WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26 

Golden Gate Birding Walk at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the large spherical cage near Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. 549-2839.  

“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 

“Pesticides and the New World Order” Anti-Thanksgiving Potluck with Mitchel Cohen of the No Spray Coalition in New York, at 7 p.m. at Long Haul Info Shop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. Please bring vegetarian food, drinks and poetry to share. 540-0751. 

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 

Santa’s Wonderland Santa arrives noon near Peet’s on Fourth St. then joins his elves at Santa’s Wonderland, 1809 Fourth St. for photos until 7p.m. For other dates see www.FourthStreet.com 

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 

East Bay Sactuary Covenant International Craft Fair with items from Africa, Tibet, Central America, Haiti, Palestine, Asia, Guatemala, Kurdistan, Mexico, and Afghanistan from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana St. ebsccraftsfair@yahoo.com 

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 

Berkeley Potters Guild 38th Holiday Sale Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 73 Jones St. at Fourth St. www.berkeleypotters.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.  

Recycled Glass Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Studio One Art Center, 365 45th street, off Broadway, Oakland. For ages 16 and up. To register call 597-5027. 

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.  

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, NOV. 30 

East Bay Sactuary Covenant International Craft Fair with items from Africa, Tibet, Central America, Haiti, Palestine, Asia, Guatemala, Kurdistan, Mexico, and Afghanistan from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana St. ebsccraftsfair@yahoo.com 

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. 

“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. 

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

MONDAY, DEC. 1 

Festival of Lights from 3 to 6 p.m. in Civic Center Park at Center and Milvia sts. Santa and his elves arrive at 5 p.m., art projects, entertainment, tree lighting at 6 p.m. www.buylocalberkeley.com 

“House and Garden Audit” for home environmental and health safety, with Karen Paulsell of Friends of Sausal Creek at 7 p.m. at Eve Case Room, Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin, at Masonic. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org  

“Education & Treatment of Common Eye Diseases” with Dr. Marlena Chu, optometrist at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry, on macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and nutrition benefits and myths, at 10:30 p.m. at West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St. 841-4776 ext. 123. 

Biodiesel 101 Presentation for people new to biodiesel on emissions, homebrewing, types of vehicles and commercial availability at 7:30 p.m. at Biofuel Oasis, 2465 4th St., at Dwight Way. 665-5509. http://biofueloasis.com/bbc 

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.  

TUESDAY, DEC. 2 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit the Berkeley Meadow in Eastshore State Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

“The Green Collar Economy” with Van Jones, at 6 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont. http://events.berkeley. 

edu/#13431 

“Low-Impact Development: Saving Water” A meeting of the Alameda Watershed Forum with Rosey Jencks of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and Ingrid Severson of Bay Localize on how to make buildings “low impact” on water with practices like rooftop gardens and rainwater catchment at 2 p.m. at the Coastal Conservancy, 1330 Broadway, Oakland, 4th flr. conference room. dhopkins@waterboards.ca.gov 

“How Will You Survive in the Upcoming Economic Times” with Jonathan K. DeYoe at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6107. 

International Body Music Festival Teacher Training Workshop at 4 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Cost is $15. For details on other workshops and programs see www.crosspulse.com 

“The Power of Myth in Movies” with Richard Stromer at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Cost is $40. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“27 Days of Change” Meditation, yoga and more for agents of social change at the Center for Transformative Change, 2584 MLK Jr. Way. No one tunred away for lack of funds. 549-3733. www.newdharma.com 

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 

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. www.nomadcafe.net 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3 

“After Prop. 8: What Next?” A marriage equality forum at 6:30 p.m. at Albany High School Multipurpose Room, 603 Key Route Blvd., Albany. ca-sanfrancisco@marriageequality.org 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: North Berkeley Churches and Paths Walk Meet at 10 a.m. at Live Oak Park at the center picnic table in the area closest to Shattuck Ave. 848-9358. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Succulent Wreath Making at 7 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Registration required. Cost is $50-$60. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Bonita Hollow Writers Salon meets at 7 p.m. at Bonita Hollow, 1631 Bonita Ave. 266-2069. 

Red Cross Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. To sign up call 594-5165. 

“Software Development Best Practices: What did we learn in 2008?” with East Bay Innovation Group at 6 p.m. at RHI, 1999 Harrison St., Suite 1100, Oakland. Cost is $10, free for eBig members. www.ebig.org  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets 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 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Jump Start Entrepreneurs Network meets at 8 a.m. at Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. at Alcactraz. Cost is $5-$6, includes breakfast. 899-8242. www.jumpstartten.com 

“Shamanism and Syncretism in Peruvian Traditional Medicine” with Dr. Douglas Sharon at 7:30 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 526-3805. www.northbrae.org 

Fearless Meditation I: practice of the body Part 1 of a 3 part series for agents of social change at 7 p.m. at Center for Transformative Change, 2584 Martin Luther King Jr Way. RSVP to 866 PEACE 2008 

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

Berkeley CopWatch Drop-in office hours from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

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

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 

Mario Savio Memorial Lecture “Our Environmental Destiny” with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston Way. Free. 707-823-7293. 

Heyday Harvest Fundraiser with poets Gary Snyder and Al Young and others at 6:30 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Suggested donation $60. 549-3564, ext. 316. www.haydaybooks.com 

Walkers 50+: Explore Restored Nature on Baxter Creek Meet at 9 a.m. at El Cerrito’s Gateway Park, Conlon and Ohlone Greenway, stub end of Conlon just east of San Pablo Ave., AC Transit 72, near El Cerrito Del Norte BART. This two-hour, moderately hilly loop walk is free but numbers are limited. Register at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic. 524-9122.  

Cool Cuisine with Laura Stec and Eugene Cordero on the scientific and savory solutions to global warming, with displays and tastings, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-3402. 

Yard Sale to Support Tanzanian AIDS Orphans from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1658 Excelsior Ave., Oakland. 530-6333. 

“Faith and Reason in the 21st Century” A panel discussion inspired by “The Atheon” Art work by Jonathon Keats, sponsored by the Magnes Museum at 5:30 p.m. at 2222 Harold Way. Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950, ext. 337. 

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

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. 

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, DEC. 5 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dave Weinstein on “It Came from Berkeley: How Berkeley Changed the World” 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  

Edwardian Holidays at Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate Community Tree Lighting at 6p.m. Also open on weekends, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to Dec. 21. Admission is $7-$12. For reservations call 925-275-9490. www.dunsmuir.org  

AK Press Winter Sale from 4 to 10 p.m. at AK Press, 674-A 23rd. St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

“Artisticana” Artisan’s bazaar and festival from 3 to 10 p.m. at The Red Door Gallery and Collective at the Warehouse, 416 26th St., Oakland. Free. 292-7061. 

Affordable Art Exhibition and Sale from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Compound Gallery, 6604 San Pablo Ave, Oakland. 655-9019. www.thecompoundgallery.com 

World of Good Holiday Sale benefitting international artisan communities from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 6315 Doyle St., Emeryville. worldofgoodinc.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, DEC. 6 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Holiday Power Walk from the Rose Garden up to Atlas Path, high in the hills and return. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Rose Garden sign on Euclid near Eunice. 848-2944. www.berkeleypaths.org  

Holiday Crafts Fair at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market with live music, hot lunches and a variety of handcrafted gifts, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Civic Center Park, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way. 548-2220, ext. 227. www.ecologycenter.org 

California College of the Arts Holiday Fair with unique gifts handmade by the students, alumni, faculty, and staff from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CCA Oakland campus, 5212 Broadway , at College Ave. 594-3666. 

Alternative Gift Fair: Give Outside the Box with gifts and information from local, national and international non-profit organizations working for the common good, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Church on the Corner, 1319 Solano Ave., at Pomona, Albany. http://giveoutsidethebox.org 

Berkeley Potters Guild 38th Holiday Sale Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 73 Jones St. at Fourth St. www.berkeleypotters.com 

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

The Jingletown 3rd Annual Holiday Art Walk Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Jingletown, which is situated between the Park and Fruitvale Street bridges bordered by the estuary separating Oakland from the island of Alameda. www.jingletown.org 

World of Good Holiday Sale benefitting international artisan communities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 6315 Doyle St., Emeryville. worldofgoodinc.com 

Toy Clinic with Free Lead Testing Come find out the latest news on lead and phthalates in toys from noon to 3 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Sponsored by the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Center for Environmental Health. 548-2220, ext. 233. ecologycenter.org 

Tending the Winter Heirloom Garden Learn what old-world plants grow best in our winter climate from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Wear boots and dress to get dirty. 525-2233. 

Volunteer at Schoolhouse Creek Help turn a former garbage dump into Bayshore habitat and park with Friends of Five Creeks from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We supply tools, gloves, and snacks. Dress in layers for all weather. Walk 5 minutes north on the Bay Trail from University Ave. and West Frontage Rd., just west of I-880/580. You will see our signs at the small turnout between University and Gilman. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Fungus Fair “Fungi and Fire” with exhibits, talks, tastings and marketplace from 10 to 6 p.m. at Oakland Musesum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Winners of the PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles 18th Annual National Literary Awards & 12th Annual PEN Oakland Censorship Award, with keynote address by poet Michael McClure at 2 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave., Oakland. Free. 681-5652. 

Holiday Wreaths—Naturally Learn to make wreaths, garlands and other decorations using natural materials, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Please bring a small pair of hand clippers, and large flat box and a bag lunch. Cost is $25-$56. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Recycled Glass Wreath-Making from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Studio One Art Center, 365 45th street, off Broadway, Oakland. To register call 597-5027. www.oaklandnet.com/parks 

“Paws and Claus” Santa visits the Oakland Zoo Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 632-9525. www.oaklandzoo.org 

“Yes we did!” – Now What? with Sam Webb, national chair, Communist Party USA at 3 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $5 suggested donation, no one turned away. A People’s Weekly World event. 251-1050. mbechtel@pww.org 

Edwardian Holidays Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate Weekends through Dec. 21 with costumed docents, festive trolley, live music, entertainment, cozy tea in the cottage, and Breakfast with Father Christmas, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $7-$12. For reservations call 925-275-9490. www.dunsmuir.org  

“Shine Your Light” Learn fo make a candleholder for the winter celebrations Sat. and Sun. from 1 to 4 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth St., Suite 210, Oakland. Cost is $7. 456-8770. www.mocha.org 

Make Your Own Bike Bag Beginning class for those with little or no sewing experience. We will cover the basics of sewing on the home machines, several important bag making techniques, an intro to bag design, as well as a brief look at the industrial machines. From noon to 4 p.m. at Waterside Workshops, 84 Bolivar Drive, at Berkeley'’s Aquatic Park. Cost for beginning and advanced class is $85. To register call 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

“Ancient Tools for Successful Living” Workshops from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 2929 Summit St., Suite 103, Oakland. Cost per workshop is $10. 536-5934. 

Tree of Life Qi Gong Workout at 10 a.m. at 2929 Summit St., Ste. 103, Oakland. Cost is $15. 253-8120. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

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

SUNDAY, DEC. 7 

International Craft Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave. at Gilman. Cost is $1 and up. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Richmond Holiday Arts Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

Fungus Fair “Fungi and Fire” with exhibits, talks, tastings and marketplace from noon to 5 p.m. at Oakland Musesum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Winter Wanderland Hike Series An invigorating fast-paced hike from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This week we will visit Kennedy Grove. Call for meeting place. Bring water, layered clothing and a snack to share. 525-2233. 

“Spirit of Activism” Silent auction, raffle, appetizers and music by Peg Millet and others, from 6 to 10 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8 and up. Benefit Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters. 548-3113. 

23rd Annual Holiday Appeal for Class-War Prisoners Fundraising party with dinner for Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier and 14 others, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 2939 Ellis St. Cost is $5-$10. 839-0852. pdcbayarea@sbcglobal.net 

“Printmaking: Holiday Cards” Stamp printing and simple screen printing activities for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Oakland. Cost is $25-$40 per family. To register call 431-9016. 

“Sample This!” Children’s Community Center Sample Sale from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Gym at Martin Luther King Middle School, 1871 Rose St. Cost is $5, includes raffle entry. 528-6975. www.cccpreschool.org 

Holiday Card Show & Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 398 Colusa Avenue at the Kensington Circle. 

Berkeley Rep Family Series “Discovering Dr. Seuss” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Nevo Education Center, 2071 Addison St. Free, but bring a book to donate to a school library. 647-2973. 

“Scientific Revolutions and Religion: The Darwinian Revolution” with Prof. Bill Garrett 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. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Dec. 1, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190.  

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Dec. 3, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. 981-5502.  

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. 981-7461.  

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7419.  

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

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 

Women’s WIll “Holiday Memories” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at the Pardee Home Museum, 672 11th St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 420-0813. www.womanswill.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.  

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.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

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.  

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

Don Carlos, reggae, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15-$20. 548-1159.  

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

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

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.  

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

Cynthia Davis at 4 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Jane Lenoir & Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

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

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

MONDAY, DEC. 1 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Importance of Words” with Christine Hutchins, Albany Poet Laureate at 12:30 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720, ext. 16. 

Eric Drooker discusses his paintings and his graphic novels at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Thomas Lynch reads Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

TUESDAY, DEC. 2 

CHILDREN 

First Stage Children’s Theater Company “Mystery on Mulligan’s Mountain” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$7 at the door.  

Nutcracker Children’s Dance Program for ages 4 and up at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

EXHIBITIONS 

Oakland Art Association Group Show on display at the Rockridge Library, Community Gallery, 5366 College Ave. to Dec. 30. 597-5017. 

“Walls” Paintings by Joel Isaacson on contemporary social and political concerns, at Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. Exhibition runs to Jan. 30. 649-2500.  

FILM 

Martha Colburn’s Collage Animations with the filmmaker in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Power of Myth in Movies” with Richard Stromer at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Cost is $40. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Jack and Adele Foley and Ivan Arguelles read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sauce Piquante at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 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 

Christian Scott at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Laura Klein/Ted Wolff jazz duo at 7 p.m. at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198. 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3 

FILM 

“Helvetica” Gary Hustwit’s film celebrating the 50th anniversary of the popular typeface at 6 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Janet Doell discusses “CALS Mini Guide to Some Common California Lichens” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Jan Frazier reads from “When Fear Falls Away” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Vince Ho, Christmas pastoral organ music, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Free, donations welcome. 525-1716. 

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

Jewish Songwriter’s Night with Saul Kaye, Gary Lapow and Elana Jagoda at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Salute to Billy Pilgrim” Blues jam and benefit at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 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 

Orquestra Universal 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.  

Christian Scott at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 

THEATER 

Nursha Project of the Oakland Public Theater “Children of the Last Days” Written and performed by Thandiwe Thomas De Shazor Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Noodle Factory Performing Arts Center, 1255 26th St., #207 at Union, Oakland. Tickets are $9-$20.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

International Body Music Festival a lecture on the origins of body music with Crosspulse Artistic Director Keith Terry and others at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$10. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Osha Neumann reads from “Up Against the Wall Motherfker: A Memoir with Notes on Reason, Obsession, and the Dream of Revolution” at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Ronald Sundstrom reads from “The Browning of America” at 6 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Poetry Flash with Peter Neil Carroll and Jared Smith at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Eliyahu & Qadim, music of the Near East, at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

George Coles & Vive le Jazz at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

The Sonando Project, Michael Bello and Kevin Odea at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Jesse Michaels, Kevin Seconds 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. 

B-Side Players at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$20. 238-9200.  

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “A Taffeta Christmas” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Dec. 21. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

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 

“Bruising for Besos” A solo play examining domestic violence, written and performed by Adelina Anthony, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$13. 849-2568. www.lapena.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 

Nursha Project of the Oakland Public Theater “Children of the Last Days” Written and performed by Thandiwe Thomas De Shazor Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Noodle Factory Performing Arts Center, 1255 26th St., #207 at Union, Oakland. Tickets are $9-$20.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“L.A. Paint” Gallery Tour with Phil Linhares, curator and Ron Tuner at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

NIAD 25th Anniversary Retrospective Works by artists with developmental and other disabilities. Artist reception at 6 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to Jan. 13. 763-9470. 

“Suenos Mensajeros/Dream Messengers” Works by Luz Marina Ruiz. Reception at 6 p.m. at NoneSuch Space, 2865 Broadway at 29th St., 2nd flr., Oakland. 625-1600. 

“Out of Darkness” A show of Winter Solstice altars. Opening reception Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. 663-6920. 

“Plein Air Watercolors” by Anne Poley, Annetta Fox, and Linda Oppen. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park, through Dec. 28. 525-2233. 

“Pen, Paint, and Paper Through Time” Paintings, drawings, prints and giclees from 1970 to 2008 by Laura Basha. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Awaken Cafe, 414 14th St., Oakland. 836-2058. 

“Retrograde: New Work” Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., at Broadway, Oakland. www.mercurytwenty.com 

“Open Space” Works by Zachary Royer Scholz. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, 25 Grand Ave., upper level, Oakland. Exhibition runs through Jan. 31. 415-577-7537. www.chandracerrito.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Handsome Books: Decorative Bindings of the 19th and 20th Centuries” with Martin Holden at 6 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Deborah Nelson discusses her new book, “The War Behind Me: Vietnam Veterans Confront the Truth” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Dave Weinstein describes “It Came From Berkeley” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “Incarnation: Advent and Christmas Music of Eastern Orthodox Traditions” at 7:30 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$28. 868-0695. www.bayareabach.org 

Larry Vann Band at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Deno Gianopoulos, piano, performs works of Mozart, Chopin and Brahms, at 8 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$15. www.hillsideclub.org 

Ballet Flamenco José Porcel at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988.  

Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir at 8 p.m. at Sacred Space at Rudramandir 830 Bancroft Way, at 6th. TIckets are $25-$30. 486-8700.  

Dick Hindman Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373.  

Eric Swinderman’s Quintet “Straight Outta Oakland” at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Bongo Love, Chinyakare Ensemble, music from Zimbabwe, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054.  

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

The Royal Deuces, The High Rhythm Hustlers at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Social Unrest, Arnocorps, United Defiance at 7:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

The Green Machine at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

MURS, hip hop, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15-$20. 548-1159.  

Gato Barbieri at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $18-$30. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, DEC. 6 

CHILDREN  

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

Tony Borders Puppets for 3-7 year olds at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., 3rd Flr. 981-6223. 

“Some Babies Sleep” with illustrator Paul Tong at 1 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth St., Suite 210, Oakland. 456-8770. www.mocha.org 

Jean Paul Valjean “Short Attention Span Circus” Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

Andy Z at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Lines of Communication” A group art show at 4th Street Studio, 1717d 4th St. Reception at 7 p.m. www.fourthstreetstudio.com 

THEATER 

“Playback Theatre” Personal stories shared by audience members instantly transformed by the ensemble into improvised theatre pieces at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. 595-5500, ext. 25. www.livingartscenter.org 

Shotgun Players “Macbeth” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Jan. 11. Tickets are $18-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Stone Soup Improv Comedy at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $6-$9. www.stonesoupimprov.com 

FILM 

“Attack!” with introduction by critic David Thomson at 6 p.m., “Kiss Me Deadly” 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 

Winners of the PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles 18th Annual National Literary Awards & 12th Annual PEN Oakland Censorship Award, with keynote address by poet Michael McClure at 2 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave., Oakland. Free. 681-5652. 

Bay Area Poets Coalition open reading from 3 to 5 pm. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street. 527-9905. 

Harold Davis, featured artist in “100 Views of the Golden Gate” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra “The Geography of Emotions” Selections of Opera Choruses with Marcelle Dronkers, soprano, and Richard Goodman, baritoneat 8 p.m. at St. Joseph The Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations greatly appreciated.  

San Francisco Mandolin Orchestra Renaissance and modern mandolin compositions at 7:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Cost is $10-$15. 525-1716 www.sfmandolin.com 

Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's Chorus “Oh What Fun, A Holiday Variety Show” at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$20. 800-706-2389. www.oebgmc.org 

Philharmonia Baroque “Natale Barocco” Scarlatti, Corelli, Vivaldi and more at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-252-1288. 

Contra Costa Chorale and Kensington Symphony Orchestra “Tidings of Joy” at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Admission is free. 527-2026. 

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $5-$30. 465-6400. 

Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble “Voices in Peace VIII: Fire in the Air” at 8 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2005 Berryman St. Tickets are $17-$20, free for children under 12. 531-8714. www.vocisings.com 

Pacific Boychoir Academy “Harmonies of the Season” at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. 652-4722. www.pacificboychoiracademy.org 

Senior Chamber Symphony Fall Concert including Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture and Haydn’s Symphony No. 83 by senior members of the Young People’s Chamber Orchestra at 7 p.m. at All Souls Church, 2220 Cedar St. Tickets are $5-$10. www.ypco.org  

Neema Hekmat and Friends “A Musical Journey through Persia” at 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$20. 800-838-3006. 

Ballet Flamenco José Porcel at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Ellen Robinson & Her Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

MJ Greenmountain with members of Hamsa Lila at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

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

Tom Russell at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $26.50-$27.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Laurie Antonelli “Intrinsic Music” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

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

The SAGA: Saturday Afternoon Gallery Acoustic, music open mic with Philip Rodriguez at 2 p.m. at Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St., at corner of Lincoln and Paru, Alameda. Donations appreciated. 931-7646. 

Burlesque ‘n’ Brass, featuring Hot Pink Feathers & Blue Bone Express, Orleans-inspired jazz, at 9 p.m. at Café Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10. 763-7711. 

The Devil Makes Three, the Brother Comatose at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $15. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

“Circle Fest 2008” at 7:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

Gato Barbieri at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $18-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, DEC. 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“L.A. Paint” Tour of the exhibition at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

FILM 

African Diaspora Film Society “Negroes with Guns” the story of Robert F. Williams who fought racist terrorism of the Jim Crow South, at 2 p.m. at Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $5. 814-2400. 

Talk Cinema Berkeley Preview of new independent films with discussion afterwards at 10 a.m. at Albany Twin Theater, 1115 Solano Ave., Albany. Cost is $20. http://talkcinema.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

NaNoWriMo Young Writers read from their works at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Poetry Flash with Rick Barot and Victoria Chang at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. 

Egyptology Lecture “Horses and Chariots in Ancient Egypt” with Kathy Hansen, independent scholar at 2:30 p.m. at Barrows Hall, Room 20, Barrow Lane and Bancroft Way, UC campus. 415-664-4767. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra “The Geography of Emotions” Selections of Opera Choruses with Marcelle Dronkers, soprano, and Richard Goodman, baritoneat 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph The Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations greatly appreciated. 

Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin, perfroms Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D minor at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 684-7563. 

Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's Chorus “Oh What Fun, A Holiday Variety Show” at 5 p.m. at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$20. 800-706-2389. www.oebgmc.org 

“Messiah-Sing” in Baroque style, at 6 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $15, no one turned away. 525-0302. 

Philharmonia Baroque “Natale Barocco” Scarlatti, Corelli, Vivaldi and more at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-252-1288. 

Soli Deo Gloria “Mixed Blessings” at 3:30 p.m. at St. Philip Neri, 3108 Van Buren St., Alameda. Tickets are $20-$25. www.sdgloria.org 

“Hidden Saints and Drunken Sages” Songs and stories inspired by Jewish spirituality at 7 p.m. at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut. Tickets are $10-$18. 848-0237. 

Nicolas Bearde’s Holiday Jazz and Blues Concert at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Po’Girl at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The hook is perhaps the greatest, besides the most famous, narrative device of all time: a ruler, cheated on by his consort, marries again and again—but only for a night, executing each new bride at dawn. When he demands the hand of his prime minister’s daughter, the young woman proves resourceful, telling him enchanting stories that spawn new tales, each posing a cliffhanger as morning arrives. Many nights go by, and she is spared each dawn, until she presents her overwhelmed husband with the children he has fathered. 

Jorge Luis Borges, an ardent admirer, remarked that each of the various titles this medieval collection is known by has an equally beautiful ring: “A Thousand Nights and a Night,” in its original Arabic; “A Thousand and One Nights” in most European languages—and in English, The Arabian Nights, which Mary Zimmerman calls her newest venture, now onstage at Berkeley Rep. 

The Rep’s production, which Zimmerman wrote during rehearsal and directed, retells Scherezade and Shahryar’s story and the tale-telling that sprang from it. The cast of 15, many who have worked with Zimmerman before, play multiple parts, all at one point or another becoming storytellers. There’s the music of dumbek and oud, touches of dance, and much movement theater across Daniel Ostling’s set, strewn with carpets and pillows, with lamps lowered from the flies, on The Rep’s angular Thrust Stage. As the modular vignettes string out into full-blown stories, interrupted by interlocking tales-within-tales, the air of improvisation hangs like perfume in the air. 

In some ways, that’s the strongest flavor, despite the true virtuosity of the original tales and the efforts of the young cast—in particular, Sofia Jean Perez as Scherezade and Jesse J. Perez and Melina Kalomas in various roles—to bring them to life. But with all the well-meaning intent (Zimmerman said she was inspired by The Nights’ opposite, media spins on the Mideast since the Gulf War), competence of execution, and attempts to bring across cultural nuances, like the rich hyperbole of the high caliphal medieval prose, the synaesthesia of setting, music, movement, voice, even scent—what once was admiringly referred to as “Oriental”—the production can’t shake something of the banality of sketch comedy routines or the resonance of cable TV. 

Modern theater has been, in some ways, the search for marriage between the episode, the tableau (or “pregnant moment”) and that oxymoron, the spontaneous act of rigorous movement. Soviet director V.S. Meyerhold called a way he staged scenes with acrobatic movement to bring out or counterpoint meaning “attractions,” from circus parlance.  

Many of these techniques found their way into improv exercises, from which sprang contemporary sketch comedy, and emulations of the old avant-garde in performance art—which, often media-driven, can resemble improv comedy routines, which the media has embraced, 

Zimmerman’s Arabian Nights has too much sense of riffing, of being “bitty.” The profound, sometimes contradictory sensibilities of the original tales and how they intertwine can be better found in some of the—curiously incomplete—adaptations and inspired emulations of The Arabian Nights: Jan Potocki’s Manuscript Found in Saragossa (inspired as he read The Nights to his sick wife), but not the extraordinary and hilariously acted film by Wojcek Has, Saragossa Manuscript, tale told within delirious tale in flashback. Neither is Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Arabian Nights (last of a trilogy of tale-telling, after The Decameron and The Canterbury Tales)—or the work of two living filmmakers who are also close to theater and improvisation, innovators of new ways to weave diverse strands into open-ended, ongoing stories, beyond the heady brew, even, of “magical realism”: Jacques Rivette, Raul Ruiz.

Tailgrass Gothic, Impact’s production of Melanie Marnich’s new play, in the netherworld below La Val’s Pizzeria, cleverly resets Middleton and Rowley’s harrowing tragedy of 1622 in the modern American Midwest (after the bloody conclusion to Impact’s last Jacobean thriller, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, “Heartland” already takes on an eerier tone of meaning).  

On Sarah Coykendall’s set—a bed strewn with hay, aggie implements along the walls and a leatherette backseat of a car thrown over wooden crates as a bench—the action plays out: adultery in a tight, church-going community, where everybody knows everybody else. And everybody seems to talk to each other, or themselves, over a beer, about what they imagine is happening in everybody else’s lives, or about whether they believe in strange appearances, ghost stories ... 

Directed by Mina Morita, using every inch of the little basement playing area, the plot unravels like a combination of film noir with daytime TV, wisely without intermission: Laura (Mayra Gaeta) can’t get over her intoxication with Daniel (Chris Celotti) or her aversion to her abusive husband Tin (Joseph Rende), who in turn brags about his hot connubial bliss to his buddy Scotto (Bryan Quinn), showering Scotto’s hints of Laura’s infidelity with belittling invective. 

Laura’s confidante is her old friend Mary (Elissa Dunn), who has more than a sisterly affection for her friend. One of the clever links to the Jacobean stage is Mary’s sword-swallowing act with her brother’s discarded blade—“It’s just a trick!”—and its repetition later under more ghastly, but still tricky, circumstances. As on the “ancient English stage,” there are both portents and appearances, naturalized to the workaday homilies of America’s Breadbasket. 

Lurking almost in the shadows is the strangely smiling loner, Filene (Stacz Sadowski), “not a body with a scar-a scar with a body”—who offers his services to Laura out of a perverse gallantry, not expecting love in return, but apparently just because she’s caught his eye—as different. 

Sadowski and Dunn have the plum roles in this kind of show. As Orson Welles once put it, Renaissance English tragedy is close to melodrama, and in melodrama, the villain is always more interesting than the hero. Or heroine. Both take the bloody baton and run with it. But, as in ‘Tis Pity, despite any and all rough edges, all the players—and the play—come through when it counts, up to the quick, admirably dry conclusion, so chilling it smarts. 

Marnich calls her play “actually a ghost story, a tale about being haunted by one’s desires, actions and mistakes.” When the script and the show bring that to the fore, it’s most theatrical, paradoxically a palpable feeling—something you can see, hear, smell, taste ... was it Democritus who wrote, “All senses are forms of touch”?

Cynthia Davis sings jazz standards, with Eric Shifrin on piano, Sunday, Nov. 30, 4-6 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. 2120 Allston Way. $7, donation.