Arts & Events

—Central Works' new show, "an economic comedy," Reduction in Force by Patricia Milton is onstage through the 28th at The Berkeley City Club and marks the company's 30 premiere of a new play since 1997. Directed by Gary Graves, assisted by Jan Zvaifler, with Michaela Goldhaber, John Patrick Moore and Kendra Lee Oberhauser, and Gregory Scharpen's sound design, Reduction in Force tells of the Icarus Wealth Management Group hitting the rocks & casting off ballast to stay afloat—namely "the little people"—and a career secretary finds her head on the chopping block. The audience is promised it'll witness "backstabbing, ass-kissing, survival of the sneakiest ...ageism, class warfare—and romance!" Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p. m., Sundays at 5, with a talkback this Sunday, 2315 Durant. $25-$ 14 sliding scale at the door. 558-1381; centralworks.org -more-

Verismo Opera returns to the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar near Arch, this Sunday afternoon at 2 with Belllini's great opera Norma, featuring the Druid priestess in love with a Roman proconsul--love, war and sacrificial pyres ... -more-

Dylan Mattingly and Friends

Tuesday August 9, 8 pm -more-

Medheads (Caffe Mediterraneum addicts) know the Vinograds, Julia, 67, and her younger sister, Debbie, 60, from a half century of shuffling past their front table at the Med. Only a few knew that Debbie was an artist, who had contributed drawings to her sister's books. -more-

Did you know that the month of August dates back to the Emperor Augustus Caesar, who ruled the Roman Empire in 27 B.C. until his death in A.D. 14? He was definitely not the sweetest guy in the world! Be that as it may, this August hopefully offers several programs of diversity and enjoyment. -more-