Grand Lake Theater
Saturday, Nov. 21
Pre-screening Party at The Grand Tavern

The Castro Theatre
Friday, Nov. 20
Pre-screening Party at Dalva

Come see BLACK DYNAMITE at the Grand Lake Theater and meet Director Scott Sanders and lead actor Michael Jai White! The parties will feature DJs from Wax Poetics Records, Linden Street Brewery's Black Lager, and hanging with Will "The Thrill" from Thrillville! Come as you are or in your best ‘70s outfit for special prizes and giveaways. Guaranteed to put your ass in traction!

BLACK DYNAMITE is destined for cult film status. This action-packed comedy is meticulously and lovingly rooted in the great traditions of American Blaxploitation and Kung Fu films.

For more information on the film and its screenings, visit www.oakuff.org.

Saturday, November 21, 10am
Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City

An all-day Bike Expo descends on the Cow Palace this Saturday! Come to see 2010 bike products from tons of vendors, participate in the bike swap, watch the BikeStyle fashion show, be amazed by the BMX stunt show and AT's Showdown, check out the low rider, custom and vintage competition, test your skillz on the SF Urban Riders Triple Feature, join in the track stand competition and go to the after party! There's definitely something for everyone! Kids 12 and under are free, everyone else is $8 pre-show or $10 at the door.

www.sfbikeexpo.com
Follow it on Facebook and Twitter.

Saturday, November 21, 4pm
1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond

There will be hundreds of Cal fans watching The Big Game at the Craneway Pavilion this Saturday!This brand new event venue is only a 10 minute drive from UC Berkeley campus and a great alternative to the $65 game ticket. The facility boasts a 260'' HD LED TV screen and free admission. Game-day burgers, fries, and corndogs will be served from the new restaurant, the BoilerHouse, not to mention pitchers and drinks flowing from the bar! Roll on you bears!

Also, don't miss Monday Night Football at the Craneway, every Monday at 5:30pm!

www.Craneway.com

Saturday, Nov. 21, 8pm
La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

More than ten comics will converge on the Bay Area for one night for the inaugural SF MULTICULTURAL STAND-UP COMEDY FESTIVAL. Participating comics represent different nationalities and countries from around the world, including Africa, India, Trinidad, and New Jersey (that's right, New Jersey). Many of the comics were born in the United States, some grew up in foreign countries, and almost all will be providing excellent comic representation as African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, and other cultural backgrounds. Proceeds will go to organizations that provide school supplies for young refugee children in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and elsewhere around the world.

Tickets: General $15/Students$12

(510) 849-2568
www.lapena.org

Wear plaid while you shop on November 27th to show you support for local and independent businesses. Look for the special plaid placards at your local shops to indicate that it's an independent business. Many of the participating businesses are offering specials for Plaid Friday. Click here to find participating business and see special Plaid Friday offers.

The name Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of Bay Area independent businesses. Envisioned to be the independent business alternative to the big box store "Black Friday," Plaid Friday is designed to help raise awareness about shopping local and supporting the local economy.

For more info, visit www.plaidfriday.com.

Thursday-Friday, December 10-11
5pm — 10pm
Jack London Market (55 Harrison @ Water Street) at Jack London Square

Who needs a boring mall when we've got an amazing variety of shops, artisans, and locally-made items right here? Get your holiday shopping all wrapped up at the Holiday Buy Night, hosted by Oakland Unwrapped, in collaboration with Jack London Square, ProArts, and Oakland Grown. This shopping Mall*ternative will feature the best of local and indie gifts, art, accessories, clothing and more!

Featuring:
Theatrical and music performances
DJ spinning
Kids Zone
Gift wrapping
Warm and toasty food and beverage
The debut of the East Bay Express' EBX Bleeding Heart Lager

Strengthen our local economy, and celebrate the diversity and character of our hometown!

www.OaklandUnwrapped.org

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 12-13
Marriot Convention Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland

This highly anticipated event will highlight more than 120 African American-owned businesses and vendors that will showcase their products and services to the public. Come to the Downtown Oakland Marriot Convention Center Dec. 12-13 and shop for high quality art, crafts, clothing and jewelry. The gift show will feature a variety of educational seminars, workshops, celebrity guests, youth activities, live entertainment and so much more.

Admission is ONLY $5! Children get in Free.
Take the 12th Street Bart Station.
Affordable Vendor space still available

www.kwanzaagiftshow.com

Tuesday December 15, 8pm & 10pm
Yoshi's 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland

Don't miss the CD release party for the dynamic Miss FAYE CAROL and her quartet, featuring Sista Kee, at Yoshi's Oakland.

Celebrating the release of Carolizing Christmas:
A totally unique Christmas CD with slamming vocals and arrangements by Faye Carol
Sista Kee: Piano
Ron Belcher: Bass
Darrell Green: Drums
Howard Wiley: Tenor Saxophone

Come get your holiday party on!
All ages welcome
Tickets & more info: www.yoshis.com

(510) 238-9200
www.FayeCarol.com

Get your tickets to the Alameda Civic Ballet's production of The Nutcracker for 25% off ticket price at EastBayExpress.com/eDeals!

Available show times:
Saturday, December 19, 7pm
Sunday, December 20, 2pm

We only have 10 tickets to sell, so don't wait! You save $13.50 when you purchase a pair of tickets through EastBayExpress.com/eDeals!

Click here to purchase discounted tickets.

Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios
A Free Self-Guided Tour of 100 Professional Artisan Workshops

Four Weekends: November 28-29, December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 11am-6pm
Location: Various studios, workshops and galleries in Berkeley

Explore fascinating artisan workshops and galleries throughout Berkeley during Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios. The event features jewelry, textiles, art-wear, ceramics, blown glass, prints, paintings, ornaments, leather bags, sculpture, musical instruments, artisan foods products, naturally-made wines and great gift possibilities. This is a great alternative to mall shopping and the best way to "Shop Local." Visit berkeleyartisans.com for a list of participating artists.

Maps to the studios will be printed weekly in the East Bay Express during the event and available for download from www.berkeleyartisans.com.

For more info, call 510 845-2612 or visit www.berkeleyartisans.com.

Friday, November 27-Sunday, December 20
Galleries are open extended hours during the sale:
Wednesday - Sunday 12-8pm

Join us for the 4th annual Holiday sale featuring over 100 local artists, designers and crafts people. Neighboring galleries, Blankspace and The Compound Gallery, are joining forces to create a holiday extravaganza! Both galleries will be themed with rustic Paul Bunyan decor and will feature small works of art, ceramics, accessories, paper goods, household goods, gifts for kiddies, jewelry and many more affordable indie gifts. The many fun activities throughout the sale will include rustic themed holiday photo booth (proceeds go to Art in Oakland Schools), the Wheel O' Bounty (spin for prizes) and old fashioned popcorn!

Blankspace & The Compound Gallery
6608/6604 San Pablo Ave.
Oakland, CA 96408
www.blankspacegallery.com
www.thecompoundgallery.com

Thursday, December 31
Hilton Concord Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord

New Year's Eve's biggest and best party features:
* Take 2 and DJ Mike Westerman performing in two huge ballrooms
* Two complimentary drinks
* Complimentary casino gaming (not gambling) for prizes
* Argentine tango dance performance
* Exhibits, drawings, prizes
* Complimentary champagne toasts
* Shuttle service

To enter to win a free hotel room at the Hilton, join ProGuildSocial (it's free!) and invite a friend using the invite button. Click here to enter.

Call 925-888-4392 or visit www.ProGuildSocial.com to purchase tickets.

Singles Expo & Trade Show
Friday, November 20
Expo: 7-10pm
Party: 8pm-midnight
Hilton Concord Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord

For info on all Pro Guild events, visit: www.ProGuildSocial.com