BARK AND MEOW ADOPT-A-THON: On Saturday July 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Berkeley Humane will once again host one of the largest annual adopt-a-thon events in the East Bay. Bark and Meow Around the Block, which will take over two city blocks in West Berkeley, is also the location for NBC Bay Area’s “Clear The Shelters” nationwide campaign which encourages individuals throughout the country to adopt a shelter animal and help clear the shelters. Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales of the “Today Show” are taking part in the event where more than 200 animals will be available for adoption with waived or reduced adoption fees. Said Berkeley Humane Executive Director Jeffrey Zerwekh: “Pet homelessness is a solvable problem, if more people are able to open their homes and adopt. This event will include food, beer, live music, games and a pet psychic to entertain the entire family while looking for a new dog, cat, puppy or kitten.” Saturday, July 23, 10am-4pm; Ninth and Carleton streets, Berkeley (corner of 2700 Ninth St.) Berkeley. Visit Berkeley Humane online for details.
YMTC’S ‘CAROUSEL’ The Berkeley-based Youth Musical Theater Company’s production of Carousel opens tonight, Friday, and runs through July 31 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. When Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan fall in love, little do they realize that Billy’s rebellious ways will result in tragedy. Billy is given a chance to make good, but is it too little too late, or will a lucky star save him and those he loves? Voted best musical of the 20th century by Time Magazine, this classic show features hit songs including “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “If I Loved You” played by a full orchestra. ‘Carousel’ is at The El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater, 540 Ashbury Ave, El Cerrito. Visit YMTC online for details.
STANDING STRONG: FILMORE AND JAPANTOWN Join the editor Shizue Seigel and community writers at Eastwind Books of Berkeley on Saturday July 23 as they explore the overlapping histories of the Filmore’s African Americans and Japantown’s Japanese Americans impacted by the multiple displacements of WWII, urban renewal and gentrification. How has dislocation impacted ordinary people? What do they carry from the old days? What do they treasure? What are their challenges today? What keeps them going, and what can they teach us? The authors’ panel features: Sandra Bass, Lyndsey Ellis, Jennifer Hasegawa, Grace Morizawa, Ernestine Patterson, Shizue Seigel, Queennandi Xsheba Shabazz, and Tamiko Wong. Saturday July 23, 3 p.m. Eastwind Books, 2066 University Ave., Berkeley. Free event, wheelcar accessible.
HEARTS OF PALM See a production of Hearts of Palm by Patricia Milton on Sunday July 24 at the Berkeley City Club. In Hearts of Palm, a small Southeast Asian island is visited by a team of corporate negotiators intent on expanding a palm oil plantation. A company rep goes rogue and joins the local rebel resistance as the true nature of her employer becomes starkly real. Viola Wells takes charge as lead negotiator. While fending off the unwanted advances of a corporate teammate, “Vi” must come to terms with the true nature of her employer: multinational conglomerate, Empire Holdings, Ltd. Directed by Gary Graves Hearts of Palm features actors Erin Mei-Ling Stuart, Frieda deLackner, John Patrick Moore, Michelle Talgarow and Jan Zvaifler. Sunday July 24 at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Visit Berkeley City Club online for details.
MARIKA McCOOLA AT BOOKS INC Meet Marika McCoola, author of the much-buzzed graphic novel “Baba Yaga’s Assistant” at Books Inc on Sunday July 24 at 2 p.m.. Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga’s house-on-chicken-legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu! Spooky and poignant, Marika McCoola’s debut with richly layered art by acclaimed graphic artist Emily Carrolli is a storytelling feat and a visual feast. Sunday July 24 at 2 p.m. at Books Inc., 1491 Shattuck Ave. Visit Books Inc. online for details.
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
Gillian Margo brings Black Beauty to Berkeley (and Geoffrey Keezer)
HBO documentary puts spotlight on Seva, a Berkeley nonprofit that restores sight to the blind
Lies, love and sacrifice in Shotgun Players’ ‘Grand Concourse’
Berkeley actor Matt Ross can do more than scowl
Big Screen Berkeley: ‘Captain Fantastic’ and ‘Breaking a Monster’
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.