DAVID BOWIE FILM Starting Friday, the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood is showing Nicolas Roeg’s The Man Who Fell to Earth for one week. The movie stars rock legend David Bowie who died on Jan. 10., and is described as “a daring exploration of science fiction as an art form.” It tells the story of an alien on an elaborate rescue mission. The film marked Bowie’s acting debut, and in his 2011 review, our movie critic John Seal, said the rock god is a “suitably otherworldly presence.” Candy Clark, Buck Henry and Rip Torn provide impressive supporting performances. Visit Rialto Cinemas Elmwood for showtimes.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST On Monday (yes, it still counts as the weekend as it’s a holiday!) what better way to mark MLK Day than to come break bread with a great community attending the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Berkeley Celebration Breakfast? Started in 2012 to celebrate and continue MLK’s work, this annual event has grown into a wonderful gathering that captures the spirit of the joyful society that Dr. King both championed and envisioned. There’s good conversation, breakfast, speeches, songs and tributes, including awards for young leaders in the local community. The breakfast is Monday at HS Lordships at the Berkeley Marina, 8-10 a.m., doors open at 7:15 a.m. Details and tickets.
CAL WINTER INVITATIONAL The likelihood is you didn’t fly to Melbourne for the opening of the Australian Open on Monday. We have the next best thing on our doorstep (rain permitting) with the Cal Winter Invitational all weekend (Friday through Sunday) at the Hellman Tennis Complex on the UC Berkeley campus and the university’s Channing tennis courts. Cal’s women’s tennis team, currently ranked sixth nationally, hosts Cal Poly, Fresno State (ranked 54th) and St. Mary’s (ranked 45th) in round-robin singles and doubles matches. If you’re used to watching top flight tennis on television only, you won’t believe how hard these women slug the ball.
LA MANDANGA On Friday night at La Peña, the six-piece flamenco/rumba band La Mandanga will be performing what it calls Flamenco fusion. The band combines upbeat rhythms, the passion of the gypsy with Javier Jimenez on the guitar and catchy melodies and haunting lyrics dramatically written by Alberto Guiterrez founder of the band. Half of the band’s members are originally from Spain. Mark Bell and Luis Jimenez play the band’s two cajons, blending Arabian and Spanish rhythms, Steve Gardner adds a spicy touch with his fiddle, and Joe Nemzer keeps everyone to a solid beat. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Friday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m., La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.
PAUL THORN BAND Okay, we can’t better this intriguing blurb from The Freight & Salvage about Paul Thorn: “Hailed as the ‘Mark Twain of Americana,’ Paul Thorn brings his gritty, gospel-infused Southern rock straight from his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi, where he grew up as the son of a Pentecostal preacher and went on to box in more than 50 professional bouts, including one with Roberto Duran—but that’s another story. Paul’s music mixes the hard-driving boogie of the Allman Brothers with the soulful wit of John Hiatt.” The Freight also describes his latest album as a “feel-good tour de force.” Tickets $23 in advance, $25 on the door, Saturday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m., Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison St.
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
Music previews: Bryan Bowman / Rupa and the April Fishes
Oakland and Berkeley Restaurant Weeks offer great deals
Movie review: ‘Flowers’ is elegant and understated
To find out what is going on in Berkeley and nearby, be sure to check out Berkeleyside’s Events Calendar. And submit your own events: it’s self-serve and free.
