HAVE FUN, GET WET Berkeleyans have some traditional vacation spots like Lair of the Bear and Berkeley Family Camp, both located in the mountains. But what about those people whose idea of a good time is extreme sports? Like kayaking around Australia? Author Joe Glickman will be at REI at 1338 San Pablo Avenue tonight, Friday Aug. 3 at 7 pm to talk about Fearless, his new book about the German uber-athelete Freya Hoffmeister and her 332-day trip around the continent. Sea Kayaker magazine called Fearless: One Woman, One Kayak, One Continent, “a compelling read.”
MEMORABLE CONVERSATIONS Sedge Thomson is Berkeley’s own unsung hero. As the long-time host and creator of West Coast Live, a two-hour show broadcast every Saturday on KALW, Thomson has highlighted the work of hundreds, even thousands, of writers, musicians, and artists. Thomson spends hours preparing for his productions, and his questions and interviews are regarded as among the most penetrating on the radio. This Saturday marks the last of four live broadcasts from Freight & Salvage. This week, starting at 10am, Thomson interviews Eddie Meidav, author of Lola, California, Karl & Carl, the music duo Meisner & Smith, and Mike Greensill on piano. Tickets are $15.
STREET THEATER, OCCUPY-STYLE It’s no surprise that the Occupy movement pops up in the newest play of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. For 53 years, the left-leaning theater organization has been adapting today’s headlines into colorful, watchable, socially relevant street theater. And all for free. This year’s free play, For the Greater Good, or The Last Election, which the Mime Troupe will perform Saturday and Sunday at Live Oak Park, has protesters, general assemblies, people evicted from their homes because of the mortgage crisis, Wall Street villains, and more. “In this scathing satire of a culture that lionizes the rich, a fat cat banker not only succeeds in bilking a war hero of his nest egg but is actually lauded for it. Elections are bought, innocents slain and the free market worshipped above all else,” Karen D’Souza wrote in the Mercury News. The play begins at 2 pm. both Saturday and Sunday Aug. 4 and 5 at Live Oak Park. Music starts at 1:30 pm.
FEMINIST OR SCOUNDREL? In 2009-2010, San Francisco playwright William Bivins saw six of his plays put on around the country, making him the most produced playwright in the Bay Area. Now Central Works theater company is performing one of Bivins newest creations, The Education of a Rake, a play about sex and politics. A description: “Congressman Roy Armstrong has a plan to pass the Equal Rights Amendment once and for all. But he has a problem–and she’s about to go public! Will he go down in history as the “feminist” who won equal rights for women in America? Or as a scoundrel who couldn’t keep his privates in his pants?” Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm and Sundays at 5 pm at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue. Tickets are $14 to $25 (sliding scale).
A BIT OF CUBA IN BERKELEY The Firehouse Art Collective has teamed up with The Murealeando Project to present a collaboration between Cuban and American artists, each of whom was asked to create art in response to a photo of Havana street art. “In this world of strife between two neighboring countries, this is an unusual and much-needed collaboration between artists and citizens of Cuba and America.” The exhibit is at Philz Coffee at 1600 Shattuck Avenue until September 30.
Don’t forget the Summer Cinema Center Street series which kicks off on Saturday August 4.
Also, check out the newly launched Berkeleyside Radio, which presents music from many bands that will be playing around town in the next two weeks. You can stream it, too. Produced by Deli Radio.
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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.
