Arts Listings
Arts Calendar
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
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.
Berkeley High School “Grease” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., through May 3 at Florence Schwimley Little Theater, BHS Campus. Dance contest at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5-$15. hypedrama@aol.com
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 Cvic 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., at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through April 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org
“Refugee Nation” Stories of Laotian refugees and their descendants, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.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
Theatre de la Jeune Lune “Figaro” through June 8 at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. Tickets are $13.50-$69. 647-2949.
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
El Cerrito Art Association Annual Art Show, featuring “How I See Emotion” and “Art from Scrap.” Reception at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Community Center at 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. Exhibition open Sat. from 1o a.m to 5 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Works by Lori-Marie Jenkins, assemblage, collage and sculpture. Opening reception st 7 p.m. at Eclectix Gallery, 7523 Farimount Ave, El Cerrito. www.eclectixgallery.com
FILM
“Mad Hot Ballroom” at 3:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Folowed by “Boogie in the Books” dance lessons in the library on Sun. April 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. 981-6241.
READINGS AND LECTURES
Lynne Knight, Nina Lindsay, Murray Silverstein and Helen Wickes read their poems for National Poetry month at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320.
Garrett Murphy and Steve Martinot read their poetry, followed by open mic at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org
Steven Greenhouse describes “The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker” at noon at UC Berkeley Labor Center, 2521 Channing Way. 642-6371.
Kevin Phillips describes “Bad Money: Wreckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Free. 559-9500.
Bill Soto-Castellanos reads from “16th & Bryant: My Life and Education with the San Francisco Seals” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Bay Area Classical Harmonies with Donne Di Mezze at 7:30 p.m. at The Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$18. 868-0695.
Berkeley Dance Project 2008 Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$14. 642-8827. theater.berkeley.edu
Ramblin Jack Elliott and Country Joe McDonald An evening of song, stories and more at 7:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $40. 843-0662.
David Berkman New Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373.
Daria & Her Trio with Frank Martin at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.
The Uptones and a Shakin’ Dance Contest at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054.
The Cowlicks at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.
Tracy Grammer at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.
DJ Fflood, rare vinyl remixes and mashups, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.
Pulling Teeth, Conquest for Death Circles at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $8. 525-9926.
The P-PL at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.
Raya Nova, alt rock and latin, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
CHILDREN
Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Colibri, songs from Latin America at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568.
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
EXHIBITIONS
“In the Midst of Things: Street Photography 1988 - 2008” Black and white photographs by Ilona Sturm. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Exhibit runs through May 17. Gallery hours Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 644-1400.
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
National Poetry Month Reading Celebrating the Bicentennial of the Birth of John Greenleaf Whittier, at 2 p.m. in the Poetry Garden, Berkeley Arts Magnet/Whittier School, Milvia and Lincoln. Open Mic follows, children and their poems especially welcome.
2nd Annual Bay Area JazzPoetry Festival at 7 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $20. 848-3227. www.hillsideclub.org
Poems Here and There, featuring readings by Jeff T. Johnson, Kaya Oakes, Claire Donato, Jesse Nathan, Jared Hawkley, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320.
Jared Bernstein reads from “Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed (And Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries)” at 7 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500.
Sparking Art with Soul: A Workshop for Arts Educators from noon to 4 p.m. at John F. Kennedy University, Berkeley Business Center, 2956 San Pablo Ave. Free, but registration required. www.jfku.edu
MUSIC AND DANCE
Chelle and Friends “The Queens of New Orleans” at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 12 free. 228-3218.
Benefit Concert for AIDS/Lifecycle with GQ Wang, tenor, Gemini Soul, jazz quartet, members of Oakland Youth Orchestra and others at 7:30 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Donation $15-$25. 449-4402.
Heidi Hau, piano, performs works of Debussy, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Cost is $8-$12. 549-3864.
Korean-American Annual Cultural Show at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Cost is $5.
Ramblin Jack Elliott and Country Joe McDonald An evening of song, stories and more at 7:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz. Tickets are $40. 843-0662.
Kitka: Nostalgic Cafe Songs from Bosnia, Croatia and Beyond at 8 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $18-$25. 444-0323.
University Chorus at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-4864.
Lady Bianca Blues Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.
Baba Ken & the Afro-Groove Connexion at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $10-$15. 525-5054.
Duck Baker at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.
“Archeology of Memory: Villa Grimaldi in Three Cantos” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.
Zoe Ellis Group, jazz, blues, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.
Big Lion, folk-rock, at 9:45 p.m. at Beckett’s, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.
Moment’s Notice Improvised music, dance and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 Eighth St. Tickets are $8-$15.
Space Heater at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277.
Guttermouth, United Defiance, Pour Habit at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926.
Mingus Big Band at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
EXHIBITIONS
“Berkeley, A City of Firsts” Exhibition opening from 3 to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Historical Society, Vterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St The exhibit runs to September 27. Regular hours are Thurs.-Sat. 1- 4 p.m. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/
READINGS AND LECTURES
Caroline Murphy reads from “Murder of a Medici Princess” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222.
MATRIX/REDUX A conversation with Peter Doig and Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.
“Pearls from the Sea: Music & Dance of Tahiti” Lecture and video at 3 p.m. at Expressions Gallery 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org
MUSIC AND DANCE
Berkeley Community Orchestra “The Mozart Requiem” at 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph The Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations appreciated.
California Bach Society Cantatas by Buxtehude and Bach at 4 p.m. atSt. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way, at Ellsworth. Tickets are $10-$25. 415-262-0272.
Balkan Cabaret Sevdah Singing Workshop with Mary Sherhart from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $20. 444-0323.
Qui, Emerald Bay, hip-hop cypher for the whole family at 8 p.m. at Epic Arts Studios, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cos tis $5.
University Wind Ensemble at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu
Salvadora Galan, flamenco, at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org
Dima Birich & Calvin Keys at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.
Tribute to Vibraphonist Cal Tjader at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com
Patty Larkin with Peter Mulvey at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761.
The Estranged, Spectres, Stiff Jeans at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926.
MONDAY, APRIL 28
READINGS AND LECTURES
Subterranean Shakespeare Intensive staged reading of “Cymbeline” at 7:30 p.m. at The Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $5. 276-3871.
Art, Technology and Culture Colloquium “The Medium is not the Message” with Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, at 7:30 p.m. at 160 Kroeber Hall, UC Campus. 643-9565.
Steven Farmer and Steve Dickison, poets, with music by John Schott, at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087.
Poetry Express “Favorite Poems Night” for National Poetry Month at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Musica ha Disconnesso, Traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.
Classical at the Freight: Johannes Brahms’ 175th Birthday Celebration at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $6.50-$7.50. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org
Cowboy Junkies at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 29
EXHIBITIONS
“Berkeley, A City of Firsts” Opening reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc
“Interplay” Works by David Kwan, Nora Pauwels, Bartosz Posacki, and Steve Reich. Gallery talk with the artists at 7 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org
READINGS AND LECTURES
“Paintings around Practice: Unflattening Kano Eitoku’s Landscape Paintings at Jukoin” with Prof.Gregory Levine, Art History, UC Berkeley at 5 p.m. at Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. 809-1444.
Rabih Alameddine reads from “The Hakawati,” a novel at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500.
MUSIC AND DANCE
T-Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers 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 Kelly Park at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com
Randy Craig Trio at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.
Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
CHILDREN
Pee Wee Mariachi Children’s games and music from Mexico at 6 p.m. at West Branch, 1125 University Ave. Free, but arrive ealry as space is limited.
READINGS AND LECTURES
Michael Eric Dyson describes “Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America” at 6:30 p.m. at East Bay Church of Religious Science, 41st St. and Telegraph, Oakland.
Rachel Sontag reads from “The House Rules” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Wednesday Noon Concert, with Javanese Gamelan at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu
Icarus Junior in concert at 2 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Free. 559-6910.
Rivka Amando at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net
UC Jazz and SF Jazz All-star Combo at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com
Kurt Ribak Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277.
Rick Udler at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org
Benny Velverde y su Super Combo at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com
THURSDAY, MAY 1
THEATER
Eastenders Repertory Company “Three Vanek Plays” by Vaclev Havel, Thurs. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at JCC East Bay. Tickets are $15-$20. 800-838-3006.
READINGS AND LECTURES
Lunch Poems Student readings at 12:10 p.m. at Morrison Library, Doe Library. 642-0137. lunchpoems.berkeley.edu
Lytle Shaw, Holloway Lecturer in the Practice of Poetry, reads at 6:30 p.m. at 315 Wheeler Hall, The Maude Fife Room, UC Campus. 642-3467. http://holloway.english.berkeley.edu
Chana Bloch, poet, reads at 7 p.m., followed by open mic, at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Albany. 526-3720, ext. 17.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Berkeley Akademie Ensemble with Kent Nagano and Stuart Chanin at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $20-$60. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org
Icarus Ensemble, contemporary music group from Italy, in concert at noon at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Free. 559-6910.
Kleptograss at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org
Robert Kyle Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com
Over the Edge Guitar/violin and vocals at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.
Mauricio Diaz El Hueso and Fernandito Ferrer, young singer-songwriters from Mexico and Puerto Rico, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org
John Seabury at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com
Rachelle Ferrell at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com
