When: Friday, Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 2, 1 p.m.-midnight
Where: Landmark Shattuck Cinemas, 2230 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Why go: The presents its annual three-day indie showcase. This is your chance to see , Cal Prof. Edward Frenkel's erotic homage to Yukio Mishima (so big it needs its own page, below) as well as works in progress by Chip Lord and Rita Hargrave and documentaries on Hawaiian native rights, the Bonneville Flats and much, much more. One $15 ticket lets you stare at the screen till midnight.
When: Friday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.; more performances Sat. Oct. 1 at 8 a.m. and Sun., Oct. 2 at 4 p.m.
Where: , Bruns Ampitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda
Why go: It's hard to top Liz Taylor's Katherine, but Shakespeare's battle-of-the-sexes comedy could make the best girls' night out ever. On Friday, ladies enjoy a pre-show party in the Upper Grove with cocktails courtesy of Stockholm Krystal Vodka, hors d'oeuvres and music.
When: Sat.-Sun., Oct. 1-2, 10 a.m.
Where: , 101 Golf Course Drive, Berkeley, free admission
Why go: The folks at the California Native Plant Society can tell you exactly where the plants for sale were cultivated and exactly how they'll do in your particular microclimate. Plus, the price is right: go to see how one handy family did it.
When: Sat.-Sun., Oct. 1-2, 2 p.m.; continues weekends through Oct. 16
Where: , 2020 Addison St., Berkeley, $20
Why go: The exuberant Ms. Frizzle, her curious students, and their beloved resident reptile, Liz, travel from the polar ice to the tropics and from the ocean to the stratosphere to investigate why the world is getting warmer and why we should care.
Co-produced by the Bay Area Children’s Theatre and Oregon Children’s Theatre, and based on the book series by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen.
When: Sat.-Sun., Oct. 1-2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Mills College, 5000 Macarthur Blvd., Oakland, $35-50
Why go: The and individuals who swim this annual fundraiser help keep the programs, classes and one-on-one-services of the Women's Cancer Resource Center free for everyone who needs them. No, you don't have to swim a whole mile. Let event organizers know your limits, and they'll direct you to a lane for your ability level.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1; Creek Walk meets 10 a.m.; other events noon-4:30 p.m.
Where: Creek Walk meets just inside the UC campus at Oxford and Center streets; other events at , Civic Center Park, Berkeley, FREE
Why go: As U.S. Poet Laureate, Robert Hass was inspired by Gary Snyder's essays on place and bioregionalism to create an annual public forum for speaking our feelings about the earth. This year's featured poets include Camille T. Dungy, editor of Black Nature, the first anthology of African-American nature poetry; D.A. Powell, author of Chronic; and Judy Grahn, who will preview the poetic-folk-opera-in-progress, "Mental," adapted from one of her iconic poems with composer Anne Carol. Events include a Creek Walk with naturalists and poets and readings from the River of Words international poetry program for children.
When: Sat., Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Where: , 2476 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, FREE
Why go: Project Censored director Mickey Huff unveils his group's latest list of the globe's 25 most underreported stories. $35 buys you a signed volume and the warm feeling of having helped to foster media democracy.
When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Check in at College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave., Oakland, $35/$40
Why go: View nine Rockridge kitchens, from Craftsman to contemporary, that were renovated with an emphasis on adding value. Program materials include photos, plans and other resources.
When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.
Where: , 3218 Adeline St., Berkeley, FREE
Why go: If you're not ready for the weekend to end, ring it out with these capable gentlemen.
Rites of Love and Math
When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
Where: , Landmark Shattuck Cinemas, 2230 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Why go: Edward Frenkel, perhaps the only Cal professor ever to star in a critically acclaimed erotic movie and certainly the only one to do so with the support of the Fondation Sciences Mathématiques de Paris, returns with his cinematic answer to the question, 'Is there a mathematical formula for love without death?' Prof. Frenkel will be on hand to answer questions after the screening. No one under 18 admitted.
