Few artists get to have a career spanning 60 years, but Persian pop star Googoosh has earned each of them. In the 1970s, the iconic singer was like the Iranian Edith Piaf, a romantic and ever-present voice in the popular consciousness, inspiring love letters, women’s hairstyles and fashion shoots. Before that, she was a child star, acting in more than two dozen movies. She stopped singing for years after the revolution, but since 2000, she’s reemerged as the international star she always was, releasing 8 albums, including this year’s 21. There’s only one Googoosh. Continue reading »
by
Alec Adams on September 8, 2021
Though San Jose isn’t high up on the list of cities one might associate with classical music, since 2015 the Cambrian Symphony has worked tirelessly to change that. Conductor Scott Krinjen approaches the works of Copland, Tchaikovsky and Barber with “pure intent”, hoping to highlight the thrill of the music and keep it light. Students and professionals play together, allowing these timeless classics to take on a more energized air. A registered non-profit, this group walks the walk when it comes to giving back to the community that birthed it, Hammer Theatre downtown warmly welcomes them on Saturday night. Continue reading »
by
Mike Huguenor on September 8, 2021
Before Speilberg’s remake hits the big screen this December, South Bay theatre lovers have a chance to enjoy West Side Story performed live beginning this weekend. The first production from Sunnyvale Community Players in more than 18 months, Steven Sondheim’s classic tale of love and turf war comes to life in an ambitious production involving a full orchestra, and a sharp modern update from young director Thomas Times. While the play has always remained relevant, in the context of Trump and Jan 6, it’s hard not to feel lines like “Life is all right in America / if you’re all-White in America” are especially pertinent today. Continue reading »
by
Kyle Martin on September 8, 2021
Music and dancing will fill History Park San Jose this Saturday, with artists playing tributes to War, Journey, Santana, Teena Marie and more. Headlining the event is none other than Paul Benavidez, lead singer of Malo and the voice behind “Suavecito,” the “Chicano national anthem,” who blesses the stage with a performance in the band Tortilla Soup. There will be food, beer, wine and enough music to keep the dancing going well into the evening. Maxx Cabello, another featured artist, brings soulful blues music for good times. Tickets are flying fast: the only ones left must be purchased at the door. Continue reading »
by
Jay Edgar on September 8, 2021
Every several years, Saturn and Mars conjunct in just the right way to make music astrologers descend from the mountains with tears in their eyes and proclaim: “ska is back, baby.” 2021 has been one of those years. Whether through the formation of hot new bands like Catbite, or the recognition of tireless flag bearers like Skatune Network, the oft-clowned-upon genre is having a bit of a moment, and this weekend rudies can celebrate the new Year of Ska by skanking to Monkey, a Bay Area band that has carried the torch for bright brass and upstrokes for 25 years. Continue reading »
by
Jay Edgar on September 8, 2021
There really is something special and captivating about an advice column. The anonymous format grants readers a view into things that are relatable, shocking, tragic or probably made up about their fellow human beings. Tiny Beautiful Things, adapted from a collection of writer Cheryl Strayed’s most memorable entries in her “Dear Sugar” column for early 2010s literary powerhouse The Rumpus, captures some of the magic of the most bizarre, tragic, hilarious and human moments that can only be relayed through an anonymous letter. Tiny Beautiful Things will be shown in a hybrid format, both in-person and livestream tickets are available. Continue reading »
by
Grace Stetson on September 8, 2021
Everyone needs a chance to shake their butt to some great Latin hits, and it doesn’t always have to be on the weekend. This Thursday, the shaking starts early when Colombian singer and songwriter Maluma returns to the stage at SAP as part of the Papi Juancho Tour, bringing his mix of reggaeton, Latin trap and pop hits to the masses. Though lively, a thread of melancholy runs through Maluma’s heartfelt and vulnerable reggaeton, as on the scorned ex- track “Hawái,” the other scorned ex- track “Corazón” or the deleted memories of “Borró Cassette.” Continue reading »
by
Alec Adams on September 8, 2021
Any title applied to Pat Benatar seems inadequate. “Pop icon,” “Rock legend”—none of them do justice to her cultural footprint. Benatar tells truths that have lived rent free in the heads of music fans for decades. Love absolutely is a freaking battlefield! And just when music journalists thought they had her pinned to the guitar-centered, head banging rock songs of her earlier work, she shifted to the infectious drum machines and synths that defined her later output. She and her spouse/lifelong collaborator Neil Giraldo bring a tried and true arsenal of bangers to San Jose Civic this Wednesday. Continue reading »
by
Kyle Martin on September 1, 2021
In late 2019, San Jose hip hop artist Lucy Camp barely survived a devastating car accident that left her wheelchair-bound for months. When she came out of the wreckage, Camp had fractured her right femur, pelvis and the lower left end of her spine. But neither crash nor pandemic could keep her from releasing her music into the world: the 24-year-old rapper is on a mission to do her own thing, one way or another.
Continue reading »
by
Mike Huguenor on September 1, 2021
Guess who’s back in the atmosphere? Since nearly the dawn of the millennium, San Francisco alt rock chameleons Train have been pumping out poppy hits like “Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey, Soul Sister” and “If It’s Love,” but their career has also had some surprising turns. In 2010, the band’s piano-shuffle hit “Calling All Angels” became an unofficial anthem for the Los Angeles Angels, and in 2016 they released a rough and ready, full album cover of Led Zeppelin II. Most recently, the band got back to pop, sipping “Mai Tais” in a breezy 2019 single featuring singer Skylar Grey. Continue reading »
