THURSDAY, FEB. 6
INDIE
STEPHANIE STRANGE
Stephanie Strange’s lyrics mix clear-eyed social critique with a flair for theatrics and dark humor. In “The Man Who Doomed the World,” for example, she sings calmly and steadily, “The sky she is falling/The oceans they are rising/It’s time we started realizing/It was man who doomed the world.” The Portland-based singer-songwriter performs both solo and as the leader of Strange & the Familiars, who are known to mount a darkly enchanting rock-opera experience. It’s a rare artist who can so convincingly merge the mise-en-scéne of ancient witchcraft with the realities of 21st-century economic and social crises. – ADDIE MAHMASSANI
INFO: Thu, 7pm, Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. $22. 510.381.1997.
THURSDAY, FEB. 6
ROCK
STEVE POLTZ
Poltz first turned heads with the rock band the Rugburns before launching an eclectic career as a solo troubadour. He traffics in offbeat wit, catchy folk-Americana melodies and old-fashioned storytelling. He cowrote Jewel’s hit, “You Were Meant for Me,” with a characteristic tenderness and narrative specificity, with lines like “I kinda like it in my brand new place/I wipe the spots off of the mirror/Don’t leave the keys in the door/I never put wet towels/on the floor anymore.” After over a dozen celebrated albums, it’s still agreed that he’s even better live. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Thu, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $39/adv, $44/door. 510.644.2020.
THURSDAY, FEB. 6
INDIE
BRIGHT EYES
Does it get any more indie than the Nebraskan sweetheart trio Bright Eyes? Since 1998, they’ve been at the forefront of the indie-folk movement, breaking hearts and giving flannel-wearing, glass-eyed hipsters a soundtrack to dissociate from the world. Last year’s Five Dice, All Threes, an album about the chance of life, was favorably received by critics and fans alike. And why not? Lead singer Conor Oberst’s songwriting and storytelling have grown and aged more like a fine wine than a hoppy IPA. Make sure to get there in time to see opener Christopher Owens, who fans will know from San Francisco’s darling but defunct indie rockers, Girls. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Thu, 8pm, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $67. 510.302.2250.
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
PUNK
FINAL CONFLICT
Before street-punk bands like Total Chaos and the Casualties hit the American scene with their British-style, political mix of hardcore and metal, there was Final Conflict. The four-piece helped revive the Southern California scene with short, fast and abrasive songs against the police, religion and government. Their 1988 debut, Ashes to Ashes, is a gateway album to a life of studded leather jackets and spiky hair for any pissed-off teenager who sees the problems of the world and what it could be. Final Conflict plays in CiderUp Production’s Old AF birthday show with Oppressed Logic, Violent Coercion and Before Dawn. – MW
INFO: Fri, 9pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $18/adv, $23/door. 510.526.5888.
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
DANCE
TWYLA THARP DANCE
Twyla Tharp, if inclined, could sport a jewel-encrusted crown and velvet cape, but the venerable queen of crossover dance is more prone to an unadorned, highly purposeful and practical style rather than vestiges of royalty. Among the outstanding features of her new piece are the collaboration with composer Philip Glass and a live performance of the score by Chicago’s Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion ensemble. These musicians are worth their weight in gold. Also noteworthy: Pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev renders Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations live while 11 of Tharp’s amazing, meticulously groomed dancers cavort, waltz and ride astride each other, proving they’ve got rhythm—a not-to-miss gig. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Fri, 8pm, Cal Performances’ Zellerbach Hall, 101 Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley. $37-$130. 510.642.9988.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
THEATER
‘THE HEART SELLERS’
This 90-minute two-hander tells an immigration-centric story of two Asian women left to fend for themselves on Thanksgiving while mourning distant family and holding fast to the promises—true and false—of a good life in America. The Hart-Celler Act, passed in 1965, opened the path to citizenship for highly skilled workers from Asia, Africa and South America in the tech industry. It altered the ethnic profile of the country, but didn’t change the clear sentiment of nativism favoring Northern European immigrants. Trust the Aurora to take such gravitas on and still manage to include humor, lighthearted hijinks and ripplingly mesmerizing characters while maintaining playwriting and production at the highest level. – LF
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. $38. 510.843.4822.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
JAZZ
LAKECIA BENJAMIN
Alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s star has gone nova. Championed by a series of jazz legends, Benjamin is a scorching improviser who paid dues for years with dozens of soul, R&B and pop stars. She’s not averse to getting deep into the pocket, but also thrives in the outer reaches. Going from strength to strength, she’s put in stints as artistic director at jazz festivals, appeared on national television broadcasts and toured internationally with some of the most eloquent players on the scene. For this run, her band includes Cuban-American pianist Oscar Perez, rising drummer Dorian “Hurricane” Phelps and veteran bassist Elias Bailey, best known for his extensive work with vocalists René Marie and Freddy Cole. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Sat, 7:30pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $35-$74. 510.238.9200.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
JAZZ
PAMELA PARKER
Pamela Parker is a prolific producer, engineer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and powerhouse vocalist who’s played an essential role in maintaining the creative mojo at San Francisco’s storied Hyde Street Studios for nearly two decades. Rather than wielding her trademark red Gibson, she steps to the foreground with a rare solo concert backing herself on piano, interpreting songs from albums such as Beautiful Day, Evolutionary Process, The Fantastic Machine and MotherStar, plus songs she’s yet to record or perform. Usually known for a big rock ’n’ roll sound, this performance offers a more personal and sonically calibrated sojourn through her life and music. – AG
INFO: Sat, 5:30pm, Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. $25. 510.547.8188.
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
DANCE
MUSIC IN MOTION
Music in Motion has an artistic extravaganza in store for audiences, as dancers from Berkeley Ballet will take the stage for the orchestra’s rendition of Dance by Anna Clyne. The cello-concerto, inspired by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, also features renowned cellist Inbal Segev. Two others will bookend the piece: “The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot For Orchestra)” by composer John Adams and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major. Both works are known for their danceable sensibilities. Richard Wagner once called No. 7 “the Apotheosis of Dance.” Joseph Young conducts this positively moving night. – AM
INFO: Sun, 4pm, Berkeley Symphony, Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston Way, Berkeley. $30+. 510.644.6863.
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
SOUL
GOLDFORD
Los Angeles-based artist Jeffrey Goldford marries the warmth of classic soul with the sleek edges of modern pop. His sound has a therapeutic color, quietly optimistic and affirming tracks with a “we’re gonna make it” vibe. His emotive voice, liquid-warm with a hint of grit, feels as appropriate in front of a campfire over the buzz of cicadas as it does layered over rich, modern instrumentation. With a laidback, classic delivery, Goldford lulls his listeners into a deep, welcome peace. – SBB
INFO: Sun, 8pm, The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. $25. 510.227.8177.