BERKELEY VISIONARY AWARDS It’s not on the weekend — unless you’re in the habit of taking long ones —but the 2016 Berkeley Visionary Awards that take place Monday just had to be mentioned. The Berkeley Chamber created this honor to celebrate innovative entrepreneurs based in Berkeley, and Monday evening’s event promises, it says, “accomplished speakers, inspirational videos and a chance to meet the business leaders who are making Berkeley known for transformational enterprises.” Award recipients this year are: Steve Isaacs, Chairman, President and CEO, Aduro Biotech; Danielle Applestone, CEO, Other Machine Company; Emilie Mazzacurati, Founder and CEO, Four Twenty Seven Climate Solutions. The keynote speaker is Michael Witherell, Director, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and there’ll be hors d’oeuvres and wine and it runs 5-7pm at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street. Tickets are $50. Get details.
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER: Berkeley Playhouse’s Peter and the Starcatcher, the Tony Award-winning prequel to Peter Pan, opened Sept. 22 at at the Julia Morgan Theatre. Based on the 2006 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the stage adaptation by Rick Elice, whose Broadway credits include The Addams Family and Jersey Boys, runs through Oct. 16. Before Peter Pan met the Darling family, Captain Hook, or had a merry band of followers, he was just a boy — and a distrustful one at that. The theatre company describes Peter and the Starcatcher, which is directed by Michael Moran with musical direction by Michael Patric Wiles, as “a swashbuckling, imaginative, music-infused adventure that proves that if you believe, imagination can give you wings, and hope can make you fly.” Tickets ($22-$40) are available by calling (510) 845-8542 x351 or by visiting www.berkeleyplayhouse.org.
ABBY WAMBACH One of the indelible images for fans of the US Women’s national soccer team is forward Abby Wambach rising high in the penalty area and powering in a headed goal. Wambach deservedly earned a reputation as both a ferocious competitor and an outspoken advocate for women’s sports. For the launch of her new memoir, Forward, Wambach will be speaking at Berkeley Rep tonight, in conversation with “a special guest.” The World Cup champion and Olympian will talk about her personal and professional challenges, and highlight her consistent advocacy for women’s rights and equal opportunity. Ticket purchases benefit Berkeley Rep and Girls Inc. of Alameda County. 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, Berkeley Rep, 2020 Addison St.
BONNIE RAITT With “Dig In Deep”, her 20th album, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt kept things focused and close to home. The resulting twelve songs draw on her characteristic blend of blues, rock, R&B, and pop, from the funk of the opening “Unintended Consequence of Love” to the powerful, deeply personal ballad “The Ones We Couldn’t Be.” Now Raitt is on tour for the album, and she reckons “the band has never sounded better.” Raitt performs at the Hearst Greek Theater on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets available online.
FALL PLANT SALE It’s time again for the UC Botanical Garden fall plant sale. Waterwise gardening is a sensible and responsible way of protecting natural resources. The Botanical Garden is committed to providing a selection of drought-resistant plants from around the world including an enhanced selection of California natives and a wide array of plants for lawn replacements. The garden also has the exotic and unusual such as rare cycads and palms, carnivorous plants, cacti and succulents, and more. The garden’s expert staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions, give advice, and talk plants. Sunday, Sept. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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.
