STAND UP SIT DOWN If you’re looking for laughs, try the La Peña Cultural Center this Friday for a comedy show hosted by Karinda Dobbins and Dhaya Lakshminarayanan. The socio-political comedians will be treating guests to some stand-up comedy and a sit-down interview with special guest Bryant Terry, a chef and activist who is working to create a sustainable and just food system. Guest comedian Nato Green will also be joining in to humorously discuss current events. To help readers get a proper sense of the event, the La Peña website asks them to “imagine if renegade comedians locked Wolf Blitzer in a broom closet and then ran CNN’s ‘Situation Room.’” The show will go from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
BERKELEY SPARK 2.0 The second annual Berkeley Spark festival is happening this Saturday at Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Organizers sought to transplant a bit of the creative spirit of Nevada’s Burning Man festival to Berkeley by showcasing some of the Bay Area’s best artists and innovators. Several tech companies, musical artists, Burning Man theme camps, a kinetic bear sculpture and many more local organizations will be in attendance. The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Berkeleyside is a sponsor.)
MEET YOUR MAKER The David Brower Center is hosting its first Meet Your Maker event Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Described as a “daylong celebration of the Bay Area’s alternative economics,” the festival will bring artisans, educators and other “makers” together to feature their sustainable, locally-made products. Artisans from Treasure Island Flea and Jack of All trades will be putting on a craft market while the Institute of Urban Homesteading, Urban Ore and BACE have several workshops and community discussions planned. Attendees will also have access to food trucks, two full bars and live music. Meet Your Maker is part of the Brower Center’s Reimagining Progress series. Admission is free.
BERKELEY PATH WANDERERS PATH-A-THON The 11th annual Berkeley Path Wanderers Summer Path-a-thon is taking place Sunday. Starting at John Muir Elementary School, three hikers will lead three walks of varying degrees of difficulty. The first — and most difficult option — starts at 9:45 a.m. and takes hikers on a moderately-paced trek through the hills above the Claremont Hotel. A second, less strenuous choice starts at 10:15 a.m. and gives participants a chance to view the animal art scattered throughout the area. Those choosing the walk starting at 10:45 a.m. will get a tour of the neighborhood between Claremont and College avenues. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome to join the second two walks. Participating hikers will meet up at noon for a bring-your-own picnic.
ECO-ARTS FASHION SHOW Artists Evelyn Roth and Nicola Griffin will present their eco-friendly fashion creations at Expressions Gallery at 2035 Ashby Ave. Capes made of wheatgrass and clothes made from VHS tape, umbrellas, venetian blinds, plastic palette wrap and more will be on display from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Spiral Dance Chamber Jazz will perform throughout the show and attendees are also invited visit the gallery’s other show: Summertime Fun Recycling. Admission is free.
Don’t miss these other events recently featured on Berkeleyside:
Big Screen Berkeley: Siddharth
Laura Inserra: A rose grows in Berkeley
Announcing Uncharted 2014: 2 days spent with the great thinkers of today to find out what’s coming tomorrow
Don’t forget: Share your Telegraph Avenue pics to win
Check out Berkeleyside’s event calendar for many more events, and make sure to post your own community happenings.
