Wednesday, November 17, 2010
lectures November 23: Michael Krasny at Book Passage
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 2:10 PM
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You’ve got your Lord-loving, Bible-toting friends and then you’ve got your God-decrying, Hitchens-quoting friends. And in an age of increased pressure to draw up battle lines, both political and spiritual, Marin resident Michael Krasny is brave enough to ask what all the fuss is about. Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic’s Quest is his 249-page love letter to those who’ve questioned the existence of God, come up with no hard evidence one way or the other and thrown up their hands in semi-satisfied surrender. The host of KQED 91.1-FM’s talk show Forum, Krasny tackles the big question in a poised book that’s part personal memoir, part dissertation and all courage. Try to convince your sparring friends to come along when Krasny appears on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Book Passage. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 7pm. Free. 415.927.0960.
music November 20: Malo at Uptown Theatre
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 2:08 PM
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East Los Angeles often gets credit for launching the Chicano soul sound of the early 1970s, and with good reason. Thee Midniters, El Chicano, Tierra, War—the list of seminal groups to blare in the 1948 Chevy coupe while cruising down Whittier Boulevard goes on and on, and almost always leads back to Southern California. The major exception is Malo, whose 1972 debut launched the mega-hit “Suavecito” and planted San Francisco on the Latin-soul map. Featuring Jorge Santana (yes, Carlos’ brother), the band has undergone more lineup changes than Jessica Simpson’s had cosmetic surgeries, but the sound remains even into their fourth decade. Celebrate San Francisco’s Mission district in a 40th anniversary celebration when Malo plays Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Uptown Theatre. 1350 Third St., Napa. 8pm. $25. 707.259.0333.
music November 20: Red Horse at Sebastopol Community Center
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 2:03 PM
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All recurring headliners in their own right, the folk songwriters Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson team together in Sebastopol this weekend under the banner of their supergroup trio Red Horse. A self-titled album released this year is testament to the three performers’ camaraderie, as each takes turns singing lead on another’s song, sad as they may be. “As songwriters, it’s much easier to write songs when we’re working through grief,” says Eliza Gilkyson. “Whenever I write a happy song, I just want to drop down and do 10 pushups for Jesus.” Balancing out the set are a few covers, including Neil Young’s “I am a Child” and a stunning version of “Wayfaring Stranger,” which Red Horse had better play live when they appear on Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Sebastopol Community Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. 8pm. $28–$33. 707.823.1511.
music November 19: Don Carlos at Last Day Saloon
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 2:01 PM
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It’s harvest season, which means you’ve got at least one friend who’s picking up extra work trimming buds in a secret warehouse a few days a week. Even though it sounds like great fun, this is not work for the impatient, and it takes a detailed kind of skill. This harvest season, we salute the many men and women trimming weed, especially when reggae singer Don Carlos has a skewed conception of the work. In the eyes of the former singer of Black Uhuru, it is not your bro Danny manicuring the killer ganj, but Jah himself. “Jah shall clean out the bad weeds and separate them from the good,” Carlos sings on “Harvest Time,” “’cause the day of harvest is near.” It is hard to argue with Jah, but should Danny care to defend himself, he can raise the issue when Carlos performs on Friday, Nov. 19, at the Last Day Saloon. 120 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 9pm. $17–$20. 707.545.5876.
music Nov. 19-24: Across the Bridge
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 2:00 PM
ClinicLiverpudlian post-punkiness with new album, “Bubblegum.”
Nov 19 at the Independent.Bad ReligionThe only punk band to ever use the word “jurisprudence” in a song.
Nov 19-20 at the Regency Ballroom.Rriiccee
Weird guy Vincent Gallo’s new experimental improvised ensemble.
Nov 22 at Cafe du Nord.RobynSweden’s greatest export this year with the phenomenal “Body Talk.”
Nov 23 at the Warfield.Pretty LightsColorado artist with electro-pop tunes, hoodie, Photoshopped eyes.
Nov 24 at the Fox Theater.Tony! Toni! Toné!Oakland’s pride of New Jack Swing hits the small jazz club.
Nov 24 at Yoshi’s SF.More San Francisco events at www.sfstation.com.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
music Nov. 13: Kevin Russell at Sebastopol Community Center Annex
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 2:27 PM
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Ever since his days leading the Modern Hicks, local singer-songwriter Kevin Russell has specialized in an easygoing brand of Western swing and country; his smooth baritone and slick guitar skills bring even the most ragged barn-burning songs back down to earth. With his recent project the Rhythm Rangers joining a résumé that includes Laughing Gravy, Under the Radar and his own solo career, Russell is certainly prolific. He outdoes himself this weekend by releasing two CDs at once: Pilgrim and There Ain’t Nobody Home But Me. The albums feature backing by the likes of Jim Hurst, Doug Adamz, Ted Dutcher, Layne Bowen and other Russell contemporaries, and many will be on hand to accompany Russell at the double-release show on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Sebastopol Community Center Annex. 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. 7:30pm. $15. 707.824.1858.
music Nov. 13: 3 Leg Torso at 142 Throckmorton Theatre
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 2:23 PM
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“Fake country,” “weird cartoon music”—these are phrases that the members of 3 Leg Torso use to describe their music. What it is, in actuality, is a metropolitan cross of tango, klezmer and chamber music that’s landed in a number of soundtracks and on theater stages countrywide. Fans of A Hawk and a Handsaw, Yann Tiersen and Tin Hat Trio will find much to be distracted by in 3 Leg Torso’s vivaciousness, and especially so in a live setting this weekend. Switching from vibes to percussion, Gary Irvine serves as an anchor for the group’s compositions for upright bass, accordion and violin—and, yes, they need an anchor. “We’re all trying to be the third leg,” says member T. J. Arko. See for yourself on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 8pm. $20–$23. 415.383.9600.
music Nov. 13: Roseanne Cash at Uptown Theatre
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 2:20 PM
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“Remember when Ronald Reagan was president? We had Bob Hope. We had Johnny Cash. Think about where we are today. We’ve got President Obama. But we have no hope, and we have no cash.” Yessir, this stupid line of thinking comes courtesy of your new House majority leader, John Boehner, who used this bit daily as part of his campaign stump speech. What did Johnny Cash’s daughter, Roseanne Cash, think about it? “John Boehner,” she tweeted on Election Day, “stop using my father’s name as a punch line, you asshat.” Go, girl! Unfortunately, Cash’s tweet wasn’t enough to prevent the re-election of Boehner’s asshattery, but it did earn her a place in our hearts. Did we mention that her latest album, The List, is among her best work ever? Cheer her on when Cash appears Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Uptown Theatre. 1350 Third St., Napa. 8pm. $45–$60. 707.259.0123.
music Nov. 11: Mystery Invention CD Release at the Arlene Francis Theatre
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 2:18 PM
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Easily the area’s most vibrant lightning rod for the current youth explosion of energy and creativity, the Arlene Francis Theatre this weekend hosts a five-band bill that’s anything but usual. Why? Because no matter who’s playing, the atmosphere at the large brick building in Railroad Square, formerly known as the North Bay Film and Art Collective, is always freely inventive. Chalk that up to Martin Hamilton, whose patient stewardship this weekend hosts the bands Writer, Garden & Villa, Starskate, Guy Henry and locals Mystery Invention, celebrating the release of their new album. Art by Zohn Mandel, Julia Davis and Saif Azzuz will be on display, too, but what matters is the spirit of the place, and you can’t fit that into a press release. See what I mean on Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Arlene Francis Theatre. 99 Sixth St., Santa Rosa. 7pm. $5. No phone.
music Nov. 10-15: Across the Bridge
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 1:01 PM
The Bobs
Huck like mocha! 30th Anniversary show for Bay Area a cappella legends.
Nov 10 at Cafe du Nord.Nitzer Ebb
You read that right: Nitzer Ebb, the real-live industrial legends, return.
Nov 11 at Mezzanine.Dean Wareham
Playing all material from Galaxie 500 and making fans weep with joy.
Nov 13 at the Fillmore.Vijay Iyer
Dazzling pianist very nearly out-Bad Plusses the Bad Plus.
Nov 14 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum.Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
This band name just gets funnier and funnier as the years roll on.
Nov 15 at the Bottom of the Hill.Explosions in the Sky
The progenitors of sweeping instrumental cinematic rock.
Nov 15 at the Great American Music Hall.More San Francisco events at www.sfstation.com.
