TUESDAY, JAN. 22 

Pacific School of Religion Earl Lectures on religion, environment and social justice, with Chandra Muzaffar, Karen Baker-Fletcher and others, Tues.-Thurs. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. For details see www.psr.edu 

“Exploring Mongolia: An American Journalist’s Perspective” A slide presentation with Michael Kohn at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Berkeley PC USers Group meets at 7 p.m. at 25 Dartmouth in the Hiller Highland area above the Claremont Hotel. 841-4411. 

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. 

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

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

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991.  

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, JAN. 23 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Field Trip “Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park” with Hilary Powers. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the large spherical cage near Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue to look at wintering birds. 843-2222. 

BASIL Seed Library meeting to plan annual Garden Seed Swap and The Library’s future, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo. basil@ecologycenter.org 

“Reel Bad Arabs” A documentary on the degrading images of Arabs in cinematic history, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Who’s Putting the Heat on Barry Bonds ... And Why?” A dscussion at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Early Voting Ballot Discussion with Berkeley Councilmember Kriss Worthington and AFT Local 2121 President Ed Murray, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. Sponsored by the Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers. 

Let It Snow Day Make snow and conduct ice experiments. Storytelling at 11 a.m. at Habitot Children's Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111.  

Teen Chess Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6133. 

“New Year Detox & Weight Loss” at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

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. 

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

THURSDAY, JAN. 24 

“Google and Sources of Information in a Global Age” Lecture by Douglas Merrill, Vice-President of Engineering at Google, at 7 p.m. in the International House Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost is $5. 642-9460. 

NAACP Youth Council for Berkeley-Albany-Emeryville Kick-Off Mixer and Meeting at 7 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. at Alcatraz. 290-9702. baenaacpyouth@gmail.com 

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

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 10 to 11 a.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

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

FRIDAY, JAN. 25 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Robert E. Friend on “Permanency for Foster Youth” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

Friday Films for Teens at 3:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr., 2090 Kittredge St. For details call 981-6121. 

Kol Hadash Humanistic Tu B’Shvat Seder at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Details on what ritual food items to bring are posted at www.kolhadash.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, JAN. 26 

Bird Rescuers’ Get-Together Celebrate the Bay and join in a thank-you get-together for everyone who helped after the November oil spill. We will see pictures from the spill, celebrate wildlife that was rescued, chat and hear about what others did, remember and reflect on plans to make it better next time, at 3 p.m. at Shorebird Park Nature Center, 160 University Ave. 981-6720. 

Help Plant Natives on Berkeley Paths Please join BPWA and Friends of Five Creeks planting natives and removing weeds on Covert Path, part of a long-term project creating demonstration plantings and an “interpretive trail” from hills to Bay in the Codornices Creek watershed. Meet at 10 a.m. at the top of Covert Path, downhill side of Keeler Ave. a short distance southeast of Twain Ave. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Civil Rights Panel and Community Speak-Out with Kris Worthington, Berkeley City Council member, Osha Neumann, Attorney and former Police Review Commissioner, Melvin Dickson, Commemoration Committee for the Black Panther Party, Andrea Prichett, Copwatch, Subcommittee on Evidence Theft Issues, Mike Diehl, Activist and advocate for homeless rights, James Chanin, Attorney, former Police Review Commissioner, from noon to 2 p.m. at 1730 Oregon St. (below MLK Jr. Way. www.berkeleycopwatch.org  

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Healthful Resolutions: Lo-Cal, High Flavor” featuring kale and nori salad, Asian-inspired lettuce wraps, yellow split pea dal, hummus and fruit smoothies, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $55 plus $5 material fee. to register call 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Benefit for the Oak Grove Tree Sitters Legal Defense with music by The Funky Nixons, Hali Hammer, Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Heritage Chorus and others at 7 p.m. at Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2901 Derby St. 548-6310. 

Play Around the Bay Symposium on the disappearance of children’s play, and proposals for postitive change, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Doubletree Hotel, 200 Marina Blvd. Cost is $40-$55. 647-111 ext. 35. www.habitot.org  

Scalky Sleepers Learn how scales help animals weather the cold at 10:30 a.m. at the Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd. Cost is $7.50-$10. Registration required. 632-9525. www.oaklandzoo.org 

Kids Go Green Activities centered on ecology and climate change from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $9-$13. 336-7373.  

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

“The Music of Kurt Weill: September Songs” A film of staged and choreographed dramatizations of Brecht-Weill songs set in an old warehouse, at 5 p.m. at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph at Alcatraz, Oakland. 527-9584. 

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.  

Oakland Artisans Marketplace Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square. 238-4948. 

SUNDAY, JAN. 27 

“End the Occupation” A discussion with Max Elbaum, editor of War Times, at 11 a.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donations accepted. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Films for a Future: “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” at 2 p.m., followed by a discussion, at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

People’s Park Anniversary Planning Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Med Telegraph, north of Dwight New people encouraged to come. 658-9178. 

“Elections: Not how Leaders are Chosen, Not how Decisions are made and Not how you can make a difference” with Larry Everest at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. www.revolutionbooks.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 

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. www.watersideworkshops.org 

MONDAY, JAN. 28 

“Exploring Jazz with Len Lyons” A course to explore the basic building blocks of this unique musical language Mon. from 6 to 8 p.m. through March 10. at 2199 Addison St. For information contact Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a continuing education program for people 50 and over. 642-9934. olli.berkeley.edu 

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 

ONGOING 

E-Waste Recycling St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County accepts electronic waste including computers, dvd players, cell phones, fax machines and many other ewaste products for disposal free of charge at many of its locations throughout Alameda County. Free bulk pick-up available. 638-7600. www.svdp-alameda.org 

Help a Newt Cross the Road Every year newts migrate across Hillside Drive to reach their breeding pools in Castro Creek. Volunteers prevent many of these creatures from being crushed by cars. We need volunteers every evening during January and February in El Sobrante. The newts are most active on rainy nights. annabelle11_3@yahoo.com 

Free Tax Help If your 2007 household income was less than $42,000, you are eligible for free tax preparation from United Way's Earn it! Keep It! Save It! Sites are open now through April 15 in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. To find a site near you, call 800-358-8832. www.EarnItKeepItSaveIt.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Tues, Jan. 22, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Tues., Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-7368.  

Civic Arts Commission meets Tues., Jan. 22 , at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7533.  

Commission on Labor meets Wed., Jan. 23, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7550.  

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., at 997 Cedar St. 981-5502.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed. Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400.  

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs. Jan. 24, at 5 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5213.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.

TUESDAY, JAN. 22 

CHILDREN 

Bill Nemoyten “The Hornman” for ages 3 and up at 6:30 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

FILM 

Experimental Documentaries “Milk n the Land: Ballad of an American Drink” 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.  

Gabor Gyukics, poet and translator, at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Charles Halpern introduces “Making Waves and Riding Currents: Activism and the Practice of Wisdom” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Courtableu at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

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

David Lindley at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761.  

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

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, featuring Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi & George Kahumoku at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$20. 238-9200.  

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

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Cycle of Life: Awakening” Works by Asian women artists, opens at the Institute of East Asian Studies, 2223 Fulton St., 6th flr. Exhibit runs to May 15. 642-2809. 

FILM 

“Reel Bad Arabs” A documentary on the degrading images of Arabs in cinematic history, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Introduction to Film Language” with Prof. Marilyn Fabe at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Mona Sutphen and Nina Hachigian describe “The Next American Century: How the U.S. Can Thrive as Other Powers Rise” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Vikram Chandra reads from “Sacred Games” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Sue Miller reads from “The Senator’s Wife” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Writing Teachers Write 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 

David Lindley at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761.  

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

Balkan Folk Dance at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

La Verdad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Code Name: Jonah at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Cyrus Chestnut at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$18. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, JAN. 24 

FILM 

African Film Festival “Bamako” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jacqueline Shea Murphy in Conversation with Hertha Dawn Sweet Wong on “The People Have Never Stopped Dancing: Native American Modern Dance Histories,” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Hillary Gravendyk and Logan Ryan Smith, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Sudhir Venkatesh describes “Gang Leader for a Day” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Emam & Friends, Kirtan and world music, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Kelly Joe Phelps at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Count Basie Tribute Orchestra Benefit at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

The David Thom Band, Jacob Groopman and The Mountain Boys at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082  

Son de Madera at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568.  

Cyrus Chestnut at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$18. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Planet Loop, electro-jazz, worldbeat, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

FRIDAY, JAN. 25 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Barefoot in the Park” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Feb. 16. Tickets are $10-$12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Altarena Playhouse “Wait Until Dark” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Feb. 16. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Satellites” at 8 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. through March 2. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “The Cocoanuts” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., some Sun. matinees at 2 p.m., at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito, through March 2. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Encore Theatre Company & Shotgun Players “The Shaker Chair” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Jan. 27. Tickets are $20-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Angel Street” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. through Feb. 23 at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Best Western” Art by Martin Webb. Artist reception at 5 p.m. at Estaban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland. Exhibit runs through Feb. 18. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

FILM 

Jean-Pierre Léaud “Love on the Run” at 7 p.m. and “Sweet Love, Bitter” at 8:40 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sonja Lyubomirsky describes “The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland East Bay Symphony Verdi’s “Requiem” at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. 444-0801. www.oebs.org 

Pacific Lutheran University’s University Chorale Concert at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1658 Excelsior Ave., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. 530-6333.  

“The Solo Violin” with Donna Lerew at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Cost is $5-$10.  

The Isaac Schwartztet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Rhonda Benin & Soulful Strut at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tempest, Avalon Rising at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Any Old Time String Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Ben Ross, Christopher Hanson at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Straggler, Superthief, Humanzee at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Benefit for People’s Park Anniversary with New Thrill Parade, Tulsa, Wildlife, Jump off a Building and the Functionelles, at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blow Out with John Mayall, Kenny Neal, Fingers Taylor & Lazy Lester and the Blues Survivors at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

Bayonics at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

Paula Fuga at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Russell Taylor, R&B, at 9 p.m. at Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 839-6169. 

SATURDAY, JAN. 26 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with EarthCapades at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “Little Women” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m., through Feb. 3, at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $14-$18. 925-798-1300. www.willowstickets.org  

Uncle Eye Songs and stories at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 Tenth St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

THEATER 

San Francisco Theater Project “Aftermath of War: in their own words” Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$20. 925-798-1300. www.willowstickets.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Don Clausen: Retrospective, 1964 to Present” Reception at 2 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite 4. Exhibition runs to March 1. 421-1255. www.altagalleria.com  

FILM 

African Film Festival “Waiting for Happiness” at 6:30 p.m. at “Bamako” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“As if in Sleep: Collected Stories by Tim Barsky” at 8 p.m. at at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets are $12. 848-0237. 

“The Music of Kurt Weill: September Songs” A film of staged and choreographed dramatizations of Brecht-Weill songs set in an old warehouse, at 5 p.m. at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph at Alcatraz, Oakland. 527-9584. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jane Bernstein describes “Rachel in the World: A Memoir” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

A Conversation with Christopher Taylor and David Benson author of “Music: A Mathematical Offering” at Chern Hall, Grizzly Peak and Centennial Way. 642-9988. 

Andrew Demcak and Nina Lindsay, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. claybanes@gmail.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

American Bach Soloists “Christmas Oratorio” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $16-$42. 415-621-7900. 

The Arlekin String Quartet Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of Young People's Chamber Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave. Suggested donation $15-$25, includes dinner. 595-4688. 

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, with Winton Marsalis, trumpet, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$68. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

De Rompe y Raja “Diáspora Negra” at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Yancie Taylor & His Jazztet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 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  

Benefit for the Oak Grove Tree Sitters Legal Defense with music by The Funky Nixons, Hali Hammer, Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Heritage Chorus and others at 7 p.m. at Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2901 Derby St. 548-6310. 

Fatlip, Omni at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $12. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Jon Roniger, Scott Waters at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Danny Maseng and Soul on Fire, a multi-media concert at 8:15 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 28th and Webster, Oakland. Free. 451-3263. 

Ravi Abcarian Group at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Any Old Time String Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jonathan Alford Group with Maria Marquez and Alan Hall at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

George Cotsililos Jazz Group at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Izabella, Cas Luas at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blow Out with John Mayall, Kenny Neal, Fingers Taylor & Lazy Lester and the Blues Survivors at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, JAN. 27 

FILM 

“The Trial of Joan of Arc” at 3 p.m., “The Passion of Joan of Arc” at 4:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Dorothy Bryant reads from “The Berkeley Pit” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500.  

Linda Jon Myers and workshop students read from “Becoming Whole” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Virtuosi” by Yu-Hui Chang at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Pre-concert talk at 7:30 p.m. Free. 415-248-1640. www.sfchamberorchestra.org 

Christopher Taylor, piano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 116 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Free, donations suggested. 415-864-2151. www.prometheussymphony.org  

Midsummer Mozart Festival Benefit Concert featuring pianist Seymour Lipkin, at 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant. Tickets are $75 and include reception. 415-627-9141. lori@midsummermozart.org.  

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

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

Bandworks at 1:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Dayna Stephens, tribute to Sonny Rollins, at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Cheap Suit Serenaders at 5 and 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Flamenco Night with Dani Torres at 5 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blow Out with John Mayall, Kenny Neal, Fingers Taylor & Lazy Lester and the Blues Survivors at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

MONDAY, JAN. 28 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Cycle of Life: Awakening” Works by Asian women artists. Opening reception and lecture at 4 p.m. at Institute of East Asian Studies, 2223 Fulton St., 6th flr. Exhibit runs to May 15. 642-2809. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sylvia Sellers-Garcia reads from her debut novel “When the Ground Turns in its Sleep” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Express with Nancy Wakeman at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Megan Lynch, bluegrass, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

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

Classical at the Freight with S.F. Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $6.50-$7.50. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Kenny Durham Project co-led by Jules Rowell and Bill Belasco with Joel Dorham at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

As the swipe of hip-hop shifts gears into salsa, solo performer Danny Hoch stalks out on stage in character, under a banner for a festival, Williamsburg “Celebrate Your Community” day, spouting long, loopy lines in thick, nasal Brooklynese, cutting his imaginary friends out where the audience sits before the Berkeley Rep Thrust Stage, doing the dozens on down through the ethnicities—then the 49 other states, working hard on California—then shouting out, “All you American crackers, out of our neighborhood!” 

One hand jamming a mic up to his constantly moving lips, the other gesturing in big curves while dandling a beer bottle—“Everybody’s had a drink; I’m not the only one!”—his passive-aggressive, half threatening, half-apologetic diatribe burns with invective. He catches himself: “I cursed! Kids around here; I’m sorry ... I ain’t gonna hurt nobody. I’m a grad student. An Intellectual!” But continues to deliver the anti-gentrification message: “We survived the crack epidemic! Ronald Reagan was nicer to you than to us ... I can’t walk around like I’m floating on a French pastry, all carefree ...” 

And that sets the tone, the stage and the levels for Taking Over, Hoch’s parade of homeboys, homebodies and upscale interlopers, as the Big Apple sprawls over into Brooklyn, and property values soar, with fake French patisseries (just like in Tokyo—or Berkeley) flying in on the coattails. 

Hoch’s act consists of clever impersonations of a Parisian real estate salesman, working the dot-com homeseekers while urging a colleague across the pond to hurry over and buy! buy! buy! (subtitles provided); a revolutionary rapper in camoflage, declaring “We asked for better schools and they give us muffins! This’s unacceptable! Check it out!”; a dispatcher from the Dominican Republic working over his “hick” fellow Latino drivers over the radio: “I can take orders, that’s why I’m a dispatcher!”—then coos to his little girl in English; a yoga-ing developer asserting, “I love people! I should win the Nobel Prize for real estate!”; a middle-aged black mother remarking how she’s invisible to her new neighbors in line at the cafe to buy a $4 almond croissant. 

Some of the faces and voices announce themselves to be the children and grandchildren of Ralph Kramden. Others are from the next block over, another ethnic enclave, the settlement of whatever group Scorsese portrayed in Mean Streets—the real “Last Exit to,” the authentic “Only the Dead Know” Brooklyn. Hoch picks up on that territory, in those neighborhoods, as outsiders move in and stake claim to being locals, like the seraped, Andean-capped art school dropout from Michigan he plays, sitting on the sidewalk selling t-shirts and CDs, spouting in full Universal Valley Girl, “Who the hell wants to stay where they’re from?” 

The New American Dream of make-overs and meta-language sports a professional incomprehension to the sort of recalcitrance—or just recidivism—Hoch portrays. But it’s nothing new. A good deal of modern art begins with handwringing and gratuitous nostalgia over neighborhoods redeveloped and lost. The glories of childhood fled, a Romantic credo, got updated by the likes of Baudelaire, in poems like “The Swan,” contemplating the Second Empire streamlining of the French capital (in part to dislodge hotbeds of working class revolution):“Paris changes! but nothing in my melancholy has budged!”  

Hoch finally comes around to his own spiel, standing before a music stand and reciting his text, “coming clean” (like any real pro, a magician rolling up his sleeve) that he can’t perform his schtick at home, but makes his living any and everywhere else as “an exotic New Yorker ... You think I come here to take a walk in the hills? Or because Chez Panisse is really that good?” 

His act goes full circle. The drunk persona he started out with delivers the valediction, evoking 9/11 across the river, recalling when he spots an ex-girlfriend in the crowd “when the bodega started stocking soy milk, but not because you like it and we asked for it.” 

An accumulation of sketches, impressions of “types” and their accents and mannerisms, at times it seems like Central Casting gone wild. It’s a play on recognition, much of it from the movies and TV. Hoch is never cleverer or more apropo than when he portrays a neighborhood Latino just out of the joint, chumming up to a film crew p.a. for a job, any job:”I’ll do it for free—see, my mother’s watching from the window!”. 

Whatever the local equivalent of Hoch’s Brooklyn is, it couldn’t be rendered as a quick sketch. Bay Area solo acts that summon up past history and local types have to become full-fledged narratives or plays, no monologist’s dream witness Ron Jones or Brian Copeland. If someone did a routine onstage in a Bay Area idiom, they’d have to explain it first. “Back East, we got accents!” So “the Mission Mumble” in San Francisco gets pegged as Brooklynese. Small wonder, in a town where the most famous “local” of the postwar decades based his newspaper columnist’s persona over 40 years on being the New Kid in Town. 

TAKING OVER 

Through Feb. 10 at the Berkeley Rep 

2025 Addison St. 647-2949. 

www.berkeleyrep.org.