Book Arts Jam

Long live print! Challenging conventional notions about books for two decades now, The Bay Area Book Artists are holding their 15th annual Book Arts Jam, a fair featuring hands-on activities; a gallery of modern book arts; artists' talks and exhibitions; and even a continuous letterpress printing demonstration on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge (4249 El Camino Real). A diverse array of book art (manipulated books, 'zines, handmade paper, fine-art prints, sculptures and more) will be displayed. Speakers include Kristen St. John, discussing the conservation of artist books at Stanford University; Don Drake and Robert Perry presenting books and poetry; a panel of Bay Area Book Artists members exploring the topic of "play"; and Karen Rush, who will discuss "dreaming in book form." Local book artists among the more than 30 who are presenting work include Jamila Rufaro, Virginia Phelps and Anitta Toivio. Go to Book Arts Jam.

Menlo Park Comic Con

Love all things fantasy, sci-fi or anime, but couldn't make it to San Diego's official Comic Con this year? Menlo Park will offer its own Comic Con on Saturday, Oct. 15, with manga drawing classes, comic book trading, live music, animation screenings, seminars and cosplay. The event will run 3-7 p.m. at the Menlo Park Library at 800 Alma St. Throughout the event, there will be animation screenings and comic-related crafts, an area for artists and vendors to sell art and books, and comic book trading. Scheduled specifics include performances by "The Cantina Band" (including songs from movies and video games) and Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover playing the music of J.R.R. Tolkien; "women in comics" and "how to get your comics published" seminars by CEO/publisher Anna Cebrian; and a manga-drawing class for kids and teens. Go to Menlo Park.

'The Voice Machine'

"The Voice Machine," a collaboration between music professors from Stanford University and U.C. San Diego, will present new works by several composers, performed by U.C. San Diego's kallisti ensemble, on Sunday, Oct. 16 (2:30 p.m.), and Monday, Oct. 17 (7:30 p.m.), at Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Drive, Stanford. The pieces performed include Constantin Basica's episodic "Knot an Opera!," Caroline Miller's absurd-workplace-set "How to Survive a 100-Hour Workweek," Jesse Marino's Neo-Futurist-inspired "Experiments in Opera II" and Alexandra Hay's "Metanoia," an interactive "music play space" that will take place during intermission, with audience participation encouraged. The show is free. Go to Stanford Events.

Ziggy Marley

Musician Ziggy Marley (yes, son of Bob), has written a cookbook of wholesome meal plans (think coconut-curry squash soup, roasted yam tart and more) based on the traditional Jamaican and Rastafarian "ital" recipes he grew up with and the Persian/Israeli cuisine inspired by his wife's cultural roots. Marley (who in addition to an extensive music career has also founded the Ziggy Marley Organics line of food products and published a children's book) will present "Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook" at Kepler's (1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park) on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m. Admission is $20, or $40 including a copy of the book and a place in the signing line. Go to Tickets.