THURSDAY, APRIL 23
ZYDECO
RUBEN MORENO
Described as a “musical alchemist,” Ruben Moreno was already playing his accordion professionally by age 10 onstage in Austin. Zydeco and Cajun music are in his blood, as demonstrated on his 2011 debut solo album, Por Ti Volare. But Moreno resists pat classifications, incorporating blues, Chicano music and contemporary beats, as in the smooth-grooving collaboration with Baby Bash on the Spotify hit single, “The Recipe (This Heart).” Special treat for the Ashkenaz gig: Get there at 7:30pm to enjoy a dance lesson. Allons, cher! Everyone needs a little dancing about now. – JANIS HASHE
INFO: Thu, 7:30pm, Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. $20-$25. 510.525.5099.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
THE TALLIS SCHOLARS
The 10 singers of the Tallis Scholars present an Easter-themed program. Transporting everyone within earshot to a time of marvelous appearances and moments of healing, the program is rich with themes of wonder, unity, love and kindness. Centering the evening on Victoria’s “Missa O magnum mysterium,” the program expands to include Contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s “Tribute to Caesar Virgencita,” motets by Tallis, de Wert and Slovenian composer Jacobus Gallus. The a cappella sacred vocal ensemble has for five decades toured worldwide, and director Peter Phillips, since founding the troupe, has carried the baton during more than 2,500 concerts. The renaissance is in the hands of a master. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Fri, 8pm, Cal Performances at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. $78-$129. 510.848.3696.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
JAZZ
JAZZ MAFIA: THE BEATLES REIMAGINED
Returning to this superlative venue for its monthly shakedown, trombonist Adam Theis’ Jazz Mafia combo makes the Beatles songbook an offer it can’t refuse with special guest Joe Bagale, a.k.a. Otis McDonald, who’s contributed extensively to the free YouTube library, music deployed on millions of videos streamed countless times. Covering vocals, guitar and keys, he’s joined by powerhouse trumpeter Mike Olmos, saxophonist Tommy Occhiuto, keyboardist Colin Hogan, bassist Josh Thurston-Milgrom and drummer Henry Plumb. Riddling the Fab Four’s book with creative grooves, the Jazz Mafia continues to explore new territory, building on sessions devoted to the music of Prince, Stevie Wonder and other major mofos. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Fri, 7:30pm, The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway, Oakland. $36. 510.708.9691.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
FOLK
EDWIN COLON-ZAYAS
Ah, spring. Just right for rejuvenating in a “Noche Tropical” with Bay Area artists Edwin Colón-Zayas, on the cuatro puertorriqueño, the national instrument of Puerto Rico, as he’s joined by the inviting vocals of Boricua Madeleine Zayas, Roman Itos Carrillo on drums, and Brian Rice on Brazilian pandeiro and drumset. In 2008, Colón-Zayas received a Latin Grammy nomination, “Best Traditional Tropical Album,” for Reafirmación. This time, the serenata will feature some tunes from Colón-Zayas’ latest CD, Saudade: Os Velhinhos. La Peña is the ideal venue for a lively evening out with an artist who is indeed “100% Puertorriqueño” and his close friends. – JH
INFO: Fri, 7:30pm, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $15-$40. 510.849.2568.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
METAL
CAPTURED! BY ROBOTS
With AI slowly permeating almost every aspect of our lives, many people fear a great robotic takeover, a la Terminator. Our robotic overlords are already here and have been for quite some time. And they play heavy metal—which, I mean, duh, right? Full-on mechanical robots, onstage, making music. Founded in 1996 the robots, led by GTRBOT 666 and DRMBOT 0110, have taken a human hostage—known only as JBOT—and are at the forefront of heavy metal robot technology. In fact, they’re the only game in heavy metal robot technology … for now. Any self-respecting metal fan needs to see C!BR at least once. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Sat, 7pm, The Planetarium, 5327 Jacuzzi St., Ste. 3D, Richmond. $15.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
THEATER
‘CARRIE THE MUSICAL’
How many theatrical works instantly strike fear into a person’s heart with their title? Based on the 1970s cult-classic novel by Stephen King, Carrie, this musical rendition hangs onto the fright with a pumped-up score by Michael Gore. Lyrics by Dean Pitchfork—based on the book by Lawrence D. Cohen—tell the story of Carrie White, the trembly teen who taps into telekinetic power to exact revenge. Who is the target? Bullies, including her religion-saturated mother and Carrie’s classroom tormentors. One thing is for sure: Bullying is still very much present, and who doesn’t wish for a little superhuman power to bring it to an end? Goes until May 3. – LF
INFO: Sat, 1pm and 6pm, Berkeley Playhouse, The Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. $27. 510.845.8542.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
JAZZ
NEGATIVE PRESS PROJECT
After a long hiatus, the cryptically monikered Negative Press Project returns to the stage to celebrate the release of Cycles I, a lapidary chamber jazz project featuring a jazz septet and the strings of Friction Quartet. Co-led by bassist Andrew Lion and pianist Ruthie Dineen, executive director of Richmond’s East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, the group created a fascinating body of work before the advent of Covid, including 2017’s widely hailed album, Eternal Life | Jeff Buckley Songs and Sounds. For this intimate show sans strings, Dineen and Lion are joined by guitarist Ryan Pate, drummer Adam Carlson, Joel Behrman on trumpet and saxophone great Howard Wiley. – AG
INFO: Sun, 4pm, Wyldflowr Arts, 809 37th St., Oakland. $20. 510.842.5055.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
METAL
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
Formed in Michigan in 2001, the Black Dahlia Murder spent two decades on galloping tremolo riffs and vocal savagery, building one of American melodic death metal’s most devoted followings. In 2022, legendary frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad died, and the band faced an impossible question. They answered: co-founder Brian Eschbach moved from guitar to vocals, former guitarist Ryan Knight returned to the fold, and the lineup of musicians that Strnad and Eschbach had sought out together carried on. Their 10th album, 2024’s Servitude, continues the band’s legacy of marrying melody to brutality—a new era earned the hard way. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Sun, 7pm, The UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. $33. 510.356.4000.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
EMO
BLVCK HIPPIE
The world is in a dire place right now. The endless feed of 24/7 bad news can be a lot. But that’s where music comes in, and nobody knows that better than Memphis-based Blvck Hippie—pronounced “Black Hippie.” This Black-fronted emo, rock and pop trio, or “sad boy indie rock” as they describe it, takes elements of the Strokes and combines them with the underground sounds of bands like Snail Mail and Car Seat Headrest for a beautifully longing sound. Their last album, Basketball Camp, celebrates its second birthday in June, but frontperson Josh Shaw promises on their Instagram that they’re “working on new music, I swear!” Let’s hope so! – MW
INFO: Tue, 7pm, 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. $12-$15. 510.524.8180.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
INDIE-POP
ELIZABETH AND THE CATAPULT
Brooklyn singer-songwriter Elizabeth Ziman, performing as Elizabeth and the Catapult, trained as a classical pianist, toured as a background vocalist for Patti Austin, taught herself guitar and has spent two decades making warm, witty, piano-driven indie-pop. Her new album, Responsible Friend, built from letters written but never sent, is her most intimate: cinematic arrangements wrapped around songs about grief and tenderness, with that particular warmth of music made for specific people. For this release show she’s joined by Jon Titterington, of Father John Misty, on piano and guitar. – SBB
INFO: Tue, 7pm, The Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. $20. 510.654.3808.
