THURSDAY, OCT. 29 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We will have a Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

“Poverty and Human Rights” with Irene Khan at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Cost is $10-$13. www.brownpapertickets.com 

FRIDAY, OCT. 30 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult. We will have a Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Abe Smith, President, MSH Consultants, Inc. on “Computer Security: Essential Tactics and Techniques You Must Know To Protect Yourself” 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 

“Identity Theft Prevention and Remedies” with Mark Jackson, Alameda County District Attorney at noon at Alameda County Law Library, 125 Twelfth St., Oakland. 272-6486. 

“Holy Land: Common Ground” Film and discussion at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Unversalists, 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. 

Stand With Us Stand for Peace Stand with Israel vigil every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. www.sfvoiceforisrael.org 

SATURDAY, OCT. 31 

Berkeley Historical Society Walk ”West Berkeley Works!” led by West Berkeley Artisans and Industrial Companies (WEBAIC) advocate Rick Auerbach, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. For reservations and starting point, call 848-0181.  

Halloween Pancake Breakfast Benefit from 8 to 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Richmond, 201 Martina St., corner of W. Richmond Ave., Point Richmond. Suggested donation $6. 236-0527. 

Walking Tour of Oakland City Center Meet at 10 a.m. in front Oakland City Hall at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Groundbreaking for Kenney Cottage Garden at 10 a.m. at 1631 Fifth St., near Virginia. Celebrate Berkeley’s newest community garden. 559-8368. 

Compost Give-Away from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at the Park. Please bring 2 buckets or 1 large bag to dig your compost into, and haul it to your backyard garden. Sponsored by the Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative & City of Berkeley Recycling Division. 

Heart 2 Heart: Building Community Connections in South Berkeley With free health information from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1550 Oregon St. 981-5362.  

Annual Fall Black & White Yard Sale, benefitting Kenney Cottage Community Garden, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1629 Fifth St., through Mon., Nov. 2. 559-8368. 

Halloween on Solano Trick or Treat at 3 p.m. Costume contest and Ty the Magic Guy magician from 5 to 8 a.m. at 1245 Solano at Masonic. info@solanostroll.org 

Children’s Halloween Party Share your scariest poem of short story, wear costumes and enjoy treats, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Rebecca’s Books, 3268 Adeline St. 852-4768. 

Fall Storytime for preschool children and their families at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Tracy the Animal Show Guy with animals for Halloween at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $9. 526-9888. 

Spooky Tales in the Redwood Groove Wear your costume and listen to stories from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden. Cost is $8-$10 for one adult and one child, $3 for additional child. RSVP to 643-2755, ext. 03. 

Manzanita Charter Middle School “Day of the Dead Festival & Holiday Bazaar” with sugar skull decorating, face painting, food (tamales, horchata, cookies), crafts, jewelry, artwork, Day of the Dead Altars, a special raffle, and live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1615 Carlson Boulevard, Richmond. Free. 524-5500. 

Monster Bash Aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet, with haunted tours, costume contests, music, crafts and activities for children, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at 707 W Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. Tickets are $10 for children, $20-$25 for adults. 521-8448, ext. 282. www.hornetevents.com 

Princesses, Pirates and Super Heroes Weekend at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 932-8966.  

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.  

SUNDAY, NOV. 1 

Environment Restoration Program An action-oriented program for the whole family to learn about nature’s interrelationships at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 544-2233. 

Tilden Nature Theater games a movie, snacks and cider for the whole family at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 544-2233. 

“Gone East: Exploring the Beauty of the Perfect Tree” A study of the Asian maple from 10 a.m. to noon, with a second class on Nov. 8, at the UC Botanical Garden. Cost is $25-$30 for both parts. RSVP to 643-2755, ext. 03.  

Personal Theology Seminars with Bill Garrett on “The Social Matrix of Islamic Origins” at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“Reclaiming Our History: The Soviet Union” Does the socialism of the twentieth century have anything to say to us in the twenty first century? Presentations by Gifford Hartman, labor activist and historian, and Gene Ruyle, retired anthropology professor, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Hugh Joswick on “Meditative Awareness” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

MONDAY, NOV. 2 

Claremont Branch Library Rennovation Plans Meet the architects and learn about the project at 6:30 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. 981-6195. 

“The Free Speech Movement: Coming of Age in the 60s” with David Lance Goines at 7:30 at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 848-3227. www.hillsideclub.org 

“Adventures in Plant Politics” with Lech Naumovich of the Native Plant Society at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin at Masonic. Sponsored by Friends of Five Creeks. 848-9358. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. in the West Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, UC campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

TUESDAY, NOV. 3 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit the Cull Canyon Recreation Area. Bring water, field guides, binoculars or scopes. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 544-2233. 

“Modern Communication: The Global Brain, the New Economy” with Suzanna Stinnett, author of “Little Shifts” at 6:15 p.m. in the conference room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720.  

“Power of Myth at the Movies: The Search for Meaning” “American Beauty” will be discussed at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Please watch the movie before attending. Suggested fee is $6. 682-6302. 

Free Small Business Seminar “Restaurant Success” from 2 to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. Register in advance at www.acsbdc.org 

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry Volunteers needed to help organize cases of canned food, from 9 a.m. to noon at 2369 Barrett Ave. Richmond. Ability to lift 50 pounds helpful.  Help needed on Fridays also. 235-9732. 

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. 

Homework Help at the Albany Library for students in grades 2 - 6, Tues. and Thurs. from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Emphasis on math and writing skills. No registration is required. For more information, call 526-3720. 

Homework Help Program at the Richmond Public Library Tues. and Thurs. from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 325 Civic Center Plaza. For more information or to enroll, call 620-6557. 

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. 548-3991.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4 

“Smart Growth, Green Buildings & Other Oxymorons” with Jane Powell at 7:30 at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $15. 644-9344. berkeleyheritage.com 

“Creating A Just Food System” with Dr. Raj Patel, Brahm Ahmadi, Jeff Conant, and Rajasvini Bhansali, at 6 p.m. in the Goldman Theater, The David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way. Suggested donation $10. idexevents@idex.org 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Emeryville Public Art Self-Guided Walk Discover the wealth of public art in Emeryville. Meet at 10 a.m. at Ruby’s Cafe, Hollis and 63rd. www.berkeleypaths.org 

“Crime and Safety in the Hills” with Jane Brunner, Jean Quan and Gordon Wozniak at 7 p.m. at Hiller Clubhouse, Oakland Hills. RSVP to www.northhills.org 

Sudden Oak Death Preventative Treatment Training Session Meet at 1 p.m. at Tolman Hall “portico” Hearst Ave. at Arch/Leconte, UC campus for a two hour field session, rain or shine. Pre-registration required. SODtreatment@nature.berkeley.edu 

“Death Experience Information: How It Might Benefit Your Life and Spirituality” with John McNally at 7:30 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 

East Bay Science Cafe at 7 p.m. at Cafe Valparaso at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Memorials in Bronze, Grain, Pictures and Stone” at 7 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. www.gracenorthchurch.org 

40 Year Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz, with film, music, and speakers, at 6:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia” with Chris and Richard Braunlich at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union, 2001 Ashby Ave. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 a.m. to noon at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

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. 

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

THURSDAY, NOV. 5 

“Carbon-Capture Farming: Helping Wetlands, Delta, Climate Change and Rising Seas?” with Roger Fuji and Brian Bergamaschi from the USGS at 6:30 p.m. at MIG Meeting Place, 800 Hearst. 665-3495. 

“What Parents Can Do to Ensure Student Success” with Dr. Pedro Noguera, professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Suggested donation $5. 845-0876. 

“Socialists Under the Bed” The Smear Campaigns against ACORN and Van Jones at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Journal and Memoir Writing: Capturing Life Stories A workshop program for seniors from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Free. 526-3720. 

Alameda Community for Kids Awards with live music, silent auction, raffle, food and beverages, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Tickets are $25. www.childunique.net/ 

events/communityforkids 

Berkeley School Volunteers, New Volunteer Orientation from 10 to 11 a.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Bring a photo ID and two references to the orientation. Returning volunteers do not need to attend. For further information 644-8833. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaiser Center Foyer, 300 Lakeside Dirve. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Julia Morgan Chapel, 4499 Piedmont ave., Oakland. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

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. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 6 

“The Unknown Cultural Revolution: Life and Change in a Chinese Village” with author Dongpiing Han at 6:30 p.m. in the Maude Fife Room, Wheeler Hall, UC campus. 848-1196. www.revolutionbooks.org 

“Rediscovering China’s Cultural Revolution” A conference on the art, politics, experience and legacies through Nov. 8 in Stanley Hall on the UC campus. For information call 848-1196. revbooks_event@yahoo.com www.revolutionbooks.org 

Jack Kornfield “Carrying the Lamp” Stories, practice and conversation with Kornfield, a Buddhist monk, at 7:30 p.m. at at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Dan Damon on “How Dies a Composer Write Music?” 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 

Downtown Berkeley YMCA One Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details call 665-3271. nboero@baymca.org 

“Ministry as Vocation” A conference through Nov. 8 at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. Information and registration at psr.edu  

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. 

Stand With Us Stand for Peace Stand with Israel vigil every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. www.sfvoiceforisrael.org 

SATURDAY, NOV. 7 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Fruitvale Walk Discover a bit of Central America in this neighborhood of colorful shops, charming streets with early 1900s houses, and small parks. Optional lunch at local Latin restaurant. Meet at 10 a.m. at Fruitvale BART station. 848-9358 www.berkeleypaths.org 

Ridge Trail Service Day along Skyline Trail from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 12 and older welcome, but if under 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Advance registration required. 415-561-2595. www.ridgetrail.org 

Compass 101 Learn the basics of using a compass to determine direction, then use it on a treasure hunt, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. For ages 7 and up. 544-2233. 

Wizard’s Lab on Wheels Festival Watch as a ball floats in mid-air, hands seem to go through solid objects and words whispered are heard from 10 feet away. For ages 5 and up at 1 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, third floor, Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6223. www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

4th Annual Purrcasso Art & Craft Sale Local and international artists have donated artwork to help support homeless dogs and cats at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. From 7 to 9 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. at 715 Hearst St., at 4th St., second flr. 845-7735 ext.13. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

United Nations Assoc. Open House with fair trade gifts, multi-cultural books, UNICEF cards, refreshments and prizes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1403B Addison St., by University Ave. Andonico’s parking lot. www.unaeastbay.org 

“Remembering Fr. Bill O’Donnell” Reception with Mary O’Donnell for her book “Reflections of a Beloved Rebel” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Himalayan Evening by the Bay Benefit for the Ama Foundation with Nepali cuisine, song and dance, at 6 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. Tickets are $25-$35. 847-2889. www.ama-foundation.org 

Eat Local A workshop on farmers’ markets, eating from local farms and growing your own food, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Personal Statement Editing Workshop for teens writing their college essays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. Sponsored by ecBerkeley.org. 266-2069. 

Free Beginning Email Class from 10 to 11 a.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Call to sign up 526-7512. 

Family Day “Re-Create” Learn to take the things you toss and transform them into art, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. Cost is $7 per child, $3 per adult. 465-8770. www.mocha.org 

Vegetarian Cooking Class: Thanksgiving For the Birds Join us as we create five fantastic dishes for creating a healthful, humane holiday including Parsnip Soup, Citrus Glazed Tempeh, Cranberry, Apple and Sausage Stuffing, Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Pecans and Fresh Fig Cake, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $60 in advance, plus $5 food/materials fee due on day of class Register online at www.compassionatecooks.com 

“Father Bill: Reflections of a Beloved Rebel” Book party and film showing at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. 841-4824. www.bfuu.org  

“One Year After November 2008: President Obama: An Appreciation and An Assessment” from 10 a.m. to noon at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. 595-7417. 

“Guantanamo: Torture, Lies and Incompetence” with Andy Worthington at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

East Bay Baby & Kids Fair An education event from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. at Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Protland Ave., Albany. www.eastbaybabyfair.com 

LifeSupport: A Retreat for HIV+ Christians from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ecumenical Center of Berkeley, 2401 Le Conte Ave. Cost is $15. psr.edu 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. at 2 p.m. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 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.  

SUNDAY, NOV. 8 

“A Woman Among Warlords” An evening with Malalai Joya, Afghan politician, at 2:30 p.. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Sponsored by Grandmothers Against the War. 845-3815. 

Wonderfest: Bay Area Festival of Science from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Stanley Hall, UC campus. Free. www.wonderfest.org 

Bagel Brunch: Middle East Peace Efforts with a presentation by Molly Freeman at 10 a.m. at Albany Community Center. Donation $7.50-$10. www.kolhadash.org 

Raptors from Ridges A strenuous 8-mile hike in serach of birds of prey, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Crockett Hills Regional Park. Bring sunscreen, water and a lunch. For meeting place call 544-2233. 

Medicinal Plants of the Bay Area: A Bioregional Exploration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Huckelberry Botanical Preserve, Oakland. Bring water, snacks, lunch, hat and sunscreen a notebook and a camera. Cost is $30. Registration required. 428-1810. bluewindbmc@gmail.com 

“How to Lower your Carbon Footprint” Learn how to calculate your carbon footprint and take action to lower it, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at EcoHouse. Cst is $10-$15. Registration required. 548-2220, ext. 239. 

4th Annual Purrcasso Art & Craft Sale Local and international artists have donated artwork to help support homeless dogs and cats at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. From noon to 4 p.m. at 715 Hearst St., at 4th St., second flr. 845-7735 ext.13. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

“A Crude Awakening” A documentary on America’s love of oil, followed by discussion at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 528-2261. 

“Meltdown” A workshop on the causes of the ecnomic crisis and possible solutions at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., near 65th St.  

Community Pot-luck with music by the Wild Buds at 5 p.m. at The Cooperative Grocery, 1450 67th St., at Hollis. Free, bring a dish to share. www.thecog.org  

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 

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. 

Personal Theology Seminars with Bill Garrett on “Al-Andaluz: Islamic Iberia” 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. at 2 p.m. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 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 Olivia Hurd on “Meditations to Cultivate the Landscape of the Mind” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

THURSDAY, OCT. 29 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kaja Silverman discusses her new book “Flesh of My Flesh” with Judith Butler and Anne Wagner at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

“Metaphysical Abstraction: Contemporary Approaches to Spiritual Content” Panel discussion with exhibition curators and artists at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center. 644-6893. berkeleyartvcenter.org 

Irene Khan on “The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights” at 7:30 p.m. at FCCB, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Tickets are $10-$13. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Jonathan Lethem reads from his new novel “Chronic City” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Antero Alli reads from his new book “The Eight-Circuit Brain” at 7:30 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut. 464-4640. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Beaufunk at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

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

The Real Tom Thunder, The Mitchell Experiment, Emily Stein at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

FRIDAY, OCT. 30 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “As It Is in Heaven” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Nov. 21. Tickets are $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Aurora Theatre “Fat Pig” through Dec. 6, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $15-$55. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “American Idiot” at 2025 Addison St., through Nov. 15. Tickets are $32-$86. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “Tiny Kushner” Short plays by Tony Kushner at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison, through Nov. 29. Tickets are $33-$71. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Blastosphere!” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. through Nov. 22 at The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Masquers Playhouse “The Rocky Horror Show” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Dec. 12. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

TheatreFirst “Stones in His Pockets” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Marion E. Greene Theatre, ground floor of The Fox Oakland Building, 19th St. entrance, through Nov. 8. Tickets are $15-$30. www.brownpapertickets.com 

Virago Theatre Company “The Afterlife of the Mind” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at tThe Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $15-$25. 865-6237. www.viragotheatre.org 

FILM 

“Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $5. 1-800-745-3000. 

“Psyche and Cinema: Bride of Frankenstein” Film screening and discussion at The Dream Institute, 1672 University at McGee. Cost is $15-$30. 496-6060. dream-institute.org 

“Object Knowledge: Art Artifact, and Authority in Southeast Asia” A conference with historians, art historians, anthropologists and curators in an exploration of the social life of things, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Registration required. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/ConferenceRegistration 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $5-$10. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Los Boleros, Halloween dance party, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Creative Voices with Molly Skuse and Rebecca Griffin at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373.  

Ken Husbands Group with Susanna Smith at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Shimshai, Aluna at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

The Waybacks at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

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

Oola Rock Steady, Honey Chile, Relapse, Planting Seeds at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Marcus Shelby Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 31 

CHILDREN  

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

EXHIBITIONS 

Jesus Sosa, Oaxacan master woodcarver and painter, will demonstate his work, Sat. and Sun. from noon to 5 p.m. at Talavera Ceramics, 1801 University Ave.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

A Conversation with Don Byron at 3:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Thomas Turman on “WAWA, West Africa Wins Again” a memoir of teaching in Ghana in the 60s, at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6151. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC campus. Tickets are $5-$10. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

La Monica “Out of the Depths: The Birth of a German Style” at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College at Garber. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

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

Brazilian Halloween Party at 9 p.m. at Casa de Cultura, 1901 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $15. www.BrasArte.com 

Ghosts of Electricity with Mookie Siegel, Robin Sylvester, Greg Anton and others at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Mike Meezy Halloween Bash at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Wake the Dead at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Deuce, with Jean Fineberg and Ellen Seeling at 7 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $16-$20, under 16, $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Backyard Tarzans at 7 p.m. at Chester’s Bay View Cafe, 1508 Walnut St. 849-9995. 

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

Hippie Halloween Costume and Dance Party featuring Country Joe McDonald and live 60s tributes at 8 p.m. at Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15. 482-3336. 

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

12th Annual Murder Ballads Bash at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

SUNDAY, NOV. 1 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Kenneth Cardwell Oral History Reception Celebrating the work by Paul Grunland at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Historical Society, Veterans Memorial Building. 848-0181. 

Camille T. Dungy, Chad Sweeney, and Russell Dillon, poets, read from their work from the latest Parthanon West Review at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Dan Alter, poet, reads at 2 p.m. at Mo’Joe Cafe, 2517 Sacramento St., Suite A.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Youth Chorus Music of Our World Benefit Show Music and dance from diverse African and Afro-American traditions at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$25. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Zoyres Eastern European Wild Ferment at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

UC Folkdancers’ Reunion at 1:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

MONDAY, NOV. 2 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

David Lance Goines on “The Free Speech Movement: Coming of Age in the 60s” at 7:30 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 848-3227. www.hillsideclub.org 

Subterranean Shakespeare “Julius Caesar” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Tickets are $8. 276-3871. 

Terry Tempest Williams on “Finding Beauty in a Broken World” at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Tickets are $10-$12. www.brownpapertickets.com 

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

TUESDAY, NOV. 3 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Peter Richardson reads from “A Bomb in Every Issue: How the Short, Unruly Life of Ramparts Magazine Changed America” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Swamp Coolers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4 

THEATER 

Ariel Luckey “Free Land” Hip-hop theater at 7 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. psr.edu  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jane Powell on “Smart Growth, Green Buildings & Other Oxymorons” at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. tickets are $15. 644-9344. berkeleyheritage.com 

40 Year Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz, with film, music, and speakers, at 6:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Peter Beren will read from “California the Beautiful” a book of photographs and testaments at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

“The Indie Spirit” Kaya Oakes and others on the current state of the indie culture at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Whisky Brothers at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Roberta Donnay Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Red Divas Cabaret at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Helladelics at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

THURSDAY, NOV. 5 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Candida Smith reads from “Modern Moves West: California Artists and Democratic Culture in the Twentieth Century” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Poetry Flash with Barbara Claire Freeman and Endi Bogue Hartigan at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph. 849-2087. 

Vincenza Scarpaci on “Journey of the Italians in America” at 6 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 620-6561. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Band Recitals: My Amp Showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Bill Evans & Megan Lynch at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

7 Orange ABC, Valerie Orth, at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

FRIDAY, NOV. 6 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “As It Is in Heaven” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Nov. 19. Tickets are $12-$15. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Aurora Theatre “Fat Pig” through Dec. 6, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $15-$55. 843-4822. auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “Tiny Kushner” Short plays by Tony Kushner at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison, through Nov. 29. Tickets are $33-$71. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “American Idiot” at 2025 Addison St., through Nov. 15. Tickets are $32-$86. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Blastosphere!” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. through Nov. 22 at The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $14-$25. 558-1381. centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre “Large Animal Games” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 12. Tickets are $12-$20. impacttheatre.com 

Masquers Playhouse “The Rocky Horror Show” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, and runs through Dec. 12. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

TheatreFirst “Stones in His Pockets” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Marion E. Greene Theatre, ground floor of The Fox Oakland Building, 19th St. entrance, through Nov. 8. Tickets are $15-$30. www.brownpapertickets.com 

UC Dept. of Theater, Dance & Performance Studies “Silences and Salutations” Seven one act plays through Nov. 22 at Durham Studio Theater, UC campus. 642-8827. tdps.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Pairings” Photographs, photograms, polaroids and paintings by Jim Doukas. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. 

“3AM: Under the Full Moon” New work by Christopher Romer. Reception at 6 p.m. at The Compound Gallery, 6604 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. www.thecompoundgallery.com 

“The Last Waltz” Photography, paintings, sculpture by Peter Honig and Kathleen King. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., at Broadway. 701-4620. 

FILM 

“Dail M for Murder” at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $5. 1-800-745-3000. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Orhan Pamuk reads from “The Museum of Innocence” at 7:30 p.m. at FCCB, in the sanctuary, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Tickets are $10-$13. www.brownpapertickets.com 

rad dad zine Release Party at 7 p.m. at Book Zoo, 6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 654-2665. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

earPlay Jazzquintet at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, Cedar at Arch. Cost is $10-$15. 

University Choruses “Hearty Songs for the Fall Season” at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-9988. 

Brazilian Guitar Night with Ricardo Peixoto, Ian Faquini, Mauro Correa, and Ron Galen at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Lisa B. Poetic Groove Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Prestige, Mega Banton, Blade Band, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $51-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

The Deadicated Maniacs at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

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

SATURDAY, NOV. 7 

CHILDREN  

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

Saturday Stories “Down by the Station” read by author Jennifer Vetter at 1 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 9th St., Oakland. 465-8770. www.mocha.org 

The Snow Queen Puppet Show Sat. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. at at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 296-4433.  

Hanna Banana at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $9. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Room of Their Own: The Bloomsbury Artists in American Collections” Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Mills College Art Museum. Exhibit runs to Dec. 13. www.mills.edu/museum 

“The Last Waltz” Photography, paintings, sculpture by Peter Honig and Kathleen King. Artist’s reception at noon at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave., at Broadway. 701-4620. 

“rememberment: installation, separation, synthesis” Interdisciplinary art installation by Kimberly Campisano. Reception at 5 p.m. in the Art and consciousness Gallery, John F. Kennedy University, 2956 San Pablo Ave. 647-2041. 

“transport: the alchemy of machine into awareness.” Works by Drake Logan, Julia Robertson and The Genie. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Float Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place, Unit 116, Oakland. www.thefloatcenter.com 

“Box Art 2009” Exhibition and benefit auction at 6 p.m. at Pro Arts, 150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. www.proartsgallery.org 

THEATER 

Shotgun Cabaret Burlesque and variety show at 8 and 10 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $20. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

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 

“Misery Luvs Company” Six characters’ lives as they are tested by today’s socioeconomic and emotional issues, Sat. at 3 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 6 p.m. at Black Repertory Theatre, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $20. 652-2120. www.dlsimon.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Loren Rhoads reads from “Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues: True Stories of the Unsavory, Unwise, Unorthodox and Unusual from the magazine ‘Morbid Curiosity’” at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

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

Andy Worthington on “Guantanamo: Torture, Lies and Incompetence” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Mary O’Donnell on her book “Reflections of a Beloved Rebel” about Fr. Bill O’Donnell at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Trio Chaskinakuy performs traditional village music of the Andes on an extraordinary collection of native instruments at 7:30 p.m. at the Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Cost is $5-$12. 559-6910. 

Chalice Consort “By the Waters of Babylon” at 8 p.m. at St. Paul’s episcopal Churhc, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. www.chaliceconsort.org 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Passion of Dido” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Tickets are $35-$90. www.philharmonia.org  

Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble at 8 p.m. at St. Vartan Armenian Church, 650 Spruce St., Oakland. Workshop at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. 444-0323. www. kitka.org 

Art Lande & Peter Sommer at 7:30 p.m. at Piedmont Piano Company, at the corner of 18th and San Pablo, Oakland. Donation $15. RSVP to 547-8188. 

Hot Pink Feathers and Blue Bone Express New Orleans & Rio -inspired jazz and cabaret at 9:30 p.m. at Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, Cost is $10. 

Osamu Rock con Sabor! from Havana, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

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

Quartet San Francisco at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Boris Garcia, David Gans at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

SUNDAY, NOV. 8 

FILM 

PEN Oakland Writers’ Theatre “A Night of Short Plays” Video Screening from 3 to 6 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $5-47. 681-5652. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Playreaders Performers’ Showcase scenes from Shakespeare, Beckett, Stoppard, Giraudoux at 2 p.m. in the 4th flr story room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6236. 

“It’s About TIme” A celebration of the poetry of Adam David Miller at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Opera Piccola Play Reading from 4 to 6 p.m. at Opera Piccola Performing Arts, 2946 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. www.opera-piccola.org  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra “The Passion of Dido” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Tickets are $35-$90. www.philharmonia.org  

Bomba Estéreo, electronic dub and hip-hop, at 9 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Mike Rinta “Eponymous” CD release party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Bandworks, band recitals, at 1 and 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

TrumpetSuperGroup Clifford Brown Tribute Concert at 6 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

“I can’t believe you’d use that ugly, demeaning term, biological!” snaps Jess (Kendra Lee Oberhauser)—“a walking case of nurture over nature” and the white-clad bride-to-be—at her mentor and self-adopted mother, Gender Studies Department Chair Dede (Gwen Loeb), who is, in fact, her biological mother. Dropping the ugly term again, Dede lets her own first-generation feminist Mom (Jan Zvaifler) have it: “You forgot to mention, biology is unfair!” 

Such are the uproariously pathetic moments in Blastosphere!, Central Works’ satiric staging of Aaron Loeb and Geetha Reddy’s skewed tale of do-it-yourself social—and biological—engineering, in which the attempt to build “a four-headed family and baby makes five” brings a kind of coitus-free reworking of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice to polymorphously perverse fruition. 

After a funny three-part, arm-in-arm strut—or slither—down the aisle to give away Jess to Pachelbel, Dede and her very significant other, poet Carol (Cathleen Riddley), call a summit conference at Jess and Steve’s (Mick Mize) wedding party to declare they intend “to have a baby with your genetic material before you have a chance to,” employing a very personal donation from Carol’s cousin, Michael Jordan, with notorious Dr. Pinto (Mick Mize again) candling Jess’s egg.  

In the background plays “Backdoor Man,” “the Howlin’ Wolf song currently being massacred by your wedding singer” (Jess opines it’s really about “butt-sex”). As the good doctor floridly declares, invoking a sweeping, backhand vision of generation, “And you ask if you can carry your mother’s child? You already have!” 

The sharp, relentless script gives director Molly Aaronson-Gelb and the cast the opportunity to bring off scenes such as the “split-screen” that alternates between the two couples in a verbal and comedic pas de deux over the mothers’ treatment plan, ending with a side-by-side, literally cheek-to-jowl pair of hip injections. 

The players are droll in character—and out of sorts—as a dysfunctional, over-extended family of their own making, with dual roles by two members of the cast, Mize (Steve and Dr. Pinto) and Zvaifler (a funny triad, actually: a priest unctuously intoning Corinthians at the service, and Mom, as well as brusque, frosty Dr. Kylie), which give an air of farce to the mushrooming proceedings, medical, legal, economic and spiritual. 

Archness is heaped upon archness with lines like: “Today is Embryo Christmas!” or “It’s my egg; it’s really none of your business!”—or Dede’s enthusiastic picture of Jess: “She’s not just the Ukraine, the ultimate breadbasket—she’s the Walmart of fertility!”—all scathingly accompanied by Gregory Scharpen’s demonic soundtrack, which pokes even more humor into the already cockeyed action. The action peaks over and over: Mom telling Dede, “You don’t need eggs; you need to lose weight!” (and, presciently, “Just because you want it doesn’t mean you deserve it.”)—or with Dede enthusing to Jess, “It’s the chance to have the daughter I’ve always wanted,” and Jess replying, “Well ... I’m your daughter!” 

Blastosphere! represents another facet of the success of Central Works’ own collaborative system of developing plays, in which playwrights, cast and production team collaborate to build the whole show up from an original idea.  

As always, fine stagecraft in the intimate Berkeley City Club salon-turned-theater makes the company’s low prices and sliding scale an unbeatable deal, especially with such blisteringly hysterical satire at close range. Coming up on its 20th season, Central Works is a gem-like Berkeley institution that goes on renewing itself. 

BLASTOSPHERE! 

Central Works  

Thurs.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.  

through Nov. 22 

Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets: $25-$14 sliding scale at the door, $22 at www.centralworks.com  

Pay-what-you-can, Oct. 29, Nov. 5.  

Reservations 558-1381.

There have been movies about waitresses and grocery check-out clerks; now, finally, that overlooked retail figure, the bagger, is represented in Ready, Set, Bag!—a new documentary by Oren Jacob of Piedmont, Chief Technical Officer at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, his wife Justine and a few colleagues from Pixar, set to have its world premiere next Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Elmwood on College Ave. near Ashby, and 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cerrito, on San Pablo in El Cerrito. 

Ready, Set, Bag! is about a little-known slice of retail culture, the annual National Grocery Bagging Competition in Las Vegas. Appropriately, the film’s screenings here and in about 50 cities nationwide next year, will benefit local community food banks through fundraising and food drives. 

Oren Jacob talked about how the idea for Ready, Set, Bag! came up at a Pixar lunch for a new employee. “We were talking about high school summer jobs, and Patrick said he’d been a grocery bagger, ‘but I never made it out of regionals.’ He talked about coaches, high school bands, the governor’s proclamation ... That’s how we found out about the competition put on by the National Grocers Association.” 

Jacob and his team took the idea to the Sundance Producers Institute in August 2006, and won for best pitch. Returning home, he contacted the NGA to ask if there were any contests coming up—and found himself with his crew on a jet for Salt Lake City the next day. 

“On our first day of shooting, we got the Utah champion, Brian, who became one of our main characters. That was Thursday. Then, back home, we found out there was the California championship in Davis on Friday. When the crew came back, the car was covered with stuff like silly string. I said, ‘Was there a frat party or something?’ They showed me the footage; I couldn’t believe it. We woke up on Saturday and said, ‘We’ve got a film.’” 

Traveling through 23 states over three months, the READY, SET, BAG! team “followed 19 contestants, 14 pretty closely,” finally focusing on eight, with “their families and friends, co-workers, coaches, cheerleaders and fans.” In January, 2007, the crew covered the National Contest. There was drama, even a villain—a roll of Lifesavers. “Brian, the Utah champ, had lost the Nationals the year before, because he left a roll of Lifesavers out of the bag on the checkout stand. He regained the Utah title—and set out to avenge himself against those Lifesavers!”  

When the hour-and-a-half film was finished, and its Berkeley premiere set, Jacob “called Alameda County Food Bank to see if we could partner with them, to do a fundraiser and a food drive at the screening. Mechanics Bank, headquartered in Richmond, will put up a dollar for the Food Bank for everyone who comes to see the film. Folks who bring two or more cans of food will get a dollar off their tickets, 50 cents off popcorn. We’ve arranged the same sort of thing with Contra Costa County Food Bank, and in San Francisco—and in every area we’ll be screening READY, SET, BAG! It’s a privilege to be helping them out.” 

The premiere will also feature a rare screening of Academy award nominee Jim Capobianco’s new hand-drawn animated short film to open the program. Food Bank associates will speak about their work, and READY, SET, BAG! will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers and some of the contestants featured in the film. 

Jacob reflected on the process and on the final impression of the completed film. “Working on a film, you’re involved for several years, then you take it on the festival circuit before release. That’s when there’s an urban, often cynical eye on the film. Hollywood often casts an eye of derision on events like this, as in BEST OF SHOW. We’ve done something more in the arena with SPELLBOUND. I was excited to portray people in America, working an honest job, trying to do the best they can—people as they are, with a positive attitude.” 

Jacob has been at Pixar 19 years. His colleague from the making of FINDING NEMO, Executive Producer Graham Walters, joined Jacob in producing READY, SET, BAG!

Before a backdrop painting of hills with a few houses and a road in the distance, nine Shaker women file out, greet the audience with a bright chorale and set about confessing their sins to each other: “I slept late last Thursday” ... “I was angry at the hens” ... “I was prideful of my new apron”—a lot of confessions of the tiniest peccadillos open As It Is in Heaven, Arlene Hutton’s play, at Actors Ensemble of Berkeley.  

“Do your work as though you had a thousand years to live and as if you were to die tomorrow,” said Mother Ann Lee, the founder of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, who emigrated from England to America just before the Revolutionary War. 

As It Is in Heaven takes place over a half century later, at the end of the religious Great Revival in American society, when Shaker communities (this one in Kentucky) experienced the Era of Manifestations, and younger women were subject to visions and ecstatic behavior. 

“I humbled myself to the spirit ... There is a devil in our midst, or the end of the world!” says Jennifer Rice as Sister Rachel in her testimony, while the elders interrogate everyone in the celibate community, debriefing the younger ones (Jessica Price, Jillian Jetton and Molly Holcomb as Sisters Polly, Izzy and Fanny), who maintain they have seen angels or were the bearers of gifts from Mother Ann in Heaven. 

Lest it sound like a Shaker version of The Crucible or The Devils, As It Is in Heaven is leavened with song and dance—“Sing on and dance on/You followers of the Lamb”—with a “laughing gift”—and a simple, easy joie de vivre. The visions are not dark ones: the angels were “Gold, they were gold! And we heard music.” Much of the dialogue goes along with the work: quilting, snapping beans, drawing fruits and vegetables for jelly jars. 

The play is a canny mix of approaches that reinforce ensemble work, and the cast—with clear, supportive direction from Jeremy Cole—works together very well, their disparate personalities as performers matching up with those of the community they’re playing.  

Norman de Veyra’s set is appropriately Shaker simple, a few benches, a stool, some baskets. Alecks Rundell’s lighting and Elizabeth Van Buren’s costume design match it, with brighter clothing for the younger set, muted darks for the elders to the black of elder Sister Hannah (Ann Kendrick), brought to the colony years before to establish order and now intending to uphold it.  

Jean Forsman is Sister Betsy; Peggy De Coursey, Sister Phebe; Alexis Lane Jensen (also, the musical director) played Sister Peggy; and Lisa Drostova, a much-missed former theater reviewer, portrayed mournful Sister Jane on the other side of the footlights. As It Is in Heaven is perfect for the fall and for Indian summer weather, crickets chirping outside the theater by Codornices Creek in Live Oak Park. 

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN  

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley 

Fri.–Sat. 8 p.m.  

through Nov. 19 

Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave.  

Tickets: $12–$15.  

649-5999, www.aeofberkeley.org

“No man’s worth losing your brain over.” The only one who doesn’t lose it, though, in the course of William Bivins’ The Afterlife of the Mind, put on by Virago Theatre Company at the Ashby Stage, is Harry, famous (and terminally ill) philosopher, who is all brain—literally. 

Having speculated on an oblivious existence (“deprived of your senses, would you go mad, or would your mind create an inner world the way an amputee’s creates an imaginary limb?”), Harry finds—or tries to find—himself back in the womb, debating with his Anima (Brittany K. McGregor), while uncharacteristically overcome by remorse. “Should I grovel?” he asks his spiritual better half. “You don’t have knees,” she observes. 

The lead-up to this stand-off—this oxymoronic, solipsistic dispute—sees Harry’s young, devoted wife, Lydia (Megan Killian), awkwardly offering herself to a renegade emigré neurosurgeon, Ulrich (Dennis McIntyre), under the jaded eye of his nurse-cum-dominatrice and bartender Dinah (Tracey Rhys) and picking up terminal brain cancer patients, like brilliant, sensitive Todd (Elias Escobedo) as potential transplant hosts, wanting them, as Todd realizes with a jolt, only for their bodies.  

“If I can’t believe I’m second-rate, the whole last decade of my life will have been wasted!” Lydia replies to Father Jerome—played by Lol Levy—who has suggested that Harry has intellectually oppressed her. 

Virago has cast the show very well, particularly in the case of Megan Killian. All the players show poise amid chaos and speculation. Cofounder Laura Lundy-Paine’s direction brings out both the humor and the insanity of trying to work out a desperate notion as if it were rational, the pretense at normalcy hanging by fingertips as all kinds of banal nuttiness intrudes on the talk about big issues. The painstakingly worked-out script sometimes plays like an extended riff on The Twilight Zone. It could stand a little more burlesque, exaggerating those painstaking contrasts, flushing out the darker, truly grotesque implications of the theme. 

“Can you escape the Ontological Argument?” Harry ponders, “It’s coming to me ... I’m tenured!”  

Amid the unnerving offstage racket of drills and powersaws, punctuated by profanities in German, the blood-spattered tanktop of the unlicensed surgeon, the monstrous quality of the brain’s eventual host, The Afterlife of the Mind finds its most squeamish horrors parodying routines of the everyday. 

AFTERLIFE OF THE MIND 

Virago Theatre Co. 

Thurs.–Sat. 8 p.m.  

through Oct. 31 (plus midnight Halloween)  

Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. (at MLK). Tickets: $15–$25.  

865-6237, www.viragotheatre.org.