TUESDAY, MARCH 11 

National Nutrition Month, with cooking demonstrations at 2:30 p.m., free samples and free recipes, at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market from 2 to 6 p.m. at Derby St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.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 Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

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. 

“The Mountains and Waters Sutra” with Prof. Carl Bielefeld, Religious Studies, Stanford Univ., at 5 p.m. at Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. RSVP to 809-1444. www.shin-ibs.edu 

Magic Show by Alex for ages 3 and up at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 3 to 4 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

“Exploring Mount Diablo and Its Surrounding Parklands” with Seth Adams, Director of Land Programs at Save Mount Diablo, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Docent Training for Tilden Nature Area Learn to assist the naturalists in providing interpretive programs at the Little Farm and nature area gardens, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee is $35. Application required. For information call 544-3260. 

Really Real Green Zone promoting safe and healthy communities for peace, every day to 5 p.m., Fri., in front of the Marine Recruiting Station, 64 Shattuck Square. 524-2776. 

Berkeley High School Governance Council meets at 4:15 p.m. in the Community Theater Lobby. 644-4803. 

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 

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

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

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 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 

Healthy Living, Healthy Aging A free workshop series for older adults and family caregivers. Fall Prevention at 10 a.m., Transitioning Safely from Hospital to Home, at 1:30 p.m., Forgetfulness: Is It Normal Aging or Alzheimer’s? at 5 p.m. at JFCS/East Bay’s Suse Moyal Center for Older Adult Services, 828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 104, Albany. Free, lunch provided. RSVP required. 558-7800. www.jfcs-eastbay.org 

Anti-Budget Cuts for Education Rally and Open Mic at noon at Berkeley City Collge Atrium.  

Berkeley Retired Teachers’ Association Annual General Meeting with Virginia Johnson, CalSTRS Program Integration Manager in Client Outreach and Guidance, at 12:30 p.m. at Northbrae Church, 941 The Alameda. 524-8899. 

“Israel-Palestine Peace Prospects” with Israeli Gershon Baskin and Palestinian Hanna Siniora, authors, activists and educators at 7 p.m. at Kehilla Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Donation of $10 requested. sf-bayarea@btvshalom.org  

Sudden Oak Death Preventative Treament Training Session Meet at 1 p.m. at the Tolman Hall portico, Heast Ave. and Arch/LeConte, UC Campus for a two-hour field session, rain or shine. Pre-registration required. SODtreatment@ 

nature.berkeley.edu 

“Lead-Safety for Remodeling, Repair & Painting of Older Homes” A HUD and EPA approved one-day course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Main Office, 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. Free to owners, and their employed maintenance crews, of residential properties built before 1978 in Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville or Oakland. REgistration required. 567-8280. www.aclppp.org 

Green Home Improvement 101 at 6 p.m. at the Ecohome Improvement Design Studio, 2619 San Pablo Ave. RSVP to 644-3500. 

Cycling Lecture with George Mount, 1976 Olympian, at 7 p.m. at Velo Sport Bicycles, 1615 University Ave., enter at 1989 California St. RSVP to 849-0437. 

Radical Movie Night: “Salt of the Earth” A documentary about the struggles of striking mine workers in a small town in New Mexico at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave.  

“The Top 25 Censored Stories” with Peter Phillips on the 2008 results at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way, under Sather Gate Parking Garage. 848-1196. 

“Asia’s New Institutional Architecture: Evolving Strategies for Managing Trade, Financial, and Security Relations” at 4 p.m. at the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th Floor. 642-2809.  

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

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

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets 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. 

Theraputic Recreation at the Berkeley Warm Pool, Wed. at 3:30 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Warm Pool, 2245 Milvia St. Cost is $4-$5. Bring a towel. 632-9369. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 13 

Collage de Cultures Africaines “The Journey Back is the Journey Forward” Dance and drum workshops Thurs.-Sun. at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For details call 733-1077. www.DiamanoCoura.org 

“Historic Landscape Survey” with landscape architect Chris Pattillo at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Cost is $8-$10. 763-9218. info@oaklandheritage.org 

Oxford Elementary’s Fifth Grade Class is celebrating African American History Month with a play “Grandma’s Hands” at 8:45 a.m. at Oxford Elementary School, 1130 Oxford St. 644-6300. 

“Biofuels: Energy, Food People” A panel discussion to explore the questions: What are biofuels? Will they really replace gasoline? Are they really “green”? With Tad Patzek, Professor of Geoengineering at UC Berkeley, Miguel Altieri, Professor of Agroecology at UC Berkeley, Eric Holt-Giménez, Executive Director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, and Judith Mayer, Project Coordinator of the Borneo Project, at 7 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Suggested donation $20. 888-ECO-NOW2. www.econowusa.org 

“Climate Change and Our Water: Thinking Globally & Acting Locally to Protect Our Watersheds” with Bruce Riorden, at 7 p.m. at a private home in Berkeley. Suggested donation $25. Benefits the Codornices Creek Watershed Council. RSVP to Josh Brandt at 540-6669. www.codornicescreekwatershed.org 

Help Save Patagonia’s Wild Rivers A multi-media presentation with International Rivers on two rivers threatened by dam construction, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 848-1155. www.internationalrivers.org 

“Fish Forever: Creating Sustainable FIsheries” with Paul Johnson at 7 p.m. at College Preparatory School, 6100 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. http://livetalk-johnson.eventbrite.com 

Eat Bay Science Cafe with Debbie Viess, president, Bay Area Mycological Society at 7 p.m. at Au Coquelet Cafe, 2000 University Ave. 643-7265. 

“Focus on Contra Costa” Authors Adam Nilsen, Dean McLeod and Caroll Jensen discuss their books about Pleasant Hill, Port Chicago and the Delta at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2022. www.museumca.org 

“The Truth about Cholesterol - Separating Fact from Fiction” at 7 p.m. at Acupuncture & Integrated Medicine College, 2550 Shattuck Ave., at Blake. 666-8248, ext. 106. 

Healthy Living for Seniors: Understanding and Coping with Parkinson’s Disease at 10 a.m., Understanding Long-Term Care and Medi-Cal and Avoiding Financial Abuse at 1 p.m., Financial Strategies for Older Adults at 3 p.m., Charitable Giving for Older Adults, 4:45 p.m. and Estate Planning and Power of Attorney, at 6 p.m. at JFCS/East Bay’s Suse Moyal Center for Older Adult Services, 828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 104, Albany. Free, lunch provided. RSVP required 558-7800. www.jfcs-eastbay.org 

Berkeley Stop the War meets at 7 p.m. in 258 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. 

Annual Toastmasters International Speech Competition at 7:30 p.m. at The El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, at San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 799-9557.  

East Bay Mac Users Group presents SuperSync at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound Street, Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

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

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. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Tom Gold on “China Today and Tomorrow” 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.  

Healthy Living for Seniors A day of workshops for seniors, their families and caregivers. All About AC Transit, at 10 a.m., Seniors Driving Safely: DMV Resources for Older Adults at 10:45 a.m., All About East Bay Paratransit, at 12:15 p.m., Aging and Sexuality, at 2 p.m. at JFCS/East Bay’s Suse Moyal Center for Older Adult Services, 828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 104, Albany. Free, lunch provided. RSVP required 558-7800. www.jfcs-eastbay.org. 

Global Business and Human Rights Symposium beginning at 1 p.m. at Room 105, Boalt Hall, UC Campus. Keynote speech at 4:30 p.m. with Professor David Weissbrodt, reception to follow. Sponsored by The Berkeley Journal of International Law. RSVP to BJIL.Symposium@gmail.com 

Womansong Circle Participatory singing for women at 7:15 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing St. Suggested donation $15-$20. 525-7082. 

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, MARCH 15 

“The Fifth-Year Anniversary of the Occupation of Iraq” A Town Hall meeting with Congressmember Barbara Lee, and screening of the documentary “War Made Easy” at 9 a.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. 763-0370. 

South Berkeley Community Church Annual Crab Feed from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1802 Fairview St. Tickets are $35, children aged 7-12, $15. 652-1040. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Bay Area Ridge Trail Walk Join Berkeley Path Wanderers on a 5.5 mile walk on the Bay Area Ridge Trail from Tilden Path to Huckelberry Botanic Regional Preserve, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Morris Older of Tilden-Wildcat Horsemen’s Assn. will lead this up-and-down walk with great views. Bring lunch and liquids; wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Meet at the Upper (overflow) parking lot by the Tilden Park Steam Trains, off Lomas Cantadas Rd. just east of Grizzly Peak Blvd. 925-254-8943. www.berkeleypaths.org 

“Gardening from the Ground Up” Learn simplified garden care starting with healthy soil, backyard composting and mulching basics, with Bay-Friendly gardeners, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bay-Friendly Demonstration Garden, 666 Bellevue Ave., Lakeside Park, Oakland. Free. 444-7645. www.bayfriendly.org  

UC Botanical Garden’s School Garden Conference A one-day conference to discuss new curricula and activities. Cost is $25. Pre-registration required. 643-4832. manoux@berkeley.edu 

“Alternative Materials: Cob and Strawbale” A seminar on two natural building methods from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $85. 525-7610. 

NAACP Berkeley Branch Meeting at 1 p.m. at 2108 Russell St. 845-7416. 

Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations meets at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Westminster Bldg, 2407 Dana St. 388-4850. 

Church Miniature Altars and Memory Boxes A hands-on workshop using recycled materials, writing and art, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist. One Lawson Rd. Cost is $45. To register call 415-505-7827. 

Fibers and Dyes Discover the history of using plants for fibers and dyes in a walk-through exhibit, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. Free with garden admission. 643-2755, ext. 03. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu  

Collage de Cultures Africaines “The Journey Back is the Journey Forward” Dance and drum workshops through Sun. at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For details call 733-1077. www.DiamanoCoura.org 

California Writers Club “Badness or Madness?” with Terry Kupers, forensic psychiatrist, prison-system expert at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble Event Loft, Jack London Square, Oakland. 272-0120. 

“In Our Own Backyard” A celebration of the East Bay Regional Parks. An exhibition of photographs by Bob Walker opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St., and runs through Oct. 12. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022.  

“Creating Your Own Garden Paradise” with Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off Seventh St. 644-2351. 

“Paper Story Dress” workshop to commemorate women who have influenced our lives, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Berkeley Branch Library. 981-6250. 

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 

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, MARCH 16 

Wolf Spiders on the Morning Dew Join us as we stalk the elusive wolf spider at 10 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Compass Clues Learn how to use a compass to find your way around and participate in a hidden treasure hunt at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Celebrating California’s New Cultures with music and activities for the whole family from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022.  

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m. at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377.  

Berkeley High Jazz Club Spring Funraiser Auction from 3 to 6 p.m. at Crowden School, 1475 Rose St. 414-2236. 

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

Tibetan Buddhism with Rosalyn White on “Healing Through Mantra” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 17 

Berkeley Green Monday: “the Food Fighters: The Politics of Food” with Chef Ann Cooper, Nutrition Services for the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD), Martin Bourque, Ecology Center, John Selawsky, Chair Berkeley School Board, at 7:30 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Open to all. www.berkeleygreens.org 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from noon to 1 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Mar. 11, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Mar. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6346. 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Mar. 12, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Mar. 12, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Mar. 12, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Mar. 12 , at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs. Mar. 13, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5428. 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 13, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356. 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 13, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400.  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 13, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Mar. 13, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.

TUESDAY, MARCH 11 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Ethan Rarick describes “Desperate Passage: The Donner Party’s Perilous Journey West” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Chamber Performances with the Wolford-Rosenblum Duo, saxophone and piano, at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $20. 525-5211. 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau 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.  

Midnite, roots reggae from St. Croix at 8:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $25-$30. 548-1159.  

Brian Woods Ensemble, jazz, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

John Worley & WorlView at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $6-$12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Protest in Paris 1968” Photographs by Serge Hambourg. Exhibition opens at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “Late Spring” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Michael Connery discusses “Youth to Power: How Today’s Young Voters Are Building Tomorrow’s Progressive Majority” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Roberta Maisel discusses “All Grown Up: Living Happily Ever After With Your Adult Children” at 6 p.m. at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library. 981-6250. 

Poetry en Español with Gladys Basagoitia and Carmen Abad at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Gina Daggett and Kathy Belge discuss their new book, “Lipstick and Dipstick’s Essential Guide to Lesbian Relationships” at 7 p.m. at Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with Ron McKean on harpsichord at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with University Chamber Chorus at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864.  

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

Bernard Anderson & The Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West coast swing danec lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $7. 525-5054.  

Kurt Ribak and Greg Sankovich at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100.  

Saoco 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.  

Kids and Hearts at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

Dave Hollister at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 13 

CHILDREN 

“Grandma’s Hands” An African American History Month celebration with a performance by Oxford Elementary’s Fifth Grade Class at 8:45 a.m. at Oxford Elementary School, 1130 Oxford St. 644-6300. 

EXHIBITIONS 

Enrique Chagoya: Borderlandia Guided tour at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Lecture by landscape architect Chris Pattillo on the Historic Landscape Survey, a new program that recognizes and documents our nation’s historic and cultural landscapes at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Cost is $8-$10. 763-9218.  

“Focus on Contra Costa” Authors Adam Nilsen, Dean McLeod and Caroll Jensen discuss their books about Pleasant Hill, Port Chicago and the Delta at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2022.  

Jeffrey Harrison and Cathleen Micheaels read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Kyu Hyun Kim on “The Age of Visions and Arguments: Parliamentarianism and the National Public Sphere in Early Meiji Japan” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Symphony, Guillermo Figueroa, conductor, at 8 p.m. Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $20-$60. 841-2800.  

23rd Jewish Music Festival “Mayn Yiddishe Velt: Heather Lauren Klein sings Yiddish Art Songs” at 2 p.m. at The JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237, ext. 139. 

Narada Michael Walden in a benefit for Music in the Schools at 6 p.m. at Ex'pression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound, Emeryville. Tickets are $50-$250. eventinfo@emeryed.org 

Moving Violations, Queer Contra Dance, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. 

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

Jenny Farris Quartet in a Frank Loesser Tribute Show, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

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

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

Gonzalo Rubacaba at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Chicago” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 12. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

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

Golden Thread Productions “What Do the Women Say?” An International Women’s Day performance on the Middle East at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Central Works “Wakefield; or Hello Sophia” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through March 23.Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. 

Impact Theatre “Jukebox Stories: The Case of the Creamy Foam” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through March 22. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468. http://impacttheatre.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“In the Round” A celebration of seven sculptors: Robert Cantor, Diana Keevan, Traudel Prussin, Andrew Shaper, Zahava Sherez, Lidija Tkalcevic, Susan Wells. Reception for the artists at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 11652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

Ed Dwight “Paintings and Bronze Sculpture” Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery 406 14th St. Oakland. 465-8928. 

FILM 

“The Princess of Nebraska” with filmmaker Wayne Wang in person at 7 p.m., “The Terrorizer” with actor Cora Miao in person at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

May Garsson and Tom Odegard will read at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave., followed by an open reading.  

Haleh Hatami and Rosemary Toohey, poetry and staged reading at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “Notes From Persia” with pianist Tara Kamangar and mezzo-soprano Raeeka Shehabi-Yaghmi at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Pre-concert lecture with John Kendall Bailey at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20-$65. 625-8497. 

Chanticleer “From the Path of Beauty” with The Shanghai Quartet at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $25-$44. 415-392-4400. www.chanticleer.org 

“Makings” music based on the unpublished writings of Tillie Olsen at 8 p.m. at Avonova Studios, 417 Avon St., Oakland. Tickets are $8-$15. For reservations call 707-823-5008. www.deconstructmyhouse.org 

Friday Noon Concert at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Junior Bach Festival, featuring young performers, at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2723 College Ave. 843-2224. www.juniorbach.org 

Angélique Kidjo, West African singer at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Sara and Swingtime at 7 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15, $60 with dinner. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Dave Mathews Soultet with Tony Lindsay, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Sister Carol, Women’s History Month Reggae Celebration, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is tba. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Edo Castro, bassist, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

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

Fernando Tarango and Tiffany Joy at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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

Kev Choice, Prince Ali & The Destruments, The Bayliens at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Bulk at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 

CHILDREN  

Stagebridge Theater Company “Chicken Sunday” A musical adaptation of Patricia Polacco’s book, Sat. and Sun. at 3 p.m. at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th. Tickets are $5-$12. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

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

Boswick the Clown at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 Tenth St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Private Collection of Contemporary California Plein Air Paintings” Reception at 2 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave Suite 4. 421-1255. 

“Material Evidence” Mixed media work of Peter Boyer, and sculptor Ed Kirshner. Closing party at 6 p.m. at FLOAT Art Gallery 1091 Calcot Place, Unit # 116 , located in a store front loft of the historic cotton mill studios, Oakland. www.thefloatcenter.com  

“In Our Own Backyard” A celebration of the East Bay Regional Parks. An exhibition of photographs by Bob Walker opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St., and runs through Oct. 12. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022.  

“Open Range” The art of Douglas Light, Michele Hofherr and Scott Courtenay-Smith. Artist reception at 6 p.m. at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

FILM 

“Slingshot” with filmmaker Brillante Mendoza at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

82nd Annual Poets’ Dinner and contest results at 11:30 a.m. at Francesco’s Restaurant, 8520 Pardee Dri., Oakland. Lucille Lang will speak on “Poetry, Ecology and the Brain” Tickets are $27-$28.  

Gayle Greene reads from “Insomniac” part memoir, part scientific analysis, at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“People Like Me 2008: It’s My Nature” Interactive theatrical performance for families with dance, music and puppetry. Pre-show workshop at 11 a.m., show at noon at Regent’s Theater, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Cos tis $6-$12. 415-392-4400. www.cityboxoffice.com 

14th Annual Norouz Show Presented by the Iranian Students Cultural Organization at 12:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$15 at the door.  

Collage de Cultures Africaines “The Journey Back is the Journey Forward” Dance and drum performances at 8 p.m. at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. African marketplace at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30 from www.urbanevents.com 

Berkeley Opera “L’Elisir d’Amore” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$44. 925-798-1300. www.berkeleyopera.org 

Junior Bach Festival, featuring young performers, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2723 College Ave. 843-2224. www.juniorbach.org 

WomenSing “Sounds and Sweet Airs” at 8 p.m. at Holy Names University Chapel, Oaklnd. Tickets are $10-$25. 925-974-9169. www.womensing.org 

Spring Equinox Concert and Ritual “One Soul Sounding” with Linda Tillery, Evelie Delfino Såles Posch, Lisa Rafel, and Eda Maxym at 7:30 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$24. 654-3234. www.lisarafel.com  

Metropolitan Opera “Peter Grimes” broadcast live from The Metropolitan Opera in New York City at 10:30 a.m. at Bay Street 16, 5614 Bay Street, Ste 220, Emeryville. Tickets are $15-$22. www.FathomEvents.com 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Queen of Egypt” with Canadian-Armenian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Pre-concert lecture 45 minutes prior to performance. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org  

Steven Strauss, multi-instrumentarian, ukeleleiast, at 3 p.m. at Down Home Music Berkeley store, 1809b Fourth St. www.downhomemusic.com 

Irina Rivkin & Tamra Engle at 8 p.m. at Rose Street House of Music, 1839 Rose St. Donation $8-$20. 594-4000 ext. 687. www.rosestreetmusic.com 

“Makings” music based on the unpublished writings of Tillie Olsen at 8 p.m. at Avonova Studios, 417 Avon St., Oakland. Tickets are $8-$15. For reservations call 707-823-5008. www.deconstructmyhouse.org 

SFJAZZ Collective at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$52. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Jon Fromer, emma’s revolution, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Lakay, Abu Simel and the Venutians, Ashkenaz 35th Anniversay Party, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

The Jazz Fourtet at 5 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Jumoke Hill, Chris Clavey at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Melanie O’Reilly & “Aisling” at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Andrea Fultz, German songs from the 1930s, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Jack Tone Riorden Trio, jazz, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

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

Wayward Monks at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Gonzalo Rubacaba at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 

CHILDREN 

Celebrating California’s New Cultures with music and activities for the whole family from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022.  

Stagebridge Theater Company “Chicken Sunday” A musical adaptation of Patricia Polacco’s book, at 3 p.m. at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th. Tickets are $5-$12. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

Loom Lathe: The Art of Kay Sekimachi and Bob Stocksdale Opening reception at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. 644-6893. www.berkeleysrtcenter.org 

FILM 

“Never Forever” with filmmaker Gina Kim at 7:50 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Wright Centennial Project Readings by the Oakland Public Theater at 6 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 534-9529.  

“Borderlandia in Mind” Panel discussion of the works on Enrique Chagoya at 3 p.m. at berkeley Art Museum Theater. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Takács Quartet pre-performance talk with Paul M. Ellison at 2 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free to ticketholders. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Toni Mirosevich and Annie Holmes read at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15 for concert and reception. Children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Berkeley Opera “L’Elisir d’Amore” at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$44. 925-798-1300. www.berkeleyopera.org 

Junior Bach Festival, featuring young performers, at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2723 College Ave. 843-2224. www.juniorbach.org 

Berkeley Symphony “Under Construction” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2345 Durant. Tickets are $10-$20. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra performs Stravinsky, Delius and Rutter at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 116 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. www.prometheussymphony.org 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Queen of Egypt” with Canadian-Armenian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Pre-concert lecture 45 minutes prior to each performance. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org  

Takács Quartet at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $546. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Bay Area Flamenco Partnership with Juan del Gastor from Spain, at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $25. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Michael Coleman’s “Beep” at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Jody London at 2 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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

Robert Stewart Experience “Tribute to Eddie Harris” at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

MONDAY, MARCH 17 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Blind Duck Irish Band at 7 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Helios, Greek and Bulgarian, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

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

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

Black Brothers, Triskela at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Terrence Brewer at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $8-$14. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Golden Thread Productions, the Bay Area troupe that specializes in expressions of Middle Eastern culture and identity, will present What Do The Women Say?—five pieces ranging stylistically from theater to performed poetry—at La Pena Cultural Center Friday at 8 p.m. to celebrate International Women’s Day. 

"It’s our third annual show,” said Golden Thread founder Torange Yeghiazarian. “It showcases work which women have created and perform, showing their perspectives, reflecting what’s going on in the news, or more universal issues of a woman’s place in the world, or the female body as a symbol relating to land—fighting over land, over women’s bodies. Women are also often more affected by war and political turmoil in that they’re the ones usually staying behind, those who have to rebuild, reestablish society.” 

In that mode, one of the pieces, “The Body Washer,” by Rosemary Frisino Toohey, sees the death of an Iraqi woman at a checkpoint through the eyes of three other women—an American soldier, an American journalist and another Iraqi woman who washes the body.  

Other pieces include featured artist Lana Nasser’s short stories, “Arab Women Talking,” which Yeghiazarian characterizes as “informed by dreams and myth, symbolic in that sense, of the female body through time.”  

Iranian poet Haleh Hatami will use photos and spoken word to explore “homesickness and longing—the physical experience of longing for our deepest origin.” 

Elmaz Abinader, a local poet who has been recognized with awards from PEN and The Goldies, will perform “The Torture Quartet” with music. And Sara Razavi will do Yussef El Guindi’s play, “The Monologist Suffers Her Monologue.”  

"It’s the first time we’ve had something written by a guy in this kind of event,” Yeghiazarian said. “And it also shows another aspect of what we try to do. The performer is Iranian, playing a Palestinian woman. We want everybody, actors as well as audience, to connect with what’s not your own story, to bring your own experience to what is often intimately another’s. It’s a cliché about the average American not being able to tell a Palestinian from an Iraqi—but it’s the same in the Middle East much of the time.” 

The whole program runs under 90 minutes with no intermission. Next, Golden Thread will premiere a full-length comedy by El Guindi at SF’s Thick House in June, Jihad Jones and the Kalishnikov Babes, about an Arab-American actor offered a big break to play in a film by a great American director, as a terrorist. 

Chanticleer, San Francisco’s famed choral group, and the Shanghai Quartet, one of China’s original chamber music ensembles, will be featuring “From the Path of the Beautiful,” a seven-part piece written for them by composer Chen Yi in celebration of their anniversaries (30 years for Chanticleer, 25 for the Shanghai Quartet) when they perform this Friday evening at 8 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on Durant. 

The program will also include Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major and “Three Songs” by Ligeti. Other performances will be Thursday night and Sunday afternoon at the S. F. Conservatory of Music and Friday night at Mission San Jose. 

Composer Chen Yi, from Guangzhou, China—and long associated with Chinese Opera and traditional music, besides Western compositional music—left her homeland, where she was a pioneering female composer, to study in the United States in 1986. During the 1990s, she spent time in residence with the Women’s Philharmonic in San Francisco and began working, too, with Chanticleer. In the Bay Area for rehearsals and performances of her new piece, she commented on the program. 

“In the ancient Chinese arts, you could find all the disciplines together,” Chen Yi said, “Like in a Renaissance sense, so many types, not a single discipline apart. Poetry would be in calligraphy, a branch of painting; the poems might describe dancing (calligraphy itself is called ‘dancing ink’)—and would be sung. I took the title of the piece from a book of aesthetics that introduced all the art forms. The seven movements represent some of them, not all! So if I lead, you will go through all these types of ancient art the music describes.” 

The movements are not only after different arts, like those of rhymed poems or clay figures, but also imitate Chinese melodic lines where appropriate, and feature different sounds, like that of a village band (“kind of folksy, warm—for dancing!”) in the last movement, or elsewhere “more intellectual art forms.”  

The composition opens a cappella, then moves through different sections (“all the movements have a different sound”) where either the quartet plays alone or with Chanticleer’s voices. The vocal style is sometimes in the style of Peking Opera. “I know it so well; I like using this kind of language. It’s like the reciting of ancient poems. You can imagine the chanting of voices. The singers are singing nonsense syllables! They suggest Chinese words, and sometimes imitate the sound of Chinese instrumental and percussion playing. The melodies don’t sound modern. It can have the effect of a Chinese folk opera.”  

Chen Yi praised Chanticleer and the Shanghai Quartet. “We’ve worked together many times before—and the quartet said, this time write for us! So it was put together intentionally for the anniversaries. And next year is the 30th anniversary of San Francisco and Shanghai becoming sister cities, so it’s to the memory of Peter Henshaw and Gordon Lau, who made that happen. Peter Henshaw (who was chair of the board of the Berkeley Symphony when he died) was instrumental in bringing Chinese musicians here in the early ’80s to study at the conservatory. One of them, discovering the importance of chamber music in Western society, went back and founded the Shanghai Quartet (now based in New Jersey).  

“Whenever I work with Chanticleer,” Chen Yi continued, “I change the translations of Chinese songs back into the original. They’re so high in quality, really well educated—and not only musically. They get the sense, the style. The purpose of the piece was to write for two different groups not necessarily working together in unison. And even within the choir, there are many, many different layers. It’s so complicated, not always in counterpoint. We weren’t familiar with the voices with the instrumental sounds. The first rehearsal was kind of a shock! But the blending of the two parts, the interactive sense—and especially the timbre, which is what we really didn’t know, with the two groups working together, and the rhythms—they’ve handled it really well. And we have a set of Chinese folksongs from another program, if people want an encore!” 

FROM THE PATH OF THE BEAUTIFUL 

Chanticleer and the Shanghai Quartet 

• 8 p.m. Thursday, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., San Francisco.  

• 8 p.m. Friday, First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. 

• 8 p.m. Saturday, Mission Santa Clara, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. 

• 5 p.m. Sunday, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., San Francisco. 

Tickets: $25-$44. (800) 407-1400, (415) 392-4400. www.chanticleer.org 

San Francisco Conservatory of Music composer Chen Yi, singer Zheng Cao and students from Crystal Children’s Choir will give a free performance and discussion at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Call (415) 252-8589 for free tickets.