THURSDAY, DEC. 11 

Santa’s Wonderland Thurs. though Sun. until Dec. 23 at 1809 Fourth St. Free. Donate socks filled with toiletries or an unwrapped book for the Children’s Learning Center at Harrison House Homeless Shelter. 644-3002.  

Introduction to Urban Permaculture Learn about what is possible in a city with members of Merritt College’s Landscape Horticulture Dept. at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Free. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

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. 

East Bay Mac Users Group with Howard Cohen of Timefold on “Terminal and the Unix shell under OS X” at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St. Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

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.  

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 12 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Leslie Kowalewski on “Infant Mortality in the United States.” 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 

“It Will Be Magic” Alameda Holiday Home Tour candlelight preview at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75. Benefits Alameda Family Services. Day tour on Sat. from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for $30-$35. 629-6208. alamedaholidayhometour.info 

Class Struggle Classics film series presents “Blue Collar” a 1978 film, starring Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel, depicting the deadend life of factory workers, at 7 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 595-7417. www.marxistlibr.org 

Womensong Circle An evening of participatory singing for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, small assembly room, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Donation $15-$20. 525-7082. 

“What is Jewish Spirituality?” at 6:15 p.m. in El Cerrito. RSVP to Rabbi Bridget at 559-8140. 

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. asiecker@sbcglobal 

SATURDAY, DEC. 13 

Palestinian Hand-Crafted Gift Sale from noon to 6 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Benefit for Palestinian craftspeople & Middle East Children’s Alliance. 548-0542. meca@mecaforpeace.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 

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair with over 200 street artists, merchants, community groups and entertainment, Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Dwight and Bancroft. 234-1013. 

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

ACCI Gallery Holiday Showcase from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. www.accigallery.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 

Heyday Holiday Book Sale from noon to 4 p.m., with a presentation by naturalist John Muir Laws at 2 p.m. at 1633 University Ave. 549-3564, ext. 376. www.heydaybooks.com 

El Cerrito’s Annual Holiday Pancake Breakfast with a visit from Santa and a puppet show, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. Tickets are $8. 559-7000. 

The Crucible’s Annual Holiday Art Sale & Open House Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Crucible, 1260 Seventh Street, Oakland. 444-0919. www.thecrucible.org 

Point Isabel Weeding Party The broom stumps are beginning to sprout leaves that we’ll use the weed wrenches on and we’ve located a third ice plant infestation that we’d love to eliminate. Join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Point Isabel, El Cerrito. Please RSVP to 704-8628. kyotousa@sbcglobal.net 

Destiny’s 20th Anniversary Extravaganza Performance “20 Years of Love in Action” featuring youth dance, theater and martial arts performers at 7 p.m. at McClymonds High School, 2607 Myrtle St., West Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10 sliding scale. 597-1619. www.destinyarts.org 

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. 

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. 

“Wrap it Up” Design handmade gift bags and wrapping paper, 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 

“It Will Be Magic” Alameda Holiday Home Tour from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-$35, benefits Alameda Family Services. 629-6208. alamedaholidayhometour.info 

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

Vegetarian Cooking Class Healthful and Humane Holiday Cooking and Baking Learn to make warm lentil salad, grilled portabello mushrooms, purple potatoes and cashew cream, chocolate truffles and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $50, plus $5 food and material fee. Advance registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com 

“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 

Origami with Margot Wecksler Learn how to make stars at 2 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave, Albany. 526-3720, ext. 16. 

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  

The 2nd Annual STW (Stanley Tookie Williams) Legacy Summit “What Is Really Happening on Death Row?” from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Merritt College, Huey P. Newton/Bobby Seale Student Lounge, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland. 434-3935. www.merritt.edu 

NAACP Berkeley Branch meeting at 1 p.m. at 2108 Russell St. 845-7416. 

The East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society will hold its monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Albany Veterans Memorial Bldg., 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. Robert Deward will present “Lawrence, Guirilla Pandemic & Iraq.” 526-4423. 

Cinema Dreaming “Busby Berkeley Bliss-Out” from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Dream Institute, 1672 University at McGee. Cost is $10-$12. 845-1767. 

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

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, DEC. 14 

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair with over 200 street artists, merchants, community groups and entertainment, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Dwight and Bancroft. 234-1013. 

Waterside Workshops Sustainable Holiday Event and Toy Making Workshop Learn how to make your own wooden toy, or sew up a fleece hat to keep your ears warm from 2 to 5 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr. in Berkeley’s Aquatic Park. For all ages. Free. 644-2577 www.watersideworkshops.org 

Affordable Art Exhibition/Sale from 4 to 7 p.m., Sat.-Mon. from noon to 7 p.m. at The Compound Gallery, 6604 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. 655-9019. www.thecompoundgallery.com 

The Crucible’s Annual Holiday Art Sale & Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Crucible, 1260 Seventh Street, Oakland. 444-0919. www.thecrucible.org 

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

Little Farm Open House Come grind some corn to feed the chickens, pet a bunny or groom a goat, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Little Farm at Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Community Multi-Traditional Holiday Sing-Along at 5 p.m. at GNC, 2138 Cedar St. www.downhomedancing.org 

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

East Bay Atheists’ Annual Solstice Party at 1:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Restaurant, 2420 Shattuck Ave. 222-7580. eastbayatheists.org 

Chanukah Celebration for the Very Young with puppets, songs, menorah lighting and latkes, for ages 0-5 and their parents at 10:30 a.m. in El Cerrito. RSVP to Rabbi Bridget 559-8140. 

“Scientific Revolutions and Religion: The Einsteinian 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. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Elizabeth Cook on “The Stupa: Sacred Symbol of Enlightenment” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Also on Fri. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

MONDAY, DEC. 15 

Town Hall Meeting on the Berkeley Climate Action Plan hosted by Council Member Gordon Wozniak at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. www.BerkeleyClimateAction.org. 

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 

TUESDAY, DEC. 16 

Christmas Caroling at 6 p.m. in front of Sweet Dreams, 2921 College Ave. Song sheets provided. 

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. 

“Is there a Strategy for Making Revolution in the USA? Yes!” A discussion of RCP strategy at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

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

Boffers and Board Games from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Codornices Park, 1201 Euclid Ave. across from the Rose Garden, or 33 Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito when bad weather. Free, but parental supervision required. 526-5985. 

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. 

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

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 

UC Student Housing on the Southside A community discussion on the proposed development of the Anna Head parking lot at 7 p.m. at the Unit #2 Dormitory Recreation Room, below the courtyard. 643-8677. hlampert@cp.berkeley.edu 

Pacific Boychoir Auditions for afterschool program for ages 5 to 18 from 4:15 to 6 p.m. at 410 Alcatraz Ave. To register for auditions call 652-4722. 

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

Simplicity Forum with a discussion on what we learned this year, and how to simplify next year at 6:30 p.m. at the Claremont Library, 2940 Benvenue. 

Red Cross Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. To sign up call 594-5165. 

“How I sold and bought a home in France” with Devin Daly at 7 p.m. at Au Coquelet Café, University at Milvia. RSVP to ddaly@oldworldfrance.com 

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. 

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.  

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. 18 

Holiday Crafts and Tree Trim for ages five and up from 3 to 5 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

Larry Everest and Norman Solomon Debate “U.S. Foreign Policy and Opposing Wars during the Obama Presidency” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita. Donation $5-$10 no one turned away. 495-5132. 

Santa’s Wonderland Thurs. though Sun. until Dec. 23 at 1809 Fourth St. Free. Donate socks filled with toiletries or an unwrapped book for the Children’s Learning Center at Harrison House Homeless Shelter. 644-3002.  

Toastmasters Berkeley Communicators meets at 7:30 a.m. at Au Coquelet, 2000 University Ave. Rob.Flammia@gmail.com 

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. 

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

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 19 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jeff Robinson, photographer on “Wildlife of Asia.” 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 

Demonstrate for Peace! Bring your signs and determination to bring our troops home now and keep out of Iran, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Acton and University Aves. Sponsored by Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers, Strawberry Creek Lodge Tenants Association and the Iraq Moratorium. 841-4143. 

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. 

Kol Hadash Humanistic Judaism Chanukah Celebration at 6:30 p.m. at Albany Community Center, with a farewell party for Rabbi Jay. Please bring non-perishable food for the needy. For more info about the potluck email info@kolhadash.org 

SATURDAY, DEC. 20 

Women on Common Ground Holiday Decorations Join this annual workshop to make holiday decorations for the Women’s Drop-In Shelter and for yourself also, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Bring a small pair of hand-clippers and a bag lunch if you wish to join the afternoon solstice hike at 2 p.m. 525-2233. 

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 

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair with over 200 street artists, merchants, community groups and entertainment, Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Dwight and Bancroft. 234-1013. 

Temescal Holiday Skate and Stroll from 1 to 5 p.m. at the outdoor skating rink at 49th and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $3 for skating. 

Revolution Books Open House from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

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

“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 

“Hanging Around” Create winter ornaments and decorations 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 

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  

Pre-Winter Trash Clean-up of Ohlone Greenway from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet on Moeser and the Ohlone Greenway, behind Safeway in El Cerrito. Wear jacket, long sleeves, pants and closed toe shoes. For information contact 215-4353. 

“I Sit and Stay” Survival guide for children with author Leah Waarvik at 2 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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. 21 

Winter Solstice Celebration Learn the solstice’s cultural history on a short walk, then share seasonal stories, poems and music around the campfire from 1 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 5 and up. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Winter Solstice Gathering, led by Alan Gould, Lawrence Hall of Science, at 4:10 p.m. at the Interinm Solar Calendar, Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina. Dress warmly. www.solarcalendar.org 

Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk from 6 to 8 p.m. at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. 526-7377. info@eastbaylabyrinthproject.org  

Winter Solstice and Open Talent Show at 6 p.m. at The Deep Green Humanist Church, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, bring healthy potluck food to share, donations welcome. 451-5818.  

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair with over 200 street artists, merchants, community groups and entertainment, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Dwight and Bancroft. 234-1013. 

Temescal Holiday Skate and Stroll from 1 to 5 p.m. at the outdoor skating rink at 49th and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $3 for skating. 

“Home Sweet Home” Build candy cottages and cookie castles 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 

Kol Hadash Bagel Brunch with Prof. Bernard Rosen on “Why I am Not an Atheist” at 10 a.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin, Albany. Suggested donation $5. 525-2296. Programs@kolhadash.org  

Community Multi-Traditional Holiday Sing-Along at 5 p.m. at GNC, 2138 Cedar St. www.downhomedancing.org 

Community Menorah Lighting at 4 p.m. at Bay Street Emeryville Mall, across from Barnes & Noble. 540-5824. www.ChabadBerkeley.org 

Kehilla Chanukah Celebration at 4 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Tickets are $10. www.KehillaSynagogue.org  

“Spiritual Perspectives for Independent Thinkers in a World of Paradox” with Jeremy Taylor 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 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 11, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5213.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.  

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon., Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-7368. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

City Council meets Tues., Dec. 13, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

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, DEC. 11 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fresh Work” Kala Artists’ Annual Exhibition Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“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. www.gtu.edu 

“Christmas and Other Colors” Paintings by Julie Ross at Britt Marie, 1369 Solano Ave. through Dec. 21. 527-0173. julierossart.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Story Hour in the Library with Sylvia Brownrigg reading from her latest novel “Morality Tale” at 5 p.m. in 190 Doe Library, UC Campus. 643-4715. storyhour.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

New Century Chamber Orchestra “Celebrate the Holidays” at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $32-$54. 415-357-1111. www.ncoo.org 

The Dance, Blake Williams, Spohia at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

“Three Decembers” An opera by Jake Heggie at 7:30 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $48-$86. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

“An Evening Down Under” with didjeridu artist, Stephen Kent at 7 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $10-$15. 665-0305.  

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

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

College of Almeda Small Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert at 7 p.m. at 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway, Alameda. Free. 748-2213. 

Funk Revival Orchestra, Snake Plissken Quintet, Kiyoshi Foster Group at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Chris Botti at 8 and 10 p.m. through Sun., at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $24-$40. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, DEC. 12 

CHILDREN 

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

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 

Berkeley High School and SHIFT Theatre “Madwoman of Chaillot” by Jean Giradoux, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Florence Schwimley Little Theater, 1929 Allston Way. Tickets are $6-$12.  

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 

“The Christmas Revels” A celebration of the Winter Solstice at 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. through Dec. 21 at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. 452-8800. www.calrevels.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 

“Mi Bandera es la Tierra” written and performed by Nicolas Valdez and Maria Ibarra at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.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 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Elevating Art” An eclectic winter showcase. Reception at 6 p.m. at Berkeley City College Raw Space Gallery, 2050 Center St. 526-1143. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers short story readings by local actors, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Suggested donation $8-$15. 932-0214. 

Joe Shakarchi and Alice Templeton will read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave., a little north of Hearst, in Berkeley, as part of the Last Word Reading Series. There is also an open reading. 841-6374. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $17-$23. 843-4689. berkeleyballet.org 

Sacred & Profane “All-Britten Holiday Concert” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $15-$20. www.sacredprofane.org 

“Three Decembers” An opera by Jake Heggie at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $48-$86. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

The Irrationals at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. East Coast Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Al Stewart at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $29.50-$30.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The California Honeydrops, CD release party, at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8-$10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Beep! Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Netta Brielle at 9 p.m. at Maxwell’s, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $10.  

SATURDAY, DEC. 13 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Jerry Kennedy 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 Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 981-6280. 

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

EXHIBITIONS 

“Letters from Noto, Living in Japan, 1955 to 1964” Photography of David Beckman. Opening reception at 1 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2890 College Ave., Suite 4. 414-4485. www.altagalleria.com 

“Celebrate Diversity” New paintings by Rita Sklar, at Bucci’s, 6121 Hollis St., Emeryville, through Jan. 8. 531-1404. 

“Simply Divine” Opening reception at 6 pm. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. www.expressionsgallery.org 

THEATER 

Women’s Will “Holiday Memories” Sat. at at 7 p.m. and Sun. at 4 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 420-0813. www.womanswill.org 

FILM 

“Ulzana’s Raid” with introduction by Adell Aldrich at 8:40 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Jewish Film Series “Every Time We Say Goodbye” at 7 p.m. at Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Rd., Alameda. Cost is $10. 522-9355. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Carolyn R. Crampton describes “Bunny Language or ‘Are You going to Eat That?’” at 2 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa Ave. Kensington. 525-6155. 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers short story readings by local actors, at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Donation $8-$15. 932-0214. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $17-$23. 843-4689. berkeleyballet.org 

Winterberry Carollers “A Gaelic Christmas Choral Concert” at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $8-$15. 800-838-3006. 

Oakland Youth Chorus “Let the Music Ring” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$25. www.oaklandyouthchorus.org 

Elizabeth-Baptista Gaston, flutist, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www. 

trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Sacred & Profane “All-Britten Holiday Concert” at 8 p.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 176 Ridgeway Ave., Piedmont. Tickets are $15-$20. www.sacredprofane.org 

Destiny’s 20th Anniversary Extravaganza Performance “20 Years of Love in Action” featuring youth dance, theater and martial arts performers at 7 p.m. at McClymonds High School, 2607 Myrtle St., West Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10 sliding scale. 597-1619. www.destinyarts.org 

The Venezuelan Music Project at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $16-$18. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Miss Faye Carol Holiday Concert at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $18. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Kotoja, West African Highlife Band, Nigerian Brothers at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054.  

Cris Williamson with Vicki Randle and Julie Wolf at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761.  

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

Polkacide, Gun and Doll Show, Carmichael & Las Frijolitas at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $9. 841-2082.  

Chris Botti at 8 and 10 p.m. through Sun., at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $24-$40. 238-9200.  

Youth Brigade, Pressure Point, Troublemaker at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, DEC. 14 

THEATER 

Women’s Will “Holiday Memories” at 4 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 420-0813. www.womanswill.org 

FILM 

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 

Architecture Tour of the buildings and grounds designed by Kevin Roche and Dan Kiley at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. Free Admission. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

All Star Reading Extavaganza with Michael Palmer, Lyn Hejinian, Rusty Morrison, Craig Perez and many others from 2 to 4 pm. at Small Press Distribution, 1341 7th St., at Gilman. 524-1668. 

Actors Reading Writers short story readings by local actors at 2 p.m. at at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 932-0214. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Voices in Peace VIII: Fire in the Air” at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $17-$20, free for children under 12. 531-8714. www.vocisings.com 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $17-$23. 843-4689. berkeleyballet.org 

“Three Decembers” An opera by Jake Heggie at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $48-$86. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Oakland Civic Orchestra Holiday Concert at 4 p.m. at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. 238-7275. www.oaklandnet.com 

“We Have Seen his Star” African American Spirituals with the Oakland Bay Area Community Chorus at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2808 Lake Shore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 451-1790. 

Under Construction: New Music Series with Berkeley Symphony at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Cris Williamson with Vicki Randle and Julie Wolf at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

MONDAY, DEC. 15 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

PlayGround, short works from new and emerging playwrights at 8 p.m., pre-show discussion at 7 p.m., at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $15. 415-704-3177. www.PlayGround-sf.org 

Poetry Express with Go from 3rd Eye Collective at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

SoVoSo at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$18. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, DEC. 16 

CHILDREN 

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

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre Company “The Coverlettes Cover Christmas” Mon.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. through Dec. 23 at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $23-$25. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lois Silverstein reads from “Curtain Rising” and “Idol” at 7 p.m. at 7:30 p.m. at JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20, benefits Aquarian Minyan. 528-6725. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney 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 

Christmas Jug Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Charlie Hunter Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 

CHILDREN 

Colibrí at 3:30 p.m. at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 1170 The Alameda. 981-6250. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082 .www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Classical at the Freight with the Sor Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $8.50-$9.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

La Peña Latin Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Charlie Hunter Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, DEC. 18 

CHILDREN 

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

EXHIBITIONS 

“Crazy After All These Years” NIAD faculty art show. Performance at 6 p.m., artists’ presentation at 7 p.m. at Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, State of CA Office Bldg., Atrium, 1515 Clay St., Oakland. 622-8190. www.oaklandculturalarts.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley High School’s African American Dance Program “Breaking The Chains of the New Generation” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Community Theater. Tickets are $3-$10. 644-6120. BrownPaperTickets.com  

Berkeley Symphony Orchestra Joana Carneiro, conductor, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus Tickets are $20-$60. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Oakland Ballet Company “Ron Guidi’s Nutcracker” at 10 a.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. www.ticketmaster.com 

Caribbean Allstars at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Crooked Still at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Chabela, music from the Latin American Songbook at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

I’m a People, The Jug Dealers, bluegrass, at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Beat Boxing Great Show with Soulati, Infinite, Syzygy, Eachbox and many others at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 19 

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 Company “The Coverlettes Cover Christmas” Mon.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. through Dec. 23 at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $23-$25. 843-4822. auroratheatre.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 

“The Christmas Revels” A celebration of the Winter Solstice at 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. through Dec. 21 at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. 452-8800. www.calrevels.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 

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 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers short story readings by local actors, at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Donation $8-$15. 932-0214. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $17-$23. 843-4689. berkeleyballet.org 

Oakland Ballet Company “Ron Guidi’s Nutcracker” at 10 a.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. www.ticketmaster.com 

Pacific Mozart Ensemble & Quartet San Francisco “Bruebeck & Brahms: Canticles and Love Songs” at 7:30 pm Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $15-$25. 848-8022. www.pacificmozart.org 

San Francisco Girls Chorus East Bay Holiday Concert at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $25. 415-863-1752. 

Vince Ho, organ and harpsichord at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Suggested donation $10. 525-1716. 

Clarinet Thing at 8 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 845-1350. 

The Women's Antique Vocal Ensemble "Shepherds Arise!" Friday, December 19 at 8:00PM., Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Drive, Oakland. $15 General/$5 Students/Seniors. 233-1479. www.wavewomen.org 

Arab Orchestra of San Francisco at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Nathan Clevenger Group and Lisa Mezzacappa's Bait & Switch at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Tickets are $5-$10.  

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

Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Creole Belles at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Girlyman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$22.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Masahiro Nitta with Monsters of Shamisen at 8 p.m. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., ALameda. Tickets are $12-$15. 865-5060. www.rhythmix.org 

Plays Monk, ROVA Saxophone Quartet at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

D.I., Opressed Logic, Neighborhood Watch 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. 

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

Dan K Harvest Holiday Bash at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

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

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

Adesha at 9 p.m. at Maxwell’s, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $15.  

SATURDAY, DEC. 20 

CHILDREN  

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

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “Ennio” comedy and mime for the whole family at 2 and 8p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St, through Dec. 31. Tickets are $20-$45. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Public Library’s Teen Playreaders “Bizarre Shorts” Short plays, monologues and musical numbers from Shakespeare to Sondheim to Stoppard, at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard Middle School Metal Shop Theater, 2425 Stuart St. at Telegraph. 981-6236. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers short story readings by local actors, at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Donation $8-$15. 932-0214. 

Rhythm & Muse spoken word and music open mic series features Soul of Sparrow at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose Sts., behind Live Oak Park. 644-6893.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “Christmas Oratorio” at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20. 525-0302. 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $17-$23. 843-4689. berkeleyballet.org 

Musae “Waitin’ for the Light to Shine” women’s vocal ensemble with the Menlo Brass Quintet at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$25. www.musae.org 

Oakland Ballet Company “Ron Guidi’s Nutcracker” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. www.ticketmaster.com 

“Pomegranates & Figs: A Feast of Jewish Music” featuring Nikitov & Teslim at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $20-$32. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

The Function, hip-hop and soul, at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Terrence Kelly with Ellen Hoffman, Annual Holiday Caroling at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

In Harmony’s Way at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Suzanna Smith at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Blue Turtle Seduction, Feels Like Fire at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $12. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

SUNDAY, DEC. 21 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers short story readings by local actors, at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Donation $8-$15. 932-0214. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “Christmas Oratorio” at 1 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20. 525-0302. 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $17-$23. 843-4689. berkeleyballet.org 

Vivaldi’s “Gloria” at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 26th and Broadway, Oakland. Free.  

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

Oakland Ballet Company “Ron Guidi’s Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. www.ticketmaster.com 

San Francisco Choral Artists “Glorious Early Music” with the premier of Ted Allen’s “Earth’s Winter Song” at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$28. 415-979-5779. www.sfca.org 

Joyful Noise Choir “Old and New Christmas Carols” at 5 p.m. at El Sobrante First United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, across from El Sobrante Post Office, El Sobrante. 223-0790. 

Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano “Fiesta Navidad” at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$38. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

The Sephardic Music Experience with vocalist Kat Parra at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Everyone Orchestra, Chris Haugen’s Seahorse Rodeo at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Trumpet Supergroup at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Debbie Faigenbaum “Stories from the Heart” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Freight Holiday Revue hosted by Laurie Lewis at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Thrusting out aggressively at the audience seated for Mark Jackson’s retrofitted Macbeth at the Ashby Stage, a Shotgun production, is the much-discussed ramp, with a marble walkway, leading back to the proscenium, an iron-bound wall of fitted stone. Inside the arch, a shining, spangled throne room, replete with light-toned Viking-modern royal seat (set by Nina Ball, lit by Jon Tracy, Sarah Huddleston’s sound), where in a dreamlike sequence like a strange commercial, or an inspirational training video gone wrong, Macbeth himself will take the crown from the wakeful king he slays, murdering sleep twice over. 

But before these visualizations of what Jackson hints are the primal scenes underlying ambition, the stage displays itself, its light patina docile to the strains of burlesk music, all textured surface echoing bumps and grinds, not brooding or even anticipating the splashes of action and color across it. The signal for action will be the words, not ornamental, as when Banquo, strolling at night, wonders when it will rain—and his murderer leaps out, crying, “Let it come down!” 

That line was turned over for the title of a book, like many another Bardic tag (Ambrose Bierce’s horror tales, entitled Can Such Things Be?, also takes an exclamation from Macbeth), a novel by Paul Bowles, who once said his unsettling stories came from an imagined landscape, which the characters then emerged from. Mark Jackson seems to work analogously: the stage is dressed, music plays, the air is alight—and the actors people the setting, action fitting the arrangement of things, like the king’s assassination—often best when it’s a discrete, dreamlike image.  

Sometimes the image is less stylized than posed; the scene degenerates into analogy instead of making a tableau, showing a picture of “the pregnant moment.” Or a particular gambit, forcefully addressed, doesn’t follow through. Blythe Foster tumbles acrobatically onstage as Lady Macbeth, her entrance as a fashion-plate young socialite turned cheerleader, somersaulting with her husband’s letter of victory clutched like a telegram as she flips up her skirt to show her violet panties, stroking herself, on display. This gets an echo when she “faces” down her querulous husband—with a breast in his stunned mug—as she announces her resolve is so strong she’d dash her own nursing infant to pieces if she’d sworn to. But the swing seems checked; there’s no sense of follow-through later in the dread sleepwalking scene, which becomes more handwringing than rinsing. 

Shakespeare’s play—or the expectations it’s come to raise—is filled with pitfalls and cliches that have become Hallowe’en kitsch, clearly what Jackson hopes to avoid with a production plan that cancels the hoary gloom and imports brightness and youth. No coy mouthing of “The Scottish Play” to pussyfoot around the famous curse that dogs even its title. 

But strangely it is all that—stuff—in a left-handed way that serves as a heavy, baroque—even Breughel-esque—drapery, setting off the ambiguities that underlie the melodrama, the real stuff of imagining. The childless Lady M. swearing on her imaginary murder of an imaginary child; her husband later massacres the brood—“All my pretty ones!”—of his nemesis, MacDuff, “not of woman born,” but “untimely ripped from his mother’s womb”—the Lochinvar who rides in to quickly right the wrong with a swordstroke. 

“The Macbeths” are billed as a young, swinging, ambitious—and childless—couple, entertaining King Duncan with a cocktail party, flirtacious chatter and DJ music, before dispatching him abed. Brecht envisioned something parallel—the murderous couple of lesser nobility, poor, ambitious, young and passionately in love. 

“We are yet but young in deed.” Shakespeare’s ambiguities are hard to catch onstage. Herman Melville called The Bard’s truth like “a white doe, flying through the woodlands,” shyly peeking out from behind a tree. There’s the famous quip that three actors should play Macbeth: the upright young warrior who all but stumbles into regicide, the ruthless despot destroying friend and foe (and his beloved inciter) alike—and the jaded tyrant “who has tasted fine wine ... and lost that taste” but drinks down the cup, as Orson Welles summed it up. Craig Marker strikes a fine figure in the lead, capturing the energy and the stunned, puzzled quality of a man of action who realizes he’s lost his way, as well as something of the ruthlessness, finally ululating like a cornered beast, inviting his foes to bring it on. 

The men come off better, at least so far in production—Marker, Daniel Duque-Estrada’s Banquo, stout fellow John Mercer as both Duncan and Siward, Peter Ruocco’s MacDuff, Reid Davis as the ghastly funny Porter, Kevin Clarke’s Bloody Sergeant ... in a cast of 13 (that curse again?), there are just two women anyway, Zehra Berkman a single, composite Weird Sister, a ghoulish voyeur, doubling as a pregnant Lady MacDuff. One of Jackson’s conceits has the witches’ reprise not on the heath, but in the bedroom, with an orgasmic Lady M. taking on the outre’ prophetic shapes at the Weird Sister’s beck.  

With the fashions (from Foley & Bonny in El Cerrito, Valera Coble the costumer)—suits and ties, trenchcoats, attache cases (a fastidious killer flicks off a speck of gore)—it’s a little like The Man in the Grey Flannel Jerkin, corporate cut-throats... timely enough. Jackson scavenges bits and pieces from diverse genres to flesh out his anachronism; besides the text, a film noirish undertow is the darkest thing afoot. The clashing references make for funny line readings. With all the preening, there should be a bigger laugh on: “Then fly, false things, and mingle with the English epicures.” 

Macbeth 

8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 11 at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. $18-25; $30 runway seats; $50 New Years Eve show and celebration. 841-6500.  

shotgunplayers.org. 

Oakland’s Paramount Theatre opens up a wealth of holiday presents as its two resident companies, the Oakland Ballet Company and the Oakland East Bay Symphony premiere their annual shows for the season: the Symphony’s Let Us Break Bread Together, and Ronn Guidi’s celebrated Nutcracker. 

For Let Us Break Bread Together, the orchestra and conductor Michael Morgan will be joined by the Oakland Symphony Chorus, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Mt. Eden High School Concert Choir, klezmer band Kugelplex and Latin roots group Los Cenzontles, Sunday at 4 p.m. 

The Nutcracker, with Oakland Ballet veterans and new dancers, accompanied by members of OEBS under Michael Morgan’s baton, runs for seven performances Dec. 18–24, including an All-Star matinee Nov. 20 with baseball great, former Oakland A’s manager Tony La Russa, Elaine La Russa, former 49er Jamie Williams, John Evans of KDFC radio and Frank Somerville of KTVU 2 TV. 

And this weekend only, there’s Ronn Guidi’s “Secret Nutcracker,” five performances with his students from Oakland Ballet Academy, at Regent’s Theatre, Holy Names University, Oakland. 

Michael Morgan talked about Let Us Break Bread Together, the Symphony’s popular holiday show of the past few seasons. “It’s kind of a compilation of various artistic directors. Even I don’t know exactly what it’ll be like until we do it. I’m seeing much for the first time!” 

What’s brand-new for this show is the collaboration of Los Cenzontles. “We’re adding an element to the past programs with this Mexican musical group, which has quite a following. They’re bringing dancers, who will dance in the aisles while Los Cenzontles plays from the stage—there are so many people on that stage! All three choirs are by now old hands. Maybe the most special thing about the show is the Mt. Eden Choir; it’s unlike any high school choir you’ve ever heard. Their conductor is such a good teacher; the level of training is just beyond any expectation. Everybody is really singing.” 

Morgan also spoke of the special feeling of the whole afternoon at the Paramount. 

“There’s a real atmosphere of sharing, almost like at a potluck. Everybody brings what they have to the table for everybody else to enjoy,” he said. “It’s not so much that all the groups are performing together as that we’re performing for each other—something you see so little of onstage.” 

Let Us Break Bread Together features performances of spirituals, classical and sacred music and other holiday favorites, including a few seasonal sing-alongs. Kugelplex adds some comic notes, last year coming up with a rendition of Rudolph’s Mitzvah. 

Oakland Ballet Company’s production of Ronn Guidi’s Nutcracker marks the third year this beloved adaptation has been presented again at the Paramount under Guidi’s direction since the original Oakland Ballet folded in 2006, 38 years after Guidi founded it and just seven years after his retirement. 

“The original company folding woke me up,” Guidi said. “It was my life work gone. But now I’m loving the opportunity to present dance again. This Nutcracker we’ve done since ‘72, and used to tour it all over the country.” 

Michael Morgan commented on what makes Guidi’s version special: “Some run through The Nutcracker as fast as they can. But not with Ronn’s. It’s different every day, and with every principal, every pair. I don’t do The Nutcracker anywhere else. Ronn’s the most in pure charm around. There’re glitzier, flashier versions—and of course there’s The Hard Nut, which has Mark Morris’ genius, and is hilarious. But they reinforce each other: the more you see Ronn’s Nutcracker, the funnier The Hard Nut gets, and seeing The Hard Nut brings out the charm in Ronn’s Nutcracker even more.” 

“Michael’s an old friend, great support and a devoted artist,” said Guidi. “Every performance has to have that living moment, and Michael always knows what each dancer needs.”  

The Paramount show presents 25 dancers, including veterans Jenna McClintock, Denise Roman-Schmalle, Gianna Davy and Omar Shabazz, plus featured dancers Claire Lewis, Maia Mileff, Mario Vitale Labrador and Diego Rivera Garcia.  

Commenting on the Ballet’s support for the Oakland Food Bank and Toys For Tots—each non-perishable food item or toy brought to the Paramount box office receives a 20 percent discount for adults or a $10 children’s ticket—Guidi said, “I didn’t exactly grow up in the flatlands, but down on MacArthur; I’m aware of everybody’s walk of life--and we have to do the walk!” 

Only a few years after coming out of retirement, starting his Ronn Guidi Performing Arts Foundation and resuscitating the Ballet and Academy, Guidi reflected on the state of the arts and the holidays.  

“At least the arts are still alive,” he said. “Historically, a culture without art implodes on itself. And every culture celebrated something this time of year. There’s something magical, and it can bring out the best in people.” 

Ronn Guidi’s  

‘Secret Nutcracker’  

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Regent’s Theatre, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland.  

$20 at the door or call Oakland ballet academy: 530-7516. rgfpa.org. 

Let Us Break Bread Together  

4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. $15-$40; under 18, $10. Ticketmaster.com or 625-8497. oebs.org. 

Nutcracker  

Dec. 18-23 at the Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. $15-50. (Dec. 18- 19: community matinees, all seats $20; tickets available at Paramount box office only.) 

465-6400. oaklandballet.org. 

Christmas Revels, “a theatrical celebration of the Winter Solistice,” with a dazzling array of the performing arts onstage at Oakland’s Scottish Rite Theater by Lake Merritt and community singing and line-dancing at the conclusion of the two acts of every show, has become a beloved holiday tradition in the 23 years California Revels has produced the annual event here. 

This year, Revels revisits a medieval European setting with a new staging of their 1995 The King and the Fool, featuring popular clown and comic actor Geoff Hoyle, a familiar face to longtime Revelers.  

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Dec. 12-14 and 19-21. 

Director David Parr talked about working with Geoff Hoyle, the Bay Area-based British performer, who (among other things) originated the role of Zazu in The Lion King on Broadway, clowned with Bill Irwin in The Pickle Family Circus and has performed as a featured artist on national and Bay Area stages from Cirque Du Soleil to Teatro ZinZanni and Berkeley Rep.  

“I think it’s the sixth time we’ve worked together, and it’s come full circle,” Parr said. “Geoff’s been visiting different iterations of the archetypal fool, like Arlecchino in our 2000 Commedia Dell ‘Arte Revels—and even in its more modern guises, like Victorian Music Hall and the Christmas Panto star Garibaldi last year. I can’t say enough good things about Geoff as a professional. They say a star brings up everybody and everything around him, and Geoff does that. He also shares with us a great love of everything the Revels experience is—which isn’t always easy to see from the inside.” 

In the new staging of The King and the Fool, Parr himself plays a king “this time around,” entertaining his court as the Yuletide’s coming on. A bell tolls, and it’s announced that a mysterious visitor is coming, whom the king must meet in combat. The king loses, and gives his regal powers to the fool. There’s a period of darkness, then a child confronts the mysterious visitor (a 16-foot knight puppet by Berkeley’s Annie Hallett) and rings a bell, revealing the real nature of the Black Knight: a skeleton, which the fool engages in a Danse Macabre.  

“We have light and dark, high and low, king and fool, order and discord—the idea that people have to undergo a period of dark leadership to emerge in the light,” Parr commented. “In the aftermath of the elections, there’s some play with the audience. I even seeded in a line or two about eight years of darkness.” 

Parr also mentioned a different political tradition embedded in a yuletide tradition from Ireland that’ll be enacted, “The Hunting of the Wren,” in which boys with sticks would walk door to door, and present householders with a dead wren in a cage. “Apparently, a wren, ‘the King of Birds,’ was startled by an Irish sneak attack on English forces, warning them, so the English won the battle. The wren represents the English king: the grim reality underlying a charming childhood song.” 

Parr then focused on Hoyle’s dance with the skeleton. “Patti Swanson originally wrote this for Geoff, at the Revels in Cambridge, where Larry Busoni did the part. The Danse Macabre, in which Geoff animates the skeleton as he dances with it, was deemed too long before, and cut. This time we trimmed it, a delicate process as he’s up there, creating it as he goes along. That he trusts me to help him shape it—that someone of his stature is still exploring, still discovering comedy—makes it an honor to be a part of his process.”  

Parr also noted that “the music has evolved, as the whole organization has, with a more medieval feel. Shura Kamin made some new arrangements. And Chris Caswell, the Celtic Harp maker in Albany, will be with us to play harp andearly instruments; there’ll be the Abbots Bromley dance and courtly dancing—and The Lord of the Dance, of course!—and mumming, guest artists in addition to the usual suspects, and both adult and children’s choruses. The children’s chorus is especially important; the whole show’s framed as a children’s story.” 

Talking about the continuing commercialization of the holidays, even in bad economic times like these, Parr said, “The Revels goes back to core values. When Father Christmas sings ‘May there be a pig in your poke, a pudding in your pot’ in the Mummers’ Song, it’s about bounty, awareness and appreciation of the bounty of the world around us—not shopping!” 

Christmas Revels 

7:30 p.m. Fridays and at 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays through Dec.21 at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeshore Dr., Oakland. $15-50. 

452-8800. calrevels.org. 

Comedians were a dime a dozen in the days of silent film, but great comedians were precious and few. The judgment of history has left us maybe a half-dozen top-notch talents, and just a few of those names are much remembered today. Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd are the heavy hitters of course, the names that immediately come to mind, with perhaps Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Mabel Normand, Charley Chase, and a few others lagging not so far behind in name recognition. Still others, like Laurel and Hardy, did well in silent films but are today best known for their sound work. 

But the name of Harry Langdon still languishes in relative obscurity. The consistency and quantity of his best work may not quite place him among the ranks of the big three, but he is awfully close. Or at least he would be, if his work was more widely seen and appreciated.  

For years, the three great films that marked his peak—The Strong Man (1926), Tramp Tramp Tramp (1926), and Long Pants (1927)—have been available on DVD in the form of a single disc from Kino entitled "Harry Langdon: The Forgotten Clown." His tenure at the top was brief, but with few other films readily available for viewing over the years, that meteoric streak across the comedy horizon was difficult to contextualize and fully comprehend. But hopefully a pair of recent DVD releases will help to resuscitate Langdon's reputation, presenting the bookends to that brief, shining moment—the rise and fall of a great clown.  

Kino has released the next two comedic features in Langdon's oeuvre, the films that mark the comedian's descent from his peak. And this disc, combined with the release earlier this year of All Day Entertainment's "Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection," a four-disc set consisting primarily of Langdon's earlier films, finally establishes a body of work worthy of study and appreciation.  

Most of the discussion and commentary of Langdon's career stems from two sources: Walter Kerr's insightful analysis in his landmark book The Silent Clowns, and from the autobiography of director Frank Capra. Kerr, with his graceful prose and articulate deconstructions of the form, has become the de facto authority on the comedian, with virtually every discussion of Langdon centering on Kerr's distillation of the essence of the comedian's work. 

It was Kerr's view that Langdon "existed only in reference to the work of other comedians." The form had to exist already, and "with that form at hand—a sentence completely spelled out—Langdon could come along and, glancing demurely over his shoulder to make sure no one was looking, furtively brush in a comma." 

By 1926, Kerr wrote, audiences were well versed in the mechanics and traditions of screen comedy. The major comedians delighted viewers by their unique approaches to the form, by the idiosyncratic ways in which they both met and flouted those conventions. But Langdon more often than not simply defied those conventions altogether, usually by doing...nothing. In situations where another comedian would have leapt into action, or at least turned tail and run, Langdon just stood there. As the world moved around him, he stood watching and blinking, allowing us to observe the slow thought process that left him hilariously ineffectual. 

Kerr: "[L]angdon's special position as a piece of not quite necessary punctuation inserted into a long-since memorized sentence means that he remains, today, dependent on our memory of the sentence. It is not even enough to know the sentence. We must inhabit it, live in its syntax in the way we daily take in air, share its expectations because they are what we expect, if we are to grasp—and take delight in—the nuance that was Langdon. You would have to soak yourself in silent film comedy to the point where Lloyd seemed a neighbor again, Chaplin a constant visitor, Keaton so omnipresent that he could be treated as commonplace, and the form's structure as necessary as the roof over your head in order to join hands with Langdon once more and go swinging, fingers childishly interlocked, down the street. That sort of immersion can never really take place again, except perhaps among archivists, and we shall no doubt continue to have our troubles with Langdon. It seems likely, however, that our reacquaintance with silent film comedy is going to develop a good deal beyond what it is now; the closer we come to feeling reasonably at home in it, the larger will Langdon's decorative work—all miniature—loom." 

Kerr's analysis of Langdon's downfall is that the comedian lost control of the delicate ambiguity that defined his screen presence—the mercurial blend of man and child, of sexual adult and pre-sexual nymph. "The ambiguity dissolved," wrote Kerr, as Langdon no longer walked the line but stepped right over it, even going so far as to portray himself as an actual child, at one point peering out from a baby carriage. The character was no longer ambiguous and intriguing; it was grotesque and absurd. 

Frank Capra, on the other hand, was a bit less nuanced in his take. It was Capra's view that Langdon did not fully understand his own character, and that once he dispensed with the directors who had hitherto handled him—Capra among them—he was simply at a loss. Of course, Langdon had been a successful comedian for years in Vaudeville, and had even managed to carve out a space for his quiet comedy amid the bluster and bombast of the knockabout Sennett studio—all suggesting that Langdon had a very complete understanding of his talents. Despite Capra's self-aggrandizing tone, there may be some truth in his account. But the better explanation may be that Langdon, in his desire to establish himself as an independent man, as an auteur in the style of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd, simply overreached. His understanding of his character was probably quite solid; it was more likely his inability to sustain a high level of quality while acting as writer, director, producer and star that did him in. And the fickleness of the audience must also be factored in; it is possible that the public simply lost interest in him, their fling with Langdon revealing itself as more of an infatuation than the sustained love affairs they experienced with Langdon's rivals. 

The All Day Entertainment set explores Langdon's evolution from Sennett slapstick to the comedian's full flowering as the curious man-child of 1926-1927. But it also includes a few films from Langdon's later years. Kino's initial release put the three best Langdon features on one disc. This second edition showcases the two rarely seen follow-up features. Three's a Crowd (1927) and The Chaser (1928) have been deemed by history to be lesser efforts, to have set in motion Langdon's steep decline, but now at least we can make up our own minds. 

And yet it's not an easy task, for as Kerr said, an appreciation for Langdon is predicated on a thorough understanding of the form as it existed in 1927; to understand Langdon, we must first steep ourselves in the idiom of silent comedy, in the quirks and mannerisms and formulae and framework of the great films of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd, and the myriad other comedic talents of the day. There are worse forms of homework. 

Three's a Crowd. 1927. 61 minutes. 

The Chaser. 1928. 63 minutes.  

$24.95. www.kino.com. 

Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection 

$39.95. www.alldayentertainment.com. 

Harry Langdon: The Forgotten Clown 

The Strong Man. 1926. 84 minutes. 

Tramp Tramp Tramp. 1926. 97 minutes. 

Long Pants. 1927. 88 minutes. 

$29.95. www.kino.com. 

Also new to DVD: 

The General 

Kino first released the comedies of Buster Keaton on DVD in a 10-disc set, "The Art of Buster Keaton," in 1995. The set contained all of Keaton's work as an independent filmmaker, from the moment he graduated from his apprenticeship with Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in 1921 until just before signing a disastrous deal with MGM in 1929—all 19 two-reelers and all 10 features.  

Kino has decided it's time to update at least one of those releases, and has done so with Keaton's celebrated masterpiece The General, releasing the Civl War comedy in a two-disc set. 

This new version contains all the film-specific extras from the box set version, but contains a number of new features as well, not the least of which is a much-improved transfer of the film, taken from a 35mm print struck from the original camera negative. The result is an image that is cleaner, crisper and more detailed than any previous DVD release.  

But in terms of extra features, the major improvement is the inclusion of three scores for the film. Gradually DVD companies are realizing that the inclusion of multiple scores is the best way to provide value for silent film releases, allowing viewers the opportunity to experience the film several different ways. Some Kino releases have been marred by mediocre or inappropriate scoring, from the synthesizer-laden scores of some of their silent horror releases to the eclectic modern score on the company's version of Keaton's Sherlock Jr. These scores would be fine amid several alternatives, but to limit the viewer to just one option essentially dictates how the film must be experienced. And as viewers become more attuned to the history and tradition of silent film, they more likely to demand scores that are period-appropriate, using music and instrumentation authentic to the era in which the films were produced.  

The new release of The General addresses this by providing an orchestral score by Carl Davis and the Thames Silents Orchestra; a Wurlitzer score by Lee Erwin; and a second orchestral score by Robert Israel, taken from Kino's original DVD release. 

Other features include a tour the train itself, a tour of the filming locations by author John Bengston, "The Buster Express," a montage of Keaton's train gags throughout his career, and introductions to the film by Gloria Swanson and Orson Welles, taken from television presentations. 

The General. 1926. 78 minutes. $29.95. www.kino.com. 

The Last Laugh 

German director F.W. Murnau created some of the most celebrated films of the silent era —Nosferatu (1922), Faust (1926), Sunrise (1927), Tabu (1931). His work was varied, unique and highly influential. One his greatest achievements, The Last Laugh (1924), has just been re-released on DVD by Kino in a new two-disc set. 

The Last Laugh is one of the landmarks of German Expressionism, a tour de force of imagery and pathos. Emil Jannings plays a hotel doorman unceremoniously stripped of his position and uniform, robbing him of his primary source of pride and self-worth. He is demoted to washroom attendant, sentenced to spending his days passing out towels in a basement restroom. Jannings conveys the weight on the character's soul by transforming himself from a strapping, gregarious, barrell-chested blowhard to a forlorn and despairing old man, stoop-shouldered and plodding. 

The tale is famously told without the use of dialogue and intertitles, with Jannings and Murnau and photographer Karl Freund conveying plot and character entirely through acting, through direction, through camera movement and photographic effects.  

The film is more character study than narrative. Murnau, one of the exemplars of German Expressionism, uses the subjective camera to express the emotional state of the central character as he suffers defeat, humiliation, despair and, finally, resurrection. Lighting, angles and even set design are employed as metaphor: The hotel's revolving door, for instance, quietly echoes the doorman's plight, showing the speed and coldness with which a man can be swept into warmth and comfort or ushered quickly into coldness and gloom.  

Is a man's worth based on societal standing? Is his position more important than the man himself? To what extent is a man responsible for his own downfall? Murnau does not provide easy answers, and he does not oversimplify his tale by making the doorman a noble innocent. The porter himself was pompous and arrogant, when many are pleased to see him brought down a peg. His family and neighbors are contemptuous of him and snicker at the fallen man. Murnau does not give us villains and heroes, only humans, everyday people at work and at play in a universe that may be stylized in presentation but that remains remarkably real in its ambiguity and moral relativity.  

The ending of the film has always been disconcerting. Murnau finally gives us an intertitle after demonstrating for an hour and a half that intertitles aren't necessary, and then tacks on an upbeat conclusion. Is it a parody of the Hollywood happy ending? Is it a concession to an audience that just sat through so much bleakness? Is it an indulgence in fantasy, granting the character revenge and poetic justice, if only for a moment? A good argument can be made that Murnau should have simply let the film end a few minutes earlier. 

Kino's two-disc set comes with a 40-minute making-of documentary which sheds light on Murnau's techniques, including his highly effective use of forced perspective, which would also characterize his first American production, Sunrise. The film is accompanied by a new recording of Giusepppe Becce's original 1924 score. 

The Last Laugh. 1924. 90 minutes. $29.95. www.kino.com.