Arts & Events

Arts Calendar

Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:43:00 AM

THURSDAY, JULY 16 -more-


From ‘Prairie’ to Freight and Salvage

By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet
Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:44:00 AM
Inga Swearingen

“I started off with my guitar, singing folk songs,” said jazz singer Inga Swearingen. A frequent guest on National Public Radio’s Prairie Home Companion show with Garrison Keillor, Swearingen will perform with her jazz band Wednesday, July 22, at Freight and Salvage. -more-


Midsummer? Then It Must Be Time for Mozart

By Ira Steingroot Special to the Planet
Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:45:00 AM

If the economy, global warming, the state budget impasse, two wars, nuclear proliferation and the fact that your 401k is in the toilet have got you leaning on your elbow like Durer’s Melancholia, cheer up. -more-


Four Larks Presents ‘The Master and Margarita’

By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet
Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:45:00 AM

Led through a progression of rooms—passages between them with flashing lights, bureaucratic apologies and evidence of some urban accident—into a devilish cabaret, devilishly good fun, where gypsies, eccentrics, a big cat on two legs and others sing and dance, the spectators are finally pulled into another room, a party, the guest of honor on a trapeze, all invited to kiss her knee . . . -more-


Shadowlight Puppet Play at ‘The Rootabaga Opera’

By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet
Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:42:00 AM

“I’m driving to rehearsal in a truck loaded with banging metal shadow puppets,” said shadowmaster Larry Reed of Shadowlight Productions, who is co-directing the spectacular aspect of Dan Cantrell’s The Rootabaga Opera, featuring actors, dancers, shadowplay, women’s vocal group Kitka singing to live music. The show takes place tonight through Sunday at The Crucible’s annual Fire Arts Festival in West Oakland, which also hosts performances by several dozen other musicians, dancers, theater and circus artists, as well as demonstrations of the fire arts The Crucible teaches in workshops at its nearby facility. -more-


Julia Morgan Center, Berkeley Playhouse Merge

By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet
Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:40:00 AM

The Julia Morgan Center on College Avenue and the Berkeley Playhouse have announced their merger as the Julia Morgan Young People’s Performing Arts Center. -more-


Wiring to Avoid: Porcelain Fuses and Knife Switches

By Matt Cantor
Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:39:00 AM

I’m a sucker for old things. Seventy-year-old cars, 100-year-old tools and Fiesta-ware pitchers. Actually, much of the reason I inspect houses for a living is my love of old things. Yes, there are those bothersome days when I have to inspect a brand new 4,000-square-foot house, but I generally manage to conceal my ennui. (And then there’s the money…) -more-


Community Calendar

Thursday July 16, 2009 - 10:38:00 AM

THURSDAY, JULY 16 -more-