Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Friday April 04, 2008

FRIDAY, APRIL 4 

EarthDance: Short Attention Span Film Festival at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Prof. Edouard Mayoral on “Recent Changes in the European Union and Some Consequences of These Changes.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 524-7468.  

Tim Wise, anti-racism activist and author of “White Like Me; Reflections of Race from a Privileged Son” and “Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White” speaks at 7:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St.. Tickets are $12-$20 sliding scale. 800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com 

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

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 

Healthy Communities, Healthy Planet Sponsored by the Transportation and Land Use Coalition, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Cost is $30 at the door. www.transcoalition.org 

Teens Touch the Earth Learn about caring for the environment while earning community service credits, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline. For ages 13-19. Registration required. 1-888-EB-PARKS. 

“Rachel Corrie Speaks” A dramatic reading of her journals by her mother and father and numerous young women peace activists, with original music by composer and cellist Matthew Owens, at 8 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Tickets are $12-$15. 848-6767, ext. 609. www.kpfa.org  

Alameda County Office of Education Credentialing Fair for individuals interested in becoming a credentialed teacher in California, from 9 a.m. to noon at 313 West Winton Ave., Conf. room 142, Hayward. 670-4224. www.acoe.org 

Models and Designs for a Proposed Center Street Plaza, developed by landscape architect Walter Hood for nonprofit Ecocity Builders, will be on display at Cody's Bookstore in downtown Berkeley, Shattuck Ave. and Allston Way, through April 12. www.ecocitybuilders.org 

Jack London Aquatic Center Ergathon Athletes take turns on a Concept2 rowing machine and pull non-stop for 12 hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jack London Aquatic Center by the Oakland Estuary. You can sponsor a rower, or row yourself. 208-6067. 

Latin Giants of Jazz: Sam Burtis and Sonny Bravo Clinic and master class from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Cost is $20-$50, Students, $10, youth up to age 15, free. 836-4649. 

“Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail” featuring eight winery tasting rooms in Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville, from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $30-$35. www.eastbayvintners.com 

Political Affairs Readers Group meets to discuss excerpts from Gerald Horne’s forthcoming book “Blows Against the Empire: US Imperialism in Crisis” at 10 a.m. at Niebyl Procter Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 595-7417. www.marxistlibr.org 

AHIMSA's Conference on the Human Capacity for Peace, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Badè Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.ahimsaberkeley.org 

CopWatch Training Learn your rights when stopped by police, officers, as well as how to observe and document police misconduct, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Free. 548-0425.  

“Spring Blooming Perennials” with Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off Seventh St. 644-2351. 

Auditions for the Woodminster Summer Musicals for adult singers and dancers of all ages and children who appear to be 8-10. For details see www.woodminster.com/Webpages/opportunities.html 

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, APRIL 6 

“Why Care About Tibet?The Protests, the Crackdown and the Olympics Connection” with Topden Tsering, former president of San Francisco Chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress and former editor of Tibetan Bulletin, at 4 p.m. at Connie Barbour Hall, BFUU, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita Ave. 

Family Pond-tacular Learn about metamorphosis as your explore the ponds with naturalist Meg Platt, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Family Footprints Learn about animal tracks and see what you can spot with naturalist Meg Platt, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Historical Society 30th Anniversary from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Charles Wollenberg will speak about his new book, “Berkeley, a City in History.” There will be music and refreshments. Reservations requested. berkeleyhistorical@yahoo.com 

The Crisis at KPFA and Pacifica A community forum with speakers Maria Gilardin, Les Radke, Joe Wanzala, from 2 to 6 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst at M L King Way. www.peoplesradio.net/ 

events.htm 

“What it Takes to Get Your Book Published” with Alan Rinzler at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Friends and Family Day celebrating the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. 549-6950. 

“US Labor, Chinese Workers and the Meaning of International Labor Solidarity” with Ellen David Friedman at 12:30 p.m. at SEIU Local 1021, 447 29th St., Oakland. Enter at rear between Telegraph and Broadway. Suggested donation $5-$10.  

“Kiss My Wheels” A film about a nationally ranked wheelchair basketball team at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., 3rd Flr. 981-6107. 

Films from the Center for African Diasporic Culture “Cubamor” at 6 p.m. and “Favela Rising” at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10 for each film, or $15 for both. 849-2568. 

Old Time Radio East Bay Collectors and Listeners gather to enjoy shows together at 5 p.m. at a private home in Richmond. For more information email DavidinBerkeley at Yahoo.com. 

Home Graywater Systems Slideshow & Tour Learn about the permitted greywater system at the Ecohouse. We will discuss the principles and process of safely irrigating with shower, bathroom sink, and laundry waste water. The workshop includes a 1 hour slide show presentation of greywater design and the application process. Tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration required. Cost is $15 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. 548-2220 ext. 242. ecohouse@ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Rep’s Family Series, a monthly theater workshop for the entire family from 11. a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, Nevo Education Center, 2071 Addison St. Free, but bring a book to donate to the library at John Muir Elementary School. 647-2973. 

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 

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

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Compassion and Well-Being” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000  

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577.  

MONDAY, APRIL 7 

El Cerrito Green Party Happy Hour at 8 p.m. at The Sky Lounge, 10458 San Pablo Ave, north of Stockton St. 526-0972. 

Yah Village Community Circle with children from Hoover Elementary School who have created Super Heroes who stand against violence at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Center, 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland. www.ahc-oakland.org 

“Castoffs” Knitting Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

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 

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 

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 Albany Bulb of the Eastshore State Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

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. 

Board Games Days, for 4th -8th graders, Tues.-Thurs. from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“Kayaking 101” at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 

Bus Rapid Transit in Berkeley A community discussion at the Planning and Transportation Commission meetings, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 

Sudden Oak Death Preventative Treatment 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 

Cycling Lecture with Gary Fisher, bicycle racer, at 7 p.m. at Velo Sport Bicycles, 1615 University Ave., enter at 1989 California St. RSVP to 849-0437. 

Board Games Day, for 4th -8th graders, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Radical Movie Night “Fern Gully—The Last Rainforest” at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 

“Behind Every Terrorist There is a Bush” A documentary with stand-up comics and stage artists questioning the “War on Terror” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry” Learn about toxics in beauty products with author Stacy Malkan at 7 p.m. at Elephant, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Green Home Improvement 101 A lecture at 6 p.m. at 2619 San Pablo Ave. www.ecohomeimprovment.com  

“About Face: The Psychology of Portraiture and the Human Face” A benefit lecture for Ethsix* magazine featuring psychologist and facial expert Dr. Paul Ekman at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $10 and up. 849-2568. 

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

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. 

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. 

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

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

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

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 

Alternatives to the Aerial Spray Program A forum on the spray plan for the Light Brown Apple Moth and alternatives to the spray, with agroecologist and UC Berkeley professor Miguel Altieri, Mayor of Albany and registered nurse Robert Lieber, and farmers Robert Shultz and Ames Morison, and healthcare worker John Davis, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., near Dwight Way. 548-2220 ext. 233, erc@ecologycenter.org 

Poverty Truth Commission at 6:15 p.m. at the Bade' Museum Building, Pacific School of Religion Campus, Graduate Theological Union, 1798 Scenic Ave. For more information, contact 845-6232, ext.103 glettini@sksm.edu 

“Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley” slide talk by author Richard Schwartz featuring highlights of Berkeley’s history from 1850 to 1925, at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

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

Creative Movement and Sign Language for ages 5-10 at 3:30 p.. at Elephant, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Board Games Day, for 4th -8th graders, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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. 

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

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 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., April 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., April 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., April 9, at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 981-4950. 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., April 9, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740. 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., April 10 at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., April 10, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410. 


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Friday April 04, 2008

FRIDAY, APRIL 4 

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 

Aurora Theatre “The Trojan Women” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through May 11. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

California Conservatory Theatre “The Turn of the Screw” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at 999 East 14th St., San Leandro City Hall Complex, near BART, through April 27. Tickets are $20-$22. 632-8850. 

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. www.masquers.org 

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. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Teen One Acts Festival with the winners of the teen writing competition Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Rep School of Theater, 2017 Addison St. Tickets at the door ate $6-$12. 647-2917. 

TheatreFirst “Future Me” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $23-$28. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

CHILDREN 

Splash Circus “Inspiruption: In Case of Emergency, Open Mind to Release Circus” Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Head Over Heels Gymnastics, Spur Alley, off 45th St., btwn Hollis and Doyle, Emeryville. Tickets are $10-$15.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Nature Study” Three Bay Area artists working with nature as a subject and/or medium. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, 25 Grand Ave., upper level, Oakland. www.chandracerrito.com 

“Earth Days” Works by Carrie Lederer, Irene Imfeld and Andrew Kaluzynski. Reception at 7 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. Runs through May 3. 663-6920. 

“Protest in Paris 1968” Photographs by Serge Hambourg. Artist talk at 5 p.m. at PFA Theater Gallery. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Second Nature” Paintings of San Francisco artist, Elizabeth Garsonnin, and artist Doron Fishman of Oakland. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at NoneSuch Space, 2865 Broadway at 29th St, 2nd Fl, Oakland. 

FILM 

EarthDance: Short Attention Span Film Festival at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Chris Vitiello and Mary Burger read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Miriam Chase and Remi Barron, followed by open mic at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org 

Jonathan Rosen explores our paradoxical relationship to nature in “The Life of the Skies Birding at the End of Nature” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Tim Wise, anti-racism activist and author at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $12 - $20 sliding scale. 800-838-3006. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Lacey Baker and The Black Diamond Blues Band at 5 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Citywater: The Music of Steve Mackey at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Dan Zemelman Quartet at 8 p.m. at The Berkeley Hillside Club 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 845-1350.  

Orquesta d’Soul at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568.  

Europa Galante “Music Before 1850” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant. Pre-perfomance talk with musicologist John Prescott at 7 p.m. Tickets are $48. 642-9988. 

RoShamBo & Guests, all a cappella night at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ.  

Inner Visions, reggae tribute to Mikey Dread at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Solo Piano Night, with Fred Weed, Nannick Bonnel, Carol Belcher, and Hadley Louden at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Anton Schwartz, jazz saxophone, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Carol McComb & Kathleen Larisch at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Braindrill, Scarecrow, Arise, Zombie Holocaust at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Red Summer at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $7-$15. 548-1159.  

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 

CHILDREN  

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

Splash Circus “Inspiruption: In Case of Emergency, Open Mind to Release Circus” Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Head Over Heels Gymnastics, Spur Alley, off 45th St., btwn Hollis and Doyle, Emeryville. Tickets are $10-$15.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“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 

“La Scuola di Antonio Holdsworth” Group show of paintings by Daniel Altman, Marvin Dalander, Susan Feiga, Lynne Hillock, Anthony Holdsworth, Tracy O’Neill, Michael Selvin, Ariella Seidenberg, Sally Stewart, Rolayn Tauben, O’Brien Thiele, April Watkins. Reception at 2 p.m. at The Art of Living Center, 2905 Shattuck Ave. 848-3736.  

THEATER 

San Leandro Players “Redwood Curtain” Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at San Leandro Museum Auditorium, Casa Peralta, 320 W. Estudillo Ave., through May 4. Tickets are $10-$15. 895-2573. www.sanleandroplayers.org  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Rachel Corrie Speaks” A dramatic reading of her journals by her mother and father and numerous young women peace activists, with original music by composer and cellist Matthew Owens, at 8 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Tickets are $12-$15. 848-6767, ext. 609. www.kpfa.org  

Bay Area Poets Coalition Open Reading at 3 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. Free. 527-9905. poetalk@aol.com 

“Jingletown Junction” Works by ten artists from the Jingletown neighborhood. Artists’ talk at 1 p.m. at ProArts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. www.proartsgallery.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “Coronation & Victory” Works by Handel and Purcell, at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. 

“Sekar Jaya” Music and dance of Bali st 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$18. 925-798-1300. www.gsj.org 

Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

The First Berkeley Piano Competition at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Burlesque ‘n Brass with Hot Pink Feathers and Blue Bone Express at 9 p.m. at Café Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Ave. 763-7711. 

Rachel Sage in Concert with child friendly activities available and the concert will be preceded by a magic show by Zappo the Magician at 1 p.m. at University Village, 1123 Jackson St., Albany. 867-8632. www.rachaelsage.com  

Sweet Honey in the Rock, African-American female a capella ensemble, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$58. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Bolokada Conde, West African drummer at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Darryl Rowe & His Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Backyard Party Boys, Betsy Maudlin & the Maudulators, JJ Schultz at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $10. 644-2204.www.twangcafe.com  

Eliyahu & Qadim, mystical music o fthe Near East, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Sotaque Baiano at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-10. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Doppler Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

Harish Raghavan Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Sheppards Krook at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

DCOI, Static Thought, Knuickle Puck at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

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 

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 

CHILDREN 

Hank Hooper CD Release Party for Children (and their Families) at 2 p.m. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Cos tis $5-$15 per family, sliding scale. www.rhythmix.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Legacy of Berkeley Parks: A Century of Planning and Making” opens at Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St, and runs through May 17. 981-7546. 

“Through My Eyes” A photography exhibit by Ann Kraynak. Opening reception at 1 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 228-3218. 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Dennis Fritzinger reads from “Earth National Park” a new book of poetry at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center Bookstore, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 227. www.kirklumpkin.com 

Joe Fisher talks about Balinese Art at 3 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Telemann Celebration concert by Florilegia at 3 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Free, but donationa accepted. 526-0722. 

San Francisco Choral Artists “Music Home-Grown” at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $9-$28. 415-979-5779. www.sfca.org 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “Coronation & Victory” Works by Handel and Purcell, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. 

Animal Crackers! Funny Songs & Delicious Desserts Music by Gershwin, Whitacre, PDQ Bach, at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20. 525-0302. 

John Santos Quintet “What is Jazz Anyway?” at 4 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Swedish Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$58. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

W. Allen Taylor & His Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Train Wreck Riders, Kemo Sabe, The Skinny at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $10. 644-2204.www.twangcafe.com  

Bandworks at noon at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jarrett Cherner Trio at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Claudia Schmidt at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$1920.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, APRIL 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Call & Response” Works from Richmond High School and the National Institute of Art & Disabilities opens at NIAD, 551 23rd St., Richmond. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

FILM 

New Digital Films from Palestine and Lebanon “The Roof” with filmmaker Kamal Aljafari, in person at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

PACES, with poet Alan Bern and choreographer and dancer Lucinda Weaver at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Piedmont Ave. Branch, 160 41st St., Oakland. 597-5011. jmurphy@oaklandlibrary.org 

Art, Technology and Culture Colloquium “text, Slides and Videotapes” with artist Kota Ezawa, at 7:30 p.m. at 160 Kroeber Hall, UC Campus. 643-9565. http://atc.berkeley.edu 

Ellen Pulleyblank Coffey reads from “Blowing on Embers: Stories for Hard Times” at a brown bag lunch, at 12:30 p.m. at the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Steve Hinshaw describes “Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Professionals Disclose their Personal and Family Experiences of Mental Illness” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

“Julia Morgan’s Unique Place in American Architecture” at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. at Arch. Donation $5. 644-2967. 

Poetry Express 6th Anniversary with Kathleen Daly at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Slide Hampton in an interactive presentation at 7 p.m. at Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$25, no one turned away. www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/3087 

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

Debbie Poryes Trio at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 

FILM 

“Intimate Communications: Films by Audrius Stonys” with the artist in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Susan Griffin on “Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy: On Being and American Citizen” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Slide Hampton, interactive presentation at 7 p.m. at Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20, free for youth under 13. www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/3087 

Bandworks at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Natalia Zukerman, Heather Combs at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

George Cotsirilos Trio at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Eric Alexander Quartet, featuring Harold Mabern, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Paul Robeson, A Hero for All Time” A exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of Paul Robeson’s birth. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Oakland City Hall Rotunda, corner of 14th and Broadway. www.bayarearobeson.org 

FILM 

“Belle de Jour” with lecture by Marilyn Fabe at 3 p.m. Film and Video Makers at Cal at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Portraits: Faces and Emotions” with Dr. Paul Ekman at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10 and up. Benefit for Ethsix Magazine. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Micheline Aharonian Marcom introduces “Draining the Sea” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Rachel Li, piano, Kai Chou, cello, Jessica Ling, violin, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

 

 

Carla Kaufman Ensemble with Noel Jewkes and Benny Watson at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Mazacote 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.  

Stephane Wrembel at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Keola Beamer & Chris Yeaton at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Call & Response” Works from Richmond High School and the National Institute of Art & Disabilities. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at NIAD, 551 23rd St., Richmond. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Amy Arbus: The Fourth Wall” A multi-media presentation by the photographer on her most iconic images at 6:30 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $10. www.fotovision.org 

“Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley” slide talk by author Richard Schwartz featuring highlights of Berkeley’s history from 1850 to 1925 at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

“The Radical Jack London” with author Jonah Raskin at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Forms in the Abyss: A Philosophical Bridge Between Sartre and Derrida” with author Steve Martinot, in conversation with Sandra Luft at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Adam Mansbach on “The End of the Jews” at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Don Carlos, Jah Levi, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $18-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

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

Holly Near & emma’s revolution at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20-$25. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Akosua Mireku, Ghanaian-American folk-singer, at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

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


Sims and Buchanan Sing For Four Seasons Concert Series

By Ken Bullock, Special to The Planet
Friday April 04, 2008

Baritone Robert Sims and Soprano Alison Buchanan, who originally sang together in 1998, will give a joint recital for Four Seasons Concerts on Saturday at Holy Names University. 

Buchanan, originally from Bedford, England, will sing songs by Michael Head, Richard Strauss and Leo Delibes, African-American Art Songs by Florence Price, Betty Jackson King and Adolphus Hailstork and Spirituals arranged by Moses Hogan, Hall Johnson and Jacqueline Hairston of Oakland. 

Sims will sing songs by Leonard Bernstein, Hugo Wolf, Henri Duparc, Aaron Copeland, Roland Carter and Spirituals arranged by Lena McLin, Roland Hayes and by Sims.  

Buchanan and Sims will also perform duets by Purcell, Mendelssohn, Gounod, Gershwin and Jacqueline Hairston. Pianist Dennis Helmrich will accompany. 

Sims, familiar to East Bay concertgoers from his work with Four Seasons and a Martin Luther King tribute concert with the East Bay Oakland Symphony, as well as with Friends of Negro Spirituals, spoke last week of his long friendship and collaboration with Buchanan. 

“We met each other at the Music Academy of the West, in Santa Barbara, when we were just kids, singing opera,” he said. “She went back to London to continue her studies and I went to Oberlin. Then Allison came back to the states to finish her master’s and was singing with San Francisco Opera ... and we met up again.” 

Dr. Williams, the founder of Four Seasons Concerts reintroduced them, Sims remembered. Williams then organized a sold-out house for the duo at Oakland’s Scottish Rites Temple in 1998, and then brought them back the following year, shortly before Williams died.  

“He gave us as young artists so much,” Sims said. “He was the most impressive impressario of the Bay Area. Many huge opera stars were presented by him—William Warfield, Marian Anderson’s farewell—and so many African-American singers got their debuts from him.” 

Talking about Saturday’s show, Sims said, “It’s great about this concert—Alison’s British, so she’ll open with Purcell. I’ll begin with Bernstein, a simple song. Then contemporary British composers ... The second half is all English and American, contemporary African-American songs for Alison, then Copeland and Spirituals for me. We’ll do a duet.” 

Sims just did a concert with Odetta in Virginia, and will teach in the Young Musicians Program at UC Berkeley this summer, as he did last year. 

Sims spoke of a book he’s working on with Christopher Brooks of Commonwealth University on Roland Hayes, “the father of African-American concert singers, who gave Marian Anderson cameos in his recitals from the time she was 11. He was a great arranger of Spirituals, traveled the world, and was the first African-American millionaire recitalist.”


TheatreFirst Stages ‘Future Me’

By Ken Bullock, Special to The Planet
Friday April 04, 2008

“Future Me is about how society deals with its monsters,” said British playwright Stephen Brown, “what we do with people who’ve done terrible things.” 

Brown, visiting here to catch TheatreFirst’s final rehearsals and opening night of the U.S. premiere of his play, tonight at the Berkeley City Club, summarized its point of departure: a bright, young, successful London barrister is about to move in with his girlfriend, with everything going well, when his computer sends out an e-mail to everybody in his address book with child pornography attached.  

The play follows him over the next five years, into and back out of prison, showing the people he meets (two other sex offenders, a probation officer who works in a treatment program) and the impact his troubles have on his girlfriend and his brother. 

“It deals with desire and anger, with what happens when our reasonable mind hits the iceberg of our buried visceral reactions, when we don’t know what to think,” said Brown. “Ungoverned desire provokes ungoverned anger. It’s slow burning. How to stay calm, think clearly—to punish, rehabilitate? When does punishment end? And what does it mean to say you’re sorry?” 

Brown emphasized Future Me is in no way a tract or merely educational problem play: “It has a lot of black humor in it. How do humans cope with strong emotions on a day-to-day basis? Maybe by laughing a lot, not beating their chests. It also has a lot of story.” 

Brown, who’s written plays professionally “for four or five years,” started out as “a freelance journalist working in publishing,” publishing and writing for the British political magazine Prospects for the better part of a decade, then writing theater reviews for Prospects, the Times Literary Supplement and others. 

Clive Chafer, TheatreFirst’s cofounder and director of FUTURE ME, had read reviews of the play last summer. “I’d been looking for a play on this subject,” he said. “Then in September I picked up a copy of the script in the bookstore of the National Theatre before a show, read half of it standing in the shop, then at intermission—even though the play was good—went to a pub and read the second half. By the end, I was wrung out. It’s the final taboo, which has reduced intelligent and rational people to monosyllables. We’ll have six post-show discussions with professionals who are in the rehabilitation field. We certainly want to make people think—but it’s important to remember it’s a play, not an essay.”  

Brown stressed how “very exciting it is for me to see a cast of American actors, with a different style, reveal different aspects of what I’ve written. I’ve started seeing lines, scenes opened up a bit. More open emotion.” 

TheatreFirst, an Oakland-based troupe for more than 13 years, has been searching for a new home after their site at the Old Oakland Theatre on 9th Street near Broadway became unavailable last spring after a successful season, for which the company won awards from the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle. 

“It’s astonishing that a city of over 400,000 doesn’t have a professional, full-season producing theater company,” Chafer said.  

TheatreFirst is negotiating for a space for a 99-seat theater not far from the Paramount Theater.  

“The area around the Paramount and Fox Theaters is being talked about as an arts district and is coming up rapidly,” said Chafer. “We’ve planned our next season, planning to go from three to four plays. We have city funding and private funding to compete for commercial rents.”