SECRET NO LONGER The annual Willard Middle School Spring Plant and Pizza Sale is described by its organizers as the “best kept secret” of the neighborhood. No more. Pizza is made with vegetables from the Willard garden — really a small urban farm — and visitors can buy plants and pick up free compost (donated by the City of Berkeley). The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. Pizzas made on the student-built outdoor pizza oven will be available from 10:30 a.m. Entrance through the garden gate on Telegraph Ave. between Stuart and Derby.
KAPOW! Free comic book day is being celebrated in numerous comic-oriented parts of Berkeley on Saturday, May 4. The Central Library is kicking off its Comic Arts Festival with a talk at 1 p.m. by author/artist Hope Larson, who did a graphic novel adaption of the classic Wrinkle in Time. Fantastic Comics at 2026 Shattuck is offering, of course, free comics while supplies last, and appearances by Larson and author/artist Jon McNaught. Fans can have their photo taken with Star Wars and G.I. Joe villains from The 501st Imperial Legion and The Cobra 1st Legion. Local illustrators Michael and Sue will be making sketches for children. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BIKE May is Bike Month, in case you didn’t know. If you’ve taken to swearing about that pothole you swerved around, you might find solace in East Bay Bicycle Coalition’s second annual Blessing of the Bikes. Interfaith clergy and spiritual teachers will be on hand to make the blessing from 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4 in Civic Center Park. Agnostics and atheists are welcome. Bicycle bells are encouraged. Rides around the city following the ceremony are recommended.
DOUBLE GULP If you heard author Mary Roach on KQED talking about her latest book, Gulp, you probably know not to bring something to eat when she talks at Mrs. Dalloway’s on Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Her graphic accounts of the human digestive system is not for the squeamish. But it is for those who like science, humor and learning all wrapped in one. Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave.
SEVEN FINGERS When did Canada become the go-to nation for circuses? Cementing the Maple Leaf’s ascendency is Les Sept Doigts de la Main Circus, part of Cal Performances’ World Stage season in Zellerbach Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 3-5. Children under 16 are half price at Saturday’s 2 p.m. matinee performance. Les Sept Doigts de la Main will be performing “Psy”, which “delves into the rich and surreal underworld of the human psyche.” The nouveau cirque style of the troupe blends acrobatics, avant-garde dance, physical comedy, music, song, video projections and live DJ-ing.
And don’t forget other happenings we have featured previously on Berkeleyside:
Launch of urban farming book Backyard Roots by Lori Eanes
Bites: food happenings around the inner East Bay
Daniel Plonsey, Rahim AlHaj play Berkeley
Big Screen Berkeley: PlayGround Film Festival
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Still searching for things to do this weekend in Berkeley? Berkeleyside’s Events Calendar is chock full of music, theater, dance, talks and community happenings. We also encourage you to submit your own events.
