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THURSDAY 3
“The Bittersweet Search for My Bubbe’s Ukrainian Shtetl” Jewish Community Center East Bay, 1414 Walnut, Berk; www.jcceastbay.org. 7:30pm, $8-10. Author and journalist Judith Fein discusses her autobiography, The Spoon from Minkowitz.
“Local Nerdz” Mini Bar SF, 837 Divisadero, SF; www.neverendingradicaldude.com. 6pm, free. Opening reception of work by artists who contribute to Never Ending Radical Dude, a website dedicated to “nerd news.”
“1939: The Making of Six Great Films from Hollywood’s Greatest Year” Books Inc. Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness, SF; www.booksinc.net. 7pm, free. Charles F. Adams shares his new film-history book.
“Reel to Reel NightLife” California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, SF; calacademy.org/nightlife. 6-10pm, $12. The San Francisco Film Society co-presents this week’s NightLife, with a variety of screenings, plus music by Sweater Funk.
FRIDAY 4
Art Explosion Spring Open Studios 2014 Art Explosion Studios 17th Street, 2425 17th St, SF; www.artexplosionstudios.com. 7-11pm. Free. Also Sat/5-Sun/6, noon-5pm. The Mission artist collective hosts an open studios weekend, with over 100 participating artists.
“Cambodian New Year Celebration” Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave, Oakl; www.peraltahacienda.org. 10am-5pm, free. Traditional Cambodian music and dance, plus food and crafts.
“Creative Growth Beyond Trend Runway Show” Berkeley Art Museum, Gallery B, 2626 Bancroft, Berk; bampfa.berkeley.edu. 7:30pm, $7. Creative Growth Art Center and current BAM exhibit the Possible collaborate for this runway show featuring unique textile designs created in the Creative Growth studio and the Possible dye lab. Part of the museum’s L@TE series.
Jane Goodall King Middle School, 1781 Rose, Berk; www.brownpapertickets.com. 7:30pm, $15. KPFA presents the renowned scientist and chimpanzee researcher, here sharing her new book, Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants.
“Greetings from Oblivion” Grant’s Tomb Gallery, 50-A Bannam, SF; www.winstonsmith.com. 7-10pm, free. Winston Smith and other “fellow thought criminals” display art inspired by George Orwell’s 1984.
“Let the Big Kids Play” Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge, Berk; www.habitot.org. 6:30-10pm, $15-20. RSVP at letthebigkidsplay.eventbrite.com. The kid’s museum goes adults-only with Ninkasi Brewery beer, music by CelloJoe, and access to exhibits. Yes, there will be face painting.
Mary Roach Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 649-1320. 7:30pm, free. The acclaimed author discusses and signs Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal.
Roller Disco Party Women’s Building Auditorium, 3543 18th St, SF; www.brownpapertickets.com. 8pm, $10. Benefit SF IndieFest and groove on wheels (skate rentals available) at this party presented by Black Rock Roller Disco.
“West Portal’s Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Show” West Portal between 15th Ave and Ulloa, SF; facebook.com/PacificFineArts. 10am-5pm. Free. Through Sun/6. Over 40 artists display photographs, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
SATURDAY 5
“Humanism and Its Boundaries” Women’s Building, 3543 18th St, Rm A, SF; www.sfhumanists.org. 3-4:30pm, free. Jim Barnett, co-president of the Bay Area Humanists and Humanist Institute student, discusses the philosophy and principles of Humanism.
“Raw Fury: The Art of Mike Zeck” Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission, SF; www.cartoonart.org. 11am-5pm, $4-8. Exhibit runs Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm, through Aug 10. Career retrospective honoring the iconic comics artwork of Mike Zeck, including The Punisher, G.I. Joe, The Amazing Spider-Man, and more.
Moazzam Shiekh Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University, Berk; www.asiabookcenter.com. 3pm, free. The author and City College of San Francisco teacher reads from Café Le Whore and Other Stories.
SUNDAY 6
“Poetry Unbound #11” Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 472-3170. 5:15pm, $5 (no one turned away). Readings by Jerry Ratch, Selene Steese, and Adele Mendelson, with a brief open mic hosted by Clive Matson and Richard Loranger.
TUESDAY 8
Poetry reading City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus, SF; www.citylights.com. 7pm, free. With Raina J. Leon, Alexandra Mattraw, and Kevin Simmonds. *