PIANO RHAPSODY One of the best-kept secrets in town is the music series that UC Berkeley produces at Hertz Hall. Leave the hustle and bustle of life for an hour and listen to world-class musicians perform for free. Today, as part of the 62nd annual noon concert series, two pianists will perform from 12:15-1 p.m. On an Erard piano, Roger Tsui will play Jan Ladislav Dussek’s Sonata No. 24, Op. 61 Elegie Harmonique, Movement and Liszt’s, Three Etudes de Concert, S.144, No. 3 Un Sospiro. Then Jason Wu will perform Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen and Liszt’s, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6.
WEDDING BLUES The Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, Berkeley’s longest-running theatrical organization, presents “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” by Alan Ball, the prolific playwright/screenwriter/producer whose credits include “American Beauty,” “True Blood,” and “Arrested Development.” In short, a man with a twisted sense of humor. A description: “During an ostentatious wedding reception at a Knoxville, Tennessee estate, five bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below.” The play runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through April 18th, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on April 5 and 12. Tickets are $20 ($15 students and seniors) and are available at here. The play is at Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave.
EASTER EGG HUNTS There are at least two egg hunts happening on Saturday, April 4. The Eggster Egghunt and Learning Festival at UC Berkeley is the largest free egg hunt in Northern California. Sponsored by Associated Students of the University of California, the egg hunts, which take place throughout the day, happen at the base of the Campanile in zones segregated by age. There are also educational booths and activities The Eggster Egghunt runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The city of Berkeley’s Spring Egg Hunt Extravaganza takes place at Willard Park on Saturday, April 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a petting zoo, a visit with the Spring Bunny, spring-themed arts and crafts, an interactive kid’s carnival with fun prizes, and Bunny Hop Dance Lessons. Youth participants will receive a basket to collect all their spring goodies. Youth age 11 and older can participate in a fun scavenger hunt. There will be age-appropriate hunts for various ages starting with a 10 a.m. hunt for 1-year-olds, 10:20 a.m. hunt for 2-year-olds, 10:40 a.m. hunt for 3-year-olds, 11 a.m. hunt for 4-year-olds, and so on until the last hunt at noon for 8- and 9-year-olds. Tickets are $6. Be sure to check out Nosh for suggestions on Easter brunch.
AGING WITH GRACE The number of people living past 85 is growing rapidly and is expected to increase by 23.5% over the next 20 years in Alameda County. New technology, alternative health care methods, and increased support services are assisting people to live longer, but not always better. Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson is sponsoring a forum, “Planning & Caring for Aging Loved Ones” on the issue on Saturday, April 4. “Sooner or later, there will come the time when many of us will be faced with a myriad of decisions about caring for a parent or an aging loved one,” notes Carson. There will be panel discussions, workshops and resources to educate relatives and caregivers of older adults about the essential tools necessary in planning for legal responsibilities, housing, health, medical decisions and the well being and safety of aging adults. Dr. David Lindeman of the Center for Technology and Aging and UC Berkeley will share updates about the newest technological advances in health care, monitoring and communication that allow seniors to safely age in place. The forum is from 8 a.m to 2:30 p.m. at the Ed Roberts Campus at 3075 Adeline St. The event is free and pre-registration is highly recommended.
DANCE PARTY Like to dance? Every month La Peña Cultural Center puts on a dance party at 3105 Shattuck Ave. featuring music, art, and spoken word. This Saturday, April 4, the Brother Khalil Quartet will perform with Khalil Abdullah on guitar, James Mahone on saxophone, Gary Johnson on bass, and Fernando Cuellar on drums. Tickets are $10. The party starts at 8 p.m.
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
Avant-guard Antigonik by the Shotgun Players
Museum doubles as library in Berkeley artist’s show
Molière’s Tartuffe at Berkeley Rep
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.
