events

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

wednesday 17

Around town

Safahri Ra Black Dot Cafe, 2364 15th St, Oakl; (510) 533-6299. 6:30-8pm, free. The freestylist and MC discusses his work.

'Theatre, Science and History in Copenhagen' Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison, Berk; (415) 597-6705. 4pm-5:30pm, $5-8. Playwright Michael Frayn discusses his work with Bob Osserman.

25th annual Career Expo Laney College, main quad, 900 Fallon, Oakl; (510) 464-3126. 10am-1pm, free. Meet with representatives from more than 100 Bay Area companies about career opportunities.

Authors

Gayle Brandeis Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market; 421-4687. 12:30pm. The author discusses Fruitflesh: Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write.

'Fresh Fiction' Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market; 597-6705. 6:45pm, $12. Robert Mailer Anderson, Tess Uriza Holthe, and Paul Flotes read from and discuss their work.

John A. Kerner, M.D. Monticello Inn, 127 Ellis; 394-0661. 5:30pm. The author reads from his memoir, Combat Medic.

Fran Lebowitz Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. 8pm, $18. The humorist and author discusses her life and work.

Susan Parker San Francisco Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, lower level, 100 Larkin; 557-4277. 4:30pm. The author discusses her memoir Tumbling After.

Bay Area

Jeffrey Greene Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 644-3635. 7pm. The author reads from and signs French Spirits.

Michelle Stacey Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author discusses her book The Fasting Girl: A True Victorian Medical Mystery.

thursday 18

Around town

'After-Taxes Relief Party' The Pendulum, 4146 18th St; 863-4441. 6pm-2am, free. This special night of Alley Catz, a club for women celebrates the end of tax season.

Roger Ebert Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon; 392-4400. 8pm, $18. The film critic and author discusses his work.

Benefits

Utah Phillips and Molotov Mouths Fellowship of Humanity Hall, 390 27th St, Oakl; (510) 548-3113. 7pm, $5-20. Folk rocker Utah Phillips and spoken word troupe Molotov Mouths perform to benefit the Judi Bari/Earth First! lawsuit.

Authors

Noel Alumit A Different Light Bookstore, 489 Castro; 431-0891. 7:15pm. The author reads from Letters to Montgomery Clift.

Sherana Harriette Frances A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. The artist and writer discusses her new book, Drawing It Out: Befriending the Unconscious.

Jeffrey Greene Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market; 421-4687. 12:30pm. The author discusses his book French Spirits.

Todd Hido Foto-Grafix Books, 655 Mission; 495-7242. 7pm. The photographer discusses and signs his new book, House Hunting.

Nancy Mairs Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia; 282-9246. 7:30pm. The author discusses A Troubled Guest.

Michael Martone San Francisco Main Library, Book Bay at the Main, 100 Larkin; 557-4238. 6pm. The author reads from and signs The Blue Guide to Indiana.

Tough Girls reading Books Inc., 2275 Market; 864-6777. 7:30pm. Editor Lori Selke and local contributors of Tough Girls read.

Gore Vidal Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. 8pm, $18-22. The author discusses America's war on terrorism and his book Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace: How We Got to Be So Hated; Lewis Lapham moderates a response panel with Barton J. Bernstein, Robert Higgs, and Thomas Gale Moore.

Bay Area

Laurie R. King Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author reads from her mystery novel Justice Hall.

Terry McMillan James Moore Theater, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak, Oakl; (510) 238-3134. 7pm. The author discusses her work.

Han Ong Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author reads from his first novel, Fixer Chao.

Gail Sher Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The author discusses her book The Intuitive Writer: Listening to Your Own Voice.

friday 19

Around town

West Portal Avenue Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fair Sloat and Portola; 566-3500. 10am-5pm, free. More than 50 California artists will display their work for sale and show at this event. Through Sun/21.

Bay Area

Second annual Oakland Rod, Custom and Motorcycle Show Oakland Coliseum Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakl; (209) 744-8090. 5-10pm, $9-14. Check out more than 250 customized cars and motorcycles, including Art Himsl's Flash Gordon Zeppelin and seven cars by street rod builder Roy Brizio. Through Sun/21.

'WonderCon' Oakland Convention Center and Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakl; www.comic-con.org. noon-7pm, $15-35. This huge comic book convention features special guests, panels and seminars, movie previews, gaming demonstrations, and more. Through Sun/21.

Authors

Kim Stanley Robinson Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market; 421-4687. 12:30pm. The author discusses his new book, The Years of Rice and Salt.

Bay Area

Kim Stanley Robinson Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author discusses his new book.

saturday 20

Around town

'How Weird Street Fair' Howard between 11th and 12th Sts; www.howweird.com. Noon-7pm, donations accepted. This event benefits the World Peace Through Technology Organization; highlights include live performances by local artists, DJs, a global market, speakers, and more.

'Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Challenging the Culture of Breast Cancer' Women's Building, 3543 18th St; 355-9988. noon-5pm, $10 minimum donation. This community forum on breast cancer is hosted by Anne Lammott and features a reading by Barbara Ehrenreich and musical performance by Adrienne Torf.

Earth Day Festival California Academy of Sciences, near Lincoln and Ninth Ave; 750-7145. 10am-5pm, $2-8.50, discount available to individuals who take the bus or bike to the museum. Celebrate Earth Day at the California Academy of Sciences, where you'll see live animals, art from recycled materials, and more. Through Sun/21.

'420 Hempfest' Studio Z, 1515 Folsom; (510) 486-8083. 4:20pm, $22. Cannabis Action Network, High Times, Ed Rosenthal, and the Big Book of Buds presents this benefit for Cannabis Action Network featuring performances by Zigaboo Modeliste and the New Aahkesstra, Taos Hum, and others, as well as a hemp bazaar and speakers. Through Sun/21.

19th annual International Beer Festival Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 820-3905. 7-10pm, $40-50. This event features more than 100 beers from around the world, food, music, and more.

Real Skateboards video premiere Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St; 621-4455. 8pm, $2. Real Skateboards presents the video premiere of Recipe for Disaster; One Man Army, Pitch Black, and Tommy Guerrero perform.

Song of the Earth Festival Golden Gate Park, La Playa and Fulton; 750-5220. noon-3pm, free. See 8 Days a Week, page 52.

West Portal Avenue Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fair Sloat and Portola; 566-3500. 10am-5pm, free. See Fri/19.

Bay Area

Berkeley Earth Day Festival Civic Center Park, Allston and MLK Jr. Way, Berk; (510) 654-6346. 11am-5:30pm, free. This celebration of Earth Day features an Eco-Motion parade, a farmers' market, cultural performances, kids events, and much more.

'Cal Day' UC Berkeley, Berk; (510) 642-5215. 9am-4pm. UC Berkeley opens its campus to the public for this open-house event featuring lectures by professors, science demonstrations, music from the Cal Band, and more.

'Community Music Day' Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose, Berk; (510) 559-6910. noon-5pm, free. Crowden Music Center presents a community event featuring concerts, an instrument petting zoo, and more.

'Earth Night: Energy and Expression' Pusod, 1808 Fifth St, Berk; (510) 883-1808. 7-9pm. Filipino American Coalition for Environmental Solutions, Pusod, and other Asian American environmental and youth groups present this event featuring spoken word, music, and presentations to celebrate Earth Day.

Second annual Oakland Rod, Custom and Motorcycle Show Oakland Coliseum Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakl; (209) 744-8090. 10am-10pm, $9-14. See Fri/19.

Small Press Distribution open house and book sale Small Press Distribution, 1341 Seventh St, Berk; (510) 524-1668. noon-4pm (readings, 2pm), free. The independent book press invites all to this open house and sale; highlights include readings by poets Janice Mirikitani, Alfred Arteaga, Dodie Bellamy, Jono Schneider, and giovanni singleton.

'WonderCon' Oakland Convention Center and Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakl; www.comic-con.org. 10am-7pm, $15-35. See Fri/19.

Benefits

Film event to commemorate Judi Bari Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk; (510) 655-4601. 7-9pm. The Berkeley Fellowship Social Justice Committee sponsors this screening of three films in tribute to Judi Bari and to benefit the Earth First! Lawsuit and Heritage Tree Initiative; films screened are Viva Judi Bari, Timber Gap, and Conquest of the Giants – Mankind's Historic View of the World Challenged.

Authors

Noel Alumit East Wind Books, 2066 University, Berk; (510) 548-2350. 3pm. The author reads from Letters to Montgomery Clift.

Thomas Moore Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author discusses The Soul's Religion: Cultivating a Profoundly Spiritual Way of Life.

sunday 21

Around town

Earth Day Festival California Academy of Sciences, near Lincoln and Ninth Ave; 750-7145. 10am-5pm, $2-8.50, discount available to individuals who take the bus or bike to the museum. See Sat/20.

'420 Hempfest' Studio Z, 1515 Folsom; (510) 486-8083. 4:20pm, $22. See Sat/20.

'Intersections' Herbst International Exhibition Hall, Moraga and Montgomery, 441-3400. 3-5pm, free. fiber/Dimensions presents a symposium on contemporary art with artist Deborah Valoma, gallery owner Catharine Clark, curator Rene de Guzman, and collector Steven H. Oliver.

West Portal Avenue Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fair Sloat and Portola; 566-3500. 10am-5pm, free. See Fri/19.

Bay Area

Earth Day 2002 Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Link Rd, (510) 632-9525, ext 132. 11am-3pm, $4.50-7.50. This Earth Day event features live entertainment and information on how to help preserve animal habitats.

'Preserving Paper' Berkeley Historical Society, 1931 Center; (510) 848-0181. 3pm. Ed Henry lectures on the topic.

Second annual Oakland Rod, Custom and Motorcycle Show Oakland Coliseum Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakl; (209) 744-8090. 10am-10pm, $9-14. See Fri/19.

'Wine 101: Developing Your Palate Memory' Ruby's Cafe, 6233 Hollis, Emeryville; (510) 482-2009. 4-6pm, $30. California winemaker Travis Fretter leads this wine seminar.

'WonderCon' Oakland Convention Center and Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakl; www.comic-con.org. 11am-5pm, $15-35. See Fri/19.

Benefits

'Save the Earth Fest 2002' Kelly's Mission Rock, 817 China Basin; 626-5355. 3-10pm, $10-15. The benefit for the Save the Earth Foundation features musical groups Medicine Drum, Playground, Jana Herzen, and Alma Melodioso plus a variety of DJs.

Authors

'Sisters-in-Crime' A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 2pm. Mystery writers Cara Black, Mark Coggins, Jaki Girdner, Jonnie Jacobs, and Lynne Murray discuss their work.

Bay Area

Ezra Bayda Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author discusses Being Zen: Bringing Meditation to Life.

monday 22

Around town

Art Chantry Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard; 978-ARTS. 7:30pm, $15-20. The graphic designer discusses his work.

'Creating a Soul in the 21st Century' Marina Room, Fort Mason Center, Bldg A, Marina at Laguna; 664-8260. 7:30pm, free. This lecture explores the teachings of George Gurdjieff and Peter Ouspensky.

Bay Area

'Construction Without Destruction' Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St, Berk; (510) 845-6874. 7:30pm. Cofounder of Watershed Media Dan Imhoff leads a workshop on environmentally friendly building techniques.

Authors

Sonny Barger Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 6pm. The author signs Ridin' High, Livin' Free.

Atal Gawande A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. The surgeon and medical writer discusses Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science.

Chloe Hooper Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market; 421-4687. 12:30pm. The author discusses her new thriller, A Child's Book of True Crime.

Bay Area

Hari Kunzru Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author reads from The Impressionist.

Rabbi Hanan Alexander, Ph.D. Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author discusses Reclaiming Goodness: Education and the Spiritual Quest.

tuesday 23

Benefits

Tony Kushner Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market; 392-4400. 6pm, $75. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright discusses his work with Angie Coiro to benefit the ACLU Foundation.

'New Works/New Voices' Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia; 626-2787. 8pm, $5. Poet and playwright Marvin K. White and poet Forrest Hamer read their work to benefit Intersection for the Arts.

Authors

Frances Lief Neer Mechanics' Institute Library, 57 Post; 393-0100. 6pm, $5. The editor of Breaking Barriers: Blind Rites of Passage discusses this collection of stories written by people with visual impairments.

Cynthia Ozick Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. 8pm, $18. The novelist and critic discusses her work.

UC Extension Student Reading Night A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. Students from UC Berkeley Extension's Writing Program read their works.

Bay Area

Kate Braverman Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The author reads from The Incantation of Frida K.

Jonathan Safran Foer Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author reads from his first novel, Everything Is Illuminated.