Dance, Performance, Shows & Events

“Moon”: A Mixed Media Mark Morris Mayhem

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“Moon” Mark Morris Dance Group
Friday, January 23, 2026 Zellerbach Hall
“MOON” (West Coast Premiere)

A “Mixed Media” Mark Morris Mayhem

The one hour production of “MOON” was thorough and congested with its inclusion of music, dance and most of all…projection, set changes and the placement of small doll-like figures on the stage. As an ‘older’ dance person I appreciate innovation, but this event was ‘too much’.

The accompanying music was both live and and recorded; Colin Fowler on piano and organ and Jordan Frazier on double bass. We hear ‘moon Songs (e.g. “Blue Moon” and “sound taken from the voyager spacecraft ”which “originally inspired the work.” The dancers shared the stage with ‘astronaut’ figures a foot-and a-half foot high: the dancers moved these figures several times during the work. Morris held one during the bow.

Projections of many sorts, including geometric diagrams were constantly appearing and changing; fascinating but in competition with the dancers’ activity. All nine dancers are exacting technicians and during all their ‘too short’ dance episodes, they did dominate the stage. They seemed to enjoy riding on scooters and on each other. But so many other electronic elements demanded audience attention.

Morris has written a short essay in the program about his (and the world’s) fascination with the moon. This dance event is his tribute to NASA’s “Golden Record” time capsule, and as he says “without understanding a thing.’

For further details see Cal Performance program notes.

Performance, Theater

Sunday in the Park with George – ShotgunPlayers

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“Sunday in the Park with George”
Shotgun Players, Berkeley
Friday, November 28, 2025 7PM

“Genius Revisited”

The background is this: “Sunday in the Park with George” is 1984 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine; inspired by Georges Seurat’s painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette.”

The first act depicts the creation of the painting (showing the artist’s frustration and the grief of his times). The second act is 100 years later, presenting the ‘legacy’ of the work “though the eyes of Seurat’s great grandson, also named George”.

Shotgun Players has enlisted an extraordinary group of actors, who sing, mime and interact with one another in short, staccato events that echo the Sondheim’s music. The whole play is an extraordinary production: set, music, acting, movement, all wonderfully depicting the script, the style, the score and the painting itself.

The painting looks, at first, like an ordinary depiction of an afternoon by the river, as it is. Looking closely the observer can learn the ‘point by point’ method so amazing for its time.

The cast features Kevin Singer and Laura Domingo (though many actors take many roles) and ten others. (I may need correction here since the performers are so versatile). The musicians, who are artfully hidden in the “above” are Daniel Alley, David Moschler, Andera Landin, Carolyn Walter and Christina Walton. Their sound, timing and accompaniment is extraordinary.

Susannah Martin, director and David Moschler, music director deserve high praise, endless applause and this audience’s gratitude for their superb work in bringing “Sunday in the Park with George” to Berkeley.

In difficult times, such as now, this evening’s entertainment revitalizes one’s energy to enjoy and. “go on”.

Additional note: Choreography

Twelve, sometimes thirteen performers and set pieces occupy the set of “Sunday in the Park with George”. The stage is small, much smaller than that of several local theater. Yet, Susannah Martin (and whoever is her choreographic assistant) is able to contain, move, assemble and amazingly! stage the show so that the paintings are depicted, the groupings reenforced and clear. It is an artful, amazing skill. This reviewer, a choreographer, admires how artfully and beautifully It is accomplished.

Government, Oakland, Privacy, Security

Oakland’s Privacy Advisory Commission (PAC) needs new commissioners.

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Oakland’s Privacy Advisory Commission (PAC) needs new commissioners.

Established over 10 years ago as a response to an attempt to blanket Oakland
with a surveillance apparatus through a “Domain Awareness Center” (DAC)
which would cover Oakland with cameras and microphones, Oakland’s PAC is
possibly the only actually functioning civilian oversight body in the country.

The commission’s charter, described on the city’s website
(https://www.oaklandca.gov/Government/Boards-Commissions/Privacy-Advisory-Commission)
is to review city activities with regards to privacy and surveillance and to
recommend to the City Council regarding the balance between the costs and the possible
harms due to loss of privacy and the gains due to the increased capture of information
about people in Oakland.

The commission, which meets in City Hall on the first Thursday of the month, from 5-7 PM,
has established and maintains productive relationships with city departments
and agencies, including OPD and has worked with them to produce a balance between privacy
and security and the legitimate needs and role of law enforcement. This balance is
reflected in policies which specify when and how data can be obtained, when it is
not permitted, how long the data will be retained and annual reporting on the
actual functioning of the programs. You can see and hear how the commission has
functioned by looking at/listening to the recordings of the meetings linked to
on the commission web page.

I have been on this commission since its inception and am proud of the work we have
done. Although my term has expired, I am able to remain on the commission until a
replacement is brought forward, which I hope will be soon. There are 4 vacancies
right now, including mine and 1 other which is being filled by holdovers until replaced.
The commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, on advice of the council members.
You can apply through the website
(https://oakland.granicus.com/boards/forms/168/apply?board_name=Privacy+Advisory+Commission)
and should also contact your councilmember.

The current federal government is attempting to accumulate as much information as they can
about everyone, to use arbitrarily against anyone who disagrees with them or challenges
them or is a convenient target against which to exercise uncheckable power. This commission
is at least a small stumbling block in their way.

Lou Katz
Commissioner, District 4
lou@well.com