THU 10/15
BLUEGRASS
TRIBUTE TO RALPH STANLEY
Fans of the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? know that George Clooney and the Soggy Bottom Boys brought renewed love for the classic 1913 tune, “Man of Constant Sorrow.” But it was Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Stanley Brothers who recorded the most memorable version of the song, and it became Ralph Stanley’s signature. His grandson, Nathan Stanley, presents “A Personal Tribute to Dr. Ralph Stanley” as a celebration of the songs and legacy of his grandfather. Grammy-nominated Nathan was the last lead singer for Dr. Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys. There is no constant sorrow in his continuing love for an American giant. – Janis Hashe
INFO: Thu, 8pm, The Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. 510.654.3808.
FRI 10/16
WORLD
SUKHAWAT ALI KHAN & CALI QAWWALI
Led by Pakistani vocalist Sukhawat Ali Khan, scion of a Hindustani dynasty, Cali Qawwali is an ensemble devoted to ecstatic qawwali music, while drawing on an array of other traditions. Featuring Craig Reiter on guitar and bass and Ali Ziyad on cello, the group seamlessly incorporates Western instruments into a swirling sound powered by percussionist Wajahat Ali Khan—Sukhawat Ali’s son—who represents the next link in a chain that dates back centuries. Singing in Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic and Farsi, Khan is joined by vocalists Vivek Anand and Rajnish Kamat, his longtime students who are deeply versed in North Indian classical music. – Andrew Gilbert
INFO: Fri, 8pm, The Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. 510.654.3808.
FRI 10/16
HIP-HOP
SCHOOLBOY Q
When it comes to hip-hop in the 21st century, Schoolboy Q is one of the pillars holding it up for the new generation. Originally born in Germany to military parents, he grew up in South Central Los Angeles and began rapping in 2006. Three years later, he cofounded Black Hippy, the hip-hop supergroup, with fellow collaborators Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar. Over the years, Schoolboy Q dropped six albums, with a seventh on the way; earned himself five Grammy nominations; and has worked with some of the greatest rappers of all time, including Snoop Dogg and Mac Miller. – Mat Weir
INFO: Fri, 8pm, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510.302.2250.
SAT 10/17
HIP-HOP
KD THE POET
Remember when hip-hop was about talent, flow and a whole lotta soul? KD the Poet remembers, and he probably isn’t even old enough to have lived through those days. This Berkeley native raps about his real-life experiences in the streets of the Bay with soulful rhymes, introspective themes and a whole lot of catchy beats. His performance of “On Me” on the Just One Take series is an inspiring piece of grit and talent that’s as uplifting and infectious as it is tenacious. Check out this rising star now before he takes off for bigger venues. – MW
INFO: Sat, 8:15pm, Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. $15. 510.525-5099.
SAT 10/17
JAZZ
‘JAZZ MAFIA: STEVIE WONDER REIMAGINED’
A little more than 17 years ago, at the end of a Jazz Mafia set at the lamented Mission District nightspot Coda, Stevie Wonder was so moved by the band’s grooves that he joined them for two of his tunes. The story would probably be dismissed as legend if not captured and posted on YouTube. Since Wonder is preparing for his tour marking the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life, he’s unlikely to make a guest appearance at one of these shows, but Adam Theis’ Jazz Mafia contains more than enough creative firepower to open up his treasure-trove songbook. – AG
INFO: Sat, 6pm & 9pm, The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway, Oakland. $39. 510.708.9691.
SAT 10/17
FOLK
ELEPHANT REVIVAL
Bluegrass, but more mellow. Folk, but with country and indie-rock effects. A bit Celtic, a bit jazzy, even a touch of reggae. “Transcendental” is how Colorado band Elephant Revival describes this wide-ranging fusion, which seamlessly blends so many influences—plus a huge array of acoustic instruments—into their ruminative, seductive style. The vibe is generally laid-back, with the usual folk talk of rivers and birds, but don’t be fooled. Listen to the snare drumline and washboard tinkling of “Rogue River” or lead singer Bonnie Paine’s electric saw on “Over the River,” to hear Elephant Revival’s rowdier side. – Collin Ziegler
INFO: Sat, 8pm, UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. 510.356.4000.
SUN 10/18
THEATER
‘LAST WEST: ROADSONGS FOR DOROTHEA LANGE’
The Spotlight Sunday production digs deep into a legendary Bay Area photographer’s life and work. The one-hour play written by Tess Taylor and directed by Ciera Eis has live actors telling stories drawn from Lange’s journals and oral histories centered on migration, the passage of time and the humanity of everyday folks. Splashed on a backdrop behind them, Lange’s marvelous photographs tell a parallel story of an artist invested in and highly attuned to the people, landscapes and history of the West. Roadsongs is part of a full weekend of Lange-related events, so check the website for more opportunities to participate. – Lou Fancher
INFO: Sun, 1pm and 3pm, OMCA, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. $10. 510.318.8400.
TUE 10/20
PANEL
‘TWIN PEAKS: CONVERSATION WITH THE STARS’
In 1990, the murder of Laura Palmer permanently changed American TV. David Lynch and Mark Frost’s cult TV show had all the elements one could expect from a weekly detective show: the murder of a teenager, an FBI special agent determined to find her and a cast of mysterious locals. But Twin Peaks defied genre, instead blending humor, horror, soap opera and the supernatural into a special recipe that would come to define Lynch’s bizarre and entrancing aesthetic. One year after the show’s 25th anniversary, its stars Ray Wise and Dana Ashbrook come together with one of Lynch’s longtime collaborators to discuss the legacy of a show. –CZ
INFO: Tue, 7:30pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. 510.238.9200.
WED 10/21
FOLK-POP
BEDOUINE
Azniv Korkejian’s roots are Syrian American, but she has ties to Saudi Arabia as well as Armenia. Her musical project and stage name, Bedouine, reflect her heritage, and her newest album, Neon Summer Skin, tells tales of family and the end of childhood. And her adopted name echoes the nomadic tradition of the Bedouins. “For my 20s and much of my 30s, I couldn’t sit still,” she has said. “I would pack my car and move to a new place.” In addition, her American childhood led to a love for the melodies of singers and songwriters as diverse as Karen Carpenter and Todd Rundgren. Bedouine’s music is uniquely her own. – JH
INFO: Wed, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. 510.644.2020.
WED 10/21
INDIE-ROCK
MATT POND & ANYA MARINA
Locking in with indie-rock master Matt Pond’s heart-stopping tunes, soulful lyrics and pure rhythmic sensitivity is entirely a matter of letting go. Truly, release the grasping and striving that fills modern life and find that third place: a place of peace, longing, questioning and knowing. His music during the last two decades has been lauded by Pitchfork, NPR, Rolling Stone and others. Also on the bill is Anya Marina, the singer/songwriter of “Satellite Heart,” from the platinum-selling soundtrack to Twilight: New Moon. A dynamo performer with haunting vocals, Marina knows exactly how to shift an audience through the gears—low, medium and higher than the sky. – LF
INFO: Wed, 7pm, Wyldflowr, 809 37th St., Oakland. $22. 510.842.5055.
