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Out on the Town

Courtesy of Benoit Fontaine 2009, Cirque du Soleil Inc.

Thrills With Cirque du Soleil’s OVO

     The U.S. premiere of the latest Cirque du Soleil touring production, OVO, takes place in San Francisco on Nov. 27. OVO explores a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a nonstop riot of energy and movement. When a mysterious egg appears, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious. OVO will be performed through Jan. 3, 2010, under Cirque’s trademark blue-and-yellow big top tent. $42–$250. AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, (415) 972-1800, cirquedusoleil.com.

NOVEMBER

1–19  •  Machiavelli’s The Prince. This is a new play based on the infamous “Handbook for Tyrants.” Written and directed by Gary Graves, it’s a Central Works Method Play at the Berkeley City Club.
8 p.m. $21. 2315 Durant Ave., (510) 558-1381, centralworks.org.

1–22  •  Blastosphere. It’s a new comedy play about pop rocks, hollow balls and the biological imperative, written by Aaron Loeb and Geetha Reddy, directed by Molly Aaronson-Gelb.
5 p.m., 8 p.m. $22. Central Works Method Play at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., (510) 558-1381, centralworks.org.

1–29  •  Tiny Kushner. The West Coast premiere of a series of five one-act plays from legendary playwright Tony Kushner that includes Kate Eifrig portraying Laura Bush as she reads to dead Iraqi children. Kushner once again teams up with Berkeley Rep’s Artistic Director Tony Taccone, who also staged Angels in America, Brundibar, Homebody/Kabul and Slavs! Performed on Berkeley Rep’s intimate Thrust Stage.
Times vary and some shows include a post-show discussion. $33–$52. Berkeley Repertory Theatre,
2025 Addison St., Berkeley, (510) 647-2949, berkeleyrep.org.

1  •  2009 Dia De Los Muertos Festival. Cure your candy hangover with a celebration of the past. Showcasing more than 30 local community and artists’ altars and music on four street stages, the festival offers arts and crafts and family fun with a focus on tradition. Lots of children’s rides and activities to keep little ones happy.
On International between Fruitvale and 35th Avenue, Oakland, (510) 437-9703, unitycouncil.org.
6  •  Paramount Theatre Movie Classics Series: Dial M for Murder. See Alfred Hitchcock’s engrossing tale of conniving husband Ray Milland trying to off his wife, Grace Kelly.
8 p.m. $5. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 465-6400, paramounttheatre.com.

6–8  •  AXIS. AXIS Dance Company celebrates its 21st home season with a world premiere showcase by New York–based choreographer David Dorfman and an original score by Albert Mathias and Michael Wall, the return of audience favorite Terre Brune choreographed by Sonya Delwaide with live musical accompaniment by cellist Joan Jeanrenaud, Air Mail Dances by Remy Charlip, Vessel by Alex Ketley and works by AXIS Dance Company.
8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $10–$22. Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland, (510) 625-0110, axisdance.org.

6,7  •  Alameda Annual Holiday Boutique. With more than 50 crafters, this 31st annual event offers something homemade and handcrafted for all those on your holiday gift list. Proceeds benefit the Leisure Club, a recreation program for developmentally disabled teens and adults, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Alameda Recreation and Park Department.
Noon–8 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat. Veteran’s Memorial Building, 2203 Central Ave., Alameda, (510) 747-7529, ci.alameda.ca.us/arpd.

7  •  Live at the Paramount. Catch R. Kelly, the multi-award-winning R&B and soul singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer, Nov. 7 at the Paramount Theater. Other shows this month include Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Nov. 20), Keb’ Mo’ and Solomon Burke at the San Francisco Jazz Fest (Nov. 21) and the Laurie Berkner Band (Nov. 27).
Times, prices vary. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 893-2300, paramounttheatre.com.

7  •  Thanksgiving for the Birds. Join Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, founder of Compassionate Cooks and author of The Joy of Vegan Baking and The Vegan Table, in her monthly Vegetarian Cooking Classes that celebrate healthful and humane eating. This month, learn how to tackle the dinner of the year without the turkey as the main event.
10 a.m.–1 p.m. $60 (in advance), plus $5 food/materials fee due on day of class (discounts for registering for class packages). First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., (510) 531-2665, compassionatecooks.com.

7  •  East Bay Baby & Kids Fair. An event for the whole family, the fair concentrates on all things kids, with workshops from local area businesses on topics such as vaccinations, cloth diapering, fatherhood, breastfeeding, childhood tantrums and postpartum care, plus the opportunity to meet pregnancy and parenting representatives including midwives, pediatricians, photographers, doulas, parenting experts, massage therapists, chiropractors, baby and kids retail stores and more. There will also be face painting and henna art all day.
11 a.m.–3 p.m. Albany Veterans Memorial Building, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany, (510) 827-9160, eastbaybabyfair.com.

7  •  Saturday Stories: Down by the Station. Author Jennifer Vetter reads her action-packed, updated version of a classic train story. With that inspiration, you’ll be ready to construct your own floatable boat or soaring plane afterward.
1 p.m.–2 p.m. The Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth St., Oakland, (510) 465-8770, mocha.org.

7  •  Family Extravaganza: Re-Create. Build with bits, sculpt from scraps or construct with odds and ends. In other words, learn to take the things you toss and transform them into art. After the workshop, enter your work in MOCHA’s annual Re-Create recycled art exhibition and competition.
1 p.m.–3 p.m. $7 per child/$3 per adult, free for members. MOCHA, 538 Ninth St., Oakland, (510) 465-8770, mocha.org.

7  •  Alan Tam and Hacken Lee Benefit Concert. This fund-raiser celebrates Family Bridges Inc., the nonprofit organization focused on providing solutions for Asian immigrants, seniors and those with limited English language skills.
7 p.m. $48–$168. Purchase tickets at the Oracle Arena Box Office through Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, fambridges.org.

7, 8  •   Broadway’s Greatest Moments. Alameda Civic Light Opera offers a fall fund-raiser (rated G!) that features dozens of favorite Broadway song and dance numbers performed by popular ACLO stars.
8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $34, general admission; $30, students and seniors. Kofman Theater, 2200 Central Ave., Alameda, (510) 864-2256, aclo.com.

7, 8  •  Orchid Show and Sale. The Orchid Society of California presents a show and sale of exotic and unusual orchids. There also will be orchid raffles, vendors, orchid doctors, demonstrations, plant showroom displays and information.
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Lakeside Park Garden Center (Lake Merritt), 666 Bellevue, Oakland, (510) 582-3404, orchidsocietyofcalifornia.com.

8-10  •  On Tap at the Fox The Fox Theater is hot this month with reunited alt rockers the Pixies, on the Doolittle Tour, playing three shows Nov. 8, 9 and 10. These acts are also in the lineup this month: Puscifer (Nov. 4–5), Dropkick Murphys (Nov. 6), Robert Randolph & the Family Band (Nov. 7), Widespread Panic (Nov. 12– 14), Wolfmother (Nov. 23). 
Times, prices vary. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., (800) 745-3000, theoaklandfox.com, apeconcerts.com, ticketmaster.com.

11–13  •  Raw-Dios: Behind the Pigpen in the Morning. This is the world premiere of the story of four working-class radio listeners, the struggle over control of the airwaves and the power to affect human consciousness at the onset of the war in Iraq. Directed by Lakin Valdez and part of the Hecho en Califas Festival.
8 p.m. $10 advance/students, $12 general admission. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (510) 849-2568, lapena.org.

13–15  •  Farid Mercury. A full-length play “experience”: part rock concert, part documentary theater, focusing on Persian masculinity in the post 9/11 world. Presented by La Peña Cultural Center and part of the Hecho en Califas Festival.
8 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. $10 advance/students; $12 at the door. The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, (510) 849-2568, lapena.org.

13  •  East Bay Anointed Voices. Listen to this multi-racial, inter-denominational mix of vocalists and musicians of all ages under the direction of Donald Taylor and Rachelle Rogers-Ard. EBAV’s music is a mix of traditional and contemporary gospel styles, infused with jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
8 p.m. Adults: $14 ($18 at the door); children ages 6-15, $5. Utunes Coffee House at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland, utunescoffeehouse.org.

13  •  Oakland East Bay Symphony: Night at the Opera. Michael Morgan conducts the symphony’s season opener with a dazzling evening of beautiful voices and a lively orchestra playing music from some of the world’s grandest operas, including Verdi’s Aida and Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
8 p.m. $20–$65. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 893-2300, paramounttheatre.com.

14  •  Piano Men The two grand piano men of pop — Billy Joel and Elton John — play together in one musical night at 7:30 on Nov. 14. $51.50–$177.  
Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. Purchase tickets at the Oracle Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000.

14  •  Platica: 10 Years of Hecho En Califas: Raza Renaissance, or Just Flavor of the Month? Now celebrating its 10th year, the Hecho en Califas Festival represents a wide spectrum of Latino performance artists and styles from California and beyond. This platica will convene artists and producers to discuss the impact venues like Hecho en Califas can have on young Latino artists. Join the discussion about the future success of Latino arts in the Bay Area and beyond with moderator Paul S. Flores.
2 p.m. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (510) 849-2568, lapena.org.

14  •  HomeMade. This is an evening of art, music and dance celebrating the American dream manifested by first-generation Americans.
9 p.m. $10 advance/students; $12 at the door. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (510) 849-2568, lapena.org.

15  •  Trunk Show Alamedans Laurie and Mark Wagner — she’s a writer and teacher; he’s a conceptual and traditional artist and teacher — organize the Wagner Family Fires’ Trunk Show 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Nov. 15. It’s the fifth year for art lovers to see handmade clothing, jewelry, pillows, handbags and ceramics from Wagner Family Fires, a group of artists who celebrate their work around a roaring fire in a magical, secluded garden in Alameda. Artists include jewelers Andrea Scher and Amy McClain, ceramicist Rae Dunn, felt artist Patty Benson, seamstress Jennifer Serr and bag designer Loulon Designs.
27 Powers Court, Alameda, (510) 703-4030, e-mail contact: laurie-wagner@sbcglobal.net.

15  •  Beloved: A Requiem for Our Dead (Because We Refuse to Forget You). Through moving elegies, Bay Area arts organization Mangos With Chili presents song, dance, drag and more to honor gays and trans lost to hate crimes, war, colonization and genocide and to celebrate their legacies.
8 p.m. $10 advance/students, $12 at the door. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (510) 849-2568, lapena.org.

20  •  USS Hornet Family Overnight Experience. Enjoy the ultimate family experience by spending a night aboard the famous “Grey Ghost.” Tour the ship, hear fascinating sea stories, sleep in the bunks and have fun learning about history. $100 per person; includes museum admission, personalized tour of the ship, evening programs, dinner, breakfast, overnight accommodations, a flight simulator ride, patches and certificates.
USS Hornet, Alameda, uss-hornet.org, (510) 521-8448, ext. 280.

20  •  The Swell Season. They first made their mark in the movie, Once, now Glen Hansard (from the Irish band The Frames) and Marketa Irglova (classically trained Czech pianist and vocalist) bring their breathtaking vocal harmonies and acoustic-based song writing craft to Oakland.
8 p.m. $35, $40. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 893-2300, paramounttheatre.com.

21  •   Live @ the Alameda Free Library Concert Series: Jazzschool Advanced High School Jazz Workshop. Listen to lively music directed by Michael Zilber to benefit the library.
8 p.m. $25. Alameda Main Library, Regina K. Stafford Rooms, 1150 Oak St., Alameda (enter from the parking lot), alamedalibraryfoundation.org.

21  •   Andre Ward vs. Mikkel Kessler World Championship Boxing. It’s the super middleweight championship match.
5 p.m. $35–$300. Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, (510) 569-2121, coliseum.com.

21  •  Keb’ Mo’ and Solomon Burke. The 27th annual San Francisco Jazz Fest makes a stop at the Paramount Theatre showcasing Keb’ Mo’ and Solomon Burke. While the former has merged traditional Delta blues and modern acoustic singer-songwritership, the latter’s music has been covered by a long list of rock icons like the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen and has earned him the title “King” Solomon Burke.
8 p.m. $22–$67. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 893-2300, paramounttheatre.com.

23–25  •  Fall Art Camp: Primary Colors. Fill those gray, pre-Thanksgiving, November days with color at MOCHA’s day-long camp studios. MOCHA camp features fun and engaging art activities for kids grades K-6. Register by the day. Pre- and aftercare available at additional costs.
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. $65 per day (10 percent discount for members). MOCHA, 538 Ninth St., Oakland, (510) 465-8770, mocha.org.

27  •  Oakland Tree Lighting Ceremony. Oakland launches the holiday season with its annual fete and lighting of a spectacular 70-foot tree plus music and fun for the whole family.
Noon–8 p.m. Jack London Square, jacklondonsquare.com.

27  •  The Laurie Berkner Band. Warning: playful singing, gleeful dancing and sublime silliness prevail when you hear Laurie Berkner’s songs. Applies to both children and their parents.
11 a.m. $25–$35. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 893-2300, paramounttheatre.com.

28–29  •  Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios. Get started on your holiday shopping with a self-guided tour of 100 professional artisan workshops at this 19th annual event. Fine art and crafts include blown glass, ceramics, ornaments, menorahs, lamps, lighting, painted and custom furniture, garden art, floor cloths, clothing, textiles, jewelry, leather bags, recycled art, sculpture, photography, paintings, original prints, works on paper, musical instruments, children’s art, mosaics and stained glass. Meet the artists and visit working craft studios for a glimpse into the creative process. Many studios are clustered within walking distance.
11 a.m.–6 p.m. Berkeley Artisans, 2547 Eighth St., Berkeley, (510) 845-2612, berkeleyartisans.com.

ONGOING

Art/Galleries/Museums

African American Museum & Library at Oakland. AAMLO explores, protects and shares the historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and the West with impressive archives, an extensive reference library and a museum with traveling and original exhibits.
659 14th St., Oakland, (510) 637-0200, oaklandlibrary.org.

Oakland Aviation Museum. Learn about aviation history related to North Field at Oakland International Airport, Oakland and the Bay Area at this nonprofit museum that displays aircraft and aviation artifacts. Includes exhibits, a History Flicks room, a research library and an aircraft restoration work area.
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wed.–Sun. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $7 military/teens, $5 kids (free 5 and younger). 8252 Earhart Road, Bldg. 621, Oakland, (510) 638-7100, oaklandaviationmuseum.org.

USS Potomac. Nautical nuts can soak in history by touring or cruising on the “Floating White House,” FDR’s presidential yacht and a National Historic Landmark with something of a checkered past. Prices vary. Docent-led dockside tours Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays; frequent special events; chartering available. “Cruise with the Characters of the Bay on the Potomac” at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 5.
$60 adults, $55 seniors, $35 under 12. Docks at Oakland’s Jack London Square, 540 Water St., (510) 627-1215, usspotomac.org.

Alameda Museum. Permanent displays of Alameda history, along with a gallery showcasing local Alameda artists and students. Also, souvenirs, books and videos.
Alameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Ave., Alameda, (510) 521-1233, alamedamuseum.org.

Alameda Naval Air Museum. Climb into a cockpit, inspect the ammo, hear some stories from the volunteers who staff the place and generally step back in time.
Open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 2151 Ferry Point, No. 77, Alameda, (510) 522-4262, alamedanavalairmuseum.com.

Oakland Art Murmur. The Art Murmur is a group of downtown galleries that have openings every first Friday
of each month. There also are performances on 23rd Street, sidewalk display tables and a very hip crowd.
7 p.m.–9 p.m. Check with the individual galleries to make sure your favorite gallery is open. The list is at oaklandartmurmur.com.

Oakland Artisans Marketplace. Thirty local artists present their handmade crafts along Water Street.
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Jack London Square, Water Street, (510) 238-4948.

Estuary Art Attack. Explore the “bohemian, multicultural and esoteric arts” of Alameda and Oakland’s Jingletown on the second Friday of every month with galleries and some participating restaurants promising new exhibits each time.
6 p.m.–9 p.m. estuaryartattack.com or autobodyfineart.com.

Lucky Ju Ju Pinball. Among the more unusual gallery spaces, Lucky Ju Ju is a place where Magic, Karma, Zeitgeist and Skill are infused into a collection of vintage pinball machines. Rotating exhibits, too, including: Monsterama: 3 Artists Revisit the Classic Monsters (Nov. 1 – 3).
Open 6 p.m.–midnight Fri. and Sat. and 4 p.m.–8 p.m. Sun. 713 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, (510) 205-9793, ujuju.com.

Rhythmix Cultural Works. A fantastic addition to the Alameda/East Bay art scene, with a fine gallery anchoring a vibrant education program.
2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda, (510) 865-5060. rhythmix.org.

Frank Bette Center for the Arts. Self-described on its Web site as “a place for meetings, readings, showings and other creative doings,” and there is almost always something going on, like Elaine Beale’s Creative Writing Workshop (Nov. 7), Leah Virsik’s Handbound Journal (Nov. 21) and Susan Hackett’s Exspressive Figure Classes (Nov 13, 20, 27).
1601 Paru St., Alameda, (510) 523-6957, frankbettecenter.org.

University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. An exhibition of 56 powerful paintings and drawings by Colombian artist Fernando Botero about abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq runs through Feb. 7, 2010, and marks the campus’s first showing of Botero’s Abu Ghraib works since he donated them to the UC Berkeley museum.
2625 Durant Ave.,
Berkeley, (510) 642-0808, bampfa.berkeley.edu.
 

Sports

Oakland Raiders. The Silver and Black host two home games this month: Kansas City Chiefs (1:05 p.m. Nov. 15) and Cincinnati Bengals (1:15 p.m. Nov. 22).
Check oaklandraiders.com for details.

Golden State Warriors. Hoops season is in full swing, but it’s a long way to the playoffs. Cheer on the East Bay’s basketball team at the Oracle Arena against Memphis (Nov. 4), L.A. Clippers (Nov. 6), Minnesota (Nov. 9), Portland
(Nov. 20), L.A. Lakers (Nov. 28) and Indiana (Nov. 30).
All games start at 7:30. nba.com/warriors.
 

Music/Performance

Freight & Salvage Coffee House. In a new location, the venue is filling Berkeley nights with roots music. Come listen all month: Chip Taylor (Nov. 1), Bill Evans and Megan Lynch (Nov. 5), Bill Kirchen (Nov. 6), Girlyman with Lucy Wainwright Roche (Nov. 7), Battlefield Band (Nov. 8), David Jacobs-Strain and Cliff Eberhardt (Nov. 10), Peter Mulvey and Ari Heist (Nov. 11), Michael Black and Jen Sanders (Nov. 12), John Reischman and the Jaybirds (Nov. 13), Barbara Higbie (Nov. 14), Tracy Grammer (Nov. 15), King Wilkie (Nov. 18), Dr. K’s Home Grown Roots Revue: the Wronglers, Harmon’s Peak, the Roadoilers (Nov. 19), Corrine West (Nov. 20), Crooked Still (Nov. 21), Po’ Girl (Nov. 22), David Berkeley (Nov. 25), Maria Muldaur’s Garden of Joy Jug Band (Nov. 27), Laurie Lewis with Tom Rozum (Nov. 28), An Irish Christmas in America (Nov. 29). Or, do some playing of your own: Freight Open Mic (Nov. 3, 17, 24), West Coast Songwriters Competition (Nov. 16).
Shows start at 8 p.m. Prices vary. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley, (510) 644-2020, thefreight.org.

Yoshi’s Jazz Club. Oakland’s premier sushi restaurant and music venue has some hot jazz on tap.
Visit yoshis.com for details. Prices and times vary.
510 Embarcadero West, (510) 238-9200.
 
Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden. This small, intimate venue routinely invites musicians, artists, speakers and authors, bringing a touch of creativity to Alameda.
1223 Park St., Alameda, (510) 865-2385, juliestea.com.

Families

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire. This vintage antiques fair is one of the biggest outdoor antique fairs in the Bay Area and happens every first Sunday of the month at Alameda Point at the former Alameda Naval Air station.
$5–$15. (510) 522-7500, antiquesbythebay.net.

The Oakland Zoo. Founded in 1922 by naturalist Henry A. Snow, the Oakland Zoo is an 85-year-old regional treasure. The nonprofit East Bay Zoological Society took over the zoo in 1983 and offers many different programs through the year.
9777 Golf Links Road, (510) 632-9525, oaklandzoo.org.

Chabot Space & Science Center. This institution has served San Francisco Bay Area schools and citizens with astronomy and science education programs for more than 125 years. The center began in 1883 as the Oakland Observatory, through a gift from Anthony Chabot to the city of Oakland.
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, (510) 336-7300, chabotspace.org.

Children’s Fairyland. Grab the kids and some sun block and head to historic Children’s Fairyland for 10 acres of storybook fun all year long. Check the Web site for information about special performances and the puppet and children’s theaters.
The park is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wed.–Sun. (weather permitting). $6 per person. 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland, (510) 452-2259, fairyland.org.