Arts & Events

Carnage: Welcome to Our Humble Home; Grab Your Forks!

Review by Gar Smith
Tuesday January 10, 2012 - 10:51:00 AM

Carnage opens at Berkeley's Shattuck Cinema on January 13.

Roman Polanski's latest film could best be described as a comedy of manners — really bad manners.

If you liked "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?" (another film-to-play translation featuring a quartet of quarreling couples), this Big Screen sparring match may be just your cup of tease. -more-


Eye from the Aisle: Don Reed “Kipling Hotel” Luke-Warm-Up @ Berkeley Marsh

By John A. McMullen II
Tuesday January 10, 2012 - 10:18:00 AM
Don Reed “Kipling Hotel"

Don Reed’s solo East 14th comedy/storytelling played to raves last year, and garnered award nominations. I didn’t see it. I did see the opening of KIPLING HOTEL at The Marsh in Berkeley last Saturday night, and there are no raves or nominations in the offing for this outing. It was the sort of jokey storytelling that the sort-of-funny guy tells when holding forth in the kitchen at the party where everyone laughs for his effort and because they are a little tipsy. There were polite chuckles and occasional hearty laughs. But I noted three people in adjacent rows close to the stage were falling asleep. -more-


Admission Impossible: Tom Cruise Rocks

Review by Gar Smith
Friday January 06, 2012 - 01:14:00 PM

I'll admit it. I'm haunted by The Ghost Protocol, the latest in the Tom Cruise/Ethan Hunt sequel from the Mission Impossible franchise. -more-


Around & About: Performing Arts Adult Ed. Classes led by Marion Fay--Theater & Music Appreciation

By Ken Bullock
Friday January 06, 2012 - 12:21:00 PM

Marion Fay's truly engaging adult education classes in theater and music appreciation resume this week at the Northbrae Community Church, near the top of Solano Avenue and the tunnel. The classes are affiliated with Albany Adult School. -more-


Hipsters: From Russia with Jazz Opens January 13

Reviewed By Gar Smith
Friday January 06, 2012 - 10:33:00 AM

Hipsters, the first Russian musical in 50 years, has won a slew of Nikas (the Russian "Oscar") and has been an audience favorite at film festivals around the world. Hipsters (Stilyagi, in Russian) is set in Moscow in 1959, a time when owning an Elvis Presley LP can get a kid busted. As one character warns, "You can get 10 years in jail for kowtowing to Western lifestyles." -more-


Don't Miss This: Post-Holiday

By Dorothy Snodgrass
Friday January 06, 2012 - 11:35:00 AM

If like me, you're totally fed up with the long holiday season, join the club! What once was a magical Christmas for children, the event can now be summed up in dollar signs! Commercialism at its worst! Nevertheless, we may still find several ways of celebration with the many activities offered in the New Year. -more-