‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ FREE IN THE PARK Opening Saturday, Aug. 20, in John Hinkel Park’s amphitheater, and running through Sept. 4 on weekends, is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, “An Acoustic Rock Musical” brought to us — for free — by the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. Take a picnic and celebrate the end of summer with Shakespeare’s most finely wrought comedy, with rollicking music to top it off. The production is directed by Michael R. Cohen, with music by Jay Africa, and musical direction by Linda Giron. The amphitheater consists of wide stone steps; blankets and/or low lawn-chairs are recommended. Wheelchair accessible, reservations especially for those with limited mobility, call 510-649-5999. Questions: info@aeofberkeley.org. Directions and other information at www.aeofberkeley.org. Weekends at John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre, Aug. 20- Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. Special performance Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day), also at 4 p.m.
ACE HARDWARE’S GRAND RE-OPENING Berkeley Ace Hardware is holding a grand re-opening event at its new location, 2020 Milvia St. in downtown Berkeley, on Saturday, Aug. 20, starting at 9 a.m, and running to 6 p.m. The store moved due to planned development at its former Acheson Commons location. The newly renovated 10,700-square-foot store provides a wide selection of products, and includes its much loved hobby and model train department. Services also include custom paint color matching, disaster preparedness, cut-to-size glass and plexiglass, key duplication and knife sharpening. During the grand opening event customers will get a chance to win one of five $100 Berkeley Ace gift certificates, enjoy complimentary refreshments and giveaways and take advantage of doorbuster deals. Ace Reward members will earn triple bonus points per dollar spent. The store will also host a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Oakland. Ace Hardware, 2020 Milvia St. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details.
HIPPIE VOICES’ SONGS FROM THE ’60S The Hippie Voices will regale us with songs from the 1960s and some new and relevant originals at the Berkeley Arts Festival, which takes place half a block from UC Berkeley at 2133 University Ave. More information on Facebook.
FREE PET ADOPTIONS FOR SENIORS Sunday, Aug. 21, is National Senior Citizens Day, and two Berkeley shelters — Berkeley Humane (Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society) and Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS) — are teaming up to run a special adoption promotion. Senior citizens can adopt senior pets for free on this day! The goal is to help harder-to-place senior animals find homes, and encourage senior citizens to rediscover the joy of dog and cat companionship. “Research tells us that companion animals — such as cats and dogs — improve our physical and mental health,” said Berkeley Humane Executive Director Jeffrey Zerwekh. “Often the quiet home of a senior citizen is the perfect match for an older animal looking for a new home.” Berkeley Humane 2700 Ninth St., tel: 510-845-7735, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Seniors 55+ adopt senior pets 7 years or older for free. Golden Paws (year-round): Seniors 55+ receive 50% discount when adopting a senior pet 7 years or older. Berkeley Animal Care Services, 1 Bolivar Drive, tel: 510-981-6600. Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Seniors 60+ adopt senior pets 6 years or older for free. 60/6/60 (year-round): Seniors 60+ receive 60% discount when adopting a senior pet 6 years or older.
ART IN THE NURSERY Check out a new exhibit by a group of artists showing at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery. The artists are: Susan Ashley and Helen Krayenhoff, both watercolor painters; painter, sculptor and garden designer Keenly Meadows; artist/illustrator Margo Rivera-Weiss; Chinese brush painter Joan Yao; and Don Melandry whose photography portrays the beauty of orchids from the nursery itself. The opening for the exhibition is on Saturday Aug. 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live music and food “to lift your spirits,” Melandry tells us. Berkeley Horticultural Nursery is at 1310 McGee Ave.
Don’t miss this other event featured on Berkeleyside:
One guitar, one week, one song: the Acoustic Guitar Project comes to Berkeley
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 for free.