BIG GAME RALLY  Moving the Big Game to the middle of the football season means Cal will have to change its pre-game celebration. Instead of rallying with a bonfire at the Greek Theater (it has a concert tonight) the Big Game Rally will be celebrated with a “pyrotechnic extravaganza that has never been done before in the Berkeley area.” Doors at Edwards Track and Field Stadium will open at 8:00 pm, and the Rally begins at 9:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 19. The event is free.

INSIDE IRAN  In our post-9/11 world, where religious extremism and the threat of terrorist attacks guide our understanding of the Middle East and Iran, Iran-born author and psychologist Dr. Rahimeh Andalibian‘s true-life story, The Rose Hotel, presents an intimate portrait of Muslim life and the impact of war and upheaval on her family as their life of beauty and tranquility is ruptured in the chaos of the Iranian Revolution of 1979, uprooting them to California. Dr. Andalibian will talk about The Rose Hotel Friday Oct. 19 at University Press Bookstore at 6 pm.

SAY CHEESE  You knew it was National American Cheese Month, right? The Pasta Shop on Fourth Street is featuring artisan cheeses from around the country throughout October and is planning a special event on Oct. 20. Cheese blogger Kirstin Jackson will talk about her popular blog and the creation of her new book, It’s Not You, it’s Brie: A Guide to America’s Unique Cheese Culture. Taste cheeses featured in her book; meet cheesemakers from Bellwether Farms, Fiscalini Farms, and Franklin Peluso; enjoy cheeses paired with different accompaniments and in recipes. Patio activities include games and prizes for the entire family: Cheese Racing; Guess the Milk; and Is the Cheese American or French? Cheese Party at The Pasta Shop, 1786 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710, Oct. 20, 1:00-4:00 pm.

A POET’S MIND  Lawrence Ferlinghetti said that American poet Robert Duncan had the “best ear this side of Dante.” A sampling of his quotes reveals that ear: “I’m bookish: I read everything that’s in front of me, including cereal boxes if put in front of me. I have been bookish since the beginning of time.” Kevin Killian, the co-founder of Poet’s Theater, will host an afternoon of readings to celebrate  Duncan, who died in 1988, and the publication of a book of interviews, A Poet’s Mind: Collected Interviews with Robert Duncan edited by Christopher Wagstaff. Sunday Oct. 21 at 1:30 pm at the City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue.

MUSIC FOR ALL  Families from all over the Bay Area are expected to flock to Crowden Music Center’s annual free musical carnival, Community Music Day, for a whole day of musical fun and exploration. The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra will perform short and engaging programs based on the musical theme “Meet the Orchestra.,” there will be an Instrument Petting Zoo, music and movement classes, instrument making workshops, a “chill room” screening music-related movies, face painting, BBQ and baked good sales, prizes, & more. Community Music Day is free and open to the public at Crowden Music Center.  Sunday, Oct. 21 Oct, 10:00 am- 3:00 pm.

Don’t forget these other activities recently featured on Berkeleyside:

Theater: “The Many Incarnations of Ram Dass” playing at The Marsh
Architecture: Modern Home architecture tour on Saturday Oct. 20
Film: “Panic in the Streets” and “The Waiting Room” showing locally 

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.

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Frances Dinkelspiel, Berkeleyside and CItyside co-founder, is a journalist and author. Her first book, Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman...