THURSDAY, MAY 28 

Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication As a tribute to all veterans, the El Cerrito Garden Club and the City of El Cerrito will proudly dedicate a National Garden Clubs, Inc. Blue Star Memorial Marker at Arlington Park at 10 a.m. at Arlington Clubhouse, 1120 Arlington Blvd., El Cerrito. 

“An International Perspective on America's Health Care Options” with Dr. Claudia Chaufan, vice-president of California Physicians Alliance which advocates for a social insurance, single payer system in the United States, at 6:45 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Pot luck at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.  

Take-Up-the-Streets Think Tank on ways to change our relationship to space usage in the city at 7 p.m. Sponsored by The Institute for Urban Homesteading. Please email for location iuh@sparkybeegirl.com 

1st Pan-Am University Taekwondo Championship through the 30th at Haas Pavillion, UC campus. For details call 642-3268.www.ucmap/pan-am/ 

The Art of Comfort & Joy: A Tribute to End-of-Life Care Providers and an opportunity for the public to learn about care options and speak individually with end-of-life providers, at 7 p.m. at Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Ave., Piedmont. RSVP to 866-825-8967. admin@compassionandchoicesnca.org  

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

Association for Women in Science East Bay Chapter “Focus on Careers: From Science to Sales” at 6:30 p.m. at Novartis, Building 4, Room 104, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, Cost is $5-$10. Register at http://ebawis.eventbrite.com 

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. 

Tikkun Leyl Shavuot with rabbis and scholars from throughout the East Bay at 6:30 p.m. at Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. tikkun@jfed.org  

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

Buddhist Class on Shikan Meditation at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar at Bonita. http://caltendai.org 

FRIDAY, MAY 29 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kim Polese on “Recent Developments in Computer Technology” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 527-2173. www.citycommonsclub.org 

Jewish Humanistic Forum: Dr. Booker Holton speaks on water and marine resource management in Israel and the Middle East at 7 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. at Masonic, Albany. www.kolhadash.org 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 7:30 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

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, MAY 30 

Thorsen House Spring Centennial Celebration with Friends of Piedmont Way, from 2 to 5 p.m. at 2307 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $15-$34. www.thorsenspring100.eventbrite.com 

Thousand Oaks School 34th Carnival and Silent Auction Featuring games, food, ice cream and a cake walk, the Carnival culminates in a quilt raffle and Silent Auction. Noon to 4 p.m. at 840 Colusa Ave. http://to.berkeleypta.org 

Berkeley Historical Society Spring Walking Tour “Berkeley Woods” led by Paul Grunland, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. For reservations and starting point call 848-0181. 

Help Restore Eastshore State Park Help Friends of Five Creeks transform former garbage dump into wildlife-friendly parkland near the mouth of Schoolhouse Creek from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Follow signs from the small parking turnout on West Frontage Road between University and Gilman. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. North Shattuck Ave., Gourmet Ghetto. 548-5335. 

Rally For Social Security Fairness for Teachers at 11 a.m. at Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley High School, Allston Way. www.socialsecurityfairness.com 

Walking Tour of Chinatown Meet at 10 a.m. at the fountain of Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Ninth St., between Webster and Frainklin. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

California NOW’s State Conference with Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner “Running for Public Office” and workshops on Safe Cosmetics; Homophobia in Sports; and Media, Body Image & Self-Esteem, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Doubletree Berkeley Marina, 200 Marina Blvd. Cost is $45-$60. Register online canoworg/2009-ca-now-annual-membership-meetingstate-conference.html 

“How to Think About Achieving Nuclear Disarmament in the 21st Century” with Randy Rydell, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Office of the High Representative, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs at 7 p.m. at Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St., Alameda. Co-sponsored by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum and the United Nations Association East Bay. Suggested donation $5. www.alamedaforum.org 

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. 

Awakening the Healing in Your Hands Open house at the Acupressure Institute with bodywork demonstrations, calligraphy and face painting, music and food from noon to 8 p.m. at 1533 Shattuck Ave. 845-1059. www.AcupressureInstitute.com  

“The Spirit of Persussion” A workshop with Arito Moreira at 3 p.m. at Ed Kelly Hall, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St. Cost is $17-$35, no one turned away. RSVP to 836-4649, ext. 112. 

Beginning Internet Class “Newspaper and Magazine Articles” at 10 a.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Free, but call to sign up 526-7512. 

Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center “Chances for Change” Fundraising event with music, wine, hors d’oeuvres and a live and silent auction at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $25-$45. 548-2884. 

“She Shines” a day event with Alameda County Junior Commission on the Status of Women from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Bishop O’Dowd High School, Oakland. Free, includes lunch. To register or sponsor call 259-3871. 

Playland’s One Year Anniversary Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 232-4264 ext. 25.  

Buddha’s Birth Celebration with Sylvia Gretchen on “Prayer to Shakyamuni Buddha” at 7 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

Psyche and Cinema “La Belle et la Bete” Workshop on using symbols from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Dream Institute, 1672 University at McGee. Cost is $45-$75. 845-1767.  

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.  

Lawn Bowling on the green at the corner of Acton St. and Bancroft Way every Wed. and Sat. at 10 a.m. for ages 12 and up. Wear flat soled shoes, no heels. Free lessons. 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, MAY 31 

Little Farm Goat Hike Join a short hike with the goats as we explore the historic connections between humans and our ungulate friends at 11 a.m. at the Little Farm, Tilden Park. For ages 6 and up. Children, please bring your adults along. 544-3265. tnarea@ebparks.org 

Bricks, Wheat and Gold! Join a five-mile hike to explore the ghostly pilings of the once-big town of Port Costa, from 2 to 5 p.m. For information call 544-3265. 

“La Place du Marché” Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley’s annual spring fair with bistro-style food, children’s games, a wide variety of craft vendors, and a raffle for a trip to Paris, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1009 Heinz Ave., at Ninth St. 549-3895. 

Berkeley Opera’s Annual Gala and auction with sopranos Heidi Melton and Nicolle Foland and bass Kenneth Kellogg at 4 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes at 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $65. 841-1903. 

“Responsibility to Prevent” with Bob Alpern, former field secretary for the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, D.C. on approaches to the peaceful prevention of deadly conflict at 1 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Meeting House, 2151 Vine St.  

A Report Back from the UN Conference on Racism, Durban, and the IADL Tribunal on Agent Orange with Judge Claudia Morcom of Detroit at 5 p.m. at 1419 Grant St. For information call Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute. 848-0599. 

“Animal Reiki” with Kathleen Prasad at 4 p.m. at Rabbit Ears, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Santosh Philip on “Tibetan Yoga for the West” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JUNE 1 

Berkeley Path Wanderers “Albany Hill At Dusk” We will cross Cerrito Creek on stepping stones, note Native American grinding stones, and climb Albany Hill on a narrow, fairly steep trail, gaining 300 ft. We’ll enjoy snacks and sunset views and return on via a gentler route. Wear shoes with good traction and long pants and sleeves to avoid poison oak. Meet at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito's Creekside Park at the south end of Santa Clara Ave. 848 9358. ww.berkeleypaths.org 

Castoffs Knitting Group meets at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Community Yoga Class Mon. and Thurs. at 10 a.m. at James Kenney Parks and Rec. Center at Virginia and 8th. Seniors and beginners welcome. Cost is $6. 207-4501. 

Three Beats for Nothing South Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Mon. at 3 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ellis at Ashby. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

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 981-6148. 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.  

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577.  

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 

Brewcraft: Mead Learn the badic process of making wine from honey, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by Institute of Urban Homesteading East Bay. location of class will be given upon registration. Cost is $30-50. 927-3252. 

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. 

Family Storytime for preschoolers and up at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

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., Sat. and Sun. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

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

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

Bridge for beginners from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., all others 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sing-A-Long at 2:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland Explore the 9th and Washington St. district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Ratto’s, 821 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire” A film on the impact of our petroleum-powered lifestyle at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Changing Your Life in a Changing Economy” with presentations by real estate and financial planning advisors at 2:30 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Home, 2361 East 29th St., Oakland. Free. 434-2871. 

”Archetype & Identity” A Personal Statement writing workshop at 4:15 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 266-2069. ecBerkeley.org 

Backpacking 101 at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Dogs at Play” visual educational presentation of dogs interacting in play, narrated by professional dog trainer at 7 p.m. RSVP required for location. 524-1058. www.chacodogtraining.com 

“The Root and Fruits of Meditation” by Laurent Valosek, long-time teacher of Transcendental Meditation at 7:30 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 526-3805. 

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. 

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, JUNE 4 

Berkeley School Volunteers New volunteer orientation from 2 to 3 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Volunteer opportunities in the summer or during the regular school year. 644-8833. bsv@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

“Globalization and the New Possibilities for Social Justice” with Andrew Barlow, Professor of Sociology, U.C. Berkeley at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Donation $5. 841-4824. 

Children’s Fairyland Fundraising Gala “One Enchanted Evening” with food, performances and silent auction, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. a tChildren’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. Tickets are $75-$125. 452-2259. 

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

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Metro PCS Inc. Conference Room, 1080 Marina Village Pkwy., Alameda. To make an appointment call 800-448-3543. www.beadonor.com 

Circle of Concern Vigil meets on West Lawn of UC campus across from Addison and Oxford, Thurs. at noon and Sun. at 1 p.m. to oppose UC weapons labs contracts. 848-8055. 

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Kenneth Lajoie, USGS, retired on “The Origin of San Francisco Bay: The Natural and Unnatural History of an Urban Estuary” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 527-2173. www.citycommonsclub.org 

Disability Film Festival Superfest Kids Classics, films geared for teenagers, from noon to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Fl. Community Rm. 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

“The Living Universe: Where Are We? Where Are We Going?” with author Duane Elgin at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org 

“Croatian Stories” a documentary on Croatian heritage in California at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.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. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 

Free 6th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival offers continuous music from noon to 9 p.m. in Telegraph Ave. cafes and shops, near UC campus, plus concert in People’s Park. For performance schedules and artist information, visit www.berkeleyworldmusic.org 

WriterCoach Connection Read-and-Write-a-thon Non-stop peotry, prose, drama and fiction from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at King Middle School Library, 1781 Rose St. Staged reading of “A Raisin in the Sun” by students at 1 p.m.All welcome. For more information and to donate see www.firstgiving/writercoachconnection 

Project Peace East Bay's Day of Peace Choose between two East Bay community-service opportunities: Help beautify Claremont Middle School, 5750 College Ave., Oakland, or help remove invasive plant species from the shoreline of Berkeley Aquatic Park, 80 Bolivar Dr., from 9 a.m. to noon. RSVP at www.projectpeaceeastbay.org 

Family Fun Festival with performances, hands-on activities and information booths from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Civic Center Park. 548-2220, ext. 227. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

East Bay Open Studios Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details see www.proartsgallery.org 

“Summer Splash” A free community event with kayaking, rowing, and dragon boating from noon to 4 p.m. at Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero, in Estuary Park, on the Embarcadero, between Oak St. and 5th Ave. 208-6060. www.jlac.org 

“Running for Office 101” For potential candidates about the realities of running for an elected office, and help them create a work plan for their own campaign, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., check in at 8:30 a.m. at Peralta Community College District Boardroom, 333 East 8th, across from Laney College Football Field., Oakland. Sponsored by Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment. Cost is $45-$75. 763-9523. staff@bwopa.org 

Bob Schildgen, author of “Hey Mr. Green” a collection of popular environmental advice columns originally written for Sierra Magazine, will talk about his book at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge at Shattuck, in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room. 981-6233. 

Disability Film Festival Adult Classics (all still PG) from noon to 4 p.m., repeated 5 to 9 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $5-$20 sliding scale at the door. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

E-waste Collection Event Recycle Your Electronics! E-waste accepted: computer monitors, computers/computer components, televisions, VCR & DVD players, toner cartridges, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephone equipment, cell phones, MP3 players. NO appliances, batteries, microwaves, paints, pesticides, etc. Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at El Cerrito DMV, 6400 Manila Ave., El Cerrito. For more details, visit www.unwaste.com or call 1-888-832-9839. 

“34 Years in Murals” Open house at La Peña from 3 to 5 p.m. with muralists and artists Ray Patlan, Susie Lundy, Tirso Gonzalez and Juana, Alicia Montoya, performances at 6 p.m. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Friends of the Bay Trail in Richmond Celebrating both the 20th anniversary of the San Francisco Bay Trail and the 10th anniversary of TRAC, the Trails for Richmond Action Committee with guided walks and bicycling trips along Richmond’s shoreline. Details at www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/calendar.htm.  

Master Gardeners at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market Get advice on watering, plant selection and pest management from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Center St., between MLK and Milvia. 639-1275. http://amcg.ucdavis.edu 

Pinball Weekend at Playland Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 232-4264 ext. 25. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org 

“US Labor in the Global Economy” A discussion led by Scott Marshall, Chair, Labor Commission of CPUSA at 10 a.m at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., between Alcatraz & 66th. Hard copies of suggested readings available at the Library. 595-7417. www.marxistlibr.org 

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 

Lawn Bowling on the green at the corner of Acton St. and Bancroft Way every Wed. and Sat. at 10 a.m. for ages 12 and up. Wear flat soled shoes, no heels. Free lessons. 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, JUNE 7 

Rosa Parks Elementary Kids’ Carnival with entertainment, activities and food, from noon to 4 p.m. at 920 Allston Way. Free. 644-8812. 

Sequoias Family Day A family exploration day with interactive exhibits, science and art activities from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Temescal Street Fair from noon to 6 p.m. from 45th-51st Telegraph Ave., North Oakland, with food and drink from local businesses, live music and activities for children, arts, crafts and community booths. Sponsored by the Temescal Telegraph Business Improvement District. 830-7327. www.temescaldistrict.org 

Localize! Environmetnal Action at the Grassroots with examples of worm composting, greywater systems, recycled art, bike repair, and more from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. at BAM/PFA Sculpture Garden. bampfa.berkeley.edu/community_day 

MarketPlace Dinner Prepare and share a gourmet vegan dinner with chef Barry Schenker, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $25-$30. Reservations required. www.marketplacedinners.org 

Berkeley Rep Family Series “Summer Fun” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Nevo Education Center, 2071 Addison St. Recommended for age four and up. Free, but bring a book to donate to a school library. 647-2973. 

Social Action Forum with Prof. Chris O’Sullivan talking about the Middle East at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club, Berkeley Marina. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children 5 and over welcome with parent or guardian. www.cal-sailing.org 

Memorial for John Havard, 1949-2009, of the Saturday Night Band from 3 to 6 p.m. at Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave. 

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 Sylvia Gretchen on “The Light of Asia in the World Today” 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 2 to 6 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Also on Thurs. from 2 to 6 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs., May 28, at 5 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5217. 

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

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

City Council meets Tues., June 2, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., June 4, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7460.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., June 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7429. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., June 4, at 7 p.m. at the James Kenney Recreation Center, 8th & Virginia. 981-7418.  

THURSDAY, MAY 28 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Steven Nightingale at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Michelle Richmond and Meg Waite Clayton read at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Jeff Schonberg, photographer and author, on “Righteous Dopefiend” at 6 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Danny Caron Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ.  

JL Stiles, The Stone Foxes at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Speak the Music with Soulati and Infinite, Syzygy, Eachbox, Monkstilo, Karam and many others, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

FRIDAY, MAY 29 

THEATER 

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

Berkeley Rep “You, Nero” at 2025 Addison St., through June 28. Tickets are $13.50-$71. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Misanthrope” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through June 21. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre “Impact Briefs: Puberty” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through June 6. Tickets are $10-$17. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Lady Windermere’s Fan” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through July 4. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “Faust, Part 1” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. through June 28. Tickets are $18-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Winds Across the Bay “Impressionsism” by youth wind ensemble at 8 p.m. at The Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Artists’ Vocal Ensemble “California Fusion” with guest artist Daniel Zinn, soprano saxophone, at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$20. 848-5107. www.ave-music.org 

Tito La Rosa, Peruvian sound healer and musician at 8 p.m. at Unity Church of Berkeley, Ecumenical Center, 2401 Le Conte Ave. Tickets are $20-$25. 415-272-8517. www.ayniprojects.com/tickets 

The Invaders Trio, and Matt Small’s Chamber Ensemble, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 848-3227.  

Eclipse Dance Theater “Magdalene: Priestess or Prostitute?” Fri.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 326-8471. www.eclipsedancetheater.org 

Jon Fromer & Francisco Herrera at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Stephanie Crawford at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Hayward State College Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Birdmonster, Winters Fall, The Mumlers at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Christie Winn and The Lowdowns at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, MAY 30 

CHILDREN  

Owen Baker Flynn’s “Act in a Box” Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Illuminated Corridor” public art, live music and film from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, 7th St. and Middle Harbor Rd., West Oakland. www.illuminatedcorridor.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble “Music from Around the World” with Triskela, Celtic harp trio, and Teed Rockwell at 2 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 2005 Berryman St. Suggested $10-$15. 548-3326. multiculturalmusicfellowship.org  

San Francisco Girls Chorus “I Hear Sweet Music” at 2:30 p.m. at The Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$17. 800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Mountains of Memory, Rivers of Time” at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $17-$20. 531-8714. www.vocisings.com 

Musae “The Road Home” Women’s vocal ensemble with Bossa Five-O at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $15-$25. www.musae.org  

Ross Dance Company “To Evolve & Stay Young” contemporary jazz ensemble at 7:30 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. www.rossdance.com 

Eclipse Dance Theater “Magdalene: Priestess or Prostitute?” Sat. and Sun at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 326-8471. www.eclipsedancetheater.org 

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

The New Monomono, Kotoja, CK Ladzekpo’s African Music and Dance Ensemble at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054.  

Wake the Dead at 3 p.m. at Wisteria Ways, Rockridge, Oakland. Outdoors, bring hat and something to sit on. Suggested donation $15-$20. Reservations recommended. info@WisteriaWays.org 

Ira Marlowe and Robert Temple at Sadie Dey’s Cafe, 4210 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5-$10. 601-7378. 

Rebecca Riots, Amanda West at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Laurie Antonioli at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373.  

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

GG Tenaka and the Attractors at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Riley Bandy Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, MAY 31 

CHILDREN 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Political Art & Activism A discussion with Lincoln Cushing, Ivan Rubio, Favianna Rodriguez and Susie Lundy at 4:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Reception 3:30. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Tom Standage reads from “An Edible History of Humanity” at 3 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

A Jazz Blast jazz concert performed by Charles Hamilton & Friends, as well as Paul “Hutch” Jones & Tenacity, at 1 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5, two youth, ages 5-17, admitted free with each paying adult. 981-6690. 

Oakland Civic Orchestra “Soundscapes” at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Free. 238-7275. 

Berkeley Akademie Ensemble with Kent Nagano, artistic director, at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $20-$60. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

“Organ, Oratorio, Opera and Rag” The music of John Partridge, in a benefit for St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, at 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20. 525-0302. www.uucb.org 

Ross Dance Company “To Evolve & Stay Young” contemporary jazz ensemble at 2 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. www.rossdance.com 

Soli Deo Gloria and Orchestra Gloria “Bach à la carte” at 3:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal, 1700 Santa Clara, Alameda. Tickets are $20-$25. www.sdgloria.org 

Kelly Takuna Orphan, farewell concert at 6 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th. Cost is $25, no one turned away. 444-8511, ext. 17. brownpapertickets.com 

Heather Klein’s Inextinguishable Trio at 8 p.m., Klezmer dance lesson at 7 p.m. at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20, children $5. 848-0237. www.klezcalifornia.org 

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

Americana Unplugged: Devine’s Jug Band at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Albany High School Jazz Band, Rhythm Bound at 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Benefits AHS music program. Cost is $10-$15. 525-5054.  

Middle School Jazz Band Invitational at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $5. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Graham Parker at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761.  

MONDAY, JUNE 1 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Subterranean Shakespeare Theater Company “Cymbeline” Staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Cost is $8. 276-3871. 

Wendy Markel will show images and talk about her new book on Berkeley postcards at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donation $5. 848-3227. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley High Sings! Choral and solo music ranging from Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, the Beatles, to highlights from student composers Abby Simon/Nathan Kersey’s recent musical “Double Digits” at 7 p.m. at Florence Schwimley Little Theater on Allston Way. Tickets are $5-$10, no one turned away. 526-4506. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/68185  

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 

EXHIBITIONS 

Seamus Berkeley will discuss his new series of paintings “Passages” at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fine Art Studio, at Studio 40, 933 Parker St. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Frances Dinkelspiel on her book “Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California” at 10:30 a.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Lesli Dalaba trio with Fred Frith, Jason Hoopes and duo with Gail Brand at 8 p.m. at Studio 1510, 1510 8th St., Oakland. TIckets are $6-$100. www.myspace.com/studio1510 

Motordude Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Up Against the Wall: Berkeley Posters from the 1960s” at the Berkeley Historical Society, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Exhibit runs to Sept. 26. 848-0181. 

“Mystery Made Manifest” New work by Susan Dunhan Felix at the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. and runs through July 21. 848-0528. www.susandunhanfelix.com 

“Squeak Carnwath: Painting is no Ordinary Object” exhibition runs through Aug. 23, at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“What We Can Live With” The 39th Annual UCB Maser of Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition on display at Berkeley Art Museum through June 21. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Urban Beast or Urbane Beauty: Planning the City Beautiful” An exhibit exploring the City Beautiful Movement as manifested in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through Sept. 15 at Environmental Design Library: Volkmann Reading Room, 210 Wurster Hall, UC campus. 642-4818. 

FILM 

Independent Filmmakers Screening Night Bring your 5 - 10 minute shorts & selects to screen every Wed. at 6:30 p.m. at Café of the Dead, 3208 Grand Ave., next to the Grand Lake Theater. Oakland. 931-7945. cafedeadscreening@gmail.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Kelly Park Trio and Kelly’s Birthday Party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Turlu at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

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

Celu and Friends at 7 p.m. at Chester's Bayview Cafe, 1508 B Walnut Square. 849-9995. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 4 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Artist Talk in Conjunction with “Co-Motion” An installation about movement by Cheryl Calleri and Thekla Hammond at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. RSVP to 644-6893. info@berkeleyartcenter.org  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School Jazz Band Fundraiser Concert at 8 p.m. in the Auditorium at 1781 Rose St., Berkeley. Free, but all donations will go towards helping the jazz band program. 658-3100. 

Go Van Gogh, California Klezmer, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $TBA. 525-5054.  

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

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

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 

THEATER 

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

Berkeley Rep “You, Nero” at 2025 Addison St., through June 28. Tickets are $13.50-$71. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Misanthrope” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through June 21. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre “Impact Briefs: Puberty” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through June 6. Tickets are $10-$17. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Lady Windermere’s Fan” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through July 4. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Michael Gene Sullivan & headRush, political satire and premiere of the play “AlieNation” at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Shotgun Players “Faust, Part 1” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. through June 28. Tickets are $18-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

Kensington First Friday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. with street musicians, free refreshments at participating businesses on Colusa Circle, as well as talented, local artisans. 525-6155.  

“Art Roots Here” A recession remedy art exhibit by the students from the Laney College EcoArt Matters class. Reception at 4 p.m. at Big Daddy’s Community Garden, 3601 Peralta St., Emeryville.  

“Flip Side” sculptures, drawings, and photography of Chad Anderson, Brian Caraway, and Paz de la Calzada. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, 25 Grand Ave., upper level, Oakland. Exhibit runs to Aug. 1. 415-577-7537. www.chandracerrito.com 

“Landscapes of Our Souls” Sculptors Susan Almazol and Lorraine Bonner explore an array of raw emotions. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m.at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Lower Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. www.joycegordongallery.com 

“Altars, Icons and Drawings” by Stanley C. Wilson. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Main Floor, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. www.joycegordongallery.com 

Aaron Geman “Five to Nine Thoughts and Some Shit that Sells” and David Seiler “NeWork/Muwekma” Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., Oakland. 701-4620. www.mercurytwenty.com 

FILM 

Disability Film Festival Superfest Kids Classics, films geared for teenagers, from noon to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Fl. Community Rm. 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

“Croatian Stories” a documentary on Croatian heritage in California at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Confound, Confront and Connect” A discussion and slide show of the work of photographer Tony Gleaton at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. Admission is $5-$8. www.museumca.org 

Squeak Carnwath: Painting Is No Ordinary Object, gallery tour with curator at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Narratives of the Unforeseen” Bay Area Writers Launch (BAWL) features new works of local writers, poets and actors in the neighborhood, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at East Bay Dance Center, 1318 Glenfield Ave., Oakland. Donations accepted. bayareawriterslaunch@gmail.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

First Fridays After Five with music and exhibition tours from 5 to 9 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Ustad Aashish Khan and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, sarod and tabla at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$33. www.butahproductions.com 

Gail Brand solo, duos, trios, quartets, quintets and sextets with Gino Robair, Morgan Guberman, John Shiurba, Tim Perkis and Tom Djll at 8 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Tickets are $15. www.hillsideclub.org 

Eric and Suzy Thompson at Utunes Coffe House at 8 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$18. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Rhonda Benin & Soulful Strut at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jeannine Bonstelle “Search for Peace” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Rupa & the April Fishes, Ginger Ninjas at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13, $8 with bicycle. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 

CHILDREN  

Jose-Luis Orozco, in a bilingual children’s concert benefiting Centro VIDA Children’s Center, a non-profit bilingual preschool in Berkeley at 10 and 11:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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 

EXHIBITIONS 

Lowell Darling’s “Secret” Sat. and Sun. from 1 to 5 p.m. at Garage Gallery, 3110 Wheeler St. www.berkeleyoutlet.com 

CCA Design for Disability: Alternative Ways of Making” Reception at 2 p.m. at NIAD, 551 23rd St. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

Flying Kite Man Group Art Show Opening reception with Japanese dance performer, Kouichi & Hiroko Tamano at 7 p.m. at Subterranean Arthouse, 2179 Bancroft Way. subterraneanarthouse@gmail.com 

“Moments of Inspiration: Wild World Animals & Human Dreams” mixed media drawings and collage. Artists’ reception from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at A Different Day Gallery, 1233 Solano Ave., Albany. 868-4904. 

FILM 

Disability Film Festival Adult Classics (all still PG) from noon to 4 p.m., repeated 5 to 9 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $5-$20 sliding scale at the door. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Poetry Festival with featured readers and open mic from 1 to 4 p.m. in front of the former Cody’s Books, Telegraph at Haste. www.mothershen.com  

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

“Narratives of the Unforeseen” Bay Area Writers Launch (BAWL) features new works of local writers, poets and actors in the neighborhood, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at East Bay Dance Center, 1318 Glenfield Ave., Oakland. Donations accepted. bayareawriterslaunch@gmail.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Free 6th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival offers continuous music from noon to 9 p.m. in Telegraph Ave. cafes and shops, near UC campus, plus concert in People’s Park. For performance schedules and artist information, visit www.berkeleyworldmusic.org 

Anna de Leon and others in a fundraiser for Bay Area Children First, a children’s mental health agency at 4 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $25-and up. 883-9312. 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Dance to the Music” performances at 11:00 a.m. and noon at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Free. 559-2941. concerts@crowden.org 

Chinese Arts Gala folk dances and live music performances at 2 p.m. at The Julia Morgan 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. chineseartsprogram@yahoo.com 

Jerry Kuderna, piano, performs music of Nin-Culmell, Mompou, Villa-Lobos, Chopin, and others at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www.trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Kensington Symphony with Daniel Glover, piano soloist, performs Khachaturian, Rossini, Beethoven at 8 p.m. at Unitarian-Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $12-$15, children free. 524-9912. Kensingtonsymphonyorchestra.org 

“Applause for the Cause” Charity concert featuring Dionne Warwick and Sinbad at 7:30 p.m. at The Oakland Convention Center, 463 11th St., Oakland. Tickets are $65 and up. www.tix.com 

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

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

Andrea Claburn “Keys to Life” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

The Bobs at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Altars, Icons and Drawings” by Stanley C. Wilson. Artist talk and slide presentation at 3 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Main Floor, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. www.joycegordongallery.com 

Squeak Carnwath: Painting is no Ordinary Object Docent tour at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Masquers Playhouse “All Is Above Grace” Staged reading at 7 p.m. at Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Cost is $5. 232-4031. masquers.org  

“Getting Our Hands Dirty: What we do best at Paulson Press” on printmaking and working with artists at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Randy Rucker reads from his works of science fiction at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Flash reading for “Lyric Modernisms: An Anthology of Contemporary Innovative Poetries” at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave. Oakland. 525-5476. 

Wendy Markel will show images and talk about her new book on Berkeley postcards at 7:30 p.m. at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Pocket Opera “The Barber of Seville” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$37. 415-346-7805. www.pocketopera.org 

St. John’s Presbyterian Church Organ Recital David Hunsberger performs works by Bull, Bach and Mendelssohn at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20 . 684-7563. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Mozart in the Garden Fundraiser The Midsummer Mozart Orchestra previews selections from the 2009 season, with food and live an dsilent auctions, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. Tickets are $75. 1-800-838-3006. www.midsummermozart.org 

Dada Nabhaniilananda and Steve Taylor-Ramirez at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $14-$16. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Bandworks at 1 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Samora and Elena Pinderhughes at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Soul Jazz Sundays with the Howard Wiley Organ Trio at 5 p.m. at The Aqua Lounge, 311 Broadway, Oakland. Donation $5. 625-9601. 

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

“I myself poisoned thousands. ...” Faust, Goethe’s hero—and one of the great figures drawn by European modernity—gives his cynical, unsolicited confession to his assistant, Wagner, rejecting the tokens of love and respect Wagner reminds him that the people have given Faust and his physician father since their ministrations during an outbreak of the plague. Faust’s withering reply is to expose the charlatanism of his own medicine, the emptiness of his knowledge, his egotism. 

Shotgun Players are presenting Faust, Part I through June 28. Director-adaptor Mark Jackson plays the title role; Phil Lowery plays Wagner. 

To put it colloquially—and there’s a touch of colloquialism to this production—Faust can only see the half-empty glass. “Come down to me, earthly crystal,” Jackson intones, almost in mock heroics, as he reaches for a bucket glass shelved on a rung of the excellent metal-frame articulated screen over the proscenium—at once the bookcases of his library and the walls that hold him back from life, like a segmented spread-sheet of steel. 

Soon, he’s approached by Mephistopheles, whom Faust mistakes at first for one of the itinerant scholars who come to him, like moths around a candle. Peter Ruocco plays Faust’s devil with a droll, sad-eyed demeanor, a deadpan comedian to Jackson’s eye-rolling, doubletaking straight man. 

In fact, it’s the struggle throughout this first part of Goethe’s play: Faust’s quest for the power and knowledge to come to grips with reality—and his realization that he’s not in charge, nor are his appetites and desires the measure of life.  

Jackson’s adaptation, simplifying the text and focusing on the romance between Faust and Gretchen (Blythe Foster), moves from farce—even a kind of burlesque—to melodrama without much transition. As the accents are right on the beat, gestures and delivery have to be pumped up to be expressive; the tone is a blurry one. Good theatrical strokes, good tableaux, are preceded or followed immediately by kitsch: a lot of dancing, scurrying (or staggering, as in the case of Dara Yazdani’s mortally wounded Valentin) around treetrunks is capped by Mephistopheles stepping out from behind the upstage curtain Valentin lurched through, taking his place. A real theatrical image succeeds a hackneyed one. 

It’s always interesting to see the performance of a playwright or director in one of his own shows, like hearing a composer play his tunes. When the metal screen parts after Faust signs on with the devil, Jackson trips an awkward dance in the woods—clumsy academic or Pinocchio? There’s something of the puppet show to some of Jackson’s stylizations, and an arch earnestness that is reminiscent of the puppet who wanted to be a boy: “I cannot tell a lie.” Or is that George Washington, caught with hatchet? 

Overall, there’s a storybook feel, not just Pinocchio, say, but Don Quixote. The action has a flattened-out sense, like storybook pictures, or the Classics Comicbook Faust I remember poring over as a kid. Jackson seems to want to get down to the bare narrative; the good stroke of playing it straight through, one scene flowing into the next, uninterrupted, gives the sense of a narrative flow, or of the images and sounds of broadcast, fading away like ghosts into the next immediate images and sounds. 

In Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, part of the “joke” is having a scholar summon up evil spirits, only to get them to enable him to carry out schoolboy pranks, sensational escapades. Goethe takes the seduction of Gretchen, barely more than a schoolgirl (and, moreover, willing), and turns it from middle-aging romantic silliness to the depths of irresponsible destruction. An empty wheelchair Mephistopheles rolls past Valentin with a half-meaningful glance, in which Valentin and Gretchen’s mother once sat, brings it home a little as image—but, again, the image trembles on the brink of triteness, especially after the buffa presentation of the mother (Zehra Berkman, who does the job) amid the constant, caterwauling theme of scraping strings. (The last stroke, when she’s wheeled out to die of an overdose of sleeping medicine, attains a mournful quality, though not through contrast or counter-irritation.) 

In the sense of a simplified, acted-out story, vaudevillized a little, there’s a quality like that of Anime, naive but not always playful, to this production, though Peer Gynt might have been a better choice. Answering the question, whether he’s contemplating putting up Faust, Part II, Jackson writes in the program that the audience completes the performance. Faust, Part I, can stand alone. The second part—urbane, wise beyond urbanity—radically expands the horizons of part one, lending new perspective to its more intensive story. It’s not easy to stage, but it definitively spurs a spectator’s sensibilities past the nostalgia for stories alone, with or without moral—that kind of nostalgia showered on old movies by talking heads on TV. Ambiguity (much less irony) isn’t the same as uncertainty; Goethe didn’t write a treatment for It’s A Wonderful ... Faust! 

FAUST, PART I 

Presented by Shotgun Players at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 5 p.m. Sundays through June 28. Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. $18-25. 841-6500. shotgunplayers.org.

Charles Hamilton, retiring music director of the Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble, will play this Sunday afternoon, 1-3 p.m., at A Jazz Blast in Live Oak Theater with his group, Charles Hamilton and Friends.  

Tenacity and Paul “Hutch” Jones, an East Bay saxophonist who has played with various artists, from funk bands to Sun Ra and His Arkestra, and are also on the bill.  

“I was invited to play over there about a month ago,” Hamilton said. “When I was looking forward to Jazz On Fourth [Festival]. I needed to get some players quick, so thought of some of my alums—Ravi Apcarian, bass; Mike Spencer, drums; Robbie Boykin, guitar; and me on trombone. Then thought of Leon Wilson to come in with me on tenor sax. We’ll play mostly standards, with some originals of mine.” 

Next Friday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Schwimley Little Theatre at Berkeley High, Hamilton will lead the Ensemble, combos and lab bands. The concert will be his last local appearance before his retirement—though in July, Hamilton will accompany the Ensemble to play the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. 

Hamilton, born in San Francisco, grew up in Louisiana. “I ended up in Baton Rouge with my father’s family; started my music education in 7th grade. By the 10th grade, I was playing trumpet with the Titans, a rhythm and blues band that became very popular; we were working. I thought I could really play the trumpet, till I came to California at 18—then had to learn how to play!” 

Hamilton went to San Francisco State, “a new world for me, coming straight from the South, thrown right in the middle of State, with people from all over the world,” he said. “Baton Rouge is the state capital, but compared to California, it’s a backwoods place.” 

At SFSU, Hamilton studied with musicians of the caliber of John Handy—“I went through that program, worked really hard, in ear training, theory. A lot of the people were really patient. Just being around them, in their presence, I picked up a lot. People that possess those qualities, who are able to pass them on. I was fortunate Handy was there, teaching jazz history and a workshop where you could go write tunes”—and Bennett Friedman, whose popular Big Band played around the bay. “Bennett was really sophisticated, ahead of his time. His charts are real tasty; we even play them now. They’re right on time.” 

Hamilton took up trombone. “There were too many trumpet players around; I just wanted to be different. It was harder to coordinate my tongue and wrist. It wasn’t like playing the trumpet.”  

He recalls clubs in San Francisco like The Jukebox and the Both/And (”everybody came through there, Monk, Coltrane with Miles Davis ...”), The Half-Note (”the young George Duke played every Friday night—and occasionally Al Jarreau would come there in his white outfit, an orderly, on his way home after work ... I’d run from one club to the next, down the street.”) 

Soon, Hamilton was gigging in some of those places, playing jazz and sometimes R & B. He recalls playing with tenor saxophonist Sonny Lewis, in David Hardiman’s Big Band, with Bishop Norman Williams and a host of others. “I was in and around what was going on, in the heart of it. I put myself there; music was what I was all about—the improvisation ...” 

When he came to teach in the East Bay at 23, Hamilton “became acquainted with Ed Kelly, who had his session at Mr. Major’s Lounge. Pharaoh Sanders and Eddie Henderson would show up. And later I remember another kid—Benny Green—who couldn’t get in, who just wanted to play. I just knew him as a little redheaded kid with hair in his face.” 

Hamilton started teaching in the Berkeley School District in 1971, at Columbus Elementary School, now Rosa Parks.  

“I knew very little about the jazz program Herb Wong had started,” he said. “Later, Herb became a friend of mine. He knew all the jazz musicians. I was a new guy, coming into the school district, trying to do my job and play music outside of work. In ’71, I started Josh Jones out on drums in fourth grade, just one kid of many. Ten years later, I had moved up to middle school, at Longfellow, and had heard more about the jazz program. It still hadn’t registered.” 

Then in 1981, Berkeley High Jazz Band director Phil Hardymon became ill, and Hamilton was asked to step in. “I was shocked how talented these kids were; they played on the level I was at!” Hamilton spent two summers at North Texas State at Denton, and two more in the jazz division of the University of Nevada at Reno, “just to get on track. It took me about five years to get my footing, just to catch up with where my students were. I was 33 at the start, and it was a new thing for me, teaching jazz, jazz ensemble. When I really became aware, I became excited. I wanted to be there, get in step. And they know if you know your stuff!” 

Hamilton reflected on the continuing success of the program and the bands: “I still don’t know what it is. The talent is constant, ongoing. It just doesn’t stop. It has to be the environment. The kids are sharp, well-informed. They know what’s going on. The environment is half the battle.” 

Hamilton talked about the End Of the Year Concert on June 5: “It’ll be an all-out extravaganza; the ensemble, along with two combos, the lab band—and beginning lab is going to play ... we’re pretty much hosting the entire program at Berkeley High. And for me, this is going to be it!” 

At the close of Jazz On Fourth, notable Berkeley High Jazz alumnus Peter Apfelbaum, sitting in with the current Ensemble, asked for around of applause for Hamilton and spoke of his profound influence on the world of music. “About 20 percent of the people you hear through iPods came through him. I’m serious! Jukeboxes, too!” 

A Jazz Blast 

1-3 p.m. Sunday at Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. $5. Up to two youths, ages 5-17, free with each paying adult.  

Information: Eugene Evans, 981-6690. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/communitycalendar.  

For the End of the Year Concert,  

see berkeleyhighjazz.org.

Berkeley Akademie will feature the final performance of the season this Sunday evening at First Congregational Church, with Bach’s Italian Concerto (in a modern arrangement for chamber orchestra by Joachim F. W. Schneider); Charles Ives’ Symphony No. 3 (“Camp-Meeting”) and Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat Major, Opus 20. 

It will be Kent Nagano’s final performance as music director of Berkeley Symphony, though he’ll continue to lead the Akademie. 

The Bach concerto was originally composed for solo harpsichord, probably in the mid- to late 1720s. Joachim Schneider arranged it for chamber orchestra this year; the Akademie performance will be its premiere—in Schneider’s words, “not ... a historically oriented transcription but rather a translation of the time-honored text using the ‘vocabulary’ of our time” 

Ives’ Symphony has three subtitles, “Old Folks Gatherin’,” “Children’s Day” and “Communion”—but the approach is more abstract than programmatic in exploring hymn tunes. “Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” has, as countermelody in the first movement, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The movement ends with strings playing in one meter, the flute in another. Ives’ Third Symphony was completed in 1904, and then revised it five years later. 

Beethoven’s Septet was premiered at a benefit concert in Vienna in 1800. In the Septet, Beethoven explores nontraditional solo and accompanying combinations, giving the violin a major role. The Septet inspired Schubert’s great Octet.  

Franklyn D’Antonio, Berkeley Symphony concertmaster, who will be featured in the Akademie performance, spoke about playing under Nagano’s baton. 

“Every size group offers its own kind of reward,” said D’Antonio of the Akademie’s programming, which features chamber groups (without conductor) with orchestra alternating. “And each has its own difficulties. But everything has to be beautiful. It’s important to transfer focus from technical flawlessness to musical expression. That’s why I’ll work hours on the fingerings and bowings, trying to do something different. I put a lot of time and thought into comparing how a phrase might reoccur during a piece. Even if the listener doesn’t recognize the difference in expression, there’s a subliminal recognition: why am I feeling tedious? Because the repetitions are played in exactly the same way. In concerts like the Akademie’s, everything is like a solo.” 

D’Antonio recalled the last Akademie concert: “It was very meaningful how Kent, conducting, looked at things slightly differently, gave a slightly different slant—say, to the apex of a phrase, making it a little bit earlier or later. Every time he’d stop the rehearsal, he’d share a new insight with me.” 

D’Antonio characterized Nagano’s style of conducting: “A reserved enthusiasm emanates from the podium and his baton. When a piece is finished, he walks off to the side and joins us on our level on the stage. He has so much sincerity, whereas most conductors have so much ego. His baton technique and physical gestures are so meaningful, so spontaneous—a very rewarding kind of communication. 

Speaking of Nagano’s stepping down as music director of the symphony, D’Antonio said, “I’m very saddened, yet he’s still involved with the Akademie. His tenure, the length of time he’s had here, as appreciated as it is, is almost incredible. He’s grown in stature, become world-renowned—and sticks to his roots in Berkeley. It speaks of his emotional commitment, which is so rare.” 

Berkeley Akademie Ensemble 

7 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. $20-60.  

841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org.

In the 1960s, artists, disenchanted with the commercialization of art reached beyond the White Cube. Animated by the compelling masculine power of Abstract Expressionism, they went to isolated deserts and mountains and moved the earth, creating monumental works on a high plateau in New Mexico, in Great Salt Lake, in the Nevada desert. These enterprises, grandiose as they were, also indicated an entropic disregard of nature. 

In the 1970s, Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison employed maps, photographs, drawings and poetic dialogue to define ecosystems and feasible solutions. Agnes Denes planted wheat in Lower Manhattan and trees on a man-made mountain in Finland addressing ecological concern and human values. Christo and Jeanne-Claude dealt with political systems to create temporary structures which yield insights into the sheer beauty of a valley in the Rocky Mountains, the hills in California’s Sonoma County, the islands of Florida’s Biscayne Bay and the Arkansas River. These projects, important as they are, did not directly engage the people living in the places.  

The artists in the current Human/Nature enterprise projected their ecological concerns into artworks by engaging with the people in diverse UNESCO World Heritage sites, creating new work which was inspired and informed by both their experiences in the natural areas and their interaction with the people inhabiting these region. Among the eight artists in the exhibition, three have made the most significant contributions to art interacting with the human/nature nexus.  

Rigo 23 (nomme de guerre for Ricardo Gouveia) was born in Portugal’s Madeira Island and has been committed to political work—the Mexican Indian Movement, the Black Panthers—for a good many years, keeping his distance from the art-world. But he welcomed the Human/Nature project largely because it was not art-world specific and went to the coastal village of Cananéia and the surrounding forested areas in Southern Brazil, inhabited by mesticos, mostly descendants of African slaves. Between 2006 and 2008 he made five trips to form strong connections with the communities in the area and was able to enlist local craftsmen and craftswomen, farmers, fishermen and children to work with him. They created two monumental sculptures using traditional materials and building methods. They made replicas of contemporary weapons of mass destruction—a cluster bomb and a nuclear submarine and turned them into celebrations of life instead of death. The simulated submarine of clay is 30 feet long and is modeled after the submarines built by Lockhead-Martin. It has become an Arc of Noah or, perhaps a Yellow Submarine and is populated by lots of little people and animals with the audio transmitting their songs—a vessel of peace and joy.  

When former Secretary of State Colin Powell missinformed the UN Security Council about putative portable means of mass destruction in Iraq, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle produced a phantom truck to transport make-believe deadly weapons. The same year he received a McArthur award. For Human/Nature, he went to the largest nature preserve in Mexico, the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in Baja California, a spawning place for gray and blue whales, harbor seals and sea lions. With the assistance of local individuals he produced a multi-sensory video installation of the huge salt flats, set against an infinite sky. In his Juggernaut (2008) we see a white expanse which appears like clouds seen from an airplane, we hear the song of the whales and then this is all interrupted by the juggernaut of the underbelly of large black trucks which mine the salt—a powerful metaphor for the violent destruction of nature. 

Dario Robleto is basically involved in creating art which uses a multiplicity of mediums and investigates history, both geological and human, to find a way to rescue nature and mankind: not an easy undertaking. In 2005 he took his first trip to Waterton Glacier International Peace Park on the border between Montana and Alberta. There he worked with glaciologists, geologists and botanists to learn about the effect of meltdown of landlocked glaciers and as an artist inclined toward narration, he was also imbued by the romantic American response to the landscape by writers such as Thoreau and Whitman. He designed and crafted wooden cabinets for a number of displays. One of them shows 50,000-year-old bear claws juxtaposed to human hand bones, another exhibits over 2,000 blown glass vials and a 19th century bloodletting cupping glass. We can hear recordings of the sound of extinct animals and extinct languages. One display case exhibits nineteenth century braided hair of various lovers, intertwined with glacially released woolly mammoth hair and is framed by 50,000-year-old woolly mammoth tusks. His work is a deeply felt discourse which underscores the nature of loss.  

Dario Robleto and many of the artists in the Human/Nature project are engaged in the critical problems now faced by humanity. They do not believe in the cynical stance of postmodern deconstructivists who question the place of art in the late capitalist system. They feel that the authentic artist has a moral obligation to act when confronted by environmental destruction. The glaciers are melting, species of animals and plants are extinct. But as scientists know and as artists can demonstrate with their visual metaphors, life does continue.