SOUTH AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DONE RIGHT On July 28, 1821, Peru became independent from Spain. Ever since, that day has been an occasion to party. It’s no different thousands of miles north in Berkeley. Brasa: A Peruvian Joint at 1960 University Avenue will throw open its doors for a special celebration on today, July 27 at 6 p.m. Owners Christopher and Veronica Laramie will be serving heaps of their split roast chicken and famous sides and encouraging patrons to eat in the Rose Garden and dance to the sounds of a Peruvian Criollo trio. Tickets are $10-$20.
UP, UP, AND AWAY 35,000 people can’t be wrong. That’s how many are estimated to go to the Berkeley Kite Festival, held Saturday and Sunday at the Berkeley Marina. Come marvel at the octopus kites, watch the kite team from Japan, learn how to make — and fly — a kite, or visit the petting zoo or bouncy house. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be free shuttles from Golden Gate Fields.
THAR SHE BLOWS Talk about reinterpreting the classics. On Saturday, the Parker Street Odditorium will present Backyard-Dick (or the whale), a 70-minute retelling of Moby Dick. Adapted and directed by Adam Sussman, the show features “11 great performers, song, live music, movement, projections and sculpture.” Backyard-Dick was produced in May as part of the Home Theater Festival and is back by popular demand. It starts at 7 p.m. at 2310 Parker St. Tickets are $6.
A TRAVELIN’ GYPSY Saturday night is the opening night of the Jewish Film Festival and its featured film, naturally enough, is by a Berkeley-born filmmaker. Gypsy Davy by Rachel Leah Jones tells the story of her estranged father, a white boy from Alabama who becomes a renowned flamenco guitarist. He led a wandering life that included five wives and many children. After the 7 p.m. screening, the courtyard of Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater will come alive with the flamenco music of Kerensa DeMars Cuadro and special guests. Tickets are $25.
BARK IF YOU LOVE ME Sunday will be a day for dog lovers as hundreds of people walk their canines in the 2012 Bay to Barkers, a fundraiser for the East Bay Humane Society. From noon to 4 p.m., dogs will have the run of the north parking lot of Golden Gate Fields. Activities include animal-themed crafts, canine contests, and a reunion parade for dogs adopted from the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. Vendors will sell doggie biscuits, offer spa services, and offer doggie day care.
Don’t forget these other weekend events, featured previously on Berkeleyside:
Noam Lemish at the JazzSchool
Willy Wonka at Berkeley Playhouse
“Awaara” at Pacific Film Archive
“News from Native California” magazine’s 25th birthday at OMCA
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To find out about more events in Berkeley and nearby, visit Berkeleyside’s Events Calendar. We also encourage you to submit your own events.
