THURSDAY, MARCH 19 + FRIDAY, MARCH 20
ROOTS
SILKROAD ENSEMBLE
For 25 years, Silkroad’s path has traversed the landscapes of Italian tarantella, Congolese string music, Indian tabla and American roots music. Now, the journey dives into the deep soulfulness and broad-spanning musical gifts of Rhiannon Giddens, a two-time Grammy Award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, Pulitzer Prize winner and composer. Leading a troupe of artists well-versed in American, South Asian, West African and southern European musical traditions, “Sanctuary: The Power of Resonance and Ritual,” is certain to transfix and engage audiences of all types. Erase the boundaries and prepare to travel. Performance on Friday as well. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Thu-Fri, 7:30pm, Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall, 101 Zellerbach Hall, #4800, Berkeley. $48-$106. 510.642.9988.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
JAZZ
KARINA DENIKÉ & THE COTTONTAILS
In some circles, Berkeley-reared Karina Deniké is known as a primary singer for Dance Hall Crashers, the popular ska band that has toured and recorded intermittently since 1989. In others, she’s revered for her decade-long stint in the L.A. punk band NOFX. But for jazz fans, the supremely versatile vocalist is a treat delivering pre-World War II standards with the Cottontails, a nimbly swinging band led by pianist Michael McIntosh. With the expert rhythm section tandem of guitarist Vic Wong and bassist Joe Kyle Jr., percussionist Randy Odell and veteran reed player Tom Griesser, the combo delivers a delicious repertoire of overlooked gems by the likes of Fat Waller, Andy Razaf and Duke Ellington. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Fri, 7:30pm, The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway, Oakland. $27. 510.708.9691.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
HIP-HOP
LA GOONY
Cuban-American artist La Goony Chonga grew up in Florida, writing composition-notebook poetry while surrounded by rap and Latin club music. Now, rapping and singing in English and Spanish, she mills her Miami influences into bright, punchy tracks that blend trap drums, reggaeton rhythms and glossy electronic synths. Her “chonga” persona, drawn from the bold mid-2000s Miami Latina style of sharp lipliner, slick baby hairs and oversized hoops, runs through both her visuals and lyrics, which lean playful, flirtatious and flashy. With La Goony at the helm, clubby beats, bilingual hooks and Miami street-style settle easily into the same groove. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Sat, 7pm, Crybaby, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $20-$25.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
CELTIC
THE CELTIC ALL-STARS
Still in the mood for celebrating all things Celtic post-St. Paddy’s Day? Then stepdance on down to the Freight for an evening with Canadian stars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, along with a ceilidh of other players including vocalist Karen Matheson, OBE, of Scottish band Capercaillie; four-time All-Ireland Champion banjo playerEnda Scahill; and Scottish piper Ross Ainslie. The fiddling, singing and piping will salute Celtic music from its centuries-old inception to its popular modern interpretations, which continue to influence American bluegrass, country music and beyond. MacMaster, for example, has toured with Carlos Santana and recorded with Yo-Yo Ma. Slàinte mhath! – JANIS HASHE
INFO: Sat, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $64-$69. 510.644.2020.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
THEATER
‘THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA?’
It’s a common problem: A person reaches an age milestone, has a terrific spouse and a kid who’s recently come out as gay, and is about to win a major career award in their field. But then they fall in love with Sylvia, who happens to be a goat. Of course, they tell their best buddy. From there on out all hell breaks loose in this Tony Award-winning play by Edward Albee. Not really, but issues of morality, family, intentionality, choice, avoidance and imagination endure close scrutiny. The edginess and terrific humor in the script are a win in the hands of director Kevin Clarke. Performances until April 18. – LF
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Shotgun Players, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. $8-$80. 510.841.6500.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
FESTIVAL
YIYASAKA FESTIVAL
“Butoh,” wrote critic Mark Holborn, “is defined by its very evasion of definition.” Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno created the Japanese dance theater form post-World War II as a response to both the devastation of the atomic bomb and a rejection of Western influence on Japanese culture. It is traditionally performed in white body makeup, using both humorous and grotesque imagery. It has also been described as a “seditious act.” Sounds intriguing? The annual YiYaSaka Festival, this year honoring the 98th year of Hijikata’s birth, will feature a soul ceremony dance alongside a crafts fair, a bazaar and a sake station. – JH
INFO: Sun, Noon, Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St., Berkeley. Free. 510.845.5352.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
AMERICANA
LIZ COOPER
Liz Cooper is changing lanes. After emerging from Nashville’s Americana scene with a reputation as a sharp guitarist and bandleader, the Vermont-based songwriter takes a decisive left turn on her latest album, February’s New Day. Written during a period of upheaval—a move to Brooklyn, pandemic isolation, her first queer relationship and her first queer breakup—the record trades in rootsy comfort for shimmering, textured pop. For the first time, Cooper steps into the producer’s chair, exploring synth psychedelia, warped guitar tones and spontaneous studio experiments. Cooper’s era of curiosity and reinvention shapes sound and subject matter. – SBB
INFO: Sun, 8pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $28. 510.214.8600.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
JAZZ
RED RABBIT
Red Rabbit is a new electro-acoustic combo featuring Dann Zinn on tenor saxophone, flute and electronics; double-bassist John Wiitala; and Michael Mitchell on drums and synth. Known as intrepid improvisers who’ve worked with an expansive roster of jazz greats, these three musicians represent different facets of the scene. Zinn has released a series of acclaimed albums. Mitchell is a respected educator. And Wiitala has been a ubiquitous accompanist since the 1980s, with more than 100 albums to his credit. Together they form a singular trio that explores American Songbook standards, latter day tunes like Aha’s “Take on Me” and the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” and original compositions. – AG
INFO: Sun, 7pm, Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. $20-$25. 510.654.3808.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
ROCK
THE WONDER YEARS
It’s funny how different names mean different things to different generations. “Socialism” to Boomers means the U.S.S.R. and Cuba, but to Millennials it means European nations and universal healthcare. Say “The Wonder Years” to Gen X and immediately they think of Kevin and Winnie, while Gen Z and younger Millennials think of Midwest emo by way of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, band the Wonder Years. Now in their 21st year, the Wonder Years delivers the pop-punk melodies with emotionally strained vocals that define the genre. With America back in the Middle East, acting wild and low-rise jeans coming back, now’s a good time to reinvest some time with bands like the Wonder Years. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Sun, 7pm, UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. $47. 510.356.4000.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
HIP-HOP
R.A.P. FERREIRA
Fifty years into the genre, hip-hop has proven itself to be continuously evolving. But at its root, hip-hop is poetry put to music, a factor often forgotten by the mainstream—with several exceptions, like Doechii. Dig a little deeper into the underground, and the soil becomes rich with poetic life. R.A.P. Ferreira is a great example. Set to jazzy, lo-fi beats, Ferreira spits with a nonchalant flow that resembles a journal entry, describing the day-to-day like laundry, what it means to fail and internal thoughts while walking around the block. It’s hip-hop that abandons a fake lifestyle most of us will never reach and embraces what’s real in life. – MW
INFO: Wed, 8pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $23. 510.526.5888.
