Arts & Events

Opens April 25 at the Roxie Theatre in San Francisco

Set on the South Pacific island of American Samoa, Next Goal Wins introduces us to the survivors of a soccer match that ranks among the most misbegotten contests in the history of the sport. In 2001, the team from American Samoa went head-to-head with the Australia soccer squad in a World Cup Competition match and suffered a loss of 31 to 0—the worst defeat in the history of professional soccer. With the 2014 World Cup approaching, the team decides to take a shot at redemption. Can they overcome their humiliating reputation as "the World's Worst Soccer Team"? Yes, they can—with an improbable assist from an irrepressible, white-haired Dutchman. -more-

On Sunday, May 4^th, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.,The Handel Opera Project will present, Médée by Luigi Cherubini.

Beethoven regarded Cherubini as the greatest of his contemporaries and his opera Medea in its Italian version was made famous by none other than Maria Callas. The performance stars soprano Eliza O’Malley in the title role; tenor Brian Thorsett in the role of Jason; soprano Sara Hagenbuch as Dirce; baritone Martin Bell as dirce’s father Creon; and mezzo-soprano Kathleen Moss as Neris. -more-

Trio 180--formerly New Pacific Trio--will play Tuesday night at 8 for Berkeley Chamber Concerts at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant, between Dana and Elllsworth. The trio--Ann Miller, violin; Nina Flyer, cello; Sonia Leong, piano--is in residence at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, where all three are professors, and is continuing its residency at Old First Church in San Francisco, is celebrating its 12th anniversary. -more-

"Hemp Bound," by Doug Fine (Chelsea Green, 2014)

What if there was a completely natural and affordable alternative to fossil fuels? A healthy and nutritious substitute for packaged foods? A replacement for energy-intensive steel and plastic parts? An alternative to chemical-based (and occasionally toxic) medications and pharmaceuticals? -more-