ART OPEN HOUSE On Saturday the Berkeley Art Center, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, will host an open house and unveil its new sculpture patio. The patio will feature works by Harold Paris, Peter Voulkos, and Stephen DeStaebler. The day will also see the opening of the gallery’s new show, “Local Treasures: Bay Area Ceramics,” a bi-annual exhibition series started in 2010, featuring artists that have had a significant impact in the artistic fabric of the community. The Open House reception is on Saturday Sept. 22, 5-8 pm at the Berkeley Art Center at 1275 Walnut Street.
LIBRARY LOVE We love our libraries, right? So come out to the North Branch on Saturday for a special day of festivities to celebrate that fact. The family-friendly program begins at 10am with entertainment from juggler and environmental activist Doug Nolan. There’s lunch on the lawn with the Brazil Café food truck and Tara’s Organic Ice Cream. And at 2:15 pm, author Alice Medrich will present a demonstration and talk about her latest book, “Sinfully Easy, Delicious Desserts.” Information at Berkeley Public Libraries. North Branch Library is at 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins.
GUTEN TAG AND CHEERS It’s time once again for Oktoberfest, the annual festival born in Munich, Germany but celebrated around the world. In addition to traditional food and drink offerings throughout the day, the ‘Staches & Steins celebration at Pyramid Alehouse on Saturday features a “best moustache” competition until 8 p.m. and a bratwurst eating contest at 5 p.m. There’s also live music by accordion player Gary Brietbard. Pyramid is at 901 Gilman Street Berkeley, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., free. 510-528-9880.
MURALS GALORE Want to lose yourself in a warehouse blanketed with street art, murals and graffiti? Endless Canvas is opening up its “Special Delivery Bay Area 2012” exhibition to the public for the second time on Sunday, noon-6pm. Artists, including Yoder, Tupac and Swampy, worked for months to cover almost every inch of the interior of the old Flint Ink building using spray paint, and those who attended the inaugural event on Sept. 8 say the results are spectacular. No alcohol or bags, cameras welcome. The Carbon Warehouse at the old Flint Ink Building, 1350 Fourth Street, Berkeley. (Also scheduled to be open on Sunday Sept. 30, noon-6pm). Details at the Special Delivery website.
GROW WELL Want to know more about the medicinal plants that grow locally? Come out to the Lorin Station Crop Swap on Sunday at noon for a free talk on the edible and medicinal plants of the Bay Area by herbalist Tellur Fenner. The event is part of “Reclaim, Rebuild, Reskill: A Series on Growing Your Resiliency,” and Fenner will cover historical and modern medicinal applications and offer tips on plant identification. Bring medicinal herbs you are growing to share and discuss. The crop swap is from 1pm-2pm and the herb talk is from 12noon-1pm. Lorin Station Greenspace, Alcatraz and Adeline. Tel: 510-548 2220 Ext: 233.
Don’t forget other weekend happenings previously mentioned on Berkeleyside:
The Real Vocal String Quartet at the Freight on Saturday
“Somewhere Between” documentary at Shattuck Landmark starting Friday
Berkeley Rose Garden 75th birthday celebration on Sunday
Wilco plays the Greek Theatre tonight and Saturday
Also, check out the recently 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.
