Arts & Events

A GREAT GOOD PLACE FOR BOOKS -more-

LIVE OAK PARK -more-

ASHBY STAGE -more-

COUNTERPULSE -more-

924 GILMAN ST. -- All ages welcome. -more-

ALBASTUDIOS AND GALLERY -more-

DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL -more-

AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER -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-

TheatreFirst closes their first season in the Marion Greene Theater, around the corner on 18th Street from the Fox movie palace on Telegraph in Uptown Oakland, with Michael Healey's internationally successful Canadian play, THE DRAWER BOY, starring two excellent actors—Warren David Keith and Howard Swain, with good support from ACT Masters Program candidate Max Rosenak, directed by Domenique Lozzano. -more-

The first surprise for this operaphile was that THE TOSCA PROJECT at ACT was only peripherally about the diva throwing herself from the parapet.The second surprise was that it was a ballet.But it made me smile that this co-creation of ACT’s Carey Perloff and SF Ballet’s Val Caniparoli was about my favorite legendary bar where I take all my visitors. -more-

Very rarely has it happened that the shooting for a documentary has begun and its subject has taken on a story of its own, both expanding and deepening its sense of urgency and poignancy, complexity and hope, more than would have been possible if it were just a hindsight appraisal. The documentary “The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom,” opening in the Bay Area on June 18, benefits from that singular fortuity. The involvement here is similar to witnessing childbirth under the most adversarial conditions, the threshold equally open to life and death. -more-

A couple of weeks ago, Ron and I went to the Bone Room to hear UC-Berkeley entomologist Rosemary Gillespie discuss her research on the spiders of the Hawai’ian Islands. (Check out The Bone Room Presentsfor future events.) -more-

Today I decided it would be easier to strip the remaining trim in my kitchen if I pried it off first, since paint insisted on remaining in the cracks between the various pieces, and responded neither to sanding, scraping, heat gunning, or paint remover. -more-

BERKELEY PUBLIC LIBRARY, CENTRAL BRANCH -more-

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR -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-

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-

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-

ELKS LODGE, ALAMEDA -more-

When reflecting on the 4th of July, for many of us this means picnics, barbecues, cold beer and hunting for a good spot to watch the fireworks. Yes, Independence Day is a great holiday for all Americans, stirring patriotic sentiment and pride in our wonderful nation. And the weekend offers a welcome chance to relax and unwind from the daily grind. For some, stretched out on the grass, eating hot dogs and potato salad and watching the fireworks is a perfect celebration of the day. On the other hand, those eager for a little action, may look for activities and events tied in with the 4th. So, listed below, in no particular order of importance, are some events of possible interest. -more-

"Summer time and the living is easy...." Ah, yes, that familiar George Gershwin song from "Porgy and Bess" aptly reflects our own East Bay summer -- relaxed and easy going. Oh, but that's not to say there hasn't been a lot going on, and will go on, in the next few weeks. Shown below are some of the many activities that may be of interest. -more-