TUESDAY, APRIL 15 

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 Crockett Hills Regional 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. 

Birds and Butterflies: Easy Garden enchantment with California Native Plants. An Audubon Nature Studies class begins at 7 p.m. at Albany Adult School. Cost is $35. For details, call 559-6580 or see www.albany.k12.ca.us/adult/birding.html 

Amy Goodman and David Goodman: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times and 6:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $12. 444-8511. brownpapertickets.com/event/31304  

Bayview Library Grand Re-opening Party from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bayview Library, 5100 Hartnett Ave., near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond. 620-6566, www.richmondlibrary.org. 

“Texts We Wish Were Not In the Bible” with Mary A. Tolbert, Professor of Biblical Studies, at 11:10 a.m. at Pacific School of Religion Chapel, 1798 Scenic Ave. 

Climbing Mt. Shasta Tips for the novice and expert at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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

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 

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 

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 Masonic Ave., Albany. 524-9122. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 

City of Oakland 14th EarthEXPO with products and tips to reduce energy use, be a greener consumer, information on bay-friendly gardening, and more, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway. www.oaklandearthexpo.org 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about plants from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

“Bush’s Brain” A documentary about Karl Rove, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet: The New Geopolitics of Energy” with author Michael Klare, introductory remarks by Daniel Ellsberg, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Durant. Donation $10-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds. ProgressivePersp@aol.com 

“In Sickness and In Wealth” Film and discussion on how economic status, race and zip code are powerful predictors of health status and life expectancy, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St. 981-5356. 

Green Chamber of Commerce “Green Industry Trends” at 5:30 p..m. at StopWaste.org, 1537 Webster St., Oakland. Cost is $20-$30, includes program and tour of LEED Platinum building. greenchamberof commerce.net 

Watch the Clinton Obama Deabte at 8 p.m. at Park Avenue Bar & Grill, across the street from Piedmont Theater, Piedmont. 

Simplicity Forum “Decluttering - physical, mental and metaphysical” at 6:30 p.m. at Claremont Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 

Anime in the Afternoon at Bayview Library Watch a classic Japanese animation film featuring a mysterious forest spirit who befriends two young girls at 3 p.m. at Bayview Library, 5100 Hartnett Ave., near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond. Appropriate for all ages. 620-6566. www.richmondlibrary.org. 

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 

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. 

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 17 

Berkeley High School Red & Golden Girls Reunion Luncheon at 11 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $35, reservations required. 582-2478. 

Chiapas Support Committee Report and slide show on the International Zapatista Women’s Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. 654-9587. 

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the LeConte School, Russell St. entrance. If you have agenda items please forward them to karlreeh@aol.com 

“Bird Song and Coffee: A Wake-up Call” A documentary film followed by discussion on the relationship between coffee and the environment at &7:30 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Sponsored by the Golden Gate Audubon Society. 843-2222. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

Stories about Travels to Australia with Stuart Pawsey at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library North Branch, 1170 The Alameda. 981-6250. 

Brain Games at Bayview Library Exercise your brain and have fun with your neighbors at this free, casual event at 1 p.m. at 5100 Hartnett Ave., near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond. 620-6566. www.richmondlibrary.org 

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. $5. 643-2755. botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 

Oakland Street Retreat: Bearing Witness to Homelessness Participants will live on the streets without money, bedding, change of clothing, books or watches. Participants will eat in soup kitchens and beg for money or food at times when soup kitchens are closed. Retreat lasts from Fri.-Sun. Cost is $225 to benefit service providers of the Homeless & the New Dharma Scholarship Fund. Participants urged to beg to raise the funds. For information and to register call 549 3733 ext 2. www.newdharma.com 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Harold Palmer on “Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Comparison of Democrat vs Republican Positions” 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 524-7468.  

Expo 50+ for Boomers and Beyond The public is invited to attend Expo 50+, featuring class exhibits and demonstrations, live entertainment, health screenings, vendors, musicians, a raffle and complimentary refreshments, hosted by Pleasant Valley Adult School. The Expo will be held Friday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4700 Lincoln Ave, in Oakland. Admission is free. For information call (510) 879-4090. 

Iraq Moratorium Day and Vigil to Protest the War from 2 to 4 p.m. at the corners of Unvirsity and Acton. 548-9696. 

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 19 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “Berkeley and the Wars: A Look Back at Local Military Sites” from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. For reservations call 848-0181. 

Berkeley Earth Day 2008 with demonstrations of biodiesel and electric cars, solar power, farmers’ market, food and craft booths, from noon to 5 p.m. Civic Center Park, MLK Jr. Blvd & Allston Way. 

“Clean It, Green It, Mean It!” Help out at Peralta Hacienda HIstorical Park to remove graffiti, pick up litter, clear the creek of invasive plants, and help plant some more native species, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. 532-9142. 

Oakland Earth Day 2008 Join your neighbors and friends on Earth Da y to make a difference in our Oakland communities. Participants will receive a free event T-shirt. For featured locations and a complete list of citywide project sites please visit www.oaklandearthday.com  

Earth Day Shoreline Clean-up from 9 a.m. to noon at Albany Waterfront Trail Head, end of Buchanan St. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and bring your own water bottle and gloves if you have them. Snacks provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.665-3508. staff@thewatershedproject.org 

Hi-Tec Recycling Electronics recycling from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 631 So 31st St., Richmond. 488-4564. 

Wildflower Walk Learn to identify wildflowers with linda Yemoto, naturalist, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Big Spings Canyon Trail. Meet at the Big Springs Picnic Area. 525-2233. 

California Native Plant Sale with California shrubs, trees, perennials, and many plants that are not available in a nursery, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Botanic Garden, Tilden Park, Wildcat Canyon Rd., at South Park Dr. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

The Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society 44th Annual Iris Show and Potted Iris Sale Sat. from 1 to 5 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. http://bayareairis.org.  

STAND Oakland Candidates Forum / Earthday Event from 1 to 3 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 430 49th St. and Webster, Oakland, just off Telegraph. Sponsored by Standing Together for Accountable Neighborhood Development. www.standoakland.org 

California Wildflower Show Sat. and Sun. at the Oakland Museum of CA, 1000 Oak St., at 10th St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

“Lead-Safe Painting & Remodeling” Learn to detect and remedy lead hazards in the home to prevent lead poisoning, from 10 a.m. to noon at Berkeley Public Library, South Branch, 1901 Russell St., at MLK. Registration required. 567-8280. www.aclppp.org/homeown.htm 

Green Building Open House from noon to 5 p.m. at 2619 San Pablo Ave. www.ecohomeimprovment.com  

Brooks Island Trip Paddle across the Richmond Harbor Channel to Brooks Island to explore the rocky island, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For experience boaters who can provide their own canoe, kayak and safety gear. For ages 14 and up. Parent participation required. Cost is $20-$22. To register call 1-888-EB-PARKS. 

United-Front Protest to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal at 2:30 p.m. at 14th St. and Broadway, Oakland. Called by Partisan Defense Committee and Labor Black League for Social Defense. 839-0852. 

The War Comes Home: Campus Antiwar Network Western Regional Conference, from 1 to 6 p.m. at 200 Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. Cost is $5. For information contact katrina.yeaw@gmail.com (415) 335-0953. 

California Writers Club “Welcome to SoMa” with author Kemble Scott at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble Event Loft, Jack London Square, Oakland. 272-0120. 

“Spring/Summer Veggies and the Edible Landscape” with Stephanie Bittner at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off Seventh St. 644-2351. 

Storytelling Workshop with Liz Mangual from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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 

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. 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 20 

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

Mad Science for the Whole Family A introduction to chemistry from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. For ages 7 and up. Cost is $4, registration required. 1-888-EB-PARKS.  

East Bay Crop Walk A fundraiser for the Alamenda County Comunity Food Bank around Lake Merritt, Oakland. Registration at 1:30 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave. Crop Walk begins at 2 p.m. For information call 635-3665, ext. 328. 

The Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society 44th Annual Iris Show and Potted Iris Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. http://bayareairis.org.  

Spring Family Hike Join an easy walk around Jewel Lake from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with Meg Platt, naturalist. 525-2233. 

Waddle and Swaddle East Bay Baby Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Free. 540-7210. www.eastbaybabyfair.com  

Pachamama Alliance “Awakening the Dreamer Symposium” from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at New Spirit Community Church at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. pachamama.org 

East Bay Atheists Berkeley Meets to discuss what to do when you find yourself ina situation where you are expected to join a religious ritual, at 1:30 p.m., 3rd flr. meeting room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 222-7580. eastbayatheists.org 

SF AIDS Benefit Brunch at 10:30 a.m at T-Rex Barbeque, 1300 Tenth St. at Gilman. 

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 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 Jack Petranker on “Experiments in Awareness: Making Friends with Experience” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

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. Also on Fri. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

MONDAY, APRIL 21 

“Environmental Impact: Evolution of the Berkeley Landscape” with Chuck Wollenberg and Dave Weinstein at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, central meeting room, 2090 Kittredge.  

Berkeley Green Mondays Berkeley & Military Recruiting: What's All the Fuss? with Zanne Joi and Rae Abileah at 8 p.m. at Anna's Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. www.berkeleygreens.org 

“The Two Faces of Breast Cancer with Genes and the Microenvironment” with Joe Gray, LBNL Life Science Director, Mina Bissel, LBNL Distiguished Scientist, Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff, LBNL Senior Scientist, at Berkeley Lab Friends of Science, at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. www.lbl.gov/friendsofscience  

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group, for people 60 years and over, meets at 9:45 a.m. at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave, Albany. Cost is $3.  

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 

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 

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.  

CITY MEETINGS 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., April 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6601. 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., April 16, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5344. 

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., April 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., April 17, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 

Are you wanting to do more this year to live “green”? Looking for simple yet meaningful ways to be part of the solution?  

Here are suggestions for doing your part to heal the environment while directly supporting your personal well being: 

1. First and foremost, make the commitment to eat organically.  

Food grown without pesticides has been shown to contain significantly higher levels of naturally occurring, essential nutrients. Additionally, soil unadulterated by chemical contaminants sequesters (absorbs) much higher amounts of carbon, thus reducing CO2 in the atmosphere.  

Finally, the manufacture and usage of chemical pesticides in and of itself adds to global warming.  

In fact, according to highly respected environmental activist, ecologist and physicist Vandana Shiva, chemical agriculture altogether accounts for 40 percent of global warming gasses. 

2. Switch to non-toxic cleaning products.  

This will help you eliminate chemical residues, and help keep your indoor air free of toxic cleaning fumes. 

3. Take footwear off at the front door.  

This keep dirt, pesticides, oil and other chemicals from being tracked into living spaces. 

4. Drive less, walk and/or bicycle more.  

Try to exercise outdoors in nature more often. 

5. Conserve energy by turning off lights when no one is in the room.  

And, put appliances and electronic equipment on power strips, then switch off the power when not in use. Appliances, televisions, computers, etc., individually turned to “off” are still drawing power. 

6. Take an eco- adventure vacation. 

Or stay in hotels where greening measures have been implemented. 

7. Switch to natural cosmetics, soaps and shampoos.  

As our largest organ, our skin absorbs what it contacts. Chemicals that we’d never think to eat are actually taken in through the products we put on our skin. 

8. Choose to purchase organic clothing.  

Conventional cotton production typically entails the highest amount of chemicals per acre of any crop and accounts for 16 percent of the world’s pesticide use. The processing of conventional cotton also significantly contributes to air and water pollution. It is true that at the moment, organic cotton usually does cost more out of pocket. Why not start with smaller items, such as socks and underwear? There are now lusciously soft organic cotton sheets, blankets and towels. Prices are already begun to go down, and the more we make these healthy choices the more likely that trend will continue. 

9.Choose post-consumer recycled paper products.  

Most often “recycled” paper is made of the scraps from lumber milling, not the stuff we so conscienciously putout on the curb. Paper labeled “post-consumer” is just that. 

10. Make conscious purchases all around.  

Is this item local, or is there a local equivalent available? Ask yourself if this is something you truly need. 

11.Plant a tree—on your own or through an organization such as Trees For The Future(.org). 

Approximately one ton of carbon is absorbed by each tree over it’s lifetime. (We lost millions of trees during Katrina.). 

12. And of course, make a pledge to utilize the three Rs.  

Reduce, reuse and recycle, in that order, whenever possible! 

This is a beginning list. Start with one or go for all. Once you start thinking, you’ll probably come up with many more ideas. For an added bonus, how about joining with a friend, family member or neighbor to become green resolution buddies? Get support, spread the action and spread the word!  

Arms—in Berkeley?  

Although the establishment of a Marine recruiting station downtown has brought attention—and controversy—to Berkeley in recent months, most locals are probably not aware that central Berkeley has a number of buildings and sites once used for military purposes, some dating back to the early 20th century.  

The sites and history of Berkeley’s military associations and veterans are the starting focus of the spring season of Berkeley Historical Society walking tours, which begin this Saturday. 

Later tours visit historic neighborhoods, take in some of Berkeley’s transportation history, and provide an insider’s peek at new libraries on the UC Berkeley campus. 

The Saturday tours, which run from about 10 a.m. to noon, extend through June and cost $10 each for those who aren’t BHS members. As of this writing, there were still spaces available on all of the tours. 

This Saturday, April 19, the first walk is co-led by the author, along with BHS President John Aronovici, and titled “Berkeley and the Wars: A look Back at Local Military Sites.”  

Concentrating on the downtown and the western side of the UC campus, we’ll see Berkeley’s old National Guard Armory, several war memorials, the former military training headquarters on the UC campus, and even the location of a local artillery park. 

The tour finishes with a viewing of local memorabilia of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), recently curated by the BHS. Back in 1933 and 1939 Berkeley hosted major GAR gatherings. 

The following Saturday, April 26, BHS Board member Dale Smith leads a walk through the Elmwood neighborhood which, just a little more than a century ago, was still a productive agricultural district.  

The walk, entitled “I Ain’t Gonna Work on Kelsey’s Farm No More,” recalls John Kelsey, who grew not only fruit crops but many of the sapling street trees for Berkeley—including the elms of the future “Elmwood”—on his ranch northeast of College and Ashby.  

It traces the pattern of residential development, where scattered homes of early settlers of the district still stand among handsome rows of “streetcar suburb” houses from the beginning of the 20th century.  

Attention will be called to homes designed by Leola Hall, one of Berkeley’s early women architects, as well as the history of the Kelsey Street Press, a poetry publisher founded by a group of local women. 

The tour also includes the Elmwood commercial district—packed today with fine restaurants, gelato fanciers, and a neighborhood-run movie theater—which has made its own history through struggles to preserve neighborhood businesses, such as Ozzie’s Soda Fountain, and to regulate commercial rents. 

If you’re also planning to go on the May 4 Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association house tour of the adjacent Benvenue/Hillegass neighborhood, this Elmwood walk is a good prelude and introduction to the environs. 

Saturday, May 10, another venerable Berkeley residential district—Northbrae—is explored, with a focus on the trolley system that served the neighborhood. The walk, led by Phil Gale, will recall how the streets came to be named, the grandeur that ambitious developers proposed for the neighborhood—including, at one time, plans for the State Capitol—and what actually came to be built. (The tour is not wheelchair accessible.) 

Gale, a Berkeley treasure (as well as BHS treasurer) whose local roots go back to the 19th century, is an expert on the early transportation systems of the East Bay. 

Then it’s off into the wilds—sort of—on Saturday, May 17, when Ron Sipherd leads visitors up Panoramic Hill, just southeast of the UC campus. Sipherd will focus on the “contrasting qualities of proximity to the university and steep, difficult terrain” that make Panoramic Hill a unique piece of Berkeley’s physical and cultural landscape.  

A remarkable array of homes—from early brown shingles, to the only Frank Lloyd Wright design built in Berkeley—are integrated with winding streets, staircases, and the natural landscape of Strawberry Canyon to the north and Hamilton Gulch to the south. 

See Sipherd’s website at www.well.com/~ronks/pix/panowalk/index.html for a preview of some of the sights on this walk. (This tour involves steep grades and stairs and is not handicapped accessible.) 

Eleven-year veteran tour leader and long-time Berkeley resident Paul Grunland is a familiar leader of BHS tours of the northeast Berkeley hill neighborhoods which he probably knows better than anyone else, but this season he comes down to the flatlands to guide a walk of the McGee Tract neighborhood west of Downtown. 

This pleasant but often overlooked district of older Berkeley homes and wide, leafy, streets includes Berkeley’s first Roman Catholic parish church, St. Joseph the Worker, and was once the site of the working farm of James McGee, who was also elected one of Berkeley’s first town trustees in the 1870s.  

Grunland will draw on the recent research of the McGee-Spaulding-Hardy Historic Interest Group, a dedicated set of volunteers who meet weekly to research and discuss their neighborhood history.  

Their own introduction to the neighborhood is posted at www.donaspring.com/HistoryDistrict4.htm 

Subscribers to at least three of the Spring walks are also eligible for a free bonus tour on June 14. This season, the bonus tour will visit the two newest libraries on the UC campus. 

The Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library, near Wurster Hall, is sheathed in green slate “shingles” and houses nearly a quarter of a million books, records, manuscripts, and other rare materials. The C.V. Starr East Asian Library—just opened last month—overlooks Memorial Glade and Doe Library. Library staff will guide the tours. 

For last-minute reservations, call the Berkeley Historical Society at 848-0181 on the Thursday or Friday afternoon (1-4 p.m.) before the tour to see if space is available and to get your name on the list. 

For reservations further in advance, mail a check payable to Berkeley Historical Society to P.O. Box 1190, Berkeley, California, 94701. 

When making a reservation, please provide your telephone number and e-mail address (if you have one) so you can be contacted with information about where to meet for a tour, and last-minute updates. 

Membership—which costs $20 individual, $25 family—entitles the ticket purchaser to an $8 price for individual tours, or a “season ticket special” of all six tours for $30. Only members are eligible for the June 14 Bonus Tour. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 15 

CHILDREN 

Walter the Giant Storyteller for ages 3 and up, at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

FILM 

“Schindler’s Houses” 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 

Amy Goodman introduces “Standing Up to the Madness” at 6:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 25th, Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.kpfa.org/events. 

Jack Hirschman, San Francisco Poet Laureate, reads at 7:30 p.m. at Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

LeRoy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Karen Blixt at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 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 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Joshua Kryah and Alex Lemon read their poems for National Poetry Month at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Bob Barde discusses his new book “Immigration at the Golden Gate: Passenger Ships, Exclusion, and Angel Island” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Priscilla Royal talks about her medieval mystery series at 2 p.m. at at West Side Library, 135 Washington Ave., Point Richmond. 620-6567. www.richmondlibrary.org 

Cafe Poetry hosted by Paradise at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Laurel Anne Hill reads from her new crossover novel “Heroes Arise” at 7 p.m. at Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Fever, swing music at noon at 555 12th St., Oakland. Part of Oakland City Center Spring Concerts.  

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Jared Redmond, piano, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

UC Berkeley’s Cal RaijinTaiko, Taiko Drumming Concert, at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$7 at the door.  

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

Terrence Brewer Quartet with Lorca Hart at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

MIBB, University of Copenhagen Jazz Big Band in a benefit for Ashkenaz, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Whiskey Brothers, old-time and bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Benny Verde 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.  

Keith McArthur Project, funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Billy Cobham & Friends at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $16-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Interplay” Works by David Kwan, Nora Pauwels, Bartosz Posacki, and Steve Reich. Artists’ reception at 6 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“Here: Oakland Through the Arts” Works by Excel High School Students. Presentation by the artists at 7 p.m., performance at 5 p.m. at the Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, State of CA Office Bldg., Atrium, 1515 CLay St., Oakland. 622-8190. 

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 

THEATER 

“Medea, A Tragedy by Euripides” Thurs.-Sat. at 7 p.m. at Oakland School for the Arts, 1800 San Pablo, Oakland, 1 block from 19th St BART. Tickets are $5-$10. 873 8800. www.oakarts.tix.com 

FILM 

Heinz Emigholz: Architecture as Autobiography “Sullivan’s Banks” at 7 p.m. and “Loos Ornamental” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Adam David Miller reads from “Ticket to Exile” at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6107. 

June Jordan’s Poetry for the People at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Adam Mansbach reads from “The End of the Jews” at 7 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Doug Fine reads from “Farewell, My Subaru: An epic Adventure in Local Living” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

San Francisco Chamber Jazz Quartet, live recording session at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The California Honeydrops, New Orleans blues and roots, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone, at 7:30 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $35-$100. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Vladimir Tarasov, Mark Dresser & Larry Ochs: Thinking About Morton Feldman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Houston, Jones & Jacques at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

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

Dietsnaks, funk, nu-jazz, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277 

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Uncle Vanya” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through May 17. Tickets are $10-$12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.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. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Foxfire” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave. at Moeser, El Cerrito, through May 11. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

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 

“Medea, A Tragedy by Euripides” Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m. at Oakland School for the Arts, 1800 San Pablo, Oakland , 1 block from 19th St BART. Tickets are $5-$10. 873 8800. www.oakarts.tix.com 

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 

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

EXHIBITIONS 

“Diversity in Play” Paintings by Rita Sklar. Reception at 3 p.m. at Cafe Diem, 2224 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. www.ritasklar.com 

FILM 

“The Archeology of Memory: Villa Grimaldi” about Chilean exiled musician Quique Cruz at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“We Begin Here: Poems for Palestine & Lebanon” with readings by Elmaz Abinader, Barbara Berman, Alexis De Veaux, Kathy Engel, Sam Hamod, Jack Hirschman, James Scully, and Deema Shehabi. Recption at 5:30 p.m., readings at 7:30 p.m. at St. John's Church, 2727 College Ave. RSVP to 548-0542.  

Amy Arbus “The Fourth Wall” A multi-media presentation on the stories behind her most iconic images at 6:30 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, UC Campus. For ticket information see www.fotovision.org/pages/home.php 

Amanda Nadelberg and John Sakkis read their poems for National Poetry month at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Ernest Bloch Lecture with Steve Mackey on “The 21st Century and the Composer/Performer” at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Jannell Moon and Jeanne Lupton, read their poetry, followed by open mic at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org 

Don Lee reads from his comic satire, “Wrack and Ruin” at 7 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Will Allen describes “War on Bugs” on the chemical industry’s deep roots in agriculture, at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Bruce Anderson reads from his new book, “The Mendocino Papers” at 7 p.m. at Book Zoo, 6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 654-2665. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

April Paik, Melissa Lin, violins, Garrett McLean, viola and Ting Chin, cello, at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery 2911 Claremont Ave. Tickets are $10. 848-1228. giorgigallery.org 

Spotlight on Local Composers New Works by John Blakelock at 8 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 845-1350  

UC Berkeley’s The Movement Spring Showcase, Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $9 at the door.  

Berkeley Dance Project 2008 Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., through April 27 at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$14. 642-8827. theater.berkeley.edu 

Los Boleros in a Havana Dance Party, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Back Porch Pickers at 7:30 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $12-$15, children under 16 $5.  

Rebecca Coupe-Franks Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Youssoupha Sidibe at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$14. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

California Guitar Trio at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Andrew Sammons Solo Guitar, jazz, swing, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Extreme Noise Terror, Stormcrow, Strong Intention at 7:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

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

Devin the Dude, hip hop, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15-$18. 548-1159.  

Terrence Brewer Quartet with Lorca Hart at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Billy Cobham & Friends at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $16-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 

CHILDREN 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Betsy Stern, songs in Spanish, French and English, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Active Arts Theatre, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $14-$18. www.activeartstheatre.org 

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 

Best of the Bay Comedy Series with Derrick Ellis, Marc Howard, John Alston, B.T. Kingsley and others at 10 p.m. at Black Repertory Theater, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $20. 652-2120.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Photographs of the West” by J. Williams, jewelry and pottery. Opening reception at 2 p.m. at Maison d’ Art Gallery, 2729 San Pablo Ave. 207-9509.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

West Coast Live with authors Patrick McGrath, Melanie Abrams, Nathanial Rich and Tin Cup Seranade at 10 a.m. at Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison St. Tickets are $13-$18. 415-664-9500. www.ticketweb.com 

Samantha Le reads from her novel “Little Sister Left Behind” at 4 p.m. at Eastwind Book of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. www.ewbb.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Earth Day Cultural Performances with Marcia Flores Cantillana, Shawl-Anderson Youth Ensemble, Antoine Hunter Urban Jazz Dance Company and others, from noon to 5 p.m. at Civic Center Park.  

The American Recorder Orchestra of the West “Fancy Free” a concert of American music at 8 p.m. pre-concert reception at 7 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Church, 2220 Cedar St. Donation $10, $5 for students and children under 12. www.arrowmusic.org 

American Bach Soloists “1685 and the Art of Ian Howell” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m., Tickets are $16-$42. 415-621-7900. www.americanbach.org 

African Music and Dance Ensemble, directed by C.K. Ladzekpo at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

San Francisco Renaissance Voices at 4 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. 415-456-1102 www.sfrv.org 

Journey Into Dance at 8 p.m. at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way, at 6th. 486-8700; www.rudramandir.com 

Vladimir Vukanovich, Peruvian guitarist, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/Zydeco dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Ben Adams/Terrence Brewer Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

The Brothers Goldman, funk, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Grupo Falso Baiano, Brazilian Choro, at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Sweet Crude Bill & The Lighthouse Nautical Society at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Consider the Source, ethno-fusion, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Mike Park, Captured by Robots in a Memorial Benefit for Lynette Knackstedt at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 20 

EXHIBITIONS 

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 

Matt Hart, Darcie Denningan and Joseph Massey read their poems for National Poetry month at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Alonzo Addison describes in planet’s most extraordinary and endangered palces in “Disappearing World” at 4 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Patrick McGrath reads from “Trauma” at 7 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Animal Crackers! Funny Songs & Delicious Desserts, music by Gershwin, Whitacre, PDQ Bach at 1 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20; no one turned away for lack of funds. 525-0302. 

California Chamber Players in a concert of string quartets at 3 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door $18-$22. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org  

University of California Alumni Chorus, University Men's and Women's Chorales, and Francisco Unitarian Universalist Church Choir perform Brahms’ German Requiem with Jeffrey Fields, baritone, and Nancy Cooke Munn, soprano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, U.C. Campus Tickets are $6-$15. 643-9645. 

Taylor Eigsti, “Solo/Duo/Trio” with bassist John Schifflet and drummer Jason Lewis at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. Tickets are $25-$50 for concert and reception. Fundraiser for the Jazzschool. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.inhousetickets.com  

Dalby-Rabin Duo on Sunday, April 20, 4:00 p.m. Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. $12 for adults and free for children 18 and under. www.crowden.org 

Sound Poems Poetry and percussion by Kirk Lumpkin, Paul Mills, guitar, Mark Wieder, double bass, at 3 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Garrett McLean, violin, Marvin Sanders, flute, perform solo works by J. S. Bach at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. berkeleyartcenter.org 

Don Neely’s Royal Society Jazz Orchestra at 5 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $17-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Grupo Falso Baiano with guest Carlos Oliveira at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Athena Tergis & John Doyle at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Have Heart, Blacklisted, Killing the Dream at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, APRIL 21 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Green Ahead of His Time?” Paintings by Alex Maldonado at The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St. Hours are Mon.-Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Subterranean Shakespeare “Shakespeare Intensive” Staged reading of “Much Ado About Nothing” at 7:30 p.m. at The Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $5. 276-3871. 

Steve Lopez talks about “The Soloist:A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music” at 7 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Chabot College Jazz Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Here is the end of meaning; here is loss beyond comprehension.” A former queen—only the day before, queen of a great city—finds herself and her entourage of young women captives after their home has been overwhelmed by stealth, burned and demolished. Before they are taken away to a new life as slaves, as chattel in a foreign land, there are confrontations with other women that would seem to define, or refine, the terms of their grievous situation.  

Or are they only further twists and turns to a widening vortex of hopelessness that swallows up any personal understanding or expression? 

Aurora Theatre Co. is staging Ellen McLaughlin’s adaptation of Euripides’ tragedy, The Trojan Women, directed by Barbara Oliver, company cofounder, who also directed McLaughlin’s version of Aeschyus’ The Persians for Aurora a few years back.  

The cast of a dozen, who play the royal captives, a great beauty seemingly set free, a soldier and a god, are gathered on John Iacovelli’s set, strangely reminiscent of the Vaillancourt Fountain on San Francisco’s Embarcadero, a sprawling urban wreakage of chutes or passages that echo the outcries around them. 

Foremost among the forlorn bunch waiting to go into exile is Hecuba, played by Carla Spindt, one of the Bay Area’s finest actors, at her best in the head-on scenes with a daughter and two daughters-in-law: mad prophetess Cassandra (Sarah Nealis); brave Andromache (Emilie Talbot), Hector’s widow and mother of an infant prince; and the cause of the war, Helen (Nora el Samahy) in furs and designer sunglasses, ready to leave with her Greek husband for home after 10 years in Troy. 

The scenes revolve in mood and (not just speaking musically) attack. Cassandra is hysterically exultant, yet it is only when she approaches the others, telling them their fates in a reasonable tone, that they draw back. She calls the Trojan captives and dead happier than the Greeks, who will return home after a decade fighting as strangers to their dearest.  

In a hot debate that ends with her hazing, Helen claims she is as much at the mercy of the men who have claimed her as the new captives now are. Adventuress or canny survivor? “No scream of pain ever moved you.” Hecuba scoffs at her claims and taunts that her abandoned Greek husband will now dispose of her. “You think he will kill me? After ten years of fighting for me?” Helen shoots back. 

Andromache, the admired widow, expresses her guilt and her anger over the lost hero, her husband: “I envy him. The dead ask too much of us.” She will be the first to walk to the Greek ships, after her child is taken from her by a sympathetic but implacable Greek soldier (Matthew Purdon), tough and nice cop in one. 

“I am ... the mother of all confused and lost. It will be up to me to make order of this chaos.” Hecuba’s lines prove true of her role in Euripides’ play as well.  

Called “the most tragic of the poets” by Aristotle, Euripides ransacked the still new form of tragedy to find resonances, dissonances, contradictions and parodies—even burlesques—that would go beyond metaphor, beyond the symbolism of mythic figures to touch the deepest ambiguities of the human condition. 

The Aurora program refers to his psychological dramaturgy—the cliche since post-Romantic “well-wrought” plays became the stock-in-trade for a century of theater and film aimed at the middle class. In France, birthplace of that form, Parnassian poet Lecomte De Lisle translated Euripides in clear, resonant versions that have no parallel in English. 

As with the grand lines of Aeschylus’ Persians, Ellen McLaughlin at many points fulfills what poets like Witter Bynner (who translated Euripides at Isadora Duncan’s behest) have striven for: to “make it new,” in the words of Ezra Pound, who tried his hand at Sophocles, while his old friend H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) rendered one play and many choruses of Euripides, himself a poet of deliberate anachronisms. 

Side by side with fresh, perceptive lines that open up what the tragedian saw to us, 2,500 years later, there are the many famous rhetorical lines, those that (ironically) helped bring us more of Euripides, whole plays and fragments, than of both Aescylus and Sophocles, preserved for study by students of rhetoric, lawyers and other public speakers.  

The translator, director and actors all seem tentative at best with these passages. The best moments are in Helen’s argument with Hecuba, Andromache’s lament, the Greek soldier’s exhortations—all pretty straightforward. Like a baroque or modern dramatist, though, Euripides found a way outside of dialogue with these ambiguous statements, big (and questionable) truisms. Nobody seems to know, dramaturgically, what to do with them. 

In close dialogue, argument or some of the choral passages (choreographed by MaryBeth Cavanaugh), the Aurora production illuminates the awesome tragedy of the defeated for another audience of “the victors,” as it was in Euripides’ time. The other, more radical theatricalities of the tragedian get muffled or lost.  

Introducing the play as Poseidon, walking the ruined streets of “the only city I loved” and urging the captive women to sleep happily, is another fine actor, Julian Lopez-Morillas, though awkwardly costumed on yachting whites and braid. 

“I dreamed of a city ... my home,” intones Hecuba. “To the ships. It’s over!” barks the soldier with the sound of what’s left of Troy tumbling down.  

There’s really no conclusion, just departure from the scene. As at the end of other tragedies by this contradictory poet, as that other, modern poet and prophet of a new theater, Artaud, put it when claiming Euripides as predecessor: “We just don’t know where we are.” 

TROJAN WOMEN 

Through May 11 at the Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org.