Better late than never??? Here’s what you’re doing this weekend.
NightSchool
Chances are, unless you’re a parent, a grade-school teacher or major science geek, you haven’t spent much time at Chabot Space and Science Center (10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland) lately. Enter NightSchool, is a brand-new, eighteen-and-over series of nighttime events set to go down the third Friday of every month, including Friday, November 18. The idea, according to Chabot Space and Science Center spokesman Robert Ade, was to take advantage of all of the intellectual capital within both Chabot and the East Bay at large to facilitate something “a little more intellectually stimulating than any other event with drinks and music” — to give the public a chance to roam around the open museum without having to rush, to “see the place in a different light, almost as if you’d rented it for a party.” It’s an opportunity to explore a great local resource that they may not otherwise visit; to experience a novel, relatively cheap night out that doesn’t necessarily revolve around alcohol; or, at the very least, to visit a museum without having to be surrounded by screaming kids. (They’re also a brilliantly adorable place for a first date. YOU’RE WELCOME.) This month’s iteration of NightSchool — entitled “Curiosity,” after the soon-to-be-launched Mars rover of the same name — includes short classes on teloscopy and stargazing; discussions about the search for intelligent life with scientists from UC Berkeley and Chabot; a “fix-it” clinic, in which folks are invited to bring broken appliances for “tinkering experts” to inspect; a free planetarium show (probably pretty awesome about two beers in); a workshop that claims to simulate “physiological effects of space on the body and mind” (probably slightly less awesome, but still); and live music by DJ Miggy Stardust, plus drinks, food, and more sciencey fun. 7 p.m., $5-$15. 510-336-7373 or ChabotSpace.org — Ellen Cushing
The Chalk Boy
Despite a few gaps and loose threads in Joshua Conkel’s script, The Chalk Boy is an engaging play — part whodunit, part black comedy, part teen drama, part girl angst and geekiness, bolstered entirely by four fine actresses. Luisa Frasconi plays against type as Penelope, the sullen goth chick who subscribes to Wicca and seeks intimacy in all the wrong places. Maria Giere Marquis captures the mannerisms of a small-town, pious prep, while juggling several bit parts — including Penelope’s aerobics instructor mom and the play’s resident creepy guy. Caitlyn Tella plays the most sympathetic character, Penelope’s closeted lesbian sidekick. But the real standout is Chris Quintos, who fully commits to the character of high school queen bee Trisha. Laced with snappy sitcom dialogue and enriched by Anne Kendall’s well-conceived chalkboard set design, it’s a fine regional premiere, directed by Ben Randle and produced by Impact Theatre. Through December 10 at La Val’s Subterranean (1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley). $12-$20. ImpactTheatre.com — Rachel Swan
