Current events

Wednesday, April 16

Translating the War in Sudan. After being driven from his home in the Darfur region of Sudan, Daoud Hari used his high school Englishtoworkas a guide and translator, assisting journalists and aid groups. Hari tells the story of his journeys, risking his life to ensure that the story of his people is told. He has served as a translator for The New York Times, NBC, the BBC,and the United Nations.$15. 6-7pm. World Affairs Council Auditorium, 312 Sutter St., SF. www.itsyourworld.org.

Proposition F Supporters Meeting. The Potrero Hill Democratic Club recently voted to endorse Proposition F! This is a major victory for our campaign, as the development plan is centered in this district. This is also important because as folks may or may not know, Supervisor Sophie Maxwell is the supervisor for this district, which includes Potrero Hill and Bayview Hunters Point. We’ve got to keep up the pressure! We can win this! 6-7:30pm. POWER, 32 7th St., SF. 415-864-8372.

Thursday, April 17

San Francisco Housing Authority’s Community Partner’s Meeting. Come hear about their proposed policy changes for the upcoming year. 10am. 440 Turk Street, S.F. 415-703-8634 ext. 106.

First Exposure/Ghana Youth Photo Project Fundraiser. Live music, raffle, silent auction and more, featuring the afrobeat sounds of Haphrodesia, a special acoustic performance from members of Aphrodesia. This benefit will help send 6 youth photographers to colloraborate with the Ghana Youth Photo Project in West Africa for 3 weeks this summer. Sliding scale admission/donation $10-20. 111 Minna St. @2nd, SF.

Confronting Hidden Borders: Immigration and Uniting Communities of Color. Featured speakers Eva Paterson, Lucas Guttentag, Bill Ong Hing, Jennifer Chacon. 3-8pm. Reception to follow. University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 200 McAllister St., SF.

First Exposures/Ghana Youth Photo Project Fundraiser. Your attendance at this event will help fund this trip and change a young person’s life! The funds raised by this benefit will help us to send six of our talented young photographers to Ghana, West Africa to work with a likeminded group of young photographers there. 8pm-2am. 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna St., SF. 415-374-6657. www.sfcamerawork.org.

Thursday, April 17-20

2008 Annual ASIL/Fulbright Symposium. Honoree Judge Dr. Abdul G. Koroma of Sierra Leone, Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Grand reception 7pm Scotts Sea Food Restaurant , Jack London Square, Oakland, $75 per head, $150 couple, sponsored table $1,000. 925-209-9620, 510-393-6262. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Friday, April 18

National Day of Protest: Drive Military Recruiters off our Campuses and out of our towns. A demonstration against military recruiters and the war in Iraq has been called. Protestors will challenge the recruiters to an open-air debate. 12 noon-4:30pm. 64 Shattuck Square, Berkeley, CA.

Saturday, April 19

Candlestick Point Earth Day Workday. Help in LEJ’s “Plants Gone Wild” nursery and community garden, growing native plant stock for restoration projects in Candlestick Park and Heron’s Head Park. Wear appropriate clothing, gloves and tools provided. All ages welcome. 10am-1pm followed by cookout. Ranger Station, 1150 Carroll Ave., SF.

Richard Brown (San Francisco 8) and Emory Douglas. A benefit for the Commemoration Committee for the Black Panther Party. $5, no one turned away for lack of funds. Refreshments. 2pm. Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA. 510-595-7417.

Obama Supports United for Change Bay Area Rally. A nationwide rally of Obama supporters united for change and success in the Pennsylvania Primary. This is a grassroots effort, we need your support . Special guest artists and speakers.12 noon. Frank Ogawa Plaza, Broadway & 14th St. (at 12th St. BART station). Oakland, CA. 510-759-2791.

50th Ebony Fashion Fair presents Glam Odyssey, a fashion journey into bliss and beyond. The San Francisco Alumnae Delta Community Foundation, San Francisco Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter is able to grant over $10,000 in scholarships annually to college-bound students and other worthy projects throughout San Francisco and Marin Counties. 8pm (pre-show 7-8pm). $50. Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA. 415-584-7322.

Bay Area Engineering & Science Field Trip on UC Davis Annual Picnic Day. Students (6th-12th graders) with an interest in engineering and science. Activities include science seminar and demonstrations, student science/engineering contests, engineering facilities tour, engineering/science exhibit tour, student counseling,student lunch. $5. N. Hunter 916-922-3192 or 510-893-6426.

Best of the Bay Comedy Series. Presenting standout comedians from HBO, BET, TV One, Black Stars and the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival. $20. 10pm. Black Repertory Group, 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley. 510-652-2120.

United Front Protest. Mumia Abu-Jamal is innocent. Free Mumia Now! Abolish the racist death penalty. 2:30pm. 14th St. and Broadway, Oakland. 510-839-0852.

Benefit for the Commemoration Committee for the Black Panther Party, featuring Richard Brown of the San Francisco 8 and Emory Douglas, author of “Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas.” $5 donation – no one turned away for lack of funds. Refreshments. Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510-595-7417.

Coastal Camp’s Summer Day Camp Open House. Join us for family oriented naturalist-led hikes, crafts, and outdoor activities in the Marin Headlands. Explore our state of the art science and marine labs, and enter a raffle to win a free week of Coastal Camp! Coastal Camp is a summer day camp in Sausalito for grades 1-9 that’s all about fun, friends, and the great outdoors. Free! 1-4pm. Hikes begin at 1:30 or 2:45. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Building 1033, Sausalito. 415-332-6961. www.coastalcamp.org.

The San Francisco Parents of Multiples Club will be holding their spring consignment cale from 9am to 3pm at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park, 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way, SF. The sale will feature approximately 100 sellers selling gently used items for babies, toddlers and children up to about 8 years old. www.sfpom.org/consignment_sale/index.html.

Private School Education opportunities in San Francisco. The two-hour long session will offer guidance in how to evaluate school options to best meet the needs of students and their families, from preschool through high school placement. 10am-noon. Contract Design Center, SF. RSVP at 415-905-0255 x230. www.zephyrsf.com.

Target Community Day at MoAD. Featuring Oakland’s Bantaba Ensemble, Mamadou and Vanessa of the New Prescott Circus Theater’s drumming stilt walkers. Free. 685 Mission St. near Third St. 415-358-7200.

Spring/Summer veggies and the edible landscape. Learn all the tips to start your vegetable garden so that it will keep giving all season long. Free. 10am. Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. 510-644-2351. www.magicgardens.com.

Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20

Cross Currents: A multi-media exploration of the lives and legacy of African-Americans who migrated to the Bay Area. Performance is a multi-media portrait in music, movement and words. $25 general, $20 seniors/children. 8pm Sat., 3pm Sun. The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. 510-465-3363. www.dimensionsdance.org. www.ticketweb.com.

Friday thru Sunday, April 18, 19 and 20

What are you doing for Earth Day? Get a head start on your Spring Cleaning, and recycle that old, unwanted electronic equipment at a free e-waste recycling event happening at Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., in Pleasanton, from noon to 5pm on Friday and 9am until 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. The event is open to any California resident, business, school, etc. Drop off of your e-waste is free and items accepted include TV’s, monitors, computers, and more, with no limit! 866-335-3373. www.noewaste.com.

Sunday, April 20

San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society (the Society), will host various activities to commemorate the 1858 Exodus of more than 200 African Americans from San Francisco to Victoria, B.C. Commemorative events will include an Ecumenical Service, co-sponsored by 150 year old First AME Zion Church, a re-enactment of the exodus at the Hyde Street Pier, a reception at the Port of San Francisco at Pier 1, a Scholars’ Forum at Bethel AME Church. 415-292-6172. www.sfexodus.com.

Tongue Rhythm: Poetry with Leroy Moore and Maria Palacios. Sins Invalid’s Workshop Sexuality and Disability workshops are open to anyone who is interested in exploring the intersection of sexuality and disability, regardless of prior experience in movement or writing. 12:30-3:30pm. 2789 24th St., SF. Register by April 16th at 510-689-7198.

San Francisco Zoo is throwing a ‘Party For The Planet’ to Celebrate Earth Day. Recycle your cell phone and receive one free admission pass to the Zoo on April 20. 10am-5pm. San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Rd., SF. www.sfzoo.org.

Monday, April 21

San Francisco Public Library Community Meeting. Discussion includes plans for expansion and the new Bayview Branch Library. Free. 6:30pm. 5075 3rd St., SF. 415-557-4354.

Rally for the SF8, Drop all the Charges. This hearing is an important time to show support. All of the brothers are expected to be in court. Some motions will be heard and possible examinations of witnesses may take place or be scheduled. Dept. 23, 9:30am. 850 Bryant St., SF. www.freethesf8.org.

Tuesday, April 22

The Aging and Adult Disability Coalition Bake Sale. 11am-2pm. City Hall, SF. 415-536-1344. SeniorActionNetwork.org.

Stage reading of “Quilombo”. The 1984 movie on 17th Century Slavery in Brazil. Free. 12:30-2:30pm. College of Alameda, Student Lounge, F Building, 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway, Alameda, CA. 510-681-5652.

Literacy for Environmental Justice to Break Ground on Landmark Environmental Initiative in Bayview Hunters Point. In recognition of Earth Day 2008, Literacy for Environmental Justice, city and state officials, community leaders, residents and youth will celebrate the ground breaking of the EcoCenter. Free. 11am-1pm. Heron’s Head Park, Jennings and Cargo Way, SF. 510-681-5978.

Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce Economic Stimulus Workshop. How can the economic stimulus package help you, a panel discussion. Free for OAACC members, $15 non-members. 6-8pm. 1111 Broadway, 22nd Fl., Oakland, CA. 510-268-1600.

Wednesday April 23

Friends of Silver Terrace First Community Meeting. Join your neighbors, fellow park users and park staff for food and conversation about recreation activities in the park, future park events you would like to have and other park interests or concerns. Snacks provided. 6:30-7:30 pm. Silver Ave. and Bayshore. Enter Clubhouse at Waterville St. from Thornton Ave. RSVP Chloe at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 415-621-3260.

The Commonwealth Club: Creating New Wealth in a Post-Carbon Economy with Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund and author of “Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming.” $8 members, $15 general. 11:30am check-in, 12pm start. Blue Room, The Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., SF. 415-597-6705. www.commonwealthclub.org.

Thursday, April 24

Town Hall Forum “Are Peace and Impeachment Possible?” Prominent peace and impeachment leaders will discuss promising strategies. Peace and impeachment leaders, youth performers, honors for local activist heroes, information tables, door prizes. $10 at door, $8 advance tickets, sliding scale for unemployed, students, retired.. 7-9pm. Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA. 510-452-3556.

Nikki Giovanni will read from and discuss her most recent books, including “Acolytes,” “Rosa,” “On My Journey Now,” and “The Grasshopper’s Song.” This event is free, but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served. KTOP-TV, the city of Oakland’s Cable station, will be taping this program for re-broadcast at a later date. Doors 6:45 pm, event 7:30pm.James Moore Theatre, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak at 10th Street, Oakland. www.oaklandlibrary.org.

Saturday, April 26

Poets of the Library Celebrate National Poetry Month. Published poets will read selections from their poetry in a public celebration of American poetry. Free. 2-4:30pm. Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St., Oakland, CA. 238—7352. www.oaklandlibrary.org.

10th Annual People’s Earth Day Event, A Celebration of Life. Enjoy good food, listen to local musical artists, and celebrate health and life. Free. Super Save Market, 4517 Third St., SF. 415-282-6840.

3rd Annual Black Tie Illumination Ball, an Evening under the Stars, with official hosts John and Linda Burton and renowned jazz great Tony Saunders. $100. Reception 6:30-7:30pm, ball 7:30-11pm. The Bayview Opera House, Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre, 4705 Third St., SF.415-647-5743.

Bayview Opera House renovation celebration. As part of the Neighborhood Arts Festival, the SF Arts Commission is will be unveiling the newly-restored exterior of the Bayview Opera House. There will be performances by Best Intentions Motown Review, The Brown Bombers Cheer and Dance Team and poet Janice Reaves. Supervisor Sophie Maxell and Mayor Newsom are scheduled to speak. I hope that you will join us for the event. 1-4pm. Bayview Opera House, 4705 Third St., SF. 415-897-5089. sfartscommission.org/CAE/NAP/.

Ancestral DNA testing workshop. Two-day workshop on the use of DNA to trace our bio-geographical origins. On April 26, participants’ DNA will be collected and the project will be introduced. On Saturday, May 17, from 12 to 3 p.m., test results will be returned and their significance discussed. $150. 12-3pm. College of Alameda, 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway, Alameda. 510-748-2352. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Discussion of role of left, feminist, labor and antiwar activists in the face of economic crisis and revolutionary upsurges throughout the hemisphere. Free. 7-9pm. Café El Cafetazo, 3087 16th St./Mission BART, San Francisco, CA. 415-664-1278.

Sunday, April 27

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Clarence B. Jones, former attorney and advisor to Dr. King, will discuss and sign his book, “What Would Martin Say?” $10 adults, $5 seniors/youth. 2-4pm. Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), 685 Mission St., SF. 415-358-7200. www.moadsf.org.

Tuesday, April 29

Mumia, A Case for Reasonable Doubt. A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Activist Meeting, film screening and update on the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. 7:30pm, 636 9th St. near 12th St. 510-435-0844.

The Commonwealth Club: Michael Eric Dyson, author and professor, speaks on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. $15 members, $30 non-members. 6:30pm reception, 7pm program, 8pm book-signing. Bentley School, Student Performing Arts Center, 1000 Upper Happy Valley Rd., Lafayette. 415-597-6705. www.commonwealthclub.org.

Wednesday, April 30

Acclaimed public intellectual and best-selling author Michael Eric Dyson examines our progress in carrying out King’s dream, measuring the distance Black folk from the Promised Land that King envisioned 40 years ago. 6:30pm. East Bay Church of Religious Science, 41st and Telegraph Ave., Oakland.