THU 8/27
FOLK
FIDDLE SUMMIT
Multiple forms of fiddlemanship will once again be on display at the Freight’s Annual Fiddle Summit, hosted by Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser. Along with friends, Fraser’s Gaelic-tradition fiddling, which has included partnerships with Itzhak Perlman and the Chieftains, will highlight an evening when strings rule. Other fiddlers include “sonic magpie” Laura Cortese; duo San Miguel Fraser, which features Alasdair Fraser’s son, Galen; “New England style” master fiddler Rodney Miller; Americana favorite Jeff Spero; contemporary folk duo Rakish; and also clog, flatfoot and step-dance performer Nic Gareiss. Both bows and feet will be flying. – Janis Hashe
INFO: Thu, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $39-$44. 510.644-2020.
FRI 8/28
VARIETY
COSMIK DEBRIS
Someone better summon Frank Zappa from the Great Beyond because it looks like Richmond is gonna be jiving with that cosmik debris. This Friday, be prepared for an interstellar variety show filled with thrills, chills and spills that’s out of sight, promising “cardboard instruments” for “lo-fi souls,” “clown dramatics to make men cower” and “a medieval video circuit fever dream.” As if that’s not enough, whimsy abounds with an omnichord player and the Ukulady playing four-stringed comedy anthems. The only thing they don’t have is a Mystery Man guru with a shaving kit and crystal ball. – Mat Weir
INFO: Fri, 6:30pm, The Planetarium, 5327 Jacuzzi St., Richmond. $15.
FRI 8/28
JAZZ FUSION
THE HOGAN BROTHERS
The Bay Area has produced several family ensembles that gained widespread renown, from the Pointer Sisters to the Escovedos. If the Hogan Brothers haven’t reached audiences beyond the region, it’s not for a lack of talent. With Julian on drums, Steve on bass and Colin on keyboards and accordion, the Hogans have held down a last-Friday-of-the-month residency at Jupiter for years. A loose and limber trio, the brothers draw on a wide array of musical passions, turning the outdoor, redwood-shaded patio into a forum for groove-centric exploration. An underrated cultural outpost in the heart of downtown Berkeley, Jupiter has quietly provided hundreds of musicians with a friendly forum. – Andrew Gilbert
INFO: Fri, 7pm, Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. Free. 510.843.8277.
FRI 8/28
REGGAE
THE HOLDUP
Coming out of San Jose, the Holdup mixes reggae, hip-hop, R&B and pop into an easygoing, melody-first sound. It’s the one-man studio project of Mike Garmany, who writes, produces, performs and engineers the music himself. The songs are breezy on the surface but lyrically candid, a catalogue of catchy hooks, romantic misadventures, self-deprecation and everyday mess. The new, four-part Buying Time series releases rejuvenated and refreshed “V2” versions of beloved tracks, doubling down on a distinctly Californian strain of pop-reggae. – Sonya Bennett-Brandt
INFO: Fri, 9pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $34. 510.214.8600.
FRI 8/28
FOLK
BILL CALLAHAN
Ever feel lonely and blue? Craving lived-in lyricism and a bristly guitar? Singer-songwriter Bill Callahan blazes into downtown Berkeley with tracks from his eighth album, My Days of 58, and other songs. At times also recording and performing as the band Smog, Callahan buttons up this show with touching humor and a breezy approach to in-the-moment performance choices. Appearing with inspiring guitarist Wendy Eisenberg, whose reach embraces inflections of jazz, punk and soul, the night is like a sprawling saunter with companions. These folks know instinctively when and how music, deftly applied, is the greatest healer for a body and soul split and yearning for rejuvenation. – Lou Fancher
INFO: Fri, 8pm, The UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. $30. 510-356-4000.
SAT 8/29
ALTERNATIVE
TORI AMOS
This is the time of dragons. Just ask Tori Amos. The multi-Grammy-nominated artist has been an outspoken musician and activist ever since she hit the mainstream with 1992’s Little Earthquakes. For the last 34 years she has been one of the main voices in music carrying the banner for feminism, sexuality and progressive values. Her latest album, In Times of Dragons, came out earlier this year and centers around America’s current dark political times and is a metaphor for the fight for democracy over tyranny. Be prepared for a night of ballads and badass women leading the way. – MW
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd., Berkeley. $64-$89. 510.871.9225
SAT 8/29
JAZZ
BRAD MEHLDAU
The widely popular and influential jazz pianist Brad Mehldau is known for exploring far beyond straight-ahead settings, from art songs and concertos to rock and pop. So it was no surprise to learn he performed several times in Los Angeles with singer/songwriter Elliott Smith, who left a small but breathtaking body of work before his mysterious death in 2003 at the age of 34. Last year, Mehldau released the singular chamber jazz album Ride Into the Sun, interpreting songs by Smith elucidated with several originals and songs by adjacent artists Nick Drake and Big Star. SFJAZZ presents one of a handful of Mehldau concerts playing the Smith repertoire. – AG
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. $85-$191. 510.893.2300.
SUN 8/30
JAZZ
MIKE MONFORD
Detroit-based alto saxophonist Monford is also a composer and jazz historian. He comes to town with his quartet, and the gig will showcase his 1960s-inspired spiritual and Afrofuturist jazz sound, which also combines hip-hop and soul interweavings. Original compositions from his latest album The Cloth I’m Cut From, such as “Jah Jah,” dedicated to his son, will vibe alongside selections honoring the 2026 100th birthdays of both Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Jazz players take note: The concert will be preceded by a masterclass on “Bebop, the Blues & Afrofuturism” from noon to 3pm. – JH
INFO: Sun, 4pm, Wyldflower Arts, 809 37th St., Oakland. $20. 510.842-5055.
SUN 8/30
FESTIVAL
CAPE & COWL CON
This con is no con. Indeed, host Oakland-based Cape & Cowl Comics promises a day full of sometimes serious, often giggly fun. Furious and fiery—those dragons—monstrous and magical—those made-up myths—the storytelling and comics are some of the best found on planet Earth. Drape your cape and find out what a cowl is. Slap that sucker on your noggin and join 75 special guest artists, including applauded local and international creators such as Gene Luen Yang, Patrick Horvath, Mariko Tamaki, Tini Howard and Babs Tarr. Aimed at promoting literature, the comic-con offers programming for all ages. Entry is free for all, and that’s the biggest you-can-believe-it non-con of all. – LF
INFO: Sun, 11am, Cape & Cowl Con at Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch St., Alameda. Free. 510.523.2739.
WED 9/2
SOUL
AVERY WILSON
Singer/songwriter/dancer/actor Avery Wilson has been turning heads, and chairs, since his teenage appearance on The Voice, where his vocals revealed serious range and old-school soul instincts. His 2015 single, “If I Have To,” cracked the Billboard Hot R&B Songs top 20, setting the stage for a career that moves fluidly between contemporary R&B, pop and musical theater, including a stint as the Scarecrow in Broadway’s revival of The Wiz. The performance earned Wilson a Grammy nomination and added another hyphen to a multi-hyphenate career. – SBB
INFO: Wed, 7:30pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $49-$89. 510.238.9200.
