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Novelist Joshua Henkin to read from book

Joshua Henkin, author of "Swimming Across the Hudson," will read from his novel at several Bay Area locations next week. At 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 11, he will read at Black Oak Books in Berkeley, 1491 Shattuck Ave.; (510) 486-0698. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, he will read at San Francisco's Booksmith, 1644 Haight St.; (415) 863-8688. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, he will read at Borders Books in Palo Alto, 456 University Ave.; (415) 326-3670.

Dog in driver's seat highlights photo show

A portrait of a scarecrow at sunset and the candid shot of a Chihuahua behind the wheel of a truck will highlight an exhibit of 25 photos by Ellen Rosenthal May 18 through July 20 in the lounge at Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St.

A reception for the artist will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8. For information, call (415) 346-6040.

City of David gets spotlight at Herbst Theatre

"Towering Visions: Jerusalem Through the Ages," a two-day lecture-music presentation sponsored by Humanities West, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31 and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.

Participants will include Cantor Roslyn Barak of Congregation Emanu-El, who will present readings and music.

Tickets are $20 for May 31, $25 for June 1; (415) 391-9700.

Opera coming to Emanu-El

Pocket Opera will celebrate its 20th anniversary season with three performances directed by Donald Pippin at San Francisco's Congregation Emanu-El.

Jacques Offenbach's 1866 comic opera "La Vie Parisienne," a satire of the City of Light, will open the season at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Lake and Arguello Street synagogue.

Blood, wine and deadly secrets will be spilled in Pippin's new English translation of Gaetano Donizetti's 1833 dramatic opera "Lucrezia Borgia" at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Don Giovanni," the story of a womanizer's final 24 hours, will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1.

The performances will be repeated at other Bay Area locations.

For tickets, which are $10 for students, $20 balcony at Emanu-El and $25 general admission, call any BASS outlet, or (415) 575-1102.