Wednesday, May 25, 2011
music May 29: Espinoza Paz at the Wells Fargo Center
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:54 PM
In just a few years, banda crooner Espinoza Paz has risen from an undocumented farmworker toiling in fields outside Sacramento to a rising star on the Latin music scene. A winner of the 2010 BMI Latin Songwriter of the year, the cowboy-hatted heartthrob recently enjoyed a big hit with “Lo Intentamos,” a sexy song that opens with one whispered “Corazon.” When the horns kick in, it’s all over—hello melting heart, goodbye underwear. Let love in with Espinoza Paz on Monday, May 29, at the Wells Fargo Center. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $80–$105. 8pm. 707.546.3600.
comedy May 27: Seth Meyers at the Uptown Theatre
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:53 PM
At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last month, Seth Meyers roasted the shit out of Donald Trump. On television, fantastic cutaway camera shots caught “the Don” iron-jawed, the “fox on his head” practically wiggling to get free. Hopefully, the fresh-faced Saturday Night Live head writer and host of “Weekend Update” will dust off some of his sardonic Trump jokes (and maybe the one about Larry King) when he brings his very funny standup act to Napa this week. Seth Meyers gets smart on Friday, May 27, at the Uptown Theatre. 1350 Third Street, Napa. $45–$55. 8pm. 707.259.0123.
books May 27: Chris Adrian at Book Passage
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:51 PM
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One of The New Yorker’s 20 authors under 40, Chris Adrian writes novels that are alternately shimmering, gut-wrenching and grotesque. His latest work, The Great Night, re-envisions A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a tale of menace and gloom in modern-day San Francisco’s Buena Vista Park. In real life, Adrian moonlights as a fellow in pediatric hematology-ontology and is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School—which might explain his willingness to take on big, dark spiritual themes. Chris Adrian brings on the fairie lore on Friday, May 27, at Book Passage. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. Free. 7pm. 415.927.0960.
music May 27: Zach Hill at the Sebastopol Community Center
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Seeing the frenetic drummer Zach Hill play live is like taking a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest in the middle of a tornado. The guy is simply a beats machine, spewing records and collaborations with everyone from Marnie Stern to the Mars Volta’s Omar Rodríguez-López and his own spastic math metal outfit, Hella. Witness an unreal solo performance along with a million other bands (OK, just eight) including Not to Reason Why, the Iditarod, Thought Vomit and others on Friday, May 27, at the Sebastopol Community Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $12. 5:30pm. 707.823.1511.—Leilani Clark
music Across the Bridge: May 25-31
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Yeasayer
Psych-rock Brooklyn outfit whose “Odd Blood” continues to dazzle. May 25-26 at the Fillmore. Tony Bennett
Master interpreter of song, still in fine voice at the age of 84. May 28 at Davies Symphony Hall. Lykke Li
Swedish singer of intrigue riding giant wave for her latest, “Wounded Rhymes.” May 30 at the Regency Ballroom. Sleigh Bells
In-the-red power duo blows rafters and minds with openers Neon Indian. May 30-31 at the Independent. Buffalo Springfield
Neil Young takes his early band out for a nostalgic, high-ticket evening. Jun 1-2 at the Fox Theater.
More San Francisco events by subscribing to the email letter at www.sfstation.com.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
music May 24: Moody Blues at the Marin Center
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 18, 2011 at 9:20 AM
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OK, time out for some love on the Moody Blues’ “In Your Wildest Dreams” video. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that singer Justin Heyward’s ex-girlfriend from the ’60s is still in love with him—listening to each new Moodies record, going to see a New Age therapist while listening to the band, and arguing with her current husband. Which is all kind of egomaniacal, really! Especially when, at the end of the video, she shows up to a Moody Blues show, ready to make all her dreams real and reconnect with her one true love, and Heyward completely blows her off. Man! Will she try again? Find out when the Moody Blues play Tuesday, May 24, at the Marin Center. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 8pm. $50–$90. 415.499.6800.
May 22: Paul Madonna at Book Passage
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 18, 2011 at 9:18 AM
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In the wonderfully weird world of media, there’s an old saying: “If you run a cartoon of sketch drawings of the city accompanied with slice-of-conversation observations that delights half your readership but makes the other half livid, then you’re doing something right.” Such is that case with Paul Madonna’s All Over Coffee, which has been dividing readers of the San Francisco Chronicle since 2004. Madonna’s got an effective ace in the hole, though; even the strip’s most dedicated haters are tickled each time they recognize a scene from the streets of San Francisco. Madonna discusses his new book, Everything Is Its Own Reward, on Sunday, May 22, at Book Passage. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 7pm. Free. 415.927.0960.
May 21: The End of the World
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 18, 2011 at 9:13 AM
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Haven’t you heard? It’s Judgment Day, baby! On Saturday, May 21, Jesus Christ will return to Earth, the righteous will be lifted up to heaven, the sinners will perish in hellfire and, well, that’ll be it—the End of the World. This is all according to Christian radio talk show host Howard Camping, who admits his previous declaration that the Rapture would occur in 1994 was based on a “mathematical error.” Well! We’re sure he’s right this time. It’s being advertised on billboards, RVs and newspapers. How could it be wrong? Kiss your loved ones and prepare to hang out with the Lord on Saturday, May 21, all over the whole damn sinning world. Exact time not specified. Sold-out. 800.543.1495.
music May 20: Richard Thompson at the Kinkaid Foundation
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 18, 2011 at 8:53 AM
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For a fun party trick, take an artist that you love, Google “[That Artist] Sucks,” and see what pops up. While usual internet hate is piled on just about everyone, Richard Thompson yields only one result: “I dunno if I’d say Richard Thompson sucks,” one guy writes, “but the tracks I’ve heard have been really disappointing. Supposed to be all dark and tragic, and instead it’s just . . . dull.” Not much of a case there, I’d say! The reality is that Thompson is one of the finest guitarists in the world, and onstage, he alternates heartbreaking storylines with a quick wit. See him in a small venue when he plays a benefit for the Kinkaid Foundation on Friday, May 20, at the Glaser Center. 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 7pm. $40. 707.568.5381.
music Across the Bridge: May 18-24
Posted by Gabe Meline on Wed, May 18, 2011 at 8:50 AM
Fiery Furnaces
Brother-and-sister variety act alternates garage rock, folk, blues and more . May 18 at Cafe du Nord. Lauryn Hill
Unpredictable legend plays special set of Bob Marley songs with openers Dead Prez. May 18 at Mezzanine.Weekend
San Francisco three-piece gaining steam; look for debut LP “Sports” this year. May 19 at the Independent.Lionel Loueke Trio
Piercingly original Benin-born guitarist and Herbie Hancock sideman. May 20 at YBCA Forum.Aloe Blacc
Stones Throw recording artist flies from a hip-hop into Latin and folk. May 25 at the Great American Music Hall.
More San Francisco events by subscribing to the email letter at www.sfstation.com.
