Sandeep Das, HUM Ensemble

Tabla percussionist Das, as a member of the Silkroad Ensemble, makes clear the deep musical connection between India and Syria. His latest ensemble, HUM, uses strings, bowed drones and melodies in a performance titled “Delhi to Damascus.” 3 p.m. Sun., Oct. 7. $36-$125. Hertz Hall, Bancroft Way at College Avenue, Berkeley. 510-642-9988. www.cal performances.org

DANCE

EXHIBITION

‘Blackboard’

A show that contemplates the connections between art and education by displaying works resembling or replicating blackboards. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon., Oct. 8. Closed Tuesdays. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Oct. 10; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 11; 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Oct. 12-14. Through Jan. 27. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Dr., Stanford. 650-723-4177. http:// museum.stanford.edu

LECTURE

‘Science, Gender and Equality’

Cordelia Fine is author of “Testosterone Rex” and a professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia. She has received the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize for the work, which also made the shortlist for the Orwell Prize. 7 p.m. Tues., Oct. 9. Free. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio Walk, San Jose. 408-924-8501. www.hammertheatre.com

BENEFIT

Pool Toss

Local celebrities are thrown into a swimming pool at this benefit for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp., which provides social services including the Tenderloin After-School Program. Hosting the event are comedian and writer Brian Copeland and KGO radio commentator Nikki Medoro. 6-9:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 10. $125. Poolside at the Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St., San Francisco. 415-358-3957. www.tndc. org