TUESDAY, FEB. 5 

Remember to VOTE Today  

If you experience, see or hear about voting problems, please call the toll-free, nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  

Absentee Ballots 

If you have not sent your Absentee Ballot in by mail yet please do not mail it in now. Your ballot can be dropped off an any polling place. Find the polling place nearest to you at SmartVoter.org 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit the the EBMUD Velle Vista Staging Area. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

“Iron Ladies of Liberia” A documentary on a new generation of leaders in Africa at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Panel discussion follows. Free. 238-2022.  

“The U.N. Mission in Haiti” with Juan Gabriel Valdés, Chile’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2000-03) at 4 p.m. in Room 554, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 642-2088. 

Teen Playreaders meets to read and discuss Hamlet and related plays at 4:30 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. 981-6121. 

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

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. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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 welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Hiking, conservation and nature-based activities for ages 8-12. Dress to ramble and get dirty. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland in Celebration of Black History Month “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 

“Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches From an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq” with author and journalist Dahr Jamail at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

“Security in the Americas” with Juan Gabriel Valdés, Chile’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2000-03) at 6 p.m. in the Home Room, International House, Piedmont and Bancroft Aves. Free. 642-2088. 

“Peace is Every Step” a documentary on the life and work of Tich Nhat Hanh at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail” with Ken and Marcia Powers at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Preachers Peasants, and Soldiers” Pure Land Teachings in medieval Japanese society at 7 p.m. at Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant at Fulton. 809-4160. 

Writer Coach Connection Volunteers needed to help Berkeley students improve their writing and critical thinking skills from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. To register call 524-2319. www.writercoachconnection.org  

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

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

“Omega-3’s & Optimal Health” at 4 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Weight Loss 101” at 7:30 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 6:30 p.m. atthe Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

Morning Meditation Every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at 7:45 a.m. at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th. 486-8700. 

THURSDAY, FEB. 7 

“Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization” with Lester Brown, Earth Policy Institute President, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $5-$13, available at independent bookstores. 415-255-7296, ext.253. 

The “War on Terror” and Human Rights with Major General (Ret.) Antonio M. Taguba at 7 p.m. at International House, Chevron Auditorium, Piedmont Ave. at Bancroft. Free admission, registration requested. http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=150262 

“No Easy Victories: African Liberation and American Activists 1950-2000” A gathering of veteran activists of the anti-apartheid movement in the Bay Area at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 238-8080, ext. 309. 

Seniors Exploring Albany Hill Walkers age 50+ explore Cerrito Creek and Albany Hill from 9 aa.m. to 11 a.m. Meet at Peet’s Coffee, San Pablo and Carlson, El Cerrito (AC Transit 72). The pace will be moderate, but the walk gains almost 300 feet elevation. Wear shoes with good traction; bring walking sticks if you use them. Registration required. 848-9358. 524-9122. 

African-American Heritage Celebration Assembly at 1:15 p.m., soul food pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. at Cragmont Elementary School, 830 Regal Rd 

The Café Literario, book discussion group in Spanish, meets to discuss “El Túnel” by Ernesto Sábato at 7 p.m. at the West Branch Library, 1125 University Ave. 981-6270 or 981-6140.  

Teen Book Club meets to discuss books taht became movies at 4 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. 981-6121. 

“Eight Twenty Eight” Lavi Ben Gal’s documentary of life on a kibbutz at 7:30 p.m. at JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. tickets are $10-$12. 848-0237. 

“Elderhostel: Learn, Travel, Enjoy” Learn about the benfits of Elderhostel travel, a program for older adults at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Demystifying Organic Wines at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Stroke and Osteoporosis Screening from 9 a.m. on at La Quinta Inn, 920 University Aven. Cost is $159. Appointments required. 1-888-754-1464. 

Quit Smoking Class for LGBT Smokers Three sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pacific Center for Human Growth, 2712 Telegraph Ave. Free, but registstion required. 981-5330. 

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

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, Adeline and Alcatraz. namaste@ 

avatar.freetoasthost.info  

FRIDAY, FEB. 8 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jennifer Watts, State Water Resources Control Board, on “Environmental Impacts of Fish Farming.” 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.  

Textile Society of America Luncheon with selections from the Hillside Club’s costume collection at 12:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $15, reservations required. 316-3528, president@hillsideclub.org 

Womansong Circle An evening of participatory singing for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donation $15-$20.no one turned away for lack of funds. betsy@betsyrosemusic.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. 

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 

SATURDAY, FEB. 9 

Pondering Ponds Listen to a tale about ponds, then explore this dynamic habitat filled with a variety of life, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Waterfalls of Berkeley Join Berkeley Path Wanderers and Greenbelt Alliance for a 5-mile walk with a 500 ft. elevation gain to vist two waterfalls and climb a volcanic rock. Meet at 10 a.m. at Liaison Cafe, NE corner of Shattuck and Hearst. Bring lunch and liquids, wear stur/dy shoes and dress in layers. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Dawin Day A celebration of the contributions of Charles Darwin with a short course on global climate change and evolution, diversification from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Museum of Palentology. For information and to register see www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/about/shortcourses/shortcourse08.php 

Bookmaking with Recycled Materials Learn how to make a book using coptic binding and creatively recycled materials from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10-$15. Reservations required. 548-2220, ext. 233, erc@ecologycenter.org 

Children’s Book Marathon in Celebration of Black History Month from 1 to 4 p.m. at the African American Museum & Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. Free, but reservations strongly encouraged. 637-0200. 

NAACP meets at 1 p.m. at 2108 Russell St. All are welcome. 845-7416.  

“Evolution is in Action All Around Us” A discussion of the book “The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

“A Celebration of Diversity” with art and games, and a community potluck, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Peralta Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. Free. 532-9142. www.peraltshacienda.org 

The Great War Society meets to discuss “Killers of the Sea” and “The Log of U-35” by Andrew Melomet at 10:30 a.m. in the West Berkeley Library, 1125 University Ave. 527-7118. 

“The New Eugenics: Stem Cell Research and Cloning, What the Public Doesn't Know” sponsored by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum, at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, Conference Room A, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. 814-9592.  

Healthy Gardens Learn how to minimize or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals in the garden, at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off 7th St. 644-2351. 

“Lead-Safety for Remodeling, Repair and Painting of Older Homes” HUD & EPA approved class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. 567-8280. www.aclppp.org 

Mindful Drumming: The Secret Power of Rhythm and Sound at 5:30 p.m. at Attitudinal Healing Connection, 3278 West St., Oakland. Cost is $20. 652-5530. 

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. 

Adopt a Bunny Learn about habitat, feeding, playtime and grooming of rabbits at 1 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave. at Amherst, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Teen Knitting Circle at 3 p.m. in the 4th flr Story Room, Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Bring your own knitting needles in size 8, sample yarns provided. 981-6107. 

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, FEB. 10 

Green Sunday: “Courage in Life and Politics: The Dona Spring Story” with a film about Dona Spring, the longest serving Green Party elected official in the United States, and Berkeley City Council member for 15 years, at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. www.acgreens.org 

Lunar New Year Celebration and Parade starting at 1 p.m. at the top of Solano Ave. at 1 p.m. and ending with performances at the Main Stage at Cornell School, Solano and Cornell, ALbany at 2 p.m. 527-5358. www.SolanoStroll.org 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Field Trip “Tilden Regional Park” with Della Dash. Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot at north end of Central Park Drive near the Little Farm for a 4 mile hike to look at wintering birds. 843-2222. 

Darwin Day: “The History of Life on Earth” A talk by David Seaborg, evolutionary biologist, at 1 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donations accepted. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Latin America’s New Political and Economic Independence: Implications for a Multi-Polar World” with Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington D.C., at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St. Suggested donation $10-$20. 415-924-3227. 

Sushi Basics Learn the natural and cultural history of this cuisine as you prepare and taste seven basic types of sushi. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $25-$39. Parent participation required for children 8-12 years. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS 

Kensington Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 Arlington Ave. at Amherst, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Fullpower Workshop Learn simple effective skills to keep yourself safe from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in Berkeley Cost is $105, no one turned away. To register and for location call 831-426-4407 ext. 1. safety@kidpower.org 

Mantras of Henry Marshall, led by Marcia Emery, PhD. at 2 p.m. at Peralta Community Garden, Hopkins and Peralta. If by chance it rains, we will postpone until the following month. 526-5510. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Sun. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150. 

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Keeping an Open Heart” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 11 

“Berkeley: A City in History” with author Charles Wollenberg at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Dowmtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

“Genomic Advances to Improve Biomass for Biofuels” with Jerry Tuskan, Joint Genome Institute, Co-Lead on Laboratory Science Program at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. Free. Presented by Berkeley Lab Friends of Science. 486-7292. www.lbl.gov/friendsofscience 

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 

CITY MEETINGS 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7461.  

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7419.  

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6406.  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520.  

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 

Donate the Excess Fruit from Your Fruit Trees I’ll gladly pick and deliver your fruit to community programs that feed school kids, the elderly, and the hungry. The fruit trees should be located in Berkeley and organic (no pesticides). This is a free volunteer/ 

grassroots thing so join in!! To scehdule and appointment call or email 812-3369. northberkeleyharvest@gmail.com

In the Jan. 29 issue, the article “Feds Say Teece Must Pay $12 Million for Tax Dodges” had an incomplete last sentence. The full sentence was: “Recipients of [David] Teece contributions include President George W. Bush, state Senator Don Perata, former Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean and Berkeley Councilmember Gordon Wozniak.”

TUESDAY, FEB. 5 

CHILDREN 

Chinese New Year Program with Elaine Chui at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Eye Gotcha Covered” multi-media exhibit by Milton Bowens. Opening reception at 4 p.m. at The June Steingart Gallery of Art, Laney Tower Lobby. 464-3161. 

FILM 

Experimental Documentaries “F is for Phony” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

“Iron Ladies of Liberia” A documentary on a new generation of leaders in Africa at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Panel discussion follows. Free. 238-2022.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

H.D. Moe, Garrett Lambrav, Blake More at 7:30 p.m. at Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

James Martel reads from “Subverting the Leviathan: Reading Thomas Hobbes as a Radical Democrat” at 6 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration with the Lloyd Family Players, Joyfull Noise Brass Band and The California Honeydrops at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054.  

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

SF Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival with Huckleberry Flint and Mighty Crows at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761.  

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

Larry Coryell with Bombay Jazz at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200.  

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6 

FILM 

History of Cinema “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” at 3 p.m. and Jazz at the Movies “Paris Blues” at 6:30 p.m., “All Night Long” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Dahr Jamail discusses his book “Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches From an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Ying Chang Compestine talks about “Revolution is not a Dinner Party” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit Celebrating Black History Month at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Wednesday Noon Concert “Baroque and New Music for Viola” at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864.  

Hugh Masekela’s Chissa All-Stars at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $28-$52. 642-9988.  

Calvin Keys Birthday Party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

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

Fourth Legacy, Armenian, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

The Wayside State at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Beckett’s Musical Forum, hosted by GG Tenaka, at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Steve James with Eric & Suzy Thompson at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Quartet San Francisco at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, FEB. 7 

FILM 

African Film Festival “Two By Sembene” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free First Thursday. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lunch Poems with Arthur Sze at 12:10 p.m. at the Morrison Library, inside the Doe Library, UC Campus. 642-0137. 

Lester Brown, Earth Policy Institute president, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are 45-$13. 415-255-7296, ext. 253. 

“The Exquisite Art of Brazilian Guitar” with Jesse “Chuy” Varela at 5 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall Lobby Mezzanine, UC Campus. Free. 642-9988. 

Richard Thompson Ford discusses “The Race Card: How Bluffing About Bias Makes Race Relations Worse” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

Bill Joyce and Ella Lawrence read from “The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Beth Lisick introduces “Helping Me Help Myself: One Skeptic, Twelve Self-Help Programs, One Whirlwind Year of Improvement” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Bridge Crawl, Don’t Lokok Back, Settledown, rock at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $TBA. 525-5054.  

Brazilian Guitar Festival with Sergio, Badi & Odair Assad at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$46. 642-9988.  

SF Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival with Carolina Chocolate Drops at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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

Alexis Harte Band, Kate Isenberg & Cindi Harvell at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

The Famous, Emily Herring, The Hooroders, alt twang and rock at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082  

Fred O’Dell and the Broken Arrows at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Eliane Elias, sings and plays Bill Evans, at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200.  

FRIDAY, FEB. 8 

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.  

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.  

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

Berkeley Rep “”Wishful Drinking” with Carrie Fisher, at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St., through March 30. Tickets are $33-$69. 647-2949. 

Black Repertory Group Theatre “A Raisin In The Sun” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $5-$25. 652-2120.  

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 

foolsFURY Theater “Monster in the Dark” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 5 p.m., through Feb. 17, at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $12-$30. 800-838-3006.  

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 

“Real or Surreal” Art by Mari Kearney. Reception at 7:30 p.m. at Cafe Diem, 2224 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 

FILM 

Jean-Pierre Léaud “The Mother and the Whore” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

“The Invisible Forest” A film by Antero Alli at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. TIckets $8-$12. www.21grand.org  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Charles Wollenberg reads from “Berkeley: A City in History” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Carol Gilligan talks about her new book “Kyra” at 6:30 p.m. at Bette’s Oceanview Diner on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

Last Word Reading Series with featuring poets Grace Grafton and Cherese Wyneken at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. 841-6374. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Anatolian Folk Music at noon at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. 

Triskela, celtic harp trio,at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Community Church, 53 Arlington Ave. Tickets are $5-$15. 526-9146. 

History and Harmony Black History Concert Series with Khalil Shaheed and 2nd Line New Orleans Jazz Band, James Tinsley at 7:30 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 Internationl Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$10. 544-8924. 

Catalina Claro, pianist from Chile, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Pamela Rose & Danny Caron Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Slammin, Crosspulse at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054.  

Justin Hellman at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Amy Meyers at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

SF Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival with The Freight Hoppers, Crooked Jades at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Bosssa Five-O, jazz, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

David Silverberg, Christina Kowalchuk at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Scott Amendola, Matthais Bossi and Devin Ray Hoff at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

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

A.P.P.L.E., Resistant Culture, Armistice, at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

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

The Jelly Roll Souls at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Eliane Elias, sings and plays Bill Evans, at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, FEB. 9 

CHILDREN  

Children’s Book Marathon in Celebration of Black History Month from 1 to 4 p.m. at the African American Museum & Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. Free, but reservations strongly encouraged. 637-0200. 

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

Music and Puppets with Jen Miriam at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 Tenth St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

“The Wizard of Ahhhhs” Magic show with Blake Maxam Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellvue Ave., Oakland.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Art of Living Black” and “Emory Douglas: The Art of Political Protest” Opening reception with Emory Douglas in person at 3 p.m. at Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. 620-6772. 

National Institute of Art & Disabilities “NIAD Faculty & Artists” A 25th Anniversary Celebration. Opening reception at 2 p.m. at 551 23rd St., Richmond. 620-0290.  

“Tilden Odyssey” Textured paintings, collages, and monotypes by Sheila Sondick on display at the Tilden Nature Center, through Feb. 28. 525-2233 

“Double Vision: Artist Partners” Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, 25 Grand Ave., upper level, Oakland. Exhibition runs to March 15. www.chandracerrito.com 

“Yea We Said It, And No We’re Not Sorry” works by Malik and Milton Bowens for Black History Month. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. Exhibit runs to Feb. 29. 465-8928. 

FILM 

African Film Festival “Clouds Over Conakry” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Gillian Conoley and Jane Miller at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Moiseyev Dance Company at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988.  

Community Women’s Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1331 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10, children free. 463-0313.  

Philharmonia Baroque Beetoven’s “Emperor” piano concerto with Robert Levin, at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400.  

“Love Songs & Chocolate” at 7 :30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $15, includes a variety of desserts. 525-0302. 

Powell St. John at 2 p.m. at Down Home Music, 1809b Fourth Street. 525-2129. 

Gateswingers Jazz Band, for dancing or just listening, at 8 p.m. at Central Perk, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 558-7375. 

Ed Reed & his Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Yarie Toure, Djekouria Fanta Conde at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Guinean dance workshop at 9 p.m. Cost is $15. 525-5054. 

Kurt Maire, Jesse Rubin at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Junius Courtney Band with a staged reading of “The Billy Strayhorn Session” at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Kally Price Old Time Music at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. 

Ray Obiedo & Mambo Caribe, Latin jazz, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Mikie Prasand Band at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub. 647-1790.  

Beatbeat Whisper, Or, the Whale, Emily Jane White, indie folk country, at 9 p.m. at Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Terrence Brewer Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Izzy Osbourne, Everything Must Go at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7-$10. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, FEB. 10 

CHILDREN 

Oliver Chin reads from “The Year of the Rat” at 2 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

Matt Faulkner introduces “The Taste of Colored Water” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 559-9500. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Homage to the Motherland” Oil paintings by Hongyun Suriwong. Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Albany Community Center Foyer 1249 Marin Ave. Albany. 524-9283. 

FILM 

Human Rights Film Festival “Strange Culture” at 5:30 p.m., “City of Photographers” at 7:05 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Celebration of Music” with the Music School at Piedmont Piano Company to benefit Christopher Rodriguez who was shot while taking a piano lesson, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $25. 547-8188. www.piedmontpiano.com 

Jen Baker, solo trombone, at 4 p.m. at 2213 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Live Oak Concert Jazz Duo with Laura Klein, piano, Ted Wolff, vibraphone, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., near Eunice. TIckets are $10-$12. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and Piedmont Choir in a family friendly concert at noon at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Free. 415-248-1640.  

Moiseyev Dance Company at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988.  

Organ Recital with John Karl Hirten at 6 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. 845-0888.  

Philharmonia Baroque Beetoven’s “Emperor” piano concerto with Robert Levin, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

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

Magic Carpet, world fusion, at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Debbie Poryes Trio at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Ledward Kaapana & Mike Kaawa at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

La Plebe, Carnal Knowledge, Zomo at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, FEB. 11 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Charles Wollenberg describes “Berkeley: A City in History” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Dowmtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Aurora Theatre “Kings Play Chess on Fine Green Satin” reading followed by discussion at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. Free. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

David Roche describes “The Church of 80% Sincerity” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Express with FrancEye from Los Angeles at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

Poetry Reading with Lynn Knight at 6:30 p.m.,at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Arts Festival Jerry Kuderna Monday Lunch Piano Concert from noon to 1 p.m. at 2213 Shattuck Ave. Free. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Luciano Chessa “Nodi d'amore” at 8 p.m. at 2213 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $5-$10. 665-9496. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Dazzling Divas Opera at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100.  

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

West Coast Songwriters Competition at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $5. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Dave Eshelman’s Jazz Garden Big Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $15. 238-9200.  

In gathering darkness from a storm—or in a dark prisoner’s cell—a disparate group of characters find themselves confronting fears over safety, security, their own behavior—primal fears. What’s in the darkness? A monster? Am I becoming a monster?  

As foolsFURY’s premiere of Monster in the Dark goes on, the individual characters telling stories to themselves or others (or just consoling themselves about their fears) begin to meet as their stories overlap and interpenetrate against the dark backdrop of impending disaster—a deluge which official channels continue to downplay, as torrential rains fall and waters rise.  

The personae are various, eccentric, and all a little bit humorous: an Ancient Mariner type, clinging to the rigging of a ladder on the edge of the stage; a bonneted proselytizer for faith and salvation, waiting for an ark; a prisoner in a tower, who writes his way through the wall; a spinsterish schoolteacher who departs from the approved tales in her storybook and finds herself meeting the prisoner in the darkness of a spooky story. 

Weaving these vignettes together is the talented cast assembled by foolsFURY, the decade-and-a-half-old San Francisco-based physical theater troupe, which performed a workshop version of the origins of Monster in the Dark at Ashby Stage three years ago, as part of Shotgun Lab. It’s called a spectacle on the program. Ben Yalom, foolsFURY’s founder and artistic director, has guided his performers through Doug Dorst’s tale of snowballing disaster—and stories—a little like acrobats in an arena (the audience is on two sides of the playing area), who not only take on sometimes shifting identities, but become an ensemble of, say, waves and victims borne away in pas-de-deux.  

The six onstage seem, at times, like many more: Beth Wilmurt, Blythe Foster, Deborah Eliezer, Jessica Kitchens, Peter Rucco and Ryan Tasker (Eliezer is the only member of foolsFURY’s standing company). Adroit at shifting identities—and identities that shift—these half-dozen grip the audience with both soliloquies and dialogue, with monologues delivered by one to another listening as well as by pure theatrics, kinetic stage artistry—all action.  

Doug Dorst has worked with foolsFURY before, as dramaturge for three other productions. The long, painstaking process to make Monster in the Dark (which runs over two hours) is sometimes almost palpable in the interstices between the vignettes, as they merge and become a full-fledged, multi-character story. Dorst is a novelist and creative writing instructor. There are moments in the second act that seem closer to narrative—especially with a 1984-ish backdrop like Monster in the Dark’s The Structure, with its ever-present Umbrella Men keeping the peace. There’s something of a switch to a different pace, a different density, once the frame of the whole story becomes more apparent.  

But the flurries of action and dialogue provide much pure theater-in-the-round, and the spectacle ends on two striking images—a kind of ark, or ship of fools (appropriately enough), and a solitary, if buoyant, expression of hope amid the sea of waves.  

Interestingly enough, Ben Yalom related that during the Shotgun Lab process, audience members seemed to split on generational lines over their comprehension of vignettes, whether framed or not by a comprehensive story. In the unfolding—or is it folding?—of this tale, the more mysterious fragments of voice and action, gesture and tableaux seem at first more theatrically suggestive than when the ensemble gets on more equal footing—albeit in a cataclysm.  

Yalom also said foolsFURY, in residence the past few years at SF’s Traveling Jewish Theatre, where they hold their Fury Factory festivals of experimental troupes from around the country, intends to perform in Berkeley more in the future. This is good news for spectators who value—or who’d like to discover—such accomplished seekers of spectacle, of the art of presenting a living, mobile image composed for all the senses, as foolsFURY is. 

MONSTER IN THE DARK 

8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 17 at the Ashby Stage, 2901 Ashby Ave. $12-$30. (800) 838-3006.

Charles Wollenberg, history professor at Berkeley City College, will speak about his new book, Berkeley: A City in History, Friday at Mrs. Dalloway’s Books, 2904 College Ave., at 7:30 p.m., and on Monday at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave., at 7:30 p.m. He will also discuss the book at University Press Books on Bancroft Way on Feb. 14, at 5:30 p.m., at the San Francisco Public Library on March 5, at 6 p.m., and at the Berkeley Public Library on March 31, at 7 p.m.  

In the book’s preface Wollenberg writes, “I have tried to present an impressionistic survey of the city’s history, giving residents a sense of how their hometown developed and how their individual experiences and those of their families, neighborhoods and communities fit into a larger historical framework. For nonresidents, the book describes the history of a city that, given its modest size, has had a remarkable influence on the state, the nation, and even the world.”