events

Events listings are compiled by Sarah Han. See 8 Days a Week for information on how to submit items to the listings.

wednesday 27

Around town

'Artists and Cities: A Visual Primer' Pond, 214 Valencia; 437-9151. 7:30pm. Artist Jeannene Przyblyski leads this workshop.

'Balboa Theater's 76th Anniversary' Balboa Theater, 3630 Balboa; 221-8184. 7:30pm, $7.50, $4.50 seniors and under 12. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

'The Eames Design Legacy' Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon; 561-0357. 7pm. Steve Cabella hosts a lecture about designers Charles and Ray Eames and their influence on contemporary design.

'Great Decisions of 2002: South Asia: Focus on India' World Affairs Council of Northern California, 312 Sutter, Ste 200; 293-4600. Noon-1:30pm, $3-5. Bala Murali Krishna, Ram Shriram, and Lee O. Coldren discuss international policy issues.

Benefits

Comedy benefit El Rio, 3158 Mission; 282-3325. 8-11pm, $10-20. El Rio presents a night of comedy featuring Mike Spiegelman of the Fresh Robots, Tony Sparks, Steiv Boyd, Connor Kellicut, John Alston, Mark Sargent, Howard Stone, the Legal Briefs, and others; proceeds benefit the kindergarten class of the Creative Arts Charter School.

Bay Area

David Barsamian National Radio Project, 1916 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 251-1332. 5pm, $7-70 sliding scale. The journalist will discuss his new book, The Decline and Fall of Public Broadcasting, followed by performance by spoken word artists and musicians and a DJ dance party; proceeds benefit NRP.

Authors

Susie Bright A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. The author discusses The Best American Erotica 2002.

Richard Sterling Get Lost Travel Books, 1825 Market; 437-0529. 7pm. The food-guide writer holds a presentation on Greek cuisine.

Bay Area

Kim Chernin, Renate Stendhal Mills College, Rothwell Center, Faculty Lounge, 5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakl; (510) 430-2019. 7pm. The authors read from their works.

Mona Hajjar Halaby, Kathy Simon Diesel, a Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The authors hold a workshop for teachers and read from their books on classroom issues.

Rodney Yee Cody's Books, 1730 Fourth St, Berk; (510) 559-9500. 6pm. The codirector of the Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland discusses the benefits of yoga and his book, Yoga: The Poetry of the Body.

thursday 28

Around town

'Promoting Environmental Justice' Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market; 597-6705. 7pm, $9-12. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discusses environmental issues.

'Sarah and Vinnie Show' fifth anniversary Sound Factory, 525 Harrison; 339-8686. 8-11pm. Alice 97.3's morning show duo, Sarah and Vinnie celebrate their fifth anniversary on the air.

'Simply Jewish: Reinventing Judaism for the 21st Century' Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin; 575-6175. 7:30pm, $15-25. Rabbi Rami Shapiro speaks on the topic.

Authors

Tehmina Khan Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia; 282-9246. 7:30pm. The author and other writers and performers read from their own works, as well as those of classical and modern Muslim writers.

Peter Rock Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 7pm. The author reads from and signs his new novel, The Ambidextrist.

Carter Scholz A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. The author discusses his novel, Radiance.

'Slide Slam and Booksigning' Foto-Grafix Books, 655 Mission; 495-7242. 6pm. Artist Bob Dawson signs his book, A Doubtful River, and hosts a slide show by 20 photographers.

Bay Area

Robert Mailer Anderson Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 7:30pm. The author reads from his first novel, Boonville.

Lynn Freed Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 1pm. The author reads from her new novel, House of Women.

Jerry Ratch Diesel, a Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The author discusses his debut novel, Wild Dreams of Reality.

Terence Ward Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 843-3533. 7:30pm. The author discusses Searching for Hassan: An American Family's Journey Home to Iran.

Rosemary Wells Cody's Books, 1730 Fourth St, Berk; (510) 559-9500. 7:30pm. The children's author discusses her books and the importance of reading.

friday 1

Around town

'shift' Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission; 978-ARTS. 5:30-8pm, $5-10. The YBCA hosts its quarterly "alternative happy hour," featuring works from its art exhibitions, music by local DJs, and more.

'Zap: Art and Technology' San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut; 771-7020. 7:30pm. Ken Goldberg, Lisa Jevbratt, Robert Riley, and Gail White participate in this discussion about artists working with technology in the post-dot.com age.

Benefits

'The Lab's Sixth Annual Fixed Price Art Sale and Live Auction' The Lab, 2948 16th St; 864-8855. 6:30-9pm, $7-15. Through Sun/3. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

Bay Area

Video benefit AK Press, 674A 23rd St, Oakl; (510) 208-1700. 7pm, $3-5. This event features video screenings of S-11 Redux: (Channel) Surfing the Apocalpyse, an Indymedia Newsreal, Brazil's Landless Movement documentary, and more to benefit the Anarchist Book Fair and the SF Bay Area Independent Media Center.

Authors

Fanny Howe and Rachel Levitsky California College of Arts and Crafts, Timken Lecture Hall, 1111 Eighth St; 551-9278. 7:30pm. The authors discuss their work.

Bay Area

Norman Fischer Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 7:30pm. The author reads from Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms.

saturday 2

Around town

'Heroines, Homemakers, and Hardworkers' San Francisco Maritime Park, Hyde Street Pier; 561-7100. 1-2pm. San Francisco Maritime Park presents a walking tour and presentation on women who have worked on the seas.

'Liftoff Celebration at the Conservatory' Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive; www.conservatoryofflowers.org. 11am. The Conservatory of Flowers celebrates its restoration; highlights include a tour of the restored West Wing, performances by Polynesian dancers, and a steel drum band, arts and crafts, and more.

'A Nation under Diagnosis (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): Classified Material, Matters of Classification' Jon Sims Center for the Performing Arts, 1519 Mission; 554-0402. 8pm, $5-10. Catherine Greenblatt lectures on the topic.

'San Francisco Grand Prix Professsional Bodybuilding Tournament' Nob Hill Masonic Center, 1111 California; (415) 478-2277. Judging: noon, $25; finals: 8pm, $45-65. Professional bodybuilders from around the world compete at this event; Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman appears.

Bay Area

'Black Caucus Celebration' San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel, 1800 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame; (415) 514-0509. 6:30pm, $60. The UCSF Black Caucus hosts its 12th annual dinner and dance, featuring a tribute to Dr. Haile T. Debas.

'Empowering Women of Color Conference' UC Berkeley, Martin Luther King Jr. Bldg, Berk; (510) 642-2876, ext 5. 9am-4pm, $5-20. Now in its 17th year, the conference focuses on the topic of "Women of Color in Media"; Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mara Brock Akil, and Felicia D. Henderson appear at the keynote panel.

'Outdoor Cross Training and Conditioning Basics' REI, 1338 San Pablo, Berk; (510) 527-4140. 2pm. Kristy Ruocco discusses different types of workouts, stretching, nutrition, and goal setting.

Purim party Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 N. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael; (415) 444-8000. 7:30pm, $12-15. The center hosts an Israeli-style party with food, dancing, and music.

Benefits

'Art Inspiring Hope: A Child's Struggle with Cancer' Regency Bldg, 1300 Van Ness; 382-1503. 6pm, $200. The Okizu Foundation hosts its eighth annual fundraiser featuring a cocktail reception, dinner, live and silent auctions, and a performance by the Doobie Brothers; proceeds benefit Camp Okizu, a camp for Bay Area children with cancer.

'East Meets West: Art from the Other Side' Facility 3, 1850 Cesar Chavez, Bldg three; 643-3993. 6pm-1am, $5-100. Facility 3 and the Institute for Unpopular Culture hold a fundraising event that features a fixed-price art sale and a party with music, appetizers, and a cash bar.

'Mass Media and the Future of Democracy' New College Theater, 777 Valencia; 546-6334. 7pm, $15. Journalist Juan Gonzalez speaks; proceeds benefit Media Alliance.

'San Francisco Boys Chorus 2002 Benefit Gala' Marine's Memorial Ballroom, Sutter at Mason; 665-2330. 6pm, $200. The fundraising event features a silent auction and performances by Paula West, the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Erich Stratmann, and Jack Gallagher.

'The Sixth Annual Fixed Price Art Sale and Auction' The Lab, 2948 16th St; 864-8855. 1-6pm, free. Through Sun/3. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

Bay Area

'Can't Jail the Spirit' Mandela Arts Center, 1357 Fifth Ave, Oakl; (510) 433-0115. 9pm, $10-15. The Coup, Goapele, and Prophets and Rage perform to benefit local youth and family members of political prisoners who will attend the Tear Down the Walls Conference in Havana, Cuba.

'The 42nd Annual White Elephant Sale' White Elephant Sale Warehouse, 333 Lancaster, Oakl; (510) 536-6800. 9am-4pm, free. This huge rummage sale event features art, antiques, books, clothing, shoes, furniture, household items, and more for sale; proceeds benefit the Oakland Museum of California. Through Sun/3.

Authors

Tess Uriza Holthe Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library, lower level, 100 Larkin; 557-4277. 2-4pm. The author reads from her novel, When the Elephants Dance.

Bay Area

Lynne Lancaster, David Stillman Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 7pm. The authors discuss When Generations Collide: Who They Are, Why They Clash, How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work.

sunday 3

Around town

San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center opening gala SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market; www.sfcenter.org. Ribbon cutting ceremony, 1 p.m.; open house 2-4 p.m. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

Bay Area

Pat Bond Awards ceremony St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College, Berk; (415) 626-7000, ext 828. 3pm. The Pat Bond Committee presents its biannual award ceremony honoring lesbians over 60 years who have made a significant contribution to their community; today's honorees are Marion Abdullah, Dorothy Fowler, Barbara Konecny, Alice Malloy, and Carol Wilson.

Benefits

'The F-Word Project' Various Bay Area venues; 263-8760 or www.f-wordproject.org. Through Sat/9. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

'Pay Per View' Daddy's, 440 Castro; 621-8732. 4-8pm, free. Mark Paladini and Laura Federico present a benefit for the Positive Resource Center that features a raffle, give-aways, and more.

'The Sixth Annual Fixed Price Art Sale and Auction' The Lab, 2948 16th St; 864-8855. 1-6pm, free. Through Sun/3. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

Bay Area

'The 42nd Annual White Elephant Sale' White Elephant Sale Warehouse, 333 Lancaster, Oakl; (510) 536-6800. 11am-4pm, free. See Sat/2.

'Sing for Hope!' Claremont Resort and Spa, 41 Tunnel Rd, Oakl; (510) 655-3435. 3pm, $35-50. San Francisco Opera's Adler Fellows performs opera arias and Broadway show tunes to benefit the Center for AIDS Services.

Authors

Found zine reading cellspace, 2050 Bryant; 648-7562. 8pm, free. Editor Davy Rothbart hosts an interactive literary event with readings and performances drawn from Found, a zine of found notes, plays, music, and other random bits of art.

Bay Area

Jay Basu Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author discusses The Stars Can Wait.

Nelson DeMille Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 7pm. The author reads from his new novel, Up Country.

monday 4

Around town

Bill Press Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, Second floor; 597-6705. 6pm, $9-12. The commentator for CNN's Crossfire and the author of Spin This speaks.

Benefits

'The F-Word Project' Various Bay Area venues; 263-8760, www.f-wordproject.org. Through Sat/9. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

Authors

Michael Moore Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market; 597-6705. 1:30pm, $7-10. The documentary filmmaker and author discusses his new book, Stupid White Men and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation.

Bay Area

Sasha Abramsky Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The journalist discusses Hard Time Blues: How Politics Built a Prison Nation.

Rela Mazali Diesel, a Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The author reads from Maps of Women's Goings and Stayings.

Terence Ward Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 7pm. The author talks about Searching for Hassan: An American Family's Journey Home to Iran.

tuesday 5

Around town

'Rebuilding Afghanistan' California Institute of Integral Studies, 1453 Mission; 331-2076. 7pm, $3-5. Cofounder of Global Exchange Medea Benjamin lectures.

'Steinbeck Centennial Celebration' Mechanics' Institute Library, 57 Post; 393-0100. 6:15pm, $5. Marjorie E.L. Shaw presents a program on collective Steinbeck's works, and author Stephen Fender discusses Steinbeck's interpretation of social conflicts.

Benefits

'Carnivale Gala Benefit' Teatro ZinZanni, Pier 27/29; 863-3040, ext 226. 6-11pm, $200. Alonzo King's Lines Ballet and San Francisco Dance Center present a fundraiser that includes a cocktail reception, a silent auction, a full-course dinner, entertainment, and dancing.

'The F-Word Project' Various Bay Area venues; 263-8760, www.f-wordproject.org. Through Sat/9. See 8 Days a Week, page 46.

Authors

Ann Bannon Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia; 282-9246. 7:30pm. The lesbian pulp fiction writer discusses I Am a Woman.

Lisa Lerner Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 7pm. The author reads from and signs Just Like Beauty.

Rand Richards Stacey's Booksellers, 581 Market; 421-4687. 12:30pm. The author talks about his new guidebook, Historic Walks in San Francisco.

Marilyn Yalom A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. The author discusses and signs A History of the Wife.

Bay Area

Jonathan Dee Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author discusses his new novel, Palladio.

Tim Sanders Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera; (415) 927-0960. 7pm. The senior vice president and chief solutions officer at Yahoo! talks about his book, Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends.