FRIDAY, NOV. 23 

Golden Gate Audobon Society Walk along the Berkeley Waterfront Meet at noon behind Seabreeze Market at the corner of University Ave. and frontage Rd. Heavy rain cancels. 845-5908. 

“Speaking Truth in the Teeth of Power” with Ward Churchill at 7 p.m. at AK Press, 674A 23rd St., between MLK and San Pablo, Oakland. Suggested donation $5. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

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. 

SATURDAY, NOV. 24 

The Icarus Project Five Year Anniversary Party Community potluck and story-sharing at 6 p.m. at AK Press 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

13th Annual Womyn of Color Arts and Crafts Fair featuring artists and craftswomen selling their original, handcrafted works, including paintings, clay sculptures, textiles, jewelry, wearable art, and more Sat. and Sun. from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Artisans Open Studios Sat and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 16. 845-2612. www.berkeleyartisans.com 

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 

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, NOV. 25 

Solo Sierrans Sunset Walk at the Martinez Regional Shoreline Meet at 3:30 p.m. at the old Amtrak Station near railroad crossing, off Ferry for a leisurely stroll along scenic shoreline and marina, with an optional stop later for dinner. For info call 925-458-0860. 

Berkeley Artisans Open Studios from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 16. 845-2612. www,berkeleyartisans.com 

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. 

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 Robin Caton on “Developing Inner Balance” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 . 

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Cost is $3 per hour. 644-2577.  

MONDAY, NOV. 26 

Pools for Berkeley meets to discuss the results of the visioning committee, and November 2008 ballot possibilities to improve Berkeley aquatics at 7 p.m. at City of Berkeley Corporation Yard, Public Meeting Room, 1326 Allston Way. www.poolsforberkeley.org 

“Iraq: Status Report and Options” with Stephen D. Biddle, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations at 4 p.m. in the Lipman Room, 8th flr, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 642-7747. 

“Rising Tides: Helping Coastal Cities Adapt to Sea Level Change” with Kristina Hill, Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, at 7 p.m. at 112 Wurster Hall, UC Campus. 642-4942.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at West Pauley Ballroom MLK Student Union, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com  

TUESDAY, NOV. 27 

El Cerrito Democratic Club meets to discuss the endorsement of February ballot initiatives, with Abdi Soltani, Executive Director of the Campaign for College Opportunity at 7:30 p.m. at ECDCs new location, El Cerrito United Methodist Church, 6830 Stockton St., near Richmond Ave. Members of the public are welcome. 375-5647. www.ecdclub.org 

“Bicycle Touring in Italy” A slide presentation with Paul and Teri Hudson at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling Class for homeowners who want to learn to detect and remedy lead hazards in the home. From 6 to 8 p.m. at Emeryville Recreation Center, 4300 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville. Free, but resgistration required. 567-8280, http://www.aclppp.org 

Berkeley PC Users Group meets to discuss computer problems and remedies at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St., near corner of Eunice. MelDancing@aol.com 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at West Pauley Ballroom MLK Student Union, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com  

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

“Accupressure for Pain” with Lawrence Schectman at noon at the Fibromyalgia Education Group, Herrick Campus, Alta Bates Medical Center, 2001 Dwight Way, followed by pot-luck. 644-3273.  

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

Street Level Cycles Community Bike Program Come use our tools as well as receive help with performing repairs free of charge. Youth classes available. Tues., Thurs., and Sat. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

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

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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, NOV. 28 

Birding with the Golden Gate Audubon Society at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park in Oakland. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the large spherical cage near Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. 834-1066. 

“Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What’s at Stake for American Power” with Mark Schapiro in conversation with Michael Pollan at 7:30 pm at the First Congregational Church in Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. For tickets contact 415-255-7296. ext. 253. www.globalexchange.org/events 

“Holiday Giving: Think Green, Think Fair Trade, and Don’t Get Scammed” Program and Holiday Party with the Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, corner of MLK. 548-9696. 

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Colloquium with Ruth Tringham on “Multi-scalar Spatial Context of Past Social Practices” at 1 p.m. at Wurster Hall, Room 315A, UC Campus. All welcome. laep.ced.berkeley.edu/events/colloquium 

Small Business Loan Application Night with Lenders for Community Development, a not-for-profit providing loans and business consulting to low-income business owners who cannot qualify for bank loans from 5 to 7 p.m. at Beckett's Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. RSVP to 1-866-299-8173. buildcredit@L4CD.com  

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

After-School Program Homework help, drama and music for children ages 8 to 18, every Wed. from 4 to 7:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $5 per week. 845-6830. 

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 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss derivative titles at 4 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. 981-6121. 

War and Peace Book Group meets to discuss “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut at 7 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 16. 

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 29 

“The Legacy of Berkeley Parks: A Century of Planning and Making” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St.  

BASIL Seed Library Meeting Learn how to support local garden seed saving at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 658-9178. 

“Using Science and Technologies for Environmental and Health Problems in Developing Countries” with Christina Galitsky of LBNL at the Association for Women in Science meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Novartis, Room 4.104, 4560 Horton St. Suggested donation $5-$10. www.ebawis.org 

Green Collar Jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area at noon at Morgan Hall Lounge, 114 Morgan Hall, UC Campus. 642-6371. 

“Broken Promises, Broken Dreams - Stories of Jewish and Palestinian Trauma and Resiliance” with author Alice Rothchild at 7:30 p.m. at Kehilla Synagogue located at 1300 Grand Avenue, Piedmont.  

Babies & Toddlers Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

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

FRIDAY, NOV. 23 

THEATER 

Anteres Ensemble “Human Voice” by Jean Cocteau at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $25. 415-531-8454.  

Aurora Theatre Company “Sex” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through Dec. 9. Tickets are $28-$50. 843-4822.  

Berkeley Playhouse “Seussical, the Musical” Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sat. at 2 p.m., Sun. at 3 pm. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Dec. 2. Tickets are $18-$23. 665-5565.  

Berkeley Rep “After the Quake” at the Trust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through Dec. 21. Tickets are $33-$69. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Black Repertory Group “A Rasin in the Sun” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St., through Dec. 14. Tickets are $10-$20. 652-2120. 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., selected Sun. at 2 p.m. at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 951 Pomona Ave., (at Moeser), El Cerrito, through Dec. 9. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. ccct.org  

Impact Theatre “A Very Special Money & Run Winter Season Holiday Special” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 22. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468.  

Masquers Playhouse “Little Mary Sunshine” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., selected Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through Dec. 15. Tickets are $18. 232-4031.  

Wilde Irish Productions “The Children of Lir” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m., through Nov. 24 at Gaia Arts Center, 2116 Allston Way. Tickets are $10-$12. 841-7287.  

EXHIBITIONS 

Touchable Stories “Richmond: The Story Continues” Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 6 p.m. at Old Kaiser Cafeteria, Shipyard #3, 1303 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Cost is $6-$12. Reservations required. 619-3675. www.touchablestories.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Women’s Will “Christmas Memories” readings of Christmas Classics Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at the Pardee Home Museum, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 420-0813. www.womenswill.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Raffi Garabedian, jazz, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

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

Sulky Darky, Tiger Fight at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

The Steve McQuarry Group at 8 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave.  

The Revtones, 1/4 Mile Combo at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Married Couple at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Tuck & Patti at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, NOV. 24 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Made In Equilibrium” works by Michele Elizabeth Lee, Brady Nadell and Ross Drago. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at ABCo Artspace, 3135 Oakland, Oakland. www.abcoartspace.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Women’s Will “Christmas Memories” readings of Christmas Classics at 8 p.m. at the Pardee Home Museum, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 420-0813. www.womenswill.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Dan Zanes & Friends at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $16-$26. 642-9988.  

Barbara Dane and Her Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ.  

Marimba Pacifica, Los Bros with guests at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Mere Ours, Tyler Whitmore at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Gary Zellerbach with Georgianna Krieger on saxophone at 8 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave.  

Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Maya Kronfeld Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Nathan Clevinger Group, Jon Arkin Trio at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

David Jeffrey’s Jazz Fourtet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 25 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

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

David Grossman “Bach for Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Eliyahu & Qadim at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Eric & Suzy Thompson at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Steve Shaffer and friends at 8 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave.  

MONDAY, NOV. 26 

FILM 

“Live at the Rainbow” Bob Marley & the Wailer’s 1977 show at 8 p.m. at Elmwood Theater, 2966, College Ave. at Ashby. Cost is $10. 433-9730. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Alix Olson and friends perform from “Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

Judith Thurman reads from “Cleopatra’s Nose: 39 Varieties of Desire” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Poetry Express Between the Holidays Erotic Poetry Night at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Classical at the Freight with Trio Concertino at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. 

Babshad Jazzz at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100.  

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

Louie Romero y su groupo Mazacote at 8:30 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, NOV. 27 

CHILDREN 

First Stage Children’s Theater “Stone Soup: The Musical” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5 at the door. 

FILM 

“Film and Video at CCA: Performative, Gestural, Collaborative Work” with filmmakers in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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

George Higgins & Jerry Ratch at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476.  

CJ Pascoe, author, in conversation with Barrie Thorne on “Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity & Sexuality in High School” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com  

Robert Kuttner discusses “The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Edmund Welles Bass Clarinet Quartet, avant jazz, heavy chamber music, black metal, and classic rock at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club. 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $20. 525-5211. www.berkeleychamberperform.org 

LeRoy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Kelly Park at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Bilal, neo-soul jazz vocalist, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Paula Kamen disucsses “Finding Iris Chang” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

Mark Schapiro and Michael Pollan in conversation on “Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products: Who’s at Risk and What’s at Stake for American Power” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $5-$13. 559-9500. 

Melanie West reads from her new legal thriller “Conflict of Interest” at 7 p.m. at Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

“Writing Teachers Write” teacher/student readings from the Bay Area Writing Project at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

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  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland City Center Holiday Concert with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir at noon at 12th and Broadway, Oakland.  

U.C. Jazz at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Billy Dunn & Bluesway at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West coast swing dance at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Rumbache at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa dance lessons at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

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

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

Bilal, neo-soul jazz vocalist, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, NOV. 29 

EXHIBITIONS 

“One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now” Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“n+1: The Function of the Small Magazine at the Present Time” with editors of the journal on literature, politics and culture at 6 p.m. at 141 McCone Hall, UC Campus.  

Joanna Katz will show slides and talk about her paintings and mixed media pieces in the current show Magpies@Giorgi at 4 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave., at Ashby. 647-3513. 

Elizabeth Currid on “The Warhol Economy: How Fashion, Art, and Music Drive New York City” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

“The Legacy of Berkeley Parks: A Century of Planning and Making” with Marcia Grady, Sadie Graham and Louise Mozingo at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St.  

Alice Rothchild reads from her new book “Broken Promises, Broken Dreams - Stories of Jewish and Palestinian Trauma and Resiliance” at 7:30 p.m. at Kehilla Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont.  

Stephen Vincent and Pat Reed, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Adam David Miller introduces “Ticket to Exile: A Memoir” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tallis Scholars “Poetry in Music for the Virgin Mary” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Durant and Dana. Tickets are $48. 642-9988.  

Culann’s Hounds at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Irish dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $13-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

UC Berkeley’s The Movement Fall 2007 Showcase Thurs. and Fri. at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $9 at the door. ucb.movement.showcase@gmail.com 

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

John Williams Gordon Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Tracy Sirota, folk rock, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Tresspassers, Bluegrass Revolution at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082  

Fred O’Dell & the Broken Arrows at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Roy Haynes and Birds of a Feather at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $16-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

There’s a magical time in childhood when the fiction of film is nearly indistinguishable from the reality of life, a time when a child still has a willingness and an ability to believe that magic is possible, and that maybe, just maybe, he can be its agent.  

I was at that age when George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy was at its peak. It seemed to me entirely possible that such a cosmic drama indeed took place light years ago in a faraway galaxy, and that it might be still be in progress, maybe even somewhere in my neighborhood. Lucas’ attempt to construct a myth was successful, and I, and a gazillion other kids around the world, were his silent collaborators.  

It doesn’t take a battery of special effects and widescreen melodrama to grab hold of a child’s imagination, however. Another film held sway over my young imagination, one that approached the world of youth and dreams from the opposite end of the spectrum.  

Albert Lamorisse’s Academy Award-winning The Red Balloon (1959) was a major fixture in my childhood, a seemingly perennial treat bestowed on me and my fellow students throughout elementary school. And, judging by a casual survey of Internet posts on the topic, my school was hardly unique; it seems, when it comes to The Red Balloon, no American child was left behind. It seemed very real to me the first time I saw it, and though the reality of it faded as I grew older, successive viewings never failed to enthrall.  

The Red Balloon and White Mane (1953), another of Lamorisse’s children’s films, are getting a theatrical release from Janus Films. The two short films (approximately 35 minutes each) will screen as a double feature beginning today at Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas in downtown Berkeley.  

The Red Balloon follows a few days in the life of Pascal (Pascal Lamorisse, the director’s son). In the opening scene he climbs a lamppost to untangle a red balloon, which he carries with him for the rest of the day. When he returns home in the afternoon, his mother discards the balloon by releasing it from their apartment window. But the balloon, grateful to the boy for having rescued it, hangs around, and in the morning it descends to street level again to join Pascal as he walks out the door and starts the long walk to school.  

From that point on the two are inseparable. However, the pair draws the attention of a pack of bullies who chase Pascal and the balloon through the streets and empty lots of Paris. The chase culminates in a remarkable scene in which we see just how well Lamorisse has managed to anthropomorphize the balloon. In a single long shot, the balloon slowly deflates—an oddly painful moment that drew tears from many a rapt child in my classes. But what follows is an uplifting scene that perfectly embodies the fantasies of childhood.  

The White Mane is also the story of childhood and friendship, this time between a boy and a seemingly untamable wild horse. Again Lamorisse produces an evocative tale, beautifully photographed, that examines the compassion and dreams of a young boy. 

White Mane is a horse among horses, the leader of his herd, proud, defiant and elusive. Ranchers try to catch and tame him, but none can hold onto him for long. But the boy is able to prove his devotion and sincerity to the horse, and what develops is another magical friendship that concludes with another of Lamorisse’s fairy tale endings.  

Down under at La Val’s Subterranean, the Impact theater company has already geared up for the season with their brand-new Very Special Money & Run Winter Season Holiday Special, complete with Xmas lights and a lit-up “Season’s Greetings” sign in red and green on the usual set, resembling a basement rec room. 

In this case, it’s the lobby, rooms and garage of a seedy hotel, where our intrepid couple of crooks on the lam, Bobby Jean Marshall (Jessica Rhodes) and Jimmy Jake McAllister (Alex Curtis)—aka Money & Run, the postmodern Bonnie & Clyde—are holing up for the holidays, hoping for a quiet Christmas, out of sight, mind and warrant or subpoena. 

Hard on their heels, as they strong-arm their way into the last room in a “no-vacancy” flea trap catering to hookers and crazies, are an expectant couple, Meryl (Seth Tygesen) and Josephine (Elissa Dunn), who get stabled in the garage. Everybody’s charmed at this cracker replica of the Holy Family, and the lucky pair themselves hold a loud, fractious talk about whether almost-due Josephine’s really a virgin, or if heavy petting in the back seat doesn’t count. 

Among others interested in the young parents-to-be is Big Momma Bob (Cynthia Brinkman, in a lusty turn), who wants the birth to be broadcast live from her liquor emporium—and is offering cash for the rights. And just when it seems to be a white trash Christmas, Frankie (ebullient Alan Bare) and his entourage blow in from the burg in full mafia fashion as The Three Wise-Guys, after Meryl to collect on a sucker bet and cash in on the Christmas kid. 

Rounding out the rout are Dr. Asswagon (comedic Jon Nagel) and Jimmy Jack Bodeen (Matt Gunnison), who seems to bear a personal grudge towards our hero. 

It starts out slow and amusing, but shifts into high and hysterical before too long, with funny fight and chase scenes. The cast of 14 does well, with Jeremy Forbing’s direction, in this burlesque of road and buddy pics, caper flicks, and pious holiday fare in general. Choco Couture’s costumes, like Big Momma Bob’s outsize Santa outfit with cowboy boots, add to the slightly surreal Tobacco Row decadence. 

It’s all a burlesque, perfectly suited to Impact’s entertainment mission, which often includes burlesque dancers, replaced here by hookers: Miyuki Bierlein (who doubles as a killer nurse and “assorted homeless”), Casi Maggio (also Angel, whose annunciation’s on a restaurant check, “like a fortune cookie,” and yet another killer nurse with a snap of the latex glove) and Sarah Thomas (Frankie’s moll as well). The chorus, whether dancing or, here, strolling by and taunting the leads, neatly vaudevillize this basement theater that packs ’em in, intent on fun, over their beer and pizza.