP to 526-7512.  

Baby and Toddler Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave, Kensington. 524-3043. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at Theta Chi Fraternity, 2499 Piedmont Ave. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (Code: UCB) 

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 24 

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 

“Holy Land: Common Ground” A screening of Ed Gaffney and Alicia Dwyer’s documentary about Palestinian-Israeli cooperation in the midst of conflict at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Suggested donation $10. 524-3359.  

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. www.circledancing.com 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 

San Pablo Park Centennial Festival with a dedication of a plaque commemorating Frances Albrier and a new mural, live music, crafts and community booths, food and activities for children, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2800 Park St., bewteen Russell and Ward. 981-6640. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. and the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Sheffield Village Meet at 10 a.m. near the traffic island at the southeast corner of Revere Ave and Marlowe Drive to disover this pre-WWII community. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Family to Family Volunteer Day at the Alameda County Community Food Bank Learn about the face of hunger in our community for parents and children ages 5 and up, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Food Bank, 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland. Registration required. 635-3665, ext. 308. 

San Antonio Community Resource Fair, with games, arts and crafts, community information from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at San Antonio Park, 1701 E. 19th St., Oakland. www.sannoakland.org 

Jazzy Tomatoes at the Saturday Berkeley Farmers’ Market with music and tomato dishes from noon to 3 p.m. at Center St. at MLK Jr. Way. 548-3333. 

Nevin Park Groundbreaking Ceremony and 15th Annual Iron Triangle Community Picnic with a New Orleans style procession at 11 a.m. and picnic at noon at Nevin Park, Macdonald Ave. and Sixth St., Richomnd. 307-8150. Jacqueline_vaca@ci.richmond.ca.us 

Solo Sierrans Hike in Huckleberry Botanical and Redwood Regional Parks Meet at 10 a.m. at Huckleberry Staging Area south of Sibley, about 1/2 mile on Skyline Blvd. in Oakland for a leisurely six-hour hike with some steep climbs, views and trees. 925-691-6303. 

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

Ear Acupuncture for Stress Relief and Detox from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave. 

Girls Fast Pitch Softball tryouts for Bears Softball Assoc., on Sat. and Sun. For information call 748-0611. www.bears-softball.com 

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

Hamster Adoption Fair Learn about these little pets and help one find a good home, from 1 to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

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.  

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, AUGUST 26 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Jingletown Meet at 10 a.m. next to Mary Help of Christians Church, east 9th and 26th Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

“Peace with Justice: Prison Reform” with Laura Mangini at 10:30 a.m. at Easter Hill United Methodist Church, 3911 Cutting Blvd. Richmond. 233-0777. 

“Art in the Park” Exhibition hosted by the City of Alameda, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jackson Park, 2430 Encinal Ave., Alameda. arpd@ci.alameda.ca.us  

Oak Grove Music Festival Celebrating 268 days of tree occupation, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Oak Grove, Piedmont at Bancroft. 938-2109. www.SaveOaks.com 

Auditions for “Little Mary Sunshine” at 1 p.m. at Masqueers Playhouse 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Please prepare a 32-bar up-tempo showtune. 415-465-5550. 

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 

Tour of the Berkeley City Club, Julia Morgan’s “little castle” at 1:15, 2:15, and 3:15 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. Free, donations welcome. 883-9710. 

Sew Your Own Open Studio from 5 to 9 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Drive, Aquatic Park. Our workshop has industrial and domestic machines and tools which you can come learn to use or work on your own projects in a social setting. Cost is $3 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

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

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 

MONDAY, AUGUST 27 

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth Mon.-Wed. 2 to 6 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Drive, Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 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. For details see www.dragonmax.org 

Rally for Justice for Woodfin Workers at 6 p.m. outside Emeryville City Hall, then show your support at the 7 p.m. City of Emeryville Appeal Hearing. www.woodfinwatch.org 

Auditions for Contra Costa Chorale at 7:15 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. 527-2026. 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 

CHILDREN 

Puppet Art Theater for ages 3 and up at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave, Kensington. 524-3043. 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “High and Low” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Herb Kohl describes “Painting Chinese: A Lifelong Teacher Gains the Wisdom of Youth” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau 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 

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

Jackie Ryan, featuring Red Holloway, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 

FILM 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Writing Teachers Write” Teacher/student readings from the Bay Area Writing Project, with Jane Juska, Meredith Baxter and Claire Noonan at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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 

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

Karl Perazzo, Bobby Allende & John Dandy Rodriguez, percussion salsa, at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa dance lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Brass Mafia at 5 p.m., Natasha Miller 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 

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

Robert Glasper at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 

FILM 

Abbas Kiarostami “ABC Africa” at 7 p.m. and “Five” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Oakland Out Loud Poetry Reading with John Curl, Trena Machado, Jeanne Lupton and Rosa Martin Villareal at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, 125 14th St., Oakland. 238-3134. 

Dana Ward, Alli Warren and David Larsen, poets, read at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Eric Gower describes experimentation in the kitchen in “The Breakaway Cook” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Victoria Tatum reads from her novel “The Virgin’s Children” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Winard Harper Sextet at noon at the downtown Berkeley BART station. info@downtownberkeley.org 

Goat Hall Productions Cabaret Operas “The Playboy of the Western World” and “Dionysus” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 201 Broadway at Jack London Square, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$25. 415-289-6877. 

“Our American Cousin” an opera about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln with the University Chamber Chorus at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. 

Freight 19th Annual Fiddle Summit, with Alasdair Fraser, Annbjørg Lien, Catriona MacDonald and Laura Risk at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Eric Jekabson & Darren Johnston at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Temescallionaires, old-time tunes, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Dark Smile, Friendship First, Daniel Popsickle Orchestra, The Noodles at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

James Carter at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Terrence Brewer Trio at 5 p.m., Space Heater at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277 

Zadell at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Hot Club at 6 p.m. at La Note, 2377 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $40, includes dinner. 843-1525. 

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Hysteria” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through Sept. 30. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.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 

“Citizen Josh” with monologoist Josh Kornbluth, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2025 Addison St., through Spet. 2. Tickets are $25-$30. 647-2949. 

Masquers Playhouse “The Shadow Box” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through Sept. 29. This show is not recommended for children.Tickets are $15. 232-4031. www.masquers.org  

TheaterInSearch “Epic of Gilgamesh” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Sept. 2. Tickets are $12-$20. 262-0584. 

Viaticum “The Carnal Table” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. through Sept. 2. Tickets are $10-$15. 848-3338. 

FILM 

From the Tsars to the Stars: A Journey through Russian Fantastik Cinema “First on the Moon” at 7 p.m. and “To the Stars by Hard Ways” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

John Curl reads from his new novelistic memoir, “Memories of Drop City: The First Hippie Commune of the 1960s and the Summer of Love” at 7:30 p.m. at The Book Zoo, 6395 Telegraph Ave., at Alcatraz, Oakland. 654-2665. 

Greil Marcus describes “The Shape of Things to Come: Prophecy and the American Voice” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

An Evening with Drew Dellinger, poetry, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Reidenbach Hall, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $20. 451-4926. www.earthlight.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Goat Hall Productions Cabaret Operas “The Playboy of the Western World” and “Dionysus” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 201 Broadway at Jack London Square, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$25. 415-289-6877. 

Unsmokables, vocal and instrumental improvisation at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568.  

E.W. Wainwright’s African Roots of Jazz perform “The Social Evolution of Jazz” at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Eric Swinderman, In Pursuit of Sound at 7 p.m. at Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave. 665-8866.  

Pete Escovedo & Ray Obiedo Latin Jazz Project at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Wellman-Savage Unit featuring Walter Savage-bass, Angela Wellman-trombone, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St. Cost is $15. 836-4649. 

Brave Combo, rock, polka, jazz, Tex-Mex, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Walter Pope at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Waybacks at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Robin Galante, Mario DeSio and Kwame Copeland at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Jazzschool Summer Program Youth and Faculty Concerts at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

GG Elvfis & The TCP Band, The Abuse 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. 

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

Sila & the Afro Funk Experience at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Beep! Trio at 5 p.m., Bill Ortiz Band at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Steve E Nix, Rock and Roll Adventure Kids at 9:30 p.m. at the Stork Club Oakland, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. 444-6174. 

James Carter at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 

CHILDREN  

Puppet Theater Fesitval “Why Mosquitos Buzz in Our Ears” Sat. and Sun. at noon and Pinocchio: The Hip-Hopera 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 

Mark Axelrod “Sticks and Stones Not Only Break Bones” oil paintings, and Linda Braz “Explorations” mixed media installations and sketches. Party and benefit auction at 7 p.m. at The Gallery Of Urban Art, 1746 13th St. Oakland. 706-1697. 

FILM 

Abbas Kiarostami: Image Maker “Where is the Friend’s Home?” at 6:30 p.m. and “Homework” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Danny Caron at 7 p.m. at Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave. 665-8866.  

Jeff Zittrain, Americana rock, at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

Carne Cruda and Rico Pabon at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $6-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Baba Ken & Kotoja at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

DJ Real and Paulette at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Loosewig Quartet at 1 p.m., Sonanado Project at 5 p.m. and Agualibre at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WCS Songwriter Showcase Grand Finals at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Jazz Fourtet at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Strange Angels at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Winters & Davis, Montana at 9:30 p.m. at the Stork Club Oakland, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. 444-6174. 

The Botticellis, Winter’s Fall, Pickwick at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Nausea, Moral Decay, In Disgust 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 26 

EXHIBITIONS 

Berkeley Art Center 24th Annual National Juried Exhibition Opening reception at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut Street in Live Oak Park, between Eunice and Rose. 644-9873. 

“Everyday Magic” paintings by Jan Wurm and Suma Shawn, and drawings and welded steel sculpture by Joseph Slusky, opens with a reception at 5 p.m. at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates. Ashby Ave. 204-1667.  

Berkeley’s “Other” Revolution: Celebrating 35 Years of Independent Living, Disability Access, and Disability Rights. Photographs by Ken Stein on display in the windows of Rasputin Music, 2401 Telegraph Ave., between Channing Way and Haste. 525-2325. 

“Art in the Park” Exhibition hosted by the City of Alameda, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jackson Park, 2430 Encinal Ave., Alameda. arpd@ci.alameda.ca.us  

FILM 

From the Tsars to the Stars: A Journey through Russian Fantastik Cinema “Solaris” at 6 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Down Home Music Opening in Berkeley with Barbara Dane, Tri Tip Trio Zydeco Band, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Eric & Suzy Thompson, Los Cenzontles, Nina Gerber and others from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at 1809 B Fourth St. 204-9595. 

Oak Grove Music Festival Celebrating 268 days of tree occupation, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Oak Grove, Piedmont at Bancroft. 938-2109. www.SaveOaks.com 

Breslin and Alex, folk-rock, at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Edo Castro at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. 

Will Blades/Eddie Marshall Duo at 1 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Dani Torres, flamenco, at 5 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Americana Unplugged: The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Unreal Band, David Elias, Sabrosa and others from 1 to 7 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

MONDAY, AUGUST 27 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Express Open mic theme night on “dreams” at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Maria Mikheyenko, Russian songs, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

Musica ha Disconnesso at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Tiempo Libre at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. 

Remember when classical musicians were called “long hairs”? Maybe not. Ever since Jim Morrison replaced Tony Bennett in the popular music world the epithet has lost its meaning. Needless to say the Bay Area is long in classical music venues and musicians, long haired or not. Here’s the short list. 

Oakland East Bay Symphony 

The Oakland East Bay Symphony is housed in the Paramount Theater, redolent of gold paint, Art Deco trim and times past. The symphony, directed by Michael Morgan, presents six programs of music during the season. This year opens Nov. 9 with popular works by Beethoven and Leonard Bernstein.  

The program also features the gorgeous soprano Hope Briggs performing arias by Wagner, Puccini and Verdi. Later concerts include work by contemporary Chinese composers Tan Dun and Jon Jang, as well as 20th-century Iranian composers Aminollah Hossein and Loris Tjeknavorian’s unusual blending of western and Middle Eastern musical traditions.  

OEBS continues its fifth season of Magnum Opus, one of the largest commissioning projects of new symphonic works in the U.S. Sponsored by Kathryn Gould through Meet the Composer, Inc., it makes grants to the Santa Rosa, Marin and Oakland East Bay symphonies to jointly commission, premiere and perform nine new works by American composers over five years. For tickets and information, call 444-0801 or visit www.oebs.org. Subscription series available. Single tickets, $70-$25. 

Berkeley Symphony Orchestra 

Under the leadership of Kent Nagano, the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra has received numerous ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music, including five out of the past six seasons, while offering cycles of modern, Classical and Romantic music by Bruckner, Brahms, Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann among others. 

Nagano has since moved on to become music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, but he remains connected to the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, directing the Berkeley Akademie Ensemble in December as well as the symphony’s season opener at the end of January.  

The remaining three concerts are led by international conductors Hugo Wolff, Guillermo Figueroa and Laura Jackson, each with an individual program of 19th-and 20th-century music featuring at least one contemporary composer. 

For tickets and information, call 841-2800 or visit www.berkeleysymphony.org. Single tickets, $40, $60; students, $20, 

Berkeley Chamber Performances 

This organization presents a variety of outstanding local—and some farther afield—chamber groups such as the Maybeck Trio, Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Empyrean Ensemble and the Debussy Trio in an intimate setting at a jaw-droppingly low price. Held at the lovely Julia Morgan-designed Berkeley City Club, the concerts are followed by a reception. Preconcert meals are also available by calling the Berkeley City Club at 848-7800. For information and tickets, call 525-5211 or visit www.chamberperform.org. $20. 

Cal Performances 

Presenting a staggering variety of theatrical and dance events, Cal Performances also presents recitals, chamber music and, best of all, contemporary composer portraits. Last year’s performance, in their “20th Century Music and Beyond” series, of work by Conlon Nancarrow played by the dazzling Alarm Will Sound was fun, fantastic and as challenging as it gets in the world of contemporary music. This year they’re celebrating UC professor and distinguished composer Jorge Liderman’s 50th birthday. For information and tickets, call 642-9988 or visit www.calperfs.berkeley.edu. 

San Francisco Performances 

For more excellent recital and chamber music events, hop on that BART and make it over to Herbst Theater (Civic Center stop). All the events I went to last year—recitals from baritones Gerald Finley and Christopher Maltman to instrumental soloist Steven Isserlis and composer Thomas Ades playing piano—were only two-thirds full. And that is a shame. For information and tickets, call (415) 392-2545 or visit www.performances.org. 

Garden of Memory 

Speaking of fun, the new music multiple walk-through summer solstice event presented by New Music Bay Area and Chapel of the Chimes that rocks out at the Oakland columbarium is another do-not-miss event. In the labyrinthine Julia Morgan-designed columbarium and mausoleum stuffed with gardens, fountains, and stained-glass skylights, you can hear music from Krystina Bobrowski and Karen Stackpole to Amy X. Neuburg to Terry Riley and Sarah Cahill. Sadly, it’s only once a year. For information, call New Music Bay Area at (415) 563-6355. General, $12; students and seniors, $8. 

Philharmonia Baroque 

For early music buffs, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra is dedicated to historically informed performances of Baroque, Classical and early-Romantic music played on original instruments. Regularly heard on tour in the United States and internationally, the San Francisco-based PBO regularly plays around the Bay Area in Berkeley, San Francisco and Palo Alto. In addition to their Music Director Nicholas McGegan, the orchestra welcomes eminent guest conductors, as well as vocalists and soloists to perform in a new program each month. For information, call (415) 252-1288 or visit www.philharmonia.org. $30-$72. 

UC Music Department 

With three series that provide a wide range of classical music from western European to Asian to ethnic music, the university music department’s Noon Concerts are hard to beat in the category of free. This year’s concert series includes German lieder, songs by African American composers, Baroque harpsichord, Gospel and Gamelan. Regular performances of the University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Milnes, are scheduled at Hearst Hall; the symphony’s September evening concert includes Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances ($12, $8, $4). For information and tickets, call 642-4864 or go to music.berkeley.edu/noon.html. Free or close to it. 

For jazz fans new to the Bay Area, Berkeley is a unique jazz scene. In Manhattan, in any given week, two or three major jazz musicians will be appearing in various clubs all over the island. When I was last there in December 2005, we managed to catch avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor uptown at the Iridium and hardbop trombonist Curtis Fuller at a downtown hotel in the same week. In the Bay Area, internationally famous jazz musicians are rarer, but the local jazz scene is vigorous.  

The lynchpin for much of Berkeley’s jazz activity is the JazzSchool, headed by pianist Susan Muscarella, which offers classes and workshops, shopping, and live performances in a restaurant/nightclub setting. The school is the producer of the upcoming Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival featuring 45 events in 15 venues over five days. These performances are free and all of them will give you an idea of the range of jazz going on locally as well as a sense of the kinds of clubs that feature jazz in Berkeley. 

Among the best are Anna’s Jazz Island which is aggressive about booking jazz and has featured such well-known players as Steve Turré during the last year; the JazzSchool’s own Jazzcaffé, which also has an active jazz booking policy featuring instructors and students as well as guest musicians like Wallace Roney on occasion; and the sponsor of this year’s festival, Jupiter, which presented an excellent set from John Schott’s Dream Kitchen at last year’s festival. 

In May, Berkeley has a free festival on Fourth Street that usually features a star or two and the best of Berkeley High School’s award-winning jazz orchestras and combos. The proceeds go to benefit the Berkeley public school jazz program which, over the years, has produced David Murray, Benny Green, Peter Apfelbaum and Joshua Redman.  

If you really want to keep up with the Bay Area jazz scene, you will need to stop by, phone or e-mail Rick Ballard’s Groove Yard Jazz Shop. Rick sends out a more or less monthly e-newsletter that covers jazz appearances at all local venues, jam sessions, new recordings, jazz on the radio and more. If you go into the store, at 5555 Claremont in Oakland, you can also find a wide range of jazz LPs and CDs, both new and used. You can find jazz recordings at most record stores, but the Groove Yard is devoted to jazz only and Rick is both knowledgeable and passionate about this music. 

The top jazz club in the Bay Area is Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland’s Jack London Square. To give some idea of the quality of music to be heard there, during the last two years, Yoshi’s has presented vibist Gary Burton featuring guitarist Julian Lage (who was back at Yoshi’s on Aug. 7 with Anton Schwartz); pianist and Oakland native Carla Bley with longtime musical compatriot, bassist Steve Swallow; a Clifford Brown 75th birthday memorial celebration featuring tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, pianist Mulgrew Miller and four virtuosic trumpeters; another Oakland native, violinist Regina Carter; a second visit from Golson; a thrilling quintet led by pianist Cedar Walton and featuring trombonist Steve Turre and tenor saxophonist Vincent Herring; jazz composer and pianist Randy Weston with tenor sax great Billy Harper; and NPR radio personality and classic pianist Marian McPartland. This weel Yoshi’s is featuring reed giant James Carter.  

The only other time and place that the Bay Area gets to hear jazz of that caliber is during the San Francisco Jazz Festival which has both an autumn and a spring edition. The festival takes place in various clubs and halls throughout the Bay Area, occasionally jumping across our little pond to play Oakland’s Paramount Theatre. Over the last two years the Festival has featured the World Saxophone Quartet playing the music of Jimi Hendrix at the Great American Music Hall; Don Byron returning to his klezmer roots at the Palace of Fine Arts; Broadway great Barbara Cook singing Berlin, Arlen, Rodgers, Bernstein and Sondheim at Davies Hall; Ornette Coleman giving a magnificently lyrical performance at the Masonic Auditorium; septuagenarian tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins finding renewed inspiration, again at the Masonic; Tootie and Jimmy Heath, the two surviving Heath Brothers, playing brilliantly at Herbst Theatre; Andrew Hill, since deceased, along with trumpeter Charles Tolliver giving a touching final concert at Herbst; pianist, harpist, organist Alice Coltrane, sadly, also since deceased, with marvelous support from bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Roy Haynes, giving what was to be her farewell concert at the Masonic; and trombonist Roswell Rudd along with Mongolian musicians and throat singers in a remarkable concert at the Legion of Honor. Watch for saxophonists Ornette Coleman, Pharaoh Sanders and Paquito D’Rivera at this fall’s festival starting in September. 

As you can see, Berkeley may not be Manhattan, but we are by no means starved for great jazz here in the Bay Area. 

For more information on the Groove Yard Jazz Shop call 655-8400 or email groove2@earthlink.net. For more information on Yoshi’s call 238-9200 or go to www.yoshi’s.com. For more information on the SFJazz Festival call 866-920-5299 or go to www.sfjazz.org. For more information on the Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival call the JazzSchool at 845-5373 or go to www.dbjf.org.

Jupiter, the popular Shattuck Avenue beerhouse, presents the ambitious third annual Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival beginning this Wednesday and running through Sunday, Aug. 25. 

The event, made possible by the Downtown Berkeley Association and produced by the JazzSchool, features 45 musical events at 15 venues all over downtown Berkeley. In addition to every genre of jazz, there will also be poetry readings and a photographic exhibition.  

Besides Jupiter, the other participating venues are Anna’s Jazz Island, the JazzSchool, Shattuck Down Low, La Note, Bobby G’s Pizzeria, Caltopia, BART Plaza and the Farmer’s Market, plus photography at Berkeley Public Library, poetry readings at Berkeley City College and Half Price Books, and a poetry slam at GAIA Arts. The variety of music represented includes bebop, cabaret vocals, reggae, hip hop, blues, free form, African, Latin, funk and soul.  

The artists performing include some of the best local performers as well as luminaries like Pete Escovedo who will be featured with Ray Obiedo and The Urban Latin Jazz Project at Anna’s, classic drummer Eddie Marshall along with Wil Blades at Jupiter, clarinetist Ben Goldberg with Myra Melford, Devin Hoff and Scott Amendola at the JazzSchool, the jazz images of Yoshi’s house photographer Stuart Brinin at the Berkeley Public Library and California poet laureate Al Young and Beat Generation legend Michael McClure at Half Price Books. 

Many of these events are free and provide an opportunity to check out the great cuisine of Berkeley’s restaurants, read the poems inscribed in the sidewalk on Addison Street and find out what kind of jazz is being played locally and what kind you like. 

Also in town this week is the magnificent reed player James Carter. When I first heard then 26-year-old Carter at the old Yoshi’s on Claremont in 1995, it was how I imagined it would have been to have heard Charlie Parker in 1945 or Ornette Coleman in 1960. Although I was too young to have experienced the halcyon days of bop or free jazz, I did see Roland Kirk in 1965, Archie Shepp in 1966 and John Coltrane in 1967. Carter had that same kind of energy, as if you were present at the birth of something new and exciting, something that could make you begin all over again. My notes from that first Bay Area appearance by Carter include the words: beautiful, remarkable, phenomenal freedom, weird, experimental, totally accessible, unending stream of ideas, incredible, passionate. This was such heady stuff as dreams are made on. 

Since then, Carter has visited the Bay Area often and has released many excellent albums, though none of them have been able to capture what I heard that night at Yoshi’s. For that matter, Carter’s live performances have never quite reached the heights he did at his Yoshi’s première. His technical abilities are unparalleled whether he’s playing any of the saxophones (soprano, f mezzo, alto, tenor, baritone, bass), clarinet, bass clarinet or flute. No performance is without rewarding moments, but no performance has ever seemed as fully-realized, as immediate, as that initial experience. Still, he is the only player of his generation who I would never miss seeing.  

The last two appearances of Carter’s at Yoshi’s that I caught were in April and July 2004. The earlier set included a volcanic tenor solo on “Don’s Idea,” when he seemed to be channeling tenor saxophone great Don Byas, and an overly-intentional performance of “Strange Fruit.” The performance, although sincere, was so literary, dramatic, historical and emotional that it became something less than musical. The July show had him as the added guest with the Django Reinhardt Project and included both amazing soprano work as well as some smoky, swaggering tenor. 

Jazz musicians have always surprised fans by looking at overlooked, forgotten or taken for granted elements of their own tradition for new directions. As we arrive at the fifth generation of this unique music, we see all of these elements of renewal, surprise and the simultaneous tension of conservative synthesis and revolutionary exploration in the playing of Carter. Whether he plays in the galvanic manner of a genie who has just popped out of a lamp or in a more conventionally romantic-melodic style, Carter is the most promising player of his generation and what he plays is cutting edge jazz. 

For a complete listing of all the events of the Third Annual Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival, check the Planet’s Arts Calendar or call the Festival at 845-5373 or see www.dbjf.org. James Carter appears at Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland from Thursdaythrough Sunday with shows at 8 and 10 p.m., except on Sundays when they are at 7 and 9 p.m. For more information call 238-9200 or see www.yoshis.com. 

Access to culture shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, or even an ear. Many Bay Area museums follow the enlightened practice of waiving admission for one day every month—sometimes more often. And a handful are always free.  

First, take a look soon at Berkeley’s on-the-street Addison Street Window Gallery, always free and on view any time, day or night, from the sidewalk at 2018 Addison Street, between Shattuck and Milvia. Until August 25, there’s a special exhibit, “Art for Humanity,” organized by Evelyn Glaubman of Berkeley City College with city college alumni, featuring paintings inspired by the U.N.’s Millenium Development Goals.  

Some others: 

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive: First Thursday of the month, including 5:30 p.m. PFA screening; always free to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

Berkeley Historical Society History Center: (permanent and rotating exhibits on local history) Free every day. Thursday through Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. 848-0181, www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc. 

Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology: Free every day; docent tours $5 adults, $2 children. Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday 12 pm-4 p.m. 102 Kroeber Hall (corner of Bancroft and College). (510) 642-3682, hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu. 

Oakland Museum of California: Second Sunday of the month. Fee required for special exhibits. 100 Oak St., Oakland. 238-2200, www.museumca.org. 

Mills College Art Museum: Free every day, hours vary, closed Monday. 5000 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland. 430-2164, 

www.mills.edu/campus_life/art_museum. 

Richmond Museum of History: Free every day, Wednesday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 400 Nevin Ave., Richmond. 235-7387, www.richmondmuseumofhistory.org. 

Golden State Model Railroad Museum: Free Saturday and Sunday noon-5 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (open April-December; trains run Sunday only). 900-A Dornan Drive, Point Richmond. 234-4484, www.gsmrm.org. 

Alameda Museum: Free every day (donations encouraged). Wednesday-Sunday, hours vary. 2324 Alameda Ave. near Park Street, Alameda. 521-1233, www.alamedamuseum.org. 

Hayward Area Historical Society Downtown Museum: Free every day. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. 22701 Main St., Hayward. 581-0223, www.haywardareahistory.org/downtownmuseum.asp. 

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: First Tuesday of the month, 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m. after Labor Day. 151 Third St. between Mission and Howard, San Francisco. (415)357-4000, www.sfmoma.org. 

California Academy of Sciences: First Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 875 Howard St. between Fourth and Fifth, San Francisco. 321-8000, www.calacademy.org. 

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco: First Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 200 Larkin Street between Fulton and McAllister, San Francisco. (415)581-3500, www.asianart.org. 

De Young Museum: First Tuesday of the month. Fee required for special exhibits. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, www.thinker.org/deyoung. 

Legion of Honor: First Tuesday of the month.Fee required for special exhibits. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 863-3330, www.thinker.org/legion. 

Exploratorium: First Wednesday of the month (reservations required for groups of 10 or more), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco. (415) 561-0399, www.exploratorium.edu. 

Yes, we still miss Cody’s on Telegraph. The whole bookstore scene remains precarious. Black Oak has retrenched, and the future of its Berkeley store appears uncertain. Even the big chains aren’t immune, as witness the fate of the Shattuck Avenue Barnes & Noble.  

But some bookbuyers are still keeping the independents alive. Berkeley is home to a whole constellation of bookstores, generalist and specialist, used and new, with something for just about everyone—and then there’s Oakland and San Francisco. 

Moe’s Books (2476 Telegraph) alone still justifies a visit to the block where Cody’s used to be. This Berkeley institution, the creation of the late Moe Moskowitz, whose cigar-chomping likeness is prominently displayed, remains the used-book Mecca. Moe’s prices are reasonable, and the stock is always changing (they often buy personal libraries, and reviewers’ copies of new hardbacks show up regularly). There are new titles downstairs at a discount, rarities and collectables on the fourth floor, and remainders throughout. 

Also worth cruising for used books is Black Oak (1491 Shattuck), although prices are a bit on the high side; watch for readings and other author events. Half Price Books (2036 Shattuck), part of an Austin-based chain, is a crapshoot, but I’ve found some real bargains there. Pegasus (1855 Solano), Pegasus Downtown (2349 Shattuck), and Pendragon (5560 College, in Oakland) make up a local mini-chain; mostly used, with a good stock of remainders and notable first-of-the-year calendar sales.  

The Friends of the Berkeley Public Library store (one location in the main library at 2090 Kittredge; another at 2433 Channing, hidden in the ground floor of a parking garage off Telegraph) is another place where almost anything may turn up, and astonishingly cheap. 

But if you’re willing to spring for new-book prices, there are lots of options. The Fourth Street Cody’s (1730 Fourth Street) is still around. University Press Books (2430 Bancroft) is just what it says it is, with a few titles from non-academic presses. It might be just the place to find that specialized tome on Byzantine hermeneutics. Mrs. Dalloway’s (2904 College) has strong gardening, poetry, and natural history sections, a choice selection of general titles, and its own author events—as does Diesel (5433 College, Oakland). Builder’s Booksource (1817 Fourth Street) specializes in architecture and design, with an impressive gardening section. 

Other Berkeley and Oakland stores reflect the East Bay’s cultural diversity: Marcus Books (3900 Martin Luther King) for African-American history, culture, and literature; Change Makers (6536 Telegraph, Oakland) for feminist books; Eastwind (2066 University) for Asian and Asian-American subjects; Afikomen (3042 Claremont) for Jewish-interest books. Although not a bookstore per se, the Spanish Table (1814 San Pablo) sells cookbooks and other works on Iberian and Latin American culture. 

You can buy legal advice in handy book form at the Nolo Press store (950 Parker). For jazz aficionados, the The Basement @ JazzSchool (2087 Addison) purveys books and records. Down Home Music (10341 San Pablo, El Cerrito, and now on Fourth Street, too) has an extensive book section. Mr. Mopps (1405 Martin Luther King) has books for children. And don’t forget genre fiction: for science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery, as well as plush Cthulus and Monty Python action figures, there’s Dark Carnival (3086 Claremont) and Other Change of Hobbit (2020 Shattuck). 

Reflecting a certain ambivalence, Walden Pond (3316 Grand) calls itself “a Berkeley bookstore in Oakland.” It has one of the East Bay’s best selections of new political/cultural titles, many from independent publishers, in addition to used books. Other Oakland used-book outlets include Spectator (4163 Piedmont), Black Swan (4236 Piedmont), and Bibliomania (1816 Telegraph). The Friends of the Oakland Public Library run their own store, the Bookmark (721 Washington). For new books, try the Book Tree and A Great Good Place of Books in Montclair (both on LaSalle Avenue) and Laurel Bookstore in, where else, the Laurel District (4100 MacArthur).  

Across the bay, San Francisco’s answer to Moe’s is Green Apple (506 Clement), a labyrinthine warren of mostly used books; the new stuff is downstairs. Kerouac and Ginsberg fans will want to make a pilgrimage to Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s City Lights Books (261 Columbus). Modern Times (888 Valencia) works the political side of the street. For a Chaplin trifecta, Limelight (1803 Market) specializes in the theater arts. Alexander Books (50 2nd Street) has strong African-American literature and poetry sections. Kinokuniya (1581 Webster, in the Nihonmachi Center) offers Japanese titles in both Japanese and English. In the Mission, Dog Eared Books (900 Valencia) and Needles and Pens (3253 16th) showcase zines and independent publications, and Borderlands (866 Valencia) covers science fiction and related genres. And old reliable Stacey’s is still downtown (581 Market).  

This just scratches the surface, of course. There are noteworthy independent bookstores on the Peninsula (Kepler’s, back from the grave!), east of the Caldecott Tunnel (Bonanza Street Books in Walnut Creek), and north of the Golden Gate. The obituaries for the non-chain brick-and-mortar bookseller may be premature. But for God’s sake, get out there and buy some books!