THURSDAY, JULY 23 

“U.S. Policy Challenges in the World Oil Market” with Dr. Severin Borenstein, at 1:15 p.m. at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. Donation $5. 848-0237. www.jcceastbay.org 

Dog Day Thursdays Come practice your reading skills by reading to a dog. A free, drop-in program at 2 and 2:35 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Renewable Energy Software Demo and Overview An informational session on a software tool to learn how solar PV, solar thermal, heat pump or earth pipes would perform on your house or small business, at 7:30 p.m. at Builder’s Booksource; 1817 4th St. georgek@buildersbooksource.com 

“The Money Fix” Film on the problems with the current centralized monetary system and new currency solutions, followed by discussion, at 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$15.  

“Reforming the California Budget and the Process for Change”with San Francisco Assessor Recorder Phil Ting and UC Berkeley Professor of Linguistics, George Lakoff at the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Pot luck at 6 p.m. www.wellstoneclub.org 

“Creative Solutions to Balance Work and Life” with Chau Yoder, Chi Gung trainer at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

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

Three Beats for Nothing South Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Thurs. at 10 a.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ellis at Ashby. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

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

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. 

FRIDAY, JULY 24 

“The Visitor” A film about a professor who returns home to find a young couple, undocumented immigrants, living in his apartment, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church, 1600 Sacramento St. Discussion to follow. 524-4122. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St. Potluck at 7 p.m. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com  

Shimmy Shimmy Kid’s Dance with clowns, dance music and more for the whole family at 6 p.m. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Cost is $5-$10. www.rhythmix.org 

SATURDAY, JULY 25 

Berkeley Kite Festival and West Coast Kite Championships Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina. HighlineKites.com 

Help Restore Cerrito Creek Help Friends of Five Creeks volunteers remove invasives to reduce flooding and improve habitat on Cerrito Creek at the foot of Albany Hill. Meet at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara Ave., El Cerrito at 10 a.m. All ages welcome, snacks, tools, and gloves provided. Wear closed-toed shoes with good traction and clothes that can get dirty. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

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

Walking Tour of Fox Theater & Uptown Art Deco From 10 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by Oakland Heritage Alliance. Reservations required. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. 

Walking Tour of the Bungalows of Fairview Park Meet at 2pa.m. at the northwest corner of College Ave. and Alcatraz. Sponsored by Oakland Heritage Alliance. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. 

East Bay Baby Fair for new and expectant parents, with information, workshops and demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Protland Ave., Albany. Free. www.eastbaybabyfair.com 

“How Art Helps to Preserve & Protect the Landscape for Future Generations” A conversation with Phyllis Faber and Elisabeth Ptak of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, with photographer Marty Knapp, at 5 p.m., followed by sale of photographs to benefit MALT, at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

“What’s the Economy For, Anyway?” a new film by John de Graaf at 7:30 p.m. at the David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way. Cost is $10 at the door. RSVP to events@earthisland.org 

Vegetarian Cooking Class on greens from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $55, plus $5 food and material fee. Advance registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Plant Families of California: A Medicinal Perspective from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Blue Wind Botanical Medicinal Clinic, 823 32nd St., Apt. B, Oakland. Cost is $40. Two additional sessions in Aug. To register call 428-1810. 

“Backyard Chicken Keeping” with Carla Bossieux and 4-H of Alameda County at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. Free. 644-2351. 

Fuzzy Bunny Grooming: Pluck, Clip or Cut? Learn how to care for your wool rabbit from 3 to 5 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. www.rabbitears.org 

Peach Tasting at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Center St. at MLK, Jr. Way. 

Family Day at MOCHA “String Things” Tug, pull, and wrap with cords and thread to make loopy paintings and lacy sculptures, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Museum of Childrens Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. Cost is $7. 465-8770. www.mocha.org 

“Funding a Society Based on Human Needs” a Peace and Freedom Party discussion on the California budget crisis at 2 pm. at Spud’s Pizza, Adeline and Alcatraz Free. 845-4360. tomcondit@igc.org. 

Seeking Marrow Donors of African American/Asian Descent No charge, only short questionnaire and cheek swab. At 1 p.m. at Park Plaza Hotel, 150 Hegenberger Rd., Oakland. For more info contact 290-6701. www.BeTheMatch.org 

Creature Features at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach with cast and crew, Sat. and Sun. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Costs is $10-$15. 932-8966. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org 

Mystical Dance Kiyana Workshop on movements from ancient Persia from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Oakland. For details call the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California. 823-7600. 

Bay Area Crafters with handdyed yarns, ceramics and more at knit-one-one studio, 3360 Adeline St. www.knitoneone.com 

Master Gardener Plant Doctor Booth Get information on watering, plant selection, pest management from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. between MLK and Milvia. Bring pictures and samples. 639-1275. 

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.  

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.  

SUNDAY, JULY 26 

Berkeley Kite Festival and West Coast Kite Championships from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina. HighlineKites.com 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Three Summer Path-a-Thon Walks exploring the Southside/Claremont paths, 9:45 a.m. challenging, 10:15 a.m, moderate, 11 a.m. easy, followed by a bring-your-own picnic at 12:15 p.m. Meet at John Muir School, entrance at 2955 Claremont Ave. near Ashby. 520-3876. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Tour of the Berkeley City Club, designed by Julia Morgan, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. Sponsored by the Landmark Heritage Foundation. 848-7800. 

Walking Tour of Jingletown: Industry to Art Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Lancaster and Glascock, Oakland. Sponsored by Oakland Heritage Alliance. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. 

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

Social Action Summer Forum on “U.S.-Russian Relations” with Sharon Tennison, Director of the Center for Citizen Initiatives at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“How to Forgive for Good” Practical ways to let go with Rev. Mary Elyn Bahlert at 9:30 a.m. at Lake Merritt United methodist Church, 1255 First Ave., Oakland. Donations acepted. 465-4793. 

Couples Communication Workshop led by Inbal Kashtan, author of “Parenting from Your Heart” from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St. For cost and information call 433-0700. www.baynvc.org 

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 Barr Rosenberg on “Heartfelt Work” 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 

MONDAY, JULY 27 

Reduce Your Personal and Community Carbon Footprint Four-session Climate Change Action Group. Mondays or Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ecology Center in July or August. for specific dates and more information see www.ecologycenter.org  

Kensington Book Club meets to discuss “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043 

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 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group, for people 60 years and over, meets at 9:45 a.m. at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave, Albany. Cost is $3.  

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

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

TUESDAY, JULY 28 

Commmunity Talent Show The Albany Library invites children, teens and families to take the stage and share their special talents with the community at 6:30 p.m. at 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. Sign up in advance at the reference desk or call 526-3720.  

Hillside Club Book Lust Salon meets to discuss works by P.F. Kluge at 7:30 p.m. at 2286 Cedar St. Non-member donation $5. 845-4870. www.hillsideclub.org/booklust 

Six-Word Memoir Writing Workshop at 6 p.m. at Richmond Public Library, Bayview Branch, 5100 Hartnett Ave., Richmond. Free, suitable for teens and adults. 620-6557. 

“Single Payer Health Care: What’s Going On In Washington?” with Judy Pope at the El Cerrito Democratic Club at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, El Cerrito United Methodist Church, 6830 Stockton Ave. at Richmond Ave., El Cerrito. 527-5953. panterazero@gmail.com 

“Adventure at the Ends of the Earth” with polar explorer Eric Larsen at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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

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. 

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. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 

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 

Cybersalon with Scott Rosenberg on “Say Everything: How Blogging Began, What It’s Becoming, and Why It Matters” at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10 at the door. www.hillsideclub.org 

“Banished“ 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 

“Fresh” A documentary about a sustainable food system at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Freedom Sounds Like Hafez” Reading and discussion on Iran today with Mahmood Karimi-Hakak and Bill Wolak at 7 p.m. at the Persian Center, 2029 Durant Ave. 848-0264.   

Family Singalong at 4:30 p.m. at the Albany Library. Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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. 

THURSDAY, JULY 30 

Dog Day Thursdays Come practice your reading skills by reading to a dog. A free, drop-in program at 2 and 2:35 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Hip-Hop Dance Class for Teens with Lateef at 4 p.m. at South Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6260. 

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. 

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. 

FRIDAY, JULY 31 

“Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Berkeley Liberation Radio 104.1” with music at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Cost is $5-$10. 776-4422. www.bfuu.org 

“Out of the Ashes” A Project Peace Film Festival, featuring films by Bay Area female filmmakers, to benefit Oakland Elizabeth House, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $10. For reservations see www.projectpeaceeastbay.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, AUGUST 1 

Walking Tour: Rezoning: Facing Oakland’s Future A walk and discussion of density, height, views and historic preservation. Meet at 11 a.m. at the Key System Mural, 11th and Broadway, NE corner, Oakland. Sponsored by Oakland Heritage Alliance. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. 

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 

Mega-Science: Make Things That Go “Pop” An interactive program for ages 7-12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Helmet Safety for Toddlers and a tricycle rodeo, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Habitot children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

“Doi-Moi: Renewal of Society in Vietnam in a Time of Fundamental World Change” Discussion from 10 a.m. to noon at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Sponsored the the Political Affairs Readers Group. For reading materials call 595-7417. 

Superhero Weekend at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5p.m.. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 592-3002. 

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, AUGUST 2 

12th Annual Bay to Barkers Dog Walk and Festival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Parking Lot of Golden Gate Fields, 1100 Eastshore Hwy. Take the Buchanan St./Albany exit from I-80 or I-580. Cost is $25 per dog, $30 on day of event. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

Walking Tour: 20 Years Later: Loma Prieta & Oakland’s Downtown Meet at 10 a.m. at The African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. Sponsored by Oakland Heritage Alliance. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. 

Yanga Celebration A carnaval of black culture in Mexico with music and dance from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Social Action Summer Forum “Rights of Farm Animals” with Kristie Phelps, of In Defense of Animals 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 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Thurs., July 23, at 5 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs., July 23, at 5 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5217.  

Clarification 

Though the Department of Energy awarded Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) $20 million in funding for its new laser accelerator, Secretary of Energy Steve Chu didn’t make the decision, says a lab spokesperson. 

(See “Laser-Powered Accelerator Plan Gets Boost from Recovery Act,” July 16-22 issue, page one.) 

Paul Preuss said Chu has recused himself from all LBNL funding decisions for one year because of his prior tenure as the lab’s director. 

Correction 

The July 16 story, “Hall of Health Museum Closes After 35 Years,” contained an incorrect figure. The Hall of Health’s lease is $7,000 per month, not per year.

THURSDAY, JULY 23 

CHILDREN 

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie” play based on the book by Laura Numeroff, Thurs. Sat, Sun. at 4 p.m., Fri. at 6 p.m., thruough Aug. 16, at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$12. 296-4433.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Bay Area: Big, Abstract, Digital” an exhibition of new digital prints. Reception at 6 p.m. at the Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St. Exhibition runs through Aug. 23. www.digitalartsclub.com 

“Big Frame Up” An exhibit of early American Tramp Art, carved, painted, and one of a kind frames at The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St. through Sept. 2009. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

FILM 

Free Outdoor Movies at Jack London Square “It Came from Beneath the Sea” Come at 7:30 p.m., movies begin at sundown. Bring blankets and stadium seat. 645-9292. www.jacklondonsquare.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Brendan Constantine, Steve Rood and Cathie Sandstrom at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

David Kessler reads from “The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Summer Brenner and Owen Hill read from their murder mysteries set in the Bay Area at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

David Hunter, bass, at noon at the downtown Berkeley BART Station. 

President Brown & The Solid Foundation Band, Andrew Diamond at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Hans York 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 

Five Eyed Hand, Bo Carpenter at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

FRIDAY, JULY 24 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Aug. 15. Tickets are $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

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 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sage Cohen and other poets on “Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation of Read and Write Poetry” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Opera “Agrippina 2000” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 3rd St., Oakland. Tickets are $22. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Seaon Brostol, soul, at noon at the Kaiser Center Roof Garden, on top of the parking garage, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Free. www.KaiserCenterRoofGarden.com 

The Cataracs, electro pop at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Aaron Bahr, trumpet, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$10. 845-5373.  

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

Sila & The Afrofunk Experience at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054.  

Jazzy Soul Collective with Eric Roberson, Anthony David and Angela Johnson at 10 p.m. at Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th St., Oakland. 839-6169. 

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

Ten Mile Tide, Mad Buffalo at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Sonando Project Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, JULY 25 

CHILDREN  

“Rabbit on the Moon” A Japanese fairytale, 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 

THEATER 

Youth Musical Theater Company “Les Miserables” Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$20. www.brownpapertickets.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Moose Must Persuade The Duck” Encaustic drawings and monotypes by Cheryl Finfrock and kinetic art by Sudhu Tewari. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Float Gallery, 1091 Clacot Place, Unit #116, Oakland. 535-1702. www.thefloatcenter.com 

Anthony Holdsworth: Cityscape Paintings Reception at 1 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite 4. Exhibition runs through Aug. 20. 414-4485. www.altagalleria.com 

“Ex Libris” Books, objects and assemblages “from the library” by David Patterson on display in the Lobby Showcase at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rhythm & Muse music & spoken word open mic with poets Adele Mendelson & Clive Matson at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose Sts. 644-6893. 

“How Art Helps to Preserve & Protect the Landscape for Future Generations” A conversation with Phyllis Faber and Elisabeth Ptak of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, with photographer Marty Knapp, at 5 p.m., followed by sale of photographs to benefit MALT, at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Open Opera “The Marriage of Figaro”at 3 p.m. at John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Place, off the Alameda. 547-2471. 

Oakland Opera “Agrippina 2000” at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 3rd St., Oakland. Tickets are $22. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Evelie Delfino Sales Posch “Heart Opening Chants” at 8 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. Tickets are $5-$20. 548-2153. 

Sila and Dublin in a benefit for the Solar Maasai Program at 4 p.m. at the Beta Lounge, 2129 Durant Ave. 845-3200. 

Peruvian Independence Day with De Rompa y Raja Cultural Assoc. at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$18. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Stompy Jones at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Erica Luckett & Ruby at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Vento/Grinder Quintet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

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

Live Dead at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Little Muddy at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, JULY 26 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Municipal Band Concerts from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Bandstand at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave. Free. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics welcome. 338-2818. 

Open Opera “The Marriage of Figaro”at 3 p.m. at John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Place, off the Alameda. 547-2471. 

Oakland Opera “Agrippina 2000” at 2 p.m. at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 3rd St., Oakland. Tickets are $22. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Midsummer Mozart Festival Program II at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Berkeley. Tickets are $30-$60. 415-627-9141. www.midsummermozart.org 

Shirzad Sharif, Kaveh Hedayati & Friends Songs in solidarity with the people of Iran at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Peggy Stern & Kristen Strom at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged: The Honey Dew Drops at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

The Big Enough Band at 4:30 p.m. and The Malachi Whitson Group at 7 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Matthew Monfort, Mariah Parker, Ancient Future at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, JULY 27 

CHILDREN 

Nancy Cassidy children’s singer/songwriter at 10:30 a.m. at Richmond Public Library, Bayview Branch, 5100 Hartnett Ave., Richmond. 620-6557. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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

Poetry Express Open mic theme night on “joy” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

TUESDAY, JULY 28 

CHILDREN 

Nancy Cassidy children’s singer/songwriter at 10:30 a.m. at Richmond Public Library, West Side Branch, 135 Washington Ave., Richmond. 620-6557. 

FILM 

Josh and Jacob Kornbluth’s “Haiku Tunnel” at 8 p.m. at Saul’s Restaurant and Deli, 1475 Shattuck Ave. Q & A with Josh and Jacob to follow. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Voodoo Mountain Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Alan Osborne: Expressionist Enamels” on display at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Bartlett Ave., Richmond, through Aug. 29. 620-6772. www.therac.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Freedom Sounds Like Hafez” Reading and discussion on Iran today with Mahmood Karimi-Hakak and Bill Wolak at 7 p.m. at the Persian Center, 2029 Durant Ave. 848-0264.   

Scott Rosenberg on “How Blogging Began, What It’s Becoming, and Why It Matters” at 7:30 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $5-$10. www.brownpapertickets.com 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Supertaster at noon at Oakland City Center, 12th and Broadway. 

Hula Dance Performance at 2 p.m. at Richmond Public Library, Bayview Branch, 5100 Hartnett Ave., Richmond. 620-6557. 

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

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

The Thirstbusters, Gracie Coates Band at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7-$12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Montuno Swing at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa dance lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Jolly/Steinkoler Duo at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Daniel Torres Flame N’Co at 7 p.m. at Chester's Bayview Cafe, 1508 B Walnut Square. 849-9995. 

THURSDAY, JULY 30 

CHILDREN 

Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie” play based on the book by Laura Numeroff, Thurs., Sat, Sun. at 4 p.m., Fri. at 6 p.m., thruough Aug. 16, at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$12. 296-4433. activeartsttheatre.org 

THEATER 

“The W. Kamau Bell Curve” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Tickets are $15-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Youth Musical Theater Company “Les Miserables” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$20. www.brownpapertickets.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Deep Water” Paintings by Ryan Blackman. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Exhibit runs to Aug. 30. 848-1228. giorgigallery.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Novella Carpenter, author of “Farm City: the Education of an Urban Farmer” reads at 7:30 p.m. at Pegaus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Natalie Cressman, trombone, at noon at the downtown Berkeley BART Station. 

Johnny Nitro & The Doorslammers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Blues dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Gerry Tenney with California Klezmer & the Lost Tribe at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $21.50-$22.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

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

FRIDAY, JULY 31 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman, through Aug. 15. Tickets are $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

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 

Oakland Summer Theatre “Aladin and the Wonderful Lamp” a multi-generational musical Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sun. at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelord Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $9-$10. 597-5045. 

“The W. Kamau Bell Curve” Through Sun. at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Tickets are $20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Too Big To Fail” at 6:30 p.m. at Willard Park. www.sfmt.org 

Youth Musical Theater Company “Les Miserables” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$20. www.brownpapertickets.com 

FILM 

“Out of the Ashes” A Project Peace Film Festival, featuring films by Bay Area female filmmakers, to benefit Oakland Elizabeth House, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $10. For reservations see www.projectpeaceeastbay.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Quartet Rouge, acoustic pop, at noon at the Kaiser Center Roof Garden, on top of the parking garage, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Free. www. 

KaiserCenterRoofGarden.com 

“Pirated Mid-Summer Night Dreams—Purple and Black Ball” with Lolita Sweet, The Chairman and Triple Ave. at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Cost is $5-$10. 776-4422. 

Celebration of Faith, gospel performances with Ronnie Mills, Linda Jackson, Godsend and others at 8 p.m. at Hilltop Community Church, 3118 Shane Drive, Richmond. Tickets are $10. 778-1903. 

Eric Swinderman’s Straight Outta Oakland at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Joe Warner Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373.  

Danjuma & Onola, Makuru featuring Ousseynou Kouyate at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054.  

Bluehouse, acoustic female duo, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

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

Guitar Duel: An Evening of Classical Guitar with Jard and Fred at 7:30 p.m. at 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. Tickets are $12-$18. guitarduel.eventbrite.com  

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

Tony Rich at 10 p.m. at Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th St., Oakland. Tickets are $15. 839-6169. 

The Skye Steele Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

George Cole & Vive Le Jazz at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Donation $10-$12. www.georgecole.net 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 

CHILDREN  

“Dinosaur on My Head” a musical program with Peter Apel at 3:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. For ages 3 and up. 524-3043. 

EXHIBITIONS 

Juried @ BAC 2009 Annual juried exhibition featuring works on paper. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

THEATER 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Too Big To Fail” at 2 p.m. at Willard Park. www.sfmt.org 

Shotgun Players “The Farm” Sat. and Sun. at 4 p.m. at John Hinkel Park, Southhampton Ave., through Sept 13. Suggested donation $10. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

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

FILM 

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival at the Roda Theater, 2025 Addison, through Aug. 8. For schedule and tickets 866-558-4253. www.sfjff.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The African American Presence in Mexico with Son de la Tierra at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Tickets are $10. 238-6942. www.museumca.org 

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

Pellejo Seco at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cuban salsa lesson at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Claudia Russell and the Folk Unlimited Orchestra with Dan Navarro at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Wendy Darling, The Graham Patzner Band, Mirror Fauna at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 

CHILDREN 

Rafael Manriquez & Ingrid Rubis at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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 

FILM 

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival at the Roda Theater, 2025 Addison, through Aug. 8. For schedule and tickets 866-558-4253. www.sfjff.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Lucille Lang and Roz Spafford at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 525-5476. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Municipal Band Concerts from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Bandstand at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave. Free. Lawn chirs, blankets and picnics welcome. 338-2818. 

Yanga Celebration A carnaval of black culture in Mexico with music and dance from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Avotcja at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Stompin’ the Blues at 6:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 6 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

BluesSunday with Roger Brown & Friends at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$110 and potluck. 472-3170. 

The sweep of bowed strings—cello and violin—blends in with piano and guitar, coming down from the musicians’ loft in the Altarena Playhouse, a little moody, impersonal yet country-flavored, powering the singing and texturing the story of The Spitfire Grill, the 2001 musical from the 1996 movie of the same name. 

That story’s sung and told in straightforward style: a young woman, leaving prison after five years, goes to a little rural town to start over, only to find the town itself is failing, abandoned ... 

She becomes, on and off, the centerpiece of gossip, fueled by the snoopy postmistress, working in the only eating establishment in town—and slowly learning the local secrets, the tragedies the townspeople are still in the shadow of, and what they don’t speak of, don’t even guess. 

The mood and the music carry much of the show like a dark stream the cast is carried along by, and they ride it gracefully. Thematically, The Spitfire Grill is about the healing of the displaced and the reconciliation of those rooted to place with the memories and survivors of what they’ve pushed away, or passed them by. Specifically, it wades in the troubled waters of post-Vietnam America, touching difficult, divisive themes sentimentally, with everything made better, but not muffling the resonance of the worst of those years. 

The cast of seven work well together, from the lone appearance of Percy (Sarah Kathleen Farrell) onstage, singing of getting away from imprisonment—to Gilead, a ghost town, where Joe (Jonathan Reisfeld), the local sheriff, is her parole officer, taking her in the middle of the night to the Spitfire, where its crusty owner Hannah (Kristine Anne Lowry) reluctantly takes her in as waitress and general factotum, later pairing her with her nephew Caleb’s (Paul Plain) wife Shelby (Donna Jeanne Turner) to run the place when her hip goes out.  

All the while, postmistress Effy (Ella Wolfe) is fanning up the gossip, while Caleb—always in the shadow of his MIA cousin, Hannah’s son, Gilead’s golden boy—missing his wife at home, starts his own snooping into Percy’s past. Meanwhile, Percy—and the audience—becomes aware of another uprooted, elusive presence, played by Leland Traiman. 

Half the cast is new to Altarena; some of the rest played in Bat Boy together—a musical that, ironically enough, spoofed some of the small town Americana clichés The Spitfire Grill brushes up against. 

But the sonorous quality of James Valcq’s music soothes and smoothes over potential rough spots; the economy of the book he wrote with lyricist Fred Alley lets the cast work as ensemble to put the story across, directed very well by Frederick L. Chacon, Altarena’s artistic director.  

Donna Turner plays a different, softer role than her last few at Altarena, and she does it very sympathetically, also delivering the best song, “Wild Bird,” with concentration and focus. 

The Spitfire Grill is able to touch gracefully on old standbys of nostalgia like the changing seasons in a small, rural “heartland” town, the sense of being forgotten in confused times and by a divided society, lost in the expanse of space—what some of the great T’ang Dynasty Chinese poets realized classically—moodily (and eerily) reminiscent of late ‘70s-early ‘80s America, the setting of the tale. There’s even a touch of Frank Capra, neither false nor cloying, as it often is in contemporary fare. 

The Spitfire Grill’s reliance on an evocative quality proves to be its beacon and saving grace. A story that reminds, in passing, of other stories, other events ... not a statement so much itself as an overtone—or a throb—of a troubled era that still is less past than swept under the carpet. 

SPITFIRE GRILL 

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 16 at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda. $17-$20.  

523-1553. www.altarena.org.

A few years back, pioneering stand-up comedian and social satirist Mort Sahl—who is appearing with veteran humorist Dick Gregory at the Rrazz Room in downtown San Francisco through Saturday—was asked, after a show at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, where he placed himself in the political spectrum. 

“I’m an old Berkeley radical,” Sahl said, “Not some Social Democrat, with avarice in their heart, talking about loving Humanity—unless it’s from Haiti, or someplace else that’s not in fashion.” 

Sahl, whose career first took off at the old hungry i nightclub in North Beach in 1953, retains his independent perspective and his signature wry, wayward wit—and employed it this week in a phone interview, taking off from that recollection: 

“Social Democrats are too righteous for radicals. And they’re in heaven now with Obama. He never speaks for an audience less than 75,000. He’s beyond criticism; he’s been ‘divined.’” 

All that’s silenced the liberals. They can’t say anything now, about the war or anything else ... Nancy Pelosi ... and Joe Biden, who’s like Ed McMahon.”  

Asked about the opposition, Sahl acerbically replied, “A Higher Power decided to sacrifice the Republican Party.” 

Sahl continued: “The Republicans regard Rush Limbaugh as if he held higher office. If I don’t listen to him, I see him on Keith Olbermann anyway! It’s all so apparatchik.” 

During the presidential campaign last year, Sahl was asked his opinion of current political comedy. He replied that it was parody; he practiced satire. Pressed for examples, he said Tina Fey impersonating Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live was parody, whereas—after seeing a newsphoto of Palin speaking to a crowd in a WalMart parking lot—“I could say, ‘she’s the only one in that parking lot I wouldn’t hire.’ I don’t know if that’s good, but it’s satire.”  

Reminded of that, Sahl made one of the quick about-faces that characterize his style as much as the asides that overtake his jokes, sometimes throwing listeners used to what A. J. Liebling would call the “On the Other Hand” ploy of commentators: “The way liberals ridicule Sarah Palin shows a class prejudice: ‘How dare this woman from the wrong side of the tracks ...” 

Speaking of contemporary entertainers, Sahl reflected, “I don’t think many guys working today have any politics. Stephen Colbert went to Iraq to entertain those guys over there. What’s the difference between him and Bob Hope? Jon Stewart doesn’t have much. And Larry King’s politics are to decide with the winner, a deference to the powerful. Most so-called topical humor is like gossip twice removed. Steve Allen said to me that the talk shows were presided over by people who can’t talk. Every guy’s the same, pretending something just happened to him. They’re all inventing their own bourgeois.”  

Sahl continued: “It’s a decision comedians have to make, to provide escapism instead of confronting real situations. And it’s kind of infinite. Since they can’t make politically incorrect jokes, there’re ways they get around that with certain groups. Instead of making jokes about women, they might phrase it, ‘Four Jewish girls go to lunch, and the waiter says, “Is Every Thing All Right? ...”’ It’s wrong with individuals, but en masse it’s okay! The country has set the standards very low.”  

Sahl was born in 1927 in Montreal; his family moved to Los Angeles, where he graduated from the University of Southern California. Asked if he had gone to school in the Bay Area (both UC Berkeley and Stanford have been cited as alma maters), Sahl said, “That’s part of the mythology. It worked in the club. I could’ve, but as it happened, I didn’t. I chased a girl up to Berkeley. And met some really good people.”  

August 1960 saw Sahl’s picture on the cover of Time magazine. His career rose to a high-water mark. When Kennedy was elected, Ed Sullivan banished Sahl from his popular TV show, to keep Sahl—a JFK supporter—from making jokes about the president.  

After Kennedy’s assassination, Sahl was deputized by New Orleans District Attorney James Garrison for his independent investigation of the killing.  

“Some people were fearful of it, didn’t want to hear it,” Sahl said of their questioning of the Warren Report. “Garrison planted a seed of doubt; nobody believes it now. But nothing was done about it. They don’t have to execute anyone else; they did a frontal lobotomy on the nation.” 

It was said Sahl had lost his sense of humor. “I never proselytized on the stage; I made it funny. But tough. Talking about Oswald being shot, I’d say: Twenty-four members of the Dallas Police Force were standing by; twenty-five, if you count Jack Ruby.” (Sahl was quoted as saying, “According to [the] Gallup [Poll], 88 percent of the American people don’t believe in the Warren Report. I certainly wouldn’t want it on my conscience that I disturbed the faith of the remaining 12 percent.”)  

Sahl reflected on those years: “I wanted to save America. I thought people were really noble, that it would liberate them, giving them facts the mass media ignored. And they did nothing. They were distracted, scared. Not any worse than the people of any other generation, just no practice at rebellion. The Foundering Fathers!” 

Sahl found it hard to get bookings. His income plummeted from over $400,000 a year to $19,000. He ghostwrote screenplays, wrote “additional dialogue.” The past two years, he’s taught at Claremont McKenna College, in Southern California: “Two classes: ‘The Revolutionary’s Handbook’ and ‘Screenwriting.’ They wanted screenwriting. It’s all a facade; I really talk about the same thing. I try to bring them a fresh perspective to those stones unturned about American history.” He joked about the student body “running around with an Apple under their arm and an i-Phone in their hand, not understanding they’re carrying the instruments of divisiveness.” He won’t be returning this fall. “Two years is enough. Claremont’s too isolated. I’ve had a call from the University of Chicago, another from UCLA. Time to move on, do something else.”  

Sahl said he and Dick Gregory have worked together “many times, very successfully, from Mill Valley to West Palm Beach. Dick Gregory calls it the way he sees it.” 

Both Sahl and Gregory have exerted a profound influence on the comedians who followed them. Woody Allen once said Sahl’s effect on comedy was like Charlie Parker’s on jazz.  

“I was touched when Woody wrote in his autobiography that the first time he saw me on stage it changed his life,” Sahl said in the years scandals rocked Allen’s career. “Then the other night he called me and said, ‘Can you change it back?’”  

Asked last year about Sahl, Allen asserted he still had his sense of humor, that Sahl had told Allen he’d been offered a course to teach on the Holocast, but turned it down: “I want to see first how history judges the event.”  

Speaking of the comedians who influenced him, Sahl mentioned “Fred Allen, Syd Caesar, Herb Shriner, Mark Twain, Henry Morgan ... you don’t start anything yourself.”  

Reminded of his old tag line—which he completed, laughing—that Will Rogers pretended to be a yokel making fun of the intellectuals in Washington, whereas “I’m pretending to be an intellectual, making fun of the yokels in Washington!”—Sahl remarked that Rogers was “in that tradition ... but I can tell you—in my university days, nobody referred to me as an intellectual!” 

He summed up the relation between his material and his audience: “The reason I succeeded is that they all had that on their mind; I crystallized it.” 

Summertime ... Charlie Brown stolidly leading his baseball team down to defeat, hit after hit flying high over his head as pitcher, while the players gossip about him in the outfield. Soon it’ll be fall—with Lucy yanking away the football she’s suckered the ever-gullible Charlie Brown into trying to kick off. 

Peanuts is—or was, before Hallmark made it a kind of instant nostalgia—one of the perennials of postwar American life. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown captures the élan of the strip’s middle period, extending it out past the limit of a few panels to the stage, a miniature milieu musical in a series of vignettes around Charlie Brown and his entourage—menagerie, if you count Snoopy—of friends, neighbors, schoolmates. 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley just opened You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, “a revival of a revival” (the 1999 Broadway revival added two new songs to the 1967 original), from a well-mounted production originally at the Masquers Playhouse. A few of the original players are in this one, too.  

Director Gregg Klein notes that the show is often regarded and performed as a kids’ show, with younger actors or by high school drama departments. He’s right that there’s much more to it—and much more than gets extracted by the feel-good family versions community theater can be rife with.  

Part of the charm of Peanuts, as it grew up, was its eccentric cast, all little kids, but kids with poise and attitude. As kids ourselves at the time, we certainly got it, and were tickled that our Peanuts contemporaries, as we thought of them, got away with playing grown-up with such a vengeance. 

Klein’s big kids pull it off, too. Charlie Brown, the Existential Everyman of suburbia (tempting to call him the Kid Without Qualities), played engagingly by Kyle Johnson, agonizes over his wishy-washiness (a real Peanuts phrase I don’t remember uttered once in the play), finally resorting to Lucy’s “Psychiatric Help,” suspiciously looking like a refurbished lemonade stand, where that bellicose, self-proclaimed little queen (portrayed with admirable hauteur by Michelle Pond)—truly a juvenile White Queen out of Alice—dispenses curbside advice. 

Charlie Brown spills out his anxieties. Lucy very professionally reads him out and tells him how to join the crowd and achieve his dreams. Charlie Brown smiles, referring to their session as proof of deep friendship. Lucy sticks out her hand and says crisply, “That will be five cents.” 

Johnson and Pond unite with the rest—Ted V. Bigornia as thumbsucking, intellectual Linus (with a security blanket); Shay Oglesby-Smith as sassy little sister Sally; Davern Wright as dour artist-type Schoeder, who Lucy the philistine fussbudget (another Peanuts word I don’t remember hearing) is hooked on; and David Irving as Snoopy, that high-soaring beagle imagining himself a World War I ace—making a tight little ensemble, singing the dozen or so songs, played by an octet (half doubling on kazoo) under the direction of Patricia King, dancing to Kris Bell’s choreography, in Dianne Beaulieu-Arms’ costumes on David Bradley’s clever, attractive set, lit by Renee Echavez and Deborah Sandman, with sound by Marti Baer and Joe Ponder. Roger Schrag produced the show for AE. 

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is one of those adaptations that works, like The Fantasticks; if it’s done with skill and understanding. It has a funny spin to it, avoiding being coy, false naive. 

The kids play grown-up with rare polish. Charlie Brown, most humane of all, just wants to be a person, be himself. And Snoopy knows that as the dog, he’s really the guest at the supper dish, and can be anything he wants. 

The cast picks up on it and plays it that way, giving the third dimension to a squiggly-line comic strip everybody in America read.  

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN 

Presented by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 13 at Live Oak theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org. 

This weekend may prove to be the choicest moment of summer opera in the East Bay, indoors and out—and over a span of millennia, from ancient Rome through the 18th century to the present day. Two adventuresome independent local companies, Open Opera and Oakland Opera Theater, will stage, respectively, Mozart’s most famous opera, The Marriage of Figaro in period dress, outdoors (and free) in John Hinkel Park, and a “a post-modern view” of Handel’s opera on its 300th anniversary, Agrippina 2000, American Emperor at their Oakland Metro Operahouse near Jack London Square. 

Open Opera, founded in 2008, will perform Figaro fully staged for 11 characters, with an orchestra of eight, conducted by Berkeley Opera’s Jonathan Khuner, with Da Ponte’s original Italian libretto with English supertitles. A bare stage will accent the trees of John Hinkel Park. “A warm summer day with glorious music, hilarious comedy, friends, food, trees, opera ...” Beer and wine, plus seasonal Japanese bento boxes, snacks from Peko-Peko ($5-15) will be available. “Bound to be this summer’s cheap thrill act.” 

Open Opera’s artistic director, Olivia Stapp, is former artistic director of Festival Opera; their managing director, Ellen St. Thomas, is a former Sega America executive who is now a lyric soprano, teacher, conductor and director; creative director Elizabeth Baker is a mezzo-soprano and composer, and also vice president of Resource Renewal Institute, a San Francisco-based environmental nonprofit. 

Oakland Opera Theater’s Agrippina 2000, playing Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon, is something edgier, but in good fun. Billed as “the most ancient yet most modern opera” the company’s ever done, as a “Pythonesque” absurdist opera, a political farce with conflicting anachronisms, as it skips in time between ancient Rome, where Agrippina plots to install her son, Nero, as emperor, to 18th-century Venice, where Agrippina premiered at the Carnevale three centuries ago, to our nation’s Capital during the 2000 presidential election, Agrippina 2000 promises a “unique stylized environment” through the fusion of multiple time settings, a resetting of Vicenzo Grimani’s “anti-heroic,” politically allusive libretto—and of the score to a quartet with amplified cello and violin, “half string quartet, half power trio”—and most Pythonesque of all, a collaboration with filmmaker Ethan Hoerneman, whose projected imagery “evokes Terry Gilliam’s.” (It could be perfect counterpoint to the recent Berkeley Rep production, You, Nero, another anachronistic romp across the centuries—or that ghastly farce attributed to Seneca for Nero’s delectation, The Pumpkinification of Claudius ...) 

Agrippina 2000 features Sepideh Moafi as Agrippina, Christa Pfeiffer as Nero; Pallas is played by Andrew Chung, Narcissus by Sara Couden; Igor Vieira is Ottone; Jennifer Ashworth, Poppea; and John Bischoff, Claudius. Deirdre McClure conducts, and the stage direction is by Oakland Opera’s artistic director, Tom Dean. 

AGRIPPINA 2000,  

AMERICAN EMPEROR 

Presented by Oakland Opera Theater at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 Third St. $22. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org. 

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO 

Prestented by Open Opera at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset, off The Arlington. Free. 547-2471. www.openopera.net.