SHREK THE MUSICAL Shrek the Musical continues at Berkeley Playhouse through Aug. 3, including several performances on Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13. This “silly, modern-day fairytale,” described as “a visual adventure” and “highly entertaining” by local reviewers, tells the story of everyone’s favorite ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that friendship and love aren’t only found in fairy tales. The large adult and youth cast is directed and choreographed by Matthew McCoy with music direction by Rachel Robinson. Visit Berkeley Playhouse for dates and times, including several “pay what you can” performances.
FREE ARTIST’S RECEPTION All are invited to meet Berkeley artist Pete Najarian and discuss his work during a free artist’s reception on Sunday afternoon, July 13, at 2 p.m. in Berkeley Public Library’s Central Catalog Lobby. An exhibition of Najarian’s work is currently on view through Aug. 3 in the first floor Catalog Lobby. The retrospective comprises figurative paintings connected to his writing and plein air landscapes influenced by local master painters. Visit Berkeley Public Library online for details.
SUNDAYS ON TELEGRAPH The annual Sundays on Telegraph street fair returns on Sunday July 13, and runs through Sept. 21. For the kickoff, performers include a Dixieland jazz band called Spirit of 29, along with breakdancing and hip hop artists. From 1-4 p.m., Berkeley’s Boss Robot Hobby and Kids in Motion will have remote-controlled cars to race outside Moe’s Books. This year, Berkeleyside, which is a sponsor of the event, in collaboration with Mayor Tom Bates’ office, is launching a photography contest through July. Read all about it in our story. Sundays on Telegraph, which Berkeleyside sponsors, runs Sundays from July 13 to Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Telegraph Avenue from Dwight Way north to Durant Avenue.
PRIDE & PREJUDICE IN THE PARK Actors Ensemble continue their FREE performances of Pride & Prejudice in John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre through July 20. All performances are at 4 p.m and the amphitheater opens at 3 p.m. for picnicing. Join the troupe as the Bennet girls grapple with Mr. Darcy, Charles Bingley, and the rest of Jane Austen’s rich (and surprisingly funny) universe. The play is adapted by Constance Cox from the book by Jane Austen, directed by Ann O’Connell. Check out the trailer. The first few rows are reserved for the elderly and disabled – call 510-649-5999 to make a reservation. The amphitheatre consists of a series of stone steps and is wheelchair accessible. Low lawnchairs are acceptable, or bring pillows and/or blankets. Full details at Actors Ensemble online.
PRINT PUBLIC The Kala Art Institute and UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design have joined forces to put on Print Public, a series of public art projects designed to activate San Pablo Ave. in West Berkeley, where Kala is located (at Ashby). Sunday’s event, Well, Being Collaboration Event with the Ecology Center runs from 3:30-4:15pm, and takes place not at Kala but at Jered’s Pottery, at 2720 San Pablo Ave. From Kala: Join Swell and the Ecology Center for a visualization of a vibrant urban environment, followed by active meditation. Part flash-mob, part vigil, part Zen, Well, Being investigates the nature of reality without the usual pomp of ceremony. Well, Being poses silent walking/movement meditations as explorations of the following questions: “What do wellness and health look like communally? Can a route of well-being be traced geographically? What do outer manifestations of inner silence look like?” Visit Kala for info on all the events in the program.
Don’t miss these other events recently featured on Berkeleyside:
Win prizes with your photos as Sundays on Telegraph returns for the summer
Tilden Little Farm, merry-go-round reopen again to the public
Movie review: ‘Code Black:’ behind the scenes in an L.A. emergency room
Berkeley Spark 2.0: Innovation, art, and a kinetic bear
Check out Berkeleyside’s event calendar for many more events, and make sure to post your own community happenings.
