TUESDAY, OCT. 24 

Tuesday is for the Birds An early morning walk for birders through Bay Area parklands. Bring water, sunscreen, binoculars and a snack. This week we will visit Wildcat Canyon. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

United Nations 61st Anniversary and Global Citizen Awards honoring Danny Glover and Larry Brilliant at 6 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 643-8300. www.unausaseastbay.org 

“Election Pro and Cons” Sponsored by the League of Women Voters at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190. 

Debate on Proposition 87 Alternative Energy and Oil Tax at 7 p.m. in Evans Hall, Room 10, UC Campus. Submit questions to caldebateseries@gmail.com 

Berkeley High School Governance Council meets at 4:15 p.m. in the lobby of the Community Theater. Agenda items include Advisory Plan, WASC Plan, Attendance Policy and Homework Inequity. 644-4803. 

Berkeley PC Users Group meets at 7 p.m. at 25 Dartmouth Rd. email id you need directions, rits@surfbest.net 

Depression Screening Day and Address Your Stress Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MLK Student Union, UC Campus. Free, public is welcome. www.uhs.berkeley.edu. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Volunteer at Emerson Elementary School Stop by any time from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. or call 883-5247. 

“Canoe Expedition from the Canadian Rockies to Husdon Bay” with Michael Gregory at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140.  

East Bay Children’s Theater Auditions for male and female adult roles for “Rumplestiltskin” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave, Oakland. For details call 537-9957. 

Sleep Soundly Seminar A free class on how hypnosis can help you sleep at 6:30 p.m. at 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. To register call 465-2524. 

Albany Library Homework Center is open from 3 to 5 p.m., Tues. and Thurs. for students in third through fifth grades. Emphasis is placed on math and writing skills. No registration is required. 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720 ext 17. 

Torture Teach-in and Vigil every Tues. at 12:30 p.m. at the fountain on UC Campus, Bancroft at College. 

Handbuilding Ceramics Class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Also Mon. from noon to 4 p.m. and Wed. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ashby at Ellis Sts Free, except for materials and firing charges. 525-5497. 

Toddler and Me Discovery Group at 10 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25  

Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association Candidates Night with Mayoral and Disctrict 8 candidates at 7:30pm at St. John’s Church, Fireside Room, College and Garber. All welcome. www.claremontelmwood.org 

Preserve Police Accountability A rally and march to demand that citizen complaints continue to be heard. Meet at 6 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, MLK and Center St. to march to the North Berkeley Senior Center for the meeting on the future of the Police Review Commission. Sponsored by Copwatch. 548-0425. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, at 3:15 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Cut Housing? You’ve Got to be Kidding? A discussion with Wanda Remmers of Housing Rights and Councilmember Linda Maio at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

Debate on Berkeley’s Measure I, Condominium Conversion Ordinance at 8 p.m. at North Gate Hall, UC Campus. Submit questions to caldebateseries@gmail.com. 

“Toxic Bust” A documentary on the relationship between breast cancer and chemical exposure at 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattck Ave. 849-2568. 

“Timor-Leste: A Candidate for State Failure?” with James Cotton, Professor of Politics, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy at 4 p.m. at the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th Floor. 642-2809. ttp://ieas.berkeley.edu/events 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “Bubble Man: Alan Greenspan & the Missing 7 Trillion Dollars” by Peter Hartcher at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, El Cerrito. 433-2911. 

Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling A free introductory class to learn how to do safe renovations in you rolder home, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Emeryville Recreation Dept., 4300 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville. 567-8280. www.aclppp.org 

New to DVD “Thank You For Smoking” Film and discussion at 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

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. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, OCT. 26 

The Oakland Bird Club with Alan Kaplan, naturalist, retired from 33 years in the Interpretive Services division of the East Bay Regional Park District, on The History of Birding Field Guides, at 7:30 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. 444-0355. 

“What are Americans Voting For?” Panel discussion with Joan Blades, George Lakoff, Markos Moulitsas, and Robert Reich, moderated by Bruce Cain at 7:30 p.m., Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Free. 643-4487. 

North Shattuck Plaza Community Meeting to review the proposed plans for the area’s redevelopment at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut Street. info@northshattuckplaza.org 

“Talking About Macdonald” performances based on community recollections of Richmond’s downtown at 6:30 p.m. at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Winters Building, 339 11th St., corner of 11th and Macdonald, Richmond. 540-6809. www.ci.richmond.ca.us 

“Cancer in Your Cosmetics?” Discussion at noon at Alta Bates Summit, Peralta Pavilion, 450 30th St., Oakland. Bring products to examine. Free but registration required. 869-8833. 

Environmental Film Series “Bum’s Paradise” and “Up Close & Toxic” on the Albany landfill, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Easy Does It Disability Assistance Board of Directors Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1744A University Ave., behind the Lutheran Church between Grant and McGee. All welcome. 845-5513. www.easyland.org 

Traveling with Children with Lonely Planet traveling mother, Robin Goldberg at 6 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, 125 14th St. 238-3136 

American Red Cross Blood Donations from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Metro Center Auditorium, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Call to schedule and appointment. 464-7712. 

Managing Type 2 Diabetes at 6 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

El Cerrito Toastmasters “Fright Night” Open House at 7:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moser Lane. 860-7906.  

FRIDAY, OCT. 27 

Impeachment Banner Fridays at 6:45 to 8 a.m. on the Berkeley Pedestrian bridge between Seabreeze Market and the Berkeley Aquatic Park, ongoing on Fridays until impeachment is realized. www. Impeachbush-cheney.com 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Lisa Feuchtbaum on “Newborn Screening” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

“Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties” A documentary by Robert Greenwald at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., between Broadway and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 

An Evening of Claire Burch Films, in appreciation and memory of Allen Cohen at 6 p.m. at Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St. 547-7602. 

Haunted House at an historic English Tudor-style house, 2647 Durant Aven. Free to Berkeley and Oakland students from 4 to 6 p.m. 562-2506. 

UC Berkeley Asian Business Association’s Charity Fashion Show at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave: Cost is $10. jchea@berkeley.edu  

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. 548-6310. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 28 

Native Plant Fair with Berkeley native plants, bulbs, seeds, books, art, and crafts for sale, talks by experts and fun activities for children, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sun. from noon to 3 p.m. at Native Here Nursery, 101 Golf Course Dr., Tilden Park. 496-6016. www.ebcnps.org  

Codornices Creek Watershed Tour Meet at 9 a.m. near the mouth of Codornices Creek at Albany Waterfront Trail, where Buchanan St. dead ends north of Golden Gate Fields, west of I-580. The tour will begin at the upstream end of the watershed and will consist of stops with different speakers along various points of the creek, ending at the mouth of the creek near the meeting point. 452-0901. 

The New School Halloween Bazaar, with face painting, children's games, rummage and books sales, haunted house, food and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 606 Bonita Street, at Cedar. 548-9165. 

“Breaking the Silence” with former Israeli military commander Yehuda Shaul, founder of a group of ex-combatants who reveal how Israeli soldiers regularly violate the human rights of Palestinians while serving in the Occupied Territories, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Church Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Sliding scale donation $5-$20. 465-1777. 

Breast Cancer in Our Community with Lisa Bailey, MD, Medical Director of the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. Registration is required. 549-9200. 

Teens Touch the Earth learn how to protect the bay, wildlife and native plants, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miller Knox. Community service credit available. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Fall Blooming Perennials & Shrubs” at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

Harvest Festival, with activities for children and entertainment for adults from noon to 4 p.m. at Bay Street, Emeryville. 655-4002. 

Neighborhood Anti-War Rally at 1:30 p.m. at the corner Acton and University. Sponsored by the Tenants Association of Strawberry Creek Lodge. 841-4143. 

How Berkeley Came To Be Bring photocopies of photos, postcards and other memorabilia of your family’s arrival in Berkeley to create a community scrapbook at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, South Branch. For infromation call 981-6147. 

“Dias de los Muertos” Feast of the Angelitos at 2 p.m. and Procession of the Day of the Dead at 6 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 228-3207. arodman@lifemarkgroup.com 

Haunted Caves A spooky adventure for ages 3 and up from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center. Cost is $3-$5. 525-2233. 

Talking Pumpkins, Birds and Trees with storytellers and an enchanted walk at 10 a.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Come in costume. Cost is $8-$10, $3 for each additional child. Registration required. 643-2755. 

O’Hallow’s Eve Fright Night from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Ashby Flea Market with music, games, dance contest, pie-eating contest, face painting and more.  

Halloween Face Painting for children Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Dog Training: Slow Down! Teach your dog to walk without pulling at 9:30 a.m. and “Come Spot Come” at 10:30 a.m. at Grace North Church, 2128 Cedar St. Cost is $35-$40. Registration required. 849-9323. www.companyofdogs.com 

Animal Communication, for healing, at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave. Cost is $25, for an appointment call 525-6155. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Berkeley Haunted House for all ages from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Free, donations accepted. 845-6830, ext. 13. 

Monster Bash aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Museum from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3 in Alameda. Tickets are $10-$20. Proceeds will benefit the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Museum. 521-8448, ext. 282. www.hornetevents.com 

Bilingual Storytime Stories in English and Spanish for toddlers and preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. in the Edith Stone Room at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732.  

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755.  

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 29 

UCC-Toberfest with wine and beer tasting, silent auction, live music and food, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Piedmont Veterans Community Hall, 401 Highland Ave. Piedmont. Cost is $25. Benefits the Urban Creeks Council. 540-6669. 

Street Scare Halloween Block Party with pumpkin carving, bean-bag-toss, fun photos, crafts and more, from noon to 5 p.m. at 23rd St. and Telegraph. Sponsored by Rock, Paper, Scissors Gallery. 278-9171.  

Open House and Costume Party from 1 to 6 p.m. at Expressions Art Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

Alameda Fall Festival with live music, cookout, children’s activities and more, from noon to 5 p.m. at Alameda Marketplace, Park St. parking lot, 1650 Park St. www.alamedamarketplace.com 

Haunted House at an historic English Tudor-style house at 2647 Durant Ave. Open to the public from 6 to 9 pm.. Cost is $3, and benefits The Green Stampede Homework Club. 562-2506. 

“Celebrating Decca” readings from the newly published letters of Jessica Mitford by friends, family and distinguished authors in a benefit for KPFA at 8 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Tickets are $15-$20. 848-6767, ext. 609. 

El Cerrito Historical Society meets to discuss Historic Preservation at 2 p.m. at the El Cerrito Senior Center, located behind the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7507.  

Beauty of Briones A moderate 5 mile hike through a spectaular park, led by naturalist Tara Reinertson. Meet at 10 a.m. at Bear Creek Staging Area. Bring lunch, sunscreen, and water. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Cybersalon with Steven Levy on “The Perfect Thing: How the iPod Shuffles Commerce, Culture and Coolness” at 5 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10. whoisylvia@aol.com 

Home Greywater Workshop Learn about and help create the first permitted residential greywater system from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Berkeley Ecohouse, 1305 Hopkins St. Cost is $15 slidign scale, no one turned away. 547-8715. 

IRV Peace Meet-up and Rally at 1:30 p.m. at Splashpad Park, LakeShore and Grand Ave., Oakland. 644-1303. 

Get Your Freak On at the Kensington Farmers’ Market, tatoo booth, fortune telling, and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 

“Voodoo: The Authentic Legacy of Marie Laveau in New Orleans” with Carol Carlisle at 9:30 a.m at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Mark Henderson on “The Hidden Power of the Tibetan Prayer Wheel” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, OCT. 30 

Batopia Learn the truth about bats with Maggie Hooper and her flying friends at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Ave. Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 160 41st St. 597-5011. 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people aged 60 and over meets at 9:45 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Donation $3. 524-9122. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Oct. 24, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Mary Ann Merker, 981-7533. 

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. 981-5502.  

Energy Commission meets Wed., Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5434.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed. Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4960. 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.

TUESDAY, OCT. 24 

CHILDREN 

“Three Witches of the Oakland Public Library” scary stories and songs for ages six and up at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

FILM 

Alternative Visions China’s Cutting Edge: New Video From Shanghai at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Donald Rothberg describes “The Engaged Spiritual Life: A Buddhist Approach to Transforming Ourselves and the World” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Jeff Biggers introduces his new book, “In the Sierra Madre” about Mexico’s Copper Canyon, indigenous Mexico and environmental concerns, at 7 p.m. at 118 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by Dept. of Ethnic Studies/Chicano Studies. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Glass Half Full in a benefit for Breast Cancer Fund and SHARE, featuring Laurie Lewis, Jennifer Berezan, Barbara Higbie and others, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

NoMeansNo, The Freak Accident at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

Michele Rosewoman and Quintessense at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$18. 238-9200.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25 

CHILDREN 

“Three Witches of the Oakland Public Library” scary stories and songs for ages six and up at 4 and 7 p.m. in the Chilrens Room, of the Main Library, 125 14th St. 238-3615. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Jardiin” Imagined botanicals by Donna Duguay. Reception at 7 p.m. at Artbeat Salon and GAllery, 1887 Solano Ave. Exhibition runs to Jan. 21. 527-3100. 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “Passing Strange” opens at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. and runs through Dec. 3. Tickets are $45-$61. 645-2949.  

FILM 

“Freedom’s Fury” and “Journey Home” films about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at 6 p.m. at 22 Warren Hall, UC Campus. http://hungarianuprising.org  

Pirates and Piracy “Pirated Copy” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Henry Chang reads from “Chinatown Beat” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Bill Scher on “Wait! Dont’t Move to Canada: A Stay and Fight Strategy to Win Back America” at 6 p.m. at 2221 Broadway at Grand Ave., Oakland. 

Writing Teachers Write with Marty Williams and Chuck Forester at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. 

William Kittredge introduces his novel,”The Willow Field” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, 20th century music for the flute, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864.  

Wynton Marsalis at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$68. 642-9988.  

UC Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com  

D.O.A., 5 Days Dirty, Freex at 8 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. All ages show. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Orquestra Sensual at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Deep Hello at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Kurt Rosenwinkle, Toninho Horta Group at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, OCT. 26 

EXHIBITIONS 

“At Thadeus Lake” by Sherri Martin, winner of the 2006 Kala Board Prize. Reception at 6 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Exhibition runs to Nov. 25. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“Educate to Liberate: A Retrospective of the Black Panther Community News Service” Exhibition in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party, on display in the Oakland History Room at the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St. 238-3222.  

“The Face of Poetry” Photographs by Margaretta Mitchell on display at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., through Oct. 30. 981-6100. 

“Looking for Hope” Photograhs by Matt O’Brien with text by students in the Oakland Public Schools opens at the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Museum Gallery, 2465 34th Ave. Gallery open Thurs.-Fri. 4 to 6 p.m. and Sun. noon to 4 p.m. to March 31. 532-9142. www.peraltahacienda.org 

“Geographic Premonitions” Group show of fifteen emerging artists, at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Exhibition runs through Nov. 11. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

FILM 

Ousmane Sembene “The Camp at Thiaroye” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

California Tiles: Arts & Crafts Principles Revive the Golden Era, with Riley Doty and Joe Taylor, at 8 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10. 

Annie Leibovitz describes “A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Michael Sternberg and Larry Rothe describe “For the Love of Music: Invitations to Listening” music at 7 p.m., reading at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

East Bay Improv at 8 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, Adeline and Alcatrz. Cost is $7. 964-0571. www.eastbayimprov.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Talking About Macdonald” performances based on community recollections of Richmond’s downtown at 6:30 p.m. at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Winters Building, 339 11th St., corner of 11th and Macdonald, Richmond. 540-6809. www.ci.richmond.ca.us 

World Without End, Bob Frank & John Murry at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Juke Joint Jazzers at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Oogog, The Brass Menagerie at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Jazz Mine at 6:30 p.m. at King Tsin Chinese Restaurant, 1699 Solano Ave. 525-9890. 

Kurt Rosenwinkle, Toninho Horta Group at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Three Piece Combo, Mirkthon, Biran Kenney Fresno, progressive rock, at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

FRIDAY, OCT. 27 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Hedda Gabler” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. through Nov. 18 at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Tickets are $12. 525-1620. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Altarena Playhouse “Merrily We Roll Along” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St, Alameda, through Nov. 12. Cost is $15-$18. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Antenna Theater, “High School” An interactive theatrical walking tour of Berkeley High, 1980 Allston Way. One audience member enters the show every minute. Walk lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets are $20 adults, $8 students. Reservations required. Runs through Oct. 29. 415-332-9454. www.antenna-theater.org/highschool.htm 

Berkeley Rep “Passing Strange” at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. through Dec. 3. Tickets are $45-$61. 645-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Andromache” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through Nov. 19. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. 

Fusion Theater “Beauty and the Beast” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10. 464-3544. mtorres@peralta.edu 

Impact Theatre “Colorado” A dark comedy about celebrity worship, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. Runs through Oct. 28. 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

Shotgun Players “Love is a Dream House in Lorin” by Marcus Gardley, inspired by true stories of Berkeley’s historic Lorin District, Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Nov. 12. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

TheatreFirst “Criminal Genius” Thurs.-Fri. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theatre, 481 Ninth St., at Broadway, Oakland, through Nov. 19. Tickets are $19-$25. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

UC Dept. of Theater “Suburban Motel” six plays by George Walker at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus, through Nov. 19. Tickets are $8-$14. For schedule see http://theater.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Body Language” Paintings and sculpture. Sidewalk reception at 6 p.m. at Addison Street Windows. 981-7533. 

“Fiber 2006” Featuring eight Bay Area artists at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. to Nov. 4. 843-2527. 

FILM 

Claire Burch Film Festival with the filmmaker at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 528-5403. 

A Theater Near You “The Case of the Grinning Cat” at 7 p.m. and “Yang Ban Xi: The Eight Model Works” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Isabel Stirling, biographer and Gary Snyder, poet, introduce “Zen Pioneer: The Life and Works of Ruth Fuller Sasaki” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Hiroko Shimbo demonstrates “The Sushi Experience” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Pianist Sarah Cahill Concert for Berkeley Arts Festival: 8 pm Jazzschool 2087 Addison Street, $10-$20 www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Country Joe McDonald, with Pat Nevins and friends in a 1960s-style show at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Matt Renzi Trio, saxophone jazz at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Berkeley. Cost is $15. www.hillsideclub.org  

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “Sounds from the Underworld” in celebration of Halloween at 7:30 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 868-0695. www.bayareabach.org 

Lyon Opera Ballet at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$58. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Gypsy Flamenco Stars at 5 and 9 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $65-$95, includes dinner. 287-8700. 

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

Moodswing Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

The Mixers at 9 p.m. at The Pub at Baltic Square, aka The Baltic, at 135 Park Place, Pt. Richmond. Cost is $5. 237-4782.  

Reverend Billy C. Wirtz at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Gerald Beckett Trio with Eric Swinderman at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Ravines at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Meliaquis, Diegos Umbrella at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Trainwreck Riders, Genghis Khan, Rum & Rebellion at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Aqualibrre, Los Pingous at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Brazuca Brown at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The Yellowjackets at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, OCT. 28 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Betsy Rose, Halloween songs and activities, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

A Harvest of Peace An alternative Halloween Concert for children and families at 10:30 a.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Please bring a fruit or vegetable of the season for the harvest altar. Food will be donated to a local soup kitchen. Also bring pictures or remembrances of grandparents, favorite pets or those you consider ancestors. Cost is $3-$4. 849-2568. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“California as Muse” The Art of Arthur and Lucia Mathews opens at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Nine at Gaia: A Group Show” Works by Carol Brighton, Helen Chellin, Debra Jewell, Tessa Merrie, Hearne Pardee, Sylvia Sussman, Sandy Walker, Christine Walter, Gina Werfel. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. 653-3433. 

Randy & Jan McKeachie Johnston “New Work” Reception at 5 p.m. at Trax Gallery, 1815 Fifth St. Exhibition runs to Nov. 22. 540-8729. 

“Wheels” Works by Christopher Peterson, Harrod Blank, Philip Hall and Troy Paiva. Paintings and photographs of cars. Opening reception at 3 p.m. at Montclair Gallery, 1986 Mountain Blvd. 339-4286.  

FILM 

A Theater Near You “The Case of the Grinning Cat” at 7 p.m. and “The World” at 8 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Watershed Envoronmental Poetry Festival from noon to 6 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St. Opening Creek Walk, with poetry writing and reading led by Chris Olander, Meet at 10 a.m. on the UC Berkeley Campus, Oxford and Center Sts. 526-9105. www.poetryflash.org 

“At Thadeus Lake” Conversation with the artist Sherri Martin, winner of the 2006 Kala Board Prize at 2 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Exhibition runs to Nov. 25. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“Healing with Music” a lecture by Therese West at Berkeley Piano Club, sponsored by Four Seasons Concerts. Tickets are $25. 601-7919. 

“Braided Lives: A Collboration Between Artists and Poets” at 7:30 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Donation $5-$15. 843-2787. www.studiorasa.org 

Andrea Nguyen descrbes “The Vietnamese Kitchen: Ancient Foodways, Modern Flavors” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Douglas Kent discusses “Firescaping” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Harvest of Song with new compositions by Allen Shearer, Peter Joseff, Don Walker and others at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Cost is $10. 644-6893. www.berkeleysrtcenter.org 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Tickets are $12-$15. 849-9776. www.ypsomusic.net 

Kensington Symphony with Thomas Shoebotham, cello, performs Shostakovich, Lalo, Beethoven at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Donation $10-$15, children free. 524-9912. 

Lyon Opera Ballet at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$58. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Flamenco Halloween at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Hindustani Ragas by Teed Rockwell at 7:30 p.m. a Fourth Street Yoga, 1809 Fourth St., #C. Cost is $10. For reservations call 548-8779.  

Ellen Robinson & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Lost Coast and Dark Hollow, bluegrass, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Inspector Double Negative and the Equal Positives at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

David Gans at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Wake the Dead at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Radio Suicide, CD release, at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Wil Blades and Brian Pardo at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Rhonda Benin & Soulful Strut at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Carl Nagin, flamenco, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Murder Ballads Bash, songs of misery, murder and despair, at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Guru Garage at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Halloween Weekend Show with Minor Threat, Youth of Today, Negative Approach and others at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 29 

CHILDREN 

Reading and Learning about Gardens for children at 1 and 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Muriel Johnson Storytelling at 2 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 658-7353. 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “Neighborhood Watch” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Desperate Hours” at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Donation $5. 848-0237. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Celebrating Decca” readings from the newly published letters of Jessica Mitford by friends, family and distinguished authors in a benefit for KPFA at 8 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Tickets are $15-$20. 848-6767, ext. 609. 

“The Furniture Shop and Its Legacy” The design and decoration of the furnishings of Arthur and Lucia Mathews at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Ghost Walk and Graveyard Tales with Bay Area mystery and crime writers Simon Wood, Hailey Lind, Camille Minichino at 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. 228-3207. 

Poetry Flash with Norman Fischer and Paul Naylor at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Representa! bilingual hip-hop and spoken word at 6 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Laughing Bones/Weeping Hearts” Gallery talk with artists Joe Bastida Rodriguez and Deborah Rumer at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Aili” by Matti Kurikka, dramatized reading in English of the 1887 Finnish feminist play at 2 p.m. at Finnish Kaleva Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. Donation $5. 849-0125.  

Kevin Coval reads from “Slingshots (A Hip-Hop Poetica)” at 5 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Harvest of Song with new compositions by Allen Shearer, Peter Joseff, Don Walker and others at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Cost is $10. 644-6893. www.berkeleysrtcenter.org 

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

The English Concert at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

University Wind Ensemble at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Janet Oliphant Rossman and Carol Dechaine, showtime favorites at 7 p.m. at Latarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda. Benefits the Let The Music Play Fund. www.altarena.org 

Brazilian Soul at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $9. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Evelie Posch at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Americana Unplugged: The Saddle Cats, western swing, at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Clockwork, a cappella jazz, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Susan Muscarello Trio, Halloween jazz, at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Susan Werner at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Yellowjackets at 7 and 9 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

MONDAY, OCT. 30 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Wangari Maathai, founder of the Greenbelt Movement at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

Art, Technology and Culture Colloquium at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for New Media, 160 Kroeber Hall, UC Campus. www. ieor.berkeley.edu/~goldberg/lecs 

Poetry Express open mic theme night on “night poems” at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Khalil Shaheed, all ages jam, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

“An Evening of Improvised Music” at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 

Denny Zeitlin Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

It’s not exactly High School Confidential, the interactive show Sausalito’s Antenna Theater is staging at Berkeley High through this weekend, but as an example of Antenna’s ‘Walkmanology,’ more of a tour through four years on campus compressed into 45 minutes, literally a walk-through of secondary education. 

High School has been staged twice before, at schools in Marin and San Francisco, in evolving, site-specific form, and is slated to continue at other schools throughout America. 

Chris Hardman, its creator (John Warren directed), is an alumnus of Snake Theater, probably the best-known “environmental” troupe of the ‘70s. 

More than 25 students are cast, seven in the student crew, and more than 50 voices, with tales from interviews swirling through an ambulatory auditor-spectator’s ears while strolling through the corridors and classrooms, confronted by masked (and sculpted) personnel, actual students, and a variety of conundrums to bring home the student experience. 

(The idea of High School took me back to my own—undisclosed—Bay Area alma mater, wherein with my gonzo guerrilla theater club, I put on—the operant term—a special Boot Camp for Freshman Orientation Day, with a suitably authentic Drill Sergeant, who took the incoming frosh through the wringer. The activities dean was not amused. Apparently, high school itself wasn’t meant to be theater, no matter how theatrical.) 

Antenna’s itinerary takes you from alarm clock and bus ride in the morning, to entering the doors of the campus--voices describing their thoughts on entering for the first time—through the Security Office (and an imposing cartoonish figure who escorts you out) and posing for an I.D. tag photo. Later you’ll glimpse gossipers out of the side of your eye as you stoop to open a locker, be lightly jostled by kids “cupcaking,” get mildly hazed in OCI (instead of detention) and witness through an upstairs window student brawlers with enormous 2-D arms broken up by the monolithic Security Guard. You’re taken all the way through to graduation, with the valedictorian asking, “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?” Remember? 

With the tidbits of real stories and students playing students amid the masks, I found it to be, though somewhat stylized, much more realistic than my old Boot Camp routine. Strange, I had the feeling at times of being on a game show, or of writing a sociology report, based on a simulation. 

And the freshmen voices were right about getting lost, too. I did. Mistaking a Walkman cue while standing at a stop sign for us spectators, one ambling through every two minutes, I went through a door someone left ajar—and got locked out. Standing on the pavement outside, I faithfully listened to the last few moments on tape, and returned by the street to square one. 

It served me right. Too long a passive onlooker, ensconced in a padded seat in the audience, taking notes. I couldn’t cut it as participant anymore; probably couldn’t even get cast as a spear carrier. 

They gave me my diploma, anyway. I felt much more awkward and teary than at my actual ceremony decades ago, though no-one played “Pomp and Circumstance.” Maybe you can’t go home again, but High School can really get to you. 

High School  

Presented by Antenna Theater through Oct. 29 at Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way. One audience member enters show every minute, walks lasts 45 minutes. $20 adults, $8 students. Reservations required. (415) 332-9454, www.antenna-theater.org.  

I am waiting for a rehearsal, held in the living room of a beautiful home, to begin. It’s the first time I will hear the pianist and soprano who are performing an aria that I wrote the libretto for. Earlier I saw the composer, Peter Josheff, going over the music with the pianist. He was totally focused. What he was telling her matters.  

After several singers and musicians have performed, the soprano gets up and says a few words about the aria: the character singing is Francesca da Rimini, the tortured soul doomed to the third ring of Dante’s hell where the damned, because they have been unable to resist the force of their desires, are blown about by an unrelenting wind.  

The aria is Francesca’s explanation of why she is in hell. It’s the first aria Peter and I have completed in our longer work-in-progress based on Francesca’s story in the Divine Comedy. Peter Josheff and I have collaborated on vocal music and improvisation for over 10 years. 

Even in collaboration, though, composing and writing are solitary processes.  

At the beginning of each project we develop, Peter tells me in general terms what he is looking for: the voices and instruments he wants to compose for, the length of the piece, its emotional content. I figure out an appropriate “story” and write a text. He then writes the music. Occasionally he’ll question words or the sense of a section of the text as he is writing.  

Although he has a clear idea of the piece in development, I only hear the finished product at the last moment: in final rehearsal or in performance. It’s in those moments that the work we’ve done changes, going from personal struggle in a solitary setting to a coherent event in a public setting. The collaboration between writer and composer has ended; the object created belongs to the performer and to the audience. 

Listening to Francesca’s aria, I evaluate our work. The music is ominous and gorgeous at the same time: the complexity of notes rising from the piano supports the intensely melodic line of the words, and surrounds the listener. It seems to blend with the light reflected from the walls of the room and the silence of the audience. 

You can hear the chilling despair of hell as well as the singer’s continuing desire for life and love; the soprano’s delicate interpretation is totally convincing. Peter has written this piece for her and he has woven the nuances of her voice into the music’s emotional threads. Though the aria will change once the rest of the opera is written, I find this version of “Francesca’s Complaint” perfect in and of itself. It has captured the constellation of meanings I endeavored to put into words and moved beyond them into something transformative. 

Each year Peter Josheff and Allen Shearer, two of the Bay Area’s most interesting and noteworthy composers, put together a concert of songs and premier them at the Berkeley Art Center as “The Harvest of Song.” They not only present their own new work, they also showcase the work of other Bay Area composers who write for voice and chamber ensemble; the music is played and sung by some of the most accomplished musicians in the Bay Area.  

We invite you to join us this year at the Berkeley Art Center. 

HARVEST OF SONG 

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29. Pre-concert discussion at 6:30 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. 654-8651. 

Featured will be world premiere performances of new works by Allen Shearer, Ann Callaway, and the collaborative team of composer Peter Josheff and poet Jaime Robles, as well as recent works by Sue-Hye Kim, Dan Reiter, Mikako Endo and Don Walker. Also included will be a song from the 1930s workers’ musical Pins and Needles by Harold Rome. 

This program will feature performances by the Harvest of Song All Stars: Tod Brody, flute; Peter Josheff, clarinet; Karen Rosenak, piano; Ellen Ruth Rose, viola and Dan Reiter, cello; with vocalists Eliza O’Malley, soprano and Allen Shearer, baritone.  

At the Friday night opening concert of the 24th annual SF Jazz Festival, Sonny Rollins performed a half dozen tunes for almost two hours with an astounding amount of passion, strength and nobility. 

He roared through the title tune of his new CD, Sonny, Please and his own “Nice Lady,” a lovely calypso, before getting into a groove with three standards, “Stairway to the Stars,” “Some Day I’ll Find You” and “They Say It’s Wonderful,” and then closed with an exciting version of his own “Don’t Stop the Carnival.” He seemed to have inherited Thelonious Monk’s mantle, shuffle-dancing across the stage while playing intensely focused and profound saxophone lines. This incredible beginning augurs great things from the rest of the festival. The following programs are just the top picks from a consistently great lineup: 

Last year saw the death of jazz bass great Percy Heath, but his brothers, drummer Tootie Heath and saxophonist Jimmy Heath, will celebrate Jimmy’s 80th birthday in a concert on Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at Herbst Theatre. The Heath brothers grew up in Philadelphia where they were high school friends of John Coltrane and Benny Golson. They were part of that generation of African-American jazz musicians from northern industrial centers who created hard bop. Jimmy started on alto, but soon picked up the tenor, soprano and flute. His original compositions, like “CTA” and “Gingerbread Boy,” have become jazz standards. Albert “Tootie” Heath is simply one of the greatest and most sensitive drummers in the history of jazz. Together the Heath brothers have recorded with almost every important jazz musician on a combined 900 albums. Young trumpet star Jeremy Pelt will join their fraternity for this performance. 

Pianist/composer Andrew Hill, who performs on Sunday, 7 p.m. at Herbst Theatre, with his Anglo-American Quintet, represents the generation of jazz players who straddled the period of bop and free jazz. As a teenager in Chicago in the early ’50s, he was playing on dates with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. By his early 20s, he was working with Roland Kirk and Eric Dolphy. For this gig, he returns to material from his classic 1964 Blue Note album, Point of Departure. Also on the bill is six-string guitarist Nels Cline and his group playing fresh interpretations of Hill’s compelling compositions. 

The organ is the star on Friday, Nov. 3, with shows at 8 and 10:30 p.m. at the Great American Music Hall. Dr. Lonnie Liston Smith, joined by James Brown trombone alum Fred Wesley, kicks things off followed by young reed giant James Carter and his organ trio. Smith had a lot of success in the soul/funk/jazz world with his Cosmic Echoes group. Wesley takes in a lot of territory having not only worked with James Brown and George Clinton’s Funkadelic group, but replaced Al Grey with Count Basie. Carter can play anything from Djangoesque swing to screaming free jazz, but the organ format should bring out his nasty funky side.  

One of the great programming coups of this festival is the concert Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m. at the Masonic Center, featuring pianist Alice Coltrane and saxophonist/son Ravi Coltrane with bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Roy Haynes. Alice is the widow and last pianist of jazz giant John Coltrane. Ravi is their son and John’s saxophone heir. Haden, who comes from a country music family, played in Ornette Coleman’s early combos and is now acknowledged as one of the great jazz bassists. Haynes has played with everyone and among other accomplishments was the drummer on Coltrane’s greatest version of “My Favorite Things” performed live at Newport. This is one of only three American concerts that this quartet will be presenting. 

Trombonist Roswell Rudd has been at the center of the free jazz movement since the early ‘60s. Before that he played the music of Thelonious Monk and in Dixieland bands. He has been on key albums with Archie Shepp and John Tchicai as well as on Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra album. He recently began working with Mongolian throat-singers, the results of which can be heard on his 2005 disc Blue Mongol. Strangely, his warm, earthy, throaty trombone sound melds beautifully with the Badma Khanda Mongolian Buryat Band of throat singers and instrumentalists. They perform together on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. at the Palace of the Legion of Honor’s Florence Gould Theatre. 

The festival comes to a close on Sunday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts, with a farewell concert by John Santos and the Machete Ensemble. Afro-Latin percussionist John Santos is an educator and scholar as well as a major performer who has worked with Latin stars like Yma Sumac, Tito Puente, Patato Valdés, Armando Peraza, Lalo Schifrin, Santana, Cachao and Omar Sosa as well as jazz masters like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Art Farmer, Bobby Hutcherson, McCoy Tyner and John Faddis. His knowledge and experience of Afro-Latin percussion traditions, rooted in family, community, tradition, study, practice and meditation, is profound. For this final concert by the Ensemble, Santos will be joined by Ray Vega, Maria Marquez and a number of other special guests. 

I only have room to breathlessly mention such promising concerts as vibraphonist Stefon Harris (10/26), pianist Cyrus Chestnut (10/27), Astor Piazzolla pianist Pablo Ziegler, keyboard/reed/percussion phenomenon Peter Apfelbaum with the Kamikaze Ground Crew (11/1), and Django Reinhardt-styled guitar virtuoso Dorado Schmitt (11/12). For more information on the SF Jazz Festival call (415) 788-7353 or see www.sfjazz.org.