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Mike Huguenor on December 5, 2018
In the binary universe of the Santería religion, Iré (blessing) is the opposite of Osogbo (curse). However, like true binaries, neither could exist without the other. Written by playwright, author, poet and professor Paul S. Flores, We Have Iré is a new theater project that uses the cosmology of Santería to explore the Cuban-American identity in all its complexity. Flores has teamed up with jazz composers, DJs and choreographers for the project, making We Have Iré an ambitious and highly multidisciplinary experience. This Saturday, the public has a brief opportunity to see the exciting play in development, witnessing its formation in real time. Continue reading »
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Mike Huguenor on December 5, 2018
One of the best bands to come from indie rock’s late ’90s-early ’00s golden age, Pinback inspired a generation of musicians to stray from chords, distortion and just about every other standard rock trope. When bands like Franz Ferdinand and Yeah Yeah Yeahs went for angularity, Pinback went for the gracefully slanted. When Modest Mouse transitioned to stadium-size positivity, Pinback retained the quiet experimentalism of a bedroom project. Members Rob Crow and Zach Smith have never stopped making music in their various other projects, but it’s been six years since a new Pinback record. Does this tour harken new music? Let’s hope. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
What started in 1991 as a small acoustic-only offering by a local radio station has grown over the decades into an alternative rock spectacular. ALT 105’s annual one-day winter show Not So Silent Night features the biggest names in rock and its various sects, and this year’s show at the SAP Center is no different. Featuring Death Cab for Cutie, Bastille, Florence and the Machine, Young the Giant, Chvrches, The Struts and many more, the annual Not So Silent Night festival has become a staple of the musically inclined Bay Area holiday season. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
The zany, uptempo style of Louisiana folk music known as Zydeco first emerged from the sweltering swamps of New Orleans—the result of French, German, Spanish, American Indian and Afro-Caribbean co-mingling. The genre has been centuries in the making, and Dwayne “Dopsie” Rubin aims to keep the tradition fluid with his zydeco-fusion band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Rubin, who has been called “America’s Hottest Accordion Player,” plays explosive mix of zydeco, blues, jazz and reggae, while also incorporating other far-reaching genres. The result speaks for itself; the Hellraisers have found fans all over the world with their distinct blend. Continue reading »
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Nick Veronin on December 5, 2018
No serious examination of the facts will lead a sensible person to conclude that the Trump trolls have a point when they say it’s a “scary time” for straight white men in America today. That doesn’t mean cis dudes don’t face any challenges. Comedian Matt Braunger manages to coax some non-confrontational laughs out of the insecurities that arise from being single and 39 in the #MeToo era. “I don’t want to be creepy!” he says, lamenting the unfortunate nature of his own biological imperatives. “No matter how smooth you break the ice, the objective is still the same.” Thru Dec. 9. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
Like any good tribute band, the Led Zeppelin-aping Zoso can be said to have a schtick—that is, if you can rightly call technical mastery a “schtick.” Performing almost all of the legendary band’s catalogue, from the tightly wound, explosive jams of Led Zeppelin to the maximalist, genre-spanning experimentations of Physical Graffiti and In Through the Out Door, Zoso claims to be “the most accurate and captivating Led Zeppelin live show since the real thing.” That’s a pretty bold claim, but Zoso can back it up. Wowing teenagers and baby-boomers alike since 1995, Zoso is bringing its act to the Ritz this Thursday. (Fake) Robert Plant’s chest hair included. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
Much like The Nutcracker, Smuin Ballet’s annual production of The Christmas Ballet has become a favorite of the Bay Area Christmas season. Unlike The Nutcracker, however, The Christmas Ballet isn’t constrained by centuries of tradition, animated toy soldiers and dancing rodents. Instead, the local dance company will present a medley of holiday musical favorites, with the company’s talented dancers pirouetting through jazz, ballet, tap and other dance styles. Founded in San Francisco in 1994, Smuin Ballet has grown into one of the premier Bay Area ballet companies, with its contemporary, innovative and awe-inspiring productions. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
It’s a Christmas tradition. This week, the Northside Theatre Company once again takes on Charles Dickens’ iconic tale about selfishness, regret, time and reconciliation—1843’s A Christmas Carol. Northside’s telling is an adaptation by the theater group’s founder and former managing artistic director, the late Richard T. Orlando. With Orlando’s help, Northside Theatre Company has built a reputation as a model of private-public arts partnerships for small theaters, delivering impressive productions with talented casts for years. Plays Wednesday through Sunday until Christmas Eve. Continue reading »
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Bill Kopp on December 5, 2018
Since forming in 1980, Hawthorne, California-based Redd Kross have been expertly straddling the link between punk rock and power pop. And at their best, the band have erased the arbitrary line between those styles. Nearly 15 years after ending a lengthy hiatus, the band is still going strong with a tour, a new album in the making, and a pair of archival releases that remind modern-day listeners of Redd Kross’ trademark blend of inventiveness, humor and style. Continue reading »
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Tad Malone on December 5, 2018
After last year’s successful holiday run, TheatreWorks in partnership with Foothill College is bringing David Sedaris’ classic tale of working as a mall Santa’s grumpy little helper back for a second offering. Born out the writer’s real experiences as a curmudgeonly elf in New York City in the early ’90s, Santaland Diaries’ hilarious, cynical but ultimately sweet vignettes helped launch Sedaris’ career, and are a perfect fit for the one-man show format. Just like last year, the production will feature emerging local talent Max Tachis in the narrator’s role, ensuring continued success for this witty Christmas classic. Runs through Dec. 23. Continue reading »
