Are you stuck in Berkeley over spring break? With this week’s picks, the Arts & Entertainment staff presents local attractions designed to keep you from getting bored — or worse, from heading to the library.
Monday, March 26 | Declan McKenna and Chappell Roan at Cornerstone Berkeley
Singer-songwriters Declan McKenna and Chappell Roan will be bringing their knack for strikingly emotional songs to Berkeley’s own Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music. You might know McKenna for his hit single, “Brazil,” a catchy indie bop with a stronger political bent than its airy guitar riffs might suggest. As for Roan, her soulful vocals on songs such as “Bitter” make this show one to put on the calendar.
Wednesday, March 28 | Pussy Riot at Rickshaw Stop
On Wednesday at Rickshaw Stop, the all-female Russian punk band Pussy Riot will perform two shows at San Francisco’s Rickshaw Stop. Known for performing 35 seconds of punk rock at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow and for being imprisoned for two years as a result, Pussy Riot doesn’t seek to perform conventional concerts. Instead, the band posits that its performances are political rallies. Even though Wednesday’s concerts are sold out, Pussy Riot will be continuing its tour with a stop in Los Angeles on April 2.
Wednesday, March 28 | Japan Center 50th Anniversary Celebration at Japantown Peace Plaza
There’s no better time to wander around the mom and pop shops of Japantown than during the Japan Center 50th Anniversary Celebration, with a performance from San Francisco Taiko Dojo accompanying a slew of guest speakers. Grab some taiyaki — or maybe a bear-shaped crepe with mango ice cream — for an inexpensive day out in San Francisco.
Thursday, March 29 | Release of “Ready Player One” at UA Berkeley 7
Steven Spielberg loves working. Less than a year after the release of Academy Award-nominated “The Post,” the prolific director’s latest film “Ready Player One” will hit theaters Thursday. The marketing campaign for this adaptation of Ernest Cline’s eponymous novel was tepid to say the least — weirdly long legs marred the film’s posters, while underwhelming trailers failed to make a splash. Yet the film was a hit at the South by Southwest festival, suggesting that the film is Spielberg’s return to propulsive action after his recent string of historical dramas.
Friday, March 30 | Free screening of “I, Tonya” at Proxy Walk-in Theater
Did you see Allison Janney win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress but miss “I, Tonya”? (We still think Laurie Metcalf should have won, but that’s neither here nor there. Or is it?) Now’s your chance to catch the Oscar-nominated film for the price of your BART ticket to the Proxy — that’s right, the screening is free at the San Francisco walk-in theater.
Saturday, March 31 | Off Spring: Seeds & Pods Interpreted at 4th Street Fine Art
If walking down 4th Street on a Saturday afternoon sounds like your ideal way to relax before school kicks in again, then you might consider classing up your stroll with a visit to 4th Street Fine Art. Artists Valerie Sobel and Sally Petru collaborated on a show where the emphasis is on the artistry inherent in nature. Their talents coalesce in a project that will surely impress — or, at least, one that will make for a good Snapchat op.
