Radio Show: The Lonely and the Dead
Radio Show: The Lonely and the Dead
Pegi Young & The Survivors
The title of her new album may seem like a melancholy reference to her recent separation from husband Neil, but Pegi Young appears strong as ever. Lonely in a Crowded Room, Young’s fourth album in recent years, is released next week by New West. Backed by her killer band the Survivors (Spooner Oldham, Rick Rosas, Kelvin Holly, and Phil Jones), Young kicks off her national tour in the Bay Area with a set at The Chapel.
‘Arguendo’
In 1991, the Supreme Court decision in Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc. set a precedent on freedom of expression as it relates to morality; namely, that nude dancing does not in and of itself qualify as free speech. The fantastic New York theatre company Elevator Repair Service has adapted the tumultuous trial to the stage, using the entire oral argument as the verbatim script of Arguendo. Interspersed with interviews with judges and exotic dancers and with a stunning backdrop of animated text, Arguendo at turns funny, educational and thought-provoking.
Cypress String Quartet
As far as local chamber music goes, it doesn’t get much better than the Cypress String Quartet. Presenting their Salon Series programs around the Bay Area, the Quartet performs Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 2, String Quartet No. 11 (“Serioso”), and Arnold Schoenberg’s marvelous Transfigured Night, with the SF Symphony’s Jonathan Vinocour on viola and Jean-Michel Fonteneau on cello.
SFJAZZ Collective
An ever-changing cast of jazz luminaries makes up the SFJAZZ Collective, who this week pay tribute to the late saxophonist Joe Henderson. Henderson himself had a great affair with San Francisco in general and SFJAZZ in particular (the small room at the SF JAZZ Center is designated as the Joe Henderson Lab), and his landmark album Page One remains a Blue Note classic. Joining David Sánchez in the tenor saxophone role are such players as Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone and other great players from the collective. Expect Henderson compositions alongside collective originals in this unique run.
Day of the Dead 20th Anniversary
In the Bay Area, there are far too many Day of the Dead celebrations to conceivably count. But for 20 years, one of the hands-down best has been in Oakland. On Sunday, the Oakland Museum of California celebrates the 20th anniversary of the celebration with live music, face painting, chalk art, local arts and crafts and, of course, a plethora of food. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect day to visit the museum’s current exhibition Songs and Sorrows: Días de los Muertos 20th Anniversary, this is it.
The Paul & John
The Bottom of the Hill hosts a show to celebrate the recently released album by local duo Paul Myers & John Moremen (full disclosure: Moremen had the foresight to marry Do List producer Suzie Racho). The straight-up power-pop Inner Sunset was produced by the Allen Clapp of the Orange Peels, who headline the show.
