THURSDAY, JAN. 29 

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. 

“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. 

“The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces” Panel discussion at 3 p.m. at the Geballer Room, Townsend Center for the Humanities, Stephens Hall, UC campus. 

Haymarket Books Forum “Economic Crisis: What Caused it? Who Can Solve It?” with Todd Chretien and Deborah Goldsmith at 7 p.m. at 105 Northgate Hall, UC campus. 415-336-5034. 

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. 

McCullum Youth Court Social at 5 p.m. at Linden St. Brewery, 95 Linden St., Suite 8, Port of Oakland. 832-5858, ext. 301. www.youthcourt.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. 

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  

“Water: California’s New Gold” a forum on the state’s water crisis with State Senator Lois Walk and others, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MetroCenter Auditorium, 101 8th St., at Oak, Oakland. Cost is $15-$39. 839-1608. www.lwvbayarea.org 

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. 

“Making Revolution in the USA” a presentation by the Revolutionary Communist Partyat 2 p.m. at Laney College, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $15, sliding scale. 848-1196. www.revolutionbooks.org  

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 

Solo Sierrans Emeryville Marina Walk Meet at 3 p.m. at the back of Chevy's Restaurant, by picnic tables for an hour walk through the Marina on a paved trail, wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 234-8949. 

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. 

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, 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 

“African American Participation in Ending World War II” with Burl Smith, Robert Edwards and Lillian Edwards at 10:45 a.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar Sr. 841-4824. 

Tibetan Buddhism “Preserving a Wisdom Tradition” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 2 

Informational Meeting on Air Quality at Berkeley Schools at 6:45 p.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary School. concernedberkeleyparent@gmail.com 

“The Legacy of Berkeley Parks: A Century of Planning and Making” with Louise Mozingo at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. at Arch. Free. 843-8724. 

What To Do about Water with Richard Harris of EBMUD on “The Drought and What to Do about It” and Becky Sutton of Environmental Working Group on “Bottled Water: Cleaning Up the Source, Getting Back to the Tap” at 7 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. Free. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Earthquake Preparedness and Safety with Suzanne Tateosian from Earth Shakes at 12:30 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Part of the Brown Bag Lunch series. 526-3720 ext. 16. 

“Castoffs” Knitting Group meets at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. New members are always welcome. 524-3043. 

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

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.  

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

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, FEB. 3 

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

Nutrition Workshop: Kicking Sugar with Sandy Der, Chef and Certified Nutrition Consultant at 7 p.m. at Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Free but registration required. 601-4040 ext. 111. www.wcrc.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at Fast Response, Classroom 145, 2075 Allston Way. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com 

Lawyer in the Library at 6 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Cosponsored by the Alameda County Bar Association. Advance registration required. 526-3720 ext. 5. 

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. 

Green Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer at 5:30 p.m. at LJ Kruse, 920 Pardee. Cost is $10-$20. greenchamberofcommerce.net 

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. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 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 offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and 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. 

Rhythm Tap Exercise Class Tues. at 5 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. Donation $2. 548-9840. 

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

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

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4 

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

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will search for amphibians from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Emeryville Public Art Walk Meet at 10 a.m. at Ruby’s Cafe, 6233 Hollis St. at 63rd for a flat and moderately paced walk. 528-3246. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Locavore Corps Workshop with Cheryl Koehler, of the magazine Edible East Bay, at 6 p.m. at 100 Behrens St., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$50 sliding scale, no one turned away. 832-4625. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/52143 

Urban Farmer Pro Class: Drip Irrigation with Tom Bressan at 10 a.m. at Urban Farmer Store, 2121C San Joaquin St., half mile from Central Ave., Richmond. Free, but registration required. 524-1604. www.urbanfarmerstore.com 

“From Leavenworth to Lhasa: Living in a Revolutionary Era” with Prof. Robert Scalapino at 5 p.m. at Institute of East Asian Studies Conference Room, 2233 Fulton St., 6th flr. 642-2809. 

West Contra Costa Community for Quality Education March to Save Our Schools Meet at 5 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library at the corner of MacDonald and Civic Center. wcccqe@yahoo.com 

East Bay Innovation Group “Best Practices SIG: Productivity Beyond The Code” at 6 p.m. at RHI, 1999 Harrison St., Suite 1100, Oakland. Cost is $10, free for eBig members. Register at www.ebig.org  

“Divinity Within and Without” with Alex Pappas at 7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Optional pasta dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. for $6, children free. To make dinner reservations call 526-3805.  

Playreaders Program for Adults meets Wed. at noon in the 3rd flr community room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. To register call 981-6241. 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

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, FEB. 5 

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

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will search for amphibians from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

“The Situation in Israel and Palestine” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Urban Micro-Farming Classes meet Thurs. at 6 p.m. at Oakland Housing Authority, 935 Union St. at 10th St. Learn how to grow vegetables on your apartment porch or deck. Cost is $10. 655-1304. 

“Keeping Elders Safe” An elder abuse program for older adults, their families and caregivers at 1:30 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

“Personal and Global: Feminism, Sexual Liberation, and Contemporary Struggles” A panel discussion with Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz, Silvia Federici, Paola Bacchetta and others, at 6:30 p.m. a the Free Speech Movement Café, Moffitt Library, UC campus. 643-6722. 

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

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

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

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. 

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. 

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. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

FRIDAY, FEB. 6 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Walk at Jewel Lake in Tilden. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the north end of Central Park Dr. for a one-mile, two-hour plus stroll through this lush riparian area to see wintering waterfowl. Sponsored by Golden Gate Audubon Society. 843-2222. ggas@goldengateaudubon.org 

“Causes and Consequences of the Israeli Aggressionon Gaza” with Dr. Hisham Ahmed, PhD. at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church Chapel, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations accepted. 499-0537. 

“The Legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Where Do We Go from Here?” Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with William F. Schulz, former executive director of Amnesty International, at 7:30 p.m., in the Social Hall, Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Free, but RSVP requested. rsvp@uusc.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. 

SATURDAY, FEB. 7 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Geocaching on the Paths Learn treasure hunting with a GPS unit. Meet at 10 a.m. at the top of Fountain Walk, Marin (Arlington) Circle. 528-3246. www.berkeleypaths.org 

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 

Nature’s Valentines Join a short nature walk to collect leaves, then make leaf prints and handmade paper, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Lunar New Year Celebration and Parade, beginning at the top pf Solano Ave. at 11 a.m., and ending with performances at the Main Stage, Cornell School, Solano and Cornell. 527-5358. www.solanostroll.org 

Bird Watching Bike Trip: East Shore State Park and Aquatic Park Meet 8:30 a.m. at the southernmost pond at Bay and Potter sts. Bring bicycle lock, sunscreen, lunch, and liquids. Bicycle helmet required. All levels of birders and bicyclists welcome. RSVP to 547-1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com  

The Cooperative Grocery Winter Workshop on Beans How to use them for a healthier diet, at 2 p.m. at The Cooperative Grocery, 1450 67th Street, Emeryville. Bring a small plate and eating utensil for tasting the dishes, Free, but RSVP required. winter@thecog.org, http://thecog.org 

“Let’s Talk: The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas” A community discussion at 2 p.m. at the African American Museu and Library, 659 14th St. Free. 637-0200.  

California Shakespeare Theater theater classes for youth and adults start at Cal Shakes Rehearsal Hall, 701 Heinz Ave. and in Orinda. Cost is $130-$275, scholarships available for youth. learn@calshakes.org 

Berkeley Public Library Authors Dinner at 2090 Kittredge St. For details and reservations call 981-6115. 

“Future of Sequoias: Sustaining Parklands in the 21st Century” Exhibition opens at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“The Great Kehilla Sing-&-Dance-Along: Fiddler on the Roof” at 7 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Cost is $18, $5 for children. 547-2424, ext. 100. www.KehillaSynagogue.org 

A Jewish Celebration of Trees for Very Young Children at 10:30 a.m. at Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. Free, but RSVP requested. 559-8140. 

“Imperialism and the Crisis in Gaza” with the Political Affairs Readers Group of the Communist Party, at 10 a.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Libaray, 6501 Telegraph Ave, between Alcatraz and 66th St. 595-7417. 

Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Beginning Guitar Lessons at the James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St. Youth classes Sat. at noon, adults at 1 p.m. Cost is $89 for the month. To register call 981-6650. 

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. 8 

Birding at Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline, Arrowhead Marsh, Oakland from 10 a.m. to noon to see Clapper Rails. Meet at the last parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by Golden Gate Audubon Society.  

Winter Warm-Up Hike Join a fast-paced three mile loop in Tilden Regional Park, Inspiration Point, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring a snack to share and water. Heavy rain cancels. 525-2233. 

Greywater Design and Installation A day long workshop in Berkeley Cost is $30-$100 sliding scale, work-trade option available. To register see http://www.greywaterguerrillas.com/events.html  

Black History Month: Feminist Leadership: From Africa to America” with Dr. Amina Mama of Mills College at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Aristide and the Endless Revolution” A flim about Haiti at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Suggested donation $10. 841-4824. 

Old Time Radio East Bay Collectors and listeners gather to enjoy shows together at 4 p.m. at a private home in Berkeley. For more information please email DavidinBerkeley at Yahoo.  

Sweets for the Sweet Learn the basics of truffle making and discover the natural history of chocolate from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Cost is $14-$16, registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

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

“Get on the Road to College” Workshops with the Gooden Family Scholarship Fund at 1 and 3 p.m. at De Jean Middle School, 3400 MacDonald Ave., Richmond. Registration required. 526-1985. 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum building and grounds at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

The Princess Project is collecting new and nearly new formal gowns and accessories to give to local girls for their proms. Dry-cleaned and bagged dresses may be dropped off at Crossroads Trading Co., 2338 Shattuck Ave., Kate’s Kouture Bridal, 82 Shattuck Square or Crush, 5550 College Ave., Oakland, until Feb. 14. For other locals or for more information see www.princessproject.org 

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

Introduction to Golf from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Tilden Golf Course. For ages 14 and up. Cost is $50-$56, includes free range card. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

“The Rumi Secret: Spiritual Lessons of History’s Most Revered Poet” with Victoria Lee 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 

“Where is the Stranger?” with Rev. Kurt Kuhwald on hospitality and its spiritual and ethical meanings at 10:45 a.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack van der Meulen on “Awakening Loving Feeling” 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 

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. 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 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “The California Honeydrops” at 7:30 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$18. 868-0695. www.bayareabach.org 

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.  

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.  

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

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

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.  

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.  

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

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

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 

Intronaut, Bastard Noise, Thousandswilldie at 4 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

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

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

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

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 

MONDAY, FEB. 2 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre Company “The First Grade” by Joel Drake Johnson at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. Part of the Global Age Project new works initiative. Free. 843-4822.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Etel Adnan and Kathleen Fraser read thier poetry at at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Reese Erlich reads from “Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

TUESDAY, FEB. 3 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Beth Lisick reads from “Helping Me Help Myself: One Skeptic, Ten Self-Help Gurus, and a Year on the Brink of the Comfort Zone” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zydeco Flames at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Marco Benevento Trio with Reed Mathis and Andrew Barr at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200.  

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4 

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “I Was Born, But ...” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Connie Kim, contemporary piano, at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free. 642-4864.  

“Glory of Venice” Organ music of Andrea Gabrieli at 12:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Free, donations welcome. 525-1716. 

Double Vision at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Ellis Island, klezmer, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

The Helladelics, Agapi Mou, Balkan, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11. 525-5054.  

Rumbache, salsa, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down LowCost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

El Cerrito & Portola High Jazz Bands at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, FEB. 5 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Beth Lisick on “Helping Me Help Myself” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Greatful Dead Night at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Chuck Brodsky at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Kelly Park & Friends at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

The Tony Mayfield Experience at 6 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082  

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

Ledisi at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

FRIDAY, FEB. 6 

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 

Berkeley Rep “In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” at 2015 Addison St., through March 15. Tickets are $33-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Black Repertory Group “Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” at 3201 Adeline St., through Feb. 22. Tickets are $15-$44. 652-2120. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Nine (The Musical)” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through March 28. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Impact Theatre “A Midsummers Night’s Dream” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through March 14. Tickets are $10-$17. impacttheatre.com 

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 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Bond of Perpetuity: Oakland and the Lincoln Legacy” An exhibition commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in the Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library, 125 14th St. 238-3222. 

“Collections from Within” Drawings, paintings and mixed media by Chela Fielding and “Evidence of Love” by Ce Ce Landoli. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave. at Broadway., Oakland. 701-4620. 

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

“Forty Four Presidents” Works by Lena Reynoso. Reception at 7 p.m. at Blankspace Gallery 6608 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. www.blankspaceGallery.com 

“Lineage” An installation by Kimberly Campisano. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at the Red Door Gallery, 416 26th St., Oakland. 374-0444. 

Studio One Art Center, with ceramicist Blanks Soltys, and other artists exhibiting in “Fluid Mastery Part 2” at 6:30 p.m. at 365 45th St., off Broadway, Oakland. 597-5096. 

“Something About Love” Photography project by Ace Lehner. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Shibumi Gallery, 1402 Fifth St. 528-7736. 

“A Farewell Kiss” Mark Byron and Bruce Yurgill revisit the Bush era with their political art. Opening recption at 7 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. 663-6920. 

“Oakland Treats” Paintings by Cleo Vilett. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Awaken Cafe, 414 14th St., Oakland. 836-2058.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mardi Horowitz describes “A Course in Happiness: Mastering the Three Levels of Self-Understanding That Lead to True and Lasting Contentment” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tony Lin, romantic piano, at noon at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free. 642-4864.  

Winds Across the Bay “A Night at the Opera” Youth wind ensemble at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$15. 243-0514. 

SF Renaissance Voices Hildegard von Bingen’s “Ordo Virtutum” at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$20. www.SFRV.org 

Barefoot Chamber Concerts at 6 p.m. at Parish Hall of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Cost is $15. www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/48826 

Benefit for Richmond’s Jane Doe, a lesbian who survived a brutal hate crime in December, Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m. at Rose Street House of Music, 1839 Rose St. Donation $10-$99. 857-7562. 

Tom Rigney and Flambeau at 5 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

Taylor Eigsti at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Pre-concert talk at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25. 642-4864.  

Uptones, Hectic and The Street Vendors at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

John Scott Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Sister I-Live at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054.  

Chuck Prophet, Jerry Hannan, Jim Bruno at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761.  

The Watertower String Band, Squirrelley Stringband at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $12. 841-2082.  

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

Jennifer Berezan, Julie Wolf, Michaelle Goerlitz and others at 8 pm. at Rudramir, 830 Bancroft at 6th. Cost is $15-$25. 486-8700. 

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

SATURDAY, FEB. 7 

CHILDREN  

Muriel Johnson tells African-American folktales for ages 3 and up at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr community room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

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

Black History Weekend with storyteller Kirk Waller, 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 

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “Pippi Longstocking” Sat. and Sun. 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 

Andy Z at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $8. 526-9888. 

THEATER 

Stone Soup Improv Comedy at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $7-$10. www.stonesoupimprov.com 

FILM 

“Screenagers” Bay Area High School Film and Video Festival at 1 and 3:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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

African American Celebration through Poetry from 1 to 4 p.m. at West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline St., Oakland. 238-7352. www.oaklandlibrary.org 

Women’s Poetry Reading with Offer, Grafton, Rudge, Wells, Weiss, and Wyneken at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Classical and Romantic Chamber Music Clarinet Trios by Beethoven and Brahms at 7:30 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. at Sacramento. Free.  

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “Midwinter Magic” Music by Mendelssohn at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

Tanya Vegvary Plescia, pianist at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Donation $8-$12. www.trinintychamberocncerts.com 

Chus Alonso and Potaje Ensemble at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$44. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Benefit for Richmond’s Jane Doe, a lesbian who survived a brutal hate crime in December, at 7 p.m. at Rose Street House of Music, 1839 Rose St. Donation $10-$99. 857-7562. 

Saturday Afternoon Gallery Acoustic (SAGA) music open mic series at 2 p.m. at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St., Alameda. 931-7646. 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

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

DF Tram at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Go Home with Ben Goldberg, Charlie Hunter, Ron Miles and Scott Amendola, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Lisa Mezzacappa, Kasey Knudsen Septet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Gateswingers Jazz Band at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions Record Shop and Cafe, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

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

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

Sotaque Baiano, Brazilian, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Chris Waltz, Lee White, Jason Pollack at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

High Country, Mighty Crows, Ahlambra Valley Band at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Ledisi at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, FEB. 8 

CHILDREN 

5th Annual Circus for Arts in Schools at 1and 4 p.m. at Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. Alameda. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 3 free. www.circusforarts.org 

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

FILM 

Josef von Sternberg: Eros and Abstraction “The Salvation Hunters” at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

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 

Artist and Curator in Conversation: Paul Chan and Elizabeth Thomas at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Marcia Falk reads her poetry at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

“Discovering Robeson” with performer Tayo Aluko at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Poetry Flash with Marc Hofstadter and Josh Rogow at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “Midwinter Magic” Music by Mendelssohn at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $30-$72. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Clarinet Crazy” at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Free. www.sfchamberorchestra.org 

Larry Schneider, saxophonist, at 4:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Tickets are $20 at the door. 

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

Tito y Su Son “Cafe Havana” at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, 

The vapours weep their burthen to the ground, 

Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath, 

And after many a summer dies the swan. 

So Tennyson opens his long poem on the hazards of immortality, placed in the words of the Trojan hero, Tithonos, a man doomed to immortality by his lover Eos, the goddess of Dawn—doomed because Eos, in her request for unending life, forgets to include never-ending youth. Each morning, the goddess wakes renewed in splendor, while her lover grows that much older, wizened and shrunken until, finally, there’s not much left of him but a tremulous voice. Mercifully, perhaps, she turns him into a cricket. 

Composer Allen Shearer and librettist Claudia Stevens have used this myth to create a new opera, The Dawn Makers, which will be performed this coming Wednesday as part of Composer Inc.’s 25th anniversary celebration.  

In the mode of new opera, Shearer and Stevens’ piece takes a more ironic and raucous path. Eos and Tithonos have been updated to Gloria and Victor; the new Dawn-lover on the scene is a groomsman and former pool cleaner named Bo; and Gloria’s steeds, which draw her lustrous chariot across the sky, are two young fillies with Valley Girl accents and a hormonally rich attraction to their studly keeper, Bo. The setting is Olympus, but the time is now. 

This stew of place and time allowed the Berkeley-based duo to enrich the opera’s meaning with comedy. In a culture in which facelifts and body carvings are the everyday practice of its idolized celebrities, humor makes discussions of decay and death more palatable. And perhaps more relevant.  

The mélange also allowed Shearer, through the shifts in Stevens’ text and characterizations, to use a variety of musical approaches in his composition. Shearer, a baritone as well as a composer, is known for a composition style that is both lyrical and complex. In the opera, however, Shearer has gone for a “broader” approach—“I haven’t allowed myself as much complexity.” Intricacy, however, is present in shifts in vocal character and text, which in turn cause shifts in compositional style. Even rock and roll winds itself here and there into the music. “There is a lot of rhythmic detail,” adds Stevens.  

Shearer and Stevens, as husband and wife, spend a lot of time collaborating, and input on each other’s work is fair game for both players. Shearer had originally been taken with the idea of a singer physically diminishing onstage until there was nothing left but a voice. He laughs, “Of course, it wouldn’t be a great thing at all.” Tithonos, however, does transform onstage, giving Shearer the opportunity to create music like that of “a grasshopper in flight.” 

In fall 2006, the couple rallied forces to realize Shearer’s idea into an opera. Their main attraction to the myth was that it was a “good story,” though Stevens comments that it is “also a story about moral choice”—an ability intrinsic to mortals: “The mortal gets to choose.” Bo can choose, like Tithonos, for immortality—hopefully with enough foresight to include youthfulness in the packet. “The gods,” she continues, “have a [different] moral dilemma: they have to go on and on.” 

Stevens is a pianist, singer and musician who incorporates her various talents into monologues that often pose ethical questions in a historical personification. Her monologue as a woman who has survived Hitler’s camps by playing and singing for the Nazis has been performed in many venues nationwide.  

In the course of writing the opera, Shearer had two singers “firmly in mind—their voices, their bodies, and their personas”—for the lead roles of Eos (Gloria) and Tithonos (Victor). soprano Christine Brandes for the “quality of her voice, her range and her lyricism,” and tenor John Duykers for his “ability as a performer and his extremely strong presence on stage.” Both singers accepted the roles, so the audience will have the great pleasure of hearing Brandes and Duykers in roles that were written for them.  

In another brilliant bit of casting, the vibrantly voiced baritone Eugene Branconeauvu sings the hunky Bo. Soprano Anja Strauss and mezzo-soprano Erin Neff complete the cast as the fillies, who, according to Stevens, are “always going to be trotting and cavorting, with their little hoofs up.” Joining the singers is an ensemble of seven of the Bay Area’s finest musicians conducted by J. Karla Lemon.  

Brian Stauffenbiel, who recently recreated Lou Harrison’s Young Caesar in a splendid 2007 San Francisco production, signed on as director. Matthew Antaky and Richard Battle have the enviable jobs of designers: the former, of scenery and lighting, the latter, of costumes. Who wouldn’t want the costume challenge of turning lovelies Strauss and Neff into snorting horses and the formidable John Duykers into a cricket? 

With the opera in its final week of production, Shearer and Stevens are happy to leave it in the hands of their excellent production team. And what are their hopes for the opera?  

“Our hopes are for a brilliant premiere,” answers Shearer.  

“And lots of fun,” chimes in Stevens. 

After San Francisco Opera’s announcement on Monday that it would be confining its season choices to one “break-away” opera per every three Italian operas, meaning a 2009-10 season of the mostly tried and true, it’s heartening that new opera continues in the Bay Area, and that composers and singers continue to experiment and provide operas that, by their nature, are more truly of our time and understanding. 

THE DAWN MAKERS 

One performance only: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Pre-performance talk at 7:15 p.m. $20 general admission, $14 student, senior and disabled. For tickets, call (415) 512-0641 or see www.cityboxoffice.com.

The King is Dead ! Long live the King!” Was Ionesco thinking of that traditional cry of mortality and the mantle passed on, when he wrote Exit the King, now onstage at Live Oak Theatre, produced by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, at the start of Ionesco’s centennial year? 

The play opens with Jose Garcia, cutting a fine figure as The Guard, towering in his bearskin by the proscenium, hailing “Long live the King!”—as Norman MacLeod, regally appointed, strolls onstage, and just as vaguely, wanders off. 

That cry, and dozens of comic variations, will punctuate the action and repeat scraps of the dialogue, ad absurdum, until just before the denouement. 

“Theatre of the Absurd”—Martin Esslin, at one point at Stanford, formulated that moniker to label what Eugene Ionesco, Samuel Beckett, Jean Genet, Arthur Adamov and others were doing in the postwar Paris theater, something that would spread around the world, and not just in theater—aided in no small way by such a tag on the goods.  

The movement, really less movement than phenomenon, was originally dubbed “Le théâtre nouveau,” to indicate a use of prewar avant-garde techniques without whatever ideology. In this case, the dislocations, surprise conjunctions, non sequiturs, tautologies and oxymorons of Surrealism are apparent. But Esslin copped the term Kierkegaard introduced into literary and philosophical lingo in the mid-19th century, revived by Heidegger and the Existentialists: “The Absurd.” It sold the goods, but has ever since snarled up the reactions of spectators, worried they can’t enjoy what’s onstage without some weighty footnote explaining the sad gravity (and erudition) of it all. (In particular, the appreciation of Beckett has suffered from this sort of free-floating guilt.) 

But Ionesco’s plays are like farces further parodied by playing with theater convention. “Absurd” Theatre mixes “Legitimate Theater” with vaudeville, conventional dialogue with the conversational, dream logic with rational plot lines, fusing opposites so that, as Antonin Artaud said of Euripides in distinction to the other Tragedians, “We don’t know just where we are.” 

King Berenger (the name for several of Ionesco’s reluctant heroes, besides the famed bourgeois poet and songwriter of the 19th century) strikes a good chord, MacLeod playing him a little in the style of English Panto, a fairytale told familiarly, tongue-in-cheek. The King—who seemed young only yesterday—needs to be told, one of his consorts opines (Beth Chastain as Queen Marguerite), that he must die: “The sun’s already deaf to his commands” ... and there’s the hint the Queen is impatient with him. She is backed up by The Doctor (also Astrologizer and a slew of other titles, portrayed somewhat floridly by Alecks Rundell). Queen Marie (Satya Soleil Starr, playing a true ingenue), the other consort, who “can only laugh or cry,” tries to block the news, then charm the old monarch—splendid in his ermine cloak, sash with medals and blue pajamas—making sure she’s always the center of his attention. Melanie Curry is sympathetic, when she’s not waspish, as Juliette, court maid and general factotum. 

Over the top Surrealist burlesque alternates with emotional, almost maudlin scenes of the King falling down, but denying any infirmity, unable to stand up. This produces the peculiar pathos the Absurdists are known for, with Ionesco’s personal stamp. The audience is never sure—unlike Queen Marie—whether it should cry or laugh. 

Finally, the cardboard-patched throne room begins to disappear, and the doomed monarch, now blind, is divested of his outward accouterments by Marguerite—Beth Chastain’s best moments—and, at her prompting, must learn to walk on his own again, towards his end ... 

Jerome Solberg, AE boardmember and a familiar face onstage and off, makes his maiden voyage as director; Roger Shrag likewise as producer. Shu Ping Guan’s set makes a virtue of Ansurdist juxtaposition, self-propelled thrones backed by cardboard. Phil Ramey’s sound design is spot on. Alecks Rundell, The Doctor, also designed the lights. And Helen Slomowitz’s costuming is, as always, excellent. 

EXIT THE KING 

Presented by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (and at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19) at Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. $10-$12. 649-5999. aeofberkeley.org.

Two unusual events, a musical and poetic tribute to the memory of one influential local poet, and the joint reading of two others, take place in Berkeley this week. 

The Pat Parker All-Star Memorial Tribute will be at La Peña Cultural Center, at 7 p.m. Sunday, with poets, musicians and singers honoring the memory of the activist poet and benefiting her daughter. Parker, who was involved with black, women’s and lesbian issues, died of breast cancer 20 years ago. 

The second event, Lebanese-American poet, essayist, visual artist—and UC Berkeley alumna—Etel Adnan, and poet and teacher Kathleen Fraser, will be at Moe’s Books at 7:30 p.m. Monday. 

Performing in the annual Pat Parker Tribute will be singer Linda Tillery, pianist Mary Watkins and poet Judy Grahn—all Parker collaborators—joined by poets Ginny Lim and Leslie Simon, singer-guitarist Blackberri, singer-songwriters Melanie DeMore and Kayiah Marin (also a poet), pianist-vocalist Anna Maria Flechro, Diosa Mamacoatl and members of Avotcja and Modupue, Avotcja (poet, percus- 

sionist), Sandi Poindexter (violinist), Dee Spencer (pianist) and Matu Feliciano (percussionist). Proceeds of the tribute will benefit Anastasia Dunham-Parker. 

“If I could take all my parts with me when I go somewhere,” Pat Parker wrote in Movement in Black, “and not have to say to one of them, ‘No, you stay home tonight, you won’t be welcome,’ because I’m going to an all-white party where I can be gay, but not Black. Or I’m going to a Black poetry reading, and half the poets are anti-homosexual, or thousands of situations where something of what I am cannot come with me. The day all the different parts of me can come along, we would have what I would call a revolution.” 

Born in Houston in 1944, Pat Parker came to Oakland in the 1970s. From 1978-87, she was medical coordinator of the Oakland Feminist Women’s Health Center, which went from a single clinic to six locations while she held that post. Parker was involved early on with the Black Panther Party and the Black Women’s Revolutionary Council and participated in the formation of the Women’s Press Collective. She was an activist locally and nationally on Civil Rights, as an Anti-Vietnam protester, on gay and lesbian issues, as well as for women’s health issues, especially those around domestic and sexual violence. 

Parker’s poetry has been described as narrative, often employing call-and-response from “working class and black [oral] traditions,” often using simple (and frank) language, and saturated with humor. Her celebrated readings began in 1963, during her marriage to playwright Ed Bullins. In 1968, she joined forces with poet Judy Grahn, reading at women’s bookstores and bars, coffeehouses and festivals, as well as in recordings.  

Parker produced five published collections of poetry, including Womanslaughter (written after the poet’s elder sister was killed by her husband) and Jonestown and Other Madness, published before Parker’s death from breast cancer in 1989, ending with poems like “Maybe I Should’ve Been a Teacher”: “maybe/the next person/who asks/’Have you/written anything new?’/just might get hit.”  

Etel Adnan, of Syrian Muslim and Christian Greek parents, came to UC Berkeley from Beirut in 1955, later attending Harvard as a graduate student, then taught philosophy at Dominican College in San Rafael from 1958 to 1972. Her much-translated, widely taught novel, Sitt Marie-Rose, takes place during the Lebanese Civil War.  

Poems of hers have been set to music by Henry Threadgill, Annea Lockwood, Gavin Bryars, Tania Leon and Zad Multaka. Currently, she lives in Sausalito and in Paris.  

At her Moe’s reading, Adnan will read from her latest book, Seasons (Post-Apollo, 2008). “It’s a series of small paragraphs, between prose and poetry, focused not only on seasons, but how they affect our minds. I’m eager to find how the mind is in contact with the outside world, through phenomena, events ... As water affects fish, the seasons affect us—we swim in them. Seasons is a mixture of description and philosophy, a blend of both.” 

Kathleen Fraser has 16 books of poetry, including Witness, with mixed media drawings by Nancy Tokar Miller (Chax Press, 2007). She’s also collaborated on books with artists Sam Francis, Mary Ann Hayden and David Marshall. Her collected essays, Translating the Unspeakable: Poetry and the Innovative Necessity was published by the University of Alabama in 2000. 

Etel Adnan said of Fraser, “She is a poet who has done a lot for poetry, both through her work when she was director of the Poetry Center at San Francisco State, and as a teacher. Among her students are many well-known poets today, who always refer to her as their teacher. Her poetry’s very personal, going off in tangents of her own. It’s very refreshing writing.” 

La Peña 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568. $10-20 sliding scale, tickets available online at www.lapena.org, at the La Peña box office Wednesday through Saturday from 1-6 p.m., or half an hour before showtime. 

Moe’s Books 

2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. moesbooks.com. Admission free. 

One of the more annoying subterfuges of American journalists is that reporters present themselves as “objective” blank slates on which the “news” etches itself. Under that artifice, the U.S. media wage a clandestine war against things they don’t approve of: Palestinians fighting for their own nation; uppity presidents of former client states, like Venezuela; virtually anything that has the slightest tinge of “Left.” And most of all, Cuba. 

What makes it so refreshing to read the work of seasoned reporter Reese Erlich is that he makes no bones about having a point of view and is not the slightest bit shy about telling the reader exactly what it is. And when that honesty of purpose is combined with more than 40 years of reporting experience, it provides a revealing look at that small island off of the coast of Florida, which has plagued Washington policy-makers and successfully resisted almost half a century of U.S. hostility. 

“The ideals of the Cuban Revolution remain valid: land reform, ending racism, ending U.S. domination, economic equality and self-sufficiency, among others,” writes Erlich, “but the Cuban Revolution has made serious mistakes and hasn’t progressed nearly far enough.” 

That line would get you tossed out of any mainstream media newsroom in the country. A reporter who expresses an opinion of what makes a revolution “valid” and what constitutes “progress”? Get out the garlic and wooden stakes. 

In reality, of course, all reporters have a point of view; they just lie about it. Erlich is upfront, not only about his politics but also about how they have altered over the four decades that he has been reporting on Cuba. That kind of honesty allows the reader a place at the table, in essence the right to see the information Erlich is reporting through a different prism than the writer’s. Dangerous stuff. And very good. 

Dateline Havana is part history, part contemporary politics, and part personal journey. But it’s not one of those self-indulgent personal journeys that are more about the writer than the subject matter. Erlich has visited Cuba 11 times, from 1968 to 2008. The “personal journey” includes the people he drinks rum with in the countryside, the dissidents, the U.S. congressman, the activist in Miami’s Cuban community. In short, there are lots of people in this book, and they talk and argue and tell jokes, and Erlich sits among them. That kind of “personal.” 

The book is also an amazingly concise history of U.S.–Cuban relations, a history that is a blur for most Americans but not for Cubans. This history is woven throughout the book on topics ranging from organic farming to democracy to racism. In fact, there are few “hard” subjects Erlich avoids: artistic freedom, gays, democracy, you name it, and he asks people questions about it.  

Erlich’s major focus is to challenge the idea that Cuba presents some kind of “strategic threat” to the U.S., and he demolishes the politics behind the stupidity and cruelty of the blockade. It would be nice if the incoming Obama administration read this book. After doing so, it would be hard to imagine its members continuing the policies of the past 40 years without being at least awfully embarrassed about it. 

But this book is not just about the bad gringos to the north. Erlich has strong ideas about things like the importance of democracy and grassroots power, which lead him to be critical of a number of Cuban institutions. While overall he is an admirer of what Cuba has accomplished, he is not one to sport rose-colored glasses.  

“In reality, Cuba is neither the totalitarian hell depicted in the United States nor the socialist paradise claimed by some of its admirers,” he writes. 

This is not to suggest Erlich is crippled by that other infirmity afflicting American journalism: even-handedness. He makes no bones about who is right and who is wrong in the long history of hostility between the two countries, but he feels that his job as a member of the Left and as a reporter is to write about what he sees, ask hard questions, and let people talk. One can only wish this brand of journalism would spread to the New York Times. 

The book is written on the occasion of the Cuban revolution’s 50th anniversary, but Erlich is as much interested in the shape of the future as in the story of the past. As he says in his introduction, Cuba is entering a period of “great uncertainty:” its leadership is aging, and neither the world nor the region look like they did even a decade ago. Erlich’s long-time experience on the Island—in the old colonial days they would have called him a “Cuba hand”—gives him a perspective that makes it possible for the reader at least to discern what some of the choices of that future might be. 

DATELINE HAVANA: THE REAL STORY OF U.S. POLICY AND THE FUTURE OF CUBA 

By Reese Erlich. PoliPoint Press, LCC. $22.95. 

Peabody Award-winner Reese Erlich is also the author of The Iran Agenda: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Middle East and a writer for mainstream and alternative media. He will be speaking throughout the Bay Area from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4. Berkeley readers can hear him at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2 at Black Oak Books.