THURSDAY, JULY 2 

Berkeley Recycling Center BBQ & Open House See Berkeley’s recycling program in action with tours of buyback and donation operation, watch sorting and baling equipment, observe off-loading of curbside trucks, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berkeley Recycling Center, 2nd St. and Gilman St. 524-0114.  

Come Play Board Games at 3 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, Main Children’s Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Most of the games are only suitable for ages 3 and up. 620-6557.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at the American Red Cross bus at 2106 Shattuck Ave. To schedule an appointment go to 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. 

Summer Dance Party EveryThurs. at 7:30 p.m. at Live Oak Park. Teachers will lead a variety of dances from around the world. All ages at 7:30, teens and adults at 8:30. Cost is $2 children, $5 adults. 

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

FRIDAY, JULY 3 

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

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 

Sideshow weekend at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Celebrate P.T. Barnum's birthday with a trip to the sideshow Fri.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 932-8966. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.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, JULY 4 

4th of July at the Berkeley Marina with entertainment, food, games, arts and crafts booths and more, from noon to 9:30 p.m.. Fireworks at the Berkeley Pier at 9:30 p.m. No cars after 7 p.m. 

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

El Cerrito’s Fourth of July Celebration, with carnival games, rides, circus performances and live music, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cerrito Vista Park on Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. www.el-cerrito.org 

Fireworks at Jack London Square with music at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free. www.portofoakland.com 

Disney’s High School Musical: Summer Celebration at 7:15 p.m. at Craneway Pavilion, inside the historic Ford Point Building, 1414 Harbor Way South, Richmond. Activities from 5 p.m. on. Performance followed by fireworks. www.craneway.com 

Independence Day on the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet with live music, interactive games and tours of the carrier, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. Cost is $10-$25. 521-8448, ext. 282. www.hornetevents.com 

People’s Weekly World Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, as well as the 40th anniversary of the first Venceremos Brigade with music, Cuban food and art exhibition from 1 to 5 p.m. at 2232 Derby St. Cost is $12. 548-8764. 

Adbusters July 4th Event with Adbusters contributing editor on the future of the anti-corporate movement in America at 6 p.m. at The Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. micah@adbusters.org 

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 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 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. 

Open Shop at Berkeley Boathouse from 1 to 5 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Take part in constructing a wooden boat or help out with other maritime projects. No experience necessary. First time is free, cost is $10 per day. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

SUNDAY, JULY 5 

Bay Trail Bike Bash Brunch for the grand opening of the new Ford Point Bay Trail at at 8 a.m. at Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbor Way South, Richmond. Ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m. www.craneway.com 

Social Action Summer Forum with Carson Perez, Program Associate for the Children’s Defense Fund California on “Freedom Schools, Children’s Sabbath, and the Goals of the Children’s Defense Fund” 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 11 a.m. and 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 

Huston Smith on “Tales of Wonder” at 11:30 a.m. at Epworth UMC, 1953 Hopkins St.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Judy Rasmussen on “Creating Positive Community” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JULY 6 

Sunset/Moonrise Waterfront Walk Join Friends of Five Creeks to explore the Berkeley waterfront at dusk, including new and upcoming restorations. Meet at 6 p.m. at Sea Breeze Delicatessen, 598 University, just west of I-880/580. This is an easy, mostly level walk of about 2.5 hours. No dogs allowed on parts of trail. 848- 9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Make a Scraper Bike Come and decorate your wheels, we will provide foil, candy wrappers, and other flashy stuff to decorate with. Bring your bike. At 4 p.m. at the West Side branch library, 135 Washington Ave., Richmond. 620-6557. www.richmondlibrary.org 

“Castoffs” Knitting Group at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. lodea@ccclib.org 

Community Yoga Class 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 

East Bay Track Club for girls and boys ages 3-15 meets Mon. and Wed. 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 981-6148. 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.  

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

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

TUESDAY, JULY 7 

Birds and Butterflies: Easy Garden Enchantment Learn about water-wise, wildlife friendly gardening with the Audubon Nature Studies Class. Meets for five Tues. from 7 to 9 p.m. at Albany Adult School, 601 San Gabriel. Register at http://www.albany.k12.ca.us/adult/birding.html 

“The Conscience of Nhem En” with filmmaker Steven Okazaki at 7 p.m. at Jewish Community Center East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Also showing “Smile Pinkie.” RSVP to https:www.homeboxoffice.com/rsvp/oscarshorts. 888-684-0385. 

“Fresh” Screeening of film about our food system at 8:30 p.m. at Saul’s Restaurant and Deli, 1475 Shattuck Ave. Suggested donation $10. saulsdeli.com 

Make a Scraper Bike Come and decorate your wheels, we will provide foil, candy wrappers, and other flashy stuff to decorate with. Bring your bike.At 4 p.m. at the Bayview branch library, 5100 Hartnett Ave., Richmond. 620-6557. www.richmondlibrary.org 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. learn about ways to greet, inform and thank our community’s blood donors; deliver blood; call donors; or help with special projects.Registration required. 594-5165. 

Introduction to Improv Theater and Acting with Pan Theater in downtown Oakland, from 8 to 10 p.m. For ages 18 and up. Free. Advance registration requested pantheater@comcast.net 

“On Communism, Leadership, Stalin and the Experience of Socialist Society” A discussion at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

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. 

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. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

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. 

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, JULY 8 

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 

“Salvador: I Want My People to Live” a documentary about the FMLN victory in the 2009 Salvadoran elections at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. 849-2568. 

Free Screening of “Is the Crown at War with Us?“ as part of the Radical Film Nite with free popcorn and post-film discussion, at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. www.thelonghaul.org 

“The Real Dirt on Farmer John” A documentary about a mavarick midwestern farmer at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Backpacking Kings Canyon National Park at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Square Dancer Program A new 14-week series begins at the Montclair Women's Center, 1650 Mountain Blvd. Oakland. For details esirbu@sbcglobal.net or 531-6843. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. 548-9840. 

Theraputic Recreation at the Berkeley Warm Pool, Wed. at 3:30 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Warm Pool, 2245 Milvia St. Cost is $4-$5. Bring a towel. 632-9369. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. at Berkeley BART station. 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. 

THURSDAY, JULY 9 

Creeks, Parks, & Gardens Walk for walkers age 50+ to discover community gardens, restored creeks, environmentally friendly landscaping, and a “hidden” Albany park on a level, 3.5 mi. walk. Meet at 9 a.m. at the garden next to Berkeley Bagels, 1281 Gilman, near Santa Fe. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and snack. Walk is free but numbers are limited. Please register at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic. 524-9122, or Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. 524-9283. 

East Bay Mac Users Group With presentations of the Omni Group's OmniFocus and OmniGraffle by David Alter and Howard Cohen at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound Street, Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

Caddwynn the Magician will present her magic show at 3 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, Main Children's Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 620-6557. www.richmondlibrary.org 

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. 

Summer Dance Party EveryThurs. at 7:30 p.m. at Live Oak Park. Teachers will lead a variety of dances from around the world. All ages at 7:30, teens and adults at 8:30. Cost is $2 children, $5 adults. 

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

FRIDAY, JULY 10 

Tsukimi Kai Fundraiser with Nikkei and Latino music and dance, raffle and silent auction at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Water Safety Skills Class for parents and caregivers from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.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 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Office, Dining Conference Room, 1950 Franklin St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.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. 

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

SATURDAY, JULY 11 

The Crucible’s 9th Annual Fire Arts Festival Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Fire Arts Arena, W. Grand Ave. and Wake Ave., Oakland. www.thecrucible.org 

Impact Theatre Benefit Poker Tournament at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $50. impacttheatre.com 

“Breads and Tortillas: Eat Your Way Through History” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. Cost is $1. Tours of the house also available. Wear socks. 532-9142. www.peraltahacienda.org 

Common Agenda Regional Network Meeting on the California budget crisis, U.N. Durban Review Conference, alternatives to the death penalty and John Yoo, at 2 p.m. at Gray Panthers’ office, 1403 Addison St., 527-9584. 

Rabbit Adoption Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa Circle. 525-6155. 

Introduction to Improv Theater and Acting with Pan Theater in downtown Oakland, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. For ages 18 and up. Free. Advance registration requested pantheater@comcast.net 

“Bamboo” Learn about the right types to plant in your garden at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. Free. 644-2351. 

Adventure Weekend at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 932-8966. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 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. 

Open Shop at Berkeley Boathouse from 1 to 5 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Take part in constructing a wooden boat or help out with other maritime projects. No experience necessary. First time is free, cost is $10 per day. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

SUNDAY, JULY 12 

Medicinal Plants in Strawberry Canyon Learn the historical and modern medicinal applications with any utilitarian potential, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bring water, snacks/lunch, hat/sunscreen, a notebook, and a camera. Cost is $25. To register call 428-1810 or email bluewindbmc@yahoo.com 

“Specter of Revolution Stalks Iran’s Theocratic Rulers” A discussion at 10:30 a.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 658-1448. 

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. 

Social Action Summer Forum with Antonio Medrano, Board Member for the West Contra Costa School District on “What’s Happening in the District?” at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Huston Smith on “Tales of Wonder” at 11:30 a.m. at Epworth UMC, 1953 Hopkins St.  

Silpada Designs Jewelry Show and Sale to benefit the Adult Day Service Network of Alameda County from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Home, 2361 East 29th St., Oakland. 534-3637. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 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 Erika Rosenberg on “Emotions in Mind” 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 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., July 2, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7460.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission/Zoning Adjustments Board Meeting meets Thurs., July 2, at 6 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7429. 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., July 6, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

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

Housing Element Community Meeting Wed., July 8, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., July 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., July 8, at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 981-4950. 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., July 8, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6737.  

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs., July 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5428.  

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., July 9, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., July 9, at 7 p.m. at the James Kenney Recreation Center, 8th & Virginia. 981-7418.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., July 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7430.  

Housing Element Community Meeting Thurs., July 9, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416.  

THURSDAY, JULY 2 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bongo Love at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Kelly Park Trio and Friends at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

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

These United States, Mushroom at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. 

FRIDAY, JULY 3 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Jack Goes Boating” through July 19. Tickets are $28-$50. 843-4822  

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through July 19. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132.  

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. 

Pinole Community Players “Pump Boys & the Dinettes” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Community Playhouse, 601 Tennet Ave., Pinole, through July 11. Tickets are $17-$20.  

Opera Piccola “The Play’s the Thing” staged readings at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Help Me Remember How Beautiful the World Is” Works by YaChin Bonny You. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at the Compound Gallery, 6602/6604 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. Exhibition runs through July 26. 655-9019. 

“This Town” Group art show of cities, people, cultures of Northern California. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Exlectix Galery, 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. www.eclectix.com 

“just because there are questions, does not mean there are answers” Installation by Sam Lopes, Joy Fritz and others. Opening reception at 7 pm. at Blankspace Gallery, 6608 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. 547-6608.  

“Wood and Water” Works by Mary Curtis Ratcliff and Anna Vaughan and “Forecast” Works by Julie Alvarado, Aaron Geman, Kathleen King and Joan Weiss. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., Oakland. Exhibition runs to Aug. 1. 701-4620.  

“Painting from a Deep Place” Works by Leigh Hyams and others. Reception at 7 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to July 11. 663-6920. 

“Shedding” Works by Kimberley Campisano and Yasmin Lambie-Simpson on the creative expression of change. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Red Door Gallery, 416 26th St., Oakland. www.reddoorgalleryandcollective.com 

FILM 

The Afro-Mexican Presence in Film with sceenings of “The Forgotten Robot” and “The Third Root” at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

UpSurge! Jazz poetry for the 3rd Annual Fredrick Douglass Day/Alternative 4th of July Celebration with the Frederick Douglas Youth Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Barbeque at 6 p.m. www.opcmusic.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Independence Day Celebration with the Oakland East Bay Symphony at 7 p.m. at Craneway Pavilion, inside the historic Ford Point Building, 1414 Harbor Way South, Richmond. Free. www.craneway.com 

Technohop Danceparty: In-degenerate’s Day Edition at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Danny Caron Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Justin Ancheta, Stitchcraft at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8 with bike, $10 without. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Darol Anger’s Monster String Quartet with Brittany & Natalie Haas and Lauren Rioux at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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

Terrence Brewer Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, JULY 4 

THEATER 

Disney’s High School Musical: Summer Celebration at 7:15 p.m. at Craneway Pavilion, inside the historic Ford Point Building, 1414 Harbor Way South, Richmond. Activities from 5 p.m. on. Performance followed by fireworks. www.craneway.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Macy Blackman & The Mighty Fines at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Youssoupha Sidibe in a benefit for SEVA, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $110-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Joshi’z 3 at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, JULY 5 

EXHIBITIONS 

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 

Amy André, Sherilyn Connelly, Kimberly Dark, Daphne Gottlieb, and others read from “Visible: a Femmethology” at 6 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sing Out for Single Payer with Anne Feeney, Jon Fromer, Roy Zimmerman and many others at 5 p.m. at 33 Revolutions Cafe, 10086 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 898-1836. www.33revolutions.com 

Americana Unplugged: Ragged but Right at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Jaz Sawyer’s Eight Legged Monster at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

MONDAY, JULY 6 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Subterranean Shakespeare “Henry VI, Part 2” Staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $8 at the door. 276-3871. 

Aurora Theatre Company Script Club with Education Director Michael Mansfield on Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” at 7:30 p.m. at 2081 Addison St. 843-4822.  

John and Pam Walker: From Chicago actors to the Academy Awards with bumps, reversals and triumphs at 7 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donation $5. 848-3227.  

Poetry Express with “Alexander” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

TUESDAY, JULY 7 

FILM 

In the Realm of Oshima “Violence at Noon” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

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 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Zak Smith at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

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 

Wade Love Band, soul, at noon at Oakland City Center, 12th and Broadway. 

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

The Itals, roots reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Chip Taylor with Kendel Carson at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, JULY 9 

CHILDREN 

Caddwynn the Magician at 3 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, Main Children’s Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 620-6557. www.richmondlibrary.org 

FILM 

Free Outdoor Movies at Jack London Square “Dead Calm” Come at 7:30 p.m., movies begin at sundown. Bring blankets and stadium seat. 645-9292. www.jacklondonsquare.com 

In the Realm of Oshima “The Man Who Left His Will on Film” at 6:30 p.m. and “Dear Sumer Sister” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Whittaker: Works and Conversation Panel on art, nature and the environment, with Sam Bower, John Toki and Kathleen Cramer at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $7, free to artist members. 644-6893. 

Tea Party Magazine: The Free Issue with poetry readings at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Peter Jan Honigsberg reads from “Our Nation Unhinged: The Human Consequences of the War on Terror” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Farallon Recorder Quartet with Annette Bauer, Letitia Berlin, Frances Blaker, and Louise Carslake perform works from the 14th century to the present at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20.  

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

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

Country Joe’s Open Mic with Mugg Muggles, Man of Many Manifestations at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Donation 45-$10. 841-4824. 

BASSment, Whiskey Hill at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

FRIDAY, JULY 10 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Spitfire Grill” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Aug. 16. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Jack Goes Boating” through July 19. Tickets are $28-$50. 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.  

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through July 19. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Masquers Playhouse “Copenhagen” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Tickets are $10. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Pinole Community Players “Pump Boys & the Dinettes” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Community Playhouse, 601 Tennet Ave., Pinole, through July 11. Tickets are $17-$20. www.pinoleplayers.org 

Woodminster Summer Musicals “Peter Pan” at 8 p.m. at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joachin Miller Rd., Oakland, through July 19. Tickets are $25-$40. 531-9597. www.woodminster.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

Patricia Leslie, animal portraits, watercolor and ink, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 2427 San Mateo St., Richmond. Enter gallery around corner, on Sacramento Ave. 

“Heart of the Mountain” Poems and paintings from Heart Mountain, Wyoming relocation camp by members of the Tachibana Ginsha poetry group while interned during WWII. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at K Gallery, Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Balnding Ave. Alameda. www.rhythmix.org 

“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. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Debra Grace Khattab and Leah Steinberg will read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. 

David Watts reads from “The Orange Wire Problem and Other Tales from the Doctor’s Office” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Cafe Americain, gypsy jazz, at noon at the Kaiser Center Roof Garden, on top of the parking garage, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Free. www.KaiserCenterRoofGarden.com 

Point Richmond Summer Concert with Michael Van, Americana, at 5:30 p.m. and Still Time, groove rock, at 6:45 p.m. at Park Place at Washington Ave., Point Richmond. www.pointrichmond.com 

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

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

Sambada and Tambores Remelxo, Brazilian, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

The Real Sippin Whiskeys, The Family at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

The Dave Stein Bub-Hub at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Terrence Brewer Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, JULY 11 

CHILDREN  

“Ciguapas” Stories from the Dominican Republic Sat. and Sun. at 12:30 and 3 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

“Happy To Be Girls” with illustrator Jenny Matteson at 1 p.m. from 1 to 4 p.m. at Museum of Childrens Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. 465-8770.  

THEATER 

Woman’s Will “The Taming of the Shrew” at 1 p.m. at John Hinkle Park. Free.  

FILM 

In the Realm of Oshima “Pleasures of the Flesh” at 6:30 p.m. and “Empire of Passion” at 8:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Moe’s 50th Anniversary Party from 3 to 8 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “The Ballad of Baby Doe” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $18-$48. 925-798-1300, www.berkeleyopera.org 

Bob Ernst & Ruth Zaporah, improvisers, at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Cost is $20. momentsnoticeinfo@gmail.com 

Aguacero with Rico Pabon, Sandra Garcia Rivera and Lina G. Torio at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Baba Ken & Kotoja at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

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

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

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

Joshi’z 3 at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Christopher Fairman, Pomegranate, Rocking Chairs at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $9. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

SUNDAY, JULY 12 

EXHIBITIONS 

Meet the Museum Docent tour at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Squeak Carnwath: Painting Is No Ordinary Object, curator tour at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

THEATER 

Woman’s Will “The Taming of the Shrew” at 1 p.m. at John Hinkle Park. Free.  

FILM 

Tribute to Hayao Miyazaki “My Neighbor Totoro” at 4 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Lee Goland Lives Tribute concert to the late songwriter at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $6-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Gina Harris & Jason Martineau at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged: The Backyard Party Boys at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Israeli Folkdance with Allen King at 1:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

A spirited new gallery opened recently on Bancroft Way in the former J. Goode men’s clothing store, which was designed by Julia Morgan. The new owners had the good sense to retain the fine mahagony racks which are now used as frameworks for showing paintings. The space was launched with an innovative group exhibition that included amazing kinetic sculptures by Margolin. 

Now showing is the work of three distinctive artists. The Alphonse Berber Gallery, which offers performance art, opened the current show with a work by the Macedonian artist Igor Josifov, who performed most recently at the inauguration of the new Modern Art Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago. At the gallery in Berkeley, he was joined by San Francisco performance artist Michael Ryan Noble. Josifov moved his naked body on a narrow ledge as well as up and down a stairway while his head was covered by a white cube, making it impossible for him to see where he trod. Only the head of his performance partner, Noble, was visible during the dynamic action, called Being You Uses Me. While the audience socialized, the two performers were an integral part of everyone’s peripheral vision.  

On the gallery walls there are evocative photographs by Josifov, many of them of the artist himself, wearing a mask, others addressing Christian and Moslem iconography. Many of them are rather frightening, indicating the artist’s awareness of the cultural and moral realities of contemporary life. 

Joshua Dildine, a young painter—in fact, still a student at Claremont Graduate University—is represented with a number of paintings, which prove that Abstract Expressionism is still alive and kicking. These are not latter-day appropriations of Action Painting, but a vigorous continuation of a 20th century tradition. They remind us of Joan Mitchell’s abstract landscapes. Dildine knows how to wield a wide brush to apply a mixture of oil and acrylic to canvas and achieves an effect of pulsing energy. I was particularly impressed by a 30x40-inch drawing in which a web of lines converge on or diverge from great black knots. 

The visitor of the exhibition will also be rewarded by Dana Costello’s delightful pictures of little girls in crisp school uniforms, standing in line, playing blind man’s bluff or just walking about. In the New York Times review of a previous Costello exhibition, Julia Leach compares her paintings to Henry Darger’s canvases with which the artist must be familiar. Her paintings too, are dream-like, but they are not weird pictures of little girls with penises. They are uncomplicated and enchanting.

A Midwestern gal takes a bite of the Big Apple, gets her hair bobbed, dances the Charleston in a speakeasy and is busted in a raid; falls for the first ne’er-do-well she meets, instead of the successful boss she’s determined on; evades the toils of White Slavery—and lives happily ever after. 

That’s the lowdown on Thoroughly Modern Millie, the musical on stage at Contra Costa Civic Theatre in El Cerrito, carrying the torch of the ’60s film spoof of the Roaring ’20s that it’s fashioned after. (Which, in hindsight, looks like a crazy quilt of crossed talents: Julie Andrews, James Fox, Carol Channing—and the glorious Bea Lillie in her silver screen swan song—directed by Ross Hunter! Oh those eclectic ’60s ...)  

Summer ups the demand for frothy fare—as does the air of uncertainty around state and national issues, especially the economy. But Millie isn’t just a pleasant airhead, even if that’s how a few of the kids on the corner type our heroine. With Daren A. C. Carollo directing and Joe Simiele conducting the sextet that powers Liz Caffrey’s choreography and the singing of cast and ensemble—the production numbers are exciting, the pacing is crisp—if it’s frothy, that’s what it all gets whipped up into. 

Besides the street Millie arrives on, divested of purse, hat and scarf in the process, and the aforementioned speakeasy, as well as the precinct office for booking and a conga line of mug shots, the plot propels our novice flapper into a “theatrical” hotel, filled with forlorn Broadway wannabes; the typing pool of a high-powered office downtown; and the swank precincts of Cafe Society, if also its kitchen when dishwashing passes for legal tender.  

Millie (Morgan Breedveld) meets man-about-town Jimmy Smith (Ron Houk), a jack-of-all-trades, as well as other hyphenated non-professions; Mrs. Meers (Laurie Strawn, playing Bea Lillie’s nutty role as a would-be diva posing as crossover dragon lady), who runs the hotel, and her behind-the-scenes accomplices Ching Ho (Bryan Pangilinan) and Bun Foo (Natalie Tse); statuesque ingenue Miss Dorothy Brown (Hannah M. Newton), the girl (in the hotel room) next door; Miss Flannery (Marisa Borowitz), who runs the corps-de-bureau with an iron hand for adored (if frenetic) boss Trevor Graydon (Tom Reardon); and socialite/chanteuse (on the Red Hot Mama side), Muzzy Van Hossmere (Patty Penrod). 

A show like this is dependent on a few elements: competent leads to further plot and romance; a gallery of eccentric characters and the actors who can bring them to zany life; and a hardworking ensemble that can swing into action, yet turn on a dime, going from auditioners to barflies, stenographers to haute monde ... and back again. CCCT manages well in all categories, not always a given in community theater, which just adds to the warmth of its neighborly, family-oriented feeling. 

It all gets nutty as soon as Millie checks in to Mrs. Meers’ sinister hostelry—and when Ching Ho and Bun Foo burst out in a Cantonese reprise, replete with supertitles (and other operatic exaggerations), of Millie’s brave little number, “Not for the Life of Me,” giving pre-talkies Al Jolson a run for his Hong Kong dollar. The show switches into high gear right after intermission with Millie, Miss Flannery and a phalanx of lovelorn typists avowing to “Forget About the Boy.” 

If I’m evading the story more than a little, it’s because it’s a mixture of surprises and camped-up clichés—all in the cleverness of the doing, a kaleidoscope of off-the-wall burlesques of oldtime big-town fun that still delivers the goods, revolving around Lisa Johnson’s great Manhattan set, with Adam Fry and Travis Rexroat’s lights and sound and costumer Melissa Anne Paterson’s period dress sprucing up nearly two dozen livewire performers intent on having fun—and conveying it. 

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE 

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays through July 19, at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org. 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre will host a cast reunion party, an event in their ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, Saturday, July 24. Cast members from 1960 through the present are invited.

Jack Goes Boating, Bob Glaudini’s play now onstage at the Aurora, is a little bit of a double work-buddies comedy—Jack and Clyde drive limo for Jack’s uncle; Lucy supervises Connie, selling grief seminars in a funeral home phone tank—combined with a couples comedy, though these four are no Bob, Carol, Ted and Alice, much less the lost souls of Carnal Knowledge.  

There’s a sense of the hybrid about Jack Goes Boating; it never breaks down into its constituent elements, as many contemporary comedies seem to, becoming protracted, live theater versions of TV sketch or situation comedy. Neither does it define an idiosyncratic form of its own.  

Most interesting, most important: although Jack operates off a basic premise, a comic situation that develops (if sometimes sideways, even verging on shaggy dog) as well as acquiring tempo and volume by employing running gags and goofy situations that build up, almost vertiginously, the truest humor is conveyed by texture, by the feel of the characters and events, a kind of studied over-familiarity that becomes at times an almost grotesque strangeness, without losing a basic warmth, its humanity.  

There’s a tradition—or perhaps overlapping traditions—in American humor for something like the kind of tone Jack achieves, maybe closest to the work of two writers who were inspired by Sherwood Anderson, started out with stories about the children of ethnic immigrants, then went into theater or screenwriting, living the lives of Hollywood or New York celebrity or professional: William Saroyan and John Fante. 

Glaudini himself has worked as a director. In his program bio, he singles out playwrights whose work he has directed who all espouse one or another form of absurdism or alienation: Beckett, Genet, Ionesco, Brecht, Pinter, Sam Shepard. Joy Carlin, who directed the Aurora show with both a light touch and sense of focus amid the attention deficiency of this menage, has directed a few absurd comedies, and one by Arthur Miller, The Price at the Aurora, which both incorporated and scrutinized absurd humor. It would seem Glaudini would be a director’s playwright in a field that often puts the director on the spot. 

The casting works very well: Danny Wolohan as deadpan, obtuse Jack, naive to a fault in his determination to be somehow positive; Beth Wilmurt, who took on a similar role under Carlin’s direction in Bosoms and Neglect at Aurora last year, here playing Connie, as intense and eccentric—and absent-minded—a loner as Jack. 

The two are brought together by the very different, long-bonded (perhaps in dysfunctionality) and more urban, if not exactly urbane Clyde. Gabriel Marin takes the role and poses his swaybacked orations on life with a vertiginous Body English; it’s great physical comedy. His better half by mutual consent, Lucy—played with pert layers of contradictory mood and wilfullness by Amanda Duarte—is the one mover-and-shaker on the scene, though whether she’s steaming straight ahead is hard to catch; still, her wake’s a formidable one. Their constant activity and verbosity prove counterpoint to Connie and Jack’s diffidence, and give the play much of its atmosphere. 

Atmosphere’s the thing, and a tangible part of it is hempen; one running, situational gag produces bigger—and presumably better—means to smoke. Another, really the axis or crux of the play, is Jack’s determination, assisted by an unlikely mentor in Clyde and the unseen third—or is it fifth?—wheel of “The Cannoli,” to master swimming so he can take Connie boating, study cuisine so he may cook for her, which she swears no other man has. 

Things go surprisingly well, though the coefficient to easy hopefulness is sudden disaster. A few of these moments cut through the genially nutty sociality of this unlikely little community, all towards middle age—will they see it through together or alone?—while doggedly displaying badges of protracted post-adolescence, against the background of New York, where every gesture or recognition seems “named into anonymity,” as poet Lew Welch put it. 

Melpomene Katakalos’ set, lit by Jim Cave, and Chris Houston’s sound design and music anchor this loopy tale, yet at moments, render it fabulous.  

JACK GOES BOATING 

8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through July 19 at Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison. $28-$50. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org.