THURSDAY, MARCH 5 

Critter Crafts: Fantastic Feathers Learn how feathers help to keep birds warm or to fly. A parent/child class for ages 3-5, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland Zoo. 632-9525, ext. 200. 

Free Skin Cancer Screening from 8 a.m. to noon at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 3100 Summit St., Oakland. Appointments required. 869-8833. 

Tilden Nature Area Docent Training from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee. is $35. For an application or information call 544-3260. www.ebparks.org 

“Capitalism Next” Panel discussion on sustainable solutions with speakers from IDEO, Patagonia and Nike Considered at 6:15 p.m. at Lipman Hall, UC campus.  

“Natural Solutions to Digestive Problems” with Dr. Jay Sordean at 12:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-5190. 

Circle of Concern Vigil meets on West Lawn of UC campus across from Addison and Oxford, Thurs. at noon and Sun. at 1 p.m. to oppose UC weapons labs contracts. 848-8055. 

Three Beats for Nothing South Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Thurs. at 10 a.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ellis at Ashby. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Wheelchair Yoga Thurs. at noon, Family Yoga on Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at Niroga Center for Healing, 1808 University Ave. between MLK Way and Grant St. All classes by donation. 704-1330. www.niroga.org 

Buddhist Class on Shikan Meditation at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar at Bonits, through May 28. http://caltendai.org 

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 

The 16th Annual Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day celebration in the Berkeley Public elementary and preschools. Volunteers read to a class of students in the school library from 9 to 10:30 a.m. To volunteer, please contact 644-8833. bsv@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

“Ask Mr.Green” Sierra Magazine’s Mr. Green, aka Bob Schildgen, reads from his recently published compilation of environmental advice columns at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church Chapel, 1640 Addison St. Free. 

“Women’s Rights and Health: Future Outlook and the United Nation’s Role” with Jane Roberts at noon at School of Public Health, UC campus, and at 4:30 p.m. at International House, UC campus. www.unausaeastbay.org 

“Sick Around the World” PBS Frontline documentary and talk by CC Co. Supervisor John Gioia at 7 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Full day workshop for health care activists on Sat. RSVP to 526-0972. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jack Steller, Physicist (ret.), Lawrence Livermore Labs on “Fresh Views: The United States and the Middle East Under the Obama Administration” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 524-7468. www.citycommonsclub.org 

“Overcoming Youth Legal Obstacles ... What gets in the way?” The McCullum Youth Court Youth Summit with information and workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 832-5858, ext. 301. www.youthcourt.org 

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

Three Beats for Nothing Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Fri. at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Hearst at MLK. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Fri. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Power Walk A challenging, fast-paced fitness walk through John Hinkel Park, on Acacia Walk, and past Grizzly Peak Blvd. to Vistamont with a return via Easter Way. Meet at the picnic area of Indian Rock Park at 10 a.m. 848-2944.www.berkeleypaths.org 

Historical Pulse of Carquinez Strait A 3-mile saunter around the horn of this large river with James Wilson, naturalist. Meet at 2:30 p.m. at Bull Valley Staging Area. 525-2233. 

Bay Area Seed Library Seed Swap with a pot-luck dinner and information on seed saving at 6:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10 or food and seeds to share. 658-9178. 

“Let Worms Eat Your Garbage” A presentation by Bay Friendly Gardening on worm composting from 10 a.m. to noon at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

“Designing with Native Plants” A workshop to help you recreate your outdoor living space by integrating native plants to create a thriving, drought-tolerant garden, with Jocelyn Bentley-Prestwich, from 10 a.m. to noon at Ploughshares Nursery, 2701 Main St., at the old naval base, Alameda. Free. 898-7845. www.ploughsharesnursery.com 

Richmond’s International Women’s Day Celebration with Elaine Brown, former Black Panther leader and criminal justice reform advocate at 10 a.m. at Lovonya DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. Please RSVP to 620-6502. 

Health Care Activist Training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Donation $5-$10, no one turned away. RSVP to 526-0972. 

Habitot’s Girl Power Day For children ages 0-6. Interactive storytelling at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. at 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $7-$8. www.habitot.org 

Youth Ceramics Class begins and runs Sat. at 11 a.m. to April 11 at James Kenney recreation Center. Cost is $52. 981-6650. 

Critter Crafts: Fantastic Feathers Learn how feathers help to keep birds warm or to fly. A parent/child class for ages 3-5, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland Zoo. 632-9525, ext. 200. 

“Women’s Rights and Health; Future Outlook and U.N. Role” with activist and author Jane Roberts at 7 p.m. at Home of Truth Spiritual Center, 1300 Grand St., Alameda. Suggested donation $5, no one is turned away. www.alamedaforum.org 

“New Era? New Deal?” The Political Affairs Readers Group of the Communist Party meets at 10 a.m. at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. For reading materials call 595-7417. www.marxistlibr.org 

Introduction to Meeting Planning Learn how to put on meetings and events for corporations and associations, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St. Class continues on Mar. 14. Registration required. 981-2931. www.peralta.edu 

Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. For ages 5 and up. Free, but tickets required. 524-3043.  

“Rosie and the Railroaders” A celebration of trains for ages 3 and up at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr community room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Artists’ Marketing Workshop “How To Market Yourself as an Artist” from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Frank Bette Center for the Arts ,1601 Paru St., Alameda. Cost is $15 members, $25 non-members 523-6957. info@frankbettecenter.org 

“Rebel Shamans: Indigenous Women Confront Empire” with Max Dashu on how priestesses, diviners and medicine women stand out as leaders of aboriginal liberation movements, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists. 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Cost is $5-$20. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org 

“Bookmaking with Recycled Materials” Learn coptic binding for scrapbooks, blank books and journals. All materials provided. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. Advanced registration required. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

White Elephant Sale to benefit the Oakland Museum of CA. Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 333 Lancaster St., in Oakland on the Estuary. Free shuttle to the warehouse available from the Fruitvale BART station. 536-6800. www.whiteelephantsale.org 

Banff Mountain Film Festival Sat. and Sun. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC campus. Tickets are $15-$18. 527-4140. 

Bunny Maintenance 101 with House Rabbit Society educator Carolyn Mosher, at 2 p.m. at RabbitEARS, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

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. www.nativeplants.org 

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

Lawn Bowling on the green at the corner of Acton St. and Bancroft Way every Wed. and Sat. at 10 a.m. for ages 12 and up. Wear flat soled shoes, no heels. Free lessons. 841-2174. 

Oakland Artisans Marketplace Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square. 238-4948. 

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, MARCH 8 

2009 Berkeley High Live Fundraising event for BHS Development Group and BHS Athletics, with music by the BHS Jazz Combo, and live and silent auctions, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Honda Showroom, 2600 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $25-$75. 464-1181. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Herstory of the Bay Hike Celebrate International Women’s Day on this five mile hike to Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historic Park and back. For ages 10 and up. Bring water and lunch. Meet at 10 a.m. at Rydin Rd, Point Isabel. Bring water and lunch. Registration required. 1-888-EB-PARKS. 

“Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants” with author David Bacon at 7 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donations to the Berkeley Daily Planet accepted. 841-5600. 

Green Sunday “ACTransit in Trouble” with Joyce Roy at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Procter Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th, Oakland. 

International Women’s Day Celebration with Code Pink Starting at noon with a march across the Golden Gate Bridge and concluding with a celebration and potluck from 4 to 8 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. 540-7007. 

Berkeley Cybersalon: iPhone Lovefest All developers welcome to give a two-minute demo. Steven Levy of Wired magazine to meoderate, at 4 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$15. www.hillsideclub.org 

Berkeley Hiking Club goes to Mt. Tamalpais Meet at Shattuck Ave. and Berkeley Way at 8:30 a.m. for a moderate pace 8-mile hike on a variety of trails stopping at West Point Inn for lunch. Rain cancels. 415-383-7069. 

Cute Lil’ Newt Meet the parks’ most famous amphibian from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Not stroller friendly. 525-2233. 

Little Farm Open House Come grind some corn to feed the chickens, pet a bunny, groom a goat or help out in the Kids Garden, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to repair a flat, from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

Celebratory Drum Circle in honor of International Women’s Day. Learn how indigenous cultures connect with nature through the rituals of drumming at 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Bring drums and shakers. 525-2233. 

“Socialism for the 21st Century: Marxist-Humanism vs. the legacy of post-Marx Marxism as pejorative” at 6:30 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 658-1448. 

Personal Theology Seminars with Alex Pappas on “The History and Main Characters in Theosophy” at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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 

Jewish Purim Party for Young Children at 10:30 a.m. at Jewish GAteways, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. Free, but RSVP required. 559-8140. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack Petranker on “No Boundaries” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 2 to 6 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Also on Thurs. from 2 to 6 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

MONDAY, MARCH 9 

“The Life and Work of Julia Morgan: Building the California Women’s Movement” lecture by Karen McNeill, architectural historian at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Free. 883-9710. 

“Certain Doubts of William Kentridge” film screening hosted by the Townsend Center for the Humanities at 7 p.m. in the Geballe Room, 220 Stephens Hall, UC campus. Free and open to the public. 643-9670.  

International Women’s Day with Patricia Isasa, Argentinian Human Rights leader and survivor of the military dictatorship at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Suggested donation $10. 841-4824. 

“Starting a Small Business from Scratch” Three evening classes presented by the Small Business Assoc. and the Richmond Public Library, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Class continues on Mar. 16 and 23. Free, but advanced registration required. 620-6561. 

East Bay Track Club for girls and boys ages 3-15 meets Mon. at 6 p.m. at Berkeley High School track field. Free. 776-7451. 

Morning Meditation Every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at 7:45 a.m. at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th. 486-8700. 

Small-Business Counseling Free one-hour one-on-one counseling to help you start and run your small business with a volunteer from Service Core of Retired Executives, Mon. evenings by appointment at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. For appointment call 981-6148. www.eastbayscore.org 

ASUC Student Legal Clinic provides free legal research and case intake. Drop-in hours Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. anfd Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., UC campus. 642-9986. asuclegalclinic@gmail.com 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group, for people 60 years and over, meets at 9:45 a.m. at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave, Albany. Cost is $3.  

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Inspiration Point, Tilden Regional Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 544-3265. 

National Nutrition Month Cooking Demonstrations at 2:30 p.m. with Joy Moore and and 4:30 p.m. with HuNia Bradly at the Tuesday Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at MLK. 548-3333. 

“Investigating Trafficking of Women: A Reporter’s Journey through Korea and Nepal” An International Women’s Day talk with Meredith May at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley City College, lower level auditorium, Center St. at MLK. Free. 

California Colloquium on Water “California Water: Managing Crisis and Opportunity” with Tim Quinn, Exec. Dir., Assoc. of California Water Agencies, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 250, Goldman School of Public Policy, 2607 Hearst Ave. at LeRoy. www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/ccow.html 

“Prospects for Health Care Reform” A League of Women Voters discussion of the various proposals coming up in the new legislative session at 12:15 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room, Albany Public Library, Masonic and Marin. 843-8824. office@lwvbae.org 

“Discover Northern Arizona’s Redrock Country” with Jim Scheiling at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“How Mathematicians Look at Particle Physics” by Prof. Matilde Marcolli at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. www.revolutionbooks.org 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

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. 

End the Occupation Vigil every Tues. at noon at Oakland Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay St. www.epicalc.org 

Street Level Cycles Community Bike Program Come use our tools as well as receive help with performing repairs free of charge. Youth classes available. Tues., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

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. 

Ceramics Class Learn hand building techniques to make decorative and functional items, Tues. at 9:30 a.m. at St. John's Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Free, materials and firing charges only. 525-5497. 

Bridge for beginners from 1 to 2:15 p.m., all others 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Qi Gong Meditation 7:30 p.m. at 830 Bancroft Way, Lotus Room 114. Cost is $5-$10. 883-1920. tgif@tiangong.org 

Free Meditation Class at 7 p.m. every Tues. and Thurs. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarians, 2nd flr. , 1606 Bonita Ave. at Cedar. 931-7742. 

Rhythm Tap Exercise Class Tues. at 5 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. Donation $2. 548-9840. 

Yarn Wranglers Come knit and crochet at 6:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 

Winter Soldier: Berkeley Testimonies from US military veterans of the global war on terror, at 6 p.m. at 150 Goldman School of Public Policy, UC campus.  

Conservation Speaker Series “The Red Panda Project” with Brian William at 6:30 p.m. at the Marain Zimmer Auditorium, Oakland Zoo. Suggested donation $10-$20, $5 for high school students. amy@oaklandzoo.org 

“Consume this Movie” A documentary on our consumerism and materialism at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Discussion follows. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Foreclosure Prevention at 6 p.m. at The HomeOwnership Center, 3301 East 12th St., Suite 201, Oakland. To register call 535-6943. homeownership@unitycouncil.org. 

East Bay Geneaology meets at 10 a.m. in the Oakland Family History Library, 4766 Lincoln Ave. Lisa Louise Cooke will speak on the importance of collecting and preserving family artifacts. 

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. 548-9840. 

Theraputic Recreation at the Berkeley Warm Pool, Wed. at 3:30 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Warm Pool, 2245 Milvia St. Cost is $4-$5. Bring a towel. 632-9369. 

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 

Teen Chess Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6133. 

Berkeley CopWatch Drop-in office hours from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 

Blake Garden Walk for Age 50+ Tour the UC Berkeley Landscape Architecture Department’s 10-acre Kensington estate from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet at garden gate at 70 Rincon Rd., Kensington (AC Transit 7). Free but numbers limited; register at Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave., 524-9122, or Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. 524-9283. For information contact walk leader Susan Schwartz, f5creeks@aol.com, 848-9358. 

Berkeley Housing Authority Annual Plan discussion at 2 p.m. at BHA, 1901 Fairview St. Plan is available at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/bha 

Tilden Nature Area Docent Training from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee. is $35. For an application or information call 544-3260. www.ebparks.org 

14th Collages des Cultures Africaines series of West African Dance & Drum Workshops taking place at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland, through Sun. For details contact 733-1077. www.DiamanoCoura.org 

Purim Carnival & Silent Auction from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond. 223-2560. www.templebethhillelrichmond.org 

East Bay Mac Users Group meets to discuss UPEK, biometric fingerprint security solutions, at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 1 to 7 p.m. at 2106 Shattuck Ave. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com  

Circle of Concern Vigil meets on West Lawn of UC campus across from Addison and Oxford, Thurs. at noon and Sun. at 1 p.m. to oppose UC weapons labs contracts. 848-8055. 

Three Beats for Nothing South Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Thurs. at 10 a.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Ellis at Ashby. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Wheelchair Yoga Thurs. at noon, Family Yoga on Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at Niroga Center for Healing, 1808 University Ave. between MLK Way and Grant St. All classes by donation. 704-1330. www.niroga.org 

Free Meditation Class at 7 p.m. every Tues. and Thurs. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarians, 2nd flr. , 1606 Bonita Ave. at Cedar. 931-7742. 

Buddhist Class on Shikan Meditation at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar at Bonita, through May 28. http://caltendai.org 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kiyolo Woodhouse, docent, Asian Art Museum, “Japanese Art and Its Context in Japanese Daily Life” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 524-7468. www.citycommonsclub.org 

“American Sandinista” A documentary about the life and execution of Ben Linder, a young American supporter of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. Both the film-maker and the author of the investigation the film is based on will be present for questions after the film. Free. 

Conscientious Projector Film Series “9/11 Press for Truth” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

Three Beats for Nothing Mostly ancient part music for fun and practice meets every Fri. at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Hearst at MLK. 655-8863. asiecker@sbcglobal 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Fri. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 

Race Judicata: 10k Run/5k Run-Walk Fundraiser for UC Berkeley Environmental Law Summer Fellowship, from 10 a.m. to noon, registration starts at 9:15 a.m. at the Kroeber Fountain, corner of Bancroft Way and College Ave. Cost is $30. 619-992-9619. 

Disaster Preparedness Workshop with representatives from Albany Fire Department and Bay Area Seismic Retrofit, at 4 p.m. at Albany High School, 603 Key Route Blvd., Albany. 229-9651. http://albanytoday.org 

Little Farm Poultry Pals Learn about the different breeds and their personalities at 2:30 p.m. at the Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Workshop: Eat Local Learn about how to eat more from your local foodshed, by gleaning and foraging edible weeds, alternative food sources and food preservation. Includes a short walk. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. Advanced registration required. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“The Tyranny of Oil: The World’s Most Powerful Industry—And What We Must Do To Stop It” with activist and author Antonia Juahsz, at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St., Alameda. Suggested donation $5; no one is turned away. 814-9592. 

Healthy Communities Financial Freedom Conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., registration at 9:30 a.m. at Richmond Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 568-5899. 

“Keeping Cool in the Fire: Becoming More Skillful with Inner or Outer Conflict” A two-day training with Lawrence Ellis and Donald Rothberg, Sat. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Bay Meditation Center, 2147 Broadway, Oakland. Donations accepted. Register at www.eastbaymeditation.org/event/55 

Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit Join us for a Burmese style dinner and Burma documentary film along with two speakers on Burma, Min Zin and Zoya Phan at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar, at Bonita. Suggested donation of $15 benefits the Burmese American Democratic Alliance. 485-3751. www.badasf.org 

“Grow Your Own Salad” with Stefani Bittner, at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

The East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society meets to discuss “The Russians Are Coming To the Western Front” by Michael Hanlon at 10:30 a.m. at the Albany Veterans Hall, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. 527-7718. 

Head Shaving Event to benefit Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland from noon to 6 p.m. at Bay Street Plaza, Emeryville. 655-4002. www.baystreetemeryville.com 

American Red Cross Free CPR Training throughout the East Bay. Register today and learn lifesaving skills that will better prepare you and your family for emergencies. For a detailed list of other training sites and to pre-register, visit RedCrossCPRSaturday.org. Registration is also available by phone at 888-686-3600. 

Train Your House Rabbit Learn how to get your pet bunny to come when called and other tricks at 10 a.m. at RabbitEARS, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

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. www.nativeplants.org 

Lawn Bowling on the green at the corner of Acton St. and Bancroft Way every Wed. and Sat. at 10 a.m. for ages 12 and up. Wear flat soled shoes, no heels. Free lessons. 841-2174.  

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, MARCH 15 

“California’s Families” A family exploration day from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Compost 101” Learn the basics of composting and how to use this nutrient-rich material in your home garden, at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“Allensworth: California’s African-American Town” A panel discussion with historians Susan Anderson and Guy Washington and authors Alice C. Royal, Mickey Ellinger and Scott Braley, at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Trails Challenge: Kennedy Grove This hike explores the hills, early flowers and late winter wildlife. Bring a lunch. Meet at Fern Cottage, at 11 a.m. 525-2233. 

“Learning from the Absurd” lecture by South African artist William Kentridge and hosted by the Townsend Center for the Humanities, at 5 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free and open to the public. 643-9670. 

Personal Theology Seminars with Helene Knox on “My Spiritual Odyssey as Embodied in my Poems” at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

East Bay Atheists meet to watch a video of Richard Dawkins at the 2007 Atheists Alliance International Convention, at 1:30 p.m. at Berkeley Main Library, 3rd Floor Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 222-7580. 

“Today’s Global Meltdown and the Dialectics of Organization and Philosophy” at 6:30 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 658-1448. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Beth Abraham, Social Hall, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com  

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Mark Henderson on “Sacred Art and Prayer Wheels: An Avenue to Light” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 2 to 6 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Also on Thurs. from 2 to 6 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., March 5, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7460.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., March 5, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7429. 

City Council meets Tues., March 10, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Board of Library Trustees meets Wed., March 11, at 9:30 a.m. and March 13 at 3 p.m. at the Central Branch Library, 981-6195.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., March 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5431. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., March 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., March 11, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., March 11, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6737.  

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs., March 12, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5428. 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., March 12, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356. 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., March 12, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520. 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., March 12, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7430. 

ONGOING 

Help Low-wage Families with Their Taxes United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! needs Bay Area volunteers for its 7th annual free tax program. No previous experience necessary. Sign up at www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Of Ships and Tugs” Maritime photography of Jan Tiura, opens at the EBMUD 2nd flr. gallery, 375 11th St., Oakland. www.phototiura.com 

“black and white, silver gelatin prints of nudes” by Jim Stipovich. Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Nan Phelps Photography, 398 Colusa Ave., Kensington. Exhibition runs to March 15. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Holloway Poetry Series with A.B. Spellman at 6:30 p.m. in the Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, UC campus. http://holloway.english.berkeley.edu 

Spain Rodriguez, comics artist, discusses his book “Che: A Graphic Biography” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Festival of Flamenco Arts & Traditions with guitarist Antonio Reyat 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20-$40. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Gankmore, Buxter Hoot’n at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Kelly Park Trio & Friends at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Rachel Levant, Elevation 32, Jon Perri, in a benefit for the Berkeley Patients Group Hospice Care Center at 6 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Raya Nova at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Gypsy” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 5. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Betrayed” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m., at 2081 Addison St. to March 8. Panel discussion iwth Iraqi refugees following the Fri. performance and with Kirk Johnson of The List Project following the Sat. performance. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Playhouse “Once On This Island” a family musical, Thurs. at 7 p.m., Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through March 15. Tickets are $22-$28. 665-5565, ext. 397. berkeleyplayhouse.org 

Berkeley Rep “In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” at 2015 Addison St., through March 15. Tickets are $33-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “Crime and Punishment” at 2025 Addison St., through Mar. 29. Tickets are $27-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “The Window Age: A Guided Tour of the Unconscious” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., through March 22, at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $21-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Nine (The Musical)” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through March 28. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “A Midsummers Night’s Dream” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through March 14. Tickets are $10-$17. impacttheatre.com 

Independent Theater Projects Three one-act plays independently directed and produced by Berkeley students, Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $12 general, $5 studetns. 292-5058.  

“Phoolan is all of us: In Memory of Phoolan Devi” written and performed by Angelina Llongueras at8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

UC TDPS “Sauce for the Goose” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC campus, through March 15. Tickets are $10-$15. 642-8827. tdps.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Farewell Kiss” Mark Byron and Bruce Yurgill revisit the Bush era with their political art. Reception at 7 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. 663-6920. 

“Eric Bohr & Charlie Milgrim: Vexing History” Painting, sculptural installation and video. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., Oakland. 701-4620. www.mercurytwenty.com 

“Intersectionality of Sisters” Group show opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. 

FILMS 

Luna Fest: Short Films by...For...About Women at 7 p.m. at 155 Dwinelle Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $6 at the door. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Yu Hua discusses his recently translated epic novel “Brothers” at 7:30 p.m. at Book Zoo, 6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 654-2665. www.bookzoo.net 

Cara Black reads from her Aimeé Leduc mystery “Murder in the Latin Quarter” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “Tales of Hoffman” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $48. 925-798-1300. ww.berkeleyopera.org 

New Century Chamber Orchestra “The Glory of Russia” with Anne-Marie McDermott, piano, at 8 p.. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $32-$54. 415-357-1111. www.ncco.org 

“Mendelssohn Bicentenial: Songs with Words” piano performance on the restored 1854 Erard piano, at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Barron Edwards Motown 60s Revue at 5 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Stomp the Stumps Benefit for the Bay Area Coalition for the Headwaters with Quilt, Funky Nixons, and Curly at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Donation $10-15 sliding scale. 849-1255. 

“Kinds of Blues” with Tom Lucas and the Baja Bluegrass Band, Judy Rogers, Cordell Sloan and others at 6:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Includes dinner of southern cooking. Tickets are $25 per adult, $10 per child, $60 for a family of 4-5. 525-0302. www.uucb.org 

Bill Crossman, First Fridays Free Jazz and Improv at 7:30 p.m. at OPC Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Cost is $5, free for ages 16 and under. 836-4649. 

Copacabana Meets the French Quarter” at 9 p.m. at Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10.  

Country Joe McDonald’s Tribute to Florence Nightingale & Nursing at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$20. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org  

Rova, saxophone quartet, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Terry Disley Experience at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Harley White Jr. Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Steven Strauss and Kurt Stevenson at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 597-0795. 

Mushroom, Feat at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Plan 9 at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

The Midnight Train at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Friends of the Old Puppy with Steven Strauss at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 597-0795. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Asheba at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

John Weaver, storyteller, Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

Boswick the Clown at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $8. 526-9888. 

THEATER 

Stone Soup Improv Comedy at 8 p.m. at Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $7-$10. www.stonesoupimprov.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“It Takes All Kinds” Group show of diverse and unconventional arts and artists. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Autobody Fine Art, 1517 Partk St., Alameda. www.autobodyfineart.com 

FILM 

“Women Rock and Soul Performers” Film clips and discussion in commemoration of International Women’s Day at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rae Armantrout & Lisa Robertson at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Tilar Mazzeo on “Back Lane Wineries of Sonoma” at 5 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Bay Area Poets Coalition open reading from 3 to 5 pm. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street. 527-9905. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“The King’s Trumpetts & Shalmes” Renaissance music for winds, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www. 

trinitychamberconcerts.com 

The Saturday Afternoon Gallery Acoustic music open mic series at 2 p.m. at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St., corner of Lincoln, Alameda. 847-3903. 

Marina La Valle, Afro-Peruvian, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Kenny Washinton & Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Lakay & Mystic Man at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Bob Franks, folk/rock at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 597-0795. 

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

Ben Stolorow, pianist, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Mucho Axé at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Larry Stefl Jazz Quartet at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Shark Alley Hobos at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Bob Franks at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 597-0795. 

The Asylum Street Spankers at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $15. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 

CHILDREN 

Wee Poets 25th Anniversary Celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 98 Broadway, Jack London Square, Oakland. Free admission, donations accepted. 848-6905. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Rare Alchemy” Pinhole photography by S. McGrath Ryan, glass sculptures of David Ruth. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at FLOAT Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place #116, Oakland. 535-1702. 

“Meet the Museum” Docent led highlight tour at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Free. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

FILM 

Talk Cinema Berkeley Preview of new independent films with discussion afterwards at 10 a.m. at Albany Twin Theater, 1115 Solano Ave., Albany. Cost is $20. http://talkcinema.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

David Bacon discusses “Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants” at 7 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donations to the Berkeley Daily Planet accepted. 841-5600. 

“What Do the Women Say?” Poetry from the Middle East at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “Tales of Hoffman” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $48. 925-798-1300. ww.berkeleyopera.org 

Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. www.brownpapertickets.com 

International Women’s Day Concert “Women of Note” Works by Mary Watckins, Joan Tower, Lili Boulanger at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methosdist Church, 1550 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10 at the door. www.communitywomensorchestra.org 

Sounds New A concert of contemporary American classic music at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $15-$20. 524-2912. www.SoundsNewUS.org 

In Bocca al Lupo and Canciones, medieval/Renaissance ensemble, at 7:30 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $15 at the door. 526-9146. 

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

UC Berkeley Folkdancers Reunion at 2 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

International Women’s Day Celebration with Della Grant, Ginger, I-Live at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Montclair Women’s Big Band at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Orfa Root at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Brocus Helm, Havoc, Laceration at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, MARCH 9 

FILM 

Monday Afternoon at the Movies Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “The Decalogue” Segments 5 and 6 at 1:15 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Life and Work of Julia Morgan: Building the California Women's Movement” lecture by Karen McNeill, architectural historian at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Free. 883-9710. 

John Campion reads from his new book “Medusa: a collection of poery” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tavis Smiley “Accountable: Making American as Good as its Promise” at 6:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Tickets are $12-$15. 848-6767. kpfa.org/events 

“Culture Jammers” What they do and how it affects political change at 5 p.m. at 145 Dwinelle, UC campus. www.adbusters.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Courtableu at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Kelly Park at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Art Connections: San Francisco’s Grande Dames” A talk by four women who have founded and run art galleries, at 10:30 a.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Bonita Hollow Writers Salon at 7 p.m. at 1631 Bonita Ave. Bring food, drink and your original work to read. 266-2069. 

Nick Hoff, translator of “Odes and Elegies” by Friederich Hölderlin, reads at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. http://moesbooks.com 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with Ron McKean on organ at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Wednesday Noon Concert, at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Kostrama, Russian folk music, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

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

Balkan Folkdance at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 

EXHIBITIONS 

Justice for Oscar Grant Photography Exhibition by Keba Konte. Reception at 5 p.m. at East Side Arts Alliance, 2277 International Blvd., Oakland. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Wild Women of California” A talk by Autumn Stephens at 1p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

ZZ Packer at the Story Hour at 5 p.m. at 190 Doe Library, UC campus. Free. 643-0397. storyhour.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Flash with Dobby Gibson and Matt Hart at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Fred Kaplan reads from “Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Diamano Coura West African Dance Company “Collage des Cultures Africaines” dance and drum workshops through Sun. at th e Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 ALice St., Oakland. For details see www.DiamanoCoura.org 

Little Wolf & The Hell Cats at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

“Truth Be Told” Hip Hop and spoken word with Rico Pabon at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Genralissimo, Ferocious Eagle, Ovipositor at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

John Seabury at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Gypsy” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 5. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Berkeley Playhouse “Once On This Island” a family musical, Thurs. at 7 p.m., Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through March 15. Tickets are $22-$28. 665-5565, ext. 397. berkeleyplayhouse.org 

Berkeley Rep “In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” at 2015 Addison St., through March 15. Tickets are $33-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “Crime and Punishment” at 2025 Addison St., through Mar. 29. Tickets are $27-$71. 647-2949. berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “The Window Age: A Guided Tour of the Unconscious” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., through March 22, at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $21-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Nine (The Musical)” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through March 28. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “A Midsummers Night’s Dream” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through March 14. Tickets are $10-$17. impacttheatre.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Eat It!” Group art exhibit based on any and all things food and “Bunny-licious” Mary Patterson’s paintings inspired by matchbook cover art, reception at 7 p.m. at Eclextix Gallery, 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Exhibition runs to April 26. www.eclectix.com 

“Returning to El Centro: Street Photography of Mexico City” Ilona Sturm’s photography exhibit. Artists reception at 5 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Alan Boss describes “The Crowded Universe: The Search of Living Planets” at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $10. 

Tom Odegard and Howard Dyckoff will read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave., a little north of Hearst, as part of the Last Word Reading Series. There is also an open reading. 841-6374. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

San Francisco Cabaret Opera “The Marriage of Fiagaro” at 8 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $15-$30. 415-289-6877. www.goathall.org 

Womansong Circle An evening of participatory singing for women celebrating International Women’s Month, at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing St., at Dana. Suggested donation $15-$20, no one turned away. www.betsyrosemusic.org 

Jewish Music Festival: Shir Hashirim at 7:30 p.m. at JCC of East Bay. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Voices of Music Young Artist Concert at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave., Albany. Donation of non-perishable food. 236-9808. www.voicesofmusic.org 

The Stairwell Sisters at Utunes Coffe House at 8 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$18. www.brownpapertickets.com 

“Aqui te traigo una rosa” with Rafael Manriquez and Ingrid Rubis at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Hurricane Sam & The Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $114. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

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

Gooferman, The Zoopy Show, Party of Ten at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Saviors, Agenda of Swine at 7 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Kymberly Jackson at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Beep! Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Mark Holzinger at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 597-0795. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 

CHILDREN  

“Adventures in Music” Family Concert with the Berkeley Symphony at 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at Malcolm X Elementary School Auditorium, 1731 Prince St. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for 18 and under. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

Stagebridge “Grandpa’s Teeth” the musical, at noon and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th. Tickets are $5 for children $12 for adults. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

Abby and the Pipsqueaks at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Kids Matinee Series “A Hard Days Night” Sat. and Sun. at noon at Elmwood Theater, 2966 College Ave. Cost is $4, and benefits local elementary school PTAs. 433-9730. 

Blake Maxam “The Wizard of Ahhhhs” Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

THEATER 

Blended Voices “Another Antigone” at 8 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd, Kensington. Tickets are $10. www.uucb.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Elza & Valters 1981-2001” Sibila Savage will talk about her photographs of an elderly immigrant couple at 2 p.m. in the Central Catalog Library, at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Exhibition runs to May. 1. 981-6240. 

“Dusk on Lucy’s Pond” Oil paintings by Juliana Harris opens at the Christensen Heller Gallery, 5829 College Ave., Oakland, and runs through May 3. 655-5952. www.christensenheller.com 

Valerie Raven: “Urban Casualty...Little Known and Seldom Seen Birds” Sat. and Sun. from 1 to 5 p.m. at Garage Gallery, 3110 Wheeler Street, near Shattuck and Ashby. www.berkeleyoutlet.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

6th Annual Dance IS Festival at 3 and 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Arts Center, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $8-$12. www.juliamorgan.org 

Diamano Coura West African Dance Company “Drum Call – Diaspora Drum Explosion” at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Community Theater, BHS campus, 1980 Allston Way. Doors open at 6 p.m. for African Marketplace. Tickets are $15-$30 from www.BrownPaperTickets.com 

American Bach Soloists “Favorite Bach Cantatas” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana St. Pre concert lecture at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$44. 800-838-3006. americanbach.org  

AIDS/Lifecycle Concert with WAVE, UC Berkeley Chorale Ensemble, Young People’s Symphony Orchestra at 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 449-4402. 

Voyage Kreyol with Michelle Jacques and Chelle, sounds of New Orleans, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

In Jazz We Trust at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Moh Alileche, Cheb I Sabbah, Triple Dog Devils, and Danse Magreb at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Susan Werner at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison, vocal duo, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Dgiin at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Strange Angels at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 597-0795. 

The Eric Mcfadden Trio, The New Up at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

RWH & The Jazz Triad, CD release, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 

THEATER 

Blended Voices “Another Antigone” at 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd, Kensington. Tickets are $10. www.uucb.org 

UC TDPS “Sauce for the Goose” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC campus, through March 15. Tickets are $10-$15. 642-8827. tdps.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Animals Have Souls” Reception with artist Patricia Leslie at 1 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Allensworth: California’s African-American Town” A panel discussion with historians Susan Anderson and Guy Washington and authors Alice C. Royal, Mickey Ellinger and Scott Braley, at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak sts., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Poetry Flash with Etel Adnan, Hayan Charara and Fady Joudah at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. 

“Learning from the Absurd” a lecture by South African artist William Kentridge and hosted by the Townsend Center for the Humanities, at 5 p.m. in Hertz Hall, UC campus. Free. 643-9670. http://townsendcenter. 

berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley High School Alumni Jazz All-Stars with Peter Apfelbaum, Will Bernard, Steven Bernstein, Dave Ellis and many others at 3 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Tickets are $24.50-$25.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

San Francisco Cabaret Opera “The Marriage of Fiagaro” at 2 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $15-$30. 415-289-6877. www.goathall.org 

Chamber Music Sundaes with San Francisco Symphony musicians and friends at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door $20-$25. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org  

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Mendelssohn Madness” at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Free. www.sfchamberorchestra.org 

California Bach Society with Paul Flight, director and counter-tenor, Brian Staufenbiel, tenor, Curtis Cook, bass at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10- $30. 415-262-0272. www.calbach.org 

Soli Deo Gloria with Orchestra Gloria at 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Basilica Parish, 1109 Chestnut, Alameda. Tickets are $20-$25. Children in grades K-8 are free. www.sdgloria.org 

Oakland Civic Orchestra Hilda Li, violin, at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland. Free. 238-7275. 

Belly Dance Medley at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

The Big Nasty at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

It’s little wonder that E.T.A. Hoffmann was one of the Romantic era’s favorite and most influential writers—parts of his long fantastic stories can be found in many of the operas and ballets of the time from Delibes to Tchaikovsky to Offenbach. Recognizing a cultural force when he saw one, Papa Freud used Hoffmann’s work as the basis for his essay on the uncanny, “Das Unheimliche.” 

Hoffmann’s stories are infused with an air of horror and whimsy, populated with rat kings and candy lands, doppelgangers and automatons, spectacles that distort reality and change the wearer’s emotional world.  

Jacques Offenbach made the writer the subject of his opera The Tales of Hoffman, but died before the opera’s completion musically. The opera was finished by other composers and as many as five different versions appear, each celebrating the enduring charm of both the writer and the composer.  

The version chosen by Berkeley Opera as its season opener is a composite of more contemporary versions—Fritz Oeser’s, from the 1970s, and Michael Kaye’s, from the 1990s—both of which were based on scholarly discoveries that revealed more of composer and librettist Jean Barbier’s intentions.  

In this current version, the driving conflict of the plot is between the writer’s muse and the women who are the objects of Hoffman’s copious love—the muse wants him to love only her, claiming that she has loved him the best and the longest, that she could heal all the pain in the poet’s life if only he would buckle down and get back to writing. 

For the opening performance on Saturday, Feb. 28, Nora Lennox Martin excellently sang the role of the muse, who assumes the guise of Hoffmann’s best buddy, Nicklaus, during the opera’s three tales. Martin has a warm, full sound in the lower mezzo range and a more bell-like tone in the upper register. Having the buddy and muse be a pants role gives the character an appropriately surprising and slightly otherworldly quality.  

Writer’s block was never one of Hoffmann’s problems, though his life in the bourgeois world of Polish and German jurisprudence was fraught with complications and iniquities, and his love life was erratic. He was a round peg trying to fit in a square hole. As inaccurate as the opera’s portrayal of the writer may be, however, it did allow playwright Michel Carré and librettist Barbier to use three of Hoffman’s eerie and most psychologically charged stories by turning the story’s central female character into one of character Hoffman’s longed for—yet artistically distracting—lady loves. 

The roles demand different voice types and are often sung by three different women—although the opera’s Hoffmann claims they are three different aspects of the same woman: the doll, the artiste, and the harlot. Soprano Angela Cadelago took on the heavy task of all three, and she succeeded admirably. Her voice was light in the coloratura part of the doll, Olympia, but she effortlessly hung on to the roller coaster ride of the famous doll aria, “Les oiseaux dans la charmille.” The lyric soprano part of the artiste Antonia, who like her mother suffers from a mysterious illness that ultimately causes her death by singing, brought out the plusher, most luxuriant qualities of Cadelago’s voice.  

The vibrantly toned tenor, Adam Flores, sang Hoffman, a part that carries heaps of poetic feeling, swinging from deep drunken angst to sublime love. Bass-baritone Paul Murray sang Councilor Lindorf. Lindorf is not merely Hoffman’s nemesis; he is a personification of evil, which assumes a different guise in each tale. Both Flores and Murray have large, solid voices. 

Librettist David Scott Marley sensibly had many of the supporting characters in the “real” world of Hoffmann’s tavern assume different personas within the tales, although the roles they played within the individual story’s plots were similar. The barman Luther became the automaton servant in Olympia’s story, Antonia’s father and Giulietta’s erstwhile lover; all four roles were sung by tenor Wayne Wong. George Arana assumed the comic supporting roles.  

Marley’s translation was very clean and accessible, adding to the appeal of this charming production. It was an auspicious opening of the Berkeley Opera’s 30th anniversary season.  

TALES OF HOFFMAN 

Performed by Berkeley Opera at 8 p.m. Friday, March 6 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley.

The band in the loft at Altarena Playhouse strikes up the overture with the head for “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” The curtain is ready to rise on Gypsy, opening with the auditions for a kiddie show in Seattle. This musical is all about being onstage and backstage, featuring the most relentless stage mother of them all. 

The show, by Jule Stine, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents, is forever associated with Ethel Merman, not its creators, even though Rosalind Russell starred in the film (with young Natalie Wood as Louise, who transforms into Gypsy Rose Lee) and a slew of other Broadway greats and proud warhorses trouped the part of Rose.  

Altarena is fortunate to have Donna Turner as the monstre sacree of stage moms, who jokes in her bio that she’s recently played another “difficult [showbiz] mother” for Alameda’s old community house, Judith Bliss in that piquant chestnut, Hay Fever. 

She’s well-matched by Lisa Price (who also graced Hay Fever) as her “no-talent” tomboyish sensitive of a daughter, who becomes the sprightly—and faux-elegante—Gypsy, burlesk queen who dropped more wry witticisms than encumbering garments, a triumph of transparent gimmickry, of telegraphy punching the message through as much as any overt move. 

The first act, the “development” of the vaudeville act (more a change of costumes with the same hopeless script, hopelessly delivered), is enough to give anyone who’s ever been on an amateur stage flopsweat just by watching.  

There’s a good use of young performers, the kiddie show contestants (with Balloon Girl Zana Zinn in her maiden role), followed by the newsboys’ chorus (Derek Apperson, Mattias Christensen, Noah Han), backing the beaming Baby June (Olivia Hyntha) and deadpan Baby Louise (Jennifer Beall), who cleverly metamorphose into their older selves (Meghan Ihle and Price) in the beams of a strobe light, midstream in their perennial act, as it switches from juvenile to patriotic to bucolic (Caleb Draper, Youssef Riahi, Nick Hodges, Daniel Guzman as The Farmboys), on to the Carmenesque Toreadorables (Rebecca LaFleur, Erin Little, Nina Dumas, Erin Lucas). 

But it’s with the introduction of the real transformation, Louise into Gypsy, that the show really comes alive in Act 2 with June’s defection (eventually to become actress-director June Havoc), the ramshackle act finding itself stranded in a burlesk house, and Louise entranced by the strippers showing the “no-talent” girl how “You Gotta Get A Gimmick (if you want to have a chance).”  

Some great work here by Paula Wujek as bumping, grinding Tesse Tura, supported by Katie Francis’ statuesque (and illuminated) shimmy as Electra and Kerry Chapman’s upside-down fanfare as Mazeppa. The sextet in the loft (led by artistic director Armando Fox on the ivories) starts to swing lowdown, Rose pushes Louise onstage as a fill-in, and a strutting, knowing rendition of Baby June’s insipid “Let Me Entertain You” takes on new meaning. 

Matt Bealls (as a choice bunch of nerdy emcees, assistants and second bananas) appears onstage with his niece; Scott Alexander Ayres is the dyspeptically good-natured former candyman-turned-agent Herbie, hopelessly in love with Rose till he finally sees the writing on the grindhouse wall, and Tom Leone goes from straitlaced Pop to a hardbitten succession of theatrical hotel and strip club managers. Even managing director Daniel Zilber goes on as the manager of a vaudeville thee-ay-ter (such typecasting).  

And the untold amount of volunteer work behind the scenes showing an “untalented” girl become a pro—that’s showbiz, community theater at Altarena. 

GYPSY 

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays through April 5 at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda. $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org.