by Juliana Birnbaum Fox
A collection of photographs by David Bacon entitled “Our Community in the Streets” is on display at the Asian Resource Center Gallery in Oakland. In solidarity with the working people of the community, the exhibit will show from Dec. 7 – Jan. 31. An opening reception and International Migrants Day celebration will be held on Monday, Dec. 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Asian Resource Center is located at 310 Eighth Street in Oakland, close to the 12th Street and Lake Merritt BART stations. For more information email dbacon@igc.org or call Greg Morozumi at (510) 532-9692.
La Peña heats up with Afro-Carribean music and dance
It’s “Hot December” at La Peña Cultural Center. On Friday, Dec. 14, the Venezuelan Music Project, featuring gaita, tamborera, parranda, and calypsos, will perform at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Saturday, Dec. 15 is the album release party for “Drummers Speak” the debut CD from Brian Andres & the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel. At 9:00 p.m., $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
On Friday December 28 at 9:00 p.m. the Noche de Ska includes La Plebe, Aztlan Underground, Rupert Estanislao, The Brass Liberation Orchestra, and Bolivar Vive, tickets $10. And on Saturday Dec, 29, Otro Mundo plays salsa, cumbia, meringue and more! At 9:30 p.m., tickets are $12.
Finally, get ready for the New Year’s Eve Dance Extravaganza with Jesus Diaz and The Cuban Connection. On Dec. 31 starting at 9:30 p.m., tickets are $25 in advance or $27 at the door. All events will be held at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. For more information call 510-849-2568 or go to www.lapena.org.
San Francisco students perform and produce musicals
Seventeen SFUSD students perform in a musical telling the classic tale of Prince Siddhartha’s journey to become Buddha, with a parallel story of a modern girl questioning the value of $200 tennis shoes against the human suffering she witnesses daily. Written and directed by a parent from Hoover Middle School, “Siddhartha, The Bright Path” includes students from nine public schools.
The show will run from Dec. 14 – Jan. 6 at the Marsh Youth Theater at 1062 Va- lencia in San Francisco. Visit www.themarsh.org for show times.
A holiday show featuring Connie Champagne as Judy Garland will be produced by Technical Theater Students at School of the Arts (S.O.T.A.). Approximately 50 students have designed the sound, staging and lighting for this professional performer. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will go to support arts education. On Saturday, Dec. 15 at 8: 00 p.m., on the S.O.T.A. main stage at 555 Portola Drive in San Francisco.
“Balls of Fury” released on DVD
The high stakes world of underground ping-pong is infiltrated in “Balls of Fury,” a hilarious spoof starring Christopher Walken and George Lopez. With a hysterical alternative ending not shown in theaters, experience the ultimate paddle battle on DVD this holiday season, in stores Dec. 18.
Teen Chess club at the North Berkeley Library
The North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library invites teens to relax after school by crushing their peers in a friendly game of chess! Wednesdays, from 3: 30-5:00, Teen Services presents a Chess Club at North Branch, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. Chess sets and treats will be provided. For more information go to www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.
