This week brings the folk-infused, prog-rock sounds of Jethro Tull to San Jose, as founding frontman Ian Anderson looks back on a long and storied career. Also, in another blast from the past, Al Anderson, of Bob Marley’s original band, The Wailers, comes to The Ritz. This, plus Gift of Gab, a Halloween-themed beer crawl in Gilroy, Safe In Sound at the City National Civic and Voice of Addiction at Johnny V’s. All this plus much more.
All Beethoven
Wed, 7:30pm,
Bing Concert Hall
The Philharmonia Baroque and Chorale works to give audiences authentic, era-accurate performances of classical music from Baroque, Classical and Early Romantic periods. They use period instruments—or replicas—and train in using vocal techniques that capture the style and timbre of those who first sang the works of masters, like Ludwig Van Beethoven, many generations ago. Led by Conductor Nicholas McGegan and featuring fortepianist Robert Levin, the orchestra comes to Stanford this week with a performance of Beethoven’s “Concerto for Fortepiano No. 3,” and “Symphony No. 6.” A free pre-concert talk will take place in the concert hall 45 minutes prior to the performance. (NV)
Gift of Gab
Wed, 9pm, $10
BackBar SoFa, San Jose
When it comes to lyricists, Gift of Gab has earned his namesake many times over. The Blackalicious emcee has been killing the game since the early ’90s with his whip-smart, lightning-fast rhymes, which demonstrate Gab’s love of and proficiency in the English language. Those seeking proof of his lyrical prowess need look no further than his performance on “Alphabet Aerobics,” in which the rapper spits an abridged dictionary worth of words from A to Z. Gift of Gab reunited with his Blackalicious partner, DJ Chief Xcel, for a new album last year—Imani Vol 1, the group’s fourth LP. (NV)
Ziggy Marley Family Cookbook
Wed, 5pm, $10-$40
Kepler’s Books, Menlo Park
Though he is best known more for his music and legendary family, in recent years Ziggy Marley has become a food activist. The eldest son of Bob and Rita, Ziggy now spends much of his time supporting the “Just Label It” campaign, an effort to persuade the federal government to require foods with GMO’s to be labeled accordingly. Marley comes to Kepler’s Books this week to talk about his recently published book, Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook. The book comprises 54 family recipes—many of them vegetarian or vegan, and all inspired by his Jamaican and Rastafarian upbringing. (JT)
Voice of Addiction
Thu, 8pm, $5
Johnny V’s, San Jose
Politically-charged and ready to start a revolution, these veteran punk rockers from Chicago, are rolling through San Jose on their fall West Coast tour. Voice of Addiction are a socially conscious trio influenced by Fugazi, Blood for Blood and American Steel. Since forming in 2004, the band has toured relentlessly, racking up more than 500 performances from coast to coast and selling-out two full-length records along the way. Fans of VOA will be pleased to hear that the group recently combined both out-of-print LPs into a new double album, Reduce, Reuse, Resist—a perfect slogan for this election season. (JT)
The Gin Game
Thu, 8pm, $17-$22
Northside Theater Company, San Jose
A friendly game of gin rummy between two nursing home acquaintances escalates into an all-out war, as tempers flare and gentle jabs devolve into personal attacks. D.L. Cogburn’s two-person, two-act play—recently revived on Broadway and starring James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson—first premiered in 1976 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. The play serves as a reminder despite the hardening nature of our experiences in life and solitude due to age, forging relationships is still paramount to growth. It is presented locally by the Northside Theatre Company. (JT)
Rumors
Fri, 8pm, $16-$18
Santa Clara Players
What was supposed to be a joyous celebration of a 10-year wedding anniversary quickly devolves into an uproarious farce in Neil Simon’s successful Broadway production. There’s a failed suicide attempt, a wife gone missing, a car wreck, neck cramps and back spasms as four couples work to keep up appearances, keep the police away and get to the bottom of what actually is going on over the course of one ridiculous evening. Directed by Robert Casillas and produced by George Doltz, the Santa Clara Players are kick of their staging of Rumors this Friday with a champagne reception. The play runs through Nov. 12. (JT)
Scary Movie Tech
Fri, 5pm, $15
Computer History Museum, Mountain View
Learn how creepy computers can be as you huddle together for an evening of chills, thrills and spooky films. Halloween comes early to the Computer History Museum, as part of the museum’s “Friday Nights” series. Explore the technology used behind jump scares and effects in some of Hollywood’s greatest slasher, horror and gore films. Take part in a scavenger hunt for the kids and enjoy food from Off the Grid food trucks. In an experience unique to the CHM, visitors can use Google Galaxy to explore haunted places around the world in real time. High tech and suspense haven’t gone together this well since Hal 9000 went on the fritz. (JT)
Bridge School Benefit
Sat-Sun, 3pm & 1pm, $45+
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View
For decades, the Bridge School Benefit Concert has been bringing together some of the biggest names in rock & roll for a one-of-kind weekend, once a year. The two-day all-acoustic shindig raises money and awareness for the Hillsborough-based organization that helps educate children with severe speech and physical impairments. Organized by the “godfather of grunge,” Neil Young, the lineup is always eclectic—running the gamut from Thom Yorke to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Paul McCartney to Tony Bennett. This year’s 30th anniversary lineup features Metallica, Roger Waters, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Dave Matthews and more. (SM)
Russian Masters
Sat, 8pm, $10-$22
Cubberley Theatre, Palo Alto
The Palo Alto Philharmonic orchestra looks to the East for the second performance of its 2016-17 season. Music Director Thomas Shoebotham and Assistant Conductor Lee Actor present three works by a trio of “Russian Masters”—Stravinski’s “Fireworks,” Tchaikovsky’s “Francesca da Rimini” and Prokofiev’s “Symphony #5.” Besides making for a night of iconic music, the program serves to remind us that while relations between Russia and the U.S. are particularly chilly of late, both countries have a love of great works and a proud tradition of striving for greatness in the arts. (NV)
