TUESDAY, JUNE 6 

REMEMBER TO VOTE TODAY 

“Pack Light, Pack Right” Tips for comfort on the trail at 7 p.m. at from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Senior Housing Alternatives with Panelists from Claremont House, Piedmont Gardens, Salem Lutheran Home, St. Paul’s Towers, Cardinal Point and Sunrise at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

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. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Berkeley Discussion Salon on “Travel and Favorite Vacations” at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. at Rose.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 

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 

“Earthlings” a documentary on the industries which rely on animals for profit at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donations of $5 accepted. 

“Girl, I’ve Been Through A Lot ...” Poetry workshop for girls age 13 to 17 at 4 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Room 219, 125 14th St. 238-3134. 

Classes in English and Citizenship offered by the Oakland Adult Education program Mon.-Fri. from 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Register at Lincoln Elementary School, 225 11th St., room 205. 879-8131. 

Environmental Health for Children Bring toys, pottery and lunch boxes from home and the Berkeley Public Health Dept. will test them for lead, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 10 a.m. in Oakland. We need your help with blood drives all over the East Bay. 594-5165.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakland State Building, 2nd floor, 1515 Clay St. To make an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.  

Swami Khecaranatha Kundalini Yoga Talk at 7 p.m. at Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary, 816 Bancroft at 6th. Free. 486-8700.  

“Organizing Your Time and Energy” at 6 p.m. at The Breema Clinic, 6201 Florio St., Oakland. 428-1234.  

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. 848-1704.  

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 

Save Telegraph A community meeting with Pat Cody, Andy Ross, neighbors, business people, shoppers, authors, street artists and students at 7 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2362 Bancroft Way. For more information call City Councilmember Kriss Worthington at 981-7170. 

Voting Machines at Alameda County Supervisors Meeting will discuss the purchase of Diebold and Sequoia voting machines. Make your feeling sknow at Public Comment at 11 a.m. at Supervisors’ chambers, 1221 Oak St., 5th Floor, Oakland. 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll explore the nature area ponds from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, who may be accompanied by an adult. We will explore the ponds and learn about aquatic insects from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

Alternatives to War Through Education A project of Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors at 7:30 p.m. at the Niebyl Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. The speaker will be Eduardo Cohen on “The Selling of War and US Foreign Policy: Propaganda, Racism and News Media Complicity.” 649-1696. 

“The Sociology of African American Language” Prof. Charles DeBose reads from and discusses his new book at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 654-9587. 

East Bay Mac Users Group presents QuickBooks/Quicken at 6 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

An Evening of Chocolate, demonstration class, with Alice Medrich at 7 p.m. at Epicurious Garden, 1511 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $100. All proceeds support the Berkeley High School Development Group. 464-1181. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 

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

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon is cancelled today. For information on future events, please call 526-2925.  

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m.  

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 

Live Oak Park Fair Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring 125 artists and craftspeople. Free. Free shuttles provided from the North Berkeley BART Station to the park. 898-3282. www.liveoakparkfair.com 

Repainting Willard Community Peace Labyrinth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Volunteers needed. 526-7377. 

Health Fair with informational workshops, screenings, fun and giveaways for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the social hall and parking lot of 6401 San Pablo Ave., Oakland.  

Walk on the Wild Side A 5.5 mile hike over varied terrain to investigate wildlife, wildflowers and a wild watershed. Meet at 9 p.m. at the Wildcat/Alvarado staging are in Tilden Park. Bring a sack lunch, water and sunscreen. 525-2233. 

“Backyard Habitat” a workshop to learn about the wildlife native to the area, what they need to secure food and shelter from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at De Anza High School, 5000 Valley View Road, Richmond. Free. 665-3538. www.spawners.net 

Full Moon Walk at John Muir National Historic Site A walk to the top of Mt. Wanda, in Martinez, to see the full moon, and nocturnal animal life along the way. Free, but reservations required. 925-228-8860. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Cerrito Creek Work Party Meet at at 10 a.m. at the end of Adams St., one block west of San Pablo, to remove invasives. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

La Pena’s 31st Birthday Open house and performances by artists and groups who have had long association with La Peña, at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Free. 654-9587. 

Jeremy’s One Man Show with giant transforming origami, juggling, magic, comedy, unicycling, at noon at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Free for all in grades 6 through 12. 526-7512.  

Emergency Preparedness Class on Light Search & Rescue from 9 a.m. to noon at 997 Cedar St. Free, but registration required. 981-5506.  

Berkeley History Center Walking Tour: “Explore the New Berkeley City College Building” from 11 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0181.  

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. For reservations call 238-3234.  

East Bay Baby Fair Resources for pregnancy, birth and parenting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 540-7210. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class on Breakfast and Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. Cost is $45. 531-2665.  

Cooking the African Way A demonstration on how to make nutritious Nigerian Yoruban food at 1 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Martin Luther King Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd. 615-5728. 

New Business Startup Expo Meet new local entrepreneurs and learn how to start your own business, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland City Hall. 879-4020. 

Learn to Row Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero, Oakland. 208-6067. 

Great War Society East Bay Chapter meets to discuss “Myths of WWI” at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

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, JUNE 11 

Trees are Treasures Learn about the diverse tree species in Tilden on a 2 mile walk at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m. to rededicate the Willard Community Peace Labyrinth, Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Guided by Margie Adam. 526-7377. 

People’s Park Community Garden Tour Learn about native and edible plants with long time gardener, Terri Compost. Hear some history and find out how to get involved and garden in this unique and special place. Meet at 1 p.m. at the South West (Bongo Burger) corner of the People’s Park Community Garden. 658-9178. 

Green Sunday Election Wrap-Up with Wilson Riles, former Oakland City councilmember and mayoral candidate, and and J. Douglas Allen Taylor, Berkeley Daily Planet staff writer, at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. 

Make Your Own Liquid Fertilizers A workshop to learn how to turn weeds and other natural byproducts into plant fertilizers. Bring 2 liter plastic bottles, old hoses or bicycle tubes, cardboard or newspaper, large containers or 5 gallon buckets with lids, misc. tools, and leave with a system of your own. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berkeley Eco-House, 1305 Hopkins St. Cost is $1, sliding scale, no one turned away. 547-8715. 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum’s Building and Gardens at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Free. 238-3818. 

“Disaster Then and Now: Ready or Not?” Earthquake discussion at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Free. 238-3818. 

Art Book Sale including catalogs, journals and magazines from the Museum’s own collection as well as donations from private collections. From 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Free. 238-3818. 

“Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” film screening at 2 p.m. at Parkway Speakeasy Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. Discussion to follow. 848-1994. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2005 Berryman. To make an appointment call 526-4811. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 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 

Sunday Summer Forum: Towards a More Just World with Pierre Laboissiere, Haiti Action Committee, at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Readings from Voice of the Buddha on “Buddha’s Enlightenment” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, JUNE 12 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60+ years old meets at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Cost is $2.50. 524-9122. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. 548-0425. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Joint Meeting of the Transportation Commission and the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee, Wed. June 7, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., June 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190.  

School Board meets Wed. June 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. 644-6147. 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., June 8, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., June 8, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410.  

TUESDAY, JUNE 6 

FILM 

Against Indifference: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski Early Works: Program 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“A Celebration of Jaime de Angulo” presented by Malcom Margolin, Stefan Hyner, and Steve Dickison at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Jason Roberts introduces “A Sense of the World” a biography of the blind explorer James Holman, at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Linda Donn reads from “The Little Ballonist” at 7 p.m at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Opera “X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X” at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro Opera House, 201 Broadway. Tickets are $32-$36. 763-1146. 

Artists’ Vocal Ensemble, “Music of the Apocalypse” at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft at Ellsworth. Tickets are $10-$20 at the door. 717-9422. 

Ensemble Cerumina “Music across the Alps” at 8 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, 2316 Bowditch Ave. Donations appreciated. 459-1582. 

Alta Sonora and Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble “Viaggio: a Musical Tour of Renaissance Italy” at 8 p.m. at International House, Bancroft and Piedmont. Tickets are $10-$15. 233-0868.  

Singer’s Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

PhilipsMarine, jazz, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Yoshida Brothers at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20. 238-9200.  

Michael Coleman Trio Jazz Jam at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Bring your instrument. 451-8100.  

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Stitches in Time I: Food and Identity” Textile and multi-media works about food and cultural identity. Reception at 1:30 p.m. at Richmond Health Center, 100 38th St., enter at 39th and Bissell, Richmond. 231-1348. www.artschange.org 

FILM 

Against Indifference: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski Early Works: Program 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Greg Palast introduces “Armed Madhouse: Who’s Afraid of Osama Wolf?, China Floats, Bush Sinks, The Scheme to Steal ‘08, No Child’s Behind Left, and Other Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Class War” at 12:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Ivan Doig reads from his new novel “The Whistling Season” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. 

Nando Parrado describes “Miracle in the Andes” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

James Carroll describes “House of War: The Pentagon and the Disastrous Rise of American Power at 7:30 p.m. in the Large Assembly, First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Donation $10. 845-7852. 

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 

Oakland Opera “X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X” at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro Opera House, 201 Broadway. Tickets are $32-$36. 763-1146. 

Berkeley Baroque Players at 8 p.m. Pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. at International House Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 272-9147. 

Vox Populi Vocal Ensemble “Sacred music of Guillaume Dufay” at 6 p.m. at Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea, 2316 Bowditch St. Tickets are $10-$12. 843-3608.  

Bay Area Classical Harmonies Music for the Dead from Bach to Byzantine Chant at 6 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $12-$18. 868-0695  

Carol Denney at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Whiskey Brothers, old time and bluegrass, at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473.  

Home at Last Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Juio Bravo, salsa, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Grant Geissman at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $10-$18. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Future Tense” sculpture installations, constructions and mixed-media works by four artists opens at 6 p.m. at Kala Art Insitute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

FILM 

“New Orleans Music in Exile” a film by Robert Mugge at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Flr. Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6233. 

Against Indifference: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski “The Double Life of Véronique” at 7 p.m. and “Blind Chance” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Michael Pollan reads from “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” at 7 p.m at Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Harlyn Aizley talks about “Confessions of the Other Mother: Non-Biological Lesbian Mothers Tell All” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Ramor Ryan introduces his new book “Clandestines: The Pirate Journals of an Irish Exile” at 7:30 pm. at AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

Chris Abani and Colin Chandler introduce their new books “Becomming Abigail” and “Iron Balloons” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ensemble Vermillian Seventeenth Century Italian Chamber Music at noon at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $15. 559-4670. 

The Golden Age of Spain with Karol Steadman soprano, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, Bowditch at Durant. Tickets are $10-$15. 805-773-1057. 

Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord, at 2 p.m. at Loper Chapel, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $10-$20. 240-418-9585. 

Pedro Jesús Gómez, lute and vihuela “The Lyre of Orpheus” at 5 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $10-$15. 549-3864.  

The Albany Consort Great Concertos and Cantatas at 6:15 at University Lutheran Chapel, 2425 College at Haste. Tickets are $15. 408-773-0375.  

Howard Kadis, lutenist, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $10-$15.  

De Profundis Low Sounds Only at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, Bowditch at Durant. Tickets are $10. 459-7462. 

Baroque Cabaret with Sheli Nan and the Musicians Angelic at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $20-$25. 919-4493.  

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

Steve Gannon Monday Blues Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Be Brave Bold Robot, Dustin Aaron, Drunken Boat at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. 

Hwy 42, Cult of Sue Todd, Toofless Sean Corkery at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Gary Burton Quartet Revisited at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$65. 238-9200.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Michael Pollan reads from “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” at 7 p.m at Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Harlyn Aizley talks about “Confessions of the Other Mother: Non-Biological Lesbian Mothers Tell All” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Ramor Ryan introduces his new book “Clandestines: The Pirate Journals of an Irish Exile” at 7:30 pm. at AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ensemble Vermillian Seventeenth Century Italian Chamber Music at noon at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $15. 559-4670. 

The Golden Age of Spain with Karol Steadman soprano, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, Bowditch at Durant. Tickets are $10-$15. 805-773-1057. 

Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord, at 2 p.m. at Loper Chapel, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $10-$20. 240-418-9585. 

Pedro Jesús Gómez, lute and vihuela “The Lyre of Orpheus” at 5 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $10-$15. 549-3864.  

The Albany Consort Great Concertos and Cantatas at 6:15 at University Lutheran Chapel, 2425 College at Haste. Tickets are $15. 408-773-0375.  

Howard Kadis, lutenist, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $10-$15.  

De Profundis Low Sounds Only at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, Bowditch at Durant. Tickets are $10. 459-7462. 

Baroque Cabaret with Sheli Nan and the Musicians Angelic at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. TIckets are $20-$25. 919-4493.  

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

Steve Gannon Monday Blues Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Be Brave Bold Robot, Dustin Aaron, Drunken Boat at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. 

Hwy 42, Cult of Sue Todd, Toofless Sean Corkery at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Gary Burton Quartet Revisited at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$65. 238-9200.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 1409 High St., Alameda, through June 11. Tickets are $12-$15. 523-1553.  

Berkeley Rep “The Glass Menagerie” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $59. Runs through June 18. 647-2949.  

Berkeley Rep “The Miser” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. Tickets are $53. Runs through June 25. 647-2949.  

California Shakespeare Theater “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at the Bruns Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. through June 25. Tickets are $15 and up. 548-9666.  

Masquers Playhouse “The Fantasticks” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “King Lear” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. to June 18. Tickets are $15-$30, reservations suggested. 841-6500.  

FILM 

Isabelle Huppert: Passion and Contradiction “The Lacemaker” at 7 p.m. and “Loulou” at 9:10 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Shan Sa reads from “The Empress” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

E. Lynn Harris reads from “I Say a Little Prayer” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 

Douglas Coupland introduces is novel of the digital age “jPod” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tammy Hall Quintet featuring Helena Jack at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6233. 

Oakland Opera “X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X” at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro Opera House, 201 Broadway, through Sun. Tickets are $32-$36. 763-1146. 

Peter Hallifax and Julie Jeffrey, viols at 11 a.m. at Loper Chapel, Dana at Durant. Tickets are $7-$10. 220-1195. 

Janine Johnson, harpsichord at 5 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $10-$15. 549-1520.  

Flauti Diversi “Counterpoint: Bach and The Beatles” at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Tickets are $10-$12. 527-9840. 

Atris, Brides of Obscurity at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Hurricane Sam Rudin and the Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

West Coast Beatbox Battle at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Adrianne, singer-songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

High Country, bluegrass, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Josh Workman & Perry Thoorsell Duo at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

DJ & Brook, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Rockermoms Benefit Concert at 7:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Late Show at 11 p.m. with Vince Charming and the New Americans. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

Fleshies, Toys That Kill, Kreamy ‘Lectric Santa at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926.  

Sleepy Alligator, Famous Last Words at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100.  

San Pablo Project, Latin funk, reggae, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Gary Burton Quartet Revisited at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$65. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 

CHILDREN  

Jose-Luis Orozco and the Children of Centro Vida at 10 a.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8 adults, $5 children, and $25 families 525-1463.  

Early Music for Families Young musicians will demonstrate instruments used to play Renaissance and Baroque music at 2 p.m. at International House, Bancroft and Piedmont. Free. 848-5591.  

THEATER 

“Lily, The Felon's Daughter” 19th Century fun, frolic and music, at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington. Suggested donation is $20. 524-2912.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Expect Respect: The Power, Joy, and Dignity of Being a Woman” Reception for the artists at 2 p.m. at Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, 920 Peralta St, Oakland. 835-8683.  

“Fresh Paint - Second Coat” Meet the artists from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m at Piedmont Lane Gallery, upstairs, 4121 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. www.3lisha.com/freshpaint 

East Bay Open Studios Sat. and Sun. For maps and times see www.proartsgallery.org 

FILM 

Against Indifference: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski “Three Colors: Blue” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rhythm and Muse “In Celebration of Swimming” spoken word and music at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. in Live Oak Park. Donations appreciated. Benefits public pool use for homeless and low-income youth. 644-6893. 

J. Othello will read from and discuss his book “The Soul of Rock ‘N Roll: A History of African Americans in Rock Music” at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, West Auditorium, 125 14th St. 238-3134. 

Alexander Polikoff describes “Waiting for Gautreaux: A Story of Segregation, Housing, and the Black Ghetto” at 4:30 p.m. at at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852.  

Sean Wilsey explains “The Thinking Fan’s Guide to the World Cup: 32 Writers on 32 Countries” at 7:30 p.m. at at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philharmonia Chamber Players “Viva Vivaldi: Concerti by Candlelight” 10:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $20-$40. 642-9988.  

Kensington Symphony in a program honoring Robert Schumann at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave. El Cerrito. Suggested donation. $10-$15. 524-9912. 

La Peña 31st Birthday An evening of performances by artists and groups who have had a long association with La Peña at 6 p.m. at La Peña. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Emma’s Revolution Benefit Concert at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church, 1600 Sacramento St. at Cedar. Tickets are $20 and up at Cody’s books.  

Charles Hamilton Jazz Ensemble at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6233. 

“Lost Tales: Glimpses from 1000 Ramayanas” Classical Indian dance at 4 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$18. 338-4538. 

St. Ann Consort O Wondrous Novelty: Masterpieces of Monastic Chant at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, Bowditch at Durant. Tickets are $8-$15. 717-9422 

Pacific Collegium, Motets of Couperin le Grand, Bernier, and others at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$15. 459-2341. 

Baroque Etcetera “Pallas Nordica: A Swedish Queen in Rome” at 3 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $10. 540-8222. 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Aphrodesia” at 7:30 p.m. at The Marsh, 2118 Allston Way. Tickets are $20-$50. 800-838-3006. 

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

Damond Moodie at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Stanley at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Robin Flower & Libby McLaren at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Kalas, Ragweed, 100 Suns at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. 

Ed Saindon and Dick Whittington at 8 p.m. at the Jazz- 

school. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Ben Stolorow, solo piano, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Best Friends, The Morning Benders, Birds and Batteries at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Punks for Pets Benefit for the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society with The Uptones, The Plus Ones, Abui Yo Yo’s at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

BabShad Jazz at 8 pm. at the Sea Mi Restaurant, 856 San Pablo Ave. 845-5692. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 

CHILDREN 

Circus Clowning A showcase by the students of the Clown Conservatory at Circus Center at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $7.50 children, $12.50 adults. 925-798-1300.  

FILM 

“Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” at 2 p.m. at Parkway Speakeasy Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland Discussion to follow. 848-1994.  

Against Indifference: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski “Decalogue 7 and 8” at 3 p.m. and “Decalogue 9 and 10” at 5:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gabriela Taylor reads from “Geckos and Other Guests: Tales of a Kuaa’i Bed & Breakfast” at 5 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Bill Buford describes “Heat: An Amateur’s Adventures as Kitchen Salve, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The “Farewell” Consort, a festival to celebrate Pastor Jim Stickney’s many years of support for early music at 7:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Suggested donation $10-$15 to benefit the St. Alban’s disabled access fund. 525-1716. 

San Francisco Choral Artists “Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Song” at 4 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 11 Montecito Ave., at Bay Place, Oakland. Tickets are $18-$25. 415-979-5779. 

Horizon Woodwind Quintet at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, Live Oak Park, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $8-$10. 

Seda Ensemble, contemporary Persian classical music at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $25. 925-798-1300. 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert at 2 p.m. at Greek Orthodox Church, 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 849-9776. 

Junior Recorder Society Concert at 5 p.m. at International House Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Free.  

Renaissance and Traditional Music from the British Isles and Scandinavia at 2 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $10-$15. 549-3864. 

Galileo Project “Liebesmahl: Feast of Love” Sat 3 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel, Bowditch at Durant. Tickets are $10-$15. 787-9956.  

Sweet Hope and Bitter Despair: the Ayres of England’s Golden Age at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapell, corner of Bowditch and Durant. Tickets are $8-$10. 415-565-3274.  

King’s Trumpetts & Shalmes at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $10-$15. 415-665-2083.  

“A Visit to Paris” Concert of French music at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. Tickets $10 at the door. 237-5551.  

Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St.. 981-6233. 

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

Gift Horse at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Americana Unplugged: Jacob & Harry at 5 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 655-5715.  

Tanaora at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool, 2087 Addison. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Leftover Dreams, music from The Great American Songbook at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. 1111 Addison. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org

Joseph Wright as Malcolm Little, from the depths of a prison cell, sings, “You want the truth, but you don’t want to know,” as he contemplates his change from “country boy” newly arrived in Boston to “Detroit Red,” hustling the Harlem streets, on the verge of a conversion that will make him into Malcolm X. His is the powerful voice that will express African-American rage and hope as portrayed in Anthony Davis’ lucid and compelling opera X, based on Malcolm’s autobiography and performed by the Oakland Opera Theater through June 11 at the Oakland Metro Operahouse near Jack London Square. 

“It’s a story of transformation,” Davis said of the opera, which besides his score, has the book by his brother Christopher Davis (an actor-director), and has a libretto by their cousin, poet Thulani Davis. “It’s a heroic story; he goes through the fire to realize who he is. It’s our heroic story for African-Americans, which is how I realized it could be an opera. Its spirituality really is operatic.”  

And its high point is the scene of Malcolm’s conversion by Elijah Muhammed (played by splendid tenor Darron Flagg) to the Nation of Islam. The scene is deftly staged, with Malcolm ascending up the tiers of a set dominated by a smiling Elijah at the pyramidal apex, gradually putting on glasses, taking up the Book, and intoning the Creed. This is after his long-lost brother Reginald (Jason Jackson) has introduced him to Elijah’s version of Islam in his cell. Malcolm was initially incredulous, a trapped con-man who thinks he knows all the angles: “You talk in riddles about truth and a man ... what’s the game? ... Soon I will ask him how empty it feels to be the god of an empty man like me.” 

This epiphany is counterpointed by Malcolm’s later acceptance into orthodox Islam, when he is sent by his wife Betty Shabazz (Angela Baham) to take the Hajj to Mecca after his lonely walk away from Elijah and after being censured for his famous reaction to JFK’s assassination: “America’s climate of hate coming back on itself ... chickens coming home to roost.” 

This is a quieter, contemplative moment, as Malcolm feels the solidarity of all humanity—and then returns to a chorus of reporters harrying him: “Mr. X! Mr. X! Mr. Malcolm X!” 

“You always ask what you already know,” parries Malcolm, who reintroduces himself with his name of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, “a man of peace [whom] they do not know . . . he is already free.” This is before his assassination, which he has predicted: “We do not know which mask evil wears . . . These men do not wear white hoods but hide on the street in suits.” 

The cast of 20 reflects both the depth of the storytelling and the importance of the chorus. Singers emerge from the chorus to solo or to silently play incidental roles, and the chorus itself is an integral part of the movement of the piece, both musically and in story, moment by moment tightly joined to—and boosting—the expressiveness of the principals. 

The score and exposition of Malcolm’s life prove complex rhythms, both dense and crystal clear with harmonies always shifting, surging forward in power, then quieter, more contemplative—floating upward and away, dreamlike, or dropping into modal harmonies that subtly restore the tension with syncopated rhythmns. 

Intensity marks certain scenes from the beginning with Duana Davis excellently portraying in voice and harried stance Malcolm’s mother, awaiting his Garveyite preacher father’s return home in Michigan, long after dark, only to learn of his death under a streetcar, which she attributes to the Klan, who have terrorized the family before. 

Her resulting breakdown and the breakup of the family by a white social worker (Lisa Bolin), eventually send Malcolm, suitcase in hand, to his adult sister Ella (Lori Willis) in Boston, where he’s introduced to the street by a chorus of players, one of whom (not clearly credited!) lays it on him in a brilliant aria detailing the modus operandi and demeanor of the hustler. 

Malcolm had always said his distinction as a leader was his familiarity with streetlife and its awful draw for black youth.  

Throughout, Joseph Wright gracefully portrays Malcolm’s transformation, richly singing and intoning his speeches and commentaries on “bad times” that are briskly but coherently touched on, four decades of radical change that pass by in quick vignettes more like the tableaux of “pregnant moments” of classical modern dramaturgy. 

The superb orchestra, hidden away in a loft, under the musical direction of Deirdre McClure with the assistance of Skye Atman, brilliantly plays a spectrum of musical forms, including touches of jazz which the composer hoped would parallel the history that unfolds, with excellent work by trumpeter, vibraphonist, bass and drums, reeds and keyboards. 

X should be seen and heard, as a seminal work in contemporay American culture—yet the Oakland Opera Theater production seems to be the first full staging since its premiere in New York in 1986. This is a rare—unfortunately rare—and important event. 

The Oakland Opera presents X, the Life and Times of Malcolm X, through June 11, 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., at the Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. For more information, call 763-1146 (between 2-6 p.m.) or see www.oaklandopera.org. 

Photograph of Joseph Wright as Malcolm X, by Ralph Granich.

If you live anywhere near the inner city or have occasion to have business there, this may have happened to you. Walking down a street near dusk you meet a young African-American man, clothes sagging, walking toward you. As you get closer, you can hear him talking, and, although you can’t make out the words, it seems as if he may be signaling commands to one of his partners who may be behind you, or else he’s crazy and talking to himself. In either case, it doesn’t seem good. 

You contemplate breaking and running, but you don’t want to embarrass yourself if you’re wrong and, besides, what would be the use (he is, after all, a young black man and he can almost certainly beat you to the corner, flat out). So you continue to walk, stomach queasy, heart thumping in your chest. And as you come closer, the young man’s words become clearer, and suddenly, it comes to you. 

Oh, snap! you say (or oh, goodness! if you don’t happen to be black yourself). You’ve heard this before! He’s not signalling and he’s not crazy, and if he’s armed with anything, it’s with harmony, as Naughty by Nature used to say. He’s rapping. 

It happens a thousand times every day—maybe a hundred thousand—young African-Americans—men, mostly—sitting somewhere or walking down the street, practicing their raps. 

There have been at least three great fusions of African and European cultures during the four centuries of the American experiment: music and dance, sports, and language. 

In football and basketball especially, it is widely acknowledged and accepted that African-American athletes have virtually revolutionized the way games are played. The fusion of what was thought to be the incompatable African and European music scales on the Southern slaverytime plantations—the creation of the bended so-called “blue” notes—led to the sound explosion that gave birth to both blues and jazz and most modern American music. The same is true for dance, where it is difficult to imagine what American dance forms would be like without African infusion. 

In each of these areas, black performers and performance are universally accepted and applauded. 

Only in the area of language is there still considerable controversy, even though  

listening to the young rappers roaming the inner city streets, studios, and stages, you are immediately struck by their complex rhythm patterns and the sometimes mind-numbing, warp-speed blending of rhyme and word-sound and cultural context. 

To succeed in this game clearly takes intelligence. Moreover, rap is only the latest in a long line of African-American mastery of English wordforms while bending and blending it to their own particular ends, from black preaching to Brother Rabbit storytelling. Why, then, does so-called “Black English” get such a bad rap? 

In his newly-published book The Sociology of African American Language (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), Berkeley linguist Charles DeBose attributes that to the “stigma” that European American slavemasters imposed upon their African captives. 

“When a particular language, or way of speaking the common language of a society, is associated with persons of elite status,” he writes, “the ability to speak the language, and to speak it ‘correctly,’ may serve a legitimating function. That is, the superior position of the dominant group is justified by their ‘proper’ speech; and the subordinate position of marginalized groups is legitimated by the characterization of their language in such pejorative terms as ‘poor,’ ‘slovenly,’ ‘broken,’ ‘bastardized,’ and ‘corrupt.’ … In slave society, … hegemony was exercised through the power of words like ‘savage,’ ‘primitive’ and ‘heathen,’ used in conjunction with the presupposition that being ‘civilized’ is a prerequisite to full participation in American democracy. … In the present Post Civil Rights era, the stigmatization of Blackness as a rationale for denial of full and equal status in American democracy has outlived its purpose. 

Nevertheless, the idea that African American language is tantamount to ‘Bad English’ remains embedded in the hearts and minds of the public.” 

Instead, DeBose argues that there is no such thing as “bad English” or “broken English” that “deviates” from the norm, but rather that American English—as all language—is divided into distinct dialects, each of which has its own set of complex—and within itself “correct”—rules of grammar. 

In the world of linguists, all of us speak dialects. The stigma against Black English, he says, is not an objective linguistic formation, but is the last residue of the system designed to keep people in slavery by convincing them of their own inferiority. 

Nowhere was that stigma more apparent than in the 1996 political firestorm over the Oakland Unified School District’s ebonics controversy. 

“Citing the continued poor educational performance of African-American students in its area schools,” this reporter wrote at the time, “the Oakland Board passed a resolution that: (1) the primary language of a majority of African-American students is not English, but a heretofore little-known language called Ebonics; (2) Ebonics is ‘genetically based’ in Africa; and (3) the Oakland Public Schools would be directed to set up training programs for teachers so that they could instruct African-American students using the language of Ebonics, both to maintain ‘the richness and legitimacy’ of Ebonics itself and to help the students learn English. Finally, and perhaps most provocatively, the Oakland board suggested that funding for the Ebonics program could come from federal education ‘second language’ funds earmarked for students whose primary language is not English. For a while after that it was hard to sort everything out, what with all the hollering and the blood and the hum of the chainsaws. In a fierce-hot reaction that rolled over the country and back with interwarp speed, Oakland's Ebonics policy was both ridiculed and denounced on talk shows and op-ed pages and in newsgroups everywhere.” 

DeBose devotes a full chapter to the Oakland Unified ebonics issue, explaining both the positives and the pitfalls of Oakland’s approach from a linguist’s point of view, with an emphasis on analyzing it as what he calls “a case study of language planning.” 

DeBose uses the controversy to advance his contention that what he describes as the “surface differences” between what is commonly known as Standard English and the dialect that most African-American children speak at home and among their peers “are [not] of a sufficient magnitude to constitute a barrier to teaching and learning” in and of themselves. Instead, DeBose advances the argument that “whatever language barrier might exist consists mainly of teacher attitudes. … [T]he teachers’ lack of knowledge of the linguistic nature of Black English causes them to react to it in the speech of students in ways that are detrimental to the learning process.” 

In other words, he says, the fundamental Oakland Unified ebonics proposal that “training programs for teachers [be set up] so that they could instruct African-American students using the language of Ebonics, both to maintain ‘the richness and legitimacy’ of Ebonics itself and to help the students learn English” was fundamentally correct. 

But the Oakland ebonics contoversy, as important as it continues to be in the discussion of Black English, is only a small portion of DeBose’s book, where he presents a history of African American language, breaks down its peculiar grammar and structure in a chapter engagingly and appropriately entitled “We Be Following Rules,” and closes with a detailed invitation to readers to join him “in an imaginary journey from the status quo of American educational policy to a possible future in which African American language is seen by the average person asi it is presently seen by linguists: as an instance of normal language.” 

“The Sociology Of African American language” is an academic book, and readers not familiar with that style of writing will find the going a little dense. But as DeBose argues, the put-down of black language is part of “the stigmitation of Black American identity [that] has functioned historically to exclude persons of African descent from full participation in American life. The stimatization in question is so deeply embedded in the fabric of American society that its full significance has tended to escape the attention of scholars of African American language.” 

In this book, DeBose attempts to help correct that oversight, so that in advancing the acceptance of black speech by the linguistic academic community, the advancement of Black America itself will eventually be enhanced.  

Charles DeBose reads and discusses his new book The Sociology of African American Language at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley on Thursday June 8, 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.