SPRING EQUINOX AT CESAR CHAVEZ PARK Gather this evening at the Chavez Memorial Solar Calendar to celebrate the official arrival of spring. The event, led by Lori Lambertson of the Exploratorium Teacher Institute, will include a discussion about the “reasons for the seasons,” the Chavez virtue of HOPE, and other global spring equinox celebrations. Dress warmly: the weather is part of the experience. Friday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., sunset is at 7:15 p.m. Cesar Chavez Park, 11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley.
JOSH KORNBLUTH AT THE MARSH There’s still time to catch funny-man Kornbluth in Haiku Tunnel which is running at The Marsh Berkeley through March 28, after transferring from San Francisco. Inspired by the comedian’s real-life experiences as a temp worker at a San Francisco law office, Haiku Tunnel is a comic re-imagining of Kornbluth’s disastrous transition from “temp” to “perm.” Created in collaboration with David Ford, performances are at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, at 8 p.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Saturdays. For tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved), visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1-4pm, Monday through Friday.
SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Three concerts at Hertz Hall by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra at Cal Performances celebrate the group’s long association with Berkeley-based composer John Adams. Friday night’s concert has Adams’ “Shaker Loops,” as well as Stravinsky’s Danses Concertantes and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, with soloist Martin Fröst. Saturday night, Adams’ Son of Chamber Symphony is followed by Hillborg’s “Peacock Tales” clarinet concerto and Beethoven’s Third Symphony. Finally, Sunday night juxtaposes Adam’s Chamber Symphony with Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, arranged for chamber orchestra. All three concerts are conducted by Benjamin Shwartz. Concerts at Hertz Hall on Friday, Mar. 20 and Saturday, Mar. 21 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Mar. 22 at 3 p.m. Tickets, $72, from Cal Performances.
THE FREIGHT GOES BRITISH Think “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night.” Six different local bands celebrate the music of The Kinks on Friday night at the Freight & Salvage. Bands include The RaveUps, Girl Named T, The Blondies, Callaghan, The Whitecliff Rangers, and The Berkeley Blues Coalition. Each band will play three Kinks songs, as well as their own tunes. Tickets are $22 in advance, $24 on the door. Friday, Mar. 20 at 8 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.), Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison St.
JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL FINALE Nearly a month of performances and workshops culminates in Sunday’s finale and dance party. Featuring the Instant Klezmer Mandolin Orchestra, a pop-up community chorus that will sing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah — led by Conspiracy of Beards artistic director Daryl Henline — and a dance party with Jewish dance expert of Jewish dance Steven Weintraub. Topping it all is music by the internationally renowned klezmer ensemble Veretski Pass. Sunday, Mar. 22, 1-6 p.m., JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets $15, $12 seniors, students and members.
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
David Wessel: Musical scientist/scientific musician
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine’
For more events in and around Berkeley, check out Berkeleyside’s Events Calendar. And submit your own events there — the calendar is free and self-serve.
