THURSDAY, NOV. 5 

Public Hearing on Berkeley Housing and Community Needs at 7 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St., at Ashby. 981-5427. 

“What Parents Can Do to Ensure Student Success” with Dr. Pedro Noguera, professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Suggested donation $5. 845-0876. 

“Socialists Under the Bed” The Smear Campaigns against ACORN and Van Jones at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Journal and Memoir Writing: Capturing Life Stories A workshop program for seniors from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Free. 526-3720. 

Alameda Community for Kids Awards with live music, silent auction, raffle, food and beverages, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Tickets are $25. www.childunique.net/ 

events/communityforkids 

Berkeley School Volunteers, New Volunteer Orientation from 10 to 11 a.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. 

“Women Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and Changing the World” with Linda Tarr-Whelan at 12:30 p.m. at Boalt Hall, U.C. Berkeley School of Law, UC campus. 

Heyday Institute 35th Anniversary Benefit with Laura Cunningham, L. Frank, and Robert Hass. Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Suggested donation of $75. RSVP to kelly@heydaybooks.com 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaiser Center Foyer, 300 Lakeside Dirve. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Julia Morgan Chapel, 4499 Piedmont ave., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.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. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 6 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Field Trip to Jewel Lake in Tilden Park Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the north end of Central Park Dr. for a one-mile, two-hour-plus stroll through this lush riparian area. Leader Phila Rogers 848-9156. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

“The Unknown Cultural Revolution: Life and Change in a Chinese Village” with author Dongpiing Han at 6:30 p.m. in Wurster Auditorium, UC campus. 848-1196. www.revolutionbooks.org 

“Rediscovering China’s Cultural Revolution” A conference on the art, politics, experience and legacies through Nov. 8 at Stanley Hall on the UC campus. www.revolutionbooks.org 

Jack Kornfield “Carrying the Lamp” Stories, practice and conversation with Kornfield, a Buddhist monk, at 7:30 p.m. at at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dan Damon on “How Dies a Composer Write Music?” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 527-2173.  

Loma Prieta Revisited With a film on how you can prepare for disasters at 6:30 p.m. at El Cerrito City Council Chambers, 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 215-4318. 

Downtown Berkeley YMCA One Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details call 665-3271. 

Rehearsals for Christmas Choir on College Start Fri. at 7:30, concerts are Dec. 20 and 24, at College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave., Oakland. For information 415-673-9139. dthalford@aol.com 

“Ministry as Vocation” A conference through Nov. 8 at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. Information and registration at psr.edu  

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, NOV. 7 

“Are You Ready?” Health and Community Fair with information on emergency preparedness, safety, and prevention of chronic ilnesses, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Paul AME Church, 2024 Ashby Ave.  

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Fruitvale Walk Discover a bit of Central America in this neighborhood of colorful shops, charming streets with early 1900s houses, and small parks. Meet at 10 a.m. at Fruitvale BART station. 848-9358  

Ridge Trail Service Day along Skyline Trail from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 12 and older welcome, but if under 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Advance registration required. 415-561-2595. 

Volunteer to Remove Invasive Plants at Point Isabel Meet at 10 a.m. on the Bay Trail near the north end of Rydin Rd., Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, El Cerrito. 235-1631.  

Compass 101 Learn the basics of using a compass to determine direction, then use it on a treasure hunt, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. For ages 7 and up. 544-2233. 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Field Trip to Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Meet at 9 a.m. at Arrowhead Marsh parking lot. Leader Rusty Scalf 666-9936. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

“Hotel for Dogs” Movie screening benefit to build a dog park in El Cerrito at 10 a.m. at Rialto Cinemas, 10070 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $7. Tickets available at El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. 215-4318. 

Wizard’s Lab on Wheels Festival Watch as a ball floats in mid-air, hands seem to go through solid objects and words whispered are heard from 10 feet away. For ages 5 and up at 1 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, third floor, Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6223.  

4th Annual Purrcasso Art & Craft Sale Local and international artists have donated artwork to help support homeless dogs and cats at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. From 7 to 9 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. at 715 Hearst St., at 4th St., second flr. 845-7735 ext.13. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

United Nations Assoc. Open House with fair trade gifts, multi-cultural books, UNICEF cards, refreshments and prizes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1403B Addison St., by University Ave. Andonico’s parking lot. www.unaeastbay.org 

“Remembering Fr. Bill O’Donnell” Reception with Mary O’Donnell for her book “Reflections of a Beloved Rebel” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Orchid Society of California “Orchid Treasures” with displays, infomation sessions and demonstrations, Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. www.orchid 

societyofcalifornia.com 

Workshop on Oakland Rezoning covering changes to the commercial and residential zoning regulations, from 10 a.m. to noon at Peralta Elementary School, 460 63rd St., Oakland. 238-7299. www.oaklandnet.com/zoningupdate 

Himalayan Evening by the Bay Benefit for the Ama Foundation with Nepali cuisine, song and dance, at 6 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. Tickets are $25-$35. 847-2889. www.ama-foundation.org 

Eat Local A workshop on farmers’ markets, eating from local farms and growing your own food, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Personal Statement Editing Workshop for teens writing their college essays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. Sponsored by ecBerkeley.org. 266-2069. 

Free Beginning Email Class from 10 to 11 a.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Call to sign up 526-7512. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class: Thanksgiving For the Birds Join us as we create five fantastic dishes for creating a healthful, humane holiday including Parsnip Soup, Citrus Glazed Tempeh, Cranberry, Apple and Sausage Stuffing, Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Pecans and Fresh Fig Cake, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $60 in advance, plus $5 food/materials fee due on day of class Register online at www.compassionatecooks.com 

“Father Bill: Reflections of a Beloved Rebel” Book party and film showing at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org  

Family Day “Re-Create” Learn to take the things you toss and transform them into art, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. Cost is $7 per child, $3 per adult. 465-8770. www.mocha.org 

“One Year After November 2008: President Obama: An Appreciation and An Assessment” from 10 a.m. to noon at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. 595-7417. 

East Bay Baby & Kids Fair An education event from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. at Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Protland Ave., Albany. www.eastbaybabyfair.com 

Game Day with board and Wii games from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. Free. 526-3720. 

LifeSupport: A Retreat for HIV+ Christians from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ecumenical Center of Berkeley, 2401 Le Conte Ave. Cost is $15. psr.edu 

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.  

SUNDAY, NOV. 8 

“A Woman Among Warlords” with Malalai Joya, Afghan politician, at 2:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Sponsored by Grandmothers Against the War. 845-3815. 

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant’s 27th Annual Dinner with Harley Shaiken, chair of the UC Berkeley Center for Latin American Studies at 5:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Donation $25 and up. ebscdinner@gmail.com 

Wonderfest: Bay Area Festival of Science from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Stanley Hall, UC campus. Free. www.wonderfest.org 

Raptors from Ridges A strenuous 8-mile hike in search of birds of prey, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Crockett Hills Regional Park. Bring sunscreen, water and a lunch. For meeting place call 544-2233. 

Medicinal Plants of the Bay Area: A Bioregional Exploration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Huckelberry Botanical Preserve, Oakland. Bring water, snacks, lunch, hat and sunscreen, a notebook and a camera. Cost is $30. Registration required. 428-1810. bluewindbmc@gmail.com 

“How to Lower your Carbon Footprint” Learn how to calculate your carbon footprint and take action to lower it, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at EcoHouse. Cost is $10-$15. Registration required. 548-2220, ext. 239. 

4th Annual Purrcasso Art & Craft Sale Local and international artists have donated artwork to help support homeless dogs and cats at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. From noon to 4 p.m. at 715 Hearst St., at 4th St., second flr. 845-7735 ext.13. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

“A Crude Awakening” A documentary on America’s love of oil, followed by discussion at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 528-2261. 

“Meltdown” A workshop on the causes of the economic crisis and possible solutions at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., near 65th St.  

Community Pot-luck with music by the Wild Buds at 5 p.m. at The Cooperative Grocery, 1450 67th St., at Hollis. Free, bring a dish to share. www.thecog.org  

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club, Berkeley Marina. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children 5 and over welcome with parent or guardian. www.cal-sailing.org 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to repair a flat, from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

Bagel Brunch: Middle East Peace Efforts with a presentation by Molly Freeman at 10 a.m. at Albany Community Center. Donation $7.50-$10. www.kolhadash.org 

Personal Theology Seminars with Bill Garrett on “Al-Andaluz: Islamic Iberia” 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 Olivia Hurd on “Meditations to Cultivate the Landscape of the Mind” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, NOV. 9 

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. 

“Tutankhamun & the Golden Age of Pharaohs” Docent talk about the current show at the deYoung Museum at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

John Carroll in Conversation with Brad Bird of Pixar Animation Studios at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. Benefit for Park Day School. Tickets are $30. 653-0317, 103. www.ParkDaySchool.org 

East Bay Track Club Sign-Up for 2010 Season at 6 p.m. at the running track of Berkeley High School. For more information call Coach Walker at 776-7451. 

TUESDAY, NOV. 10 

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

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll look for signs of animals, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about the mammels that live in the park, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

California Colloquium on Water “Dynamics and impacts of managed aquifer recharge on water upply and qualtiy in the Pajaro Valley” with Andrew T. Fischer, UC Santa Cruz, at 5:30 p.m. at Goldman School of Public Policy, Rm. 250, UC campus. waterarc@library.berkeley.edu 

Women’s Earth Alliance “Coming Up from the Roots” A local to global celebration of sustainable agriculture and food justice with Joanna Macy, and music and performances at 6:30 p.m. at The David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way. Donation $15 and up. Benefits Green Youth Arts and Media Center for formerly homeless youth in Oakland. www.browercenter.org 

“Estate Planning” with Nolo Press author Denis Clifford at noon at Alameda County Law Library, 125 Twelfth St., Oakland. 272-6486. 

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

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

Weather Transition Workshop with Beth Rodden on outdoor climbing and hiking in inclement weather at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

German International School Open House for the bilingual K-5 program at 6:30 p.m. at UUCB Berkeley, One Lawson Road, Kensington. www.gissv.org 

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry Volunteers needed to help organize cases of canned food, from 9 a.m. to noon at 2369 Barrett Ave. Richmond. Ability to lift 50 pounds helpful.  Help needed on Fridays also. 235-9732. 

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. 

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. 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. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 

“The Guantanamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison” with author Andy Worthington at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196.  

“How To Save the World: One Man, One Cow, One Planet” A documentary on bio-dynamic farming at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Downtown Berkeley YMCA One Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended care. Cost is $50. For more information, contact Noelle Boero 665-3271. nboero@baymca.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. 

THURSDAY, NOV. 12 

Homeless Connect Health Fair with health screenings, referrals, flu shots and on-site acute care, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Multi-Service Center, 2362 Bancroft Way. dkane@bfhp.org 

Walkers 50+: Explore Alameda’s Hidden Canals on an easy, level walk. Meet at 9 a.m. in front of Safeway, 867 Island Drive, on Bay Farm Island in Alameda. Turn west into shopping ctr. from Island just N. of McCartney. Optional Chinese lunch follows. The walk, sponsored by Albany Senior Center and Friends of Five Creeks, is free, but numbers are limited. Please register with Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic. 524-9122.   

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll look for signs of animals, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival Environmental films and a celebration of the environment, complete with a pre-party, live music, and an auction at 5 p.m., films at 7 p.m. at Clif Bar & Company Headquarters, 1610 Fifth St. Cost is $10, benefits The Access Fund. www.accessfund.com/wseff  

Workshop on Oakland Rezoning covering changes to the commercial and residential zoning regulations, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 E. 12th St., Suite 201, in Fruitvale Village, Oakland. 238-7299. www.oaklandnet.com/zoningupdate 

East Bay Mac Users Group Music Night with information on iTunes, senuti, Grace Note and more, at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. ebmug.org 

“New Solutions for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain” at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Library, Claremont Branch corner Benvenue and Ashby. Free. 849-1176. www.TheRedwoodClinic.com 

Nutrition 101 at 5:30 p.m. at Whole Foods, Telegraph at Ashby. Free. 512-0448. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 13 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about the mammels that live in the park, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Tom Meyer, SF Chronicle cartoonist on “Firing Up the People with Pen and Ink!” 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 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Red Cross Bus, 747 52nd St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Womensong Circle An evening of participatory singing for women, with Carol Swann leading Balkan and international songs, at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, small assembly room, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donation $15-$20. betsy@betsyrosemusic.org 

Radical Gratitude: Jewish Wisdom on Everyday Thankfulness at 6:15 p.m. at Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. Cost is $7, or pot-luck contribution. RSVP required. 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, NOV. 14 

Turkey Gobble Gobble Visit the Little Farm and meet our resident turkeys, learn about their breeds and history, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

Spinning a Yarn Storytelling Come to the Little farm and watch wool being spun into yarn and listen to stories, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

Garden Makeover: A Greener Green! Volunteers needed to revilatize the landscaping from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. To register call 215-4369. 

“Affordable Housing in Berkeley” Tour of non-profit-owned affordable housing stock from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m Sponored by Berkeley Historical Society. Cost is $8-$10. For reservations and starting point call 848-0181. 

Dropout Prevention Summit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Castlemont Community of Small Schools, 8601 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free and open to the public. 238-7906. oaklandpromise.eventbrite.com 

Art and Crafts Sale Benefit for the Berkeley Friends Meetinghouse Renovation Fund, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Meetinghouse, 2151 Vine St. 526-1403. 

Benefit for Sea Turtle Restoration Project at 7 p.m. at David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way. Tickets are $85 and up, activist discount. www.seaturtles.org/bigsplash 

“Burdens of Proof: Iran, the United States and Nuclear Weapons” with Michael Veiluva at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, Conference Rooms A and B, 1550 Oak St., at Lincoln, Alameda. Sggested donation $5. www.alamedapublicaffairsforum.org 

“White Rainbow” Free screening followed by discussion and reception at 11 a.m. at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, 10070 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 215-4318. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 5 p.m. at the Watergate Condominiums, Room A, 5 Captain Drive, Emeryville.. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Free Beginning Email Class from 10 to 11 a.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Call to sign up 526-7512. 

Handling Relationships During the Holidays A half-day meditation retreat from 1 to 4 p.m. at Alameda Yoga Station, 2414A Central Ave., Alameda. Free, a portion of donation will go to Alameda Food Bank. www.alamedayogastation.com 

Workshop on the Import-Export Business from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 981-6145. 

Tribute to Frontier Village at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Films, memorabilia and performers from the former amusement park in San Jose. 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 

Tibetan Buddhism workshop on how to meditate at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. Cost is $45. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

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.  

SUNDAY, NOV. 15 

Family Cycling Clinic Join other parents and children, (2nd-5th grade) for a morning of fun, drills, games and a neighborhood ride, from 10 a.m. to noon at Rosa Parks Elementary School, Conference room 1107. Bring your bikes, your helmet if you have one, adequate clothing for relaxed two-mile bike ride. We have a limited number of bikes that we can loan. 533-7433. www.ebbc.org/safety 

Raptors from Ridges A strenuous 8-mile hike in serach of birds of prey, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Briones Regional Park, Bear Creek Staging Area. Bring sunscreen, water and a lunch. For meeting place call 544-2233. 

Growing More Food in Albany A community forum at 1:15 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 528-2261. 

California Wrriters Club Workshop on “The Beauty of Brevity: Autobiography Distilled” with Prof. Marilyn Abildskov, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $9 for members, $29 for others. Registration required. cwcworkshops@gmail.com 

“Creating Radical Graphics for Our Liberation” A workshop for political printmakers from 1 to 4 p.m. at Eastside Cultural Center, 2277 International Blvd., at 23rd Ave., Oakland. Free, donation accepted. www.sfprintcollective.com 

Read Shakespeare Aloud An all-day experience, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Cost is $25, or $20 with pot-luck dish. 644-4930. 

Personal Theology Seminars with Bill Garrett on “Islam and the 21st Century” at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“Zen and Psychology” with author Cheri Huber at 7 p.m. at 1924 Cedar St. By donation. www.eastbayopencircle.org 

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 5 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Candida Smith reads from “Modern Moves West: California Artists and Democratic Culture in the Twentieth Century” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Poetry Flash with Barbara Claire Freeman and Endi Bogue Hartigan at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph. 849-2087. 

Anne Finger reads from her story collection “Call Me Ahab” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Vincenza Scarpaci on “Journey of the Italians in America” at 6 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 620-6561. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Band Recitals: My Amp Showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

7 Orange ABC, Valerie Orth, at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Immortal Technique at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $20-$25. 548-1159.  

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

FRIDAY, NOV. 6 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “As It Is in Heaven” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Nov. 19. Tickets are $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Aurora Theatre “Fat Pig” through Dec. 6, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $15-$55. 843-4822. auroratheatre.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 

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

Central Works “Blastosphere!” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. through Nov. 22 at The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre “Large Animal Games” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 12. Tickets are $12-$20. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “The Rocky Horror Show” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Dec. 12. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

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 Theater, Dance & Performance Studies “Silences and Salutations” Seven one act plays through Nov. 22 at Durham Studio Theater, UC campus. 642-8827. tdps.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Nesting” A multi media art exhibit exploring aspects of nest building on display to Nov. 28 at the Addison Street Windows, 2018 Addison St. 

“Pairings” Photographs, photograms, polaroids and paintings by Jim Doukas. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. 

“3AM: Under the Full Moon” New work by Christopher Romer. Reception at 6 p.m. at The Compound Gallery, 6604 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. www.thecompoundgallery.com 

“The Last Waltz” Photography, paintings, sculpture by Peter Honig and Kathleen King. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., at Broadway. 701-4620. 

“Why the Bunny?” works by Sas Colby. Reception at 7 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. oakopolis@gamil.com 

FILM 

“Dail M for Murder” at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $5. 1-800-745-3000. 

“Fruit Fly” screening of the musical with Q&A with director H.P. Mendoza at 7 p.m. at 2050 Valley Life Sciences Building , Chan Shun Auditorium, UC campus. Due to explicit lyrics, no children. oyama@berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Orhan Pamuk reads from “The Museum of Innocence” at 7:30 p.m. at FCCB, in the sanctuary, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Tickets are $10-$13. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Steven Winn reads from his memoir “Come Back, Como: Winning the Heart of a Reluctant Dog” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

rad dad zine Release Party at 7 p.m. at Book Zoo, 6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 654-2665. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

earPlay Jazzquintet at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, Cedar at Arch. Cost is $10-$15. 

University Choruses “Hearty Songs for the Fall Season” at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-9988. 

Brazilian Guitar Night with Ricardo Peixoto, Ian Faquini, Mauro Correa, and Ron Galen at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Lisa B. Poetic Groove Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Prestige, Mega Banton, Blade Band, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $51-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

The Deadicated Maniacs at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Simple Ensemble with Pat Fahey, Randy Craig, and others at 8 p.m. at Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$10. 472-3170. 

Terrence Brewer Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

The Realistic Orchestra “Tribute to Michael Jackson” at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-1159.  

SATURDAY, NOV. 7 

CHILDREN  

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

Saturday Stories “Down by the Station” read by author Jennifer Vetter at 1 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. 465-8770. www.mocha.org 

The Snow Queen Puppet Show Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. at at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 296-4433.  

Hanna Banana at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $9. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Room of Their Own: The Bloomsbury Artists in American Collections” Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Mills College Art Museum. Exhibit runs to Dec. 13. www.mills.edu/museum 

“The Last Waltz” Photography, paintings, sculpture by Peter Honig and Kathleen King. Artist’s reception at noon at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., at Broadway. 701-4620. 

“rememberment: installation, separation, synthesis” Interdisciplinary art installation by Kimberly Campisano. Reception at 5 p.m. in the Art and Consciousness Gallery, John F. Kennedy University, 2956 San Pablo Ave. 647-2041. 

“transport: the alchemy of machine into awareness.” Works by Drake Logan, Julia Robertson and The Genie. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Float Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place, Unit 116, Oakland. www.thefloatcenter.com 

“Box Art 2009” Exhibition and benefit auction at 6 p.m. at Pro Arts, 150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. www.proartsgallery.org 

THEATER 

Shotgun Cabaret Burlesque and variety show at 8 and 10 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $20. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Stone Soup Improv Comedy at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $7-$10. www.stonesoupimprov.com 

“Misery Luvs Company” Six characters’ lives as they are tested by today’s socioeconomic and emotional issues, Sat. at 3 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 6 p.m. at Black Repertory Theatre, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $20. 652-2120. www.dlsimon.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Loren Rhoads reads from “Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues: True Stories of the Unsavory, Unwise, Unorthodox and Unusual from the magazine ‘Morbid Curiosity’” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Bay Area Poets Coalition open reading from 3 to 5 pm. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street. 527-9905. 

Mary O’Donnell on her book “Reflections of a Beloved Rebel” about Fr. Bill O’Donnell at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Susan Sherrell reeads from her novel “Grace” at 6 p.m. at The Estrellita Café & Bar, 446 E 12th St., between 4th and 5th, Oakland. RSVP to Steve Edwards at sedwards201@hotmail.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

United Methodist Bell Festival Six bell choirs will perform mass ring pieces that use special bell-ringing techniques at 5 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Free. 415-504-7200. 

Trio Chaskinakuy performs traditional village music of the Andes on an extraordinary collection of native instruments at 7:30 p.m. at the Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Cost is $5-$12. 559-6910. 

Chalice Consort “By the Waters of Babylon” at 8 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. www.chaliceconsort.org 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Passion of Dido” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Tickets are $35-$90. www.philharmonia.org  

The Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble Acoustic and electronic music at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www. 

trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble at 8 p.m. at St. Vartan Armenian Church, 650 Spruce St., Oakland. Workshop at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. 444-0323. www. kitka.org 

Art Lande & Peter Sommer at 7:30 p.m. at Piedmont Piano Company, at the corner of 18th and San Pablo, Oakland. Donation $15. RSVP to 547-8188. 

Hot Pink Feathers and Blue Bone Express New Orleans and Rio-inspired jazz and cabaret at 9:30 p.m. at Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, Cost is $10. 

Osamu Rock con Sabor! from Havana, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568.  

Equilibria Brasil! at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

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

Quartet San Francisco at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373.  

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

Boris Garcia, David Gans at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Jinx Jones Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Sotaque Baiano at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Ethan Bixby and Friends Blues at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

Moment’s Notice Improvised music, dance, and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. tickets are $8-$15. 992-6295. MomentsNoticeInfo@gmail.com  

SUNDAY, NOV. 8 

FILM 

PEN Oakland Writers’ Theatre “A Night of Short Plays” Video Screening from 3 to 6 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $5-47. 681-5652. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Playreaders Performers’ Showcase scenes from Shakespeare, Beckett, Stoppard, Giraudoux at 2 p.m. in the 4th flr story room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6236. 

“It’s About TIme” A celebration of the poetry of Adam David Miller at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Opera Piccola Play Reading from 4 to 6 p.m. at Opera Piccola Performing Arts, 2946 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. www.opera-piccola.org  

Cecile Andrews, co-editor of “Less is More” on simplicity, at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Passion of Dido” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Tickets are $35-$90. www.philharmonia.org  

Bomba Estéreo, electronic dub and hip-hop, at 9 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Mike Rinta “Eponymous” CD release party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Bandworks, band recitals, at 1 and 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

TrumpetSuperGroup Clifford Brown Tribute Concert at 6 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Josh Allen Trio and Large Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Flux 53 Theater, Foothill and Fairfax, Oakland. Suggested donation $10. 338-2432.   

Roger Brown Blues Jam at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

MONDAY, NOV. 9 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Subterranean Shakespeare “All’s Well That Ends Well” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $8. 276-3871. 

Joshua Clover reads from “1989: Bob Dylan Didn’t Have This to Wrtite About” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

“What’s That Ticking Sound?” with media artist Ben Rubin at 7:30 p.m. at 160 Kroeber Hall, UC campus. Free. atc.berkeley.edu 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Meet the Composers” Family Concert at noon at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Free. www.sfchamberorchestra.org 

TUESDAY, NOV. 10 

FILMREADINGS AND LECTURES 

“A Brief Introduction to the Bloomsbury Group” with Peter Stansky, Prof. of History, Stanford Univ. at 1 p.m. in the Danforth Lecture Hall, Art Building, Mills College, Oakland. www.mills.edu 

Richie Unterberger on “White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-by-Day” at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6241.  

Joel Schalit, editor of Zeek Online, reads from his new book “Israel vs. Utopia” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Liza Dalby reads from “Hidden Buddhas: A Novel of Karma and Chaos” at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. For ticket information see www.berkeleyarts.org 

Sharon Doubiago reads from “Love on the Streets: Selected and New Poems” and from her 2009 memoir, “My Father’s Love: Portrait of the Poet as a Young Girl,” followed by an open mic, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany. 526-3720. www.aclibrary.org  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bandworks, band recitals at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. Children 12 and under, free. 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 

David Jacobs-Strain, Cliff Eberhardt at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 

THEATER 

“Raw-Dios: Behind the Pigpen in the Morning” the pop cultural landscape of the “Shock and Awe” era Wed.-Fri. at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Artist Talk with Taro Hattori and Jordan Essoe at 6:30 at Swarm Gallery, 560 Second St., Oakland. 839-2787. 

Andy Worthington on “Guantanamo: Torture, Lies and Incompetence” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

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 

Peter Mulvey & Ari Heist at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Benefit for the Caravan of Solidarity to Support the Elders of Black Mesa, featuring Becky White and the Secret Mission, Clan Dyken, and Stitchcraft at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Donations $7 and up. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 12 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Stephen King in conversation with Janet Maslin on “Under the Dome” at 7 p.m. at Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, corner of College and Ashby. 704-8222. 

Harvey Schwartz reads from “Solidarity Stories: An Oral History of the ILWU” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Ted Rosak reads from “The Making of an Elder Culture; Reflections on the Future of America;s Most Audacious Generation” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Kim Hermanson reads from “Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination for Teachers, Trainers and Mentors” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Opera “Dark River: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Nov. 22 at Oakland metro Opera house, 630 Third St., Oakland. Tickts are $28. 763-1146. oaklandmetro.org 

Accordians Against Cancer with Culann’s Hounds, Big Lou’s Casserole at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Benefit for Women’s Cancer Resource Center. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Jazz Singers’ Soiree with benny Watson Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Hot Toddies, Adam Bones at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Country Joe’s Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. at BFUU, 1924 Cedar. Cost is $5-$10. 841-4824. 

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

FRIDAY, NOV. 13 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “As It Is in Heaven” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Nov. 19. Tickets are $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Aurora Theatre “Fat Pig” through Dec. 6, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $15-$55. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Black Repertory Group Theater “Sparkle: The Stage Play” Thurs.-Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St., through Dec. 20. Tickets are $10-$45. 652-2120. 

Berkeley Playhouse “The Wizard of Oz” at the Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave, through Dec. 6. Tickets are $19-$28. For times see website www.berkeleyplayhouse.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 

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

Central Works “Blastosphere!” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. through Nov. 22 at The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

“Farid Mercury” Persian masculinity in the post 9/11 world with Robert Farid Karimi Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Impact Theatre “Large Animal Games” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 12. Tickets are $12-$20. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “The Rocky Horror Show” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Dec. 12. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

“Raw-Dios: Behind the Pigpen in the Morning” the pop cultural landscape of the “Shock and Awe” era Wed.-Fri. at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

UC Dept. of Theater, Dance & Performance Studies “Silences and Salutations” Seven one act plays through Nov. 22 at Durham Studio Theater, UC campus. 642-8827. tdps.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Urban Renaissance: New Visions of Jewelry and Sculpture” Works by Bay Area metalsmith artists. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. Exhibit runs to Dec. 6. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

“The Artwork of Leonard Peltier” Native American activist and political prisoner. Opening reception at 6:30 p.m. at La Peña. 849-2568. 

“And the Spirit Moved Her” Art by Nina Bindi, Judith Buist, Darla Engelmann, Libby Jennings and Jeannine Jourdan. Artist reception at 7 p.m. at JanRae Community Art Gallery, Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Exhibit runs to Dec. 18. 601-4040, ext. 111. 

Estuary Art Attack Open art galleries and studios from 6 to 9 p.m. in Alameda’s Park Street Arts District. www.estuaryartattack.com  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Romney Steele reads from “My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales of Food, Family, and Big Sur” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Christina Hutchins and Bill Vartnaw will read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave., a little north of Hearst. Part of the Last Word Reading Series.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “A Night at the Opera” with soprano Hope Briggs, tenor Kalil Wilson, and the Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. tickets are $20-$65. 444-0801. www.oebs.org 

San Francisco City Chorus “Brahms’ Ein Deutches Requiem and Schicksalslied” with guest soloists Angela Arnold, soprano and Leland Morine, baritone at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $12-$20. Free for middle- and high-school students. 415-701-7664. www.sfcitychorus.org  

Dance Brigade “The Great Liberation Upon Hearing” based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m., through Nov. 22, at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St. at 8th. Tickets are $17-$23. www.brownpapertickets.com 

East Bay Anointed Voices at 8 p.m. at UTunes Coffee House, First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $14-$18, children ages 6-15, $5. www.utunescoffehouse.org 

Fog Hill Classical Trio at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

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

Brass Menagerie, Gaucho at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

John Reischman & the Jaybirds at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

SF Jazz High School All-Stars at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $110. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Montana Slim, The Skinny, Mars Arizona at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Terrence Brewer Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

SATURDAY, NOV. 14 

CHILDREN  

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

The Snow Queen Puppet Show Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. at at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 296-4433.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Hecho Fest 10th Anniversary with headRush, Robert Karimi and Denise Solis at 2 p.m. at La Peña. Free. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Martin Lubner, painter and teacher at 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Eve Kushner demonstrates the art of Japanese writing in “Crazy for Kanji: A Student’s Guide to the Wonderful World of Japanese Characters” at 3 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. 

Derick and Jackie Savage, authors of “Sunrise Over South Africa” book talk presentation and slide show followed by Q&A at noon at the Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond. 620-6561. www.richmondlibrary.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Cost is $12-$15. 849-9779. www.ypsomusic.net 

Contra Costa Chorale with guest soloists Courtney Bowes, lyric soprano, and Chie Treagus, alto, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Jerome Church, 308 Carmel Ave., El Cerrito. Tickets are $12-$15. 527-2026. www.ccchorale.org 

Oakland Opera “Dark River: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Nov. 22 at Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 Third St., Oakland. Tickts are $28. 763-1146. oaklandmetro.org 

Hecho Fest 10th Anniversary with Home Made at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Bryan Baker & Friends “Serenade” Concert and dessert reception at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$25. 525-0302. 

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

The Real Vocal String Quartet at 8 p.m. at Wisteria Ways, 383 61st St., Oakland. Donations $15-$20. Reservations strongly recommended. info@WisteriaWays.org 

Lakay & Mystic Man at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African drum circle at 9 p.m. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

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

Faith Winthrop at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Jinx Jones Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

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

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

Culann’s Hounds, Dark Town Rounders at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Caribe Nuevo at 8 p.m. at Art House Gallery & Cultural Cente, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Donation $10. 482-3336. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 15 

THEATER 

“The Power of Voice” An evening of spoken word theater from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Euphoric Aesthetic Insights” landscapes and magic realism of Mexico. Reception at 4 p.m. at 33 Revolutions Cafe and Record Shop, 10086 San Pablo Ave., at Central, El Cerrito. 223-8707. www.herkart.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Egyptology Lecture: Abydos Middle Cemetery Project with Dr. Janet Richards, University of Michigan, at 2:30 p.m. at Barrows Hall, Room 20, Barrow Lane and Bancroft Way, UC campus. 415- 664-4767. 

Michael Wild introduces his ”Bay Wolf Restaurant Cookbook” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Voices of Passion mystic, erotic, activist poetry, at 7:30 p.m. at Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck. Donations $5-$10. 482-3336. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Beloved: A Requiem for Our Dead Elegies by queer and trans people of color at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Amphion, classical, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 210 Martina St., Point Richmond. 236-0527. 

Chamber Music Sundaes Chamber music performed by members of the San Francisco Symphony at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door $20-$25. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org 

Cançonièr “The Black Dragon: Music from the Time of Vlad Dracula” at 7 p.m. at St. Alban’s Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Tickets are $10-$20 at Music Sources 528-1685. 

Tammy Pilkisuk & Friends at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Pato Banton, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

Josh Allen Trio and Large Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Flux 53 Theater, Foothill and Fairfax, Oakland. Donation $10. 338-2432. www.myspace.com/orrallenduo 

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

Hubba Hubba Revue, a local burlesque troupe, will be mounting a show in an unusual location this Saturday night. Rather than in a club, the show will open at the Ashby Stage. 

“Normally, we’re a burlesque comedy-variety kind of show, playing in clubs, and themed acts can plug right into the show,” said Jim Sweeney, aka Kingfish, who produces and emcees the show. “But this will be special, a scripted play about people putting on a burlesque show.” 

Sweeney laughed and said, “I told somebody recently, ‘It’s not Shakespeare here!’ The people involved are all regulars in the burlesque troupe, playing themselves. I’m Kingfish in the play, because I’m Kingfish in our regular shows.” 

Hubba Hubba Revue was founded three years ago and has performed weekly Monday shows for the past two years at the Uptown Club in Oakland and monthly shows at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco.  

“We have singing and comedy acts, the mainstay of our material, with classic striptease,” Sweeney said. “There’s a big difference in what burlesque means in the industry and what it’s become today. First off, the striptease acts are not fully nude. And there’s a little story to them. The outrageous costumes are a big feature. They have a mid-20th-century look. There’ll be a couple of musicians and a singer. The music isn’t vintage; it’s all across the map. Wiggy Darlington does an incredible Carol Burnett sort of thing. Myself and my partner Eddie emcee, more old-time than modern narrator-comedians. ... And then there’s Zip, the What-Is-It?, who’s the Harpo of our bunch, with a gorilla body, but a man’s head. He grunts, he doesn’t speak. Kind of like a sideshow freak. Zip has a big car with ‘Hooray!’ bannered on it, which he runs out into the audience. It all jumps right at you in your seat. Not the kind of performance where you just sit back and let it happen!” 

Sweeney reflected on the appeal of burlesque. 

“There’s a sense of intimacy, of one-on-one with the audience,” he said. “It engages the public totally. The emcees are talking to the audience, not declaring lines from a play. And the audience heckles back! We know what a play is, what a film is—but different acts coming onstage, doing different things, all in one night—you don’t see that any more, it’s new to everybody now. It’s not like coming out of the theater with the latest special effects movie blasted in your eyes!” 

Sweeney talked about the old tradition of audience participation that he sees making a comeback: “During the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game, everybody gets up and sings ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’—and 40,000 people feel in that moment they’re out on the field. ... Movies came along and kind of incorporated vaudeville. People say it went away then, but it never really went away completely. It’s there, part of American culture. You can trace the elements back from Kermit the Frog through Ed Sullivan to the Marx Brothers. You just can’t do the same act in every town when it’s been on TV. The Muppet Show was the last stop of a second wave, after Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett, Sonny and Cher. The public would accept puppets doing it!”  

Sweeney spoke about the connection with the Shotgun Players. “Shotgun really reached out to us. They’ve been a dream to work with. The nicest people! Rich Black of Shotgun does posters for us. Several have been featured in a new book, Burlesque Poster Art. And we do try to go visual! Holding up cards, like Wile E. Coyote, when it’s hard to both talk and perform—like pantomime.” 

Sweeney concluded with a few words about other local burlesque troupes, such as Barbary Coast Burlesque and the Diamond Daggers, an all-lesbian troupe.  

“It’s a real undercurrent going on right now, all these different troupes, definitely under the surface,” he said. “It’s not the first thing you see when you walk out at night! We’re the biggest, but it’s such a composite thing. It’s a tight-knit community; everybody knows each other. And in this show, everything’s the same, but it’s different. We still have the tech guys, the lighting cues, our entrances and exits, but it’s not in a club, it’s in a theater. We’re excited about it, Shotgun’s excited, ... they’re getting something new, and Hubba Hubba’s getting something new, too. It’s the first time we’ve performed in a theater. It’ll be fun to see the theater people—and see them seeing a burlesque show and for burlesque people to see us in a theater.” 

Burlesque & Variety Show with Hubba Hubba Revue 

Shotgun Cabaret 

Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby ave. 

Sat. only at 8 and 10 p.m. 

Tickets, $20 

841-6500, www.shotgunplayers.org 

“You can’t rely on anyone!” laments ingenue Janet Weiss (Sophia Rose Morris) when a TV monitor reveals her nerdy fiancé Brad Majors (Raymond C. Duval) necking with their monstrously androgynous host, Dr. Frank N. Furter (Todd Carver) elsewhere in the castle that just happens to be on the route when their car breaks down in a rainstorm, setting in motion the louche goings-on—offspring of the unholy coupling of Sci-Fi, Rock ‘n Roll and a good number of the characters—comprising The Rocky Horror Show, creaking the boards at the Masquers Playhouse. 

But Janet’s no shrinking violet. Bursting into song with “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me,” Janet reveals she’s got that kinda Girl Group thing—plus: “I’ve tasted blood—and I want more!”  

There’s less blood than flesh, and that gracefully clad in all manner of undergarments, including Frank’s turquoise bustier as he struts out in fishnet stockings, heels, all-over rhinestone fringe, singing, “I’m just a sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania.”  

And the juices that flow are mostly the voltage that animates Rocky (Nic Candito), Frank’s muscle-rippling “radiological research (and Paradise will be mine!)” as he invites the clueless lovebirds to “Come up to the lab/See what’s on the slab,” with a Mae West inflection. 

“One of the Master’s special affairs,” The Rocky Horror Show (book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien) in its Picture Show version especially, was outrider—or hors d’oeuvres to—the glitter-&-glam rock scene of the ‘70s, though it served as intro for much more, in good-humored old burlesk style, as director G. A. Klein owns up to in his program notes. 

Whatever might have been shocking about The Rocky Horror Show is now common coin, a little quaint even, which brings out the deliberately creaky kitsch that much more, so a moment here and there actually reflects that glorious triumph of over-reaching tastelessness angst exemplified by Ed Wood in such rancid paste gems of the sub-B movie screen as Glen or Glenda?  

More’s the fun, and The Masquers’ cast of 15 swings with it and communicates it with happy agility. The Master’s servants, Magenta and Columbia (Patty Penrod and Vicki Zabarte) prove to be rave-up, warbling ghouls; their doorman cohort, Riff Raff (Ted V. Bigornia) demonstrates he knows what skulking’s all about. Eddie, the tragic delivery boy (Paul J. White), bursts out of the closet Frank’s squeezed him into with “Hot Patootie.” Eddie’s uncle, a wheelchair-bound, teutonic Dr. Everett Scott (Larry Schrupp)—shades of Strangelove!--tears up “Eddie’s Teddy.” 

Rocky poses in his gold bikini briefs to belt out “The Sword of Damocles.” Frank promises “I Can Make You a Man” (twice), bitches “Planet Schmanet Janet” at the ingenue, finally pulling out the stops with tout ensemble in “Floor Show/Rose Tint My World.” 

But we mustn’t forget the dance sensation: “Do the Time Warp.” Nor the framing tune, bookending the show, trilled by an usherette suspiciously resembling Magenta: “Science Fiction Double Feature.”  

And all the while, the five Phantoms—and even the demure Narrator (Masquers managing director Robert Love) with his pipe and smoking jacket—writhe, shimmy and rock out to Anjee Norgaard’s choreography, as Pat King conducts the hot sextet in the pit (kudos to Wesley Asakawa’s piquant tenor sax) from the ivories. 

From Dianne Beaulieu-Arms’ costumes to Anne Collins’ props, from John Hull’s set to Greg Wilson’s lighting of it, from the tip of Rocky’s gold lace-ups to the top of Tammara Plankers’ wigs, The Masquers show what a community theater can do to entertain you, even by enlarging the perspective in an intimate playhouse with a couple of follow spots and wrap-around action in the aisles, or constructing Brad and Janet’s broken-down car out of the corpus delectii of the Phantom chorines—the flat tire a scantily-clad bondage beauty--Body by Fischer, indeed! 

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW 

Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond.  

Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. 

through Dec. 12 

Tickets, $18 

232-4031; www.masquers.org

Berkeley on fire!” read a recent New York Times article. It was about Tiny Kushner, five one-act plays by Tony Kushner, directed by Tony Taccone, at Berkeley Rep.  

Hard to imagine what ignited that sentiment. The production, featuring four journeyman actors—J. C. Cutler, Valeri Mudek, Jim Lichtscheidl and the excellent Kate Eidig—resemble Saturday Night Live routines.  

Humorist Mort Sahl’s remark comes to mind: Asked what the difference was between his comedy and that of younger contemporaries, like SNL, Sahl replied, “They do parody, mine is satire.”  

Kushner’s dramatic technique in these pieces is mostly cut-and-paste:  

In Flip Flop Fly! two very different women, Queen Geraldine of Albania (Eidig) and eccentric entertainer Lucia Pamela (Mudek), born in the same year and now dead, meet and misunderstand each other in a conversation on the moon (which Pamela claimed to have visited).  

In Dr. Arnold A. Hutschnecker in Paradise, Nixon’s former therapist (Cutler) waxes prosaic on his late subject. 

In Only We Who Guard the Mystery Shall Be Unhappy, Laura Bush comes to read fiction to dead Iraqi children, watched over by an angel (Eidig and Mudek again). 

Even the set reflects this kind of remedial arithmetic: big blowups of an IRS form and other pertinent ephemera, a workshop collage. 

But it’s not a lily that The Rep is gold-plating, just curtain-raisers that could conceivably electrify the proceedings at a corporate gala, or under the redwoods at Bohemian Grove. 

TINY KUSHNER 

Berkeley Rep., Thrust Stage 

2025 Addison  

through Nov. 29 

tickets: $33-$71 

647-2949, www.berkeleyrep.org 

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 

Tenor saxophonist Howard Wiley, Berkeley High Jazz Band alum, will perform with his trio and with acclaimed poet Amiri Baraka Monday night at Yoshi’s in Oakland. 

“We’ll be celebrating the music and celebrating Amiri Baraka’s work,” Wiley said. “He just put out a new book, Somebody Blew Up America (House of Nehesi Publishers) which he’ll be definitely reading from, as well as other, selected works. And off the cuff. It’s always a pleasure to work with him. What he does is so much in the spirit of jazz improvisation. He uses the music as a backdrop—and works his poetry into the playing.” 

Wiley talked about what music he and his trio—Sly Randolph on drums and bassist David Ewell—will draw from. “We’ll play some music by Monk, Coltrane, ‘Tintindeo,’ a Dizzy Gillespie selection ... and Amiri has his way, he can go in so many different directions. He’s extremely fluid, like Don Cherry was, with the sensitivity of Miles Davis and Clifford Brown’s sense of articulation. Such expression; such a joy to work with.” 

Wiley mentioned three great trumpeters to describe different aspects of Baraka’s style. All three are musicians Baraka has written about, among others, in articles and books about jazz in particular and African-American music in general, like his influential Blues People. 

“Blues People is one of the things that got me into the music,” Wiley said, “and some of his articles, like ‘Jazz and the White Critic.’ It’s more about the history of the music, the social and political implications that so many musicians forget about ... He shows that what made these cats so great is that they had such purpose behind the music, that they made it up themselves. And that’s what makes Amiri Baraka so great, that same sense of purpose. When you listen to him recite, speaking by himself, it’s so musical, so melodic, so rhythmic.” 

Baraka, under his birthname LeRoi Jones, emerged in the 1950s and ‘60s as one of the most distinctive poets of his generation, his poems featured in magazines and books from Evergreen/Grove Press and his own Totem/Yugen Press. He was featured in the influential Donald Allen-edited anthology The New American Poetry.  

In the ‘60s, beginning with The Dutchman, his plays premiered in celebrated productions, often with live accompaniment by great jazz players like Jackie McLean. He performed and recorded with the avantgarde New York Art Quartet; a reunion concert in 1999 was followed by a studio recording with Baraka performing a range of his poetry on the tracks.  

From the late ‘60s on, Baraka has been involved in progressive and African American political and social work, while continuing to write, often with a satirical edge. In the wake of 9/11, Baraka’s poem about the event—the title poem of his new collection—stirred up controversy. Some political figures in New Jersey tried to rescind Baraka’s previous appointment as state poet laureate. Discovering there were no legal grounds for removing him from the position, Baraka’s detractors tried to eliminate the position itself. 

Wiley’s performed with Baraka several times over the past five years.  

“The first time I ever worked with him was for a celebration of his entire body of work,” Wiley said. “I worked with him and [tenor saxophonist] David Murray [another Berkeley High alum] on the production of his play, The Sisyohus Syndrome, at the East Side Arts Alliance ... and at the African American Museum in Oakland—we played in the church next door. I’ve played with him every time he’s come to town over the last four or five years.” 

Wiley spoke of the pleasure of “just hanging out” with Baraka, mentioning his humor and recalling in particular Baraka telling him, as they passed a display of his books, about getting a van and distributing remainders of his books to children in Harlem in the late ‘60s, “like the vans that drive through, selling them ice cream, candy, soda—but he was giving them something nourishing for the mind.”  

Wiley extolled Baraka: “Such a character in general, such an intellect—and so soulful.” 

Wiley continues to play around the Bay Area with singer Faye Carol, with Marcus Shelby’s jazz ensemble and with vocalist LaVay Smith. He’s worked with Jacinta Blanch’s Liberation Dance Theatre.  

His ongoing work, The Angola Project, named after the Louisiana State Penitentiary plantation, where inmates are encouraged to sing, and older styles of vocals have been preserved, continues as well. A new CD—The Angola Project’s second—12 Gates to the City, will be released in February. The title track is a suite Wiley started writing on his first visit there, two years ago. 

On that visit, Wiley also heard a prisoner, “there since around 1970,” John Taylor, who had withdrawn from the prison administration-sponsored musical programs six years before, feeling the prisoners were being exploited, sing for the first time in six years.  

“He opened his mouth and it was glorious,” Wiley recalled, “the voice of an angel, in a maximum security prison! He sang for my friend Daniel Atkinson, who had been studying the songs, and me. The song was ‘Thank You For One More Day.’ I think it’s Faye Carol’s favorite of the Angola Project songs.” 

Wiley reflected on “the music changing” between the first Angola Project CD and 12 Keys. 

“On the first album, I was an outsider looking in, having listened just to old recordings from the prison, like Alan Lomax’s, and reading about the place,” he said. “It’s amazing this understanding still exists in new millenium America—because it was considered rehabilitation. Rehabilitation? Picking cotton in 100 degree weather? The prisoners preserved the 1930s-40s a cappela gospel quartet vocal tradition. Those cats create music with a transcendent spirituality, with the will for the spirit to overcome adversity, even in such a dire, desperate situation. It had to be passed on in prison, under a criminal justice system that’s not dealing with poverty.”