Other events include a yoga book talk at Mrs. Dalloway’s, a fall equinox observation at the Lawrence Hall of Science and a performance of an underrated cello concerto.

Andrew Gilbert
Freelancer Andrew Gilbert writes a weekly music column for Berkeleyside. Andy, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, covers a wide range of musical cultures, from Brazil and Mali to India and Ireland. A Berkeley-based writer, he contributes features on jazz and international music to numerous publications, including the San Jose Mercury News, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times and Los Angeles Times. His column covering the Bay Area dance scene, Dance Card, runs monthly in the Contra Costa Times. And his CD reviews air regularly on KQED’s “California Report.”
Berkeley Old Time Music Convention has come long way from days when 1st prize was a bag of rutabaga
Its origins date to 1960s music contests. Relaunched 20 years ago, the convention is being held Wednesday-Sunday this week in Berkeley’s Civic Center Park.
Local rock band to play new music about life of sci-fi legend Octavia Butler at the Ivy Room this weekend
East Bay rock band Skip the Needle’s new EP explores Butler’s experience growing up in Pasadena before she became the author of the dystopian masterpiece ‘Parable of the Sower’ and other science fiction classics.
Around Berkeley: Egret art, mac n’ cheese, marking the 1923 fire
Other events include an adults-only comedy show at Live Oak Theater and an Indigenous-led art-making workshop at BAMPFA
Berkeley-raised guitarist returns for Hillside Club gig celebrating sublime new duo album
Will Bernard, a Berkeley High alum long based in Brooklyn, released the album ‘Sky’ last week with clarinetist and vocalist Beth Custer, a longtime creative foil who inspires his most telegraphic lyricism.
Around Berkeley: Honey ritual, Solano Stroll, Pride celebrations
Other events include a Death Cafe at the Berkeley Library and performances of King Lear and Kinky Boots.
Babette’s back patio is West Berkeley’s newest music venue
The restaurant, moved from BAMPFA to San Pablo Avenue last year, is now dishing up music during a Wednesday night concert series.
Around Berkeley: Celebrations of Brazilian culture and vegan food; Gilman block party
Other events include the opening of ACCI Gallery’s group photography exhibit ‘Water is Sacred’ and the release of Oakland vocalist and composer Adrienne Shamszad’s second album, ‘Wash It All Away.’
A Berkeley High algebra lesson gave her band the X-factor
The Shelley Doty X-Tet plays Freight & Salvage Saturday. Doty (class of ‘84) says X is the undetermined variable that gives the audience, and band, a special experience.
Around Berkeley: N’goni master, pet adopt-a-thon, Cal’s ugliest building, puppet show
Other events include a showing of Disney’s Strange World’ and art exhibit openings at 120710 and UC Berkeley’s Worth Ryder Art Gallery.
West Berkeley dance party will kick off new African diaspora performance series
The ‘Sacred Turn Up’ on Saturday will transform West Berkeley’s Ciel Creative Space into “an immersive Black art experience and party.” For organizers Tiffany Austin and Kenya Moses, it’s just the beginning.
Around Berkeley: Pottery sale, new festival in Civic Center Park, 150 years of art depicting the Cal campus
Other events include a showing of Miyazaki’s Spirited Away at BAMPFA, Berkeley High reunion and talk by community historian Steve Finacom.