THEATRE FIRST’S ‘ORLANDO’ TheatreFirst’s production of ‘Orlando’ at the Live Oak Theatre in Berkeley is getting great reviews. Robert Hurwitt said it was “another terrific play by [Sarah] Ruhl in the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Mercury News‘ Pat Craig said the production was “rollicking good fun.” Based on the Virginia Woolf novel of the same name, ‘Orlando’ tells the story of a young nobleman who is drawn into a love affair with Queen Elizabeth I. Berkeleyside is pleased to be able to offer its readers the chance to see the play for just $10 this weekend (general admission is $25/$30 at the door) and for $15 for the remainder of its run. And under-30s can pay just $10 on a usual ticket price of $15. The play closes on Sept. 15. Simply use promo code ‘berkeleyside’ when you buy your ticket.
BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day on Sunday Sept. 1 with a free outdoor festival featuring a Lavagem (blessing) honoring Mestre Acordeon’s 70th birthday and the departure of the Project B2B Joga Capoeira (Berkeley to Bahia by bicycle) with Mestra Suelly. The celebration, hosted by Berkeley’s BrasArte, will include a Children’s Village, Beer and Wine Garden, Caipirinha and VIP Lounges, Food and Artisan Booths — and lots and lots of great music. The festival runs 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, with a procession at 2:00 pm. Traditional white attire is suggested. After Party and Evening Concert at 8:00 pm is $10 at the door. BrasArte is at 1901 San Pablo Ave. Visit Brasarte for details.
LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG Escape into some classic French movie magic on Saturday Aug. 31 by watching a digitally remastered copy of Les parapluies de Cherbourg), Jacques Demy’s most famous work, at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive. Here’ how they describe the film: “It’s like viewing some secret history of cinema, where all words are sung and all sights are candy-coated, where the French New Wave and the MGM musical dwell hand in hand in a sixties-chic Eastmancolor paradise of Pop Art and popsicle colors. For those who love the sixties, French culture, Deneuve, Demy, design, romance, musicals, or cinema itself, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg stands alone, unmatched. Pacific Film Archive Theater 8:15pm, 2575 Bancroft Way (between College and Telegraph).
THE ART OF HAPPINESS The Nyingma Institute is offering a free lecture series through September to help us master the art of happiness. On Sunday Sept. 1, 6-7 pm, Sylvia Gretchen, the co-dean of the Nyingma Institute will kickstart the series with a talk titled The Inner Art of Happiness. “In the same way that an artist cultivates beauty, we can cultivate happiness, says the Institute… our inner experience becomes an inner work of art, pervaded by joy.” See details of the other lectures on the Berkeleyside Events Calendar. Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Place, Berkeley 94709.
CROP SWAP Swap lemons for lettuce, kale for carrots, eggs for oregano, parsley for potatoes, plums or whatever you grow! Pick up some tomato or vegetable starts, try new plants. (Have you ever had a pepino dulce? They grow well in Berkeley gardens.) Talk to other gardeners and listen to music at the Monday evening Crop Swap organized by Transition Berkeley. Monday September 2. Ohlone Greenway at Sacramento and Delaware at 6:30 pm.
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
Long journey back for Berkeley bassist/composer Kurt Ribak
Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, more new speakers, in Uncharted line-up
Downtown Berkeley to host first half-marathon
The hottest ticket this fall in Berkeley: Uncharted: The Berkeley Festival of Ideas. Uncharted is two days of provocative thinking, inspiring speakers, workshops, and a big party — all in downtown Berkeley in October. Read all about it, be part of it. Register on the Uncharted website.
