10/23: The Pre-Halloween Scene

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

Percolating Poetry
Spoken word is a mixed bag, and it’s not for everyone. But it might be worth checking out the spoken word scene at Farley’s East on the fourth Friday of each month. Instrumentation is encouraged by the sponsors of “Uptown, Downtown, and Around Town,” which promises one or two featured artists followed by an open mic.
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
33 Grand Avenue
Free

Scholars on Ice
Cal is not exactly known for its ice hockey. How many people get excited about The Big Freeze? That’s when the Golden Bears take to the ice against Stanford. Still, five bucks to watch two decent teams clash over the puck is a good deal. On Friday, the Golden Bears take on Gonzaga University at the Oakland Ice Center. The Golden Bears are 4 and 3 this season, and they meet Gonzaga following a loss to UCLA last weekend.

Hockey: Cal Golden Bears vs. Gonzaga University
7  p.m.
Oakland Ice Center, 519 18^th Street
$5

Book reading: Anne Laughlin
Anne Laughlin reads at Laurel Books on Saturday evening. Her second bay, Veritas, will be out this fall. The Chicago-based writer has been published in anthologies by several well known lesbian and gay presses. Last year, she was named an Emerging Writer by the Lambda Literary Foundation.

7 p.m.
4100 MacArthur

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

Neo-Soul at the New Parish
Meshelle Ndegeocello performs at the New Parish Friday night. One of the first neo-soul artists, Ndegeocello a D.C.-native, but a Berkeley transplant, is known for her husky sweet voice and a searching, philosophical take on the world.
Doors open at 8 p.m., Show starts at 9 p.m.
The New Parish, 579 18^th Street
$25

Brews and Boos
If Fairyland’s Halloween event is a tad too kid-centric for you, the pumpkin patch at the Dunsmuir House on Saturday will offer beer and sausages for the grown-ups. The only thing scary will be the polka music. Kids will enjoy the hay rides, the pumpkin carving, and old-fashioned games (and we don’t mean Pac Man.) One free pumpkin per family while supplies last. The event will be held around the Carriage House at Covington Gate.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dunsmuir House, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court
Adults are $7, Ages 5 – 12 are $5, Five and under are free

F.A.S.T. Community Event
The second annual F.A.S.T. (For A Safe Town) community event will serve up entertainment, free food, and employment opportunities, and promises “lots of old fashioned fun.” This event is a result of the partnership between Youth Uprising, a community youth organization, and the Oakland Police Department and represents an ongoing effort to help heal relations between the community and the police.

Noon to 5 p.m.
Verdese Carter Park
98th & Bancroft

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

Scaryland
Fairyland turns spooky this weekend for the annual Jack O’Lantern Jamboree. Come in costume and enjoy unlimited rides, parades, goody bags for kid, pirate school, plus the usual puppet shows and other Fairyland attractions. Admission for everyone is $10.

Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
699 Bellevue Avenue
Admission $10
For more info, go to fairyland.org

Middle Eastern Treasure Concert
On Sunday afternoon, acclaimed Middle Eastern percussionist and recording artist Mary Ellen Donald will present a six-piece Arabic music ensemble. There will be singers from the Aswat Choir, a vocal ensemble called Mozaik, which will perform harmonies from around the world, belly dancing  by Amira Ariana and April Faith, and yes, audience dancing, too. They’ll bring out the wine and you’re welcome to take some food for a potluck. If you like Middle Eastern culture, you can’t miss this event.

2 p.m. to 5:15 pm
Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94609 (between Broadway and Telegraph)
$17 adults, $8 children under 12. No advance ticket sales
Ticket price includes complimentary wine and other beverages.

For more details call Mary Ellen at (510) 654-DRUM (3786)