THURSDAY, NOV. 20 

Green Gathering V + Sustainability Summit on ways to make Berkeley sustainable at 4 p.m. at Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $35. To register see www.ecologycenter.org/GGSS 

“Sustainability and the Living Roof at the Cal Academy of Sciences” with Dr. Frank Almeda at 12:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Closer to Home: Eating from Local Foodsheds” A panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges of eating locally grown food from the perspectives of public health, food access, school food service, and regional farmland vitality, at 7 p.m. at 112 Wurster Hall, near the intersection of College Avenue and Bancroft Way, UC Campus. http://enviro.berkeley.edu/amr/foodsheds 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll look for signs of animals, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about the mammals that live in Tilden Park from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

“Save Our Sandhill Cranes” A talk by Gary Ivey, researcher on cranes in the Pacific Flyway, and Mike Eaton, crane habitat conservation expert at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Zoo, Marian Zimmer Auditorium. Cost is $5-$20. amy@oaklandzoo.org 

“It Came from Berkeley” A slide show and talk by Dave Weinstein at 7 pm. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. at Mudraker’s Cafe, Telegraph and Stuart. To submit agenda items or get information contact karlreeh@aol.com 

Easy Does It Board of Directors Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1636 University Ave. 845-5513. 

Circle of Concern Vigil meets on West Lawn of UC campus across from Addison and Oxford, Thurs. at noon and Sun. at 1 p.m. to oppose UC weapons labs contracts. 848-8055. 

Baby & Toddler Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

Three Beats for Nothing South Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Thurs. at 10 a.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ellis at Ashby. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza , 3290 Adeline at Alcatraz. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

FRIDAY, NOV. 21 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Paolo Gianturco, photographer, writer on “Women Who Light the Dark” 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. www.citycommonsclub.org 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll look for signs of animals, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

“The Price of Fire” with Ben Dangl on the new social movement in Bolivia at 7 p.m. at AK Press, 674-A 23rd. St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Demonstrate for Peace! Bring your signs and determination to bring our troops home now at 2 p.m. at Acton and University aves. Sponsored by Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers and Strawberry Creek Lodge Tenants Association and the Iraq Moratorium. 841-4143. 

New Deal Film Festival Artists at Work “Housing, Farm and Rural Electrical Cooperatives of the 1930s” at 1 p.m. at North Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. Sponsored by the Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Children’s Hospital, Outpatient Center basement, 747 52nd St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com 

Kol Hadash Humanistic (non-theistic) Judaism Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Please bring finger dessert or snack to share for the Oneg, and non-perishable food for the needy. 428-1492. 

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. 

Three Beats for Nothing Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Fri. at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Hearst at MLK. 655-8863.  

SATURDAY, NOV. 22 

St. Paul AME Church Berkeley 75th Year Anniversary Gala with the The Interdenominational Community Choir at 4 p.m. at 2024 Ashby Ave. 848-2050. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour of Aquatic Park from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. For reservations and starting point call 848-0181. 

Cerrito Creek Work Party Help Friends of Five Creeks plant natives on Cerrito Creek at Albany Hill. Meet at 10 a.m. at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara Ave. (internet maps 3499 Santa Clara; AC Transit 72 or 52L). Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with good traction. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Reptile Rendevous Learn about the reptiles that live in Tilden Park, and meet some up close, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

East Bay Baby Fair with information on pregnancy, birth and parenting, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. www.eastbaybabyfair.com 

Emeryville Marina Sunset Walk Meet at 3 p.m. for an hour walk through the Marina, with quiet views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, on paved trail, wheel chair accessible. Optional early dinner after walk at the Emery Market. Meet at the back of Chevy’s Restaurant, by picnic tables. 234-8949. 

Demonstration of Mayan Backstrap Weaving with Celia Sántiz Ruiz and Maria Gutierrez, members of the Jolom Mayaetik weaving cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico, at 5 p.m. at Talavera Ceramics, 1801 University Ave., at Grant. 665-6038. 

Health & Science Festival with hands-on activities for children and families from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hall of Health, 2230 Shattuck Ave., lower level. Cost is $5. Children under three free. 705-8527. 

Math and Science Classes from the Lawrence Hall of Science for families with children in kindergarten through fifth grade from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Free. 620-6557. 

Santa Paws Benefit for Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Have your pet photographed with Santa from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Redhound, 5523 College Ave., Oakland, and Sun. from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Dog Bone Alley, 1342 Park St., Alameda. Cost is $30. 845-7735, ext.13. cshelby@berkeleyhumane.org 

Origami Workshop with Nga Trinh for all ages, at 2 p.m. at the North Branch, Berkeley Public Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6250. 

“Rebel Shamans: Indigenous Women Confront Empire” with Max Dashu of the Suppressed Histories Archives at 7 p.m. at Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2951 Derby St. Donation $15-$20, sliding scale. www.suppressedhistories.net 

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.  

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 23 

Memorial for Peter Camejo at 2 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. 831-246-1888. 

Thangs Taken: Rethinking Thanksgiving with music, poetry and film at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$25, sliding scale. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Tilden Mini-Gardeners Explore the wonderful world of gardens for ages 5-8 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Mayan Woman Weavers with Celia Sántiz Ruiz and Marla Gutierrez on the Jolom Mayaetik weaving cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico, at 2 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 843-8724. 

Working with Wool Watch as the spinning wheel turns wool into yarn, try a drop spindle and create a felted holiday ornament, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“Tellabration” Celebrate National Storytelling Day with Randy Rutherford and others at 3:30 p.m. at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $10. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

SOA Watch Candlelight Vigil Against Torture in memory of the six martyred Jesuits and their housekeeper and her daughter and thousands of unnamed others in El Salvador at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker, 1640 Addison St. Please bring a candle. 499-0537. 

Tour of the Berkeley City Club from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2315 Durant St. Offered by the non-profit Landmark Heritage Foundation. Free, but donations accepted. 848-7800. 

“Garden Inspired Holiday Decoration” with Leslie Piels and Ann Leyhe at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

“Where Do We Go From Here?” Ecumenical Peace Institute’s Autumn Gathering with Byron Williams, pastor of the Ressurection Community Church, at 6 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. Suggested donation $15-$35, includes dinner. RSVP to 655-1162. www.epicalc.org 

“Getting Unblocked” with Ann Wise Cornell at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Judy Rasmussen on “Gratitude for the Simple Life” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Increase Your Social and Moral Intelligence: Read a Play! Bagel and coffee brunch sponsored by Kol Hadash, Jewish Humanistic congregation at 10 a.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Suggestion donation $5. To register email info@kolhadash.org  

Jewish PJ Party For Very Young Children Songs, puppets, bubbles, snacks, crafts for children up to age 5 and their parents, Jewish or just curious at 10:30 a.m. at Jewish Gateways. To RSVP email rabbibridget@ 

jewishgateways.org  

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, NOV. 24 

“Voices of Dissent: Activism & American Democracy” Local filmmaker Karil Daniels will introduce her film and lead the discussion afterwards at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalist, 1924 Cedar at Bonita, Berkeley Donations appreciated. Wheel chair access. 

“Dark Energy Rules the Universe (and Why the Dinosaurs Don’t)” A talk by Dr. Eric Linder, Director of the Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics at Berkeley Lab at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Free. 486-7292 

Kensington Library Book Club meets to discuss “Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

East Bay Track Club for girls and boys ages 3-15 meets Mon. at 6 p.m. at Berkeley High School track field. Free. 776-7451. 

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 

TUESDAY, NOV. 25 

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 Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about the mammals that live in Tilden Park from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Hike at Lake Chabot Reservoir Meet at 4 p.m. at boat house for an hour walk, on paved trail, wheel chair accessible. Optional dinner after hike. 351-6247. 

“A Primer on Global Climate Change” A presentation by the League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville, at 12:15 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 843-8824. 

Pacific Boychoir Academy Open House to learn about the academic and music program from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 410 Alcatraz Ave. Please RSVP to 652-4722. www.pacificboychoiracademy.org 

Berkeley PC Problem Solving Meeting at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St., corner Eunice. meldancing@comcast.net 

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

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 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We 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. 

Caribbean Rhythms Dance Class begins at 5:30 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St., and meets every Tues. eve. Donations accepted for Community Rhythms Scholarship Fund. 548-9840. 

Ceramics Class Learn hand building techniques to make decorative and functional items, Tues. at 9:30 a.m. at St. John's Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Free, materials and firing charges only. 525-5497. 

Yarn Wranglers Come knit and crochet at 6:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26 

Golden Gate Birding Walk at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park with Hilary Powers and Ruth Tobey. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the large spherical cage near Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. 549-2839. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

“Health for Sale” A documentary on Big Pharma and their policies and actions at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.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. 548-9840. 

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

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. 

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 27 

Annual Food Not Bombs Thanksgiving Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. at at Ashkenaz. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck An East Bay tradition for 35 years, from 4 p.m. on in North Berkeley. To RSVP call 562-9934. 

Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 1 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Volunteers needed. 465-4793. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 28 

“Back to the Jurassic” Dinosaur activities all weekend at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive below Grizzly Peak. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $6-$11. 642-5132. www.lawrencehallofscience.org 

Circle Dancing Simple folk dancing in a circle, no experience or partners needed. Potluck at 7 p.m., Dancing at 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

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, NOV. 29 

3rd Annual Arts & Crafts Benefit Show and Sale of antiques and new items in the Arts & Crafts style from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $5, $20 for 10 a.m. opening. www.HillsideClub.org  

Womyn of Color Arts and Crafts Show, Sat. and Sun. from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Open Studios Sat and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 21. 845-2612. www.berkeleyartisans.com 

Artisan Faire Handcrafts and artwork from 40 local artists in the East Bay. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Claremont, 41 Tunnel Rd. Free.  

Close the Farm Help us close the Little Farm and tuck in the animals for the night, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

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

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. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 30 

Little Farm Goat Hike Join a short hike with the Little Farm goats as we explore the historic connections between humans and our ungulate friends. For ages 6 and up, at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park 525-2233. 

Children’s Holiday Tea with children’s authors and ilustrators at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Seatings at 2:30 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adutlts, $20 children 12 and under. 848-7800. 

“Scientific Revolutions and Religion: The Copernican Revolution” with Bill Garrett, Prof. of Religion and Philosophy, JFK Univ., at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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 Jack Petranker on “Dealing with Uncertainty” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

CITY MEETINGS 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7010. 

ONGOING 

Help Low-wage Families with Their Taxes United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! needs Bay Area volunteers for its 7th annual free tax program. No previous experience necessary. Sign up at www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org

THURSDAY, NOV. 20 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Theater of Insects” Photographs by Jo Whaley. Reception at 6 p.m., lecture and slides at 7 p.m. at UC Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall UC campus. 

FILM 

International Latino Film Festival “Cuba, el valor de una utopia” at 6 p.m. “Matar a Todos”/”Kill Them All” at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7 each film. 849-2568.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Anna Deavere Smith “We Are What We Say” at 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum Theater, 2621 Durant Ave., access via sculpture garden. Sponsored by Townsend Center for the Humanities. 643-9670. 

Linda Williams and Kristen Whissel discuss their new books on film “Screening Sex” and “Picturing American Modernity” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

Poetry Flash with Michael McGriff and Andrew Grace at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Fall Forward 2008” Mills College Repertory Dance Concert Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Lisser Hall, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. 430-2175. 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “Incarnation: Advent and Christmas Music of Eastern Orthodox Traditions” at 7:30 p.m. at Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $20. www.bayareabach.org 

The Rubber Souldiers, The Rowan Brothers, David Gans at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

The Rova, Nels Cline Celestial Septet at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

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

Dogwood Speaks, Alex Lee, The Knockout Brothers, progressive fink and hip hop, at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Dave Ridnell & Friends, Brazilian jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Adrian Gormley Jazz Ensemble at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

McCoy Tyner Trio featuring Mac Ribot at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20-$35. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, NOV. 21 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Devil’s Disciple” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. through Dec. 7. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Doctor Faustus” Fri. and Sat at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., at Berryman, through Nov. 22. Tickets are $10-$12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Berkeley Rep “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St, through Dec. 14. Tickets are $13.50-$71. 647-2949. b 

Berkeley Rep “The Arabian Nights” Tues.-Sun. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through Jan. 4. Tickets are $27-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Blessed Unrest” by Paul Hawken, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8 p.m., Sun at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through Nov. 23. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Greater Tuna” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through Dec. 7. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Impact Theatre “Tallgrass Gothic” Thurs.-Sat at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, to Dec. 20. Tickets are $10-$17. 464-4468. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Do I Hear a Waltz?” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through Dec. 20. Tickets are $20. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

UC Dept. of Theater “Top Girls” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Durham Studio Theater, UC campus. Tickets are $10-$15. 642-8827. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Gift of Art” group show of smaller works in various mediums. Reception at 6 p.m. at Cecile Moochnek Gallery, 1809-D Fourth St.  

“Pistils & Petals: The Art of Flowers” Group show. Opening reception at Jan Rae Communiy Art Gallery, Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 601-4040, ext. 111. www.wcrc.org 

FILM 

International Latino Film Festival “Utopía 79” at 6 p.m. “Calle Santa Fe” at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7 each film. 849-2568.  

Movie Classic “Singin’ in the Rain” at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway. Tickets are $5. 625-8497. 

The Films of Robert Aldrich “Vera Cruz” at 6:30 p.m. and “The Last Sunsert” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Leslie Carol Roberts reads from “The Entire Earth and Sky: Views on Antartica” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

The Berkeley Poetry Review’s monthly reading series presents “The Beat Generation” at 7 p.m. in 330 Wheeler Hall, UC campus.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “From Constantinople to Tblisi: An Armenian Legacy” at 7:30 p.m. at St. Vartan Armenian Church, 650 Spruce St., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$35. 868-0695. www.bayareabach.org 

“Music of War for Harpsichord and Organ” at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Donation $10. 525-1716. 

San Francisco City Chorus at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $20-$25. www.sfcitychorus.org 

Marcus Shelby Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373.  

Mads Tolling Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Sila & The Afrofunk Experience at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is tba. 525-5054.  

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

Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band from New Orleans “Calling the Spirits - An Evening of Mystical Mantra Music” at 8 p.m. at Sacred Space at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way, at 6th. TIckets are $15-$20. 486-8700. 

Ellis Paul at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Izabella, 2Me at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Jerry Kennedy, acoustic soul, at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Rhonda Benin at 9 p.m. at Maxwell’s, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $15. 839-6169. 

Nathan Clevenger Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Voetsek, Mind of Asian, Lack of Interest at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

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

Soul Magic, roots, rock, reggae at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

SATURDAY, NOV. 22 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Gary Lapow at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568.  

“Coppelia, the Doll with the Porcelain Eyes” a puppet show at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259.  

The Bubble Lady at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Art from the Heart” Reception at 2 p.m. at NIAD Center for Art and Disabilities, 551 23rd St., Richmond. Exhibition runs through Dec. 19. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Literary Works on Trial” with David Green, Exec. Dir. of the First Amendment Project at 3 p.m. at African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

Peter Glazer, co-editor, reads from James Neugass’s “War Is Beautiful: An American Ambulance Driver in the Spanish American Civil War” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Interdenominational Community Choir at 4 p.m. at the 75th Anniversary Gala of St. Paul AME Church Berkeley, 2024 Ashby Ave. 848-2050. 

San Francisco Taiko Dojo International Taiko Festival at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$49. 642-9988.  

“Fall Forward 2008” Mills College Repertory Dance Concert at 8 p.m. at Lisser Hall, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. 430-2175. 

“Works in the Works 2008” dance performance series by Choreographers’ Performance Alliance Sat. and Sun. at 7:30 p.m. at Eighth Street Studio, 2525 Eighth St. Tickets are $10 at the door. 527-5115. 

Garrett McLean, violin, Jenness Hartley, viola, Ting Chen, ‘cello, Marvin Sanders, flute, perform music of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart. Nov 22 at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Cost is $10. 848-1228. www.giorgigallery.com 

Afsaneh Art and Culture Society “Miriam’s Well” Sacred dance, music and poetry at 8:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $24-$28. 848-2192. 

Rhythm & Muse spoken word and music open mic series features singer/songwriter Olmec at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. behind Live Oak Park. 644-6893.  

The Function at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$8. 849-2568.  

Ed Reed & His Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Mark St.Mary Lousiana Blues & Zydeco Band at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

All Ones, jam band, at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Woody Guthrie Tribute with Country Joe McDonald at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761.  

The German Projekt at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Gaucho Gypsy Swing Music at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

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

Dave Matthews Blues Band at 8:30 p.m. at Royal Oak Pub, 135 Park Place, Pt. Richmond. 232-5678. 

Gooferman, The Fuxedos, Party of Ten at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

McCoy Tyner Trio featuring Mac Ribot at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20-$35. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Stitches, Bodies, The Forgotten, Wild Weekend 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. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 23 

CHILDREN 

Asheba at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Tellabration” Celebrate National Storytelling Day with Randy Rutherford and others at 3:30 p.m. at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $10. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

“Inside/Outside: The Great Wall of China” a conversation with Michael Meyer and David Spindler at 3 p.m. in the Berkeley Art Museum Theater. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Prometheus Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Free. www.stpaulsoakland.org 

“Kafka Fragments” Music of Gyorgy Kurtág at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC campus. Tickets are $68. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

University of California Alumni Chorus “Voices of Light/The Passion of Joan of Arc” An oratorio with silent film at 7:30 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $6-$15. 

“Works in the Works 2008” dance performance series by Choreographers’ Performance Alliance at 7:30 p.m. at Eighth Street Studio, 2525 Eighth St. Tickets are $10 at the door. 527-5115.  

Family Fall Concert “Music & Dance” with San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and San Francisco Ballet School Training Program at noon at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Free.  

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

Thangs Taken: Rethinking Thanksgiving with music, poetry and film at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$25, sliding scale. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

San Francisco Taiko Dojo International Taiko Festival at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$49. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Birol Topaloglu with George Chittenden, Lisa Liepman and Ruth Sali Shopov at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Johannes Wallmann Quintet at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

MONDAY, NOV. 24 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Aurora Theatre Company Script Club discusses Miller’s “The Crucible” and Shaw’s “The Devil’s Disciple” at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. Free. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

“Public Art and Media: From Spectacle to Political” with Anne Pasternak at 7:30 p.m. at 160 Kroeber Hall, UC campus. Sponsored by Berkeley Center for New Media. 642-0635. atc.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Express Theme night on “water” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Kafka Fragments” Music of Gyorgy Kurtág at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC campus. Tickets are $68. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Acoustic Mandolin Ensemble traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Classical at the Freight with Michael Taddei & Friends at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $8.50-$9.50. 548-1761.  

Downtown Jam Session with Glen Pearson at 7 p.m. at Ed Kelly Hall, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Cost is $5. www.opcmucsic.org 

Head Royce School Benefit at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, NOV. 25 

FILM 

“Canyon Cinema: The Life and Times of an Independent Film Distributor” with Scott MacDonald at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

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

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tangonero at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Tango dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

La Verdad 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.  

THURSDAY, NOV. 27 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

FRIDAY, NOV. 28 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Devil’s Disciple” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. through Dec. 7. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St, through Dec. 14. Tickets are $13.50-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Arabian Nights” Tues.-Sun. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through Jan. 4. Tickets are $27-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Greater Tuna” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through Dec. 7. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Impact Theatre “Tallgrass Gothic” Thurs.-Sat at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, to Dec. 20. Tickets are $10-$17. 464-4468. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Do I Hear a Waltz?” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through Dec. 20. Tickets are $20. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Melissa Rivera in a birthday tribute to Silvio Rodriguez at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568.  

Golden Dragon Acrobats at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$46. 642-9988.  

Moodswing Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Blame Sally at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Loose Ends at 9 p.m. at Maxwell’s, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $15. 839-6169. 

Pomegranate, The Patrick Winningham Band at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Jerry Kennedy, acoustic soul, at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

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

Jinx Jones Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Eric Benet at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, NOV. 29 

CHILDREN  

“Coppelia, the Doll with the Porcelain Eyes” a puppet show at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Out of Darkness” A show of Winter Solstice altars at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. 663-6920.  

FILM 

“Our Hospitality” A Buster Keaton film for all ages at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Golden Dragon Acrobats at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$46. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

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

Glen Washington, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum & Friends at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

The Melatones, Spidermeow, Dave Gorssman at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Hatchet, Fog of War, Witchaven at 7 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 30 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Chamber Music Sundaes, featuring San Francisco Symphony musicians and friends, at 3 p.m. at St John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$25 at the door. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org  

Golden Dragon Acrobats at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$46. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Jane Lenoir & Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Mahea Uchiyama, at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Irish Christmas at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Leona Samish, an American secretary (played by Alison Peltz), bursts into song (“Someone Woke Up”) as she finds herself on vacation in Venice, so excited she falls into the canal—“but only up to here!”—continuing her dance around the Pensione Fioria veranda, holding her dripping shoes high. 

Do I Hear a Waltz?, the Rodgers and Sondheim musical from 1965, with book by Arthur Laurents from his play The Time of the Cuckoo (Summertime, the Katherine Hepburn movie, was also based on it), is playing at the Masquers Playhouse, directed by Dennis Lickteig in his maiden run for the Pt. Richmond company. Lickteig asks the question in the program: why is this musical so little done, so little known? A reasonable answer he provides is that the later ’60s brought different concerns to entertainment in general. And Do I Hear a Waltz? is very much of its time, in a pleasing way. 

A gaggle of tourists are roosting at the pensione: the Middle American enthusiasts, the McIlhennys (Anna Albanese and Scott Alexander Ayres); a Guggenheim fellow “trying to be a painter” (William Giammona as Eddie Yeager), who wants to go home, while his wife (Beverley Viljeon as Jennifer) doesn’t; and by turns pixie-ish, spunky and suspicious Leona (the adjectives also describe Peltz’s performance), who hopes to have an experience, maybe an affair—but most of all, to be loved. Senora Fioria (Ellen Brooks, veteran of both the old Mime Troupe’s Commedia and Theatre of Yugen’s Japanese comedy and tragedy) chides her for her pickiness, like a starving child, offered ravioli and demanding a beefsteak: “Miss Samish, eat the ravioli!” 

Fioria becomes the counter-moralist (and the most chic-ly dressed, in Maria Graham’s costumes), later proclaiming “I can forgive bad behavior from agony, not from morality!” When Eddie and Jennifer argue (Eddie later tells Jennifer he wants to go home to avoid temptation by the real women in Italy!), Jennifer goes off to a movie—and Eddie climbs into a gondola with Fioria, raising the bubbly Leona’s eyebrows. 

Leona finds some masculine solace in the form of shopkeeper Renato (Paul Macari). Their dalliance overcomes obstacles and Leona’s compulsive suspicion (Renato later tells her the only thing she received without suspicion was a thing, an expensive necklace), at least until Leona, lit by martinis, lets loose on all and sundry, breaking up the idyll, Renato finally pronouncing her “too complicated,” though with sympathy, more than Leona can muster for herself. 

There’s whimsicality and wit, and that self-awareness of American callowness those times bore. There’s charm and some clever (Giammona, a Lamplighter, singing a tongue-twister, “Bargaining,” or joining in with a flirtacious Fioria and a hilariously incomprehensible maid, played by Diane Ratto, in an English lesson, “No Understand”) and some tuneful (“Moon in my Window,” passed between the women, ending in a trio, or Macari singing “I am not a dream come true—but stay!”) Rodgers numbers with Sondheim lyrics, the title song an achieved hit in its time. 

It all takes place on John Hull’s set, overlooking the Gran Canal, lit by Renee Echavez, with Joanne Gabel leading a quintet in the pit and choreography by Jayne Zaban. Sylas Cooper alternates with Christopher Urquhart as boy-on-the-street Mauro and Nick Hauser is Renato’s gentlemanly son, Vito.  

It’s sprightly and entertaining, and as Lickteig notes, it “cleverly flips the conventions of the musical comedy romance.” Saying, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore” usually refers to prewar classics or the most popular stuff of the late ‘40s-early ‘50s. It can be said of the knowing fare of the early-mid ‘60s, too. Do I Hear a Waltz? is a refreshing look back at Americans abroad—“wash and wear Americans” as Fioria sings—looking at themselves in the mirror.  

DO I HEAR A WALTZ? 

Presented by Masquers Playhouse at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20. $20. 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. 232-4031. www.masquers.org.

A small, spartan New Hampshire town during the Revolutionary War—directly in line of the march of British redcoats from Canada, aiming to meet Howe’s army moving north from New York, to cut New England off from the other colonies—is the scene of a father’s amended will being read, where Dick Dudgeon (Gabriel Marin), self-styled Devil’s Disciple (title character in Bernard Shaw’s 1897 play at the Aurora), finds himself master of his ramrod-stiff Puritan mother’s (Trish Mulholland) house, as he is oldest son and she but a woman, meeting with her exit-line curse (better than living with her blessing, Dick will later declare) as she storms out, leaving him with only the illegitimate daughter (Tara Tomicevic) of an uncle just hanged by the British as an example to rebels. 

Dick is shunned as naysayer, a role he takes on with zest, though the extent of his evil seems to be the wearing of his convictions, if not his heart, on his sleeve. His smile seems twisted quizzically rather than cunningly; more whimsical than calculated, he allows himself to be arrested for treason in place of the local Calvinist minister (Soren Oliver) when redcoats come into the house where he’s sitting at tea with the minister’s wife. 

Here’s where Shaw’s magnificent comic sense sparks a few satirical blazes. The minister’s upright young wife (Stacy Ross as Judith), who fancies herself as hating Dick, finds her passions mysteriously reversed after he walks away, calmly in custody, and her husband, whom she expects to rush to effect his release, instead hurries away into hiding, without the tender (if wry) kiss that Dick, pretending to be the minister, had impishly bestowed on her. Later, this 180-degree turn will rotate another 90, as Judith will resent Dick for not going to the gallows loving her! 

(It’s a very early indication of the somehow levelheaded, yet comic, genius of Shaw that captivated Brecht when he was preparing his own political theater of discernment: the very different actions two characters take, faced with the same situation-actions opposite what their roles would seem to dictate.) 

What seems scurrying, self-serving cowardice turns out to be a hurried plan of action on behalf of all, accomplished offstage and revealed only at the climax, while Shaw hilariously sends up the conventions of romantic comedy in the shadow of the noose—a fact not lost on the first reviewer of the play, Shaw’s original commercial success and his only play set in America (where it had its premiere in New York). Again, the dramatist—usually styled a follower of Ibsen, but well aware of other trends—helped show the way to 20th century Modernism by taking Oscar Wilde’s dictum of The Mask another step in a new social comedy which wasn’t Wilde’s comedy of manners in a mirror, as well as using his fellow Dubliner’s sense of an actor speaking a bon mot epigrammatically, a little bit out of character and situation, to comment on the proceedings onstage and in the world. Brecht noticed that too. 

Adroit with the bon mots is British commander “Gentlemanly” Johnny Burgoyne (“But my friends call me General,” he intones), played with appropriate deadpan by David Warren Keith, knowing he is already defeated by the colonials, but telling his second-in-command that the true enemy of the English soldier is the War Office, reassuring him that “History, sir, will tell lies as usual.” 

The play ends with a handshake and an invitation to lunch, after much travail and amid hoopla. Barbara Oliver, Aurora’s founder, has directed one of the better Bernard Shaw productions in otherwise arid years of his works being wrenched around into other comic conventions. Her actor son Soren and costumer daughter Anna join her and a well-cast company and well-chosen production team for a little Election Year Spirit of 1777. 

THE DEVIL’S DISCIPLE 

Presented by the Auorora Theatre at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 7. $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org.

Around the table of an African-American boardinghouse in the Hill District of Pittsburg during the early years of the 20th century are the faces of people of all ages in transit, in transition or just looking for something, a milieu drama of what folks do differently, facing the rigors of a common situation of discrimination and uprootedness. They’re in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, directed by Delroy Lindo on Berkeley Rep’s Roda Stage, in association with the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, the Rep’s first Wilson show. 

Jeremy (Don Guillory) is a young laborer from the rural South, looking for a place to play his guitar and a woman to keep him company while he wanders to “see all the places.” Bynum (Brent Jennings)—a “heebie-jeebie” man who binds people with his song—is looking for his Shining Man who showed him the meaning of life one day on the road. 

Joining them are Molly Cunningham (Erica Peeples), who, it turns out, is looking for a man to spend his money on her, though she declared she loves nobody but her mother; Mattie Campbell (Tiffany Michelle Thompson), looking to make sense of things after her man just walked away in search of something else; and Herald Loomis (Teagle F. Bougere), the role Lindo originated, hovering mysteriously about in heavy coat and hat with the crown pushed up and brim pulled down, who arrives with his daughter (Nia Renee Warren or Inglish Amore Hills), searching for the wife who left years before when he was forced into a work gang, rounded up by the semi-mythic Joe Turner of the title, a governor’s brother, whose name Bynum keeps intoning in snatches of a blues. 

Only their host Seth Holly (Barry Shebaka Henley) and his wife Bertha (Kim Staunton) aren’t wandering in spirit. Seth is the son of a Free Man who built the house and taught him to make pots and pans—though he’s chafing at the bit, looking for someone to back a manufacturing concern. And Rutherford Selig (Dan Hiatt), who takes his wares on the roads to sell, wanders, but only to bring back those he’s found.  

Loomis, haunted and diffident, finally tells his story, urged on by Bynum—and later acts out his vision of “bone people” from underwater, who surface and walk on the waves, while Loomis witnesses and finds he cannot stand. His passion erupts as the others happily celebrate a “Juba” dance.  

Readers and spectators of Wilson’s other plays—especially his lifework, completed just before his untimely death, a sequence of Pittsburgh Hill District dramas covering every decade of black life last century—will find much that’s familiar, both in the structure of action and in the hints and more explicit references to and appearances of folklore and spiritual wisdom, historical events and fictional characters that wend their way through his series of tableaux. The “bone people,” for instance—and at one point, Loomis shoots Bynum a look and says, “Now I know who you are, one of those bone people!”—are the spirits of slaves buried at sea on the infamous Passage from Africa, evoked as an initiatory ritual to “the city of bones” in Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, and in other moments in other plays. 

Wilson started out a poet, and there’s something of the esoteric knowing of the poet in his weaving of themes and events, of serving as voice for the unrepresented, telling them parables of their history. 

The cast is a very good one, professional actors in the realest sense, dedicated to their characters and the story. They lend their aura to what is always an interesting, if not always gripping, telling.  

Part of that is in the direction. Lindo, who worked with Wilson as an actor in productions of his plays, directed the successful Blue Door for The Rep, a flexible, lyrical memory play with a cast of two. With a more formal production, as well as a bigger cast and broader historical and metaphysical themes, the solid portrayals of the actors in ensemble don’t seem to add up to more than the sum of their parts, don’t “bind together” in the heat of the big moments that arise suddenly from much expository (as well as humorous and touching) dialogue. 

But part of the flatness, the vestigial sense in much of what’s said and done, comes from the somewhat academic, schematic formalism of the play itself, something that seems to dog other plays in Wilson’s admirable project, an inability to overcome or fuse the stolid form with the fluid events and sometimes furtive shape of untold stories, folk history confronting the harshness of a society with a “fix” on the major social means of transmission. Wilson calls Joe Turner a blues play; the astringent taste of the blues crops up here and there. But it doesn’t premeate the action, or serve to reveal it. 

JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE 

Through Dec. 14. $13.50 - $71. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org.