THURSDAY, JUNE 4 

Berkeley School Volunteers New volunteer orientation from 2 to 3 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Volunteer opportunities in the summer or during the regular school year. 644-8833. bsv@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

“Globalization and the New Possibilities for Social Justice” with Andrew Barlow, Professor of Sociology, U.C. Berkeley at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Donation $5. 841-4824. 

Children’s Fairyland Fundraising Gala “One Enchanted Evening” with food, performances and silent auction, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. Tickets are $75-$125. 452-2259. 

In Defense of Nadra Foster An evening of celebration to raise legal defense funds with I GO! Poetry leadership and performance by Oakland students, Shaverik of East Bay Politics, Andrea Prichett, of Rebecca Riots, Tiny Grey-Garcia of Poor Magazine and more at 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Babies & Toddlers Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Metro PCS Inc. Conference Room, 1080 Marina Village Pkwy., Alameda. To make an appointment call 800-448-3543. 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. 

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dr. Kenneth Lajoie, USGS, retired on “The Origin of San Francisco Bay: The Natural and Unnatural History of an Urban Estuary” 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 527-2173. www.citycommonsclub.org 

Disability Film Festival Superfest Kids Classics, films geared for teenagers, from noon to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Fl. Community Rm. 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

“The Living Universe: Where Are We? Where Are We Going?” with author Duane Elgin at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org 

“Croatian Stories” a documentary on Croatian heritage in California at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.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. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 

Free 6th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival offers continuous music from noon to 9 p.m. in Telegraph Ave. cafes and shops, near UC campus, plus concert in People’s Park. For performance schedules and artist information, visit www.berkeleyworldmusic.org 

WriterCoach Connection Read-and-Write-a-thon Non-stop peotry, prose, drama and fiction from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School Library, 1500 Derby St. Staged reading of “A Raisin in the Sun” by students at 1 p.m.All welcome. For more information and to donate see www.firstgiving/writercoachconnection 

Project Peace East Bay’s Day of Peace Choose between two East Bay community-service opportunities: Help beautify Claremont Middle School, 5750 College Ave., Oakland, or help remove invasive plant species from the shoreline of Berkeley Aquatic Park, 80 Bolivar Dr., from 9 a.m. to noon. RSVP at www.projectpeaceeastbay.org 

Family Fun Festival with performances, hands-on activities and information booths from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Civic Center Park. 548-2220, ext. 227. 

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 

East Bay Open Studios Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details see www.proartsgallery.org 

“Summer Splash” A free community event with kayaking, rowing, and dragon boating from noon to 4 p.m. at Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero, in Estuary Park, on the Embarcadero, between Oak St. and 5th Ave. 208-6060. www.jlac.org 

“Running for Office 101” For potential candidates about the realities of running for an elected office, and help them create a work plan for their own campaign, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., check in at 8:30 a.m. at Peralta Community College District Boardroom, 333 East 8th, across from Laney College Football Field., Oakland. Sponsored by Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment. Cost is $45-$75. 763-9523. staff@bwopa.org 

Bob Schildgen, author of “Hey Mr. Green” a collection of popular environmental advice columns originally written for Sierra Magazine, will talk about his book at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge at Shattuck, in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room. 981-6233. 

Disability Film Festival Adult Classics (all still PG) from noon to 4 p.m., repeated 5 to 9 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $5-$20 sliding scale at the door. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

E-waste Collection Event Recycle Your Electronics! E-waste accepted: computer monitors, computers/computer components, televisions, VCR & DVD players, toner cartridges, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephone equipment, cell phones, MP3 players. NO appliances, batteries, microwaves, paints, pesticides, etc. Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at El Cerrito DMV, 6400 Manila Ave., El Cerrito. For more details, visit www.unwaste.com or call 1-888-832-9839. 

“34 Years in Murals” Open house at La Peña from 3 to 5 p.m. with muralists and artists Ray Patlan, Susie Lundy, Tirso Gonzalez and Juana, Alicia Montoya, performances at 6 p.m. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Friends of the Bay Trail in Richmond Celebrating both the 20th anniversary of the San Francisco Bay Trail and the 10th anniversary of TRAC, the Trails for Richmond Action Committee with guided walks and bicycling trips along Richmond’s shoreline. Details at www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/calendar.htm.  

Master Gardeners at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market Get advice on watering, plant selection and pest management from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Center St., between MLK and Milvia. 639-1275.  

Workshop: Replace Timing Chain Mercedes Diesel with Billy Jacobs, Biodiesel collective member from noon to 6 p.m. at 4th St. at Dwight Way. Cost is $40-$80. 653-9450. dieselworkshops@gmail.com 

Pinball Weekend at Playland Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 232-4264 ext. 25. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org 

“US Labor in the Global Economy” A discussion led by Scott Marshall, Chair, Labor Commission of CPUSA at 10 a.m at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., between Alcatraz & 66th. Hard copies of suggested readings available at the Library. 595-7417. www.marxistlibr.org 

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.  

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, JUNE 7 

Rosa Parks Elementary Kids’ Carnival with entertainment, activities and food, from noon to 4 p.m. at 920 Allston Way. Free. 644-8812. 

Sequoias Family Day A family exploration day with interactive exhibits, science and art activities from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Temescal Street Fair from noon to 6 p.m. from 45th-51st Telegraph Ave., North Oakland, with food and drink from local businesses, live music and activities for children, arts, crafts and community booths. Sponsored by the Temescal Telegraph Business Improvement District. 830-7327. www.temescaldistrict.org 

Localize! Environmental Action at the Grassroots with examples of worm composting, greywater systems, recycled art, bike repair, and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at BAM/PFA Sculpture Garden. bampfa.berkeley.edu/community_day 

MarketPlace Dinner Prepare and share a gourmet vegan dinner with chef Barry Schenker, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $25-$30. Reservations required. www.marketplacedinners.org 

Berkeley Rep Family Series “Summer Fun” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Nevo Education Center, 2071 Addison St. Recommended for age four and up. Free, but bring a book to donate to a school library. 647-2973. 

Social Action Forum with Prof. Chris O’Sullivan talking about the Middle East at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club, Berkeley Marina. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children 5 and over welcome with parent or guardian. www.cal-sailing.org 

Memorial for John Havard, 1949-2009, of the Saturday Night Band from 3 to 6 p.m. at Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave. 

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 Sylvia Gretchen on “The Light of Asia in the World Today” 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, JUNE 8 

Claremont-Elmwood Neighborhood Association Membership Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 27727 College Ave. www.claremonttelmwood.org 

Climate Change Action Group Four weekly sessions on reducing your carbon footprint from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2350 San Pablo Ave. Free. Workbook is $10. Registration required. 548-2220, ext. 240. 

Summer Reading Program at Contra Costa Libraries begins with programs, inspiration and prizes for students in 2nd through 5th grades. For information seee ccclib.org 

Blood Donor Week with blood drives throughout the Bay Area. For details call the American Red Cross at 800-448-3543 or see www.beadonor.com 

Community Yoga Class Mon. and Thurs. at 10 a.m. at James Kenney Parks and Rec. Center at Virginia and 8th. Seniors and beginners welcome. Cost is $6. 207-4501. 

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 

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. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425.  

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 

Climate Change Action Group Four weekly sessions on reducing your carbon footprint from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2350 San Pablo Ave. Free. Workbook is $10. Registration required. 548-2220, ext. 240. 

East Bay Macintosh Users Group Meeting with Bert Monroy, artist in digital Photo-Realism, at 7 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville http://ebmug.org 

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

Berkeley School Volunteers New volunteer orientation from noon to 1 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Volunteer opportunities in the summer or during the regular school year. 644-8833. bsv@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

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

Great Yosemite Day Hikes and Weekend Backpacking Trips at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., all others 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sing-A-Long at 2:30 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 

Wheelchair Yoga at 4:30 p.m., 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 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 

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

“Thirst” A film about access to safe water around the world, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Eat Your Way Around the World” a virtual tour of markets, menus and manners with librarians Barbara Bibel and Dorothy Lazard at 6 p.m. at West Auditorium, Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St. at Oak. 238-3136. 

“A Drug-Free Approach to Treating Learning Disorders” at 6:30 p.m. at Claremont Branch, Berkeley Public Library, 2940 Benvenue, corner of Benvenue and Ashby Ave. 849-1176.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. To make an appointment call 800-448-3543.  

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. 

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. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 

“Pacific Pinot Noir” A discussion of the history and evolution with John Haeger at 6:30 p.m. at Vintage Berkeley, 2949 College Ave. www.vintageberkeley.com 

Improv Acting Classes Play fun improv games that unleash your imagination, spontaneity, laughter, and confidence. Class meets Thurs. at 8:15 p.m. at Berkeley YWCA, 2600 Bancroft Way. Cost is $12. www.berkeleyimprov.com  

Babies & Toddlers Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaiser Center Lobby, 300 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. To schedule an appointment call 800-448-3543. www.beadonor.com 

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kevin Ambrogi, musician, on “Music in the Lives of Famous People: From Nero to Einstein” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 527-2173. www.citycommonsclub.org 

“The Sharing Solution: How to save Money, Simplify Your Life & Build Community” with Janelle Orsi and Emily Doskow at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2350 San Pablo Ave. 548-3402. 

“Soulful” A Benefit for ArtsChange, a community-based arts program for at-risk youth in Richmond, with music and tapas at 7 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $25. 275-4787. www.artschange.org 

Womansong Circle An evening of participatory singing for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing Way, at Dana. Suggested donation $15-20. betsy@betsyrosemusic.org 

“All in Your Mind” with Mentalist Peter Kim at 6 p.m. at Playland, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $20-$25. 232-4264 ext. 25. www.playland-not-at-the-beach.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, JUNE 13 

Berkeley Juneteenth Festival with arts, crafts, music, cultural events and ethnic foods, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Adeline between Ashby and Alcatraz. 655-8008. www.berkeleyjunteenth.org 

39th Annual Live Oak Park Fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck Ave. www.liveoakparkfair.com 

Berkeley High School Class of 1959 50th Reunion at 5:30 p.m. at Doubletree Hotel. Cost is $75. RSVP by June 8. 415-897-1320. brklyv@aol.com 

East Bay Open Studios Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details see www.proartsgallery.org 

Chickens in the Home Garden A class covering the basics of starting and tending a backyard flock, from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact kyle@chezpanissefoundation.org 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland Uptown to the Lake to discover Art Deco landmarks. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theater at 2025 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

“The Elusive Peace in Israel/ Palestine: What is Going On? Where Do We Go from Here?” with Dr. Hasan Fouda at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. 841-4824. 

Master Gardeners at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market Get advice on watering, plant selection and pest management from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Center St., between MLK and Milvia. 639-1275. http://amcg.ucdavis.edu 

Rabbit Adoption Day from 2 to 4 p.m. at Rabbit Ears, 377 Colusa Ave., Kensington. 525-6155. 

The East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society meets to discuss The Battle of the Coronel Sea & Falkland Islands with Martin Weisberger at 10:30 a.m. at the Albany Veterans Bldg. 1325 Portland Ave. Albany. 526-4423. 

Happiest Place on Earth at Playland Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15.  

Mercedes Diesel Maintenance Lecture and workshop with Billy Jacobs, Biodiesel collective member from noon to 6 p.m. at 4th St. at Dwight Way. Cost is $30 for lecture, $140 for lecture and workshop. 653-9450. dieselworkshops@gmail.com  

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, JUNE 14 

39th Annual Live Oak Park Fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck Ave. www.liveoakparkfair.com 

Greywater Primer Learn about options for disengaging from the water grid including rainwater, graywater reuse and composting toilets. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location given upon registration. Sponsored by Institute of Urban Homesteading. Cost is $30-$50. 927-3252. 

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. 

Old Time Radio East Bay Collectors and listeners get together to enjoy shows together at 4 p.m. at a private home in Richmond. For more information email DavidinBerkeley [at] Yahoo.com. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn, 1800 Powell St., Emeryville. To make an appointment call 800-448-3543.  

“Practicing Theology in the Aftermath of Trauma: How Religious Communities Can Participate in Trauma Healing” with Boston University School of Theology Prof. Shelly Rambo at 11:30 a.m. at Epworth UMC, 1953 Hopkins St. RSVP to 353-8972. mkeelan@bu.edu.  

Social Action Forum with Dr. Loal Vollen on “The Exoneration Project” 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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack van der Meulen on “Tibetan Yoga for Stress Reduction” 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., June 4, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7460.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., June 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7429. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., June 4, at 7 p.m. at the James Kenney Recreation Center, 8th & Virginia. 981-7418.  

City Council meets Tues., June 9, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Planning Commission meets Wed., June 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., June 10, at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., June 10, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6737. 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., June 11, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., June 11, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7430.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4 

EXHIBITIONS 

“We Are Burma” Paintings and drawings by Burmese artists. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Café Leila, 1724 San Pablo Ave. pamelablotner@gmail.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Artist Talk in Conjunction with “Co-Motion” An installation about movement by Cheryl Calleri and Thekla Hammond at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. RSVP to 644-6893. info@berkeleyartcenter.org  

Edith Gelles reads from “Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School Jazz Band Fundraiser Concert at 8 p.m. in the Auditorium at 1781 Rose St., Berkeley. Free, but all donations will go towards helping the jazz band program. 658-3100. 

Go Van Gogh, California Klezmer, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $TBA. 525-5054.  

BabShad Jazzz at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Diana Jones at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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

Bud Light, Nathan Moore at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “A Streetcar Named Desire” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through June 7. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Berkeley Rep “You, Nero” at 2025 Addison St., through June 28. Tickets are $13.50-$71. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Misanthrope” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through June 21. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre “Impact Briefs: Puberty” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through June 6. Tickets are $10-$17. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Lady Windermere’s Fan” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through July 4. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Michael Gene Sullivan & headRush, political satire and premiere of the play “AlieNation” at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Shotgun Players “Faust, Part 1” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. through June 28. Tickets are $18-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

Kensington First Friday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. with street musicians, free refreshments at participating businesses on Colusa Circle, as well as talented, local artisans. 525-6155.  

“Art Roots Here” A recession remedy art exhibit by the students from the Laney College EcoArt Matters class. Reception at 4 p.m. at Big Daddy’s Community Garden, 3601 Peralta St., Emeryville.  

“Flip Side” sculptures, drawings, and photography of Chad Anderson, Brian Caraway, and Paz de la Calzada. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, 25 Grand Ave., upper level, Oakland. Exhibit runs to Aug. 1. 415-577-7537. www.chandracerrito.com 

Art in a Box Launch Party at 7 p.m. at The Compound Gallery, 6604 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. 655-9019.  

“Landscapes of Our Souls” Sculptors Susan Almazol and Lorraine Bonner explore an array of raw emotions. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m.at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Lower Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928.  

“Altars, Icons and Drawings” by Stanley C. Wilson. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Main Floor, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. www.joycegordongallery.com 

“Northwestern Hash Tags” new and previous paintings by artist Terri Saul, through June 28 at Meal Ticket, 1235 San Pablo Ave. 526-6325. 

Aaron Geman “Five to Nine Thoughts and Some Shit that Sells” and David Seiler “NeWork/Muwekma” Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., Oakland. 701-4620. www.mercurytwenty.com 

FILM 

Disability Film Festival Superfest Kids Classics, films geared for teenagers, from noon to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Fl. Community Rm. 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

“Croatian Stories” a documentary on Croatian heritage in california at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Confound, Confront and Connect” A discussion and slide show of the work of photographer Tony Gleaton at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. Admission is $5-$8. www.museumca.org 

Squeak Carnwath: Painting Is No Ordinary Object, gallery tour with curator at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

“Narratives of the Unforeseen” Bay Area Writers Launch features new works of local writers, poets and actors in the neighborhood, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at East Bay Dance Center, 1318 Glenfield Ave., Oakland. Donations accepted. bayareawriterslaunch@gmail.com 

Deborah Madison reads from “What We Eat When We Eat Alone: Stories and 100 Recipes” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

First Fridays After Five with music and exhibition tours from 5 to 9 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

Ustad Aashish Khan and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, sarod and tabla at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$33. www.butahproductions.com 

Gail Brand solo, duos, trios, quartets, quintets and sextets with Gino Robair, Morgan Guberman, John Shiurba, Tim Perkis and Tom Djll at 8 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Tickets are $15. www.hillsideclub.org 

Eric and Suzy Thompson 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 

Rhonda Benin & Soulful Strut at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jeannine Bonstelle “Search for Peace” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Rupa & the April Fishes, Ginger Ninjas at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13, $8 with bicycle. 525-5054.  

Lost Weekend at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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

Las Rakas at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

Sister Grizzly, Grand Lake, Noboody Beats at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. 

Steven Emerson Band at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 

CHILDREN  

Jose-Luis Orozco, in a bilingual children’s concert benefiting Centro VIDA Children’s Center, a non-profit bilingual preschool in Berkeley at 10 and 11:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5-$12. 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 $7. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

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 

Lowell Darling’s “Secret” Sat. and Sun. from 1 to 5 p.m. at Garage Gallery, 3110 Wheeler St. www.berkeleyoutlet.com 

CCA Design for Disability: Alternative Ways of Making” Reception at 2 p.m. at NIAD, 551 23rd St. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

Flying Kite Man Group Art Show Opening reception with Japanese dance performer, Kouichi & Hiroko Tamano at 7 p.m. at Subterranean Arthouse, 2179 Bancroft Way. subterraneanarthouse@gmail.com 

“Moments of Inspiration: Wild World Animals & Human Dreams” mixed media drawings and collage. Artists’ reception from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at A Different Day Gallery, 1233 Solano Ave., Albany. 868-4904. 

FILM 

Disability Film Festival Adult Classics (all still PG) from noon to 4 p.m., repeated 5 to 9 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $5-$20 sliding scale at the door. 845-5576. www.culturedisabilitytalent.org/superfest 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Poetry Festival with featured readers and open mic from 1 to 4 p.m. in front of the former Cody’s Books, Telegraph at Haste. www.mothershen.com  

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

“Narratives of the Unforeseen” Bay Area Writers Launch (BAWL) features new works of local writers, poets and actors in the neighborhood, at 8 p.m. at East Bay Dance Center, 1318 Glenfield Ave., Oakland. Donations accepted. bayareawriterslaunch@gmail.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Free 6th Annual Berkeley World Music Festival offers continuous music from noon to 9 p.m. in Telegraph Ave. cafes and shops, near UC campus, plus concert in People’s Park. For performance schedules and artist information, visit www.berkeleyworldmusic.org 

Anna de Leon and others in a fundraiser for Bay Area Children First, a children’s mental health agency at 4 p.m. at Anna's Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $25 and up. 883-9312. 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Dance to the Music” performances at 11:00 a.m. and noon at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Free. 559-2941. concerts@crowden.org 

Chinese Arts Gala folk dances and live music performances at 2 p.m. at The Julia Morgan 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. chineseartsprogram@yahoo.com 

Jerry Kuderna, piano, performs music of Nin-Culmell, Mompou, Villa-Lobos, Chopin, and others at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www. 

trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Kensington Symphony with Daniel Glover, piano soloist, performing Khachaturian, Rossini, Beethoven at 8 p.m. at Unitarian-Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $12-$15, children free. 524-9912. Kensingtonsymphonyorchestra.org 

“Applause for the Cause” Charity concert featuring Dionne Warwick and Sinbad at 7:30 p.m. at The Oakland Convention Center, 463 11th St., Oakland. Tickets are $65 and up. www.tix.com 

Kenny Washington & His Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Marty Dread with Reggae Angels at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Andrea Claburn “Keys to Life” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Guns for San Sebastian at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Caldecott, AlexAlexAlex, ManCub, Prose in Rosette at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Supertaster at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Altars, Icons and Drawings” by Stanley C. Wilson. Artist talk and slide presentation at 3 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Main Floor, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. www.joycegordongallery.com 

Squeak Carnwath: Painting is no Ordinary Object Docent tour at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Masquers Playhouse “All Is Above Grace” Staged reading at 7 p.m. at Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. Cost is $5. 232-4031. masquers.org  

“Getting Our Hands Dirty: What we do best at Paulson Press” on printmaking and working with artists at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Randy Rucker reads from his works of science fiction at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Flash reading for “Lyric Modernisms: An Anthology of Contemporary Innovative Poetries” at 3 p.m. at Diesel, 5433 College Ave. Oakland. 525-5476. 

Wendy Markel will show images and talk about her new book on Berkeley postcards at 7:30 p.m. at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Pocket Opera “The Barber of Seville” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$37. 415-346-7805. www.pocketopera.org 

St. John’s Presbyterian Church Organ Recital David Hunsberger performs works by Bull, Bach and Mendelssohn at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20 . 684-7563. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Mozart in the Garden Fundraiser The Midsummer Mozart Orchestra previews selections from the 2009 season, with food and live and silent auctions, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. Tickets are $75. 1-800-838-3006. www.midsummermozart.org 

YPSO Pops Concert at 2 p.m. at Greek Orthodox Church, 4700 Lincoln Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. 849-9776. www.ypsomusic.net 

Americana Unplugged: The Dark Hollow Band at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Dada Nabhaniilananda and Steve Taylor-Ramirez at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $14-$16. 849-2568.  

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

Bandworks at 1 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054.  

Samora and Elena Pinderhughes at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

The Rose Tattoo at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Soul Jazz Sundays with the Howard Wiley Organ Trio at 5 p.m. at The Aqua Lounge, 311 Broadway, Oakland. Donation $5. 625-9601. 

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

MONDAY, JUNE 8 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“80 Years Later: If Julia Morgan Could See the Berkeley City Club Now” with John Maillard, concrete specialist, on the materials and construction of the landmark, at 7 p.m. in the Berkeley City Club Drawing Room, 2315 Durant Ave. 848-7800, 883-9710. 

Subterranean Shakespeare Theater Company “Troilus and Cressida” Staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Cost is $8. 276-3871. 

El Cerrito Art Association with Sarah Schmerl, guest demonstrator in painting at 7:30 p.m. in the Garden Room, El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. ecartassociation@gmail.com 

China Mieville reads from his new book “The City & The City” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Express with Jeanne Lupton at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Rafael Manriquez, music of Latin America, at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free. 524-3043. 

Blues Burners at 5:30 p.m. at Palm Tree Plaza, Jack London Square. 645-9292. www.jacklondonsquare.com 

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Andrew Demcak and Garrett Lambrav, poets, read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bandworks at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 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, JUNE 10 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Oasis High School Student Poetry Anthology Readings at 6 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Orquesta Sensual, salsa at noon at Oakland City Center, 12th and Broadway. 

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

Emam & Friends at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Rumbache, salsa, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Planet Loop at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Celu and Friends at 7 p.m. at Chester's Bayview Cafe, 1508 B Walnut Square. 849-9995. 

Nada Lewis & Jon Schreiber, accordion and violin, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 

FILM 

Free Outdoor Movies at Jack London Square “Jaws” Come at 7:30 p.m., movies begin at sundown. Bring blankets and stadium seat. 645-9292. www.jacklondonsquare.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mary Pols reads from her memoir “Acidentally on Purpose: The True Tale of a Happy Single Mother” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Luis Alberto Urrea on “Into the Beautiful North” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. Cost is $5-$10. berkelyarts.org 

Philip Dreyfus discusses his book “Our Better Nature: Environment and the Making of San Francisco” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 1855 Solano Ave. 525-6888. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Singing Bear and Sean Hodge at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Missy Raines and the New Hip at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Echo Falls, The Nasty Chefs, The Muffin Tops at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

“Standard Deviations: The Deep Grown & Sexy Show” at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Country Joe McDonald’s Open Mic at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar St, at Bonita. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org 

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “You, Nero” at 2025 Addison St., through June 28. Tickets are $13.50-$71. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Misanthrope” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through June 21. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Hurlyburly Carnival: Birth of a Company with Mikka Bonel, Allison Combs, Lindsey Cookson, Dan Korth and others at 8 p.m. at Periscope Cellars, 410 62nd St., Emeryville. Donation $10. jointhehurlyburly.com 

Masquers Playhouse “Lady Windermere’s Fan” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through July 4. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Pinole Community Players “Pump Boys & the Dinettes” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Community Playhouse, 601 Tennet Ave., Pinole, through July 11. Tickets are $17-$20. www.pinoleplayers.org 

Shotgun Players “Faust, Part 1” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. through June 28. Tickets are $18-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

ACCI’s Annual Printmaking Exhibition Opening reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. Exhibition runs to July 5. www.accigallery.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Eduardo Galeano on “Mirrors: Stories of Almost Everyone” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. Cost is $8-$15. berkelyarts.org 

Tobey Kaplan, Catherine Freeling will read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. as part of the Last Word Reading Series. There is also an open reading. 841-6374.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Burke Schuchmann and Brian Ganz, cello and piano at 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, 2407 Dana. Tickets are $18-$25. 234-4502. 

Point Richmond Summer Concert with The New Iberians Blues and Zydeco Band at 5:30 p.m. and Freesound at 6:45 p.m. at Park Place at Washington Ave. in downtown Point Richmond. www.pointrichmond.com 

Las Bomberas de La Bahía at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Denise Perrier & Swing Fever at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tribute to Vern and Ray with Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Tom Rozum, Patrick Sauber, and Dan Booth at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Skerik, Scott Amendola, Wil Blades, and Will Bernard at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

East Bay Soul and Funk Revue with The Grease Traps and Monophonics at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 

CHILDREN  

Buki the Clown Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 452-2259. www.fairyland.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Kids Are Us” Group art show. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. www.expressionsgallery.org 

Lowell Darling’s “Secret” Sat. and Sun. from 1 to 5 p.m. at Garage Gallery, 3110 Wheeler St. www.berkeleyoutlet.com 

New Works by Joanna Crawshaw Artist reception at 7 p.m. at SaHaira Salon, 5510 College Ave., Oakland. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Chelsea Martin, Bradon Scott Gorrell and Mike Young read at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gateswingers Jazz Band at 7:30 p.m. at 33 Revolutions Record Store and Cafe, 10086 San Pablo Ave. at Central, El Cerrito. 898-1836. 

La Peña’s 34th Anniversary Celebration with performances, oral history art installation and exhibition of objects from ex-political prisoners from Chile, at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Sambo Ngo at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Rick Gordon at 5 p.m. and Dick Conte Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Art House Opening “Visionary Surrealism, Fantasy and Psychedelic Art” with group art show, music and poetry from noon to 10 p.m. at 2905 Shattuck Ave. Suggested donation $5-$10, and pot luck. 472-3170. 

Freight and Salvage Anniversary Show at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Moment’s Notice A performance series of improvised music, dance and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Tickets are $8-$15. 992-6295. 

Elliot Randall, Cyndi Harvell at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

CV Dub at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 

CHILDREN 

Colibri at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The African Presence in Mexico” Docent tour at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Tour of the Oakland Museum of California Building and Gardens at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

2nd Annual Radical Storytelling Hour Readings by Local Author Parents on the Pleasures, Pains, and Politics of Parenting at 5 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Islands in the Park” Celebrating the Cultural Heritage of the Caribbean with music by Third World, The Mighty Sparrow, Collie Budz, Shiela Hiltojn and the New Kingston Band at 7 p.m. at Woodminster Amphitheatre, Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland. Tickets are $25-$45. 832-5400. 

Chamber Music Sundaes with Trio Navarro and guest Nancy Ellis, viola, 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  

Americana Unplugged: Homespun Rowdy at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Grupo TerroRitmo, salsa, cumbia, hip-hop at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Mike Slack’s New Orleans Jazz Band at 7 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Safire: The Uppity Blues Woman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Soul Jazz Sundays with the Howard Wiley Organ Trio at 5 p.m. at The Aqua Lounge, 311 Broadway, Oakland. Donation $5. 625-9601. 

Upstairs from Clancy’s Cantina, at 311 Broadway, near Jack London Square, is the Aqua Lounge, a refugee from the post-Moderne, Scandinavian design period of cocktail joints. A no-nonsense, but easygoing, comfortable kind of place, with no pretensions. 

“It’s retro-’60s!” says drummer Sly Randolph, as he lugs his kit upstairs to set up for the Howard Wiley Organ Trio gig that’s happening every Sunday evening at 6 p.m. The Aqua Lounge is something of a refuge, too, for the kind of music Howard and Co. play at these Soul Jazz Sundays—jazz that comes out of the blues, with a lot of swing.  

“There’s not much jazz at all in Oakland,” Howard said. “Where do you go to hear it? It’s pretty rough.” 

Coltrane playing “Lush Life” is on the sound system, from back in what looks like an old coat-check. Sly gives a couple of drumrolls, Mike Aaberg sounds a few chords on keyboards. The recorded music goes off. Mike, like Howard, is a Berkeley High Jazz Band alum.  

“But I didn’t meet Mike till I was in my 20s,” Howard said. “Not until he moved in to be roommates with my buddy, who told me, ‘He likes to play fast like you!’ Then we started playing, hanging out ... It’s all been downhill since!” 

John Ivey of Clancy’s is behind the bar, boisterous and in love with the music, shouting encouragement once it gets going—and they’re really laying it down right from the start, no warm-ups. “You watch out,” cries Ivey in approval, as Mike’s fingers race up and down the keyboard, and Howard picks it up from there, takes a few choruses, then a few more. 

“All we try to do here on Sunday,” Howard explains later, “is to get down to something simple, get back ... Even if you don’t like jazz, there’s something in there you’ll like. We’re all still singing these songs. Nobody’s playing any disco, no Hall & Oates anymore—and Smooth Jazz just officially died.” 

Hard to imagine Hall & Oates playing in the Aqua Lounge. Not now, with the trio’s soulful sound you can taste in your mouth and savor. Sly turns it over, and Howard goes inside a little, then out. A mellow sound, but it’s an irresistable force—and not an immovable object in sight. 

Next number, John’s face lights up: “Sugar, sugar! Stanley T!” as the band swings into it. “He’s playing Stanley Turrentine like Dexter Gordon!”  

Howard’s blowing with increasing drive, yet still taking his time. A little vibrato, then he makes it wail. Ivey laughs and claps his hands as Howard continues to take it up, squealing, almost like falsetto.  

Sly hits a quick series, bringing Howard down, but out—and faster. Soon, Howard is wailing again. Drums, sax, organ get together furiously, spiraling up together, then dropping down again. Mike strides a bit, shooting from the hip, gunning ‘em down. 

Soul Jazz Sundays has a $5 cover, but the cover is waived if you’re having dinner. Lady Dee’s Southern Cafe is downstairs, in Clancy’s, with daily specials: on Saturday and Sunday, short ribs, or oxtail, or fried or smothered chicken, with sides like yams, collard greens, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, macaroni & cheese, for under $20. (Friday is Mardi Gras night, with jambalaya.) Drink prices are very reasonable. And there is the music. 

Howard is from Oakland. “I grew up in a Baptist church between the drums and the organ.” He started out with a blues band, Carl “Good Rockin’” Robinson, one of the veterans of the once-famous East Bay Sound, nuances telling the listener if the players were from Oakland or Richmond. 

Howard remembers meeting Jules Broussard, playing with Faye Carol, “totally getting my act together playing honky-tonk, not learning ‘Giant Steps’ in every key, every permutation in ‘Countdown.’”  

Howard also recalled John Turk stopping the band rehearsing for a gig, “telling me he was tired of me developing my solo. All these guys used walk the bar, playing blues gigs, rhythm & blues gigs. It’s part of the music, coming straight off the streets. It has the pulse to it. What made jazz great was the swing and groove, how it merged with storytelling through blues. That’s the one common thread running through jazz music. Take it out, you have nothing. All the substance is gone. And when it’s gone, the music becomes boring. I’m tired of going out and being bored to death.” 

Another side of what he’s been trying to do is expressed by his Angola Project, with one CD out and another to be released in the fall. “It’s very adventurous. We interpret spirituals with complex harmonics, the group has singers, two violins ...”  

Commissioned to create a 12-movement suite by Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco, awarded a grant by the Aaron Copland Foundation, the project comes out of trips with his old schoolmate Daniel Atkinson to Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana, a working prison farm, like the more famous Parchman Farm in Mississippi, where prisoners are encouraged to sing while working. Howard describes a trip when prisoners convinced a man who hadn’t sang for six years to sing again.  

“My jaw dropped,” Howard said. “And later, when Faye Carol heard the song, she almost cried; Sly did. Hearing this music I’d never heard before reminded me of what my grandmother from Louisiana told me those old deacons used to do in church.” 

Mike’s skirling out arabesques up and down the keys. Sly’s been hitting hard; Howard mellows it out after the frantic runs—and now Sly’s dancing with the brushes on the skins. “Max Roach!” John Ivey exclaims. The pulse can be felt all the way downstairs, heard out in the street. 

“My grandfather used to tell me, ‘You start out like a horse at the races, find your speed level right off. You’ve got to get into it,’” Howard said. “He used to play sax a little, had a short stint with Count Basie.” 

Once at a gig with Marcus Shelby, a writer came up to the stage and asked Howard, ‘Are you related to Sam Wiley?’  

“I tell him that was my grandfather,” Howard said. “He says, ‘Now you’re making me feel old!’” 

The writer was Phil Elwood, the late popular music critic for the San Francisco Examiner. 

HOWARD WILEY ORGAN TRIO 

6 p.m. Sundays at the Aqua Lounge, 311 Broadway, Oakland.  

Nero fiddled while Rome burned.” An anachronistic line everybody’s heard; there’s no graceful way to say that he “lyred.” Amy Freed picks up on both the imperial aestheticism and the anachronistic sentiment in her play, You, Nero, now onstage at Berkeley Rep. 

The title is, of course, another anachronism, chiming (or jangling) on Robert Graves’ popular ’30s novel, I, Claudius, about Nero’s predecessor, and the celebrated Von Sternberg “project” (the uncompleted film, that is) with Charles Laughton as the languorous Roman. (A documentary, included with the ’70s BBC TV series, preserves about a half-hour of the film’s footage.) 

Laughton’s inspired histrionics were based, so he said, on Edward VIII’s abdication speech. Danny Scheie, playing Claudius’ adopted heir, takes thespian afflatus a step further to what one reviewer described as “impishly” bitchy. From the expressionistic Laughtonian tone, he’s added a touch of decay—in the musical sense—and as counterpoint to things falling apart. 

The twinkle in Nero’s eye, like that in Stalin’s, could either mean a practical joke or tortuous death.  

Freed re-creates the familiar Rome of bread and circuses, in which Nero entices—or shanghaies—a hack playwright, Scribonius (Jeff McCarthy, playing it straight, or at least deadpan), to personalize the emperor and make him lovable to the mob. Half narrating and otherwise acting out his enmeshment in the messy politics and personalities of Nero’s court (in particular, Susannah Schulman’s Poppaea, the emperor’s ex-mistress, a ravening Diana of sexual conquest), Scribonius witnesses Nero portraying his own angst at the Colosseum, American Idol style. Finally, the discarded author writes a message in a bottle to float on the waves of time, telling these unspeakable things to future ages. 

Besides I, Claudius, the period in question is covered not only by Latin historians Suetonius and Tacitus (either more than just a good read) but also in the drama of the period and since. Racine’s 17th century tragedy Britannicus digs into the nuance of intrigue, Nero’s manipulative mother Agrippina (now on the outs and in a power struggle with her boy) saying: “Rome is too prejudiced in my favor” and adding of her son, “If he did not fear me, I should fear him.”  

Nero’s tutor, the philosopher Seneca, is credited (undoubtedly erroneously) with a tragedy, Octavia, about Nero divorcing Claudius’ daughter to consort with Poppaea. Possibly Seneca’s, a farce, called something like ‘Claudius, Pumpkinified,’ about the late emperor’s afterlife, was reported to have Nero’s court “laughing helplessly.” Certainly the philosopher and rhetorician penned a mock panegyric on Claudius, meant to make his successor smile. 

Lots of eminent precedent in staging these events, whether as tragedy or comedy. 

While admittedly comic, Freed’s production (under the directing of Sharon Ott) tries for a little tragedy as well. (In Freed’s account, “On What’s Funny and How to Get There,” she confesses, “I never set out to write comic plays. My themes as a writer are usually serious, even though the delivery’s not.”)  

And the cast is pretty funny all by themselves, with such accomplished farceurs as Mike McShane and Richard Doyle in multiple roles from Seneca to court eunuch—and the exceptional Lori Larson as a Crawford-esque Mommy dearest of an Agrippina, joined by Kasey Mahaffy, Donnell Hill, Maggie Mason and Sarah Moser. Erik Flatmo’s sets, which some called “Las Vegas,” catch the overblown lavishness of Nero’s (or our) era in a very theatrical way (an enormous sculpted head of the emperor, dominating the stage when the lights go up, is quickly wheeled off, never to be seen again). Paloma Young’s costumes and Peter Maradudin’s lighting follow suit. 

But YOU, NERO never catches the tone or the real drift of the material, though Ott’s direction seems to aim at the breathlessly comic, in a desultory fashion. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM it ain’t, nor is it Mel Brooks. Schtick and sketch-iness alternate with half-reflective moments; the intent is there, but not much develops, except in the way, say, a mini-series develops—but the stage makes for a different dynamic. 

“What an artist Rome loses in me!” Nero’s supposed to have gasped out at his suicide. A life of self-expression, against a social backdrop of poverty and disaster, is a good thing to reflect on in times like these, imaged in antiquity. But beware of a reflection aesthetic in itself—“imitations of art,” as Meyerhold put it—or of just staring into the mirror. 

YOU, NERO 

8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays; 2 p.m. Sundays and every other Wednesday through June 28 at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison. $13.50-$71. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org. 

Amy Freed will be interviewed by artistic director Tony Taccone at 7 p.m. Monday, June 15. Free admission.

The Free Sixth Annual Berkeley World Music Festival, with performance venues stretching along and just off Telegraph Ave., in People’s Park and in cafes and shops from Bancroft Way, almost to Parker, will celebrate music, song and dance of a wealth of cultures, from noon to 9 p.m. this Saturday. 

The Berkeley Poetry Festival at Telegraph and Haste will be held 1-4 p.m., and a Craft Bazaar in People’s Park, including ethnic musical instruments for sale, from noon to 5:30 p.m. Music performances in the park are scheduled from 1-5:30 p.m. All performances are free. 

A pre-party at Blake’s on Telegraph, with Two Too Desmond [“Scubacat”] and the Graham Pantzer Band, will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, $10. The afterparty, at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo at Gilman Street, features Hawaiian reggae, with Marty Dread and Reggae Angels, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, $18.) 

Headlining the festival—the only band from outside the Bay Area, and a world-renowned one—will be Zimbabwe’s Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited, playing Chimurenga and Afro-Pop for listening and dancing, on the People’s Park Stage, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Past Festival favorite Julia Chigamba and the Chinyakare Ensemble, also of Zimbabwe, will perform their traditional music and dance on the People’s Park Stage,  

1-1:45 p.m. 

“I’ve tried for awhile to get Thomas Mapfumo for the festival, but he was in Zimbabwe,” said Gianna Ranuzzi, Festival director. “Now he’s back living in Oregon. We’re a community event; I ask audiences, as well as musicians and people in the music business, who would you like to hear, who should we have headline—and they all repeatedly said ‘Thomas Mapfumo.’ He took Zimbabwe’s traditional Shona music and gave it electric instrumentation. His lyrics were social, political commentary [chimurenga means struggle]. It was crossover music that caught on like wildfire in Zimbabwe. In it, you get to see both the roots and the evolution of the music.” 

Of Julia Chigamba, Ranuzzi said, “She comes from the same village as Thomas Mapfumo; her family has always played music. She’ll host dance lessons; she teaches dance to youth. Last year, she demonstrated the water tradition, with the bowl on her head. It gives a spiritual aspect, how it’s connected to the people. It’s quite joyful. She’s sharing her traditions with the world.” 

Also at People’s Park, where popular didjeridu player Stephen Kent will m.c., will be Freddy Clarke’s Wobbly World, 2-3 p.m., whose world fusion sound includes “Grammy-winner Mads Tolling [Turtle Island and Stanley Clarke Bands] on violin; congas and goatskin bagpipes, oud, and singing in Arabic and French,” according to Ranuzzi. Markus James and the Wassonrai play 3:15-4:15 p.m., which Ranuzzi describes as “Mali meets the Delta blues.” 

Last year’s headliner, Sukhawat Ali Khan (“Classical Indian music and Qawwali Sufi singing you can dance to”) will be in “a more intimate setting” at Cafe Milano, 2522 Bancroft, just east of Telegraph.  

At Mario’s La Fiesta (at Mario’s new location, the former banquet hall at 2506 Haste, behind Amoeba Records), Dr. Loco will be playing Tex-Mex music, 2-3:30 p.m. Amoeba on Telegraph will host a celebration of Amazigh Berber musician and bandleader Mo Alileche’s new CD, “In Memory of a Hero.” 

The Berkeley Poetry Festival will give Joyce Jenkins of Poetry Flash a lifetime achievement award, and feature readers like Julia Vinograd, Jack and Adele Foley, and Richard Silberg, as well as an open mic, from 1-4 p.m. in front of the former Cody’s Books, at Telegraph and Haste. 

In other locations on the Ave.: 

• Trio Amore will play and sing operatic arias and Italian love songs (“They have a lot of fun—a Ukrainian soprano, British tenor, San Francisco Italian accordionist—and and it’s fine music”) at Caffe Med, noon-2 p.m.;  

• Tom Chandler Trio, playing Bossa Nova innovations (“He calls it revisionism!”) 4:30-6:30 at Rasputin Records;  

• Helene Attia Quartette, Mediterranean world-jazz (”Of Italian heritage from North Africa, she writes songs, and sings in French, Italian and English, as well as Spanish and Portuguese”), 6-8 p.m. at Manny’s Tap Room (formerly Raleigh’s Pub);  

• Lisa Sangita Moskow, Indian sarode and vocals, 7-8 p.m., at Moe’s Books. 

• Michael Masley, well-known street musician, will play bowhammer cymbalom all day at Telegraph and Channing. 

• and, “Our festival finale features another special group,” Ranuzzi said, “Black Olive Babes, Southern Balkan and Middle Eastern, as well as original, music, whose members include the co-director of Kitka, the director of Brass Menazeri, and their bassist, who’s played with Rickie Lee Jones, Madonna, Art Garfunkle and Linda Ronstadt,” 7-9 p.m. at The Village, 2556 Telegraph. 

“The festival celebrates our Bay Area eclectic roots,” Ranuzzi said. “It’s the grassroots Telegraph community at its finest. We’re proud of it. It’s gone on for six years; I guess it’s here to stay.” 

Festival schedules with venue map are available at the event information table at Telegraph and Haste, at indoor venues during performances and printable online at: www.berkeleyworldmusic.org.

Kenny [Washington] is the most thrilling singers’ singer I have heard in recent years,” said Anna De Leon of her headliner this Saturday night at Anna’s Jazz Island in downtown Berkeley. “He combines the joyful and effortless musicality of Ella and Sarah with a voice that is comfortable in a more-than-four-octave range. He can sing all across the American spectrum—jazz, show tunes, rhythm and blues, Motown ... all with great passion and great skill.” 

Coming from a recorded vocalist, praised by Nat Hentoff, as Anna is herself, that’s high—and enthusiastic—praise. But Kenny Washington has been garnering such kudos for awhile now, from audiences, critics and musicians alike. 

“The great New Orleans saxophone player and Bay Area favorite for over three decades, Jules Broussard, once described Kenny to me as ‘the greatest singer in the world!’” Anna said. 

Now an Oakland resident, Washington was born in New Orleans and grew up singing gospel in church, later playing saxophone with the school band. He studied music at Xavier University, then played with the honorary U. S. Navy Band from 1986 for nine years, throughout the U.S., Russia, Asia and Australia, before moving to the Bay Area.  

For eight years, Washington was the featured vocalist at the Top of the Mark in San Francisco’s Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill. He appeared in Roy Nathanson’s Off-Broadway production of Fire at Keaton’s Bar & Grill with Elvis Costello and Deborah Harry, playing London as well as New York. He toured Norway in 2006 and Chile last year with members of the SFNY Quartet.  

In February, Washington appeared at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center, New York, with Joe Locke and George Mraz. He’s appeared as featured vocalist on Michael O’Neill’s “The Long and the Short of It” and “Still Dancin’” (with Joe Locke) CDs, as well as Keith Terry’s “The Slammin’ All Body Band.” 

Washington’s new album is from a show last year: “Kenny Washington: LIVE at Anna’s Jazz Island.” There are several tracks available online at kennywashingtonvocalist.com. The SFNY Quartet MySpace site features live tracks and video. A benefit performance for the Oakland School of the Arts, with John Handy, Glen Pearson, Richard Howell, Babatunde Lea, Danny Armstrong and Khalil Shaheed can be seen on YouTube. 

Critic Andrew Gilbert wrote of Washington: “Standing not quite five-foot-two, he is an oversize talent who can scat with the harmonic daring and rhythmic command of a bebop saxophonist, croon with the simmering soul of Donny Hathaway, and interpret standards with such intelligence and emotional commitment it’s like Rodgers & Hart wrote ‘I Didn’t Know What Time It Was’ with him in mind.” 

Kenny Washington & His Trio 

8 p. m. Saturday at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way (near Shattuck). $14. 841-JAZZ www.AnnasJazzIsland.com

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra, founded in Berkeley in 1935, the oldest youth orchestra in California and second-oldest in the nation, will present its last show of the season (conductor David Ramadanoff’s 20th) this Sunday at 7 p. m. with a Pops Concert, music by Berlioz, Hindemith/von Weber, Prokofiev, Gershwin, John Williams, LeRoy Anderson and John Philip Sousa.  

The orchestra will say goodbye to 33 graduating high school seniors from around the Bay Area, including, from Berkeley: Scott Johnson (cello), Emily Lim (Violin), Dylan Mattingly (cello), Jasin Purat (violin), Eli Wirtschafter (violin); Albany: Elizabeth Pickrel (viola); El Cerrito: Gabriella Smith (violin); Richmond: Alexander Bailey (flute); San Pablo: Mayumi Pierce (violin); Piedmont: Joyce Park (cello); Oakland: Brenda Cheatham (viola), Abby Green (flute), Kin Lam (violin), Kathryn Lesko (French horn), Cara Spangler (violin), Eve Tyler (clarinet); Alameda: Michael McAlister (cello).  

Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Ave. Oakland. Tickets: $12-15. 849-9776; www.ypsomusic.net.