Cheese Making 101, What Lurks at the Centers of Galaxies, Sacred heART, Enamel WOW! Make Enamel Jewelry!, An Evening of Ambrose Bierce, Pearls Over Shanghai, Compassion Tour 2014, The Crazed, Mutt: Let’s All Talk About Race!, Goddess of the Month: Hathor, East Bay Pagan Meet and Greet, Conspiracy of Beards, Downtown Martinez Ghost Walk, Vintage Invasion, As You Like It, Clockwork Alchemy, BayCon, Redwood Men’s Center’s Annual Men’s Conference, Northern California Women's Herbal Symposium, Healing the Child Within, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, How To Allergy Proof Your Life, Octopretzel, San Jose Taco Festival, Chakra Connection, Sharmila Lash, Crafts for Kids On Board the Balclutha, How to Succeed in Spiritual Nutrition/Holistic Live Veganism, Saturn V - The First 700 Seconds, Carnaval San Francisco, Cheese Making Intensive, Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant, Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras, Lake Renaissance Festival, The Sea of Invisible Riches, The Sky at Dawn Concert and CD Release Party, 34rd Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment at Roaring Camp, Towel Day, Family Day at Sienna Ranch, Visioning Circle, New Thought History: The Origins of the Home of Truth, SoulCollage, Witches' Tea Party!, Tea and Tarot, The Bubbling Crock: Fermented Foods and Beverages, The Cosmic Mass: Art and Spirit, San Ramon Art and Wind Festival, Memorial Day Free Day and Open House at Ardenwood, Nerd Nite East Bay #19, Energy Tools for Students Healers and Therapists, Tea and Chanting Sangha, Chocolat, Amma Visits the Bay Area, Empty Bowls, Soups and Stocks, Goddess Clothing Exchange
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Cheese Making 101: Yogurt, Fresh Cheeses and Feta
with K.Ruby Blume
presented by The Institute of Urban Homesteading
Wednesday, May 21, 6:30-9:30PM
North Oakland, address given upon registration
Sliding scale $40-$70 plus $12 supply fee to bring on the day of class
“This class will introduce you to concepts and techniques of milk transformation and preservation. We will learn about equipment, ingredients and cultures used and get hands-on practice making yogurt, a fresh cheese and a feta cheese. We talk about the hard cheese process, uses for whey and the history of cheese making. We will be working with cow's milk, however all processes will work with other fresh (not ultra-pasteurized) milks. If you have access to fresh (not ultra-pasteurized or homogenzed) goat or sheep milk, please let us know!”
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What Lurks at the Centers of Galaxies
with Chung-Pei Ma
part of the 14th annual Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series
Wednesday, May 21, 7:00PM
Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills
Admission Free, Parking $3
“As part of the 14th annual Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series, astronomer professor Chung-Pei Ma, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley, will discuss Monster Black Holes: What Lurks at the Centers of Galaxies, an illustrated, non-technical lecture Wednesday, May 21, at 7:00PM, in the Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Admission is free and the public is invited. Seating is first come, first served. Arrive early to locate parking.
Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the cosmos and have long entranced the public as well as astronomers. Today we understand that black holes can grow to monstrous size, swallowing the mass of millions or billions of suns. New telescopes and techniques in the past decade have expanded and improved our ability to weigh such supermassive black holes. Dr. Ma will describe recent discoveries of record-breaking black holes, each with a mass of 10 billion times the mass of the Sun. New evidence shows that these objects could be the dormant remnants of powerful quasars that existed in the young universe.
A cosmologist and astrophysicist, Dr. Ma's research interests include the origin and large-scale structure of the universe, the formation and development of galaxies, and the growth of giant black holes. She is also an avid violin player, and pursued parallel studies in physics and music at MIT and the New England Conservatory of Music.
The free lecture series is sponsored by the Foothill College Astronomy Program, NASA Ames Research Center, SETI Institute, and Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Past lectures from the series are available online at www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/index.html.
A number of past Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures are now available free on YouTube on the series' own channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/SVAstronomyLectures.
Parking lots 1, 7 and 8 provide stair and no-stair access to the theatre. Visitors must purchase a parking permit for $3 from dispensers in any student parking lot. Dispensers accept one-dollar bills and quarters; bring exact change. Foothill College is located off I-280 on El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills.”
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Sacred heART: Embody your creative sensuality and primal core fire through music, movement, and art
with Danielle Saunders and Eden Amadora
Thursday, May 22, 6:00-9:30PM
Berkeley Yurt Temple, 1636 Bonita Avenue, Berkeley
$50
“Opening up our feeling bodies and expressing passionately though our heARTs, we will dance the true beauty and creative fire of our inner Goddess of Love and Primal Goddess. Join us for a journey into the sacred feminine embodiment practices, including personal ritual, temple dance, art-making and song inspired by the 13 Moon Oracle. All experience levels welcome! All practices designed with personal focus and devotion in mind.”
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Enamel WOW! Make Enamel Jewelry!
with Raissa Bump
Thursday, May 22, 7:00-10:00PM
Gravel and Gold, 3266 21st Street San Francisco, 415-552-0112
$60 includes all materials, limited to 8 participants
“Come and experience the magic of fusing glass onto metal! Gravel and Gold is hosting an evening of enamel shaking and baking 101 with local jewelry designer Raissa Bump. In her own work, Raissa takes a no fuss, direct approach to enamel and uses it for bold, rich color.
She will be teaching the very beginning basics of working with enamel. Students will sift opaque colorful enamels onto copper medallions and fire them in a kiln. Stencils can be utilized to layer colors and pattern. Etching paste can be utilized to create a matte finish. Participants will leave with a couple of medallions to keep for themselves or give as great handmade gifts. Medallions are equipped with a hole and jump ring to attach your own chain, leather or ribbon.”
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An Evening of Ambrose Bierce
part of Butterfield 8’s Third Thursday series
Thursday, May 22, 8:00PM, typically the third Thursday of each month
Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward Street, Martinez
Donations accepted
“On the third Thursday of every month (other events permitting), Cue Productions Live plays host to a reading of selected short stories. Join us as we explore some great writing in an informal setting. This event is open to the public on a pay-what-you-can basis.
This week, on a special Fourth Thursday, we look at the writing of Ambrose Bierce. Bierce had an acerbic wit, a cynical look at life, and a penchant for satirizing the norms of his time. He was well known as the author of The Devil's Dictionary, Fantastic Fables, and for disappearing in Mexico without a trace around 1913.
The evening includes Bierce's most anthologized work An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, and features the vocal talents of Deborah Black, Alan Cameron, Kathleen MacKay, Peter Jonathan McArthur, and Becky Potter.
As always, Third Thursdays is free to the public, although we welcome donations at the door!
Coming up:
In honor of the Northern California Pirate Festival
Excerpts from Treasure Island
Thursday, June 12 at 8:00PM (Second Thursday!)
Location TBA”
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Pearls Over Shanghai
presented by the Thrillpeddlers
Thursday-Saturday, May 22-24, 8:00PM
The Hypnodrome, 575 10th Street, San Francisco
held over - playing through June 28
held over - playing through June 28
$30-$35
“Our award-winning production of Pearls Over Shanghai, San Francisco’s longest-running Cockettes musical hit, is back on The Hypnodrome stage for a Fifth Anniversary Revival Production.
Pearls Over Shanghai is a comic mock-operetta about white slavery, opium dens, and miscegenation set in the colorful world of 1937 Shanghai. The story is set at the crossroads of good and evil; an exotic ‘old sin town’ filled with singing sailors, humorous whores, foolish immortals, handmaidens and henchmen, all taking their places in streets teeming with a mix of foreign aristocrats, opium addicts, and gangland slave-trade czars.
With a cast of over 20, costumes a-plenty, and a score of 24 original songs, this production is the most eye-popping and toe-tapping in the Hypnodrome’s history, with the scent of intoxicating perfume, poisonous flowers, opium, and sex oozing from every scene.
Three original Cockettes, Scrumbly Koldewyn, ‘Sweet Pam’ Tent, and Rumi Missabu, who were in the original production of Pearls Over Shanghai, will perform in this production, bringing to life the whimsy and the madness that were the ‘all singing, all dancing, all cardboard’ Cockettes.
Our original production of Pearls Over Shanghai ran for nearly two years and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. It’s a phenomenon that keeps on growing! Get your tickets soon for this sure-to-sell-out musical event of the season.”
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Compassion Tour 2014
with the monks of Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery
Sacred Stream Center, 2149 Byron Street, Berkeley
see specific dates and events below
“Meet the monks of the Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery. They are here with the blessing of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to share their culture, practices and paths to inner peace and compassion.
Funds raised on this tour will help to build a prayer hall, dormitories and provide for the medical needs for the monks of Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery.”
“The Memorial Day Weekend line up is fun from start to finish! Observe the making of the Green Tara Sand Mandala at the Sacred Stream Center with viewing times Friday through Sunday. A monk will be available to answer questions and offer more information about sand mandalas. On Saturday, join the monks for a cultural performance that includes the Black Hat Dance, Deer Dance, Yamantaka Puja, Chanting, and Debate Demonstration. Then on Sunday, the monks cook-up!”
Sand Mandala Opening Ceremony
Thursday, May 22 , 7:30-9:30PM
Donations appreciated
“The mandala will be explained, a ceremony will be performed, and you can witness the beginning of the making of the mandala.”
Sand Mandala Viewing
Friday-Sunday, May 23-25, 10:00AM-2:00PM
Donations appreciated
An Evening of Chanting and Dance with the Monks
Saturday, May 24, 7:30-9:30PM
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
“Black Hat Dance, Yamantaka Puja, Chanting, Debate demonstration. This is their last big event at the Sacred Stream Center.”
Dinner with the Monks
Sunday, May 25, 5;00-8:00PM
$50
“The monks are cooking a Tibetan/South Indian Feast at the Sacred Stream Center!”
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The Crazed
A world premiere from the Central Works Writers Workshop
Thursday-Sunday, May 22-25,
Thursday-Saturday 8:00PM, Sunday 5:00PM
playing through June 22
The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Street, Berkeley
Thursdays pay what you can, regular performances sliding scale $15-$28
“The Crazed
Written by Sally Dawidoff
Based on the acclaimed novel by Ha Jin
Directed by Gary Graves
A world premiere from the Central Works Writers Workshop
A new play by Sally Dawidoff based on the acclaimed novel by National Book Award winner Ha Jin, about a young scholar coming of age in Communist China on the eve of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
When the venerable Professor Yang suffers a stroke, his student Jian Wan is assigned to care for him. But when the professor begins to rave like a madman, the student is thrown into a quandary: are these the outpourings of a crazed mind, or is Yang speaking the truth - about his past, about art, about how to live a meaningful life?
This spring marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. The Crazed joins commemorations around the globe.”
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Mutt: Let’s All Talk About Race!
Thursday-Sunday, May 22-25,
Thursday-Saturday 8:00PM, Sunday 7:00PM
playing through June 8
Impact Theatre at La Val's Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley, 510-224-5744
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
“A world premiere by Christopher Chen
Directed by Evren Odcikin
A co-production with Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company
The Republican Party finally - finally! - realizes it has a problem with race. So it decides its best chance for success in the 2016 presidential election is to back a candidate who's hapa - of mixed Asian descent. They think they've found their man in Nick, a promising Congressmember. But when Nick doesn't conform to their expectations of who he should be, they turn to Len, a multiracial war hero who can check off every single box - and maybe a couple more boxes no one knows about. A blisteringly funny satire that skewers not only the elephants in the room but the donkeys too, Mutt burns down the entire house of racial cards.
Christopher Chen, a playwright of immense talent on the rise, was the visionary behind the Glickman Award-winning cosmic explosion The Hundred Flowers Project at Crowded Fire last season. Mutt is a co-production between Impact and Ferocious Lotus, a new company devoted to promoting Asian-American theatre artists led by co-artistic directors Lily Tung Crystal and Leon Goertzen.
Featuring Patricia Austin, Michael Uy Kelly, Matthew Lai, Marilet Martinez, Lawrence Radecker, and Michelle Talgarow.”
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Goddess of the Month: Hathor
with Phoenix LeFae
Friday, May 23, 7:00-8:30PM, and the fourth Friday of every month
The Sacred Well, 536 Grand Avenue, 510-444-9355
Free
Women only
“Together we will gather once a month and listen to the words of the Great Mother. We will do this through song, dance, trance, storytelling, and joyful community celebration.
Each month we will learn about and dive into the energy of a different Goddess from around the world. Our hope that is by meeting these different energies you will find one that resonates with your heart and you will walk away with the potential for a greater relationship with a Divine One.
In May we invite the sensual Goddess Hathor to join us. This Egyptian Goddess is the sacred cow, the great mother who watches over those in birth and understands the passion that makes new life possible.
Phoenix LeFae is an eclectic magickal practitioner, Tarot reader, and professional Priestess, who has been walking the path of the Witch for many years. She is driven by a love for myth and Deity, working to help people connect to the Mysterious Ones in their daily lives. She believes that magick and ritual can transform our inner landscapes and change the world. Phoenix teaches in the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft and she is the founder of Brigid's Hammer Mystery School. Above all else, Phoenix is a spiritual seeker looking for ways to deepen her practice every day.
Ella is a Reclaiming witch and life coach, helping people to change their lives by finding their path and true calling. She works with mystery in a myriad of forms and embodies magic in every cell of her being. She has a spark of energy that infuses her magick and inspires those around her. Ella recognizes that there is magick in even what seems mundane and helps others to see this for themselves.”
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East Bay Pagan Meet and Greet
at The Mystic Dream
Friday, May 23, 7:00-8:30PM, and the fourth Friday of every month
The Mystic Dream, 1437 N Broadway, Walnut Creek, 925-933-2342
donations accepted
“Come and join other witches, warlocks, and pagans as we come together in community to some food, and maybe a few laughs. Come and meet some of the other magically minded people in the East Bay area. Coffee and tea will be served. Feel free to bring a small food item to share.”
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Conspiracy of Beards
with Mark Growden Quintet
Friday, May 23, 8:00PM
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, 510-644-2020
$20 in advance, $22 at the door
“It’s a simple formula, really. Mix the songs of Leonard Cohen with a 30-man a capella choir from San Francisco and the result is pure magic. Dressed in suits, ties, and the occasional fedora, the men of the choir sing complex four- and five-part harmonies, creating a sound that’s part jazz and part gospel, with traces of doo-wop and barbershop. Leonard Cohen’s songs are full of love and heartbreak, soul-searching and sex, politics and a Zen sense of playfulness and humor, and the choir’s clever arrangements capture all of it. Directed by Daryl Henline, the choir has become an integral part of the San Francisco music scene, with performances at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the Jewish Music Festival, San Francisco City Hall, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, as well as dozens of bars, bookstores, galleries, hospices, and on radio programs including West Coast Live, The California Report, and Weekend Edition.
The inspiration for the group came from the late performance artist, Peter Kadyk, who conceived the idea of a Cohen choir, but it was only after his death that his wife Anah asked that a group be put together for a tribute to Peter in June 2003. So a small choir was formed for a one-time event, but the response was so enthusiastic that the choir kept performing. The first members were all friends of Peter’s, but eventually the circle widened. The choir has a self-titled EP, an album, Conspiracy of Beards: Live at Heritage Hall, and a documentary DVD about the group, A Midnight Choir.”
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Downtown Martinez Ghost Walk
Friday, May 23, 8:00PM, and the fourth and fifth Friday of every month
tour starts at Main Street Martinez, 649 Main Street, Suite 106, Martinez
$25
“Take the 90 minute guided walking tour through Historic Downtown Martinez to discover the hidden past, little known facts and tales of days-gone-by.
Tours conducted by Central Valley Paranormal.
Tours are limited to 25 people. Advanced ticket purchase recommended. No children under 12 years allowed. Teens 12-17 years must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a flashlight, wear comfortable shoes. Bring jacket and wear comfortable clothing.”
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Vintage Invasion
Friday, May 23, 8:00PM-Midnight and the fourth Friday of each month
The Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut Street, berkeley
$7
“Vintage Invasion - where the old dances invade a new generation
Our crowd is growing and thriving... a really positive atmosphere!
Have you ever waltzed to Metallica or danced a polka to Lady Gaga? Yes? Then you know what a great time it is, and we will see you there! No? Well it's never too late to start. Since we have hundreds of years of waltz music to choose from, the variety makes a wonderful, festive evening. This is a casual, neighborhood party: a chance to meet people, bounce around, and generally make merry. We'll have a potluck; you are welcome to bring snacks if you like. Your hosts always bring the punch and water. No alcohol, please, as we sometimes have dancers under 21 attending.
All are welcome for the lesson, so we can get you moving and ready to sail across the floor. If you're new to dancing we promise to be patient with you, and if you have waltzed before we will improve your technique. After class, during the dance party, we will still be available to help you with what we taught you, and introduce you to some of our regulars. They are well skilled, but don't be shy about asking them to dance with you too. They'll probably be happy for the chance to show off. :)
8:00-9:00PM = Lesson in Vintage Waltz - no partner or experience needed
9:00PM-Midnight = Dance to Persephone and guest DJs playing lots of waltzes, and a little bit of many other partner dances.”
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As You Like It
presented by The Novato Theater Company
Friday-Sunday, May 23-25,
Friday-Saturday 8:00PM, Sunday 2:00PM
playing through June 15
NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive, Novato
$25 general admission, $22 seniors/students, $12 youth 12 and under
“It’s the Summer of Love in the Forest of Arden! The timeless topics of love, loyalty and life are explored in this lively 1960s staging of the Bard’s outrageously gender-bending comedy. Come prepared to have your mind blown and your funny-bone tickled as Shakespeare’s grooviest heroine, Rosalind, matches wits with Orlando, Jacques, Celia, Touchstone and a trio of sex-crazed country lovers. You’re sure to dig the play we like to call: Four Weddings and No Funeral!”
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Clockwork Alchemy
Friday-Monday, May 23-26
DoubleTree Hotel, 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose
see website for registration information
“Ah, the Age of Steam! The splendor and science! The opulence and adventure!
For one glorious weekend, the temporal rifts tying San Jose, California, to a World That Might Have Been and indeed, to alternate worlds beyond, shall be opened for a grand meeting of minds and hearts. Join the adventure of Clockwork Alchemy at the San Jose DoubleTree Hotel during Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26, 2014.
All are welcome! Come steam explorers and mad scientists! Come naval officers and airship pirates! Come monster hunters and vampires! Even Dieselpunks, Edwardians, Neo-Victorians, Burners, and dandies! Be you a colorful rogue or a refined lord or lady, your destiny calls. Engineers, shovel in more coal; clockmakers, set your alarms; inventors, present your extravagant contraptions!”
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BayCon
Friday-Monday, May 23-26
Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara
see website for detailed schedule and registration information
“BayCon is the San Francisco Bay Area's main science fiction and fantasy convention. It is held over Memorial Day weekend in Santa Clara, California.[1] BayCon is a large convention, topping two thousand attendees over the last several years. The convention draws many attendees from throughout California and also as far away as Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. The next BayCon will be held from Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26, 2014. The Writer Guest of Honor will be David Weber, the Fan Guest of Honor Sally Woerhle, and the Toastmaster will be Tom Merritt. The theme is Got Honor?”
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Redwood Men’s Center’s Annual Men’s Conference
Friday-Monday, May 23-26
Mendocino Woodlands Camp, 39350 Little Lake Road, Mendocino
see website for registration details
“24th Annual Redwood Men’s Center Men’s Conference
Eros and Its Shadow
We define ourselves in every part of our lives by our gender and our sexuality, often in terms of what we are not. If being a man means to not be feminine, then it requires abandoning our relational capacity, reducing the erotic to the sexual and requiring women and gay men to be the only carriers of beauty. But to the ancient Greeks Eros was a god - a male god - about whom they had mixed feelings. His arrows caused endless trouble, and yet they prayed for that wounding. This god of Love is the glue that pulls the disparate elements in existence together and propagates continuity. He is the foundation of our creativity and our ability to connect to this world.
Men rely on the erotic to fuel our ambition, to inspire and compel our will. But we commonly fear the vulnerability that comes with being fully present. So we must confront the shadow of Eros - power, control and domination. Power is seductive; by dominating others we also repress ourselves. It can cost us the entire realms of receptivity and sensitivity that we were born to fulfill. From this perspective, we understand misogyny as a crude way to hold at bay the intimacy we long for, yet fear. We have all heard complaints from our loved ones that our capacity to love is somehow less fulfilling than they need. Have we as men the courage to examine our programming around the erotic to see how it hinders our quest for wholeness?
This year, within the safety of the ritual container we have carefully developed over the years, we invite all men of good heart to join us in exploring the issues that arise around our own sexuality - power and impotence, fulfillment and failure, shame and fear, seeking and giving pleasure, aggression and receptivity. We know the need to speak from the heart and be witnessed, and we know the importance of grief as a portal into healing.
Please join us amidst old growth redwoods for our annual Memorial Day Weekend men’s gathering. Over the past 24 years we have learned how to create and maintain a community that honors our rich diversity, in both in-depth explorations and exuberant celebrations. In this community we will create sacred space. We will sing, hear stories and poetry, engage in vibrant ritual, display our talents and beauty and eat great food. We will support and inspire each other.
Come! Bring yourself, your gifts, your passions, your struggles - and your friends! Come! It is time for us as men to do this great work together.”
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Northern California Women's Herbal Symposium
Session 2: Friday-Monday, May 23-26
Session 3: Friday-Monday, August 29-September 1
Black Oak Ranch, 50350 Highway 101, Laytonville
see website for detailed schedule and registration details
“PlantWomen gather! The Tribe comes together!
Now, three times a year women from many backgrounds of life gather together in great celebration for four full days of inspiring Herbal and Sustainability classes, gourmet vegetarian meals, talented campfire capers, amazing handcrafted marketplace items, Rites-of-Passage Ceremonies, powerful campfire drumming and dancing, refreshing swimming hole dips, and conversations with remarkable and inspiring women!
We meet together under the ancient oaks, douglas firs, and bay trees of Northern California. Our main gathering area is encircled by sixteen tipis with a large firepit in the center. All classes are held sitting on the ground under these majestic trees, or under shade tarps that we have set-up. At night we camp together, either in the tipis or in tents that we each bring.
During the days we are a gathering of women and children studying, teaching, learning, networking, and talking about plants, healing, and healthy lifestyles. When the sun goes down we become a playful and celebratory group, chatting, chanting, singing, showing off our talents, drumming and dancing into the night around the campfire.
We are a group of 350-400 women and children and we gather to learn from each other, to nurture and nourish each other, to take a break from our daily lives, to regenerate, refresh, dance, frolic, talk plants, and most of all, to have a REALLY GOOD THYME together!
Each session is a separate event. Do join us for one, two, or all sessions!”
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Healing the Child Within: An introduction to Healing your Inner Child and Spiritual Parenting
with Jayashree and Ashok of Children’s Life University
Saturday, May 24, 9:30AM-6:00PM
Los Gatos Acupuncture and Qigong Center, 761 University Avenue, Suite A, Los Gatos
$225
“Heal and reclaim your inner child - the source of your power, well being, and creativity!
Experience powerful transformation and heal emotional wounds from your childhood.
Let go limiting beliefs and fears. Transform your fears into love.
Learn the principles of spiritual parenting and teaching!
Jayashree and Ashok are co-founders of Children’s Life University led by Dr Newton Kondaveti. They have founded a healing centre called Pragya in India and a holistic soul-based education school in Bangalore called Creative, which includes an active community of adults and children practicing meditation, self-healing, and spiritual parenting. Jayashree has more than a decade’s experience as a healer and specializes in inner child healing and healing buried trauma. Ashok is a healer who specializes in leading groups through processes for love and forgiveness.”
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
part of the Popcorn Palace series at the Balboa Theatre
Saturday, May 24, 10:00AM
The Balboa Theatre, 3630 Balboa Street, San Francisco
$10 includes popcorn and a drink
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. The film, which is the first instalment in the Harry Potter film series, was written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman. The story follows Harry Potter's first year at Hogwarts as he discovers that he is a famous wizard and begins his magical education. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. It is followed by seven sequels, with the first being Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
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How To Allergy Proof Your Life
with Dr. Todd Born, ND and Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born, ND
Saturday, May 24, 11:00AM-12:00PM
Julie’s Coffee and Tea Garden, 1223 Park Street, Alameda, 510-865-2385
Free
“Dr. Todd Born, ND will be discussing food sensitivities, intolerance and allergies,
along with environmental allergies and how to be cured of them!
Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born, ND will also be there to chime in.
There will be plenty of time for Q and A! Join us for this popular lecture, it will not disappoint!
Drs. Todd Born and Lindsay Jones-Born are licensed naturopathic doctors in California and are active members of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.”
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Octopretzel
with guests The Big Tadoo Puppet Crew
part of the Patchwork Series
Saturday, May 24, 11:00AM
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, 510-644-2020
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
“In a show as exuberant as their whimsical name, Octopretzel returns to the Freight stage to share exciting new material! The band creates engaging music, inspiring curiosity, wonder, and appreciation for the world we live in. Their skilled musicianship and magical way with children guarantees a dance-able, sing-able and fun experience for the whole family.
For six years now, Octopretzel has been delighting young Bay Area audiences with their colorful and inspired performances. Their shows feature handmade puppets, bubbles of all sizes, and at times hula-hooping Kindergartners. They have been known to inspire spontaneous kiddie mosh-pits, while still maintaining focus and interactive participation. Their songwriting presents imagery of things such as spinning tops, roly polies and whimsical imaginary creatures. From unique interpretations of traditional folk classics to fun and catchy originals, this is music that parents love and has kids asking for more! The band's instrumentation features the mandolin, marimba, the middle-eastern tambourine (or riq), African drums, and many other unique sounds from around the world.
Opening the show is The Big Tadoo Puppet Crew, an Oakland based puppet troupe which creates and performs socially, environmentally and politically conscious educational shows by combining puppetry with storytelling, poetry, song, and rhyme.”
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San Jose Taco Festival
Saturday, May 24, 12:00-8:00PM
History Park, 635 Phelan Avenue, San Jose
$10 per person in advance, $12 at the door,
Children 11 and under are free, but will need a ticket
This event may sell out.
“The feast day will be filled with tastings, art, and performances. We will have a curated selection of 35+ of the best food trucks from all over the Bay Area serving their best rendition of a taco. Short rib tacos, nacho tacos, Vietnamese shrimp tacos, and even ice cream tacos is just a sample of the day’s menu. Tacos in the competition will be voted on by attendees. Finalists will be judged by a celebrity panel and prizes will be awarded based on quality and presentation.”
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Chakra Connection
with Sarah Jenness
Saturday, May 24, 1:30-4:30PM
Namaste Grand Lake, 5416 College Avenue, Oakland, 510-547-9642
$45
“We've all heard of them. So what's up with the chakras... and what's going on with yours?! Join us for an inner journey through the rainbow bridge of human consciousness- discovering your own strengths, weaknesses and patterns - and learn how you can transform your life by working with your chakras! Be prepared to practice yoga postures, dance a little, draw, write, and relax with guided meditation.”
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Sharmila Lash
in concert
Saturday, May 24, 3:00PM
Avanova, 417 Avon Street, Oakland
$15, please RSVP at the website below
“Please join us on Saturday, May 24 when Avonova presents vocalist Sharmila G. Lash. The show starts at 3:00PM and the admission is $15. Doors open at 2:15PM. She’ll be performing some of her favorite tunes, including her originals, joined by Ben Stolorow (piano), Noah Schenker (bass), and Surya Prakasha (drums).
Jazz vocalist Sharmila G. Lash is a rare breed of singer. Active in both classical and jazz circles, her choice of tunes reflects her affinity for exploring songs that stray from the standard repertoire. Her elegant improvisations, original arrangements, and clear voice make her a true musician.
A native of Southern California, Sharmila moved to the Bay Area in 2012. She was a music student at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and continued on to study classical voice at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she discovered her passion for jazz. After college, she was accepted into the ‘Jazz in July’ program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and worked with the legendary jazz singer Sheila Jordan. Since then, she has been a featured performer at a number of jazz festivals in Southern California and has played with many of the top jazz musicians in LA.
Along with her solo jazz performances, Sharmila sings alto in the vocal jazz quartet True North. She is a current member of the San Francisco-based award-winning new music ensemble Volti, and the prestigious Los Angeles Master Chorale. As a session singer, she has sung on a number of film soundtracks, including Avatar, Eat Pray Love, The Hangover Part III, and a solo song for Gangster Squad. She also teaches private voice lessons in Oakland.
Welcome to Avonova. We are a house concert venue in Oakland, California dedicated to making top quality live music available to listeners in an informal and comfortable setting.”
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Crafts for Kids On Board the Balclutha
Saturday, May 24, 3:00-4:00PM, and the fourth Saturday of every month
Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco
included with Balclutha admission, Adults $5, 15 and under free
For more information, please call 415-447-5000.
“Learn about life at sea and have fun making a maritime craft. You could walk away with your own sailor's necklace that spells your name in ship Signal Flags! Appropriate for ages 3-12, but everyone is welcome! Meet inside the ARK houseboat at the entrance to Hyde Street Pier.”
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How to Succeed in Spiritual Nutrition/Holistic Live Veganism
with Dr. Gabriel Cousens
Saturday, May 24, 4:30-8:30PM
The Sunflower Center, 1435 N McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma
$39.95 through May 23, $49.95 at the door
“What is the optimal diet for spiritual life?
How can our lifestyle facilitating subtle unfolding?
What choices are most conducive to the balance needed for deepest meditation?
What aspects of nutrition support the healthiest mental states and emotions?
Immerse in the many benefits of live food nutrition, including plus enzymes, phytonutrients, and bio-photons.
Learn not only how live foods work therapeutically to cleanse and balance the body, but also how they can upgrade genetic expression to enhance mind and emotional states, free the flow of energy, prevent disease and increase quality of life.
Discover why live foods are the choice foods for those who desire enduring, radiant health and a holistic, integrated life lived by love and liberation.
Drawing on nearly 40 years of clinical expertise, Gabriel Cousens, M.D. presents the key to successful veganism. In a culture where plant-source-only nutrition comes under constant scrutiny and criticism from medical and media sources, Dr. Cousens provides a map for radiant health through veganism. A lucid discussion of the common pitfalls vegans face is balanced with practical guidelines for optimal health and longevity. In this talk Dr. Cousens will address B12, protein, low-glycemic foods, and more. Walk away from this lecture with a better understanding of how to get the most out of your live-food vegan diet.
This event’s proceeds benefit Dr. Cousens and the Tree of Life Foundation’s grassroots natural healing work in Nigeria and Ghana, and the operating of an Orphanage and Teaching Center in Nogales, Mexico. At this center we train, free of charge, Mexican and Spanish-speaking semi-professionals and farm workers to be health educators in the phase one diet, veganism, and diabetes prevention. Our goal is to provide health and nutrition for all people who otherwise could not afford it.
Event information
4:00PM: Doors Open and Seating Begins,
5:00PM: Spiritual Nutrition and Holistic Live Vegan Success
7:00PM: Shaktipat Meditation
8:00PM: Ceremony for Havdallah for all who wish to stay.
Fresh organic, vegan, and live-food will be available to order here from Lydia’s Organics.
Dr. Gabriel Cousens M.D. is the author of seven internationally acclaimed books including Spiritual Nutrition and Creating Peace by Being Peace. Known worldwide as a spiritual teacher and the leading expert in live, plant-source nutrition, Dr. Cousens functions as a holistic physician, psychiatrist, family therapist, and cutting edge researcher on healing diabetes naturally. He holds an M.D. from Columbia Medical School, a doctorate in homeopathy, and diplomas in Ayurveda, clinical acupuncture, and holistic medicine. His multi-cultural background as an ordained rabbi, an acknowledged yogi, and a four-year Native American sundancer, adds insight to his ‘whole-person enlightenment’ teachings. Dr. Cousens is the founder and director of the Tree of Life Foundation and the Tree of Life Center US. In his book, There Is a Cure For Diabetes, Dr. Cousens presents his center’s program for reversing diabetes naturally.
Dr. Gabriel Cousens has successfully facilitated the healing of many thousands of people in the last 40 years and supported their transition into a holistic plant-source-only diet for the healing and spiritual elevation of self and the planet. His dietary teachings are an intrinsic part of his commitment to help awaken humanity to its greatest spiritual potential.”
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Saturn V - The First 700 Seconds
with Faride Khalaf
part of the Saturday Night Space Talks series
Saturday, May 24, 7:30-8:15PM
Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
cost? Included with admission?
“Watching the launch of the Apollo missions, who can forget the countdown, ignition sequence, and images of furious gas at blastoff? What we saw - the extent of what was broadcast on the daily news - is a very small fraction of all that led to NASA's greatest achievements. Engage with us as we discuss the little known technical aspects of various missions, detailing from the preparation of the first mission to the last countdown. It's a dream worth revisiting!
Let's chat about space!
Have you ever had a conversation with a really knowledgeable friend who has a way of sharing complex, high-level information? Faride Khalaf is just that guy. Get your fix of recent advancements and factoids from history in space and science in these informal conversations.
Faride Khalaf began his aviation career as a skydiver in 1980s and went on to earn his Airframe and Power Plant licenses (A and P) from the College of Alameda in California. Faride is an FAA Certified Aircraft Inspector, was an Aircraft Mechanic Instructor at the late Sierra Academy in Oakland, and was a General Aircraft Mechanic at United Airlines for a decade. While at United, Faride spent two years teaching structural repairs and for two years was a Fuel Systems Specialist. He is the sole owner of a 1947 Cessna 120 airplane and is an amateur astronomer who works with Chabot's astronomy program as a volunteer. His presentations are in high demand at Chabot and around the Bay Area.”
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Carnaval San Francisco
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25, 10:00AM-6:00PM
along Harrison Street between 16th Street and 24th Street, San Francisco
Free
“Carnaval San Francisco is a beloved two-day event featuring a Grand Parade and two-day Festival, celebrating music and cultural elements from Latin American and Caribbean traditions. Now in its third decade of celebration, Carnaval San Francisco has been an event for many cultures to come together in one spirit to share their creative expression. Come celebrate with us at the 36th annual Carnaval San Francisco, a FREE 2-day family festival in San Francisco’s Mission District over Memorial Day weekend, May 24 and 25, 10:00AM-6:00PM, where we will showcase the very best Latin American and Caribbean cultural arts and traditions. Carnaval San Francisco is the largest multi-cultural celebration on the West Coast. This year, Carnaval San Francisco is happening due to the 500 volunteers coming together to preserve this San Francisco tradition.
This year's theme of the 36th Annual Carnaval is La Rumba de la Copa Mundial – Celebration of the World Cup. San Francisco’s Mission District will be bursting with soccer, international music, dance, global cuisine and arts & crafts from the many countries that celebrate Carnaval. The 2–day Festival takes place on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th Streets and will include all of these and other fun activities and entertainment on every street corner for the entire family to enjoy.
On Sunday, May 25, the Grand Parade starts at 9:30AM at the corner of 24th and Bryant Streets, where it will proceed West to Mission Street. From there, the parade heads North on Mission down to 17th Street, where it will turn East and flow into the Festival area.”
Thanks to Ivy for letting me know about this event!
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Cheese Making Intensive
with K.Ruby Blume
presented by The Institute of Urban Homesteading
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25,
Saturday 12:00-6:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM-2:00PM
North Oakland, address given upon registration
Sliding scale $160-$220 includes supplies
“This two-day intensive course will cover everything you need to get started making simple cheeses that are easily created in a home environment. We will learn about cultures, equipment, ingredients and cheesemaking concepts and will work with both cow and goat milk to complete a number of cheesemaking projects including: Yogurt, Yogurt Cheese, Feta, Ricotta, Brie, Buttermilk, Sour Cream, Chevre, Mozzarella and Cultured Butter. We will also learn about the hard cheese process. You will receive hand-outs outlining the major concepts, recipes and resources to help you along once you try your hand at home. Each day will culminate in a community feast in which we share food, sample the cheeses and enjoy the friends we have made working together through the weekend. This course is the equivalent of Cheesemaking 101, 102 and 103 together.”
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Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25
Performing Arts Theater, El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito
see website for detailed schedule and registration information
“The Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant was founded by Sula Frick . When Sula passed away in 1978, her son asked Leea Aziz to continue producing BDOY, as it was Sula's proudest accomplishment. Now in its 39th year, Leea has produced BDOY in Sula's honor since 1979.
At first, there was only one category for soloist and the event was held in very small venues. In 1979, the Troupe category was added at the request of Kattoura/Ginny. Later, the Grand Dancer category was added at the request of Halame, and, finally, the Duet Category was added. Several years ago, the Duet of the Year category was changed to Duo/Trio. In 2010, the BDOY Pageant Committee added Tribal Soloist and Tribal Ensemble categories, beginning in 2011, to represent the American Tribal and Tribal Fusion styles in the belly dance community.
BDOY is now an international event, and Belly Dancer of the Year is recognized as the premier title in belly dancing. It opens the door to teaching workshops, starring in performances, and DVD appearances. Previous winners include Aziza (2002), Judeen (1993), and Alexandra King (1988). The goal of BDOY is to give qualified dancers a fair and equal opportunity to exhibit their skills, as well as promote and elevate the art of belly dance and support its amazing community.”
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Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25,
Saturday 10:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday, 10:00AM-6:00PM
Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill
Free
“The Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival, now in its 35th year of turning Memorial Day weekend into a celebration of the mushroom, has big plans for the free May 24-25 event in downtown Morgan Hill, California.
The two-day festival of family-fun includes live entertainment on two stages, arts and crafts, gourmet offerings, mushroom education, strolling musicians, street performers, and several city blocks of unique booths. For children, Munchkinland captivates kids with rides, games and continuous entertainment.
The festival raises funds for educational scholarships, which are granted annually and provides an opportunity for many local non-profit organizations, clubs and schools to create awareness of their cause.
Mushrooms, the region’s predominant local crop, are the stars of the festival with opportunities for guests to taste fresh, locally grown mushrooms and learn about their important health benefits.”
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Lake Renaissance Festival
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25, 10:00AM-6:00PM
Tuscan Village/Terrill Cellars Winery, 16175 Main Street, Lower Lake
Adults $7, Seniors and anyone in Costume $5, Children under 10 Free
Adults $7, Seniors and anyone in Costume $5, Children under 10 Free
“Come and be swept away to 16th century Italy where nobles and rogues, damsels and pirates interact amongst the grapevines and fruit trees of the beautiful Tuscan Village!
Food, drink, merchants, guilds and entertainment galore!”
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The Sea of Invisible Riches: Asian Americans and the Alaska Salmon Grounds, 1880-1929
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25, 2:15-3:00PM
Aboard the Balclutha, Hyde Street Pier, 499 Jefferson Street, San Francisco
Ships boarding fees apply: Adults, $5, Ages 15 and under Free
“Join us for an exploration of the role Asian Americans played in the struggle for immigration rights in the decades bordering 1900. This struggle took place on the vast arctic coast and ocean of Alaska and the Northeast Pacific. Along the way, discover how Asian Americans captured the invisible riches of a sea whose ecology and environment Europeans were still in the process of understanding.”
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The Sky at Dawn Concert and CD Release Party
with Diana Rowan and Pezhham Akhavass
Saturday, May 24, 5:00-7:00PM
private home, 16040 Greenridge Terrace, Los Gatos
$40
Sunday, May 25, 6:00-8:30PM
private home, 1425 Cypress Street, Berkeley
$25
“The Sky At Dawn
by Pezhham Akhavass and Diana Rowan
Tombak and Harp
An ecstatic journey from Iran to Ireland, the Celtic harp and Persian tombak collide in passion, joy, darkness and surprise.
Join us for these very special live performances celebrating the release of our debut CD, The Sky at Dawn.
We have chosen intimate venues to complement the intensely personal nature of this music, and look forward to sharing music with you!”
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34rd Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment at Roaring Camp
Saturday-Sunday, May 24-26
Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, 831-335-4484
see website for schedule admission details
“Travel back in time to the Civil War where encampments of Union and Confederate soldiers re-make history right before your eyes. Experience the sights and sounds of cavalry charges, musket fire and artillery shells in one of the longest-running historic reenactments in the West.
Ride an 1880s ‘iron horse’ through an ancient redwood forest and witness skirmishes as the steam train ascends Bear Mountain. Glimpse a soldier’s daily life as he cooks meals over a campfire, cleans his musket and prepares for the day’s campaign. Then chow down on a Chuck Wagon Barbecue and take in the camp. See you at Roaring Camp for this fun family event on Memorial Day Weekend!”
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Towel Day
Sunday, May 25
We all realize how important it is to know where one's towel is. The easiest way to be sure is to have it on one’s person at all times. On May 25, hoopy froods all over the galaxy will be carrying their towels with them wherever they go.
If the above is unintelligible to you, Don't Panic! Just go to the nearest library, check out the entire Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy - all 5 books - and, if you have a very good library, the CDs of the radio series, and if you have a very, very good library, the DVDs of the television series, and, yes, the DVD of the movie, too. If you still don't understand, try sticking a fish in your ear.
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Family Day at Sienna Ranch
Sunday, May 25, 12:00-4:00PM, (and the last Sunday of every month)
Sienna Ranch, 3232 Deer Hill Road, Lafayette, 925-283-6311
$85 includes up to five people, advance registration required - see website
“On the last Sunday of each month, Sienna Ranch will open its doors for a special family and community day. Come enjoy the activities, good company, healthy food, and the wholesome environment at Sienna Ranch. Family Day is fun for all ages.
Horse and pony rides, sustainability education and projects, archery, hayrides, survival skills activities, and more. Bring your own picnic lunch or buy from one of our healthy food vendors.
Family Days are on Sundays, 12:00-4:00PM.
Family Day Pass is $85.
With the purchase of a family pass, you will get
admission to Sienna Ranch family day for up to 5 people
3 horse ride tickets
3 archery tickets
5 hayride tickets
participation in the featured hands-on sustainability or survival skill activity
unlimited animal visits to goats, sheep, chickens
special demonstrations, entertainment, or hands-on projects (vary from month to month)
Note: Food and special services offered at an additional cost. For additional archery and horse ride tickets, please purchase a second family pass.
Family Days are limited to 40 families, so register soon!”
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New Thought History: The Origins of the Home of Truth
with Rev. Carol Hanson
Saturday, May 25, 1:30-3:00PM
The Home of Truth Spiritual Center, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda
Free
“At the end of the 1800s, in the middle of the industrial revolution, and the women's suffrage movement, two sisters rose up; Annie Rix Militz and Harriet Hale Rix. The two sisters were educated through the spiritual movements of Emma Curtis Hopkins and Mary Baker Eddy, pioneers in New Thought Metaphysics.
They also were catalysts in the Unity Movement and what was to become the rich spiritual vein of New Thought.
Annie and Harriet held an expansive view of faith and healing. They also knew the value of women as spiritual leaders. In the knowledge of a mother's spiritual home, they founded the Home of Truth and started their life's work.”
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SoulCollage
with Maya Spector
Saturday, May 25, 1:30-5:00PM
private home, 685 ½ Fairmount Avenue, Oakland
$15, all materials provided.
Space is limited, please RSVP to Maya at 650-329-1415 or mayaspector@hotmail.com
“Please join me for this easy yet profound way to access intuition, have fun, and create your own set of collaged cards. Invite your friends!
SoulCollage is a process for creating and working with a set of cards that reflect your inner self. SoulCollage is deeply satisfying and a lot of fun; it’s a fantastic creative exploration that anyone can do. Although it is highly personal, it is wonderful and most insightful when done in small groups.”
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Witches' Tea Party!
with The San Jose Pagan and Magick Meetup Group
Sunday, May 25, 3:00-7:00PM
Palo Alto Cafe, 2675 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
$1
“We'll try to have a big red Meetup sign on the table!
Let's get together for another Witches' Tea Party! The previous three were great fun, so we're doing it again.
Witches, Pagans, Magicians, Asatruarfolk, all ye fine and fun folk, wend your way to this nice little coffeehouse in Midtown Palo Alto. They have an assortment of tasty teas and coffees, plus yummy sandwiches and plenty of pastries.
We'll take a little breather and enjoy the company of our fellow walkers of the path of the independent spirit. Relax in the company of those who won't think you're weird for talking with the land-wights or listening to the voice of the Goddess on the breeze!
Feel free to wear your Witchy finery or fancy-wear (but keep'em street-legal, please)!
$1 contribution toward this website requested (not required).”
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Tea and Tarot
with Charlie London and Chas Bogan
Sunday, May 25, 4:00-6:00PM, and the fourth Sunday of every month
The Mystic Dream, 1437 N Broadway, Walnut Creek, 925-933-2342
Donations accepted to cover cost of tea
“Tarot lovers of every skill level will enjoy Tea and Tarot. Each month we will explore a new facet of working with the cards, examining multiple meanings, layouts, and learning how to express our insights with others.”
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The Bubbling Crock: Fermented Foods and Beverages
with Jessica Prentice
Part 2 of the Traditional Diets Lecture Series
Sunday, May 25, 4:30-6:30PM
Three Stone Hearth Kitchen, 1581 University Avenue, Berkeley, 510-981-1334
$15 per class includes borth bar, please register at the website below.
for more information, e-mail info@threestonehearth.com
“Jessica Prentice's Introduction to Traditional Diets (formerly an 8-week series) has been condensed and refined to be presented in three two-hour sessions on Sunday evenings starting on May 18. This is a great overview for people who are new to a nutrient-dense approach to food, but will also be full of new perspectives for those who have been working with these principles for a while. The three lectures combined will cover all Eleven Characteristics of Traditional Diets in some depth.
Part 2: May 25
The Bubbling Crock: Fermented Foods and Beverages;
Grains in Traditional Diets
Part 3: Sunday, June 1
Lavish Love and The Beauty of Broth: Fats, and the use of Bones and Braises in Traditional cooking
Tickets: Each class is $15 and includes the Broth Bar. You may purchase tickets at the door or pre-pay online.
Broth Bar: Please enjoy our broth and condiment bar prior to the speaker. Doors will open 20 minutes prior to the event.”
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The Cosmic Mass: Art and Spirit
Sunday, May 25, 6:30-9:30PM
Community Hall, First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison Street, Oakland
$12-$20 in advance, $15-$25 at the door
“The Cosmic Mass is a participatory celebration of life that incorporates organic dance, innovative art displays, electrifying beats, soul-moving performance, mind-expanding discussion, and transformative ritual, bringing together a diverse community of beings, to embody the sacredness of life in a cosmic context.
Our next event will honor the alchemical role art plays in the evolving human experience, featuring ritual leaders Kokomon and Aeesha Clottey, Evelie Posch, and Richard Kaplan, theologian Matthew Fox, VJ Caroluna, hip hop band Earth Amplified, artists Amana Harris, Pako Voom, Bruce Polone, and Ullrrich Lemus, and a slideshow featuring the work of dozens of local artists! Community members of all ages are welcome. Please join us as we dance together to invoke the continually-emerging spirit of life at this month’s Cosmic Mass!
Mark your calendar for next month’s mass, which will honor the Divine Feminine at San Francisco’s majestic Grace Cathedral on June 28th!”
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San Ramon Art and Wind Festival
Sunday-Monday, May 25-26, 10:00AM-5:00PM
Hot Air Balloon Launch on Monday, May 26, 6:00AM
San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard, San Ramon
Free
“The San Ramon Art and Wind Festival blows into town with over 200 arts and crafts booths, kite flying demos by professionals from all over the country and Canada, free kite making workshops for youth, entertainment on 3 stages and a kids activity area. Food booths are operated by local non-profits that raise much-needed funds for their organizations. This money goes back into the community in a variety of projects. Mark your calendar now because the San Ramon Art and Wind Festival is the place to be on Memorial Day weekend!
The annual San Ramon Art and Wind Festival will again include an early morning hot air balloon launch on Monday, May 26 only. This year's launch will feature a variety of brightly colored balloons and a hang gliding demonstration. Last year’s launch created quite a spectacular vision for those who attended. Attendees can get up close and look inside the balloons. This is a great opportunity for amateur photographers. The pilots will arrive and begin set-up between 5:30AM and 6:00AM. The actual launch will likely be between 6:30AM and 7:30AM depending on the wind and weather. Coffee and hot cocoa will be available for purchase. Best parking for the balloon launch is at the Iron Horse Middle School, 12601 Alcosta Boulevard, San Ramon.”
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Memorial Day Free Day and Open House at Ardenwood
Monday, May 26, 10:00AM-4:00PM
Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, Fremont
Free
“Celebrate the holiday with an admission free day of fun! Help with the morning chores (11:00AM-Noon). Ride the train, tour the Victorian farmhouse and watch the blacksmith at work. Taste some farm baked cookies from our outdoor Country Kitchen (11:00AM-1:00PM) and try your skills at some old-time games (Noon–1:00PM). Take a stroll with a naturalist and learn what life was like 100 years ago (2:00-3:00PM) and give the animals their afternoon meal (3:00PM).”
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Nerd Nite East Bay #19: Burnside’s Lemma, Artificial Photosynthesis, and Paramedics
Monday, May 26, 7:00PM, and the last Monday of each month
The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street, Oakland
$8
$8
“We all know that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends and colleagues. Thus, Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in more than 75 cities across the globe during which several folks give 18-21-minute, fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines - while the audience drinks along. And there are often bands, acrobats, trivia, and other shenanigans as well. Imagine learning about everything from math feuds or the science of the Simpsons, to the genealogy of Godzilla or debunking beer myths. Fun, right? As nerds and non-nerds like to say, Nerd Nite Is Like the Discovery Channel… with Beer!
I don’t need a counting theorem to let you know that the three talks we feature this month will be nothing less than nerd-a-licious. First, Nathan Ilten will offer one of the cooler pieces of group theory to show how you can count things. Then, Alexandra Krawicz shows us how we can design better approaches to harvesting energy from the sun. Chris van Luen, who closes the night, gave us an alternative for his talk: ‘Life as a Street Medic. Yes, this shit really does happen.’
DJ Citizen Zain is back again already! And Rick and Rebecca will provide resuscitation between talks. Be there and be square.
How To Count Better Than A Three-Year-Old by Nathan Ilten
Mathematicians and young children have (at least) two things in common: they drool more than they should, and they love to count things. While children are often forced to rely on their fingers for counting, older mathematicians often have more sophisticated tools available. In this talk, we’ll examine one such tool: ‘The Lemma that is not Burnside’s’, first discovered by Augustin Cauchy in 1845. Not only does it have a confusing name, this lemma can be extremely useful when counting objects with some kind of symmetry. As an example, we’ll solve a problem that would make your three year old niece break down in tears: how many ways can you paint the faces of a cube using 97 different colors?
Nathan Ilten grew up counting with his fingers, but quickly learned to use his toes as well. After learning to count a bit higher, he got his PhD in mathematics from the Freie Universitat in Berlin. When not spending his time working as a visiting assistant professor at UC Berkeley, Nathan can be found out on the Bay in a sailboat.
Tame The Sun: Make Fuels Via Artificial Photosynthesis by Alexandra Krawicz
Plants are photoautotrophic, they do not depend on anyone to synthesize their ‘food’ or give them energy to grow. Through a series of light driven reactions, plants split water and fix carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis. Humans can mimic photosynthesis artificially, but are not as successful as plants. However if we become masters in mimicking plants, we could use their ‘trade secrets’ to become energy independent and produce carbon neutral, fully renewable solar energy. Our consumption of energy is growing at an exorbitant rate, and since most energy comes from burning fossil fuels, we continue to pollute the atmosphere we live in and induce climate change. The goal of the work presented here is to mimic one part of the photosynthetic reaction. In nature, photosynthesis splits water into protons and oxygen and in the process releases electrons. These electrons are then used along with the protons to reduce CO2 and form sugars. We have developed a method for preparing an electrode composed of grafted molecular cobalt-containing hydrogen production catalysts onto visible light-absorbing semiconductor p-type GaP(100) that can mimic the hydrogen production step. This construct is able to produce hydrogen (fuel) catalytically upon exposure to solar illumination. The preparation of the construct exploits UV-induced immobilization of vinylpyridine and subsequent surface-initiated photopolymerization to yield a covalently attached polymer with pendent pyridyl groups that bind to cobaloxime catalysts. Surface derivatization is characterized by several spectroscopic techniques, and performance is assessed by electrochemical methods. The Co containing catalyst functionalized photocathode shows significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance in aqueous conditions at neutral pH, compared to results obtained on GaP without attached cobalt complex, yielding a 2.4 mA cm-2 current density at a 310 mV underpotential, meaning that only solar light is driving the reaction and there is no applied bias. These results open new possibilities for re-engineering the catalytic constructs to improve their efficiency and durability.
Alexandra Krawicz is a Postdoctoral scholar at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and The Joint Center for Artificial Synthesis (JCAP). She joined JCAP in August 2012 as part of the Interface group to work on immobilization of molecular catalysts onto semiconductors for solar energy conversion. Currently she is working on developing stable attachment strategies for molecular catalysts to photocathodes to create constructs for solar fuel production. Despite her best efforts, she is heterotrophic.
911… What’s Your Emergency? by Chris van Luen
Every day, we see ambulances speeding down the street with lights and sirens blaring. Have you wondered… what type of emergency are they going to? Is it the life-threatening heart attack or car crash like we see in movies or on television? Well, you might be surprised at what the real answer is. Come join us as we take you on virtual ride-along with paramedics during a 24 hour period and get an idea of what life is really like as a paramedic on the street.
Chris van Luen is a veteran paramedic who has been working in Emergency Medical Services for over 25 years. As a young medic, he served as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer in the US Coast Guard for 13 years. In 1999, he returned home to the East Bay where he has since been working as a paramedic in Alameda County with several years working the streets of Oakland. He is a published author on topics relating to pre-hospital care, a paramedic instructor, and has received multiple awards including Paramedic of the Year.
The New Parkway Theater is a community-centered cinema and pub located in Oakland's Uptown district. Sit back and relax in our cozy couches while watching our new releases, cult classics, and fabulous special programming. Plus, enjoy yummy food and local beer and wine in our café or even delivered right to your theater seat all at affordable prices!
Every week we have something for everyone... from Doc Night to Baby Brigade and Thrillville Theater to Nerd Night, and everything in between. Also, join us on the mezzanine for free, non-film events like Trivia Thursdays, Pop-Up Art Wednesdays, and First Fridays.
The New Parkway = Film. Friends. Food. Fun on Tap.”
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Energy Tools for Students, Healers, and Therapists
with Katrina Dreamer
Monday, May 26, 7:30-9:30PM
Fireside Room, BFUU, 1606 Bonita Avenue, Berkeley
$20
Space is limited, please RSVP to katrina@katrinadreamer.com
“This class is for anyone who feels overwhelmed and tired at the end of the day (and that's a lot of us). It's also for those of us who are stressed out and super busy.
And finally, it's for anyone who works with or interacts with a lot of people all day: those who work in schools, salons, hospitals, retail shops, restaurants, or bars; and those who are self-employed and see many clients each day.
In this class you'll learn to release negative energy, protect yourself from others' stress and live a more relaxed, calm life.
Katrina Dreamer, MA will teach basic grounding, clearing, centering and relaxation exercises. The class includes meditation and visualization techniques. Katrina Dreamer has been practicing meditation for six years and has been trained as an energy healer.”
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Tea and Chanting Sangha - please note new time
Tuesday, May 27, 8:00PM, and the fourth Tuesday of each month
The Sacred Well, 536 Grand Avenue, Oakland, 510-444-9355
$5 suggested donation
“As we enter our fourth year of our journey together, our group is ready to deepen into a unique aspect of Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Over the course of the year we are progressively learning a Tibetan ritual designed to awaken and purify all of creation in the many directions, to confer blessings of relief and happiness upon all beings throughout all space and time, and to magnify our sangha's collective aspiration toward the enlightened liberation of all beings.
Open to beginners as well as current sangha members.
Online Tea and Chanting Sangha
For those of you who are at a distance, or find that meeting on Tuesdays are difficult for you to attend in person, Yeshe Rabbit is setting up a monthly online Google Hangout version of the Tea and Chanting Sangha to be held on the 4th Sunday of each month at 11:00AM.
If you are interested, contact her by email at: rabbit@sacredwell.com to get all the important details.”
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Chocolat
part of the Savory Cinema series
Tuesday, May 27, Dinner at 8:00PM, show at 9:30PM
The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street, Oakland
$25 includes Entree, Dessert, and Drink pairing
“When a single mother and her six-year-old daughter move to rural France and open a chocolate shop - with Sunday hours - across the street from the local church, they are met with some skepticism. But as soon as they coax the townspeople into enjoying their delicious products, they are warmly welcomed.
This event features an entree, dessert, and drink pairing inspired by Chocolat at 8:00PM and served to you in the comfort of our Mezzanine before the movie at 9:30PM. There will be limited tickets available, so get yours now!
The New Parkway Theater is a community-centered cinema and pub located in Oakland's Uptown district. Sit back and relax in our cozy couches while watching our new releases, cult classics, and fabulous special programming. Plus, enjoy yummy food and local beer and wine in our café or even delivered right to your theater seat all at affordable prices!
Every week we have something for everyone... from Doc Night to Baby Brigade and Thrillville Theater to Nerd Night, and everything in between. Also, join us on the mezzanine for free, non-film events like Trivia Thursdays, Pop-Up Art Wednesdays, and First Fridays.
The New Parkway = Film. Friends. Food. Fun on Tap.”
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Amma Visits the Bay Area
Wednesday-Friday, May 28-June 6
M.A. Center, 10200 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley
Free
“Visit Amma, Renowned Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader
‘A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering.’ - Amma
Nestled in beautiful rolling hills, the M.A. Center was Amma’s first U.S. ashram. Visitors come from all over the United States and the world to attend Amma’s Summer and Fall programs. Inaugurated in 1989, it was one of only a few ashrams to be established in her name outside of India at that time. It serves as an organizational center for Amma’s global humanitarian activities as well as a spiritual retreat center for North America. Outside of her main ashram in India, Amma has spent more time at the San Ramon center than anywhere else in the world, making it a unique and inspiring place to visit.
Please see the website for a detailed schedule of events.
M.A. Center is the physical home to a small group of residents, and the spiritual home for hundreds of people from the greater San Francisco Bay Area. On Saturdays, everyone comes together to participate in service opportunities and attend programs. This wider community also participates in special events throughout the year, including spiritual retreats, environmental workshops, and holiday celebrations. People also meet regularly in local area small community groups, called satsangs, for spiritual upliftment and connection.
The land around M.A. Center has a rich ecosystem with organic gardens, fruit orchards, creeks, ponds and wildlife. The center is dedicated to putting into practice Amma’s teachings on caring for the earth and strives to be a model of environmental sustainability.”
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Empty Bowls
Thursday, May 29, 6:00-8:00PM
Alameda County Community Food Bank, 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland
Individual $25, Family (2 adults + 2 children) $50
“Join us for a delightful evening of art, nourishment and advocacy as we help fill empty bowls in our community. Enjoy a simple and delicious meal of soup and bread, bid in the silent auction and tap your toes to rousing children’s entertainment.
As a reminder of the empty bowls on the tables of families in need throughout Alameda County, you’ll also take home a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted bowl created by local school children and Food Bank supporters. This annual event educates kids and adults about the issue of hunger, teaches them about community service and raises funds for the Food Bank’s hunger-relief efforts.”
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Soups and Stocks
with Rosie Ueng
Part One of the Nourishing Traditions Cooking Basics Series
Thursday, May 29, 6:00-9:00PM,
and five more Thursdays through July 3
Three Stone Hearth, 1581 University Avenue, Berkeley, 510-981-1334
$95 per class, $550 for six-class series
“From bone broths and stews to fermentation and sauces, this six-class series covers everything you need to get started, or to expand your knowledge of nutrient dense cooking. Whether you’re new to cooking or are just looking to broaden your skills and enhance your knowledge, these hands-on cooking classes will be fun and educational. Class is 3 hours and ends with a collectively prepared meal! Sign up early! Registration is limited to 12 students.
Class Schedule is as follows:
Thursday, May 29: Soups and Stocks
Thursday, June 5: Stews and Braising
Thursday, June 12: Fermentation is Easy! Cultured Veg and Dairy
Thursday, June 19: Soaking, Sprouting and Fermented Beverages
Thursday, June 25: Eggs and Organ Meats
Thursday, July 3: Vegetables, Sauces and Condiments
Stock is arguably the most fundamental component of cooking as the base for soups, stews, and sauces. Learn the hows and whys of the different types of stock as well as techniques for building delicious, flavorful soups. Who doesn’t love a warm bowl of soup? The class ends with a delicious dinner compiled of the fruits of our evening’s labor.
Instructor Rosie Ueng holds a Masters in Nutrition and a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology. She has worked as a cook at Three Stone Hearth as well as a private chef and caterer. Rosie combines science, traditional wisdom, and her cooking background to offer this unique cooking series. Rosie Ueng is founder of Rosewater Cooking and Science.”
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Goddess Clothing Exchange
Saturday, May 31, 1:30-5:30PM
LoveJourney Temple, Sebastopol - address given upon RSVP
Free
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Penny Sheren at polypenny@gmail.com
or 707 292-8170
“Please sort through your wonderful stuff and bring only your best items - those you think your fellow Goddesses will love!
We expect a big turn-out, so all the help we can get is much appreciated. If you can commit even an hour or two as volunteer, it will help us sooooo much. It will be a fun atmosphere of women trying on all kinds of new things and taking home special treasures.
For those new to an exchange, here's the basics:
Sort through your clothes to create a give-away pile. Bring the best of those to share: Clothes that either no longer fit or just aren't your style and are in good repair.
Come try on stuff, hang out with your sisters, enjoy the hot tubs, and go home with great new clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry, books, etc.
Take only what calls to you of what others bring, and only for yourself or your children.
We are inviting clothing of all sizes, plus sizes especially welcome.
A FEW REQUESTS TO MAKE IT RUN SMOOTHLY:
Bring clothes and shoes in good condition, items that others might be excited to receive
Bring clothes on hangers, if possible
Goddess music, jewelry, shoes, purses, and other finery welcome
Make sure garments are freshly laundered and shoes are clean
Let us know ahead if you have clothing racks we can borrow
As always, carpool if at all possible, and bring your ‘sisters’
Start looking through your closets now and getting excited! It will be here soon! We'll all play dress up and have the joy of watching other women's faces light up when they find some great new outfit, perhaps one you brought.
This event is for women only please. We love to have girl time!
SEE YOU THERE!
(if you CAN'T attend and want to bring stuff before the event, you can put it in the garage at the temple any time after Wednesday, May 28)
We NEED volunteers to help with set up or clean up.”
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Have a Heart-Centered, Richly Healing Week!
Molly Blue Dawn
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