This week Silicon Valley is popping off with a diverse set of musical events. Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro brings his unique skillset to the Oshman JCC, the American-born Bermudian reggae artist Collie Buddz celebrates the release of his new album “Good Life” at Los Gatos Bar and Grill and Super Soul Bros. help the FanimeCon crowd unwind with a set of jazzy video game tune covers.
The Death of Expertise
Wed, 7:30pm, Free
Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park
Tom Nichols is concerned about how much you think you know. To promote his new book The Death of Expertise, Nichols will be sitting down with journalist Angie Coiro for an evening edition of her literary talk program, In Deep. In Nichols’ new book, he argues that the openness of the internet and widespread availability of quickly accessible information has negatively affected all of us. The author says sites like WebMD and Wikipedia lead to people believing that they’re experts in fields they scarcely understand. The talk is sure to leave attendees with something to think about. (YK)
Jake Shimabukuro
Thu, 7:30pm, $80+
Oshman Jewish Community Center, Palo Alto
For the past 20 years, Jake Shimabukuro has been destroying people’s preconceived notions of the ukulele. He’s taken on The Beatles and Queen—with uke versions of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”—as well as traditional island music from his native Hawaii and much more. Shimabukuro is prolific. He’s averaged about an album a year since 1999. With a huge selection of original tracks and established covers of popular songs, his range demonstrates just how affecting four strings can be when tickled just right. (YK)
[title of show]
Thu, 8pm, $30
Bus Barn Theatre, Los Altos
Los Altos Stage Company is bringing a fresh take on the modern musical with their production of the Tony Award-winning [title of show]. The highly self-referential work tells the story of its own creation—as playwrights Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell struggle to craft the perfect piece to enter into the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Starring Derek DeMarco and Nick Rodrigues, the musical is a love letter to the creative process as it illustrates all of the trappings and pitfalls of creating any piece of art. The production runs until June 24. (YK)
Collie Buddz
Thu, 10pm, $25
Los Gatos Bar and Grill, Los Gatos
It’s been a minute since the American-born Bermudian reggae artist Collie Buddz dropped a full-length record. His self-titled debut and its lead single, “Come Around,” first hit airwaves a decade ago. It’s not because he’s been couch-locked. Buddz—a.k.a. Colin Harper—has been staying busy, releasing two EPs and collaborating with the likes of Snoop Dogg, RiFF RAFF and Kid Cudi. Local turntablists DJ Aspect and DJ Goldenchyld are providing support for this show celebrating his sophomore LP, Good Life. The first 100 advance-purchase ticket holders get a free copy of the new record. (YK)
Meringue
Fri, 8am, Free
CSMA, Mountain View
The stars: they’re just like us. Except everyone wants to take their picture. And emerging Bay Area artist Lindsay Evans Montgomery wants to create paintings of the aura readings she picks up from viewing those pictures. The show’s press release plays it straight—insisting that the works in “Meringue” are earnest attempts at distilling celebrity auras from paparazzi tabloid shots. But one suspects a deeper, winking message. What if the camera really does have the ability to steal a person’s soul? The Community School of Music and Arts hosts the exhibition, which runs through July 23 in the Mohr Gallery. (NV)
Will Durst
Fri, 7:30pm, $30+
Theatre on San Pedro Square, San Jose
A nationally syndicated columnist, author, actor and comedian, Will Durst has an impressive resume—one which includes co-hosting a talk-radio program with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and getting fired from The Examiner … twice. The Milwaukee-born and SF-based Durst has a new one-man show: Durst Case Scenario. The touring performance comes to San Jose this weekend. Ticket holders will find the cultural and political pundit exploring “a changing America during the time of Trump.” The show, which runs Friday and Saturday, promises plenty of cutting satire and up-to-the-minute revisions based upon our Commander in Chief’s latest early-morning Twitter-storm. (NV)
Super Soul Bros.
Fri, 8:30pm, Free
Cafe Stritch, San Jose
The tinny chiptune melodies from classic ’80s and ’90s console games are lodged deep in the hive mind of the Super Soul Bros. The local jazz-funk fusion band base most of their tunes on these looping riffs, taking them far beyond their crudely rendered original locales. Just in time for FanimeCon, keyboardist Robbie Benson and guitarist Brian Sheu lead their talented crew through boisterous instrumentals that will chew on a theme like “Chemical Plant Zone” from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for 10-plus minutes, giving space for warbly organ, peppy sax and blistering electric guitar. They play Friday and Saturday at Stritch. (JF)
The Color Run
Sat, 8am, $45
Guadalupe River Park, San Jose
For serious runners, the sport is enjoyable in and of itself. Organizers of The Color Run hope to make fitness fun for everyone of every ability level. The 5k—just 3 miles for those without a metric converter handy—will feature multiple checkpoints along its route where joggers will be blasted with bursts of colorful dust. Participants are encouraged to wear white to make the happy hues pop. The Color Run, a national organization, is partnering with Step Out San Jose for this event to raise money to support research and education for people living with Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. (YK)
HBK Skipper
Sat, 8:30pm, $20
Back Bar SoFa, San Jose
Bay Area hip-hop collective HBK is sending another of its ambassadors to San Jose (last week saw P-Lo slinging ice cream sandwiches at CREAM). Skipper will likely play songs from his 2015 album The Thrill, a collection of solid Bay Area slaps. The rapper has been relatively quiet about new music in the past couple months since the release of his last single “Posed To.” The song is a flurry of low-end synths, handclaps and yelped ad-libs, perhaps an indicator of the kind of music Skipper still has up his sleeve. (YK)
