Top Tickets: March 4-10

Diablo's picks for the can't-miss events of the coming week: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Apple's Bob Borchers in Livermore, water-wise gardening, the annual White Elephant Sale, and Ken Bergmann's Percussion Discussion.

Bad economic news just keeps on coming, but two events this week will ease your mind and your wallet: learn to reduce your water consumption (and bill!) with a drought-friendly gardening workshop, and score great stuff on the cheap at NorCal’s largest rummage sale.  You won’t want to miss these events…

March 3–8: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, known throughout the world for its African American cultural expression through moving modern dance, stops in Berkeley on its 50th anniversary season.  The mixed repertory program includes “Revelations” and live accompaniment by Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, $36–$62, (510) 642-9988, tickets: calperfs.berkeley.edu, more info: alvinailey.org.

March 5: "Innovation: The Search for New Ideas"
Livermore High School graduate Bob Borchers—now senior director of worldwide product marketing at Apple and a face you may recognize from the iPhone guided-tour video—returns to his old stomping grounds.  Owner of more than 15 patents, from custom shoes to solid gold cell phones, Borchers will share amusing and inspiring tales about his search for new ideas. Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First St., Livermore, 7:30 p.m., $15–$40, (925) 373-6800, livermoreperformingarts.org.

March 7: Water-Wise Gardening Workshop
It may have poured buckets of rain all week, but the Guv says we’re in a drought.  At this workshop hosted by Zone 7 Water Agency, the city of Pleasanton, Alden Lane Nursery, and the Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening program, get tips from local experts on how you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance, water-conserving garden. Pleasanton Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., Pleasanton, 2–3 p.m., free, (925) 454-5015, zone7water.com.

March 7–8: White Elephant Sale
There couldn’t be a better time for the return of Northern California’s largest rummage sale.  The annual White Elephant Sale, which benefits Oakland Museum of California, boasts 96,000 square feet of bargains, from heirloom brooches to power tools.  Arrive early and wear comfortable shoes.  There will be free shuttle service from Fruitvale B.A.R.T. White Elephant Sale warehouse, 333 Lancaster St., Oakland, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., free, (510) 536-6800, whiteelephantsale.org.

March 10–14: Percussion Discussion
Every toddler understands the joy of making music with pots and pans. Take your little one to Ken Bergmann’s Percussion Discussion, where banging, smashing, and whacking is an art. The show incorporates drums, cowbells, chairs, and instruments from around the globe, plus a humorous take on the sound effects of Hollywood. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, $12, (925) 943-7469, tickets: lesherartscenter.org, more info: percussiondiscussion.com.

For even more events happening this week, browse the complete listings on Diablo’s Community Calendar.
 

Posted at 09:43 AM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink