FRIDAY, MARCH 28 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Wolfgang Homburger, Inst. of Transport Studies, UCB, on “The Past and Future of Transportation in the Bay Area” 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.  

“How to Enter an Iris Show” A hands-on demonstration by a panel of experienced iris growers, at 8 p.m. at Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Sponsored by the Sydney B.Mitchell Iris Society. Free. http://bayareairis.org 

“Friendly Persuasions” A film about Quaker life in Indiana during the harsh realities of the Civil War at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church, Sacramento and Cedar St. berkeleyfriendschurch.org 

“Phoenix Dance” A new film by Karina Epperlein on a journey from loss to faith, trust at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar St. Discussion follows.  

Radical Eco-Feminist West Coast Spring Tour A two hour presentation on radical eco-feminism and environmental ethics at 7 p.m. at Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. www.risingtidenorthamerica.org 

Friday Films for Teens at 3:30 pm. at the Berkeley Puplic Library, 2090 Kittredge St. For details call 981-6121. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Pot luck at 7 p.m. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

Kol Hadash Humanistic Shabbat at 7:30 p.m. at the ALbany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 

Winks and Wags: A Singles Event for Pet Lovers with music and activities for humans and dogs from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Just Pet Me Country Club, 2545 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $20-$25. Benefits the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. 845-7735, ext. 19. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

National Nutrition Month, with cooking demonstrations, free samples and free recipes, at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Center St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Compost give-away from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring your own container. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Dr. John Dillenberger, theologian, author, and founding President of the Graduate Theological Union at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Reception to follow in the church’s Large Assembly Room. 

Sprouts Gardening Project Help out in the Kids’ Garden from 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages three and up. 525-2233. 

Compost Give-Away at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market Bring your own container-two buckets are suggested or large garbage bags. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way. For backyard amateur gardeners only. Sponsored by the Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org/bcgc 

Groundbreaking for New Community Garden in Richmond at noon at Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, off Macdonald Ave. Activities include a baking contest, garden hat decorating contest and stories for children at 11 am. in the library. 620-6561. 

Ocean View Community Garden Opening Albany residents interested in a garden plot will be assigned one by lottery. Priority given to apartment dwellers. Lottery tickets distributed beginning at 11 a.m., lottery begins at noon at 900 Buchanan St., behind the Teen Center and tennis courts. Annual fee $50. 559-9283. 

Vernal Vistas Hike in Claremont Canyon A steep 1.5 mile hike with panaoramic vistas at the end. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Bring water and a snack to share. For information on meeting place call 525-2233. 

“Lewis and Clark, the Corps of Discovery: A 200-Year Retrospective” The history and biology of the Lewis and Clark voyage with a focus on the 176 plants they discovered. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Park Botanic Garden. Cost is $10-$20. Registration required. 841-8732. www.nativeplanets.org 

Vegetarian Cooking Class: Demystifying Tofu and Tempeh From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $49, in advance, plus $5 food/materials fee, due on day of class. Registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com  

“The Anza Trail and the Settling of California” with author Vladimir Guerrero at 1 p.m. at Lakeview Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

Common Agenda Regional Network Meeting on reordering federal priorities from the military to human and environmental needs, at 2 p.m. at Peace Action West, 2800 Adeline at Stuart. 524-6071. 

Community Plant Exchange from noon to 4 p.m. at 3811 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Bring plants that need pruning or dividing. For more nformation or if you need help digging up a plant call 866-8482. plantexchange@hotmail.com 

“Accent Plants for the Garden” at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off 7th St. 644-2351. 

Radical Eco-Feminism Workshop with Portland Animal Defense League, Rising TIde North America and Stumptown Earth First at 7 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. stephanie@ 

RisingTideNorthAmerica.org 

Dharma Realm Buddhist Young Adults Spring Conference on Insight & Happiness on the Buddhist Path, Sat. and Sun. at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley Ave. RSVP to www.drby.net 

“Understanding Chronic Fatigue” at 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharm, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

39th Annual UC Open Taekwondo Championship with open ceremony at 8:30 am. and competition at 9 a.m. at Walter A. Haas, Jr. Pavilion, UC Campus. Cost is $5-$8. 642-3268. www.ucmap.org 

Teen Knitting Circle at 3 p.m. in the 4th Flr Story Room of the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Bring your own needles in size 8. 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 

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 30 

Hike Around Jewel Lake A good first hike for the young trekker to learn about the lake and its flora and fauna, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. For information on meeting place call 525-2233. 

“Breaking the Silence: Israeli Soldiers Talk about Their Occupation Experiences” at 7 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Suggested donation $5-$20, no one turned away. 465-1777. 

“Iraqi Civil Resistance” Bill Weinberg reports on Iraqi trade unions, women’s organizations, and neighborhood assemblies opposed to the US occupation at 10 a.m. at Niebyl Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. 

“A Taste of Ethiopia” A fundraiser and cultural event to benefit high school construction for The Merit Academy in Addis Ababa, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Mills Furniture Showroom, 2830 Seventh St. Cost is $25, sliding scale donations at the door. 415-235-5467. 

Jewish Music Festival “Community Dance Party” with Jewish dance specialist Bruce Bierman at 4 p.m. at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $12-$15. 848-0237. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Films for a Future “What Babies Want” at 2 p.m. at the Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. Discussion follows. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Tom Morse on “Natural Openness: Direct Knowing” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 31 

“Berkeley: A City in History” with author Chuck Wollenberg at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6241. 

Berkeley Housing Authority Annual Plan Public Hearing at 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/BHA/default.html 

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

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth Mon.-Wed. from 3 to 7 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

TUESDAY, APRIL 1 

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 Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

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

Freight & Salvage New Home Groundbreaking Celebration at 10:30 a.m. at 2020 Addison St., with music by Suzy Thompson and friends. RSVP to 547-8248 jeanshirk@freightandsalvage.org 

“A Dream in Doubt” A documentary that asks “What happens to the American dream when you look like America’s enemy?” at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Taxes and Personal Finance” discussion group at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley JCC at 1414 Walnut St.  

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

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. 

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

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

Sing-A-Long Group from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masoni Ave., Albany. 524-9122. 

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 

Microfinance: A Global Tool to Reduce Poverty An interactive workshop for low-income entrepreneurs to secure loans and create income opportunities especially for women, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Sponsored by Calvert Foundation. 622-0202 ext. 203. 

“Under the Sea” A workshop for children to learn about how animals adapt to waves and predators, and how tide pool animals survive, from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall fo Sceince, Centennial Drive. Cost is $6-$9. 642-5132. 

“The Carlyle Connection” A documentary about the world of private equity banking and the involvement of the Bush family, the Saudi Royal family, the Bin Laden family and others, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Introduction to Triathlon” with Jane Booth at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Cycling Lecture with Dick Powell, organizer of European bicycle tours, at 7 p.m. at Velo Sport Bicycles, 1615 University Ave., enter at 1989 California St. RSVP to 849-0437. 

Kaleo and Elise Ching explain “Chi and Creativity: Vital Energy and Your Inner Artist” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books on Solano Ave. 525-6888. 

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 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. 

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. 

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

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, APRIL 3 

A Question of Conscience: Military Perspectives on the “War on Terror” A panel discussion with Col. (Ret.) Lawrence B. Wilkerson, U.S. Army; Lt. Col. V. Stuart Couch, U.S. Marine Corps; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen E. Abraham, U.S. Army Reserve, at 5 p.m. in the Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. 642-0965. www.hrcberkeley.org 

Introduction to Urban Permaculture Permaculture designers from the Ecological Division of Merritt College's Landscape Horticulture Dept. discuss what is possible in a city at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way. 548-2220, ext.233. ww.ecologycenter.org 

“Explaining the Inexplicable: Suicide Bombers’ Motivation as the Quest for Personal Significance” with Prof. Arie W. Kruglanski, Univ. of Maryland at 7:30 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, Bechtel Engineering Center, UC Campus. 642-4670. 

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 at 6:45 p.m. at at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline. nam 

aste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

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.  

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 

Berkeley Housing Authority Annual Plan Public Hearing Mon. Mar. 31, at 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/BHA/default.htm

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 

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.  

“Amor Cubano” Written and performed by Maceo Cabrera Estevez at 8 p.m. through Sat. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$20. 849-2568.  

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

Masquers Playhouse “Tartuffe” Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., some Sun. matinees at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through April 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031.  

Shotgun Players “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by George Bernard Shaw. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., through April 27, at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $17-$25. 841-6500.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“My Sister, My Sister” A personal response to homelessness, poetry by Zelma Brown, Photography by Meredith Stout. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Screening of “Walking in My Shoes” at 8 p.m. Show runs to April 25. 601-4040, ext. 111. 

“Peace is Possible” Works by artists who are changing the world through creativity, Wavy Gravy and Carolyna Marks. Reception at 7 p.m. at 4th Street Studio, 1717d 4th St. 527-0600. 

“Pet Art” from Expressions Gallery on display at Just Pet Me Country Club, 2545 Broadway, Oakland to June 30. A portion of the proceeds from art sales with be donated to the Berkeley Humane Society. 500-5595. 

“Beyond the Studio: Community Collaborations” Exhibition of works by students in the Arts and Consciousness program on display to April 5 at Joh F. Kennedy’s University Arts Annex, 2956 San Pablo Ave., 2nd flr. 486-8118. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Silberg and Thomas Centolella, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

David King Dunaway reads from the revised edition “How Can I Keep From Singing? The Ballad of Pete Seeger” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

R.Black discusses his art and new book “Futura: L’Art de R.Black” at 7:30 p.m. at Book Zoo 6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 654-BOOK. 

Morton Felix and Stanford Rose, followed by open mic at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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.  

“David Rogers: Guitar and Lute” at 7:30 p.m. at The Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$18. 868-0695.  

Thomas Pandolfi, pianist, at 8 p.m. at The Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$15. 845-1350. 

Lisa B Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Sambada, Afro, Brazilian, funk, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054.  

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

House Jacks at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Jessica Rice, Sacred Profanities at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe. 595-5344. 

The Dave Stein Bubhub at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

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

Julie Dexter, Jordana, R&B, at 8 p.m. at Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 839-6169. 

David Sanborn at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $35-$40. 238-9200. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 

CHILDREN  

East Bay Children’s Theater “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $10. 655-7285.  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Rafael Manriquez, songs in Spanish, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4-$5. 849-2568.  

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

EXHIBITIONS 

“Earth Days” Works by Carrie Lederer, Irene Imfeld and Andrew Kaluzynski, opens at 1 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. Through May 3. 663-6920. 

“Beneath the Surface” Paintings and works on paper by Liz Mamorsky, assemblage sculpture by Paul Baker. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at The Float Center Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place, #116, Oakland. 535-1702. 

Fresh Paint 3.5 Group show closing reception from 2 to 4 p.m. at Montclair Gallery, 1986 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 339-4286. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Vladimir Guerrero, author of “The Anza Trail and the Settling of California” at 1 p.m. at Lakeview Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

Elizabeth Rosner, Berkeley author, speaks about writing at 2 p.m. at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College, Ave., Oakland. 597-5017. 

Jodi Picoult reads from “Change of Heart” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books at 2201 Shattuck, next to the almost open new store. 559-9500.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

West Coast Blues Hall of Fame and Awards Show, performances and party, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Oakland Mariott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $30. 836-2227. www.bayareabluessociety.net 

Harmonie Universelle “Musikalische Ergotzung” at 8 p.m. at St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $22-$25. 528-1725. 

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet and Orchestra “Swan Lake” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$90. 642-9988.  

Davide Verotta, piano, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

The Dry Umbrella Tour with Seattle artists, Carrie Clark and Camille Bloom at 8 p.m. at Epic Arts Studios, 1923 Ashby Ave. Suggested donation $7.  

Ray Obiedo Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Unreal Band, The Itchy Mountain Men at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Khe Note at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Bill Kirchen at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761.  

Zoe Ellis/Maya Kronfeld, swing, jazz, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Return of The P-PL at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Five Eyed Hand at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Beyond the Pattern: The Quintessence of Fashion” celebrating applied handwork, embroidery, and lace. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, 3163 Adeline St. 843-7178.  

Enrique Chagoya: Borderlandia Guided tour at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

“Spring into Life” A street-long exhibit of art by children and youth along College Ave. from Broadway to Russell St. Kick-off party at 1 p.m. at Glitter & Razz, 5951 College Ave., Oakland. 814-8127.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mark Fischer “Where Nature, Science and Art Meet” A presentation on Whalesong Art at 1 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

“Contemporary Art in Cuba” with Terry McClain at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Our Own Words” Friends of Negro Spirituals will celebrate the release of its Negro Spirituals Oral History DVDs and transcripts to the public at 3 p.m. at Mills College in Lisser Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 869-4359. 

Berkeley Opera “L’Elisir d’Amore” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$44. 925-798-1300.  

Isadora Duncan’s Legacy With dancer Lois Flood and historian Joanna Harris at 2 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Suggested donation $15. 843-8982. www.hillsideclub.org 

Susan Matthews, organ, at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 684-7563. 

Oakland Civic Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Free. 238-7275.  

Berkeley Symphony’s “Under Construction” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. Tickets are $10-$20. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org  

Junius Courtney Big Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

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

Mamadou & Vanessa, African, at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Carrie Newcomer, Krista Detor at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

MONDAY, MARCH 31 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Berkeley: A City in History” with author Chuck Wollenberg at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6241. 

Ernest Bloch Lecture with Steve Mackey on “Whim and Rigor: Rethinking Musical Influence: Rock-tinged Lecture” at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864.  

Poetry Express Open mic on “women role models” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE  

Classical at the Freight: Kay Stern & Friends at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. 

Tia Caroll & Hard Work at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, APRIL 1 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Reckonings: Contemporary Short Fiction by Native American Women” Discussion and readings with the editors and authors at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zydeco Flames at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 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.  

Time Out Quartet at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet & The Open World Jazz Octet at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 

FILM 

“Il Posto” with lecture by Marilyn Fabe at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Zachary Mason reads from his new novel, “The Lost Books of the Odyssey” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Chris Hedges on “I Don’t Believe in Atheists” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Jessica Ling, April Paik, Quelani Penland at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. 

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

The Very Hot Club of Berkeley at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $9. 841-JAZZ.  

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

Turlu, Balkan, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. 

Rumbache at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Ezra Gale Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 3 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Palimpsest: Exploring the Layers” A mixed-media exhibit by Kate Swoboda on display in April at Gaylord’s Coffee & Tea, 4150 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. www.kateswoboda.com 

FILM 

Cine/Spin: “Simon of the Desert” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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

Artist Support Group Speaker Series with Rene de Guzman, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum, at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Cost is $8-$10. 644-6893. 

Michalel Krasny on his new autobiography “Off Mike: A Memoir of Talk Radio” at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

New Century Chamber Orchestra with Stuart Canin, guest concertmaster, at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $28-$42. 415-357-1111.  

Sean Hodge with High Heat, Matthew Hansen, Fauna Valetta at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054.  

Eda Maxym & the Imagination Club, with Stephen Kent at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

The Jazz Mechanics at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ.  

Sitar and Tablo Duo at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373.  

Shawn Shaffer & Karen Sudjian-Lampkin at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Ise Lyfe, Rico Pabon, Big Dan in a fundraiser to help Oakland students travel to Puerto Rico at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Absolutely Zippo a zine (publication) party at 7 p.m. at 924 Gilman. 525-9926. 

The Creations at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

The Latin Giants of Jazz, featuring members of the Tito Puente Orchestra at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Collie Budz at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $18-$20. 548-1159.  

Divasonic with Celeste Lear at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Friends of Negro Spirituals will celebrate the public release of their Negro spirituals oral history DVD set, “In Our Own Words: The Negro Spirituals Heritage Keepers,” on Sunday afternoon at Mills College. 

The first 10 DVDs are each 50 minutes long, with an interview with a “heritage keeper,” discussing their memories of learning about “slavery-born songs,” and the ways they have kept the songs alive in the Oakland-area community. The DVDs will be available through the Mills College Library, the Oakland Main Library History Room and the African-American Library in Oakland, as well as to the public. 

Sunday’s program will be hosted by  

storyteller Diane Ferlatte and will feature old-time community and contemporary choral singing of spirituals, an African dance performance and the release of a compilation DVD as well as the individual oral histories. 

Sam Edwards founded the Friends of Negro Spirituals with Lyvonne Chrisman in 1998. 

“Lyvonne and I recognized the great absence of efforts to preserve Negro spirituals in the culture of local communities, especially after hearing Moses Hogan,” Edwards said. “The goal was and always has been to educate the public on what we call the Negro spirituals folksongs—“the family jewels” handed down from 1865 to keep alive the power they have, the ways the slaves used them for their survival, by voicing the sentiments that carried the  

spirit of protest, religion, of celebration, and reinforced them in the community. That was the motivation behind our getting started.” 

Edwards talked about the heritage keepers: “Not all are musicians; some are everyday people. Everybody makes a different contribution. Some inspire their children through their own infectious feeling for the songs. We can no longer keep Negro spirituals alive through the oral tradition. The heritage keepers are selected by a committee of five or six in recognition of the work they have done for preservation in the Oakland community.” 

He described two of the better-known heritage keepers, Doug Edwards (no relation) and Helen Dilsworth. 

“Doug Edwards has been a popular jazz programmer on KPFA radio for 28 years,” he said. “The past five or six years, he’s included Negro Spirituals on his show, playing jazz renditions, classical versions and the more folk renderings. Equally as important, he’s allowed us to put programs about Negro Spirituals on his show, been a major supporter and consultant, providing contacts with others, which helps us do our mission. He’s been doing a lot that thanks to his airwaves reaching people in populations we wouldn’t be able to.” 

About Dilsworth, Edwards said: “[She is] a professional soprano and music teacher at San Francisco City College for 15 or 20 years, who teaches Negro Spirituals to her students and sings them in Oakland and many other parts of the world with her beautiful, beautiful voice, in what I call the classical style ... she’s very religious, as well as conscious of the importance of both the history of Negro Spirituals and their continuity in the present day. She’ll lead the group or community-type singing, how the slaves used to do it.” 

Edwards noted that classical singer and Negro Spirituals recording-artist Robert Sims, who appeared to great acclaim in a Friends of Negro Sprituals concert with Odetta in 2006, will be performing April 4 at the Four Seasons-Oakland. 

For further information or to leave an e-mail address for updates, go to www.dogonvillage.com/negrospirituals/ or call 869-4359. 

box: 

Friends of Negro Spirituals 

Oral History DVD release event 

free admission 

Sunday 3 p.m. 

Mills College, Lisser Hall  

5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland 

Because you are blind, you would rather others didn’t see.” The name of Tartuffe, Moliere’s creation, the title role in the most famous of French comedies, has become synonymous with religious hypocrisy. The Masquers have put up a fast-moving and very funny contemporary take on the play that made the Sun King laugh, using a flexible verse translation by Ranjit Bolt, now on at their playhouse in Point Richmond.  

It starts with a frozen tableau of a fam-ily in hilarious turmoil. When the spell is broken, the spiel begins, with Loralee Windsor as old Madame Pernelle laying down the law to the rest of the family. She’s a true believer, exhorting them to honor the itinerant preacher whom her son, pater familias Orgon (Robert Love, Masquers managing director), has become enthralled with and taken in by, alarming all but grandma Pernelle. The case for the prosecution is ably stated with slashing attitude and wit by maid Dorine, in a juicy and uproarious rendering by Alexaendrai Bond. 

“Your father clearly has gone insane;/ the Tartuffe bug has bit his brain!” she says. As the iambic tetrameter syncopates and the plot thickens, everyone talks about Tartuffe, but in the style of the older stage, we don’t see his face on stage (save a pious photo, framed on the bookshelf, praying with whitening knuckles) until well into act one. When he enters, dressed like a mortician in basic black with a violet display handkerchief, Keith Jefferds puts in perhaps his best performance, with unctuous voice and beady eye brightening at every chance to scavenge or usurp the fleshly wealth of the rich he preys on, a freelance spiritual adviser, a marvelous skulking coyote. 

When he and his pigeon General Orgon get together, it is a hysterical biddy session, what Orson Welles wryly dubbed “heterosexual camp.” The two strut and mince in mutual absorption, with Orgon wanting to give the hand of his beautiful young daughter (Laura Morgan as Mariane) to the preacher, instead of to her intended Valere (Greg Milholland). He evens offers to adopt Tartuffe as his sole heir. 

The situation seesaws back and forth, with Jefferds’ Tartuffe handling each denunciation with self-suffering jiu-jitsu, while turning the other cheek to smirk. He displays all the tricks of the televangelists, though with little of their cornpone. 

Finally, Orgon’s wife Elmire (Beth Chastain), for whom Tartuffe lusts, figures out a scheme to “pull his wool from your eyes,” to reveal the plaster saint as a randy sponge. Declaring “without scandal, there is no sin,” Tartuffe does a striptease, a not-so-saintly Chippendale’s routine. But the tables turn, then turn again, with a surprise cameo by the portrait of a very contemporary kind of political thespian. 

As the cast regards the visage of the actor-pol, someone intones: “we give thanks to our great leader/For saving us from bottom feeders.”  

Paul Shepard, formerly of UC Berkeley, has directed his cast well, ending up with an ensemble. Still, there are some inconsistencies and a few shrill notes. Even Robert Love at one point picks up the palsy of bobble-headedness from the young men of the Masquers. 

But it’s a rich show overall, far better at tapping Moliere’s comic wealth than the usual halfhearted, pumped-up academic and festival versions, which are often more hangdog than doggedly funny. It’s willing to worry the bone of language and situation until it yields up the marrow of humor, something more than slapstick with a happy ending.  

TARTUFFE 

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays through April 26 at Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Point Richmond.