HALF MARATHON Running out of ideas for things to do this weekend? Spend Sunday, Nov. 9, in your sneakers. It’s the second annual Berkeley Half Marathon, which takes racers through the Cal campus, Gourmet Ghetto, Fourth Street shopping area, and along the beautiful Bay Trail. If the 13.1-mile journey sounds daunting, participant can opt to run a more reasonable 5 kilometers instead. The race starts (8 a.m.) and ends (12:30 p.m.) at Civic Center Park at 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Registration costs $25-$115, and supports Cal Athletics and the Berkeley Public Schools Fund; last year’s event brought in $30,000. Non-runners may want to check out the list of street closures.
PIZZAFEST Get your carb fix before Sunday’s half-marathon at the first ever Pizzafest on Saturday, at Gilman and Ninth streets. The name says it all: The event is a celebration of, and an indulgence in, pizza. Sample slices from over 15 professional chefs and amateur pizza makers, and cast a vote for your favorite. All proceeds from the $10 tickets (kids under 12 are free) go to the Harrison House homeless shelter. The ticket comes with a $5 off coupon for pizzacraft.com, the sponsor. Pyramid beers will be available at the festival for $3. Pizzafest 2014 is Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
THE DRAGON PLAY A new Impact Theatre play takes the May-December romance concept to a new level. An 11-year-old boy falls in love — with a 300-year-old dragon. Despite the absurdity of the premise, “The Dragon Play” promises to tell a poignant story of love and longing. The West Coast premiere, directed by Tracy Ward, begins with “pay what you can” preview shows this weekend, at 8 p.m. through Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. After that, tickets cost $15-$25. The theater is located at 1834 Euclid St.
MARY POPPINS Everyone’s favorite singing nanny has flown her magic umbrella to Berkeley this month. The Berkeley Playhouse production of “Mary Poppins” runs through Dec. 7. It’ll be a fun evening for kids who want to see a beloved movie on stage, as well as those unfamiliar with the Tony Award-winning musical. With performances by both professional and youth casts, “Mary Poppins” runs Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sundays at noon and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $38 for adults and $23 for youth. Thursdays are “pay what you can.” “Mary Poppins” is directed and choreographed by Kimberly Dooley. All shows are the Julia Morgan Theater at 2640 College Ave.
WILLARD HARVEST FAIRE The garden at Willard Middle School has produced a bounty of fall vegetables — all for sale and consumption at the annual Harvest Faire on Saturday, Nov. 8. There will be pizza and salad, fall plants, homemade pickles, pumpkin bread, and crafts made by the students. Tackle that holiday shopping list early! From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., enter the garden gates on Telegraph Avenue between Stuart and Derby streets.
Don’t miss these other events recently featured on Berkeleyside:
Enter the Labyrinth with the True Life Trio
Berkeley Rep’s production of ‘Party People’ is electrifying
Check out Berkeleyside’s event calendar for many more events, and make sure to post your community happenings there too.
