Play Time Picks
Colombian Christmas
Directed by Beatriz Restrepo the Colombian Ethnic Dance Ensemble will perform regional dances.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley.
Time: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Cost: $15
Contact: www.lapena.org
Dance-Along Nutcracker
Performed by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band with artistic director Jadine Louie. Sure to be the wackiest Nutcracker on earth.
Location: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts ,701 Mission St., San Francisco
Time: 7 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7-8
Cost: $40 gala night show with reception. Afternoon shows $20
Contact: 415.255.1355, www.sflgfb.org
“Outside the Square”
A Mission District Holiday event. The Blue Room Gallery is proud to sponsor an evening celebrating the Mission District’s culture, art, and cuisine. The exciting Mission District galleries will showcase the artwork of over 150 San Francisco emerging artists. Over 25 local artisans will sell handcrafted items perfect for the gift-giving season including fine art, jewelry, toys, glassware, apparel, and more.
Location: The Mission District Art Galleries Mission District (16th – 24th), San Francisco
Time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
Cost: free
Contact: 415.282.2411, www.blueroomgallery.org/outsidethesquare/
Junk In The Trunk II
Junk in the Trunk is an avant gard boutique and fashion show featuring independent designers from San Francisco. Conceived by apparel designer Isobel Schofield and jewelry designer Isabel Rucker, Junk in the Trunk provides an alternative, non-competitive environment for designers. It offers fashion-forward San Franciscans the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase original designs.
Location: 52 Mason Street, San Francisco
Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
Cost: Free, a Goodwill barrel will be available for donations
Contact: 415.386.1847, www.junkinthetrunkshow.com
The Celebutante Ball
Join us for the Harvey Milk Institute gala all-star season finale for its art and culture series and program director Mark Menke 27th birthday party. The event features two sets of fun, sassy, twisted live performances and readings. Princess Kennedy hosts the 8 p.m. performance, which features Jordan L Moore, and Camper English. Heklina Trannyshack hosts the 10 p.m. performance, which features The Celebutante Awards, and Heather Acs. DJ Jamez and DJ Chicken provide the music.
Location: SF LGBT Community Center 1800 Market St. at Octavia, San Francisco
Time:7 p.m.-Midnight Friday, Dec 6
Cost: $10-$50
Contact: 415.865.5555, www.harveymilk.org
Playtime Picks
Annual Food Not Bombs Thanksgiving Vegetarian Feast
This is a community potluck hosted by Food Not Bombs, with food to share.
Location: Ashkenaz 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov.28
Cost: Free
Contact: www.ebfnb.org
BEASTfest
An annual non-profit festival that celebrates and showcases artists and performers who live in the East Bay and the venues that serves them. The festival showcases the finest and most innovative talent and venues in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Beastfest is organized by and for artists and performers and reflects the diversity and wealth of talent that calls the East Bay home. Visual artists, filmmakers, videographers, animators, spoken word artists, dancers, musicians and other performers are among the hosts.
Location: 21 Grand, 449 23rd St., Oakland and Black Box, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Time: 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday Dec. 5 through Dec. 14.
Cost: Free
Contact: http://www.daniland.com/productions
11th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Jack London Square comes to life as a 70-foot holiday tree is lit. Activities include pictures with Santa, kids crafts, an arts & crafts fair and musical entertainment including a dazzling performance by the Interfaith Gospel Choir.
Location: Jack London Square, Oakland
Time: 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 29
Contact: 510. 814.6000, www.jacklondonsquare.com
Womyn of Color Crafts Fair
A Holiday Bazaar featuring handmade works of art by Bay Area craftswomen selling textiles, jewelry, quilts, paintings and more.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1
Cost: Free
Contact: www.lapena.org
Hotel Bethlehem
Isis Arts Collective presents their second annual production of the fiercely funny, full length Bible farce. What loathsome lodging would turn away Mary and Joseph on that not-so-silent night? The manger full of mangy mongrels includes the twins from sodom, their lecherous father, the tax collector, his behemoth bodyguard, the myopic angel, the immoral innkeeper and his fanatical mother-in-law. Based on actual passages from the Old and New Testaments, and layered with bawdy plot turns, these tawdry tales create their own delightfully twisted and perverted Christmas Eve legend.
Location: 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco
Time: Thursday-Saturday, Nov.22 – Dec.14
Cost: $20 general $15 students
Contact: 1-877-810-1571
Flux
Kati Casida is the feature artist of this sculpture exhibition. Casida is a Berkeley artist and uses many different mediums in her art including handmade paper, metal and neon. Her artistic influences range from landscape, music, nomadic life and her Norwegian-American background.
Location: Gallery 555, 555 12th St., Oakland
Time: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays Oct.17-Jan.8
Contact: www.oaklandcitycenter.com
People of the 20th Century
More than 200 vintage prints drawn from August Sander’s monumental portrait of German society between the two world wars. August Sander (1876-1964) is widely hailed as an avatar of modern photography. Sander created a compelling record of the world and time in which he lived by making direct; descriptive posed portraits of ordinary people from a broad cross section of German society.
Location: SF MOMA
Time: Friday, Nov. 29-Feb. 23
Cost: $10 adults $6 students
Contact: 415.357.4037
The Donnas
The Donnas are playing as well as The Pattern and Campfire Girls and Your Enemies’ Friends.
Location: Bimbo’s 365 Club 1025 Columbus Ave., San Francisco
Time: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
Cost: $13 advance $15 door
Contact: www.bimbos365club.com
Play time picks
Oakland Public Theater
“April 10, 1535” by Cheryldee Huddleston (winner, 2002 P.E.N.
Literary Award for Drama) a selection of the Theater Unplugged staged reading series. Scholarship shows a slightly naughtier edge when it focuses on one of the most forbidden words in the English language. “April 10, 1535” is a fantastical take on the studies of a solitary 16th Century monk who spends his days scanning ancient texts for the earliest derivation of a well-known Anglo-Saxon expletive. The resulting epiphany is unique, to say the least; philosophical, erotic, spiritual, and humorously transcendent. The play is directed by Jane Courant, and features Managing Director Elizabeth Carter, and Kevin Ottem-Fox.
Location: Lisser Hall
Time: 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 25-26
Cost: $5 donation requested
Contact: 510.534.9529
Out There
A night of Alternative Rock from the Bay Area featuring: Deerhoof, Live Human, Amy X Neuburg & Men, and Victor Krummenacher and Bruce Kaplan.
Location: Mils College Concert Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd.
Cost: $10 general, $5 students
Contact: 510.430.2296
Pretty Girls Make Graves
All members of PGMG have done time in well-known and respected Seattle bands over the last five years. Singer and lyricist Andrea Zollo was in the highly regarded Death Wish Kids and Area 51, guitarist Jason Clark is still in Kill Sadie and Sharks Keep Moving, drummer Nick Dewitt and Nathen Johnson were both in The Bee Hive Vaults, and bassist Derek Fudesco was a founding member of the much loved Murder City Devils as well as pairing with Zollo in Area 51. Keeping sincerity and emotion as a primary force guiding their music-combining that with stellar musicianship and exciting song writing-Pretty Girls Make Graves are a punk band worth watching.
Location: Slim’s, 333 11th St., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 21
Cost: $8
Connection: www.slims-sf.com
Junious Courtney Big Band
New Orleans born trumpeter, Junious Courtney leads a 15 piece band that knows how to swing. Playing classics to sophisticated interpretations of recent tunes, the band is an aggregation of long term veterans, from the ranks of Louis Armstong and Sy Oliver through John Coltrane, plus a middle years contingent brought up on Basie & bop.
Location: La Pena Cultural 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22
Cost: $12 advanced $14 door
Connection: www.lapena.org
Magic Parlor
Local magicians Walt Anthony and James Hamilton are partnered up to perform a magic show at Sweetie’s CafZ and Pub. They explore San Francisco’s history and culture through storytelling and magic.
Location: Sweetie’s CafZ and Pub 475 Francisco St., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 19-Dec.31
Cost: $10
Connection: 415.433.2343 or 415.771.6606
New American Music
A celebration of new American chamber music features music of four composers from around the U.S. The world premiere of Zhou Long’s sextet that invokes the five Chinese elements metal, wood, water, fire, and earth is a highlight of the evening.
Location: Forum of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25
Cost: $18 general $7 students
Connection: 415.978.ARTS
Strictly Ballroom
A program celebrating the history of tape music composition at Staford’s Center for Conputer Research in Music and Acoustics, featuring classic quadraphonic works by John Chowning and Bill Schottstaedt.
Location: Stanford Universittty Knoll Ballroom
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21.
Cost: Free
Playtime Picks
Body Design
An interesting exhibit featuring artists and designers including Aziz & Cucher, Christopher C. Deam, Fashion Force, Philippe Gregoire and Claire Pertetin, IDEO, Eiko Ishioka,No Picnic and Marcel Wanders. The works explore the relationships of the body to space and physiology to function.
Location: SFMOMA 151 Third St.,San Francisco
Time: Saturday, Nov. 16- March 23
Cost: Free first Tuesday of each month
Contact: 415.357.4000
Eternity is in Love with the Productions of Time
The second play from Transparent Theater is set in the Soviet Union and revolves around a group of artists defying authority and living the consequences of their actions. The play incorporates poetry and other textual materials from famous artists such as William Blake, Franz Kafka, Bob Dylan and Nikolai Gumilev.
Location: Transparent Theater 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays Nov.8-Dec.8
Cost: $20 sliding scale
Contact: www.transparenttheater.org
Under the Leaves
Under the Leaves is a performance piece revolving around a fairytale. It is directed by Krista DeNio and features Victoria Mcnichol Kelly and Jenny Schaffer.
Location: New College Theater 777 Valencia, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15-17
Cost: $12-15
Contact: 415.437.3487
Cowboy Mouth
Mostly Grounded Theater Company opens it first production with Sam Shepard and Patti Smith paying a tribute to the rock and roll. Cowboy Mouth, an early work of Sheppard, is a twisted tale of a woman in search of a rock and roll savior. With references to George Carter and Bob Dylan, this story captures the dogma of the 60s-90s and offers a glimpse into Shepards infamous affair with the godmother of punk, Patti Smith. Directed by Mike Sommers featuring Amanda Korpitz, Ben Blankinship and Mark Routhier with original music by Redbush Hang out after the show for some rock & roll and beverages!
Location: Bulldog Theater 965 Mission (between 5th & 6th St.) Suite 250, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, November 7-23
Cost: $10 general $7 for students and seniors
Contact: 415.305.6773
Beyond the Pale Art Exhibition
A multimedia art show featuring sound art, earthworks, video art, photography, paintings and design work. Artists showing at the gallery include Tribes of Neurot, Dianne Jones, Todd M. West, Seldon Hunt and others. Dianne Jones, a Mills graduate, is an artist from San Francisco who uses photography to record the events she is involved with. The photographs in this exhibit represent a visual narrative of music.
Location: Crucible Steel Gallery at Cellspace 2050 Bryant St., San Francisco
Time: Nov. 7-28 open 10 a.m. ¤ 9 p.m. daily
Cost: free
Contact: 415.648.7562
Five bands for $10
A night of music featuring The Slackers with Buffalo Soldier, The Phenomenauts, The Locals and Hebro. Formed in New York in 1991, The Slackers septet play high energy ska, reggae and soul dance music with organ, horns and voices. Vocalist Ras Matthew I leads Buffalo Soldier, a band he launched with the debut album Vision of Love.Œ Oakland¡s own, The Phenomenauts play solid rockabilly rhythms with amusing lyrics about space invaders and cruising the galaxy. Hebro¡s main thrust stems from a desire to get back to the acoustic roots of ska.
Location: Ashkenaz 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Cost:$10
Contact: www.ashkenaz.com
Emily Shore
Jazz folk guitarist, singer and songwriter releases her CD titled For the Climb.Œ The musical love child of Ella Fitzgerald and Baby Face, Emily Shore steps into the street and gets run over by some hot grooves.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Cost: $12 general $8 students in Concert.
Contact: www.emilyshore.com
Savage Republic
Savage Republic, an L.A. industrial-art-punk band, is performing after a 13 year absence. Band members Ethan Port, Bruce Licher, Thom Fuhrman, Greg Grunk and Robert Loveless will be joined by Man Is The Bastard/Bastard Noise drummer Joel Connel.
Location: Amoeba Records 1855 Haight St., San Francisco
Time: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Cost: Free
Contact: www.amoebamusic.com
Cirque du Soleil
The circus, which is currently showing in San Francisco, feeds of the anything goes attitude of Varekai which means whateverŒ in the Romany language of the gypsies. The production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition. Acts include: The Flight of Icarus, Solo Crutches and Georgian Dance.
Location: San Francisco Pacific Bell Park Parking Lot
Time: Nov.7-Dec.22
Cost: $45-$70
Contact: www.cirquedusoleil.com
Dance Repertory Concert: 8 p.m. Today-Saturday. Haas Pavilion. $12 general/$10 students; free to Mills students, faculty, staff.
Women’s History Exchange. Redefining History: Contemporary Women’s Political Stories. Panel speakers will include; Mary Stanley, Elmy Bermejo, Sharon Bell and more. 11 a.m. Saturday. Mills Hall 132. $10/ general/free for students who RSVP by Nov. 14. For more information, call 510.636.7766 or jmyronuck@mills.edu.
Othercimema presents Wobblies Past and Prison Presents: Two SF premiers on class power with films by Travis Wilkerson, Juliana Fredman, Jim Davis and more. 8:30 p.m. Saturday. ATA, 992 Valencia, San Francisco. $5. For more information, visit www.othercinema.com.
Registration for Spring 2003: Graduate studnets and seniors: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday; Juniors: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday; Sophmore 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.
Freshwoman Tea-Class of 2006: 4:30 p.m. Monday. President’s House. Free.
Contemporary Writers Series: Karen Tei Yamashita. 5:30 p.m. Monday. Rothwell Center, Faculty Lounge. Free.
Art Opening. Other Anissas: Anissa Mack. Tuesday through Dec. 1. Art Museum. Free
Senior Pin Dinner-Class of 2003: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. Faculty dining room. RSVP required. Free.
BAM/PFA Screenings: Railroad of Hope a video by Ning Ying, followed by Old Believers a film by Jana Sevcikova. A glimpse of Chinese life on a cross-country train, and an exquisite portrait of a Romanian spiritual community. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. PFA Theatre, 2575 Bancroft at Bowditch. $5. For more information, call 510.642.1124.
Teachers On Reserve Informational Session: 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. Cowell Building. Free
Blondie in concert: 8 p.m. Saturday. The Fillmore, San Francisco.$25. For tickets, call 415. 421.TIXS.
Playtime Picks
The Bombshells Present:
Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites plus Hopped Up! and Royal Deuces
Location: Roosters Road House 1700 Clement, Alameda
Time: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8
Cost: $7
Contact: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/norcalrockabilly/
David Copperfield’s Portal
David Copperfield’s performance of transporting himself from the stage to the other side of the planet also includes a debut illusion of Copperfield trying to walk through a solid steel wall.
Location: Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. and 4:30p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov.8-10
Cost: $40-$75
Contact: 415.551.2020
Perspectives
Two world premieres and one San Francisco premiere with guest artist Jim Magee by Bay Area composers in works written for cellist Joan Jeanrenaud. The concert includes a piece using one live and three previously recorded cellos.
Location: SomArts Theater 934 Brannan at 8th St, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9
Cost: $18
Contact: 415.392.4400
Hecho en Califas Festival’s Borikua Fest I and ll
Puerto Rican Hip Hop, Nuyorican poets and solo performers: Mariposa, Willie Perdomo, Sandra Garcia-Rivera, and Prophets of Rage (SFBA).Dance to live bomba, plena, salsa y m£sica j¡bara from Puerto Rico, New York and Oakland. Featuring YerbaBuena (NYC), and Son Borikua (SFBA) with special guest dancers from Grupo Paule. Co-presented by Bay Area Boricua.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center Shattuck, Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov.8 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9
Cost: $12 advance $15 door
Contact: www.lapena.org
Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums
East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop featuring musicians who have been one of the West Coast’s most popular, entertaining and fun bands, with composer-pianist-leader Steve Lucky. The Rhumba Bums mix some well-known 40s and 50s jump blues and swing charts with rare and nearly-forgotten songs. The band’s singer-guitarist Miss Carmen Getit, offers vocal sparring matches with Lucky, and her guitar playing, whether swing, blues, or even some bebop licks, is inspired, fast and faithful to the genre.
Location: Ashkenaz, San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Time: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8
Cost: $11
Contact: http://www.luckylounge.com
The Vandals
The band’s newest album, “Internet Dating Super-Studs,” makes no apologies for punk rock… The band did a lot of advance promo in the guise of an Internet “buy the record, date the band, then date each other” scheme that is a lot of fun, leading up to what could be their best album yet.
Location: Slim’s, 333 11th St, San Francisco
Cost: $13
Contact: 415.255.0333
Brendan Benson And The Wellfed Boys
Also performing is Aberdeen and Trembling Blue Stars
Location: Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th, San Francisco
Time: 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Cost: $7
Contact: 415.621.4455
Benefit for Easter Seals
Performances by: Love Kills Love, Drink Tickets, and Kills the Pain
Location: Stork Club, 2330 Telagraph Ave., Oakland
Time: Saturday, November 9
Cost: $5
Contact: www.storkclub.com
Play Time Picks
The Phenomenauts
Local rockabilly band obsessed with space will be performing at the all ages punk rock club 924 Gilman. Keep an eye open for their van, the Phenomenator, featured in the Art Car Fest.
Location: 924 Gilman, Berkeley
Time: 5 p.m. Sunday Nov. 3
Cost: $7
The Quilt Project: Pieces of Me
The Quilt Project is an on going artistic dialogue that explores changing manifestations of African-American cultural aesthetics. The evening features original dance, live music and spoken word from Bay Area artists such as choreographers Laura Elaine Ellis, Aisha Jenkins, Robert Moses, and Robert Henry Johnson, spoken word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph, a company of eight dancers and a ten-piece jazz ensemble.
Location: ODC Theater, 3135 17th St., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 10
Cost: $20
Contact: 415.863.9834, www.odctheater.org
Halloween Costume Ball
Marimba Pacifica presents a ritual invocation of ancestors in honor on Day of the Dead with live music and art.
Location: Black Box Theater, 1928 Telegraph (at 19th St.), Oakland
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Cost: $10-$13
Contact: 510.595.5597
Da Chitlin’ Circuit Live-3
Created and written by Reggie DeVoine and directed by Cornelius “Dr. Rhoss”
Despanie, Da Chitlin’ Circuit live-3 is a dance and music tribute to legends new and old; greats include: Louis Armstrong, Etta James, and Diana Ross.
Location: The African-American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco
Time: 9 p.m. Saturday Nov. 2
Cost: $25 advance $35 door
Contact: 415.292.5157 or 415.550.8541
Roc-N-Bowl
Monday and Thursday nights at Albany Bowl include fog machines, black lights, great lights, dancing and music videos on 10-foot screens. Albany Bowl also has $1 per game on Thursdays and Fridays 12 noon-5:30 p.m.
Location: Albany Bowl, 540 San Pablo Ave. Albany
Time: 9 p.m.-close Monday nights and Thursdays
Cost: $2 games Mondays and $4.50 Thursdays
Contact: 510.526.8818
Dia de los Muertos Concert
A celebration of nuestros queridos muertos (our beloved dead) featuring a special dance concert by acclaimed Afro-Chicano band from Los Angeles.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center 3501 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Time: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Cost: $13 advance $15 door
Contact: www.lapena.org
Flamenco Open Stage
Featuring dancer Sarita Ayala and her students Los Flamenquitos,Guitarists David Guiterrez and Glenn Staller, and Singer Virginia Juan, as well as Antonio Juan and other flamenco artists.
Location: Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo, Berkeley
Time: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
Cost: $8
Contact: www.ashkenaz.org
The Soft Boys
Performing live in support of their latest CD release “Nextdoorland”
Location: Amoeba, Haight St., San Francisco
Time: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
Cost: Free
Contact: 415.831.1200
Eternal Egypt
Masterworks of the Ancient Art from the British Museum
Location: California Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave. (at Clement), San Francisco
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 11
Cost: Tuesdays-Sundays free
Contact: 415.863.3330
Playtime Picks
The Cramps
The 60s rockabilly psychedelic band is famous for being trashy. They’re performing their annual Halloween show (like a bad girl should).
Location: The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct.31
Cost: $25
Contact: 415.346.6000, www.thefillmore.com
Dia De Los Muertos
Fruitvale’s 7th Annual Dia De Los Muertos festival will have altars, art exhibit, arts and crafts, plus performances by Hererra Sisters, Caterpillar Puppets, Tierra, and Banda La Movida.
Location: International Blvd., Oakland
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Contact: 510.535.6904
The 7 Visions of Encarnacion
ShadowLight Productions presents a play of and for Californians. Written by Octavio Solis, directed by shadow-master Larry Reed, and live music by Clubfoot Orchestra composer Richard. The play is narrated by an urban skeleton, Calaca Flaca, who is singing about a young Mission monk, Encarnacion, that has seven visions that bring him to a new understanding of his true Latino core.
Location: Brava Theater, 2781 24th St., San Francisco
Time: Oct. 25-Nov.10
Cost: $15 students $20 adults
Contact: 415.647.2822, www.shadowlight.com
Janeane Garofalo
The queen of sarcasm is gracing the Bay Area
Location: The Warfield, 928 Market St., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct.25
Cost: $30-$40
Contact: www.thefillmore.com
Gravy Train
Special halloween show! Dress up! This music group that celebrates 80s rap and early 90s fly girls consists of “three girls who give it and one guy that takes it.” Be prepared for a raunchy good time.
Location: The Hush Hush, 490 14th St. (14th & Guererro), San Francisco
Contact: 415.241.9944
Ali Akbar Khan’s 80th Birthday Concert
Master of North Indian classical music Maestro Ali Akbar Khan will perform. He is both founder and teacher at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael. He has five Grammy nominations and has been awarded both the Bill Graham Lifetime Achievement and the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship.
Location: Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2
Cost: $40 Special Reserved $25 General
Contact: 415. 454. 6264
Improvised Horror for Halloween
BATS improv is a non-profit education and performance group since 1986. The 10 cast members are putting on “Fear,” a Halloween show that in the horror genre.
Location: BATS Improv’s Bayfront Theater, Fort Mason Building B, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Cost: $8
Contact: 415.474.8935, www.BATSimprov.org
Orquesta D’ Soul and Los Mocosos
Dance to the salsa and hip-hop grooves of these fine Bay Area favorites.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Cost: $12
Contact: www.lapena.org
Me’shell Ndegeocello
Ndegeocello, or “free as a bird” adopted her last name and began playing bass as a teenager. In 1994 she released her debut, “Plantation Lullabies,” was named Guitar Magazine’s “Bassist of the Year” and became the first female on their cover.
Location: The Fillmore
Time: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Cost: $25
Contact: www.thefillmore.com
Playtime Picks
Living Word Festival
Created by Youth Speaks/The Living Word Project in 2001, The Living Word Festival is a gathering of artists, educators, presenters, and performers, focusing on literacy education and literary performance. The festival includes: local and national artists presenting new modes of literary performance, youth focused programming, panels, workshops, and public dialogues.
Location: YS Center, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
Time: Oct. 18-20
Contact: 415.255.9035, www.livingwordproject.org
Cristina Branco
A fast-rising star on the international scene, Cristina Branco, is a Portuguese fado singer.
Branco combines the classical style of fado with her own innovative style. In 2001, Corpo Iluminado, was Branco’s first stateside and worldwide release.
Location: The Brava Theater Center, 2789 24th St., San Francisco
Time: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
Cost: $25-$27
Contact: www.brava.org
As if in Sleep
Tim Barsky’s one-man show pulls together a mix of hip-hop street performance and Jewish folklore. It is traditional fairy tale in urban America, in between current events and ancient epic.
Location: Exit Left Stage 156 Eddy St., San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through Nov. 2
Cost: $10 advance, $12 door
Contact: 415.346.6040, www.jccsf,org/HUB.html
La Boheme
Baz Luhrmann’s Production of Puccini’s La Boheme is part of the 2002-2003 Best of Broadway season. Directed by Carole Shorestein Hays and Scott E. Nederlander, La Boheme inspired the popular musical, Rent.
Location: Curran Theatre, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays, Oct. 17-Nov. 10
Cost: $20 box seat student tickets available two hours before curtain
Contact: 415.551.2075
A Collection of Halloween Shorts
An evening of spooky new plays by Bay Area playwrights. The performance is part of City Lights Theater Company’s new play reading series.
Location: 529 South Second St., San Jose
Time: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28
Cost: $7 general $5 students
Contact: 408.295.4200, www.cltc.org
Playtime Picks
Night and Day
This play tells the story of two foreign correspondents and a photographer on assignment in a fictitious African country during a violent coup. It is by Tom Stoppard and directed by Carey Perloff.
Location:Geary Theater, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays. Through Oct.20.
Contact: 415.749.2ACT, www.act-sfbay.org
A Perfect Human Being
A play by Kristina Goodnight about a male twin who revisits his past as he tries to piece together the anatomy of his relationship with his twin sister.
Location: Theatre Rhinoceros Studio, 2926 16th St., San Francisco
Time: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10-12, Oct. 17-19
Contact: 415.861.5079, www.guiltytheatre.org
The Land is Our Gold
The California Traditional Pomo Indian Dancer troupe from Mendocino County are performing as part of the workshop series that celebrates Oakland’s rich cultural past.
Location: Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland
Time: 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11
Cost: Free
Contact: 510.532.9142
Public Enemy, Dilated Peoples and Blackalicious
A night of Rap and Hip Hop opening with the up-and-coming two-man combo of Blackalicious.
Location: The Fillmore, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. tonight
Cost: $30
Contact: www.thefillmore.com
The Fear Project
Artistic Director, Matthew Quinn, has put together three thrilling pieces; “The Veldt,” “500 Synonyms For Fear,” and “Pinch.” These pieces are a mix of adapted literature, original scripts, and collaboratively developed stories.
Location: The Next Stage, 1620 Gough St. at Bush, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Through Nov. 3.
Cost: $20 general $15 students
Contact: 415.673.0304, ext.3 www.cafearts.com
Yoo Who in the Noh
This is a special local performance of internationally acclaimed clown, Moshe Cohen a.k.a. Mister YooWho. This one-man show has been to over 27 countries entertaining audiences with magic, juggling and mime. Cohen blends European clowning and a Yiddish-absurdist sense of humor with influences from Japanese theater.
Location: Theatre of Yugen/Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa St. at Florida, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 14-Oct. 15
Cost: $10-$15 sliding scale
Contact: 415.621.7978, www.theatreofyugen.org
Black Snow
The Custom Made Theatre Company (CMTC) presents Black Snow, adapted from the Mikhail Bulgakov novel by Keith Reddin, directed by Brian I. Katz. The play is about a neurotic writer who is trying to get her play performed, but has to deal with flamboyant and disorganized actors.
Location: Venue 9, 252 Ninth St. at Folsom, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct.27
Cost: $15 general, $13 students
Contact: 415.262.0477
Carmen
Carmen is the season opener for the Livermore Valley Opera. Director Ann Woodward set the opera in 1936 at one of the critical moments in the Spanish Civil War.
Location: Livermore High School Performing Arts Theater, 600 Maple St., Livermore
Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Oct.20
Cost: $30
Contact: 925.960.9210, www.livermorevalleyopera.org
Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet
Twentieth Anniversary Celebration of the Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, featuring renowned Flamenco Artist La Tania and International Award-Winning dancer, Rasta Thomas.
Location: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard St. at 3rd, San Francisco
Time: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct.10, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct.11-12, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Cost: $20-$50
Contact:415.978.ARTS, www.yerbabuenaarts.org/tickets
Playtime Picks
Living Arts Playback Theater Ensemble
Directed by Armand Volkas, Playback transforms personal stories told by audience. members into theater pieces on the spot using spoken word and musical improvisation
Location: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Cost: $12
Contact: www.lapena.org
Escape from Happiness
Part of a trilogy by George F. Walker, this is a darkly humorous play that explores the interactions of a highly dysfunctional urban working-class family.
Location: Zellerbach Playhouse on the UC Berkeley Campus
Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19. 2 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20
Cost: $14 general $8 students
Contacts: http://theater.berkeley.edu
Threads: Artists Who Use Stitching to Convey Ideas
A show featuring five artists who use hand stitching in their work.
Location: Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley
Time: Noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 6 – Dec. 15
Reception: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Cost: Free
Contact: 510.644.6893, www.berkeleyartcenter.org
Shanti Sixth Annual Motorcycle Ride for Life
The motorcycle ride for life benefits Shanti, a non-profit agency that provides emotional and practical assistance to people living with AIDS, Breast Cancer, and other life threatening illnesses.
Location: Killowatt, 16th and Valencia, San Francisco
Time: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Cost: $25 adv. donation, $35 donation day of event
Contact: Doren Martin 415.674.4764, www.shanti-rides.org
Express Night at Oakland Museum of California
Special evening featuring music, food, and fun.
Location: Oakland Museum of California 10th and Oak streets, Oakland
Time: 6-9 p.m., Friday Oct. 4
Cost: museum admission
Contact: www.museumca.org
Duncan Dance: Zen and Now-Isadora’s Legacy
Mary Sano and her Duncan Dancers present benefit performances for their Hungarian tour.
Location: Mary Sano Studio of Duncan Dancing, 245 5th St., Studio 314, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 5 and 12
Cost: $15 adv. $18 including post-performance party
Contact: 415.357.1817, www.duncandance.org
Mari Kodama
Pianist Mari Kodama conveys an arresting depth of feeling coupled with masterly articulation at the keyboard.
Location: UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, Santa Cruz
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Cost: $23 general $19 students
Contact: www.events.ucsc.edu/artslecs
Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series
Renowned astronomer Dr. Leo Blitz will present The Making of the Milky Way: Survival of the Fittest.
Location: Smithwick Theater Foot Hill College 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos
Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9
Cost: Free
Contact: 650.949.7888, www.foothill.edu
Quiet Places: Protecting our Natural Soundscapes
Marv Jensen, from the National Park Service’s Soundscapes Program, and nature sound recordist Bernie Krause discuss natural quiet as a vital resource and the need to protect the sounds of nature.
Location: Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak streets., Oakland
Time: 2 p.m. Sunday Oct. 6
Cost: free
Contact: www.museumca.org
Playtime Picks
Grupo Raiz
Latin American music sextet reunion concert, celebrating the release of their double compilation album.
Location: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
Cost: $12 advance; $14 door
Contact: www.lapena.org
How Berkeley Can You Be? Parade and Festival
Art cars, bands, crafts, and food-performers include Funkaddiction and the Extra Action Marching Band.
Location: Parade starts at University and California Ave. and ends at Civic Center Park
Time: Parade starts 11 a.m. and festival begins 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Cost: Free
Contact: 510.849.4688, www.howberkeleycanyoube.com
Cirque Eloize Nomade
17 member troupe of acrobats and athletic dancers from Quebec
Location: Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m.Wednesday-Friday, 2. p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 25 – Sept. 29
Cost: $26/$36/$48
Contact: www.calperfs.berkeley.edu
Art Car Fest 2002
Sixth annual showing of street legal automobiles that artists have altered and enhanced, along with a fashion show and music by The Phenomenauts and The Gluey Brothers.
Location: San Jose Museum of Art
Time: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
Cost: Free
Contact: www.artcarfest.com
Banned Books Week
Berkeley Public Library is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Steinbeck by reading aloud “Of Mice and Men.”
Location: Library Plaza, Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley
Time: 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
Contact: www.infopeople.org/bpl/
Tease-O-Rama!
Weekend long burlesque and go-go action convention, featuring The Devil-ettes.
Location: Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., San Francisco
Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28
Cost: $25 advance, $30 door
Contact: www.bimbos365club.com
Reggae Angels with Earl Zero
Rasta-inspired spiritual music and Earl Zero who is a major force in the Northern California reggae scene.
Location: Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave. at Gilman Street, Berkeley
Time: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
Cost: $12
Contact: 510.525.5054
Fat Chance Belly Dance
Local belly dance troupe, known for their tattoos.
Location: Amira, 590 Valencia St. at 17th Street, San Francisco
Time: 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Wednesdays
Cost: price of meal
Contact: 415.621.6213, www.fcbd.com
MadCat Film Festival
Sixth annual women’s international film festival.
Location: Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Time: 7 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday,
Sept. 29
Cost: $7 general, $5 non-UC Berkeley student
Contact: 510.642.1412, www.somaglow.com/madcat
Women Emerging: A Tribute to Uganda
Artwork documenting the Ugandan Women’s Movement.
Location: 360 Stephens Hall, UC Berkeley
Time: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, through Dec. 31
Cost: free
Contact: 510.642.8338
Playtime picks
Poetry Diversified
Open mic poetry with featured guests
Location: World Ground Cafe, 3726 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Cost: Free
Contact: 510.482.2933, http://www.worldgrounds.com
Deep Space
Two Irish men obsess over the same woman
Location: Transparent Theater, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 through Oct. 20
Cost: $20
Contact: 510.883.0306, www.transparenttheater.org
Collective Soul Presents ‘Fiestas Patrias’
A HipHop and spoken word show featuring Of Mexican Descent, Burning Star, Colored Ink and DJ Treat.U.Nice
Location: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20
Cost: $10 before 10 p.m., $12 after
Contact: 510.849.2568, www.lapena.org
Joshua Redman
Jazz Saxophonist Joshua Redman performs with drummer Brian Blade and keyboardist Sam Yahel
Location: Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
Cost: $20/$30/$42
Contact: 510.642.9988, www.calperfs.berkeley.edu
Polk Street Festival 2002 – Urban Oasis III
Original arts & crafts by local artists. Tropical, Latin, Swing & Blues music
Location: Polk Steet between Jackson & Bush, San Francisco
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22
Cost: Free