Arts & Events

Now that the excitement over the Giants victory and the elections has mercifully subsided, normalcy has finally returned to the East Bay. If you feel the need to "lighten up" and lift your spirits, there's a lot going on in November; you just have to make choices. 

Music lovers will be happy to hear of the Season Opening of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, with Michael Morgan as Director. Appearing at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, November 19 and Saturday, November 20 at 8 p.m. will be well known guitarist, Carlos Santana, performing three of his own selections. Tickets are priced at $25 and up. 

A very special Holiday event will be the 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert of the Interfaith Gospel Choirs on Saturday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, December 19, the Oakland Interfaith Youth Gospel Choir will present its own 14th Annual Holiday Concert. What better way to start the holiday season? For tickets, call (510) 465-6400. 

If art is your great love, it would be well worth your time to take in the Exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, presently showcasing artwork pilfered by the Nazis. This show features 40 paintings from the art collection of the late respected art dealer, Jacques Goudsgtikker, who died in 1940 after fleeing Holland to escape the Nazis. The Museum is located at 736 Mission Street, S.F. (415) 655-7800. 

The Women's Faculty Club on the U.C. campus will offer its final performance of "Arts in the Afternoon" on Tuesday, November 9th at 4 p.m. Professor Mary Elizabeth Berry will speak on "Flowers of the Four Seasons: Ten Centuries of Art from the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture.” This event, open to the public, is followed by a luscious dessert buffet in the Club's Dining Room. Enjoying the warm ambience of this gracious Club is a treat in itself. 

Looking for something on the racy side? The City Commons Club of Berkeley offers a program on Mae West at their Friday Luncheon on November 12th.Jennifer King will speak on "Mae West, America's Actress, Dancer, and Entertainer Extraordinaire" in the Venetian Room of the lovely Julia Morgan City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue. Lunch is served from 11:45 to12:15 for $16.50.Or, if you prefer only to hear the speech, for $1.00 you can have a cup of coffee and join in on the discussion that follows. 

For drama lovers, "Playreading for Adults" is offered every Wednesday from 12 - 1 p.m. in the Berkeley Public Library, with Debbie Carton, Music and History Librarian in charge. The play currently being read and enacted is the tender and very moving classic, "Cyrano" 

Appearing at the Contra Costa Musical Theatre is the Drama Desk Award play, "The Story of My Life", described as a "bittersweet musical.” It plays through November 28th, at 8 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Sundays, November 14, 21 and 28.Tickets are $15 - $24.For reservations, call (510) 524-9132. 

Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize winning show, "Angels in America" will have a 20th anniversary production by the Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Department, opening at 7:30 p.m. November 11th in LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga. There will be a free staged reading of "Perestroika" at 7 p.m. November 14 and 16, and 2 p.m., November 20 in the Hagerty Lounge. 

The Berkeley Playhouse is staging "Cinderella Enchanted", the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Avenue, Berkeley, 

7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and noon and 5 pm. Sundays through December 5th.For tickets, call (510) 845-8542, ext. 397. 

Of a heavier nature, Handel's "Xerxes" will be presented November 13, 19 and 21 at the Berkeley Public Library, with free admission. 

Would you like to know more about the world of Islam? On Sunday, November 14 at 3 p.m., the Bay Area Arabic Music Ensemble presents a concert of music, dance and poetry at the Islamic Cultural Center, 1433 Madison Street, downtown Oakland. Tickets are priced from $10 to $50.This is a benefit for Middle East Children's Alliance. (510) 58-0542 

If you fancy Flamenco music, get yourself over to Fort Mason for "Theatre Flamenco", the 44th Annual "Una Nota Flamenca" on November 12 and 13 at8 p.m and November 14, 2 p.m. This program in the Cowell Theatre will present special guest artists from Spain. 

For all you dedicated, insatiable readers, you need no reminder of the wonderful book readings at Mrs. Dalloway's, Moe's Book Store, and Diesel Books. Likewise, you also need no reminder of the Wednesday Noon Concerts at Hertz Hall from 12:15 - 1 p.m., offering superb recitals and performers -- all for free. 

No doubt I've overlooked several outstanding entertainment possibilities but hopefully you'll find one or two of the above that strike your fancy.