THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 

Cynthia McKinney’s Triumph Tour She will discuss her stay in an Israeli prison, her trip to Gaza and the importance of independent media at 6:30 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $15, but no one turned away. 415- 671-078. www.sfbayview.com  

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have a treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

“Opting Out of the Consumer Trap” Simplicity Forum at 6:30 p.m. at the Claremont Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave.  

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

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have a treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Childproofing Your Home free advice for parents and caregivers from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaiser Center Lobby, 300 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.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. 

Stand With Us Stand for Peace Stand with Israel vigil every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. www.sfvoiceforisrael.org 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 

Lone Tree at Low Tide Explore one of the only exposed reefs within the bay, beachcomb, and hunt the rocks for hiden coastline wildlife, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Lone Tree Point Regional Shoreline. For meeting place please call 544-2233. 

Woody Walk Alameda Join historian Woody Minor on a tour highlighting the architecture of Central Alameda. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Meyers House & Garden, 2021 Alameda Ave., Alameda. Free for AAPS members, $5 others. 986-9232 

Urban Releaf Tree Planting Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on West MacArthur and San Pablo, Oakland. 601-9062.  

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.  

Cohousing Bus Tour of the East Bay Learn about cohousing and visit several communities, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Cost is $95. For more information see www.cohousing.org/tours 

Up Close and Natural Learn how to use a magnifying lens and learn about the microscopic world under our feet on this guided hike, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

“The Spirit of West Oakland” BBQ celebrating green neighbors and West Oakland’s local heroes from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Poplar Park, 3131 Union St., Oakland.  

Junior League of Oakland-East Bay Information Session at 10 a.m. at 6934 Norfolk Rd. RSVP to jloebmembership@gmail.com 

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. www.watersideworkshops.org 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 

Youth Spirit Artworks 2nd Annual Art Chair Auction from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Merritt Boathouse, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. www.youthspiritartworks.org 

Little Farm Goat Hike Join a short hike with the Little Farm goats as we explore the historic connections between humans and their ungulate friends, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Little Farm, Tilden Park. For ages six and up. 544-2233. 

Stroller Donation Day Bring your used strollers for donation to two Oakland non-profits, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to Let’s Go Strolling showroom, Kaiser Center next to 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. info@letsgostrolling.com 

Kids Garden Buffet Join us in the Kids Garden and learn about vegetables and fruits, and then help us harvest, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 544-2233. 

Social Action Summer Forum “Social Justice and the Environment” with Bob Shildgen, Sierra magazine columnist, at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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. 

Tour of the Berkeley City Club, the “little castle” designed by Julia Morgan from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. 848-7800. 

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 Santosh Philip on “Integrating Physical and Mental Energy” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

MONDAY, AUGUST 24 

Cynthia McKinney’s Triumph Tour Dinner with the former Congresswoman and presidential candidate at 5:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions Cafe, 10086 San Pablo Ave. at Central, El Cerrito. 415-671-0789. www.sfbayview.com  

Kensington Book Club meets to discuss “The Terrorist” by John Updike at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Contra Costa Chorale Rehearsals begin at 7:15 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navallier St., El Cerrito. New singers are being acepted. for information call 427-2026. www.ccchorale.org 

Drop-in Knitting Group Work on your own project or make pet blankets and children’s hats for donation. Yarn, needles and instruction provided. From 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 536-3720.  

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Bring water, field guides, binoculars or scopes. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 544-3265. 

Women’s Equality Day honoring Patricia Maginnis at 5:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of. Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Sponsored by Bay Area NOW chapters and California Women’s Agenda. For information and reservations call 636-0338. 

El Cerrito Democratic Club Meeting with Ellis Goldberg, chair of the Tri-Valley Democratic Club, on “Restoring Democracy to California: A Sane Approach to Budgets and Revenue,” and photojournalist Dale Mead on “AB 583, the California Fair Elections Act,” at 6:30 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, El Cerrito United Methodist Church, 6830 Stockton Ave. Refreshements and pizza available at 6 p.m. for $4. 527-5953. 

Benefit for David Hunter Memorial Scholarship Fund which helps youth participate in programs of the El Cerrito Recreation Dept. Sale of furniture Tues.-Thurs. from noon to 5 p.m. at Tradeway Furniture Bldg., 10860 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 559-7000. 

“Truman’s Post-World War II Assault on Labor” Discussion with The Freedom Socialist Party’s ongoing study group on Art Preis’s “Labor’s Giant Step” at 5:50 p.m. at Room 374-A Boalt Hall School of Law, UC campus. 415-864-1278. www.socialism.com 

Alain Badiou’s “Politics of Emancipation: A Communism Locked Within the Confines of the Bourgeois World” A discussion at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Morris Dance Workshop at 7:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. No experience necessary, all welcome. www.berkeley-morris.org 

Berkeley PC User Group meets at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St., corner of Eunice. MelDancing@aol.com 

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 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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 always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Bird Walk at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the large spherical cage near Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

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

“Cook Food: A Manifesto for Easy, Healthy, Local Eating” with author Lisa Jervis at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

“Living Food” An Evening with Viktoras Kulvinskas at the Oakland Raw Food Meetup at 6:30 p.m. at Kaia Foods, 2925 Adeline St., Emeryville. Cost is $15. 

Great Books Discussion Group meets to discuss “Goblin Market” by Rosetti at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 536-3720. 

“This Dust of Words” A documentary of ELizabeth Wiltsee who had an IQ of 200, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Auditions for ages 12-21 from 4 to p.m. For application and information see www.ypsomusic.net 

East Bay Innovation Group meets to discuss “Clean Tech SIG: Measuring Sustainability for Fun & Profit” at 6 p.m. at RHI, 1999 Harrison St., Suite 1100, Oakland. www.ebig.org/cleantech 

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. at the 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. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about animal adaptation from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

ACCI Seconds Sale Thurs.-Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 5 p.m. at 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

“Other: Asian & Pacific Islanders Prisoners’ Anthology” A discussion with author Eddy Zheng at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Kids Nature Night Out with games, crafts and nature walks from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 5-12. Cost is $10-$12. 1-888-327-2qp757. 

Community Women’s Orchestra Rehearsals begin near Lake Merritt in Oakland. For details see www.communitywomensorchestra.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. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 

“Trouble the Water” A documentary of Hurricane Katrina shot by residents of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church, 1600 Sacramento St. Discussion follows. 524-4122. www.berkeleyfriendschurch.org 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction. Potluck at 7 p.m., dancing at 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. 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. 

Stand With Us Stand for Peace Stand with Israel vigil every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. www.sfvoiceforisrael.org 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 

Walkathon to Benefit Fight Against Cervical Cancer in Africa starting at 10 a.m. at the Pergola at Lake Merritt. Sponsored by Prevention International: No Cervical Cancer. To sign up see www.pincc.org 

Trails Challenge Hike: Traversing Tilden Join an invigorating 5-mile hike led by naturalist Bethany Facendini from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring water, lunch and sturdy boots, swimsuit and towel. For meeting place call 544-2233. 

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.  

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. To register call 428-1810. 

East Bay Evolution Bike Tour A tour along Oakland’s waterfront to meet culinary artisans and taste their creations, from noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $40. RSVP to 654-6346. www.hesternet.net/events 

Freight and Salvage Grand Opening Open House from noon to 5 p.m. with workshops, perfromances and building tours, at 2020 Addison St. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Hands-On Drip Irrigation Installation Learn how to plan and install a drip irrigation system. Bring gloves and lunch. Cost is $20-$25. RSVP required. 548-2220, ext. 239. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Project Peace East Bay’s Day of Peace from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Berkeley’s University Village, 1125 Jackson St. helping run the “No Matter What you Speak, You are Welcome” International Fall Festival and Potluck. Those who wish to volunteer may register at http://dayofpeace-fbnews.eventbrite.com 

Walking Tour- Stroll Along a Transformed Shoreline in at MLK Jr. Shoreline Park from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at Arrowhead Marsh Parking Lot. Bring binoculars. Cost is $10-$15. Sponsored by The Oakland Heritage Alliance. 763-9218. 

Children’s Clothing Swap from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berkeley Covenant Church, 1632 Hopkins St. Cost is $5 and at least one bag of clothes to swap or $7 for expectant mothers. Proceeds and extra clothes will be donated to local charities. Infant to size 12 kids welcome. Bring good quality, clean clothes like you would want to find. laileenf@gmail.com 

Floral Design Class with Devon Gaster from 1 to 3 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Cost is $25. www.expressionsgallery.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.  

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.  

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 

Immigration Community Action A forum with elected officials sponsored by Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church Hall, 2123 Jefferson Ave. www.berkeleyboca.org 

Wonders of Watershed Learn about the intricacies of the waterways in your neighborhood through interactive games and crafts, from 11 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

Walking Tour- Oakland Point & The West Oakland Marsh Meet at 10 in front of the Southern Pacific Train Station, 16th and Wood Streets. Sponsored by The Oakland Heritage Alliance. Cost is $10-$15. 763-9218. 

Flutter By Butterflies Tour the butterfly garden, at 2:30 p.m. and help with a gardening project to improve their habitat at 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

“Single Payer Health Care, Not War” meeting at 7 p.m. at the Art House, 2905 Shattuck.  

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 

Social Action Summer Forum “Current Events in the Middle East” with Dr. Stephen Zunes, Prof, USF, at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Liberation Psychology” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 

FILM 

Berkeley Filmmakers Series “Little Manila” and “Sikhs in America” at 7 p.m. at Zaentz Media Center, 2600 Tenth St. Free, but reservations required. reservations@berkeleyfilmscreening.com 

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

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tommi Avicolli Mecca reads from the anthology “Smash the Church, Smash the State! The Early Years of Gay Liberation” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Caspian Hat Dance, Kugelplex at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Klezmer dance lesson at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $13-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

VIR, Murder of Lillies, Huff This, Photons at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Mochi Parra & Rafael Manriquez at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Adrian Gormley Jazz Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 843-8277. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Awake and Sing!” through Sept. 27, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $15-$55. 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.  

HurLyBurLy Productions “Cat’s-Paw” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Periscope Cellars, 1410 62nd St., Emeryville. Tickets are $20. periscopecellars.com 

Lower Bottom Playaz “Mama at Twilight: Death by Love” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at The Sister Thea Bowman Memorial Theater, 920 Peralta St., rear yard, through Aug. 23. Cost is $10-$20. 208-1912. 

Masquers Playhouse “Loot” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Sept. 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Stage Door Conservatory “Footloose” Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$25. 521-6250. stagedoor2005@yahoo.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

Cody Sai Spring 2009 Fashion Collection at 7 p.m. at Ideas in Motion Studio, 2332 Fourth St., Studio J. RSVP to 525-2130. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Sonic Strut, R&B, at noon at the Kaiser Center Roof Garden, on top of the parking garage, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Free. www.KaiserCenterRoofGarden.com 

Dancing Under the Stars Swing with Ben Oni Orchestra at 8:30 p.m. at Jack London square. Dance exhibition and lessons at 7:30 p.m. www.lindendance.com 

Michael O’Neill & Friends at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Hali Hammer & Friends at 8 p.m. at Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Suggested donation $5-$10 to benefit Art House Gallery. 472-3170. 

Smooth Jazz Groove Evening of contemporary & fusion jazz at 8 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $20. 849-2568.  

Lynx & Jamie Janover, Tystria at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Generalissimo, Ghost Echoes, Mariana Trench at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

The Whistlepig Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 

THEATER 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Too Big To Fail” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Live Oak 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 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poet/Librarians Read with Marc Elihu Hofstadter and Alan Bern at 3 p.m. in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6107. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Rhythm & Muse spoken word/music open mic featuring Minor Excursions, with Gael Alcock, Cello, Sue Draheim, violin, Cello Zymbidium, with Hugh Fox, Adrienne Miller, Chris Becerra, George Meigs, and Marilyn Cooper, tai ji at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose Sts. Donations appreciated. 644-6893.  

The Righteous Mothers, progressive folk rock at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Walter Savage’s Well Well Hellraisers! at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Solo Cissokho, African, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Beep! Jazz Trio with Michael Coleman at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Harley White Jr. Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 

CHILDREN 

Banana Slug String Band at 3 p.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

THEATER 

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

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Americana Unplugged: The Bass Anglers at 5 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 843-8277. 

MONDAY, AUGUST 24 

THEATER 

“The Great Zamboni” solo-show performed by Jordan Winer at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, at the corner of Ashby and Martin Luther King. Pay what you can, no reservations necessary. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Rachid Halihal & Friends at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Moved by Tradition” Original and poster artwork inspired by the traditional music at Freght & Salvage, on display at the Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St., through Sept. 7. 981-7546. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

John Curl reads from “For All the People” on cooperative movements for social change, at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Alison Gopnik reads from “The Philosophical Baby: What Children’s Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love and the Meaning of Life” at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 848-3227. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Cedric Watson and Creole Bijou at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

“Sangria” by Mariah Parker, CD release party at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 

FILM 

New Cuban Filmmakers at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

THEATER 

“Proposition One: Abolish Nuclear Weapons” presented by a peace troupe crossing the nation, at 7:30 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

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 

Music on the Main with Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic at 5 p.m. at the corner of Macdonald Ave. and Marina Way, next to the Richmond BART station. www.richmondmainstreet.org 

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

Strange Angels Blues Band at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bayview Cafe, 1508 B Walnut Square. 849-9995. 

The Soul Burners at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Quinn Deveaux & The Blue Beat Review at 8 p.m., at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Wendy DeWitt at 8:30 p.m. at Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave. Cost is $14. 665-8866. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 

EXHIBITIONS 

Kala Residency Projects Part II New work by Nicholle Maury, Yasuaki Onishi, and Ali Richards. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Kala Art institute, 2990 San Pablo Ave. www.kala.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Eddy Zheng discusses “Other: Asian & Pacific Islanders Prisoners’ Anthology” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Eek-A-Mouse, reggae, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054.  

Freight Fiddle Summit with Alasdair Fraser, Liz Carroll, and Darol Anger at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761.  

Wayne de la Cruz B-3 & The Big Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Walty, Big Nasty at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Speak the Music at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8. 849-2568.  

Charles Wheal at 8:30 p.m. at Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave. 665-8866. 

Kat 010 at 7 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Awake and Sing!” through Sept. 27, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $15-$55. 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.  

Central Works “Machiavelli’s The Prince” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through Sept. 19. Tickets are $14-$25. www.centralworks.org 

Galatean Players Ensemble Theatre “Rivets” A musical based on Rosie the Riveter and Richmond’s Kaiser Shipyards, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. on board the SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd., Berth 6A, Richmond, through Sept. 27. Tickets are $15-$20. Rosies, WW2 Veterans and uniformed soldiers, free. 925-676-5705. galateanplayers.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Loot” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Sept. 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Somewhere in Between” New works by Laura Borchet. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Eclectix Gallery, 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Also “The Tattoon Show” tattoo and cartoon art. Exhibitions run to Oct. 4. www.eclectix.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Emmyryss Wren at Friday Night Poetry at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Natasha Miller, vocal jazz, at noon at the Kaiser Center Roof Garden, on top of the parking garage, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Free. www.KaiserCenterRoofGarden.com 

Domestics Unlimited/Theater Arts Music, comedy, food, artwork at 6 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Cost is $13. www.brownpapertickets.com  

Pellejo Seco at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$13. 849-2568.  

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

Mama Hagglin, Coup de Ska, The Real Tom Thunder at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Helladelics, Greek roots band, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

David Grisman Quintet, Greg Liszt & the Deadly Gentlemen at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison. Cost is $26.50-$27.50. 548-1761.  

Starry Plough Tribute Night with Children of the Damned, Modern Day Cowboy, Speak of the Devil at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

Shelley Doty and Green & Root, and Julie Wolf at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. Suggested donation $10-$15. www.womengig.com 

Steve Carter Trio at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

Bluestate Band at 8:30 p.m. at Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave. 665-8866. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 

CHILDREN  

Storybook Boxes Puppet Fair Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. www.fairyland.org  

THEATER 

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.  

EXHIBITIONS 

Cherie Raciti “Small Abstract Reliefs” on display Sat. and Sun from 1 to 5 p.m. at Garage Gallery, 3110 Wheeler St. through Sept. 13. www.berkeleyoutlet.com 

“Never Can Say Goodbye” Group show. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Guerilla Cafe, 1620 Shattuck Ave. 845-2233.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Downtown Music Festival with Zoyres Eastern European Ferment at 10 a.m., Squirrelly Stringband at 11:30 a.m. and Aux Cajunals at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way. www.ecologycenter.org 

Freight and Salvage Grand Opening Open House from noon to 5 p.m. with workshops, perfromances and building tours, at 2020 Addison St.  

Tango No. 9, music and dancing at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 981-6241. 

Fanny Ara & Meli Rivera, Celtic and Flamenco, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $14-$16. 849-2568.  

Ed Reed & His All-Star Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Michael Jackson Tribute Part II with Kev Choice Ensemble at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Ramblin Jack Elliott, Rick Didia & Aireene Espiritu at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Moment’s Notice improvised dance, theater and music at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, in the Sawtooth Building, 2525 8th St. Tickets are $8-$15.  

María Volonté, Argentine tango,at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373.  

Catholic Radio, Farewell Typewriter, The Tenderloins at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

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

Steve Malerbi Band at 8:30 p.m. at Bobby G’s Pizzeria, 2072 University Ave. Cost is $14. 665-8866. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 

CHILDREN 

Billy & Lloyd’s Greasy Sunday at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tony Argento re-lives Cowboy Poetry Classics at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Egyptology Lecture “The Joint Expedition to Malqata - the Palace of Amenhotep III” with Dr. Diana Craig-Patch, Metropolitan Museum of Art at 2:30 p.m. at Barrows Hall, Room 20, Barrow Lane and Bancroft Way, UC campus. 415-664-4767. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Last Sundays Fest with Phenomenauts, Custard Pie, Amaya and others, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Telegraph Ave. from Dwight to Bancroft. 

Rafael Herrera drummer/percussionist from 4 to 6 p.m. at Annie's Hall, 1613 Derby St. Cost is $12, children $5. 654-2329. 

Scanlon Music Fund Benefit Concert with Sheila Scanlon Wilkins, Cara Bradbury, Rick Shinozaki, Rob Watson and others at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 400 Alcatraz Ave, Oakland. Tickets are $20. 653-8631. 

Larry Vuckovich Latin Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

The Saddle Cats at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Royal Society Jazz Orchestra Vintage ‘20s and ‘30s dancing, at 6 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $20. 525-5054.  

Chelle! and friends, Creole music from New Orleans, at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Bluegrass Blow-Out with Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Bluegrass Intention Kathy Kallick Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Pappy is shadowboxing by the dining room table with Son, when daughter Tanya says, “You know Mama don’t like no play boxing in her house.” In Mama at Twilight, staged by the Lower Bottom Playaz, everyone refers to Mama—and Mama defers to everyone. 

A leisurely paced storytelling play, alternating scenes of family life with monologues, troubled or reflective, by each of the quintet of characters, all under the lush trees in the backyard Sister Thea Bowman Theater a few blocks from West Oakland BART, Mama at Twilight explores the effects of what’s left unsaid in a house where everybody’s always talking, asserting themselves—except the hub of everything said and unspoken, Mama. 

“It’s a love story about family,” said company founder Ayodele Nzinga, who wrote and directed Mama at Twilight. “About how essence comes through in a time of catastrophe, when everybody in the family unit can feel something awful happening—that sloughing off of skin, a kind of implosion before cohesion that has to be experienced.” 

There are a few reversals of the way things usually get portrayed in African-American society and domestic life. Mama (Vinetta Hunia Bradley) is a preacher’s daughter, drawn to the wild, street-smitten hustler Pappy (Adimu Madyun) from the time they meet, barely adolescent.  

Pappy’s been a kind of lowlife legend; “Larger than life ... He took all the air out when he walked in the room,” one of their kids remembers. “Like the circus, everybody always has a good time. But he was always leaving. When I was little, my time was divided between waiting for Pappy to go away—and waiting for him to come back.” 

We see just a little of Pappy’s rowdy, exultant behavior, or feel it simmering sometimes, under his skin. But mostly there’s the sense of his overwhelming frustration, of self-disgust, but a grim determination not to go back to prison, to see it through with his family and the wife he loves at the center of it, “until the wheels come off.” 

Adimu Madyun does a good job communicating Pappy’s character: thwarted, yet trying to sort it all out and come through. At the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, yet mirroring the same contradictions, is his daughter, well portrayed by Tatiana Monet. “She’s the best of them, the best of Mama and Pappy,” Nzinga said, “But in danger of becoming very bitter, a woman with no trust.” 

“I want to share my life,” Tanya, who’s split between interning with a dance company and taking up the slack around the house, soliloquizes, “not sacrifice it.” 

The two young men of the family seem to be opposites, but each reflects the family in his own way: Son (Mario, Junior—Pappy’s name is Mario—played by Stanley Doeboy Hunt, with both brashness and a searching quality)—is an aspiring photographer and his father’s kid, but looking at his father, both man’s man on the street and a church-going working stiff for the family, it’s like looking at “two people; which one am I supposed to be like?”  

Kris, on the other hand, is the writer who doesn’t show what he writes, and doesn’t say much, his diffidence like his mother’s. His character’s formed by his resistance to his father’s kind of masculinity, as Nzinga pointed out, but like Pappy, he’s always leaving. “I’d like to go to Paris, like Baldwin, or Richard Wright. Maybe I wouldn’t fit in there, either.”  

“I’m my father’s oldest son and he can’t see me. Nobody sees me. But I see them. Maybe if they start to see me, I could see myself.” A touch of Ralph Ellison amid references to Wright and Baldwin? “I’m big on intertextual connections,” Nzinga said, and of Koran Streets Jenkins, who portrays Kris with sensitivity, she mentions that he was the only one able to take on the role without embellishing, communicating Kris in all his troubled complexity. 

“The first things Mario gave Kristopher were stolen.” Vineeta Hunia Bradley’s Mama is the most quietly reflective of all, somewhat wistful, hopeful, but maybe the most quietly troubled as well, knowing she’s the real pillar of the household, wondering what will happen if she’s not there, as she always was when Pappy was “away.” From the start, she carries on with grace, while under the weather—a cold that just won’t go away ... 

After the show, Nzinga genially and expertly leads a discussion from the audience, often calling on neighborhood people and other spectators by name, eliciting questions and conveying them to the thoughtful performers onstage. “It would be almost irresponsible not to have a debriefing!” she said. “This is always a conversation, talking to people about themes the community doesn’t have any kind of resolution with: what churches do and don’t do; what the penal system costs the black community; the interfaces with the medical system, attitudes towards homosexuality, towards AIDS ... the community knows what the statistics are, but are still too terrified to test, to talk.” 

Nzinga continued: “I’m always talking about black people, to black people, but I know I’ve done a good job when it transcends the community, when people outside the community recognize something familiar in the play. I look for symbols; the entire play is in the dining room, except for the monologues in the backyard. Everybody in this play needs to—and does—transform, even in death. At the end, when Kris comes in, Pappy instructs Son to close the door, not with Kris having left, but this time, all inside.”  

Like the way Pappy says grace: “Bless the food on the table and the people in the chairs.” Or as Mama finishes the blessing at the start of it all, giving thanks, and asking for “the heart to continue.” 

MAMA AT TWILIGHT:  

DEATH BY LOVE 

Presented by Lower Bottom Playaz at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 23 at the Sister Thea Bowman Memorial Theater, 920 Peralta St.. $10-$20. 208-1912.

Fish eat other fish ... and the big fish eat the little fish. It’s the biggest fish who eat last.  

That’s the gist of a production number by the San Francisco Mime Troupe, complete with fish hats, fish masks, fins, spinning parasols and the stroke of a canoe paddle, in Too Big to Fail, their storytelling parody of boom-and-bust capitalism, bubbling up everywhere, including a village in Africa, where usury begins with a goatherd wanting more than one goat—and winds up with the villagers up to their necks in consumerism, while our hero paddles to America, trying to straighten everything out with a visit to Wall Street. 

The kind of spectacle more familiar to Broadway or Hollywood—or theme parks—has been miniaturized, its apparent ideology reversed, and staged in municipal parks instead, a fun way to warn folks of the evils of the system.  

This weekend spells the last Berkeley outdoor appearances of the Mime Troupe and their excellent band (directed by Pat Moran) this summer, their 50th season, at Live Oak Park both Saturday and Sunday, plus the next Saturday at Mosswood Park at Broadway and MacArthur in Oakland, the final East Bay outing this year. 

Whether the “theme park” rife with song and dance is the village of Kanabeedomo, the open sea, or Lower Manhattan, the same perils lurk—and the same sense of humor prevails. The colorful denizens of the wave are swept up by a singing dancer in a shark suit, silver-gray outside—but when the cape-like outer garment’s opened, as a Vegas showgirl would, a bright magenta mouth opens up inside, lined with teeth, gathering up the smaller creatures. And a hardhat who renders some advice and assistance to querulous Filije, searching the streets of New York for the monstrous Kodo the Great, who holds his home village in its grip—turns out to be the monster himself, recognizable only when he drops his lunchpail and helmet and dons his business suit, uttering his credo: “Capitalism can work for the working class ... you, too, could be a member of the bourgeoisie!” 

And despite the villager’s homespun reluctance—“But everybody can’t be rich”—“Are you French?” the monster replies, and hires Filije on the spot, a company man now. 

Back on the, er, savannah (the set is a bit like a tiki lounge), the villagers taste the bitter fruits of the bust: “My titanium card!” “My plutonium card!” “My virtual farm is on fire! We were all so prosperous.” And the village witch who repped the monstrous global financier locally tries to get Filige’s woman burned at the stake, meeting her own it’s-about-timely end in a manner parodying The Wizard of Oz—to bring it back, for a second, to the Mime Troupe’s upside-down refraction of a movie musical. Filije takes over—but what’s left to take, and for whom? 

But everything straightens out and even compound interest is explained in a fabulous vein, with lots of rhyming slang, supposedly drawn from the West African griots, the splendid narrator dressed and looking the part. 

When it’s over, the griot introduces the cast: Velina Brown, B. W. Gonzalez, Ed Holmes, Lisa Hori-Garcia, Adrian Mejia and Michael Gene Sullivan (who penned Too Big to Fail with Ellen Callas), all directed by Wilma Bonet. And in time-honored Mime troupe fashion, they descend upon the crowd for gratuities as the griot intones: “What’s your Netflix budget? Dope budget? If you spend more on alcohol than you put in the bucket, you’ve got a problem!”—all the while directing fledgling consumers to The Mime Boutique, “Just like a mall/ But very small!” and reminding the crowd Bill Graham got his start with a benefit concert when the troupe got busted. 

But just as droll was the monoplane buzzing overhead, competing with a free show, trailing a banner from Geico: “The Money You Could Be Saving!” 

TOO BIG TO FAIL 

Presented by San Francisco Mime Troupe at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (band starts at 1:30), outdoors at Live Oak Park. Free admission; donation requested. www.sfmt.org.

Berkeley Symphony and its incoming music director, Joana Carneiro, have named a Berkeley native, composer Gabriela Lena Frank, as creative advisor. Frank will help shape the symphony’s programming, assist community outreach programs, and serve as mentor to the emerging composers of the symphony’s Under Construction program for development of new music. The announcement was made last Monday, two weeks after the symphony named the four current Emerging Composers-In-Residence and alternate for the current Under Construction series. 

Frank will also play a key role in Carneiro’s debut concert as music director on Oct. 15 at Zellerbach Hall, when Carneiro will conduct the West Coast premiere of Frank’s “Peregrinos” (Pilgrims), inspired by stories of Latino immigrants, the subject of a recently completed PBS documentary. 

Carneiro conducted the World Premiere of Frank’s “New Andean Songs” in March 2008 for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, during which time she and Frank struck up a close friendship. They had both been graduate students at the University of Michigan. 

“When I was appointed music director,” Carneiro said, “and discovered that Gabriela was born, raised and lives in Berkeley, the musical relationship between Berkeley Symphony and Gabriela became an artistic priority.” 

Carneiro continued: “I have learned immensely from Gabriela. Her knowledge of the city—socially and artistically—is overwhelming . . . My relationship with Gabriela was born from music and from a deep admiration for her voice as one of the most talented composers I have had the privilege to work with.” 

Frank spoke of her sense of being fortunate as a freelance composer in demand. “Most of my work, however, takes me far from my beloved hometown of Berkeley . . . My new role as creative advisor to the brilliant Joana Carneiro and the energetic Berkeley Symphony staff and musicians is a dream.” 

Frank, of Peruvian-American heritage, has been widely recognized, including a Guggenheim Fellowship for this year. Her work has been performed by more than 100 orchestras, as well as popular local groups like the San Francisco Girls Chorus, Chanticleer and the Kronos Quartet. Current and forthcoming projects include a premiere by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, and an opera on Mexican painters Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo, a collaboration with Cuban playwright Nilo Cruz, 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winner. 

Frank was born in Berkeley in 1972 and holds degrees from Rice University and a doctorate from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She has studied composition with William Albright, Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom, and Michael Daugherty. 

Among Frank’s duties will be mentoring the Emerging Composers-In-Residence for the symphony’s Under Construction program for development of new music, the composers for the upcoming season announced Aug. 3: Bruce Christian Bennett of San Francisco, who received a Ph.D. in compostion from UC Berkeley; Patricio Da Silva of Danville, in his second season with Under Construction; Don Myers of Aptos, student and teaching assistant to the late composer Lou Harrison; and composer and violinist Andy Tan (An Tan), currently an MA candidate in composition at UC Davis. Berkeley composer and jazz bassist Clark Suprynowicz, another of last season’s Under Construction composers, was named as alternate for the 2009-10 season. 

Joana Carneiro will conduct orchestral readings and performances of the composers’ short works commissioned for the series, with the composers present, Sunday, Dec. 6 (on the theme “1969”) and Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010 (on the theme “The Greek Muse”). Besides Frank’s activities with the composers-in-residence, other composers from Berkeley Symphony’s subscription concert series who will participate in mentoring include John Adams and Steven Stucky. Carneiro has also announced she will consider compositions from this season’s series for further development and possible premier in a future symphony subsciption concert. 

Under Construction was initiated in 1993; the 2009-10 season marks the third year of the program’s expansion to include composers-in-residence whose commissioned short works are to be presented over a series of evenings. Each is a Bay Area resident who has not had a previous work in full symphony performance.  

If you think Simon Cowell of “American Idol” is a harsh critic, imagine what it would be like to be judged by a Taliban warlord. That’s the fate for contestants vying for the top slot in the television show “Afghan Star.” They not only put their egos on the line, they sometimes put their lives at risk. 

“Afghan Star,” Afghanistan’s wildly popular “American Idol” knock-off, is the subject of Havana Manning’s new film (winner of both the World Cinema Documentary and Directors Award at Sundance). The film captures the tensions that arise from living in a society where a tongue-lashing can be a prelude to a real lashing, and character assassination is sometimes carried to literal and lethal extremes. 

In a country where 60 percent of the population is under 21, “Afghan Star” draws huge audiences. Eleven million Afghans (one-third of the country) tune in—from well-appointed living rooms in Kabul to village shacks where scores of farm families gather around a single, shared screen. “For many, this is the first time they have encountered democracy,” the filmmakers note. Of course, this “TV democracy” is only available to citizens who possess a cell phone, but because the contestants represent a rainbow of regions and ethnic groups, the program has became a uniquely unifying experience where rivalries are settled on the basis of drumbeats and ballads. 

After 30 years of war and Taliban rule (a six-year ban on music only ended in 2001), the show’s producer explains his goal is “to move people from guns to music.” As he recalls a time when Afghanistan had “a very beautiful culture . . . art, music, movies,” the screen blossoms with poignant clips from 1980 Kabul showing smiling young women strolling about in shirts and blouses without headscarves. In another clip, a young female singer fronts an electric rock band at a Kabul University concert. 

During the four months Marking’s crew spent in Kabul, 2,000 people auditioned and, for the first time, three of them were women. Two of them reached the finals, a development that delighted the country’s women and infuriated the patriarchy. 

The film follows four finalists. Rafi, a good-looking19-year-old from Mazar e Sharif wants to entertain people and make “their souls to come alive again.” Hammeed is a classically trained singer from the country’s most exploited ethnic group, the Hazara. Lima is a 25-year-old woman from tradition-bound Kandahar who practices her music undercover for fear of antagonizing her conservative neighbors. Finally, there is Setara, a young Herati woman whose drive for stardom will eventually put her life at risk. 

While her Bollywood gumption endears her to legions of Afghan girls, Serata becomes a lightening rod for traditionalists. When she fails to make the final round, Serata is devastated. Invited to perform one last song, she sends shock waves across the nation. In a gesture that is both brave and foolish, she begins to dance, swaying her hips and dropping her headscarf to whirl about with her uncovered hair billowing. 

Outraged officials threaten to ban the program, death threats pour in and Serata is forced into hiding. Even her fellow contestants express shock. “She can sing but she should not have danced,” says Rafi. “This will turn out bad.” Lima insists she never would have danced, “even if they paid me thousands.” (Ironically, Lima was also forced into hiding because of death threats.) Cabinet member (and former warlord) Ismail Khan condemned Serata’s performance as an “insult and degradation” and, in dozens of street interviews, the condemnation appears to be universal, culminating in one young man’s observation: ”She brought shame to the Herati people. She deserves to be killed.” 

When the announcement of the final winner triggers widespread celebrations, Manning uses the opportunity to inject an ironic counterpoint—a dozen clips of men dancing wildly in public without any fear of condemnation. Meanwhile the demand for reform continues to stir. In the studio audience for the final showdown, many of the women removed their headscarves. “When they play the national anthem, we have to wear our scarves,” one woman tells the camera. “The rest of the time, I try not to wear it.” Then she smiles and flashes the victory sign. 

The filmmakers have provided these links to organizations working to aid the Afghan people: Afghan Aid (www. afghanaid.org.uk), Aschiana (www. aschiana.com), and Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org). 

AFGHAN STAR: YOU CAN SING BUT YOU CANNOT DANCE 

Opens Friday, Aug. 21 at Shattuck Cinemas.