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 Aggression on 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. 

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

SATURDAY, FEB. 7 

“The Colors of Love” Annual Valentine's Day Yard Sale A benefit fundraiser for Friends of Kenney Cottage Garden, a neighborhood effort to support a future community garden and the restoration of the boyhood home of James Kenney, Berkeley's first fire chief, on a vacant lot in West Berkeley, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. though Tues. at 1629 5th St., Free, donations welcome. 526-7828. 

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 

“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 

“After Gaza: Now What?” with Dr. Khalil Barhoum, Stanford University at 7 p.m. at the Buena Vista United Methodist Church, 2311 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda. 522-8005. 

“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. 

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. 

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. 

Darwin Day The 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of “The Origin of Species” with David Seaborg on “Current Ideas About Evolution” at 10:30 a.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. www.humanisthall.net 

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 film about Haiti at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Suggested donation $10. 841-4824. 

“Obama the Utopian?” at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County. 

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.  

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.  

MONDAY, FEB. 9 

Valentine Days at Habitot Heart-themed art projects for children, through Fri. at 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $7-$8. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

James Henry’s Music and Drum Workshop to celebrate Black History Month at 1 p.m. at Oakland’s Elmhurst Library, 1427 88th Ave. at International Boulevard. For information call the Children’s Librarian 615-5727.  

“The Colors of Love” Annual Valentine's Day Yard Sale A benefit fundraiser for Friends of Kenney Cottage Garden, a neighborhood effort to support a future community garden and the restoration of the boyhood home of James Kenney, Berkeley's first fire chief, on a vacant lot in West Berkeley, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. though Tues. at 1629 5th St., Free, donations welcome. 526-7828. 

Coalition for a Democratic Pacifica meets at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

“Sugars Can Actually be Good for Your Health” A talk by Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi, Director of Berkeley Lab Molecular Foundry at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2015 Addison St. Free. 486-7292. 

“When the Sun Goes Down: A Pre-Copernican Turn of Remembrance” with Michael Taussig, Prof. of Anthropology, Columbia University at 4 p.m. in the Geballe Room, 220 Stephens Hall, UC campus. Hosted by the Townsend Center for the Humanities. 643-9670. http:// 

townsendcenter.berkeley.edu  

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at West PAuley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, UC campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com 

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. 

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

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, FEB. 10 

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

“Ocean, Road and Rail: A Year-long Family Travel Adventure” The Aiken/Widom family talk about and show slides from their world trip at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

California Colloquium on Water “Taking a Lesson for Australia’s New Water Law Regime” with Jennifer M. McKay, Director, Center for Comparative Water Policies and Laws, Univ. of South Australia, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 250, Goldman School of Public Policy, 2607 Hearst Ave. at LeRoy. www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/ccow.html 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

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.  

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.  

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

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11 

“What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq” with Nadje Al-Ali at 7 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8-$10. Benefit for Middle East Children’s Alliance. 548-0542. www.mecaforpeace.org 

“The Green Collar Economy” with Van Jones at 6:15 p.m. at the Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way. http://berc.berkeley.edu/ 

node/592 

“The Iron Wall” A documentary on the history of the Palestinian struggle at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. 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. 

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. 

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. 12 

Wage Theft in America: Why Millions of Working Americans Are Not Getting Paid, And What We Can Do About It with author Kim Bobo at noon at University Lutheran Chapel, 2425 College Ave., at Haste. Sponsored by the UC Berkeley Labor Center, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), East Bay Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and University Lutheran Chapel. 642-6371. andreabuffa@berkeley.edu 

21st Annual African American Cultural Celebration at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. 285-9628. 

“The WPA and the Oakland Park System” with Gray Brechin at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Cost is $8-$10. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Valentine’s Day Parent’s Night Out Enjoy a night out while your children enjoy an evening of games, stories, crafts, snacks, and fun. For ages 5-12 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 8th St. Cost is $15 per child. Reservations required. 981-6650. 

Zen and the Art of Mushroom Hunting at 7:30 p.m. in the East Bay, with a field trip on Feb. 15. Cost is $35. To register call Golden Gate Audubon Society at 843-2222. 

“Protecting Lake Baikal, the Pearl of Siberia” A slideshow and discussion of the ecosystem of the lake and what is being done to save it, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

East Bay Mac Users Group will discuss the digital storytelling application MemoryMiner at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

“Losing Body Fat: Breakthroughs in Metabolic Understanding” with Dr. Jay Sordean at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 981-6280. 

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. 

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. 

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

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. 13 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Prof. David R. Lindberg on “Snails, Birds, Spiders & Flies: How Science Really Works” 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 

“Road to Roubaix” film screening to benefit the NorCal High School Mountain Bike League at 7:30 p.m. at Florence Schwimley Theater, Berkeley High campus. Cost is $12. www.norcalmtb.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 1 to 5 p.m. at Oakland Military Academy, Multi Purpose Room, 3877 Lusk St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com 

“Sound Healing for Relationships & Interpersonal Communication” at 7 p.m. at Tian Gong International Foundation, 830 Bancroft Way, Lotus Room 114. Cost is $5-$10, no one turned away for lack of funds. 883-1920. tgif@tiangong.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. 14 

Predatory Lending Prevention and Foreclosure Intervention Workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Emeryville Senior Center, 4321 Salem St., Emeryville. Sponsored by the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency. 596-4316. 

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 

“Deadlock in California: What’s Behind the Breakdown of CA Government” with Sacramento Bee columnist and author Peter Schrag, at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, Conference Rooms A & B, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. Suggested donation $5. www.alamedaforum.org 

transPOP: Korea Vietnam Remix Symposium to examine Korean and Vietnamese historical and contemporary cultural, political, and socio-economic interactions from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Institute of East Asian Studies Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th Floor. 642-2809. http://ieas.berkeley.edu 

Darfur Fundraiser with Stewart Florsheim, Jerry Falek and Steve Seskin at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. Tickets are $25 at the door. 741-1931. 

Sushi Basics Learn the natural and cultural history of sushi as you prepare and taste seven types, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Parent participation required for children ages 8-10. Cost is $25-$39. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Valentine’s Day Blood Drive from noon to 5 p.m. at the Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank, Colusa Circle, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Origami Valentines with Margot Wecksler at 2 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext. 16. 

Valentine’s Day Family Story Time at 11 a.m. at Richmond Public Library, Main Children’s Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 620-6557. 

The East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society meets to discuss “Dear Home Folks-Letters From a Doughboy” by Dale Thompson at 10:30 a.m. at the Albany Veterans Bldg., 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. 526-4423. 

“Ancient Tools for Successful Living” Workshops on the lunar cycle. Registration at 11:30 a.m. at ASA Academy, 2811 Adeline St., Oakland. Cost is $10 per workshop. 536-5934. 

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. 15 

Family Explorations: Black History with music, cooking and craft activities from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Prepeare Habitat for the California Least Terns from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alameda Wildlife Refuge. Meet at the main refuge gate at the northwest corner of the old Alameda Naval Air Station. jrobinson@goldengateaudubon.org 

Fireside Stories Join us for a cup of hot chocolate and listen to a few nature stories at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Reptile Rendezvous Learn about the reptiles that call the nature area home, and meet a few up close, at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden PArk. 525-2233. 

“The Underground Railroad” A film at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Suggested donation $10. 841-4824. 

“Can the State Save Society from Self-destruction? The analysis of state-capitalism and the search for an alternative in Marx’s Humanism and the dialectic” at 6:30 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 658-1448. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Cathedral of the Ascension, Richmond Room, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com 

Darwin Day with Kol Hadash Bagel brunch with Steven Newton, of the National Center for Science Education,from 10 a.m. to noon at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Suggested donation $5. 525-2296. 

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Santosh Philip on “Inner and Outer Massage of 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 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7460.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7429.  

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 10, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5431.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Feb. 11, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6737.  

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 12 , at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Feb. 12, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.  

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, FEB. 5 

THEATER 

“The Unsung Diva” written and performed by Angela Dean Baham at 7 p.m. at Mills College, Lisser Theater, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free. 681-6859. 

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 

CHILDREN 

James Henry’s Music and Drum Workshop Celebrate Black History Month with a hands-on music and drum workshop at 1 p.m. at Okland Public Library, Elmhurst Branch, 1427 88th Ave. at International Blvd. 615-5727.  

THEATER 

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

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.  

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.  

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

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.  

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.  

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 Iandoli. 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 

“From Sea to Land” marine environmental photography by D.B. Kammerer on display at The Coffee Mill, 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland. 

“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.  

Ben Hazard talks about his charcoal drawings and D. Michael Cheers talk about his photo journalism, at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. jvbgg@sbcglobal.net 

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.  

Elliot Randall, southern rock/ 

alt country at noon at lower Sproul Plaza, UC campus. Free. 

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. 

“Then and Now” A Black History Month Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church 8501 International Blvd. Tickets are $10-$15. 544-8924. 

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.  

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 

Trash Talk, Two Gallants in a benefit for Oscar Grant’s family at 3:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Tickets are $12. 924gilman.org 

MONDAY, FEB. 9 

EXHIBITIONS 

“You’ll Never Walk Alone: Protest, Memory & Reenactment” by media artists Joseph DeLappe at 7:30 p.m. at 160 Kroeber Hall, UC campus. 642-0635. atc.berkeley.edu 

Painting Demonstration by Artist Qian Gao at 7:30 p.m. at El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. Sponsored by El Cerrito Art Association. 527-9625. 

“The Age of Excess, from Vice to Virtue” Recent acquisitions at The Ames Gallery opens at 2661 Cedar St. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre Company “Birnham Woods” by Wendy MacLeod at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. Part of the Global Age Project new works initiative. Free. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck” with Gray Brechin at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Free. 883-9710. landmarkheritage@att.net 

“Poetry from the Heart” Readings and open mic with Maggie Morley and friends at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Andrew Schelling and Gloria Frym read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ladies of Bluegrass with Belle Monroe & her Brewglass Boys, Nell Robinson & Red Level, Rita Hosking & Cousin Jack at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

TUESDAY, FEB. 10 

CHILDREN 

“Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman” with storyteller Jamie Myrick at 3:30 p.m. at Bayview Branch Library, 5100 Harnett Ave., Richmond. 620-6566.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kala Fellowship Talk Artists Pawel Kruk and Lindsey White talk about their current work at 7 p.m. at 1060 Heinz Ave. www.kala.org 

Leslie Scalapino and Alicia Cohen read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Osha Neumann reads from “Up Against the Wall, Motherf**ker: A Memoir of the Sixties with Notes for Next Time” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sauce Picante at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 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 

Marco Benevento with Skerik, Billy Martin and G. Calvin Weston at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11 

CHILDREN 

“Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman” with storyteller Jamie Myrick at 3:30 p.m. at West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Ave., Richmond. 620-6567. 

EXHIBITIONS 

17th Annual Youth Arts Festival Works by Berkeley public school students. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “Meet Me in St. Louis” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Nadje Al-Ali talks about her new book “What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq” at 7 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8-$10. Benefit for Middle East Children’s Alliance. 548-0542. www.mecaforpeace.org 

Bonita Hollow Writers Salon at 7 p.m. at 1631 Bonita Ave. Bring food, drink and your original work to read. 266-2069. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jewish Music Festival Bukharan Jewish Folk Ensemble “Hai, Nozanin” at 7:30 p.m. at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets are $15-$18. 1-800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com 

BabShad Jazzz at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with performances by the Young Musicians Program at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

UC Chorus and Chamber Chorus “Lucky in Love” at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

The Big Trio with Wayne de le Cruz on B-3 at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Monthly Milonga, Argentine Tango, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Dhafer Youssef Acoustic Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, FEB. 12 

CHILDREN 

Kirk Waller tells “Tales to Take You Far and Away!” for ages 3 and up at 3:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, North Branch. 981-6100. 

“Take a Ride on the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman” with storyteller Jamie Myrick at 6 p.m. at Richmond Public Library, Main Children’s Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 620-6557. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Tribute to Cody’s Books” A group show of paintings of the original Cody’s store on Telegraph Ave. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at the Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

“Where the Tongue Meets the Eye” mixed media works by Carla Woshawnee Heins. Artist’s reception at 7 p.m. at Far Leaves, 2979 College Ave. 625-0152. 

Works by Berkeley High Students opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at Pueblo Nuevo Art Space, 1828 San Pablo Ave., #1, and runs for two weeks. 452-7363. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Story Hour in the Library with Judith Freeman at 5 p.m. at 190 Doe Library, UC campus. storyhour@berkeley.edu 

Korina Jocson author of “Youth Poets: Empowering Literacies In and Out of Schools” at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Mark Greenside reads from ”I’ll never be French (no matter what I do)” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mike Skinner & the Final Touch Band at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. 

Elaine Lucia CD Release Event at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Fog Horn Duo, Bill Evans and Megan Lynch, Eric and Suzy Thompson at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

Dynamic with Kimiko Joy and Rico Pabon at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Courtney Nicole Creation at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. 

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, FEB. 13 

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 

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 

“The Art of Living Black” 13th annual group exhibition. Reception at 3 p.m. at Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave. at 25th St., Richmond. 620-6772. 

“Generations” Oil and chalk pastels by Hilda Robinson and Minnie Grimes, part of “The Art of Living Black.” Reception at 7 p.m. at Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Runs to March 12. www.wcrc.org 

“Who’s Your Baby” Group show of sculptural dolls and puppets opens at ACCI Gallery, 1625 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Andrena Zawinski and Jeanne Wagner read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. 841-6374. 

William Kleinknecht will discuss “The Man Who Stole the World: Ronald Reagan and the Betrayal of Main Street America” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. www.revolutionbooks.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Artists’ Vocal Ensemble “The Song of Songs: Music as the Food of Love” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$20. 848-5107. www.ave-music.org 

Black History Month Concert Series at 7 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard. 544-8924. 

Operadance Co. “Medea” a quintet for voice and dance, and other works at 7:30 p.m. at at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $15. 526-9146. 

Betsy Rose and Jennifer Berezan at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Large Assembly Room, 2345 Channing at Dana. Suggested donation $15-20. www.betsyrosemusic.org 

Tito y su son de Cuba at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Bill Bell Trio at 8 p.m. at Utunes Coffeehouse First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$18. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/50941 

Cathi Walkup & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Frankie Manning with Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Cliff Wagner and the Old Number 7, The Earl Brothers, Ida Viper at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Arise, Thousandswilldie, Destroy the Colassus at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

2ME at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Pshychokinetics at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

CV Dub at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

SATURDAY, FEB. 14 

CHILDREN  

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

Berkeley Playhouse Youth Company “Willy Wonka, Junior” Sat. at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org 

Ravioli, clown, 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 

FILM 

“The Adventures of Prince Achmed” for all ages at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Poets, Laureates & Music for Valentine’s Day” with Diane di Prima, Michael McClure, Carol Muske-Dukes, Kay Ryan and Al Young at 8 p.m. at King Middle School Auditorium, 1781 Rose St. at Grant. Tickets are $15-$20. www.kpfa.org 

“14th Annual Love Fest” Aya de Leon’s alternative Valentine’s celebration with spoken word and poetry at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Works in Progress Open mic for women’s poetry and music at 7:30 p.m. at the Home of Truth, 1300 Grand St, Alameda. Cost is $7-$10. Pot-luck at 6:30 p.m.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Nils Bultmann Valentine’s Day Concert works by Bach for viola at 11 a.m. at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, Palache Hall, 2837 Claremont Blvd. Tickets are $7-$10 at the door. www.nilsbultmann.com 

“The Collaboration of the Year” The Oakland Community Chrus and the Friends of Negro Spirituals at 4 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. Free, but RSVP required. 637-0200. 

Anna de Leon & Trio, live recording, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Valentine’s Hip Hop Love Fest with Triple Ave, V.E.R.A. Clique and others at 7 p.m. at BFUU Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. Cost is $15, no one turned away. 

“Feel the Beat” Tim Mooney Band plus flamenco, tango and belly dance at 7 p.m. at 4th Street Studio, 1717D Fourth St. www.fourthstreetstudio.com 

The Mighty Diamonds, Yellow Wall Dub Squad at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Stompy Jones, Romano Marchetti Orchestra in a Valentine’s Dance at 8 p.m. aboard the USS Hornet, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. Tickets are $40-$75. 521-8448. 

Leftover Dreams at 8 p.m. at Wisteria Ways, Rockridge, Oakland. Not wheelchair accessible. Cost is $15-$20. Reservations required. info@WisteriaWays.org 

John Reischman & the Jaybirds at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Roger Rocha and the Goldenhearts at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Greg Pratt and Lawanda Ultan, folk, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

The California Transit Authority at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $15. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

SUNDAY, FEB. 15 

CHILDREN 

The Alphabet Rockers 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 

The Poetry Workshop readings from the Berkeley Adult School program at 2 p.m. at JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut at Rose. 848-0237. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“O Sweet Delight” 17th Century English songs and lute solos with Christine Brandes, soprano and David Tayler, lute at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/51032  

Annual Gospel Music with Bobby Hall & Friends at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., corner W. Richmond Ave., Point Richmond. Suggested donation $10. 232-1102. www.pointrichmond.com/methodist 

John Santos, Sandy Perez and others in rememberance of Enrique Carreras at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $15, $7 for ages 12 and under. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Noche de Amor, flamenco, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

When Harriet Giorgi returned to Berkeley after a two-year stay in Europe, she suffered a shock. “Cody’s Books on Telegraph was closed, gone.” She felt this not as just the closing of a favorite retail outlet, but as a deeply “personal loss.” 

Harriet put aside her feelings and got back to work, arranging shows at her Giorgi Gallery on Claremont Avenue. One of her recent exhibits was titled “Bay Area Landscapes.” Her daughter Francesca Giorgi contributed an 18 x 22 inch fresco on wood panels, depicting the exterior of the glass-walled Cody’s Books when it dominated the corner of Telegraph and Haste, from 1965 to 2007. When people came to view the exhibit, groups inevitably gathered around this image, exchanging memories about events, encounters, talks, experiences, insights which came to them during their days of browsing or just hanging out at Cody’s. 

That’s how Harriet got the idea for “A Tribute to Cody’s Books.” She contacted several artists, inviting them to submit one or more works of art on the subject of Cody’s Books. These artists contacted other artists and photographers.  

One of them is painter Evelyn Glaubman (Berkeley City College). “Back around 1970, I arranged a benefit exhibit for the Free Clinic,” one of the Cody’s volunteer efforts (during the first five years, Fred was president of the Board and Pat was treasurer), she said. When Glaubman complained about the neglect of women artists at the time, Fred Cody invited her to establish the “Both-Up” Gallery upstairs at Cody’s Books. “Both” referred to the fact that male and female artists would be displayed in equal numbers. (If you can remember Both-Up, you qualify as a genuine old-timer, like me). 

For the upcoming show at the Giorgi, Glaubman has created “Homage to Fred Cody,” a collage built around photos from Pat Cody’s personal archives and memorabilia from Both-Up Gallery.  

Poet Owen Hill and photographer Robert Eliason, long-term staff at Moe’s Books, will display one or more of their inimitable image/text creations with a Cody’s/Telegraph theme. (See their website: lostinthestars.com) .  

Harriet estimates that six to 12 artists will submit one or more works each, in various media. In a central location of the Giorgi Gallery will be a blank book where visitors can write their memories and thoughts of the Times of Cody’s Books, as evoked by these images. 

I asked the two successive owners of Cody’s books, Pat Cody (1956-1977) and Andy Ross (1977-2007) what thoughts each of them might be inspired to write (as if they weren’t going to be too busy) at the opening reception. 

Andy Ross, who took over the bookstore in 1977, computerizing and modernizing the inventory, said, “I was 29 years old. What the hell did I know about selling books on Telegraph Avenue?” in the aftermath of political upheavals that had left the avenue staggering. “If I had known what I was getting into... .” His eyes widen, and he laughs. “Still, we did very well throughout the 1980s. We had fun, and good things happened while people were just hanging out and browsing at Cody’s.”  

One example: “John Gage says that the idea for Sun Microsystems (one of the superstars of Silicon Valley) got hatched in the math section at Cody’s.” He shrugs. “Then came the ’90s, and Internet sales.” Andy’s eyes flash. “Look, when you write this, mention the photos of authors who read at Cody’s—including you—that were spread across the walls. They disappeared when we closed. I did those photos, and I want them back, dammit.” 

Pat Cody took some time before she could give me a comment. “First of all, I’d just want to say or write down how touched I am by the very idea of this show—by the desire of people to commemorate Cody’s Books.” (That’s Pat, always turning a question outward, toward crediting other people.) So I pressed her. Beyond that, what would your favorite memory or story be? She paused again. “It was such an exciting time. I don’t know if it’s possible to convey that wonderful feeling, going into the ’60s, inspired by the paperback revolution, by Roy Kepler and Lawrence Ferlinghetti and their bookstores, selling cheap and beautiful editions of old and new books. Even publishing some. These stores were a political act, a social act, democratizing literature in a new way.”  

Are you sad that it’s over? She shook her head.  

“It’s not over,” she said. “Fred and I were part of a special moment, with a bookstore as a center of community concerns. We were part of a big change. Now there’s another big change in the way people buy books. And next month or next year, someone will come along with a new, brilliant idea we can’t even imagine—about how to get people together around books and ideas and community concerns.”  

She smiled. “Maybe someone who comes to this exhibit.” 

A TRIBUTE TO CODY’S BOOKS 

Feb. 12-March 12 at Giorgi Gallery, 

2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228.  

Opening Reception, Feb.12, 6-9 p.m.  

Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Berkeley High senior Dylan Mattingly will be featured both as composer and as cello soloist, when the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of music director David Ramadanoff, presents the world premiere of Mattingly’s Rain, Steam and Speed, for orchestra and solo piano (featuring Mattingly’s friend and fellow composer, Preben Antonsen), this weekend at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church. 

The program also includes three YPSO Concerto Competition Winners playing Bela Bartok’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (featuring Mattingly), the first movement of Eduard Lalo’s Symphonie Espanole (featuring YPSO concertmistress Annie Sandholtz) and the Rondo from Carl Mario Von Weber’s Concerto No. 1 for Clarinet (featuring Madison Greenstone). George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture and Paul Hindemuth’s Metamorphoses on Themes of Carl Maria Von Weber, will also be played. 

Mattingly, 17, is a student in the John Adams Young Composers Program at Berkeley’s Crowden Music Center. “I know all his music backwards and forwards,” he said of Adams, and cited “Hail Bop,” the last movement of Adams’ piano concerto Century Rolls as an influence on “how to fabricate a piano concerto from something which naturally required a strong pulse at all times.”  

He said, “A couple things inspired my piece: the trains going by outside my dark window at night, and what it felt like in the fog in San Francisco, on a rainy night, coming out of BART in 2007 to hear Kevin Volans’ Piano Concerto—not so much the music as the memory of that night, what my piece is emotionally based on.” 

The piece is named after the famed 1844 J. M. W. Turner painting of a steam locomotive. 

He described some of the sounds: “The strings playing pizzicato fairly constantly, white noise like a chugging train or rain [elsewhere he mentioned that night at Davies, “with the chugging of Marc-Andre Hamelin’s hands flying through notes like rain, and the sense of some sort of intoning maximalism in the dark”], a huge brass marathon, holding one note for 50 seconds; instruments dropping out, jumping back in; very high, very low.” 

Mattingly said he’s “done a lot of different stuff since, with folk music in different forms recently.” Originally billed as playing with the orchestra on his piece, he said he’s decided “to listen” instead. “It’s interesting to hear what I was thinking about a year ago, which is not what I’m thinking about now. I want to be doing something new in every piece—otherwise, it should’ve been in the last piece. And I’m glad I’ve had the restraint not to try to change it!” 

Mattingly has played cello and composed music for 10 years, playing cello with Superdelegates, an improvisational quartet, guitar with Funky Bus and the U-Turns and is co-director of Formerly Known as Classical, a new music ensemble whose young players perform music written in their lifetimes. His solo piano piece Night #3 was premiered by Sarah Cahill at the Other Minds New Music Seance in December in San Francisco. He currently studies with Yiorgos Vassilandonakis of UC Berkeley, and has studied with Katrina Wreede of Crowden. 

The Young People’s Symphony Orchestra was founded in Berkeley in 1935, the oldest youth orchestra in California and second-oldest in the nation. 

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA COMPETITION  

WINNERS 

Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 8, 2 p.m., at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. $15 general, $12 seniors and students. 849-9776. ypsomusic.net. 

Philharmonia Baroque, “America’s Period-Instrument Orchestra,” brings Midwinter Magic, conducted by music director Nicholas McGegan, to the First Congregational Church this weekend for a celebration of Felix Mendelssohn’s 200th birthday. 

Another anniversary is also being celebrated with featured guest artists on the program. 

“To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the San Francisco Girls Chorus,” McGegan said, “I have arranged Men-delssohn’s beautiful motets to feature the girls’ voices with the orchestra. 

The program features Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave), Op. 26; Scherzo from the Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20; Three Motets, Op. 39 (in McGegan’s arrangement) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 21 & 61. 

“This program samples music from all stages of Mendelssohn’s life. With Shakespeare—the muse of poetry—to highlight the talents of a great composer, [we’ll also] honor this amazing group of girls. This will be a splendid affair!” The San Francisco Girls Chorus is directed by Susan McManus. Stephen Baker Turner will narrate for the program. 

The Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written when Mendelssohn was 16; the Overture for The Hebrides dates from the middle of his life (1809-1847). A Midsummer Night’s Dream was completed 17 years after the Overture was composed. Stephen Ledbetter remarks, “Though both Mozart and Schubert traveled further on their musical paths after a precocious beginning, neither of them had produced a work as brilliant as Mendelssohn’s Octet or the Overture to ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ before their 18th birthday ... Like both the earlier masters, Men-delssohn exploded in brilliance very early, then died far too soon. However, unlike them ... it is the works Men-delssohn composed before he turned 30 that dominate our picture of the composer.” 

Ledbetter says of the Octet: “Men-delssohn virtually created a new medium by fusing the two quartets [usually treated as two antiphonal groups] into a single large ensemble that combined the instruments in every possible permutation ...” Of the motets, he notes they were composed in Rome, where he stayed near the top of the Spanish Steps and could hear the singing from a nuns’ cloister. Mendelssohn’s friendship with Palestrina’s first biographer, Giuseppe Baini, might also have influenced the Palestrina-like melodic lines. 

MIDWINTER MAGIC  

Performed by Philharmonia Baroque at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 and at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 at First Congregational Church, on Channing Way and Dana Street. Other locations and dates for this program are: 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, and 8 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. 

$30-72, $10 student rush. (415) 392-4400. philharmonia.org.

Jazz balladeer Ed Reed will celebrate his 80th birthday this Saturday evening, with two shows, 8 and 10 p.m., at Anna’s Jazz Island. 

Accompanying Reed will be well-known Bay Area pianist Larry Dunlap; Peck Allmond—Berkeley High alumnus, now playing in New York—on tenor saxophone, trumpet and flute; Robb Fisher, bass and drummer Bud Spangler, best known as a radio personality and producer. 

The Daily Planet first interviewed Reed two years ago, on his 78th birthday, the eve of another gig at Anna’s—the CD party for his first recording after a lifetime of singing. This week Reed talked about what’s happened since that CD (Ed Reed Sings Love Stories, produced by Spangler and Allmond, after Allmond met Reed at a Santa Cruz Mountains jazz camp in 2005)—and since an article on Reed by jazz writer Lee Hildebrand was featured in the Chronicle a half year later, when “the phone started ringing and never stopped,” as Reed put it. “I was bowled over by it. Everything was different after that.” 

Besides his first CD, which became the most played new release for 2007 on Bay Area jazz station KCSM, another recording—The Song Is You, also produced by Spangler and Allmond—was released in 2008. Reed placed fourth in last year’s Downbeat Critics Poll for Rising Star Male Vocalist, and has received good notices in other major jazz magazines and newspapers, some as far-flung as Rio de Janeiro. Most recently, Reed was featured in the December issue of Jazziz, garnering a big spread with full-page photos.  

He’s appeared onstage in New York at the Jazz Standard and Sculler’s, in Boston, Seattle and in other venues and at festivals elsewhere on the West Coast, including twice at Yoshi’s in Oakland—and on Marian McPartland’s National Public Radio program, Piano Jazz. 

This taste of a late-blooming career for Reed (who, as a boy in Los Angeles, was taught to sing over chord changes by a teenage Charles Mingus, babysitting for his sister in Reed’s neighborhood) elicits his humor. 

“I guess I’m carrying a torch,” he said. “Not too many are left like me ... but I was never looking for that kind of recognition. I guess I got a sound; I don’t know what that is. I sing a lot of stuff that makes me happy, no set stuff. And I can have a hard time listening to myself. I’ll walk out in the yard, go into a room and close the door—it’s not deliberate. I’m just not interested in him, not interested in the guy doing that, that day.”  

Reed teaches a class in jazz vocals at Berkeley’s JazzSchool. “I tell the students about being up on stage, with the musicians grabbing your attention ... no way I can use all of it; it’s frustrating,” he said. “But the part I CAN use ... We’re all grinning by the end of it, and I’ll say, ‘Was there an audience?’ You sing for yourself, not the audience, if you’re a jazz singer. But you’re not the gift, you’re the gift-giver. And you’re always struggling, always a novice. Every musician is. And the devil tries to get him to do something he can’t do. It’s very humbling—what you want, you can never get.” 

Reed lives in Richmond with his wife Diane, and sings Tuesdays at The Cheeseboard in Berkeley, accompanied by Brian Cooke and Robb Fisher. His website, with samples of his CDs, is at edreedsings.com. 

ED REED 

8 and 10 p.m. Saturday at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. $15. Call 841-5299 after 6 p.m.