THURSDAY, OCT. 8 

“Inventing a Masterwork: Bernard Maybeck and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley, 1909-1911” with Robert Judson Clark at 7:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 2619 Dwight Way. Tickets are $15, available from Berkeley Architectural Heritage. 841-2242. berkeleyheritage.com 

Helios Community Open House A presentation on the new Biosciences Institute to be built in downtown Berkeley at 7 p.m. at Pat Brown’s Grill, in the Genetics and Plant Biology Building, UC campus. Take the stairs off Oxford St. near Berkeley Way. For information contact comrel@berkeley.edu 

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

Beginning Seed Saving An introduction to the whys and hows of garden seed saving at 6:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., near Dwight Way. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233.  

Berkeley School Volunteers New Volunteer Orientation from 3 to 4 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Bring a photo ID and two references to the orientation. Returning volunteers do not need to attend. For further information 644-8833. 

Home Energy Improvements Workshop Learn how you can save energy and money, improve indoor air quality and take advantage of incentives and rebates, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 981-7473. 

East Bay Mac Users Group with Derrick Story, photographer, at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. ebmug.org 

American Red Cross Alameda County Heroes Breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Hilton Oakland Airport Hotel, 1 Hegenberger Rd., Oakland. Tickets are $45. 415-427-8086. www.redcrossbayarea.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Samuel Merritt College, Bechtel Room, 400 Hawthorne St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

“Everything You’ve Been Told About Communism Is Wrong: Capitalism is a Failure, Revolution is the Answer” at 4 p.m. in the Lipman Room, 8th flr., Barrows Hall, UC campus. on the UC Berkeley campus. 848-1196. 

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. 

The Poetry Workshop, offered by the Berkeley Adult School, meets on Thurs. from 9 a.m. to noon in the library of the North Berkeley Senior Center. Writers of all skill levels are welcome. 

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

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Bethany Cobb on “Astronomical Events: Their Vital Role in the Development of Life on Earth” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 527-2173. www.citycommonsclub.org 

“Education Inequity” with Dr. Pedro Noguera at 5 p.m. at MLK Student Union at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Ave., UC campus, followed by student spoken word performances on their educational experiences. http://publicservice.berkeley.edu 

Laney College Sixth Annual Business Conference on Green Entrepreneurial Opportunities with keynote speaker Scott Cooney, Author of “Build a Green Small Business: Profitable ways to become an Ecopreneur and a Green Entrepreneur” From 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Laney College, 900 Fallon Street, Oakland. Free. 464-3161. 

“People’s Park Still Blooming” Book release party at 6 p.m. at Cafe Med, 2475 Telegraph Ave., with slide show and park update. 

Womansong Circle An evening of participatory Spsinging for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing at Dana. Suggested donation $15-$20. www.betsyrosemusic.org 

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

Educators’ Appreciation Days, through Oct. 12, with discounts for teachers and libraians at Half Price Books, 2036 Shattuck Ave. 

A Jewish Holiday That’s Like Decorating a Christmas Tree? at 6:15 p.m. at Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. RSVP required. 559-8140. www.jewishgateways.org 

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

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, OCT. 10 

Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow and Indian Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at MLK Jr., Civic Center Park, with exhibition dancing at 10 a.m., grand entry at noon, Turtle Island Fountain Sculpture Ceremony at 2 p.m. 595-5520. info@ipdpowwow.org 

Berkeley Architectural Heritage Fall Walking Tour Claremont Creekside From 10 a.m. to noon explore this neighborhood where the contours of the land are kept intact. Cost is $10-$15, or $40-$50 for the series. Advance registration required. 841-2242. berkeleyheritage.com  

“Revolt in Berkeley: Restoring Democracy to Education and Keepting Education for the Public” with Jack Gerson, Tanya Smith and others at 7 p.m. at the Lalmeda Free Library, Conference Rooms A and B, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. www.alamedaforum.org 

Autumn Arachnids Learn about the mysteries of the spider and explore the area looking for orb weavers, jumping spiders, crab spiders and others, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

Fall Fruit Tasting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. ecologycenter.org 

Harmony Walk to End Hunger A 3.5 mile walk beginning at 8 a.m. at Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Sponsored by Greater Richmond Interfaith Program. For information call 233-7127, ext. 304. gripcommunity.org 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland Uptown to the Lake to discover Art Deco landmarks. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theater at 2025 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Native Plant Fair with plants, speakers, books and posters, Sat. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sun. from noon to 3 p.m. at Native Here Nursery, 101 Golf Course Dr., Tilden Regional Park. Sponsored by the California Native Plant Society. 222-2320. ebcnps.org 

Berkeley Garden Club Plant Sale with natives, annuals, perennials, garden items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 131 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. www.berkeleygardenclub.org 

Point Richmond Fall Fest with music, arts, pumpkin patch, chili cook-off and more from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Washington Ave. and Park Place in downtown Point Richmond. www.pointrichmond.com/FallFest 

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

German International School, Bilingual K-5 Berkeley Open House from 10 a.m. to noon at UUCB Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. www.gissv.org 

“99 Bottles of Beer: Global Brewing Tradition 2500 B.C. to Present” from noon to 6 p.m. at The Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthopology, Gallery and Patio, 103 Kroeber Hall, UC campus. Tickets start at $20. To register see hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/beer 

Techno Geek Art Challenge Create designs or cyborgs with fuses resistors and other gadjets, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. Cost is $3-$7. 465-8770. www.mocha.org 

The East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society meets to discuss “Relatives in The Great War” by Robert Denison at 10:30 a.m. in the Albany Veterans Hall, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. 527-7118. 

Berkeley Project Day 2009 Cal students volunteer with over 70 community partners. Meet at 8 a.m. at Memorial Glade on U.C. Berkeley campus. Register on line at www.berkeleyproject.org 396-9801.  

2009 Reel Rock Film Tour Climbing and adventure films at 8 p.m. at Albany Twin, 1115 Solano Ave. tickets are $12. www.reelrocktour.com 

Great Ghost Gathering at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. “Mystery and Mentalism” with Peter Kim, Sat. at 8 p.m. Cost is $20-$25. 932-8966. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Herms District Scouts and Lions Club, American Red Cross Bus, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

“Taking your Leadership to the Next Level” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ginn House in Preservation Park, 1233 Preservation Park Way, Oakland. RSVP to westcoast@moretolife.org  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. at 2 p.m. 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. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 11 

Native Plant Fair with plants, speakers, books and posters, from noon to 3 p.m. at Native Here Nursery, 101 Golf Course Dr., Tilden Regional Park. Sponsored by the California Native Plant Society. 222-2320. ebcnps.org 

Pumpkin Patch Pageant Learn about the squash family at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

Little Farm Goat Hike Join a short hike and learn about the historic connections between humans and their ungulate friends at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 6 and up544-2233. 

Crabby Chefs Seafood Festival Benefit for Cal Recreational Sports Fund from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St. 845-7771. 

Education Summit for all Bay Area educators and youth workers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at MLK Student Union at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Ave, UC campus. Over 25 skills-building and education issues workshops and keynote by G Reyes. Free for all students, $25 for community members. http://publicservice.berkeley.edu  

Green Sunday “Meltdown” A two-part workshop on the economic crisis, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., near 65th St., Oakland. Second part will be held on Nov. 8. 

Oaktoberfest in the Dimond with a traditional bier garten, Eco-Expo, and events for children, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fruitvale and MacArthur. www.Oaktoberfest.org 

The Cooperative Grocery Cheese Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. at 1450 67th St. at Hollis., Emerville. www.thecog.org 

Old Time Radio East Bay Collectors and listeners get together to enjoy shows together at 4 p.m. at a private home in Berkeley . For more information email DavidinBerkeley, [at] Yahoo.com 

All Italian Car and Motorcycle Show Benefit for the Alameda Special Olympics from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School, 1250 Fernside Blvd., Alameda. Cost is $5. 

“Religious Syncretism in Peruvian Shamanism” with Doug Sharon, retired director of Museum of Anthropology, UCB, 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. at 2 p.m. 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 Tom Morse on “Alternatives to Dissatisfaction” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

MONDAY, OCT. 12 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at West Pauley Ballroom, MLK Studen Union, UC campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

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

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. 

TUESDAY, OCT. 13 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Coach Drive, Sobrante Regional Park Preserve. Bring water, field guides, binoculars or scopes. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 544-2233. 

Taste of Temescal A culinary crawl along Telegraph between 40th and 51st St, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $25 and benefits the Women’s Cancer Resource Center. www.brownpapertickets.com 

California Colloquium on Water “Resolving the Delta Crisis” with Jared Huffman, CA State Assemblyman, District 6, at 5:30 p.m. at Goldman School of Public Policy, Rm, 250, UC campus. waterarc@library.berkeley.edu 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

Susan Mernit “Inspired by change” A Woman’s Voice lecture on thriving on change and surviving failure at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $5-$10. 644 2967. www.hillsideclub.org 

“Opposition and Defiance in Toddlers and Preschoolers” A presentation at 7 p.m. at College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave in Oakland. Pre-crawling babies welcome. Free to Twins by the Bay members. $45 for non-members. Registration is required at www.twinsbythebay.org 

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 

Homework Help at the Albany Library for students in grades 2 - 6, Tues. and Thurs. from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Emphasis on math and writing skills. No registration is required. For more information, call 526-3720. 

Homework Help Program at the Richmond Public Library Tues. and Thurs. from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 325 Civic Center Plaza. For more information or to enroll, call 620-6557. 

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, OCT. 14 

South Branch Library Meet the Architects at 7 p.m. at Young Adult Project Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St. berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

Walking Tour of Historic Oakland Churches and Temples Meet at 10 a.m. at the front of the First Presbyterian Church at 2619 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234.  

Personal Emergency Preparedness Workshop for People with Disabilities From 3 to 5 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center at 1901 Hearst Ave. Sponsored by Easy Does It Emergency Services in collaboration with Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters. RSVP to 704-2179. gina@easydoesitservices.org 

A Tribute to Robert Scalapino: “The Political Landscape of Asia” with Sung Joo Han, George T. Yu, Chongsik Lee, Hong Yung Lee, Wen-hsin Yeh at 4 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th flr. 

“Ask Not” A documentary on the effect of the US military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy at 7 p.m. at Wildwood School, 301 Wildwood Ave., Piedmont. Free. Sponsored by Piedmont Diversity Film Series. diversityfilmseries.org 

“Climate Engineers: War, Profit, Full Spectrum Dominance” a documentary by Geoff Brady of WBAI at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Potluck at 6 p.m., discussion follows film. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Cycling Solo Across America: A Fundraising Ride” with Shawne Camp who cycled from San Francisco to Washington D.C. to raise funds for the American Lung Assoc., at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Red Cross bus, 921 Kains Ave., Albany. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

“Jewish Dying, Death, and Mourning Rituals” at 7 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. www.gracenorthchurch.org 

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 the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Teen Chess Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6133. 

Berkeley CopWatch Drop-in office hours from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 15 

Proposed Changes to Berkeley Election Reform Act Discussion on raising the $250 contribution limit and creating additional disclosure requirements, at the Fair Campaign Practices Commission meeting at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Comments can also be mailed to Kristy van Herick, FCPC Secretary, 2180 Milvia St., 4th Flr., Berkeley 94704. kvanherick@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

Berkeley School Volunteers New Volunteer Orientation from noon to 1 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Bring a photo ID and two references to the orientation. Returning volunteers do not need to attend. For further information 644-8833. 

“Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country” with earhtquake engineers Peter Yanev and Andrew Thompson at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Booksource on Fourth St. 845-7051. 

SEEDS Community Resolution Center will celebrate National Conflict Resolution Day, honoring Judge Gail Bereola with workshops on Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution skills. Begins at 7:30 a.m. at Niles Hall in Preservation Park, 1233 Preservation Parkway, Oakland. 548-2377. www.seedscrc.org 

“The New New Deal: How Regional Activism Will Reshape the American Labor Movement,” with author Amy Dean, at 12:30 p.m. at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, IRLE Building, 2521 Channing Way. 642-9187. 

Traditional Farming with Native Farmers from New Mexico A presentation and discussion on farming self-sufficiency at 6:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5$50 sliding scale. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“Demolition of Berkeley’s Bevatron and its Radioactive Waste” A report by LA Wood and others at 7 p.m. at BFUU, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Donations welcome. 

UC Press Hurt Book Sale New and slightly scuffed books from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2120 Berkeley Way. www.ucpress.edu 

“Gandhi & the Unspeakable: Why He Died & Why it Matters” with Jim Douglass at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10-$20. 268-8765. pacebene.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. 

The Poetry Workshop, offered by the Berkeley Adult School, meets on Thurs. from 9 a.m. to noon in the library of the North Berkeley Senior Center. Writers of all skill levels are welcome. 

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

FRIDAY, OCT. 16 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Nancy Scheper-Hughes PhD on “The Shockng Story of Illegal Human Organ Trafficking” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 527-2173. www.citycommonsclub.org 

Say No to War! Bring Our Troops Home Now Rally from 2 to 3 p.m. at the corner of Action and University 

Shimmy Shimmy Kids Dance A ‘60s-style event for the whole family at 7 p.. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for age 2 and older, 2 and under, free. 865-5060. www.rhythmix.org 

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

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, OCT. 17 

Proposed Bus Rapid Transit in Berkeley Public Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street Community Meeting Room, 3rd Floor. 

Telling Tales: A Fall Storytelling Festival with Awele Makeba, Joel ben Izzy and Megumi, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Berkwood Hedge School, 1809 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $4 children, $8 adults. www.berkwood.org/storytelling 

War is Just a Racket Day Readings and Sing-Along from noon to 3 p.m. at the Downtown Bekeley BART Plaza. www.october17.org 

Berkeley Architectural Heritage Fall Walking Tour Berkeley Villa Tract From 10 a.m. to noon along Codornices Creek to explore the area subdivided in the 1880s. Walk is moderate, requiring some climbing. Not wheelchair accessible. Cost is $10-$15. Advance registration required. 841-2242. berkeleyheritage.com  

Berkeley Historical Society Walk “The Obscure History of South Telegraph” A block-by-block stroll down one of Berkeley's oldest streets and into the adjacent neighborhoods, led by Steve Finacom, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. For reservations and starting point, call 848-0181.  

Berkeley Path Wanderers Panoramic Hill Walk An insider’s look at this neighborhood of steep steps and hills, overlooking the city. Meet at 10 a.m. at the foot of Panoramic Place at the south end of the footbal stadium Parking is difficult. 520-3876. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Hike for Toddlers and Friends to explore the meadows, ponds and trails of Tilden. Meet at 2:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 544-2233. 

Creative Personal Statement Writing Workshop for teens writing their college application essays, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 2940 Benvenue. A free event sponsored by ecBerkeley.org. 266-2069. 

Wheels for Meals Ride Benefit ride through Livermore Valley for Alameda County Meals on Wheels. Ride lengths are 15, 35, or 65 miles. For information see www.wheelsformealsride.com 

Lakeshore Neighborhood Plant Exchange Come trade your excess with others, from noon to 4 p.m. at 3811 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. All types and sizes of plants are welcome. For information see www.plantexchange.wordpress.com 

Greening El Cerrito Day with tree planting in the morning followed by a showcase with educational displays, children’s activities and music from noon to 2 p.m. at City Hall Plaza, 10890 San Pablo Ave.  

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. at the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Live Owl Program from 1 to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

“Exploring De Staebler Through Movement” A movement workshop with Muriel Maffre in conjunction with the exhibition “Steven De Staebler: The Sculptor’s Way” at 11 a.m. at The Richmond Art Center, 2540 Bartlett Ave., Richmond. Free. 620-6772. www.therac.org 

El Cerrito Democratic Club Annual Dinner at 6 p.m. on Sat the Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington, with Jenn Pae of PowerPac, on “Is the Honeymoon Over? A Young Obama Delegate Looks Back—and Ahead.” Cost is $30-$35 for adults, $10-$15 for children. 526-4874. www.ecdclub.org 

Home Movie Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Film inspection and check in at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Fascinating Objects in our Solar System” with Prof. Imke de Pater, UC Dept. of Astronomy at 11 a.m. in the Genetics and Plant Biology Building, Room 100, UC campus. Free, no science background required. 

Flute Masterclass with Isabelle Chapuis at 11 a.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $25 at the door. 549-3864. 

“Spiritual Awakening, a New Economy, and the End of Empire” with David Korten at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $25-$35. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Red Cross bus at 2001 Allston Way. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Alameda Public Affairs Forum Good Citizenship Award for Community Service Honoring Jean and Jim Sweeney at 7 p.m. at Alameda Free Library, Conference Rooms A&B, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. Suggested donation $5. www.alamedaforum.org 

California Writers Club “Could Your Novel be an e-Book?” with Kemble Scott at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square, Oakland. www.cwc-berkeley.com 

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

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. at 2 p.m. 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. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 18 

“Berkeley in Conflict: Eyewitness Images” featuring never exhibited works by photographers John Jekabson, Dan Beaver, and Lydia Gans. Reception at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181.  

John Muir Legends Honoring John Muir School alumni Marian Alltman, Anne Donaker and Pam Ormsby at 11:30 a.m., luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at John Muir Elementary School, 2955 Claremont Ave. Tickets are $40. RSVP to 653-6761. lockesj@comcast.net 

Grass Roots House Open House with presentations, historical material, food and music from 3 to 6 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Suggested donation $5-$25, no one turned away. 

ACLU Berkeley/North East Bay Annual Meeting “Schools for All Campaign” with Diana Tate Vermeire at 2 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave., Near Solano. www.acluberkeley.org 

Kensington Library Fall Book Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

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. 

Benefit for Prisoners Revolutionary Literature Fund with international food, music, poetry and readings of letters from prisoners, from 3 to 7 p.m. at La Placita, 2375 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15.  

“The Kingdom of God as Alternate Universe” with Sarah Lewis 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. at 2 p.m. 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 Ken McKeon on “The Time of Our Lives” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

CITY MEETINGS 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 8, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5217.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Oct. 8, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7430. 

City Council meets Tues., Oct. 13, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

South Branch Library Meet the Architects Wed., Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. at Young Adult Project Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St. berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

Proposed Changes to Berkeley Election Reform Act Discussion on raising the $250 contribution limit and creating additional disclosure requirements, at the Fair Campaign Practices Commission meeting, Thurs., Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Comments can also be mailed to Kristy van Herick, FCPC Secretary, 2180 Milvia St., 4th Flr., Berkeley 94704. kvanherick@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5431. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Oct. 14, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Medical Cannabis Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 15, at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, Cypress Room, 2180 Milvia. 981-7402. 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7061.  

Proposed Bus Rapid Transit in Berkeley Public Workshop Sat., Oct. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge Street Community Meeting Room, 3rd Floor. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 8 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Inventing a Masterwork: Bernard Maybeck and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley, 1909-1911” with Robert Judson Clark at 7:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 2619 Dwight Way. Tickets are $15, available from Berkeley Architectural Heritage. 841-2242. berkeleyheritage.com 

Poetry Flash with Rose Black, Rafaella del Bourgo and Joseph Zaccardi at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. moesbooks.com 

Sherman Alexie on “War Dances” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., at 26th, Oakland. Tickets are $6-$15. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Cornelia Nixon discusses “Jarrettsville” about brothers who fought on opposing sides in the Civil War at 7 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. www.dieselbookstore.com 

Individual World Poetry Slam Championships 7 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10-$15. 841-2082. www.iwps.poetryslam.com 

Poetry Slam Thurs. and Fri. at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, with events from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the café. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Edward Espe Brown presents “The Complete Tassajara Cookbook: Recipes, Techniques, and Reflections from the Famed Zen Kitchen” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ablaye Cissoko & Volker Goetze, African, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Dr. K’s Home Grown Roots Revue with Culann’s Hounds, Lucia Comnes, and the Gas Men at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761.  

Jazz Singers’ Soiree with Benny Watson Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

The Adrian Gormley Jazz Trio at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Country Joe McDonald’s Open Mic at 7 p.m. at BFUU, 1924 Cedar St.  

The Lost Cats at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “The Nerd” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Oct. 25. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Berkeley Rep “American Idiot” at 2025 Addison St., through Nov. 15. Tickets are $32-$86. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “Harvey” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Oct. 11 at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. Tickets are $18, $11 for 16 and under. 524-9132. www.cct.org 

Impact Theatre “See How We Are” A contemporary adaptation of “Antigone.” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Oct. 17. Tickets are $12-$20. impacttheatre.com 

Ragged Wing Ensemble “So Many Ways to Kill a Man” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Metal Shop Theater, 2425 Stuart St. at Willard School, through Oct. 24. Tickets are $15-$30. 1-800-838-3006. www.raggedwing.org 

Round Belly Theatre Company “Orestia: Before the Furies” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Noodle Factory, 1255 26th St. at Union, Oakland. Suggested donation $10. www.roundbellytheatre.com 

Shotgun Players “This World In A Woman’s Hands” The story of the WWII Victory warships and the African-American women who built them, with live acoustic bass by Marcus Shelby. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage. 1901 Ashby Ave, through Oct. 18. Tickets are $18-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Smokey Joe’s Cafe “The Songs of Lieber and Stoller” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. Tickets are $30, Dinner adn show tickets are $55. 522-3428. 

Woman’s Will “The Clean House” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way, through Oct. 10. Tickets are $15-$25. 420-0813. www.womanswill.org 

UC Dept. of TDPS “Dead Boys” A musical by Joe Goode in collaboration with composer Holcobe Waller, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., through Oct. 18 at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC campus. Tickets are $10-$15. 642-8827. 

FILM 

“It Happened One Night” at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $5. 1-800-745-3000. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Collecting California Landscape Art” with Thomas Reynolds at 6 p.m., and preview of the Bay Area Landscape Art Show, at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Free. 644-2967. www.hillsideclub.org 

Naomi Lowinsky and Al Averbach read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave., a little north of Hearst. 841-6374. 

Individual World Poetry Slam Championships 7 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10-$15. 841-2082. www.iwps.poetryslam.com 

Poetry Slam at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, with events from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the café. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Deborah Tannen reads from “You Were Always Mom’s Favorite! Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“When Dreams Are Interrupted” dance, music, art and spoken word on the WWII internment experience of Bay Area Japanese-Americans, Fri.-Sun. at 2 p.m. in the Berkeley residence of former internees. For more information see www.purplemoondance.org 

Artists Vocal Ensemble “Kirchenabendmusik” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$20. wwwave-music.org 

Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum & Friends at 8 p.m. at UTunes Coffe House, First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $14-$18, children ages 6-15, $5. www.utunescoffehouse.org 

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

Quijerema at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Hurricane Sam & The Hotsshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

LT3, in a benefit for Buffalo Field Campaign at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

George Cole & Vive Le Jazz at 8 p.m. at Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Ave.  Donation $10-$12. 472-3170. 

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

7th Street Band at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is 410. 548-1159.  

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

SATURDAY, OCT. 10 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Juanita Ulloa at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Babes in Toyland Puppet Show at 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. at at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 296-4433.  

EXHIBITIONS 

Bay Area Landscape Art Show with works by 22 local landscape painters, Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Free. 644-2967. www.hillsideclub.org 

“Women in Whiteware” Pottery by Mary Barringer, Lary Law, Elizabeth Robinson and Deb Schwartzkopf. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at TRAX Ceramic Gallery, 1812 Fifth St. 540-8729. www.traxgallery.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Joana Carneiro, Berkeley Symphony’s new music director, in conversation with pianist and radio host Sarah Cahill at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr. community room, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6236. 

Ernest Bloch Anniversary Symposium at 2 p.m. at 125 Morrison Hall, UC campus. Free.  

“Metaphysical Abstraction: Contemporary Approaches to Spiritual Content” Artist talk with Tom Marioni at 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center. Cost is $5. 644-6893. berkeleyartvcenter.org 

Joaquin J. Gonzalez on “Filipino American Faith in Action” at 3:30 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. 

Richard Russo in conversation with West Coast Live’s Sedge Thompson at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“When Dreams Are Interrupted” dance, music art and spoken word on the WWII internment experience of bay Area Japanese-Americans, at 2 p.m. in the Berkeley residence of former internees. For more information see www.purplemoondance.org 

Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble 10th year anniversary concert at 8 p.m. at St. Albert Priory Chapel, 6172 Chabot Rd., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. www.wavewomen.org 

San Francisco Cabaret Opera “Solidarity” at 8 p.m. at Flux53 Theater/Artspace, 5306 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. 415-289-6877. www.goathall.org  

Ernest Bloch Anniversary Concert at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free. 

The Bloom Project Piano and saxophone comprovisations with Thollem McDonas and Rent Romus at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Concerto: An Adversarial Friendship” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $25-$75. 415-392-4400. 

El Cerrito Free Folk Festival with Eric and Suzy Thompson, Leftover Dreams with Tony Marcus and Partice Haan, Euphonia, Misner and Smith, and many others, from noon to 10 p.m. at Windrush School, 1800 Elm St., El Cerrito. www.elcerritofolkfest.org 

Gamelan Sekar Jaya at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. brownpapertickets.com 

Orquestra La Moderna Tradición at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568.  

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

Reggae Angels, Lionheart Sounds at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

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

Quijerema at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Sonic Safari at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

Moh Alileche Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Art House, Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$12. 472-3170. 

LT3 at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

CV Dub at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 11 

CHILDREN 

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

EXHIBITIONS 

Bay Area Landscape Art Show with works by 22 local landscape painters, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Free. 644-2967. www.hillsideclub.org 

“The Color of Music” Mixed-media abstractions interpreting works by Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, and others, by Berkeley artist Hildegarde Haas on display at The Musical Offering, 2430 Bancroft Way. enfieldart@att.net 

Sharyl Gates Solo Show of paintings in oils and acrylics. Opening reception at 4 p.m. at the Albany Community Center Foyer, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

ENDdependence Poets honor Indigenous La Raza Day at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$15. 849-2568.  

Opera Piccola Play Reading & Open Mic Poetry at 4 p.m. at Opera Piccola Performing Arts, 2946 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. www.opera-piccola.org  

Anna Thomas presents “Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Poetry Flash with Alison Hawthorne Deming and Ann Fisher-Wirth at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 525-5476. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

San Francisco Cabaret Opera “Solidarity” at 7 p.m. at Flux53 Theater/Artspace, 5306 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. 415-289-6877. 

“When Dreams Are Interrupted” dance, music art and spoken word on the WWII internment experience of bay Area Japanese-Americans, at 2 p.m. in the Berkeley residence of former internees. For more information see www.purplemoondance.org 

Chamber Music Sundaes Program of String Chamber Music at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door are $20-$25. 415-753-2792.  

The Prometheus Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Free, children welcome. www.prometheussymphony.org 

Sundays @ Four Chamber Music “Two Pianists” with Luis Magalhaes and Nina Schumann at 4 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Tickets are $15, free for children 18 and under. 559-6910.  

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Concerto: An Adversarial Friendship” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $25-$75. 415-392-4400. 

Americana Unplugged: The Earl Brothers at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band Fundraiser for the Stupa Peace Park at 1:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unity Church, 2401 LeConte at Scenic. Tickets are $35-$40. 831-425-4466. 

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

Terrence Brewer “Goovin Waves” A Wes Montgomery Tribute at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

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

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

Compared to What, R&B, at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

Bill Evans and Megan Lynch at 3 p.m. at Wisteria Ways, 383 61st St., Oakland. Donations $15-$20. Reservations strongly recommended. info@WisteriaWays.org 

Hipline Extravaganza, belly dance, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

MONDAY, OCT. 12 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Subterranean Shakespeare “Timon of Athens” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $8. 276-3871. 

Berkeley Rep “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later” A staged reading at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. Tickets are $8-$15. 647-2949. 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley New Music Project Music by graduate student composers at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $5-$15, free for UCB graduate students. 642-9988. 

The Matt Flinner Trio at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

TUESDAY, OCT. 13 

FILM 

“Peregrinos: Pilgrims, A musical Journey” A PBS documentary with composer Gabriela Lena Frank and La Peña Community Chorus at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Free. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry at the Albany Library with Giovanni Singleton and Douglas Scot Miller, followed by open mic, at 7 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. www.aclibrary.org. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zydeco Flames at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/Zydeco dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 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 

Keoki Kahumoku Ukulele concert at 8 p.m., workshop at 6 p.m. at Temple Bar Tiki Bar, 984 University Ave. Cost is 422 for each event. Reservations suggested. 548-9888. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Writers at Work Series with Walter Alvarez from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Morrison Library, 101 Doe Library, UC campus. writing.berkeley.edu/bwaw 

Louise Dyble on “Paying the Toll: Local Power, Regional Politics and the Golden Gate Bridge” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

Bryant Terry reads and gives a cooking demonstration from “Vegan Soul Kitchen: Fresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American Cuisine” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Shana Mahaffey reads from her debut novel “Sounds Like Crazy” at A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland. 

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 

Scott Nygaard & Crow Molly at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Babshad Jazzz at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre Resturant, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 

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

Big Bones at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Backyard Tarzans at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

Kache at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

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

THURSDAY, OCT. 15 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Bobbin Lace: The Taming of Multitudes of Threads” at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, 2982 Adeline St. Exhibition runs to Feb. 1. LacisMuseum.org 

City of Berkeley Civic Center Art Exhibition Works by Berkeley artists on display Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Civic Center, 2180 Milvia St., through Dec. 11. 981-7533. 

“Domestic Disturbance” Intergenerational group of artists on the difficulties of balancing public and private life. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Worth Ryder Gallery, 116 Kroeber Hall, UC campus. Exhibit runs to Oct. 31.  

Todd Laby: Images from “Brink” detailing his physical and psychological recovery from a serious surfing accident. at 5 p.m. at The LightRoom Gallery, 2263 Fifth St. Exhibition runs to Nov. 6. 649-8111.  

“Longing for the Background” Thérèse Lahaie’s sculptures, photography and site-specific installations at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, 25 Grand Ave., upper level, Oakland. Exhibition runs to Nov. 21. 415-577-7537. www.chandracerrito.com 

Robert Rickard, metal wall art at Christensen Heller Gallery, 5829 College Ave., Oakland, through Nov. 1. 655-5952. www.christensenheller.com 

“I’m A People Person” Exhibit depicting images of seniors at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts Annex, 1428 Alice Street, off 14th St., downtown Oakland. Exhibit runs through Oct. 22. 

“Surface Strata” Paintings by Chris Trueman, Kevin Scianni, Alison Rash, Maichael Cutlip, Joshua Dildine, Jay Merryweather, and Eric Ward at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to Oct. 31. 465-8928. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Thad Carhart reads from his historical novel “Across the Endless River” of frontier America in the 1800s, at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Amy Dean discusses her new book The New New Deal: How Regional Activism Will Reshape the American Labor Movement at 12:30 p.m. at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, IRLE Building, 2521 Channing Way. 642-9187. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Symphony performs works by Berkeley composers, John Adams and Gabriela Lena Frank, at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $10-$60. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Chirgilchin, Tuvan throat singing, at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Mark Holzinger at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

Dolorata, The Big Nasty at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

FRIDAY, OCT. 16 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “The Nerd” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Oct. 25. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Berkeley Rep “American Idiot” at 2025 Addison St., through Nov. 15. Tickets are $32-$86. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “Tiny Kushner” Short plays by Tony Kushner at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison, through Nov. 29. Tickets are $33-$71. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

Impact Theatre “See How We Are” A contemporary adaptation of “Antigone.” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Oct. 17. Tickets are $12-$20. impacttheatre.com 

Ragged Wing Ensemble “So Many Ways to Kill a Man” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Metal Shop Theater, 2425 Stuart St. at Willard School, through Oct. 24. Tickets are $15-$30. 1-800-838-3006. www.raggedwing.org 

Shotgun Players “This World In A Woman’s Hands” The story of the WWII Victory warships and the African-American women who built them, with live acoustic bass by Marcus Shelby. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage. 1901 Ashby Ave, through Oct. 18. Tickets are $18-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Smokey Joe’s Cafe “The Songs of Lieber and Stoller” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. Tickets are $30, Dinner adn show tickets are $55. 522-3428. 

TheatreFirst “Stones in His Pockets” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Marion E. Greene Theatre, ground floor of The Fox Oakland Building, 19th St. entrance, through Nov. 8. Tickets are $15-$30. www.brownpapertickets.com  

UC Dept. of TDPS “Dead Boys” A musical by Joe Goode in collaboration with composer Holcobe Waller, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., through Oct. 18 at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC campus. Tickets are $10-$15. 642-8827. 

Youth Musical Theater “A Chorus Line” Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., through Oct. 25. Tickets are $10-$20. www.brownpapertickets.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

2009 James D. Phelan Art Award in Printmaking Gallery reception at 6 p.m. at Kala Gallery, 2990 San Pablo Ave. 841-7000. www.kala.org 

“Counts & Constructs” Works by Augusta Talbot and Eli Noyes. Reception at 6 p.m. at Garage Gallery, 3110 Wheeler St. Exhibit runs Sat. and Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. to Nov. 1. www.berkeleyoutlet.com 

“Dementions” A Halloween and Day of the Dead art exhibit. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Eclectix Gallery, 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Runs to Nov. 29. www.eclectix.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Stewart Brand on “Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Tickets are $40, includes autographed copy of book. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Poetry Reading and Open Mic at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

Gabrielle Calvocoressi reads from her new volume of poems, “Apocolyptic Swing” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Ballet “Jewels of the Bay: A Mixed Repertoire” at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Names University, Valley Center for the Arts, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $25-$30 www.oaklandballet.org 

“Division” Chamber music for viol and lutes at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$15. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Won Fu, from Taiwan in a benefit for typhoon relief at 7 p.m. at Genetics and Plant Biology Building, Room 100, UC campus. tasa.berkeley.edu.  

Kiyana “Vital and Perpetual Movements” Traditional Persian mystical whirling dance at 8 p.m. at the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California, 1433 Madison St., Oakland. Workshop on Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for performance, $45 for workshop. hamza@iccnc.org 

Mestiza at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Music, She Wrote at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Wailing SoulsLuv Fyah, 7th Street Sound, reggae, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $17-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

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

Code Name: Jonah at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 17 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Asheba at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Babes in Toyland Puppet Show at 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. at at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 296-4433.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Luminious Veil” Black and white photographs by Kristin Satzman. Artist’s reception at 4 p.m. at El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave. Exhibition runs to Nov. 17. 

“Exploring De Staebler Through Movement” A movement workshop with Muriel Maffre in conjunction with the exhibition “Steven De Staebler: The Sculptor’s Way” at 11 a.m. at The Richmond Art Center, 2540 Bartlett Ave., Richmond. Free. 620-6772. www.therac.org 

“The Self as Super Hero: Exchange and Response” A joint project with ArtEsteem and CCA faculty. Reception at 3 p.m. at Oliver Art Gallery, California College of the Arts, 5212 Broadway, Oakland.  

FILM 

Home Movie Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Film inspection and check in at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Telling Tales: A Fall Storytelling Festival with Awele Makeba, Joel ben Izzy and Megumi, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Berkwood Hedge School, 1809 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $4 children, $8 adults. www.berkwood.org/storytelling 

Jack Boulware, author of “Gimme Something Better” and member of East Bay punk bands Schlong and Classics of Love at 7:30 p.m. at 924 Gilman. Co-sponsored by Pegasus Books. pdtevents@gmail.com 

Douglass Gayeton presents “Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Spice-Y Comedy Progressive comedy with Kelly Anneken, Awet Teame, Greg Asdourian and others at 7 p.m. at Spice Monkey Cafe, 1628 Webster St., Oakland.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Ballet “Jewels of the Bay: A Mixed Repertoire” at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Holy Names University, Valley Center for the Arts, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $25-$30 www.oaklandballet.org 

Kensington Symphony Orchestra performs a Halloween-inspired program at 8 p.m. at Unitarian-Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation$12-$15. Children free. 524-9912. kensingtonsymphonyorchestra.org 

Randy Berge at 11 a.m. and Alan Lipton at 1 p.m. at Westbrae Berkeley Bagel Garden, Gilman at Santa Fe. 

“Walk in Faith not in Fear” Gospel Concert at 6 p.m. at Hilltop Community Church, 3118 Shane Drive, Richmond. Benefit concert for Breast Cancer Awareness month. 758-7939. 

Gamelan Sari Raras at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $5-$10. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Arab Orchestra of San Francisco at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Zulu Spear at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Amy X Neuburg & Solstice at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Kelley Gray at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

2ME at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

The Buckets Reunion, 20 Minute Loop at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Strange Angel Blues Band at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

Little Muddy, CD release, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Countdown Cabaret Halloween kick-off at 8 p.m. at Flux 53, 5300-12 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $10, $2 off with a costume. www.flux53.com 

SUNDAY, OCT. 18 

CHILDREN 

ME3 at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Berkeley in Conflict: Eyewitness Images” featuring never exhibited works by photographers John Jekabson, Dan Beaver, and Lydia Gans. Reception at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Metaphysical Abstraction: Contemporary Approaches to Spiritual Content” Adult education and teacher training on “Visual Thinking Strategies from 2 to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center. 644-6893. berkeleyartvcenter.org 

Oran Canfield reads from “Long Past Stopping” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. moesbooks.com 

Audrey Heller presents her photographs in “Overlooked Undertakings” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Egyptology Lecture “King Tut’s Medicine Cabinet” with Dr. Lise Manniche, Univ. of Copenhagen at 2:30 p.m. at Barrows Hall, Room 20, Barrow Lane and Bancroft Way, UC campus. 415-664-4767. 

Benefit for Prisoners Revolutionary Literature Fund with international food, music, poetry and readings of letters from prisoners, from 3 to 7 p.m. at La Placita, 2375 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15.  

Clive Matson & Friends “Passion & Post-Psychedelic Poetry” at 5 p.m. at ArtHouse Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$10. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“The Unsung Diva” with Angela Dean Baham at 4 p.m. at The Bellevue Club, 525 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $12-$30. Dinner follows. 451-1000.  

Christa Pfeiffer, David Aurbach, Michael Jones and William Ludtke Music by Ludtke, Corelli, Granados and Messiaen at 3 p.m. at 2601 Durant. 665-5988. 

Calle 49, instrumental Latin jazz, at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Americana Unplugged: The Stairwell Sisters at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Vernon Bush at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Peppino D’Agostino at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

The lights go up onstage at the Gaia Center, the chords of a piano are heard (Rona Siddiqui, in the “orchestra” she makes right in front of the stage with her fine accompaniment of the action) and we see a young woman showing us a dance very familiarly while telling a joke. But the joke’s in Brazilian Portuguese. Is it about the dance? Or is she dancing to the joke? Or are joke and dance both expressions of her exuberance, joie de vivre? 

The beginning of Woman’s Will’s bright production of Sarah Ruhl’s A Clean House introduces Matilde (a charming Mayra Gaeta), a Brazilian living in the States as a maid, her physician boss Lane (Beth Chastain, the female straightman) and Lane’s sister Virginia (Marilyn Hughes, playing Virginia as a comic sensitive), one after the other, addressing the audience. Not exactly serial intros to the play; we’re already into it, and in it.  

The second act will begin by flashing back to a vignette, established by dialogue, that preceded the end of act one, then flash forward—back—as the couple in the vignette enter the scene that ended act one together. Conventions of “the Fourth Wall” and the unity of Time and Space have long been toppled; the toppling has become the convention.  

Lane—Doctor Lane?—touches on a few of the various juggled themes: she told her maid to clean her house; the maid wouldn’t. “So I took her to the hospital ... I’m sorry; I’ve been to medical school.” Virginia tells us nervously, “If it were not for dust, I would die ... I’m not a morbid person.”  

And Matilde, who confides she hates to clean, reveals she came to the States in order to deal with the sadness of the death of her parents, the funniest people she ever knew, the funniest in Brazil—her mother dying over a joke of her father’s, her father in anguish over the death of his beloved (and funnier) wife. Matilde spends her expatriacy avoiding her duties, dreaming up the supreme joke, afraid it’ll kill her. 

Virginia, a compulsive cleaner, and Matilde make a pact: Matilde will be Virginia’s front so Virginia may clean her sister’s house. There’s a strain, a stand-off in the sisterly relationship. Together Matlide and Virginia discover a pair of lace panties in the laundry, clearly not Lane’s, though Virginia remarks she’s never seen her sister’s underwear before. Could they be from Charles, Lane’s mostly absent doctor husband, whom Virginia has a crush on ... is Charles having an affair?  

Charles (Richard Massery, both polished and ever-active), a specialist in breast cancer, has an older patient, Ana from Argentina (Carolyn Power, who wears the part like a glove), whose survival he’s become dedicated to—passionately dedicated—while Ana is dedicated only to living, to the love of life, come what may. 

The various, unlikely threads tangle. Matilde finds herself serving, if not two masters, two or three mistresses; Virginia and Lane finally speak to each other, not just the audience, of their differences—and Charles, now a knight-errant, tears off to Alaska, to fly back with a tree ... and misses the telling of the world’s greatest joke. 

“The perfect joke makes you forget about your life. The perfect joke makes you remember ...” 

Jodi Schiller has directed her outstanding cast with sensitivity and humanity, following out what seem stray threads of story, or story-within-story, as through-lines, no easy feat with Ruhl’s plays, as other Bay Area productions (often by game professionals) have shown, both of other titles and of A Clean House. 

There’s a tale handed down from Antiquity about a man, told he will die on a certain day, who found the prospect of his death, prophecied so exactly, laughable—and when the predicted day came, died laughing. 

“I got a great deal out of life,” said Natalie Barney, the American Amazon of Paris’ salon scene, “Perhaps more than what was in it.” 

Woman’s Will has expertly realized the possibilities in A Clean House, even pointed beyond, truly getting more out of it than there was in it. The play is amusing, not humorous; well-meaning rather than profound. Its various conceits, in the poetic sense, are awkward, without true stylization—or style. It smells of the workshop, not of that “reek of the human” Dr. Johnson prescribed as the signature of real art.  

A Clean House plays with a few news topics, a couple old jokes and an endemic social dysfunctionality, seeming to defy old, long-ruptured stage conventions, trying to improvise a theatrical meaning. But there’s no sense of these markers “generating a set of ideas that both dominate and are subject to them"—to come back to stylization. There are touches of the usual cliches about latin women.  

It brushes past the subject of Melancholy—like social class, a topic verboten in America, glossed only as “depression"—which it brings up, only to resolve its paradoxes in a conclusion faintly Hallmark. It resembles somebody cluelessly trying to repeat a joke, or an overly literal translation of a poem.  

But Woman’s Will—with a committed cast and director, and the new artistic direction of Victoria Evans Erville, which from the start seems to be fulfilling founder Erin Merritt’s vision—has made an interesting, lively evening of theatricality from a mediocre play.  

It’s one of the contradictions of the art, what used to be called trouping. As one of its characters might have said, it happens. 

A CLEAN HOUSE 

Presented by Woman's Will at 8 p.m. Thursday–Saturday through Oct. 10. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. $15-$25.  

420-0813. www.womanswill.org.

The name Julien Duvivier may not immediately register in filmgoers’ minds. Like many other masters of the craft whose mastery extended into many genres—King Vidor and F. W. Murnau, for instance—Duvivier’s varied output did not lend itself to the cult of personality.  

Yet many of those directors whose personas have indeed been stamped into the public consciousness—including Orson Welles and Ingmar Bergman—have praised him as one of cinema’s greatest artists. Pacific Film Archive is presenting a retrospective of Duvivier’s career through October.  

Duvivier directed commercial thrillers and melodramas, comedies and propaganda, musicals, epics and literary adaptations in a career that spanned four decades, starting in the silent era and extending from France to Hollywood and back. 

Au Bonheur des Dames (1930), showing Friday night at 6:30 p.m., is one of Duvivier’s rarely screened early masterpieces. It portrays the struggle of a small shop to survive literally in the shadow of a bustling Parisian department store. Duvivier’s camera lingers on the merchandise and retail hustle of this enormous enterprise, contrasting it with the humble simplicity of the neighboring family-owned shop. Imagery is tantamount in Duvivier’s oeuvre; he rarely hesitates in his use of effects, from double and triple exposures to the moving camera to elaborate lighting and special effects.  

Au Bonheur des Dames showed to a wildly appreciative audience at San Francisco’s Silent Film Festival a few years back, and now gets a welcome reprise. Au Bonheur des Dames will be accompanied by PFA house pianist Judith Rosenberg, who brings a respectful regard to her work, employing her improvisation talents in the creation of scores that emphasize, complement and underscore the themes of silent films without ever overwhelming or undermining them.  

The PFA series also includes Duvivier adaptations of Zola and Tolstoy works, and several of his collaborations with actor Jean Gabin, including perhaps Duvivier’s most famous film, Pépé le Moko (1937) on Oct. 8 and 9, and his own personal favorite, Poil de Carotte (1932), “a heartbreaking chronicle of childhood.” 

When Dreams Are Interrupted, the evocative title of the site-specific dance and multimedia performance that Purple Moon Dance Project will present at the South Berkeley home of the group’s founder, Jill Togawa, Oct. 9 and 10, only hints at the sense of discovery in personal and local community history that Togawa and the other company members have brought to this performance piece since deciding to create something about the real—and long-term—impact of the Japanese-American internment during World War II. 

Just a few anecdotes about the two years of research and planning, passed along by Togawa in a phone conversation, revealed the serendipitous correspondences, the surprises that performances of this kind usually have to generate conceptually or fictionally. 

“One of the questions we posed ourselves when developing the piece,” Togawa said, “was, when dreams are interrupted, where do they go?” 

The search for stories, an invisible history, started two years ago, after Togawa moved with her family to South Berkeley. “I knew nothing about the history of the neighborhood,” she recalled. “An inspector came through, recognized my name as a Japanese name—and knew something of the history of the house, because he used to live in the neighborhood. His neighbors knew the family that had lived here; 50 years later, they were still telling the story.” 

The family was the Nakazawas. “The story was that the parents had died in camp, and their adult children were so brokenhearted, they didn’t come back here. They had made a beautiful garden—the father was a gardener—which was cemented over when we came. The [70-foot] redwood tree, which completely overshadows the house, had been planted by them. We had found it gloomy at first. After finding out they had planted it, I began to think of it as an ancestor.” 

When she started thinking about making a performance, Togawa posed herself a question: How to bring the tree to the stage? In a talk with another choreographer, the suggestion was made that the performance could be site-specific. 

Posting flyers in the neighborhood, telling people about what she was thinking, Togawa “started learning about the big Japanese community here, and began to think, This must be why we’re here, to see this.” She learned that seven families from her block had been interned.  

She also discovered that Richard Aoki, “who I talked to a few times,” was a grandson of the Nakagawas. Aoki, a Japanese-American community activist, died last March. “He was a leader in the community—and he told me he was one of the founders, one of the first, of the Black Panther Party.” The program on Saturday will be dedicated to Aoki’s memory. 

One of the performers, African-American dancer Arisika Razak, whose “second family” in Harlem was Japanese-American, had mentioned the Panthers’ focus on community service; Togawa asked her if she would perform a section of the piece in honor of Aoki (“Fearless Leader/Devoted Son”). 

“Each of the artists has a different way of connecting to the piece,” Togawa said. Ruth Ichinaga will perform a section, “Reflections,” that Togawa said “is Ruth’s own family experience. Her family was sent to camp from Hawaii, where mine was sent from. She’s bringing not only her artistry to this. Ruth’s in her mid-70s. She was 7 when she and her parents, who had a mom-and-pop grocery, were sent away.” Togawa’s mother and grandparents were also among the 1,200 brought from Hawaii to the camp at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. 

When Dreams Are Interrupted will be performed in nine sections, “four of them stories specifically of individuals we interviewed. I’m a dancer who really loves to do just dance. But we realized how much the stories would add to the piece. It was great to meet the people—wonderfully interesting people—we’ve met, including Japanese-American women, one 90 years old; African-Americans who were neighbors here at the time; a Quaker man who shared a lot of his five years of [doing a] research project—in the end, we decided we just couldn’t leave it out. It’s the first time I’ve worked with this much text. But I wish we had more time, more interviews, more readings—more and more and more!” 

The dancers include Michelle Fletcher, Ruth Ichinaga, Arisika Razak, and Sharon Sato. Musicians are Laura Inserra and Claudia Cuentas (of Samavesha). Poet Janice Mirikitami, who was a Topaz, Utah, internee, contributed spoken-word sections to the soundtrack. Ellen Bepp, also a drummer with Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble, designed the site and installations. “The first part is along the driveway, moving for the main part into the back garden. Ellen added elements to connect the different sections of the piece. Her design gives it a very definite palette. There’s a sense of shadow, of interruption, of things where they wouldn’t ordinarily be.” 

“It’s been a true collaboration,” said Togawa, also crediting Jill Shiaki of Preserving California’s Japantowns, who has been project coordinator/manager. It is notable that When Dreams Are Interrupted brings Togawa full circle, as her first commission was by late jazz composer Glenn Horiuchi to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the internment. She has also worked with Berkeley Methodist United Church and with big band musician and historian George Yoshida to find and authenticate background information.  

“We think things have changed, but fear and ignorance are so much more present than what we think. Of all the people in the neighborhood who were sent away, those we could still talk to—they still feel not missed, not noticed; that struck me. Today we have a chance to witness, a chance to be open, to be touched by their experience,” Togawa said. 

She also mentioned at press time that the response has been overwhelming; due to space limitations, the free performances are “sold out,” many of the reservations going to residents and former residents of the neighborhood, to churchgoers from the neighborhood churches and the elders community. 

WHEN DREAMS ARE INTERRUPTED 

Presented by Purple Moon Dance Project at 2 p.m. Oct. 9 and 10. For more information, including locations, call (415) 552-1105 or see www.purplemoondance.org.