.A Magic Day

Anyone can play

SUN 2/15

Eudemonia in Berkeley is a great place to spend a rainy weekend immersed in the height of gaming culture. From Friday night Magic: the Gathering tournaments to Saturday afternoon networked gaming events, the shop on Berkeley’s University Avenue maintains a perfect blend of both analogue and digital gaming. On Sunday, however, it’s all about the collectibles. First, there’s a type-one Magic tournament, one of the few chances for old-school Magic players in the East Bay to use their oldest and deadliest cards. For the giant robot mayhem fans, there’s also a Mechwarrior miniatures campaign, with lots of table space and scenery to demolish with those three-inch-high-cum-hundred-foot-tall mechanical death machines. And for those that like their games with a bowl of miso and some teriyaki sauce, there’s a .Hack play session scheduled as well. This relatively new card game is based on the real video game, which is based on the fake, massively multiplayer online game. Best of all, all these events are 100 percent free — just bring your own cards or miniatures and jump in feet first! Of course, if you must spend money, there are plenty of impromptu opportunities for carnage, thanks to the excellent PC gaming area and one of the East Bay’s largest selection of Magic cards for sale behind the counter. The store opens at 12 noon and closes at 10 p.m. 2154 University Avenue, Berkeley. — Alex Handy

SUN 2/15

Giant Steps

Culture and dance for kids

Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center has long been known as a place to kick up your heels, but where does everyone learn all those tricky ethnic dances? Kids can have fun and soak up some West Indian culture this Sunday, February 15, when musical storyteller Asheba, from Trinidad, performs music and short skits especially for children. Showtime is 3 p.m. $4 kids, $6 adults. And if they want to go deeper, there is a full schedule of music and dance classes for kids — from creative dance and ballet to capoeira and Brazilian percussion — every weekday in the after-school hours. Prices and class times vary, so log onto Ashkenaz.com for more information. Ashkenaz is at 1317 San Pablo Ave. (at Gilman) in Berkeley. — Kelly Vance

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