Arts & Events

ACTORS THEATRE OF SAN FRANCISCO -more-

GOLDEN GATE PARK -more-

A440 GALLERY -- -more-

"BAY AREA HEART GALLERY," -- Exhibit consists of photographs of children, youth and families, accompanied by their compelling stories. The joint exhibit opens in the Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland and at the Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador Way, Hayward. -more-

HERBST THEATRE -more-

ASHBY STAGE -more-

BOOKS INC., BERKELEY -more-

ASIAN ART MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO The Asian Art Museum-Chon-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture recently unveiled its new building in San Francisco's Civic Center. The building, the former San Francisco Public Library, has been completely retrofitted and rebuilt to house San Francisco's significant collection of Asian treasures. The museum offers complimentary audio tours of the museum's collection galleries. -more-

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND The Oakland Public Library's museum is designed to discover, preserve, interpret and share the cultural and historical experiences of African Americans in California and the West. In addition, a three-panel mural is on permanent display. -more-

"DOWNTOWN BERKELEY MUSICFEST," -- Aug. 20 through Aug. 29. More than 50 performances will take place at 11 different venues across Berkeley's Downtown Arts District, with bands and artists such as The Blasters, Terence Brewer Trio, Dawn Drake, Turtle Island Quartet, Mark Hummel and more. Visit website for complete lineup and locations. -more-

Haven't we seen enough of Hugh Hefner in his smoking robe and pajamas? Hasn't it been a couple of decades since we'd seen enough? Well, perhaps we can take one last look. His heyday may be long gone, his image and impact reduced by self-caricature and the sort of privilege that allows the wealthy to drift into irrevelance and senility with all their illusions intact; but whatever your take on the man, his mission and his achievements, Hefner has had a significant impact on American culture. -more-

Four good choices of films on DVD: -more-

Gary Graves has written a masterful 70-minute duet and duel between Lorenzo de’ Medici and Niccolò Machiavelli. You should grab a ticket quick to this Central Works production since it closes its run at Berkeley City Club this weekend. -more-

Everywhere I looked, this was a week for superstars.

The History Channel has a new program called “Stan Lee’s Superhumans” which may add to your perspective of the Darwinian stipulation regarding mutation.

Next, ten-year-old Jackie Evancho of Pittsburgh PA stopped the show and jaws dropped around the nation when she sang “O Mio Babbino” on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” (Yes, you too will think it’s lip-synching, but it’s not; find a link to this video clip at the bottom of the review---don’t get distracted, just keep reading).

Then, upon the recommendation of a Critic’s Circle colleague, we went to the cabaret performance of Leanne Borghesi’s “DIVALICIOUS” at the New Conservatory Theatre CENTER in San Francisco. NCTC has become the leading Gay Theatre in San Francisco, and Cabaret singing in San Francisco is the domain of gay culture. Think Judy, think Barbara, think Liza, think Bette and her beginnings with accompanist Barry Manilow entertaining in gay bathhouses. -more-

"SUN SPHERES," -- "Sun Spheres'' is a trio of mosaic sculptures by artist Laurel True at the intersection of Ocean and Granada Avenues in the OMI District of San Francisco. -more-

ASHKENAZ -more-

CARMEN FLORES RECREATION CENTER -more-

"LASTSUNDAYSFEST," -- Aug. 29. A street fair featuring live music, crafts, artisans, mechanical bull riding, clowns, bounce houses, face painting and more. Event takes place along Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley between Dwight and Bancroft. -more-

"DOWNTOWN BERKELEY MUSICFEST," -- Aug. 20 through Aug. 29. More than 50 performances will take place at 11 different venues across Berkeley's Downtown Arts District, with bands and artists such as The Blasters, Terence Brewer Trio, Dawn Drake, Turtle Island Quartet, Mark Hummel and more. Visit website for complete lineup and locations. -more-

"LASTSUNDAYSFEST," -- Aug. 29. A street fair featuring live music, crafts, artisans, mechanical bull riding, clowns, bounce houses, face painting and more. Event takes place along Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley between Dwight and Bancroft. -more-

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission. -more-