THURSDAY, JAN. 22 

“Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century” with author Randy Shaw at 6:30 p.m. at the YWCA Berkeley, 2600 Bancroft Way. 

“Researching Chinese American Ancestry” with Jeanie Low, author of “Chinese Connection: Finding Ancestral Roots for Chinese in America” at 7 p.m. El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

UC Berkeley Entrepreneurs Forum: Prediction Markets hosted by Lester Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at 6:30 p.m. at Arthur Andersen Auditorium, Haas School of Business, UC campus. http://entrepreneurship.berkeley.edu/bef/jan09forum.html 

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

East Bay Association for Women in Science Networking Meeting at 7 p.m., light supper at 6:30 p.m. at Novartis, Room 4.104, 4560 Horton St., Emeryville. Donation $5-$10. RSVP to www.suretomeet.com/exec/ 

gt/event.h,event=1bfb0cc17e21 

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. 

Free Meditation Class at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarians, 2nd flr., 1606 Bonita Ave. 931-7742. 

Three Beats for Nothing South Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets 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. 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755.  

FRIDAY, JAN. 23 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with John King of the SFChronicle on “Innovative Architecture for Pleasure or Profit?” 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 

Albany Lions Club 42nd Annual Crab Feed at 5:30 p.m. at Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Portland Ave. Tickets $35 at the door or in advance. 418-6101. 

“Children of Arna” A documentary about a school for Palestine children, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church. Sacramento at Cedar Sts. Discussion follows. www.berkeleyfriendschurch.org  

Youth Spirit Artworks Grand Opening for the new youth art studio at 4 p.m. at 1769 Alcatraz at Adeline. 282-0396. www.youthspiritartworks.org 

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 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Fri. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150. 

Jewish Humanist Forum with Dr. Carl Djerassi on “Four Jews on Parnassus” on Jewish identities of four intellectuals of the 20th century, at 8 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. www.kolhadash.org 

“Who is a Jew and Why?” with Rabbi Bridget at 6:15 p.m. at JGate, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. 559-8140. 

SATURDAY, JAN. 24 

Citywide Pools Master Plan Community Meeting at 10 a.m. at James Kenny Community Center, Comm. Rm., 1720 8th St. 981-6900. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. and the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Vegetarian Cooking Class Healthful Resolutions: Low-Cal and High Flavor Learn to make traditional Vegetable Stew, Moroccan Stew, Curried Chickpeas and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $55, plus $5 food and material fee. Advance registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Latino Education Summit for college-bound students and their parents, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at California State Univ., East Bay. Free, but registration required. 885-3516. www.csueastbay.edu/latinosummit 

“Alameda On The Edge: Alameda’s Budget Crisis, the Impact on Public Services, and the Future of Alameda Point” A town hall meeting panel discussion at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, Conference Rooms A & B, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. Suggested donation $5. www.alamedapublicaffairsforum.org 

Toddler Nature Walk A nature adventure for 2-3 year olds to learn about our fur-covered friends, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Techno Geek Art Challenge Create a sculpture with fuses, resistors, and other things, 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 

Winter Story Time for preschool children and their families at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext. 16. 

WaterWorks: Soak up the Science Activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley Cost is $6-$11. www.lawrencehallofscience.org 

“The Power of the Working Class” A discussion on labor's reaction to the Great Depression of the 1930s at 2 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, corner of Adeline & Alcatraz. 

JFK University Museum Studies Open House & Symposium from 1 to 3 p.m. at JFK University- Berkeley Campus, 2956 San Pablo Ave., 2nd Flr. 649-3036. museum@jfku.edu 

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

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

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

SUNDAY, JAN. 25 

Beginning Birds Join an easy stroll around Jewel Lake from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to see our winter avian residents. Binoculars available for loan. Call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

Tour of the Berkeley City Club, designed by Julia Morgan, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2315 Durant. 848-7800. 

Planning Meeting for the People’s Park 40th Anniversary at noon at Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. Help organize the festivities to celebrate this historic Park. 390-0830. 

“President Obama’s Prospects and Constraints: Fulfilling an International Vision” with Prof. Jerry Sanders, Chair of Peace & Conflict Studies Program at UCB. United Nations Association-USA East Bay Chapter, Annual General Meeting at 2 p.m., speaker at 3:30 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-1752. www.unausaeastbay.org  

“Becoming a Published Author in the Book Business Today” A workshop with Alan Rinzler at 11 a.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Wowsa Water! An indoor program to learn about water’s properties in an interactive way, for ages 7-12. Bring a small, plastic, recyclable bottle for a craft. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Lunar New Year Celebration and other Asian Traditions with lion and dragon dancing, music, martial arts and arts and crafts activities for the whole family from noon to 5 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

Celebrate Chinese New Year Make lanterns and dragon puppets 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 

Lunar New Year at Habitot with art projects, music and stories for children 0-6, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $7-$8. www.habitot.org 

Oakland Museum of California White Elephant Preview Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WES warehouse, 333 Lancaster St. at Glascock, Oakland. Tickets are $12.50. www.whiteelephantsale.org 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to do a safety inspection, from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

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 “The Tibetan World Peace Ceremony” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

“Sacred Text Revealed: The Oral Torah—Moral Evolution in the Talmud” with Rabbi Dean Kertesz at 10:15 a.m. at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. 223-2560.  

“Joys & Sorrows of Living in the Modern Age” with Wes “Scoop” Nisker, at 10:45 a.m. at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org 

“How World Religions Can Help Us with Illness, Loss Aging” with Ana Matt at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

MONDAY, JAN. 26 

Emergency Town Hall Meeting Stop The Israeli Massacre in Gaza with Cindy Sheehan, Larry Everest, Rev. Dorsey Blake, Wilson Riles Jr., and others at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of the Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita. 205-4115. 

Kensington Book Club meets to discuss “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Contra Costa Chorale rehearsals begin, accepting new singers, all voice parts, at 7:15 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navallier St. El Cerrito. www.ccchorale.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. 

Small-Business Counseling Free one-hour one-on-one counseling to help you start and run your small business with a volunteer from Service Core of Retired Executives, Mon. evenings by appointment at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. For appointment call 981-6134. www.eastbayscore.org 

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

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

Dragonboating Year round classes at the Berkeley Marina, Dock M. Meets Mon, Wed., Thurs. at 6 p.m. Sat. at 10:30 a.m. For details see www.dragonmax.org 

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth Mon.-Wed. from 3 to 7 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

TUESDAY, JAN. 27 

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

Hillside Club Book Lust Salon meets to discuss works by Hamilton Basso at 7:30 p.m. at 2286 Cedar St. Non-member donation $5. 845-4870. www.hillsideclub.org/booklust 

2009 Earl Lectures “Behold…a New Thing: Emerging Expressions of Faithfulness” Examining new forms of spirituality and worship associated with the emerging church, Tues.-Thurs. at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. Free. For schedule of events see www.psr.edu/earllectures 

El Cerrito Democratic Club meets at 7:30 p.m. at El Cerrito United Methodist Church, 6830 Stockton St., near Richmond Ave., El Cerrito. 375-5647. www.ecdclub.org 

“Snowcamping 101” at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Berkeley PC Users Group “Problem Solving” at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St. near corner of Eunice St. meldancing@comcast.net 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

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

Street Level Cycles Community Bike Program Come use our tools as well as receive help with performing repairs free of charge. Youth classes available. Tues., Thurs., and Sat. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

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

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. 

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. 

Rhythm Tap Exercise Class Tues. at 5 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. Donation $2. 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, JAN. 28 

“The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama” with Gwen Ifill and Neil Henry at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.kpfa.org/events 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Hiking, conservation and nature-based activities for ages 8-12. Dress to ramble and get dirty. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

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.  

Learn How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at 7 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Free. Sponsored by the Energy Commission and the Ecology Center. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“Planet Earth” David Attenborough’s documentary, episodes on “Fresh Water” and “Seasonal Forests” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Barack Obama Report-Back! from California campaigners working for Obama in swing states at 1:30 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, corner of MLK. Sponsored by Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at California College of the Arts, parking lot, 5212 Broadway, Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com  

Family Sing-Along at 4:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext. 16. 

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. 

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, JAN. 29 

“Tied in a Single Garment of Destiny” An evening of conversation, cuisine, culture and community in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. at 6 p.m. at Regent’s Theater, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Presented by the YMCA of the East Bay. 451-8039, ext. 457. 

Public Hearing on the Mental Health Services Act Prevention & Early Intervention Plan for Berkeley and Albany at 5 p.m. at 2640 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Mental Health Auditorium. A copy of the plan can be obtained at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/PressReleaseMain.aspx?id=33000 or call 981-5222. 

Free Prostate Cancer Screening from 8 a.m. to noon at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 3100 Summit St., Oakland. For appointment call 869-8833. 

Emergency Preparedness: Berkeley Cache Network meets at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarians, Cedar and Bonita, 2nd flr, to discuss forming an organization to benefit Cache groups and assist partially- and un-organized neighborhoods. 540-5616. 

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. 

Free Meditation Class at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarians, 2nd flr., 1606 Bonita Ave. 931-7742. 

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

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

FRIDAY, JAN. 30 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Howard Gruber, M.D on “Poverty in Paradise” the Global Healing Program in Rotan, Honduras. 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 

Let it Snow! Build igloos out of snow blocks, experiment on ice using salts and watercolors, and make real snow at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $7-$8. www.habitot.org 

Post Inaugural Pink Follies with CodePink Music, dance, comedy, theater at 6:45 p.m. at Berkeley UU Fellowship Hall, 1925 Cedar St. at Bonita. Suggested donation $10, no one turned away. 540-7007. 

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 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Fri. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150.  

SATURDAY, JAN. 31 

Wildlife Emergency Response Training A day-long class covering the fundamentals of wildlife rescue held at the Golden Gate Audubon Society, Berkeley. Cost is 40. Pre-registration required. 831-869-6241. www.ibrrc.org 

The War Comes Home with Aaron Glantz and Norman Solomon at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/52728  

Free Smoking Cessation Class for the LGBT community meets Sat. from 10 a.m. to noon at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St., through March. 14. Acupuncture option available. to register call 981-5330. QuitNow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

NorCal Peace Corps Association Annual General Meeting and pot luck at 5:30 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. Career Transitions Workshop for RPCVs at 1:30 p.m. 237-0231. www.norcalpca.org 

Common Agenda Regional Network, working to reorder federal priorities from the military to human and environmental needs, meets at 2 p.m. at Gray Panther's office, 1403 Addison St. 524-6071. 

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. 

Art Explorations Meet the artists of Bentley High and learn about the techniques they use in their ceramics and painting classes, at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Albany Berkeley Soccer Club Spring Registration from noon to 5 p.m. at Cornell School multipurpose room, corner of Cornell and Solano Ave., Albany. Bring a birth certificate or passport. Cost is $70-$130. www.abscsoccer.com 

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

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

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

Oakland Artisans Marketplace Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square. 238-4948. 

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

SUNDAY, FEB. 1 

Flyway Forays A 2.5 mile walk to discover why thousands of shorebirds and waterfowl overwinter San Francisco Bay, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Albany Bulb, Eastshore State Park. 525-2233. 

Life Under Logs Discover the micro-habitat of critters living under dark, damp fallen trees, for ages 5-12 at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Rep Family Series “Language, Poetry, and Rhythm” 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. 

Mindful Parenting with Natalie DaSilva 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 

CITY MEETINGS 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs., Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-7368.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Jan. 22, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.  

City Council meets Tues., Jan. 27, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Energy Commission meets Wed., Jan. 28, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5434. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs., Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5217. 

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, JAN. 22 

EXHIBITIONS 

Oakland Art Association Group show of 24 artists in a variety of media. Opening reception at 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Gallery, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. 817-5700. 

“Orchard Views” Paintings by Sonia Gill on display in the lobby gallery, 1947 Center St., through Feb. 27. 981-7533. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“A Life in Photography” Wayne Miller in Conversation Reception at 6 p.m., talk at 7 p.m. at the Graduate School of Journalism, corner of Hearst and Euclid, UC campus. Co-sponsored by fotovision.org 

Randy Shaw discusses his new book “Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century” at 6:30 p.m. at the YWCA Berkeley, 2600 Bancroft Way, at Bowditch. 

Sylvia Sellers-Garcia discusses her novel “When the Ground Turns in Its Sleep” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 

Janice Lee reads from her new novel “The Piano Teacher” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Poetry Flash with Sharon Doubiago and Judith Roche at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Rubber Soldiers Revue, Beatles jam band, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Paige Heimsoth, Chris Cotton at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Benefit for Nadra Foster, KPFA programmer, at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20-$35. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

The Hot Club of Marin at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

The Joey DeFrancesco & Bireli Lagrene Trio at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Chris Dadzitus at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

FRIDAY, JAN. 23 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Exit the King” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Feb. 21. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Altarena Playhouse “Art” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Feb. 7. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Betrayed” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m., at 2081 Addison St. to March 1. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Absent Friends” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Feb. 28. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “Macbeth” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Feb. 1. Tickets are $18-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Music of Peace” a roundtable discussion with composers on how they write music on the theme of peace, hosted by Sarah Cahill, at 6 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC campus. Free. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “A Global Celebration” at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $20-$65. www.oebs.org 

The John Santos Sextet at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Oliver Kent Group at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Swingthing, with Lisa Gonick and Cheryl McBride at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Kris Delmhorst & Jeffrey Foucault at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Country Joe’s Open Mic and Music Hall at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Hall, Cedar at Bonita. 495-5132. 

Nomad, Lauren Wood at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Jonathan Richman with Tommy Larkin on drums at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $15. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Psyopus, Book of Black Earth at 7:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $10. 525-9926. 

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

Ravi Abcarian Group at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Dave Ridnell & Friends, Brazilian jazz, at 8 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

SATURDAY, JAN. 24 

CHILDREN  

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “Pippi Longstocking” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., through Feb. 8. Tickets are $14-$18. 296-4433. activeartstheatre.org 

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

Owen Baker Flynn “Act in a Box, with juggling, fire-eating and more surprises, 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 

Octopretzel, groovy music, at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $8. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Current Work” by Don Clausen. Opening reception at 1 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2890 College Ave., Suite 4. Exhibit runs through March. 414-4485. www.altagalleria.com 

FILM 

“The Docks of New York” with Judith Rosenberg on piano at 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

JFK University Museum Studies Open House & Symposium from 1 to 3 p.m. at 2956 San Pablo Ave., 2nd flr. 649-3036. museum@jfku.edu 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Heasley Solo compositions for electro-acoustic tuba, didjeridu and voice at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

Ensemble Mirable at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College at Garber. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988.  

Linda Hirschorn & Gary Lapow, songs and stories, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Novello Quartet at 8 p.m. at MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, at Marin. Donations at the door. 

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

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

Nate West, Liza Maytok at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Wingnut Adams, blues and roots, at 8:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Lou & Peter Berryman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Myra Melford and Ben Goldberg at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

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

John Bowman’s Jammer Showcase with Jim Steinke, Gary Bowman and Jude Reseigne at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Bay Area Blues Society Caravan of Allstars in a Post-Inaugural Celebration and Dance at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Children welcome. Donation $15-$20. 

Jonathan Richman with Tommy Larkin on drums at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $15. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Iron Luck, Extortion, Lack of Interest at 7:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

The Joey DeFrancesco & Bireli Lagrene Trio at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, JAN. 25 

CHILDREN 

Bandworks at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Lunar New Year Celebration and other Asian Traditions with lion and dragon dancing, music, martial arts and arts and crafts activities for the whole family from noon to 5 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.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 

Brenda Webster reads from her new novel, “Vienna Triangle” at 6:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 

Poetry Flash with John Isles and Rusty Morrison at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. 

Egyptology Lecture “Sex, Lies, and Ostraca: A New Look at the Foreman Paneb” with Al Berens at 2:30 p.m. at Barrows Hall, Room 20, Barrow Lane and Bancroft Way, UC campus. 415-664-4767. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Vox Dilecti “In the English Cathedral” at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $15-$20. Free to middle and high school students with I.D. www.sfcitychorus.org 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra, featuring 15 year old Tessa Seymour at 3 p.m. at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Free, families and children welcome. www.prometheussymphony.org 

Dan Damon Quintet, carols, hymns, and spirituals, at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., corner of W. Richmond Ave., Point Richmond. Suggested donation $10. 236-0576. 

Sarah Cahill, piano, 20th century music and beyond, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $38. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

The Novello Quartet at 8 p.m. at Ridgeway Yoga Studio, 250 Ridgeway St., Oakland. Donations at the door. 

Pat Wynne & Bev Grant at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Luna Nueva at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. 

Jazz Jam Session at 7 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Tomoki Spilsbury at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Cheap Suit Serenaders at 5 and 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, JAN. 26 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Archaeological Andean Rituals: Performance, Liturgy and Meaning” at 5:30 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, 1709 Scenic Ave. 849-8239. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Classical at the Feight with Tal Brody in celebration of Mozart’s birthday, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $8.50-$9.50. 548-1761.  

The Ambassador of Trouts at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

TUESDAY, JAN. 27 

CHILDREN 

“The Short Attention Span Circus” for ages 3 and up at 6:30 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free. 524-3043. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Art of Living Black” 13th Annual Group Exhibition opens at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond, and runs through March 14. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Dalton Conley, author of “Elsewhere. USA” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $10. berkeleyarts.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bandworks at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28 

FILM 

Film 50: Back to the Beginning: From the Cinema of Attractions to Narrative Absorption at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

“The Twoness of Oneness” video by Andrea Young and book by Thomas Farber at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10. 

THEATER 

Poor Players “Leave of Absence” at 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2 and 8 p.m. at Berkeley CIty Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through Sun. Feb. 1. Tickets are $20. 415-664-4305. www.poorplayers.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Chinese Posters: Art from the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution” with Lincoln Cushing at 5 p.m. at Institute of East Asian Studies Conference Room, 2233 Fulton St., 6th flr. 642-2809. 

Writing Teachers Write at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Luke Bergmann author of “Getting Ghost: Two Young Lives and the Struggle for the Soul of an American City” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $10. berkeleyarts.org 

Beth Lisick discusses “Helping Me Help Myself” at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble 6050 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito. 524-0087. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Davitt Moroney on harpsichord, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

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

Monk’s Music Trio with Si Perkoff at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Hoedown Throwdown, square dance with caller Jordan Ruyle at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Patrice Haan, harp and vocal, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

Atmos Trio, jazz, at 8 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Pablo “Mexcla” Menedez at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, JAN. 29 

FILM 

Dziga Vertov “The Man with a Movie Camera” with a lecture by Jean-Pierre Gorin 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 

Philip Kan Gotanda “Yohen” A bilingual Japanese-English reading of excerpts from his play, followed by discussion at 4 p.m. in the Durham Studio Theater, UC campus. Free, but reservations recommended. tdps.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Kaki King at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Plum Crazy, Turbine at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Joe Reilly at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Vanessa Lowe and Val Esway at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

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

FRIDAY, JAN. 30 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Exit the King” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Feb. 21. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Altarena Playhouse “Art” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Feb. 7. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Betrayed” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m., at 2081 Addison St. to March 1. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Absent Friends” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Feb. 28. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Poor Players “Leave of Absence” at 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2 and 8 p.m. at Berkeley CIty Club, through Sun. Feb. 1. Tickets are $20. 415-664-4305. www.poorplayers.org 

Shotgun Players “Macbeth” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Feb. 1. Tickets are $18-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

FILM 

Edgardo Cozarinsky “One Man’s War” with a lecture by Jean-Pierre Gorin at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bobi Cespedes at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Pascal Rioult Dance Theater at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26-$48. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Falso Baiano and special guests at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Full Time Beret, Carmen Gutierrrez at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Tempest, Pandemonaeon at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $12. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

All Ones, jam band, at 8 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

Pansy Division, Kepi the Band, Secretions, Boats 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. 

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

Hip Bones at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Bobby Hutcherson with special guest Anthony Wilson at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, JAN. 31 

CHILDREN  

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

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “Pippi Longstocking” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., through Feb. 9. Tickets are $14-$18. 296-4433. activeartstheatre.org 

Blake Maxam “The Wizard of Ahhhs” magic show, 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 

THEATER 

“Love Can Build a Bridge” a drama by Kevin Killian and Karla Milosevich at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

Kala Open Studio with Artists in Residence from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. 

FILM 

“Letter to Jane: An Investigation of a Still” with a lecture by Jean-Pierre Gorin at 6 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kitty Burns Florey introduces “Script and Scribble: The Rise and Fall of Penmanship” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Youssoupha Sidibe, Senegalese Kora master, at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $11. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Pascal Rioult Dance Theater at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26-$48. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Pellejo Seco at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$13. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Baba Ken & the West African Highlife Band at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Evelie Posch & Friends at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Thump at 9 p.m. at 33 Revolutions, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

David Jacob-Strain at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The VNote Ensemble at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Mark Lemaire, folk rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Hunx and his Punx, Thorns of Life, Revolts 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. 

SUNDAY, FEB. 1 

CHILDREN 

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “Pippi Longstocking” at 2 and 4:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., through Feb. 9. Tickets are $14-$18. 296-4433. activeartstheatre.org 

Colibri at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sarah Fran Wisby author of “Viva Loss” and Roxane Beth Johnson, author of “Jubilee” read from their respective books of prose poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Bee Eaters at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Pat Parker Allstar Memorial Tribute at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Community Roots, hip hop, funk, roots at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Bobby Hutcherson with special guest Anthony Wilson at 2 and 7 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Joana Carneiro will succeed Kent Nagano as Berkeley Symphony director. The selection follows a two-year search that saw six guest conductors under consideration for the post leading the orchestra in concerts and in readings of compositions by the resident composers of the Symphony’s “Under Construction” series. 

Carneiro, 32, has held numerous posts, including assistant conductor with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic (under Esa-Pekka Salonen) and the Santa Rosa Symphony (both 2005-08). This will be her first music directorship of a symphony orchestra.  

Nagano, who has led the Symphony for 31 years, will assume the title of Conductor Laureate, and will continue to direct the Berkeley Academie, which will perform next on May 17. 

“I had a sense of being at home even before I conducted,” Carneiro said from her home in her native Lisbon. “At the ‘Under Construction’ reading, I realized I knew four or five of the [symphony’s] musicians. [Concertmaster] Franklyn [D’Antonio] I’ve known for a long time. It was relaxed and familiar; I feel it started right there—a pure chemistry between the orchestra and myself. They were so committed, so well-prepared, with a profound spirit of collaboration, and that doesn’t often happen. And in speaking to the [Search] Committee, the musicians—everybody was excited, open-minded.  

“Berkeley has the tradition of being an intellectual, curious community,” Carneiro continued, “because of the university, but also from the number of artists, of wonderful thinkers who live there. I’m looking forward with a sense of discovery to exploring with the orchestra and the community.” 

Asked about her ideas for programming, Carneiro—who will debut as director in concert on Oct. 15—said she hoped to follow the “recipe of success Kent and the orchestra have progressed with for so many years, very much aware of relevant voices for our times. I hope I can continue to give voice to those who say something special, composers and performing artists, hearing those great new voices of the late 20th and 21st centuries paired with a lot of Romantic and earlier 20th-century music.”  

Composers she mentioned included Berkeley-born Gabriela Lena Frank and John Adams, whose “Shaker Loops” she conducted here, and whose work she has conducted for other orchestras. 

Jim Kleinman, the symphony’s executive director and founder of the “Under Construction” program, said, “She and I have talked quite a bit during her work here, and since, and she’s enthusiastic about the longtime, deeper investment we’re making in Bay Area composers.”  

Carneiro said of the program, “I haven’t seen many programs like that; none exactly like it—how sustained, systematic, with the kind of feedback between the orchestra, conductor, composer and audience. The music director in the U.S. is a bridge between the orchestra and the community. I want to find ways of interacting with the community, not only through programmed concerts.” 

Kleinman looked back on the search process, which began with Nagano’s announcement to the musicians, then the public, that he’d be stepping down: “That was Jan. 19, 2007, so it’s been two years, almost to the date. I’d been on board less than two months, so supporting Kent’s announcement and working on the search process was one of my first main tasks. Within a week, the orchestra had elected three musicians to the search committee of 10, which then met face to face. It was an amazing process; from the outside, it looked quick, but ironically for those of us living through it, it seemed a long time.”  

Committee member Deborah Shidler, principal oboeist of the orchestra, commented on the Search Committee’s task: “We didn’t have a lot of time, but guided by Jim and Board President and Committee Chair Kathleen Henschel, we were able to go quickly, get into the nitty gritty ... There was the chance we’d make the decision, and whoever was selected wouldn’t be available, but Joana’s going to be there for all four concerts from October.” 

Shidler continued, “The committee paid a lot of attention to the musicians and to the online surveys. After every concert, the musicians would walk out the stage entrance and there were always audience members who wanted to talk to us. We were looking for the right fit, not only as a musician, but as a person. She seemed to get what Berkeley’s about. And we loved the way she spoke to the orchestra—very positive, but demanding still. She pulls it out of the musicians ... We’re thrilled she accepted, and got the feeling she’s excited. That means we got the right choice—and we’re lucky we got her. Clearly, she’s a rising star.” 

Shidler stressed that “we had six wonderful candidates, all nice people, who gave us good programs.” Kleinman reinforced that: “Six amazing guest conductors at different stages of their personal careers. Great musicians. I hope we have a continuing relationship with them all.” 

Concertmaster Franklyn D’Antonio spoke of Carneiro’s “persona coming from the podium, her clarity expressing to the orchestra the depth and power she was pursuing in her relentless search for a sound. She wouldn’t let up until we got it. You only get that from the best conductors ... I treasure the times I’ve spent with Kent; he’s an incredibly inspiring conductor. At a break in one of Joana’s four rehearsals with us, I said to her, ‘Don’t give up on us! Kent didn’t, and got what he was seeking.’ She’s going to be an inspiration. We’re all delighted. I didn’t hear any dissenting opinions.” 

Clark Suprynowicz, Berkeley resident and one of the six composers in residence for the “Under Construction” program over the past two years, remarked, “In the little bit of time we had preparing the music, I found her to be refreshingly candid, unafraid to ask questions ... She’ll be a radiant figurehead for the symphony—and arts organizations are synonomous with their figureheads. She’ll be the Berkeley Symphony.” 

Patricio Da Silva, also a composer in residence for Under Construction, and fellow countryman of Carneiro, met her when they were “just teenagers, playing The Messiah together in an orchestra,” commented, “It’s a tremendous pick. There was a natural empathy between the players and the conductor. It really is a test of the conductor’s skills; at the reading, you have to do it right the first time, to be quick on the spot, know how to use the precious moment in the best way possible. I’m looking forward to more.” 

Joana Carneiro will appear at the Symphony Gala at the Claremont Resort, May 15, which will honor founding orchestra member, flutist and board member Janet Maestri’s 40th anniversary and Kent Nagano’s 30th anniversary.  

“The reason I do what I do,” said Carneiro, “is because music makes people happier. That’s a simple thought, but it’s a fundamental pillar for education, for growth as human beings. I hope I can live that thought in Berkeley.”

Oakland East Bay Symphony will present the world premiere of Bay Area composer Nolan Gasser’s World Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, also performing Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, at 8 p.m. Friday at the Paramount Theater in Oakland.  

Music director Michael Morgan and Bryan Nies will both conduct. Featured soloists for World Concerto are Maya Beiser, cello; Jiebing Chen, erhu; Aruna Narayan Kalle, sarangi; and Bassam Saba, oud. 

Nolan Gasser commented on his composition, a commission from Symphony patron Jim Bell of Bell Investments: “In the beginning, the cello, like a Westerner coming into her own identity, departs on a journey of discovery and self-discovery—like a “Hero’s Journey”—and almost on an airplane, first to China. The other solo instruments are also classical and act as ambassadors, introducing the Westerner to their culture. The instruments solo with the orchestra, join in conversation—joyful, but with moments of tension—then concluding with cooperation, collaboration—and cadenzas for the ambassador instruments like closing salvos.”  

Gasser continued describing this musical journey: “Then off to India, where the narrative continues with the sarangi. Then the oud for the Muslim world. I envision it as sort of a conference call, or like a procession, where it all comes back—and the cello ends the second movement, asking how to proceed now? In the third movement—the movements are like Hegel’s thesis, antithesis and synthesis—the preliminary ideas have been worked out; now is the collaboration, working together, with improvised solos in their own style, a chance to jam awhile. Then all gather together, collaborating collectively, both idiomatic yet in four-part counterpoint—not an easy thing! Then the cello concludes in a fiery ending.” 

Michael Morgan remarked that “Nolan’s piece was so strong, I reordered the concert. We announced, at first, the opposite—and more traditional—order, ending with a symphony. But World Concerto is strong enough to close the concert. So it’ll be Brahms, Copland—and then Gasser.” 

Gasser, who Morgan said he first knew as a pianist “playing jazz at the Bohemian Club—then it turned out he was a composer”—is also a musicologist of medieval and Renaissance music (”where the Major 7ths came from in the birth of Jazz”). Morgan recalled that Jim Bell heard Gasser’s Black Suit Blues about Martin Luther King, which Morgan conducted. Then, on a visit to Santa Rosa Symphony, where all three heard Maya Beiser play, Bell proposed a commissioned piece. “Jim said, ‘How about a cello concerto?’” Gasser remembered, “and it became something appropriate to what Jim’s doing in the real world, this American businessman going around to different countries creating funding with like-minded entrepreneurs, with positive results. Like the way arts were patronized during the Renaissance, it’s back to reflecting the reality of daily life.” 

“Jim and Bonnie Bell have changed the way we do business,” Morgan concurred. “They go out and show other businesses the win-win aspect of supporting the arts so each reinforces the other, not just one giving money to the other.” 

Commenting on the new order of pieces in the program, Morgan said, “It’s become chronologically the old world to the new—Brahms to Gasser. It’s time to do Brahms; we always like something from the standard repertory with a new piece. And we hadn’t done Appalachian Spring—which Brian will conduct—since our first season.” 

New World Concerto right on the heels of an inauguration with speeches—and grand hopes—of change ... “At the time we programmed it, we couldn’t have known,” said Morgan. “It’s turned out extremely well. On Friday night in Oakland [the program will also be performed Saturday at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music], we will play the National Anthem, which isn’t routine.” 

The struggle of World War II and the triumph of its conclusion brought to the silver screen a vision of a nation bold and patriotic, wholesome and optimistic. From propaganda films to brassy celebratory musicals, Hollywood’s program of A-list releases rolled out a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked presentation of Norman Rockwell’s America.  

But there was another side to the story.  

Not everyone could forget the horrors of war, could ignore the blood and mud stains of battle, could wipe away the imagery of the Holocaust and the atomic bomb. Many found it impossible to simply lay down their weapons and retire to the suburbs; for them the terror of the war lingered, and in Hollywood that creeping malaise manifested itself in the form of an anxious, fearful and pessimistic cinema—the stuff of B movies.  

More than a decade later the French would give a name to it: film noir. But in America, during the genre’s heyday of the 1940s and ’50s, it had no name. Crime dramas, they were simply called, but it went deeper than that. The urban angst that was allowed no expression in the can-do spirit of mainstream film gave rise to a genre that went beyond mere crime in the depiction of a pervasive moral corruption and a spiraling spiritual decay. Living in the shadow of the Holocaust and under the cloud of imminent nuclear annihilation, there were, as William Faulker once said, no longer problems of the spirit but only the question: When will I be blown up?  

Noir City, the San Francisco film festival that celebrates this era of cinematic darkness, perversity and mayhem, presents its annual 10-day orgy of angst beginning this Friday at the Castro Theater. The festival screens a double bill every day through Feb. 1.  

The stark, gloomy, high-contrast imagery of noir came from Germany, carried across the Atlantic by filmmakers who left Germany just ahead of Hitler’s stormtroopers. The expressionism of 1920s and ’30s German cinema, replete with its shadows, darkness, and undercurrents of psychic decay, infiltrated the Hollywood studio system and merged with the American gangster genre of tough-talking wise guys inspired by the pulp fiction of the 1930s. This new hybrid genre introduced a stock of dramatic characters: the dangerous and brooding urban gangster-villain; the tormented middle-class innocent caught up in nefarious circumstances beyond his control or comprehension; the icy, diabolical femme fatale; and an array of edgy protagonists ranging from the introspective, world-weary anti-hero—think Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep—to the twitchy, slippery, would-be hero, the third-rate, small-time hood looking to get ahead in a hostile world for which he is ill-equipped—think Richard Widmark in Night and the City.  

Eventually the netherworld of noir infiltrated the A list, its blackness spreading like spilled ink on porous newsprint. Billy Wilder, one of the many European refugees who worked in the genre, perfected it with the star-studded Double Indemnity (1944), and the style became so prevalent and nearly respectable that only a few years later, in 1950, Wilder saw fit to take it down a peg, satirizing noir and Hollywood itself with impish glee in Sunset Boulevard.  

Noir City impresario Eddie Muller has crafted another program of classics and rarities, cleverly centered for maximum publicity on a theme guaranteed to bring him plenty of ink: “Newspaper Noir.” For with newspapers themselves currently immersed in their own noirish melodrama—jobs on the line and the fate of the medium in doubt—what film critic could resist a chance to wallow in that uncertainty by delving into Muller’s festival of fear and loathing?  

For beleaguered journalists, the pleasures are many, beginning with the temptation to indulge in the nostalgic fantasy of the old-school newspaperman, a gumshoe reporter gazing skeptically from beneath the brim of a jaunty fedora, coldly examining the facts through the drifting smoke of an angled cigarette. No white-collar J-school grad, he; his sleepless nights are spent roaming rain-soaked streets and decadent nightclubs, trash-strewn alleys and cut-rate motels—places where anything can happen, and often has, just before he arrives. But enough of romance; the flip side of this coin is a dose of hard-boiled reality served with a dash of existentialist nightmare, as the modern-day journalist is more akin to Widmark than Bogart—cowering, doomed and anxiety-ridden, forever on the run from controlling forces poised to dispense a fate worse than a pink slip.  

The festival begins with the former. Deadline USA (1952) is a bold and elegiac story of old-school journalistic integrity. Editor Bogart battles the avarice and ignorance that leads two spoiled and spiteful heiresses to put his paper on the block, and worse still, to sell it to an unworthy, scandal-mongering competitor who doubtless intends to bolster his own tawdry tabloid by closing down the competition. It’s a familiar story here in the Bay Area as the MediaNews chain has gobbled up a string of once-proud papers, large and small, to encircle the metropolis with a newspaper empire that consolidates its profits in Denver by cutting local staff and starving its newspapers of news. As rumors circulate about an impending MediaNews takeover of the only remaining Bay Area prize, the ailing San Francisco Chronicle, and as publicly traded corporations continue to run the nation's smaller independents out of business, Deadline USA only gains in relevance.  

The festival closes with a look at the underbelly of the news world with the classic Clifford Odets-penned Sweet Smell of Success (1957), in which Burt Lancaster, as gossip columnist J.J. Hunsecker, toys with Tony Curtis in a demonstration of the heady abuse of power acquired through the pen. And between there are several more classics—including The Killers (1946), another Lancaster vehicle—but many more rarities, most not available on DVD, including Beyond a Reasonable Doubt and While the City Sleeps (both 1956), two wrongly neglected noirs by another towering figure of German cinema, Fritz Lang, whose early work was instrumental in shaping the genre.  

Occasionally the selections veer slightly from newspapers into other media. The Unsuspected (1947), for example, stars Claude Rains as a radio personality who manages to maintain his celebrity as those around him begin to mysteriously die off. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the Hungarian director best known today for Casablanca (1942), and scored by German émigré Franz Waxman, the film is produced with a deft touch, including a lovely expressionist motif in which the killer’s reflection, upside down and ominous, always appears just as he commits his crime, drifting into focus in the glass top of a table or in the black wax of a record—a succinct visual cue that the world is out of kilter.  

Desperate (1947), a quick and dirty thriller, features the always suave and menacing Raymond Burr tracking innocent Steve Brodie to exact revenge over the execution of Burr’s hoodlum brother. Director Anthony Mann sets the tone in the first few minutes with a classic mise en scene that shows a darkened gangster hideout illuminated only by a swinging lamp, set into motion by the flailing arms of a man sent flying with a right hook from Burr’s ruthless gangster.  

Noir City 7. Friday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Castro Theater, 429 Castro St., San Francisco. www.noircity.com.

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man begins by building up the myth of Scott Walker, the narrator informing us of the elusiveness of the man, including the years of silence in which the singer rarely allowed himself to be photographed, at least not without customary sunglasses and visor pulled low. But if the opening of Stephen Kijak’s film seems a bit portentous, perhaps we can afford to be forgiving, as the music he documents has that same blend of grandiosity, mystery and sweeping melodrama.  

But once he is on screen, humble, shy and thoughtful at the age of 60, the myths not only disappear but seem downright silly. In his appearance and his politeness and his reticence, the still boyish-looking Walker bears resem-blance to Beck, an artist 30 years his junior whose elegiac, string-laden 2002 album Sea Change evoked the same gloomily atmospheric grandiosity that Walker pioneered.  

The film, opening Friday, Jan 23, at Shattuck Cinemas, provides an efficient if quick overview of Walker’s career: Noel Scott Engel, born in 1944, was just another pompadoured teenager in the age of rock and roll before joining a group called the Walker Brothers, a successful trio of heartthrobs that contained no brothers and no Walkers. Scott was not the band's lead singer at first, only taking the microphone for moody ballads to which his fluid baritone was better suited. But he soon become the band's frontman as their singles climbed the charts, their popularity in England putting them on a par with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Just a couple of years later, the band dissolved and Walker went solo with a string of Top Ten albums—Scott, Scott 2, Scott 3—that featured a mix of covers and original material.  

Scott 4 was his best yet, an album of all original material in which Walker fully met his potential, incorporating classical music, European literary influences, and a richer, more personal sense of melancholy. The songs were unique, even daring, and to this day Scott 4 is looked upon as perhaps his best work. But quite surprisingly, considering the great success of its predecessors, it failed to make a dent in the charts.  

The commercial failure of the album alarmed his record company, and perhaps Walker too, and for his next four albums, whether by choice or by force, he shelved his own songs in favor of covers. Walker now looks upon these as lost years and refuses to allow any of these records to be rereleased.  

Though the situation kept him on the margins of the music world, and though his resurgence was some years off, Walker's appeal still burned brightly among those in the know, and there were plenty to champion his work. Most notably, Julian Cope, an English musician who rose from the punk scene of the 1970s, set a new wave of Walker appreciation in motion by producing a compilation of Walker’s songs, replete with a blank cover, so as to introduce the music without preconception or prejudice to a new generation. (Director Stephen Kijak might have taken a cue from Cope with this approach to the music, as one of the annoyances of Scott Walker: 30 Century Man is the decision to illustrate Walker's songs with silly, screensaver-like graphics, all pulsating lines and floating electronic ephemera. A better approach would have to been to play the songs over a black background or perhaps a still photograph of Walker himself; music like this requires no help from Mac graphics software.) 

Walker reunited with his old band for a few albums in the late 1970s before resuming his solo work, but he has released only three albums since 1980. The documentary concludes with footage of Walker’s sessions for his most recent album, The Drift (2006), and these scenes both magnify and defuse the myth and mystery even further. Unusual methods and instruments—flower pots, lead pipes, garbage cans and butchered meats—are employed in sessions in which the ballcapped singer, far from the shady, elusive figure of legend, appears not only amiable, friendly and forthcoming, but even familiar. Though music of startling originality emanates from the man, he seems just like the boy next door. 

It may be painful for a shy, nervous man to open up his process for scrutiny; it may be deflating to see his shrouded reputation laid bare and made commonplace; and greater fame and mainstream attention may deprive his fans of a bit of the prized cult status which they’ve enjoyed for decades. But Scott Walker: 30 Century Man will hopefully bring wider appreciation to a unique musical talent who deserves a spot among the exceptional popular musicians of his time.