Arts & Events

BOOKS INC., BERKELEY -more-

FREMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA -more-

AUDIUM -more-

AUDIUM -more-

BANKHEAD THEATER -more-

"CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S OVO," -- Nov. 27 through Jan. 24. A lively rush into a world of insects and acrobatics. Written and directed by Deborah Colker. See website for times, dates and complete details. Performances take place under the "Grand Chapiteau'' at AT&T Park. -more-

ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE -more-

924 GILMAN ST. All ages welcome. -more-

Director Tom Hooper’s previous film was a brilliant profile of the legendary Leeds United soccer coach Brian Clough — a blazingly egotistical twit who could not stop talking. Now Hooper is back with an even grander film about King George VI, an insecure, self-effacing man who could barely start talking, thanks to a crippling stutter.

The King’s Speech is a glory of a film. In addition to a smart script (The King’s Speech was initially intended to be a stage play), the film features a luminous cast plucked from the upper branches of England’s acting royalty. Colin Firth inhabits the role of Albert (aka “Bertie”), the man who would (reluctantly) be king. Helena Bonham Carter is his determined and eternally supportive spouse. Guy Pearce is Bertie’s brother, the self-absorbed Edward VIII, and Geoffrey Rush is a delight as the King’s unorthodox Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. -more-

A rare event is coming to the Bay Area next week. One of cinema’s greatest works of art will screen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 at Oakland's Paramount, accompanied by 200 singers and a 22-piece orchestra. UC Berkeley’s Alumni Chorus will present Voices of Light, an oratorio, as accompaniment for Carl Dreyer’s 1928 landmark film The Passion of Joan of Arc. -more-

Film Review: Saint Misbehavin’

When I first heard there was a Wavy Gravy documentary in the works, I wondered what any movie could possibly add to understanding such a well-known and highly public figure. Making a doc about Wavy Gravy seemed on par with deciding to make a film about that beloved oak tree that’s been in your front yard forever — the one with the tire swing that generations of neighborhood kids have teetered over. It’s all love. What’s to know? -more-

Plays make the rounds as the licensing gets released to different levels of theatres. The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is now in rotation, and it is the Masquers Playhouse of Pt. Richmond’s turn. -more-

Given the number of home foreclosures, the intrusive and demeaning "pat downs" at airports, and now the threat of North Korea nuclear attacks, it would appear that this year's holiday season is off to a dismal start. Maybe not. The child in all of us still reflects on Christmases of the past and we're not too jaded to look for activities that relate to this very special holiday. Accordingly, we offer several events that might rekindle your own holiday spirit. -more-

Remember “American Gigolo” with Lauren Hutton and Richard Gere? Have you seen the series “Hung” on HBO? How about Holly Hunter’s touching scene in “Living Out Loud” when she purchases more than a massage to get her through a lonely night after her marriage fails? -more-

I went to London last week to report to you my recommendations on what to see if you’re traveling there for a holiday visit or soon thereafter. -more-

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. -more-

"SUN SPHERES," -- ongoing. "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-

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. -more-

ASHKENAZ -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-

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. "In a New Light," ongoing. There are some 2,500 works displayed in the museum's new galleries. They cover all the major cultures of Asia and include Indian stone sculptures, intricately carved Chinese jades, Korean paintings, Tibetan thanksgas, Cambodian Buddhas, Islamic manuscripts and Japanese basketry and kimonos. -more-

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND ongoing. 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-

"BROADWAY PLAZA'S PARADE OF LIGHTS," -- Dec. 2. A holiday parade, along with caroling, live entertainment, tree lighting and more. See website for directions and complete details. -more-

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. -more-