There is something magical about being able to simulate travelling the world without boarding an international flight. Thanks to the Bay Area’s vast diversity, it’s easy to explore another culture without the jet lag. For those who would otherwise be stuck in Berkeley with no fun summer vacation to speak of, dipping your toes into these picks will satisfy the urge for adventure without having to stray far from home.
Tuesday: Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition
Film buffs will enjoy this in-depth exploration of the career of acclaimed Jewish director Stanley Kubrick. The exhibit is on display at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco until October 30, the same date which marked the end of the Overlook Hotel’s peak season from Kubrick’s famous cinematic masterpiece “The Shining.” The exhibit explores Kubrick’s work through the physical artifacts his projects left behind, including props, annotated scripts and costumes. In addition to relics from his most famous creations, it also features the untold stories of incomplete works such as “Napoleon” and “Aryan Papers.”
Wednesday: Summer Trees Casting Shade: Chinese Painting at Berkeley
Berkeley’s own BAMPFA offers a distinct look at traditional Chinese artwork this summer. Embark on a self-guided tour through these beautiful historical works dating back as early as the 12th century. Many pieces in the collection are drawn in ink on silk and offer portraits of Chinese life as they were hundreds of years ago. Much of the collection was selected from UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus James Cahill’s personal pieces. The exhibit will be on display until Sept. 25, and take note: Admission to the museum is free for UC Berkeley students.
Thursday: John Leguizamo: Latin History for Morons
Colombian-American entertainer John Leguizamo combines comedy and Latin history in his solo show at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Leguizamo developed the act in the Berkeley Rep’s the Ground Floor, the creation center for new work meant to incubate innovative productions. This world premiere of “Latin History for Morons” unfolds in the form of a history class as Leguizamo sheds light on 3,000 years of Latin history that American public schools often skew, brush off or completely ignore. Despite the educational format, Leguizamo’s uncensored, outrageous comedic style guarantees that no audience member will doze off during his history lesson. “Latin History” will run at the Berkeley Rep until Aug. 14 and shows Wednesday through Sunday.
Saturday: Carolina Lugo and Carolé Acuña’s Ballet Flamenco
Mother-daughter act Carolina Lugo and Carolé Acuña take the San Francisco stage to perform a twist on traditional Spanish dance with Ballet Flamenco. The duo performs at Peña Pachamama, a historic bar, food and entertainment venue in North Beach. In addition to serving organic South American dishes, this lively venue features Latin performances five times weekly. Lugo and Acuña’s engaging show is the perfect treat for anyone interested in experiencing the passion of Spanish dance. Lugo has been perfecting the act for 21 years and founded a dance company in the name of teaching and cultivating the legacy of flamenco and Spanish dance. Lugo’s daughter Acuña is the co-artistic director of their program and performs flamenco on stages in every corner of the globe. You can catch Ballet Flamenco this Saturday at 7 p.m. and find other world-class Latin acts year-round at Peña Pachamama.
