WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON UC Berkeley grad Min Kanhg is a triple-threat: composer, lyricist, and playwright. And he donned all of those hats to create Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, a musical Bay Area Children’s Theater adaptation of the beloved book of the same name. The story follows an adventurous young girl in an ancient mythical China as she and a friendly dragon set out on a quest to help her family. The music of the erhu, a two-stringed Chinese violin, accompanies the performance. Director Mina Morita is also based in Berkeley, where the show opens on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at Osher Studio on 2055 Center St. The two-hour show is recommended for children ages 7 and up. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for children.
LIVING TIME Where do we draw the boundaries between “art” and “life” — and how have those boundaries shifted throughout history, under different regimes, and in the current economy? An impressive list of scholars and artists, some local and some who call New York and Norway home, will grapple with these questions at a free symposium beginning tonight. Discussion topics range from the politics of dance to experimental art in China. Living Time: Art and Life after ‘Art-into-Life’ takes place at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive at 2621 Durant Ave. There’s a keynote speech tonight, Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m. and tomorrow’s full-day line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. The event was designed to complement BAM/PFA’s exhibit ‘The Possible.’ Registration is encouraged.
LOST LANDSCAPES For years, San Franciscans have been treated to an annual screening of long lost and familiar footage — newsreels, rare film clips, home videos — illustrating their city’s rich history. On Saturday, Rick Prelinger, founder of the Prelinger Archives, is hosting the very first East Bay installment of his signature series. Lost Landscapes of Oakland (which may offer peeks of Berkeley which is why we’ve sneaked it in here) is an interactive event, where audience members are encouraged to shout out speculations, identify sites, ask questions, and engage in a lively discussion. Show up early to reserve a seat at the Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak St.) for the 3 p.m.-5 p.m. event on Saturday, Feb. 22. The event is included in museum admission.
THE STORYTELLERS In one of the stories Joel ben Izzy will narrate on Sunday, Feb. 23, a soldier is tricked into trading his violin (a proxy for his soul) to the devil — but no music will be sacrificed during this show. Instead, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra’s The Storytellers is bound to be a delightful collaboration between song and speech. Ben Izzy’s rendition of “A Soldier’s Tale,” from Russian folklore, will be accompanied by the music of Igor Stravinksy and the puppets of the Lewis Mahlman Lilliputian Players. The Berkeley-based storyteller will also debut his version of “Luck or Wisdom,” a comedic Yiddish tale, set to an original composition by Oakland’s Stephen Saxon. Ben Simon is conductor. The (free!) family-friendly show starts at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church at 2345 Channing Way.
FERMENT DAIRY Immerse yourself in the, er, culture of fermentation at BioFuel Oasis’ Ferment Dairy! class on Sunday, Feb. 23. Designed for pro preservers and first-time fermenters alike, the workshop will focus on dairy products. That includes crème fraîche, greek yogurt, cultured butter, and milk and water kefir. Participants will make kefir that they can continue fermenting at home. The class costs $35 and takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sticky Art Lab at 1682 University Ave.
Don’t miss these other events recently featured on Berkeleyside:
Shotgun’s ‘A Maze’: A provocative evening of theater
The Best Songs In Life Are Free, with Kim Nalley
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Omar’: a powerful Palestinian drama
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet: Creating a fearless art
Check out Berkeleyside’s event calendar for many more events, and make sure to post your own community happenings.
