THU 9/10
ART-ROCK
GREX
Oakland art-rock duo Grex makes music that chafes at its own genre labels. Karl Evangelista’s guitar and vocals and Rei Scampavia’s keyboards and vocals pull from free-jazz, experimental hip-hop, noise-rock and skewed-pop, with a cast of collaborators that has included cornetist Bobby Bradford, saxophonist Zoh Amba, cellist Misha Khalikulov and drummer Robert Lopez. They’re releasing a new album, Auntie + Tebs, named for corruption-fighting Filipino politician Miriam Defensor Santiago and South African anti-apartheid drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo. The album turns stories of resistance and resilience into wildly elastic music. – Sonya Bennett-Brandt
INFO: Thu, 8pm, Thee Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $13-$16. 510.859.8709.
THU 9/10
WORLD MUSIC
BALLAKÉ SISSOKO AND PIERS FACCINI
The gossamer voice of British-Italian folk songwriter Faccini and Sissoko’s articulate virtuosity on the Malian kora come together for two shows at The Freight. The excitement that greeted their most recent album, Our Calling, resulted in accolades about Faccini’s graceful, poetic lyrics and sensitive folk-songwriting aesthetic. About Sissoko, not enough can be said about the quiet mastery of skills, the way his performance adds weight and depth to the music—without ever taking over or grabbing the limelight. These two artists create something neither could make alone. Come for the merging of minds and the glorious magic of two artists making music together. Show also on Saturday, Sept. 12. – Lou Fancher
INFO: Thu, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $47. 510.644.2020.
FRI 9/11
RAP
LIL KAYLA
Though she’s been rapping since she was a kid, Lil Kayla didn’t release any music until she was 15. Over the last decade she quickly became a rising star in the Bay Area rap game. She rose up during the SoundCloud era along with others from her neighborhood like Lil Yase and Yatta. She’s released five albums since 2019 with the latest, I’m Just a Girl, arriving last year. Last month she dropped her new single, “Congratulations,” a banger track that proves why she continues to be one of the Bay’s best. – Mat Weir
INFO: Fri, 6pm, CryBaby, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $29.
FRI 9/11
THEATER
‘LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL’
Relive the adventures of Elle Woods as she races through law school to chase after her ex-boyfriend only to discover she was meant to be in the courtroom. Only this time, it’s in musical form. Yes, the wildly popular 2001 movie was turned into an award-winning musical way back in 2007—believe it or not—and continues to delight audiences to this day. This particular run debuts on Sept. 11 and runs every weekend for a full month, so there’s plenty of time to sing-a-long with Elle. And remember, “Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” – MW
INFO: Fri, 7pm, Berkeley Playhouse at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. $34. 510.845.8542.
SAT 9/12
JAZZ
‘TENOR MADNESS: BOB KENMOTSU & JAMES MAHONE QUARTETS’
A one-two punch of tenor-sax prowess, this double bill features two excellent Bay Area players with talent-packed quartets. Berkeley-based Bob Kenmotsu earned his stripes on the New York scene in the mid-1990s, recording with B3 great Brother Jack McDuff, guitar-maestro Pat Martino and R&B legend Ruth Brown. He’s joined by pianist Ben Stolorow, bassist Ollie Dudek and veteran drummer Ron Marabuto. Oakland saxophonist James Mahone holds forth with a very different kind of combo, a cordless quartet sans piano. Featuring trombonist Remee Ashley, bassist Brian Juarez and drummer Malachi Whitson, it’s a group that draws on adventurous predecessors led by intrepid improvisers like Ornette Coleman, Max Roach and Art Farmer. – Andrew Gilbert
INFO: Sat, 8pm, The Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., Berkeley. $25. 510.845.5373.
SAT 9/12
COMEDY
‘GOOD MEDICINE’
The annual night of live stand-up from all-Native comedians returns to OMCA for the fourth year. Hosted by comedian Jackie Keliiaa, the evening’s “doctors” include Brian Bahe (CBS), Cheyenna Sapp (Acting Good) and Marc Yaffee (Showtime). Doors open 90 minutes ahead of time with food from Wahpepah’s Kitchen. Munch and meander through the Native artisan market with art and jewelry from Hokuemek, Feisty Pueblo and Bazi Beaded It. Bring a blanket or low-backed chair, pack a picnic—no outside alcoholic beverages allowed—and grab a first-come, first-serve spot. Prepare to laugh up a storm; no need for umbrellas. – LF
INFO: Sat, 7:30pm, OMCA, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. $25. 510.318.8400.
SUN 9/13
AMERICANA
SLAP DRAGON
If a bluegrass collective, a funk group, an R&B revue and a post-hardcore band had a baby, it would be Slap Dragon. The Nashville outfit, built around bassist Scott Mulvahill and vocalist Laura Berens, combines acoustic instrumentation with soulful vocals, disco bounce and sharp, often playful songwriting. Mulvahill is an unusually versatile bassist whose background spans bluegrass, jazz, rock and R&B, while Berens brings fluid vocals and an instinct for spontaneous melodies and lyrics. Their debut album, Mission Statement, turns that chemistry into a full-band sound that can leap from a bluegrass figure to a funk pocket without losing its groove or sense of humor. – SBB
INFO: Sun, 8pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $24. 510.526.5888.
SUN 9/13
JAZZ
KAMASI WASHINGTON
Los Angeles tenor-sax star Kamasi Washington returns to Yoshi’s for a two-night, four-show run with an ensemble drawn from the Southland scene he’s done much to boost. There’s his father, Rickey Washington, on flute and soprano sax. And the powerhouse rhythm section tandem of bassist Miles Mosley and drummer Tony Austin, whose supple grooves propelled some of the most memorable tracks on Kamasi’s 2015 breakthrough, The Epic. Vocalist Patrice Quinn and keyboardist Brandon Coleman were also key contributors on that three-disc album, which found an audience far beyond jazz via his collaborations with rap superstar Kendrick Lamar. Charismatic trumpeter Tatiana Tate provides additional fire power, while turntablist DJ Battlecat keeps the textures crunchy. – AG
INFO: Sun, 7 & 9pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $74-$99. 510.238.9200.
TUE 9/15
METAL
THE OBSESSED
The Obsessed helped invent the sound of American doom by mashing the punishing weight of heavy metal against the attitude of D.C. hardcore. Founded by guitarist and vocalist Scott “Wino” Weinrich in the late ’70s, the band earned the respect of Black Flag, Bad Brains and Minor Threat while developing a riff-heavy sound that became foundational to doom, stoner-metal and underground hard-rock. The Obsessed’s early records established a template of massive riffs, raw vocals and philosophical weight that still reverberates through heavy music. More than four decades in, Wino remains the band’s center of gravity. – SBB
INFO: Tue, 7:30pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $22. 510.526.5888.
TUE 9/15
COMEDY
MARGARET CHO
Stand up and shout down tyranny while laughing. Yes, it’s possible when the comedian, actor, musician and five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee gets rolling. Margaret Cho brings a powerful position—and the lungs to blow a tornado of stiff resistance—against the bluff and bluster of the uber-everything-that-sucks-humanity-out-of-life forces battling for control. At the same time hilarity rules because, in the end, what else can be done? Learn to laugh while never remaining silent about protecting the precious independence everyone deserves. A limited run of this show, Choligarchy, means it’s best to get scrambling and pin those tickets soon. Goes until Sept. 19. – LF
INFO: Tue, 7pm, Rhoda Theatre at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. $105-$196. 510.647.2949.
