GILMAN ART WALK Four participating studios and seven local businesses are collaborating for the Gilman Art Walk on Saturday afternoon. The four studios — Firehouse Art Collective Gilman Studios, Firehouse Art Collective Toki Building, Potters’ Studio and Makers Workspace — will open their doors for visitors to talk to artists and browse new works. The seven businesses — Whole Foods Markets, Philz Coffee, Doughnut Dolly, T-Rex Restaurant and Bar, Stella’s Studio, Eastern Classics and Farm Burger — will display artworks by artists from Gilman District art studios. The free art walk will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 6 in the Gilman District, centered around the intersection of Gilman and Tenth Street.
GRATEFUL DEAD NIGHT Ashkenaz’s Grateful Dead Night is a tradition that stretches back to the last century. Its latest incarnation, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, launched in 2011. Led by guitarist-singer Allen (of Phil Lesh & Friends, Melvin Seals & JGB, Ghosts of Electricity), a revolving cast of incredibly talented musicians inhabits Mars Hotel, drawing from the Grateful Dead’s vast catalog to delight Deadheads and dancers of all generations. A Mars Hotel show is an energetic evening of good vibes, good music, and good community. Tickets $18. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts 9 p.m., Friday, August 5. Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave.
NELL ROBINSON If you were lucky enough to hear Nell Robinson at Berkeleyside’s Uncharted festival in 2014, you’ll want to hie over to The Back Room on Sunday to hear The Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally Band play music infused with folk, bluegrass, americana, roots, swing, jazz, and the blues. The Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally Band have released two of their four new albums due out this year, West and East, soon to be followed by North and South. “We are excited about releasing a series of eclectic new works with a super talented band,” said Nunally. “We pay homage to great artists like George Jones, Buck Owens, Tammy Wynette, while our original songs like ‘Mirror’ take folk music in an entirely new direction. We aren’t just following a path; we are paving a new one.”
UC BERKELEY SUMMER SYMPHONY The UC Berkeley Summer Symphony closes its season on Friday and Saturday nights with a program of contrasts: Haydn’s spirited Symphony No. 104, “London” (his final symphony) and Mahler’s thrilling Symphony No. 1. The Summer Symphony was started in 1978 by Michael Senturia as a small chamber orchestra comprised of students from the university and members of the Berkeley community. Since then, it has grown into a full-sized orchestra. Currently, the symphony draws its players from UC Berkeley, Cal State East Bay, San Francisco Conservatory, and the Oakland and San Francisco Youth Orchestras. Free admission (donations welcome). 8 p.m., Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6, Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley.
PEACE LANTERN CEREMONY The 15th annual peace lantern ceremony will be held at Aquatic Park on Saturday evening, marking the 71st anniversary of the world’s first (and still only) atomic bombings by floating lanterns in remembrance of the victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. You can participate by decorating lantern shades and crafts from 6:30 p.m. A performance by the Heiwa Taiko drum group will be at 7 p.m., along with messages from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At 8 p.m., the lanterns will be floated on the lake. Meet north end of Aquatic Park, Addison at Bolivar (because of limited parking, transit, walking or biking is recommended).
Don’t miss these other events featured on Berkeleyside:
Suzanne Pittson plays Berkeley and it’s a family affair
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.
