JULY 2011 | Celebrating Live Performing Arts in SF and Beyond!
[THE SHOWS]
MACBETH
= Livermore Shakespeare Festival
SECONDS = Herbst Theatre
2012: THE MUSICAL = San Francisco Mime Troupe
[THE LATEST]
TIM ROBBINS ANDREA MARCOVICCI ROBERT WUHL BARBARA EDEN
+
[THE COVER]
Caption
PAUL REISER& JULIA FORDHAM
= BIMBO’S 365 CLUB
OUTSOUND FESTIVAL OPERA ACADEMY OF CALIFORNIA ALSO: OMFG! THE INTERNET DATING MUSICAL | THE BOOK | GISELLE IN 3-D
the
room At H o t e l N i k k o S f
SAN frANciSco’S Premier NigHtclub
THROUGH JUly 17
SHe PUT A SPell On Me...
KIM NALLEY
SInGS nInA SIMOne FIve-Week ReSIdency!!!
JUly 19 - 31
ANDREA MARCOVICCI
BlUe cHAMPAGne: THe HISTORy OF THe TORcH SOnG
JUly 25
KAREL
STAndS UP! ReTURnS UncenSORed, UnFIlTeRed, UnHInGed.
AUGUST 18 - 21
BOBBY CALDWELL
THe BlUe-eyed SOUl cROOneR IS BAck
AUGUST 28 - 30
PETER ASHER
JUly 18
CHRIS DILLEY ReTURnS TO
THe RRAzz ROOM By POPUlAR deMAnd!
JUly 24
EMILY BERGL kIddInG On THe SQUARe
STAR OF ABc’S deSPeRATe HOUSeWIveS & TnT’S SOUTHlAnd
AUGUST 2 - 14
THE KINSEY SICKS
GReATeSTITS
AUGUST 24 - 28
JERRY
“THE ICEMAN”
BUTLER
Only THe STROnG SURvIve
AUGUST 31 - SeP 17
FeATURInG THe MUSIc OF PeTeR & GORdOn
222 mason Street, San francisco, cA 94102
Grand Piano courtesy of Baldwin
800-380-3095 • www.TheRrazzRoom.com
editor ROBERT SOKOL editor@baystages.com publisher RON WILLIS publisher@baystages.com
THE STAGES DANCE | Seconds.......................................................................... 7 SHAKESPEARE | Macbeth........................................................... 9 MUSICAL | OMFG!......................................................................11 MUSIC | Julia Fordham & Paul Reiser......................................13 MIME | 2012: The Musical!.........................................................17 MUSIC | Outsound New Music Summit...................................19 OPERA | Opera Academy of California......................................21 MULTIMEDIA | The Book...........................................................25 Copyright © 2011 by Caselli Partners LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in California. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without written permission is prohibited. BAY STAGES is published monthly by VIA MEDIA, a division of Caselli Partners LLC. All content not attributed to an author is compiled by BAY STAGES staff from press releases and other sources. No guarantee is given for the validity of this data. Information is subject to change without notice.
BILLY ELLIOT Through September 17 Orpheum Theatre 1192 Market Street, SF $35 to $200 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com
design VIA MEDIA design@viamedia.net contributing writers GRIER COOPER NICOLE DIAL CHRIS RENÉ WILL SCHMID JASON VICTOR SERINUS JAMES J. SIEGEL Writers may submit resumes and samples to editor@baystages.com for consideration.
contributing photographers ROBERT SOKOL STEVEN UNDERHILL DAVID WILSON cover image Paul Reiser & Julia FORDHAM
image: simon gluckman All other photos are provided by the artists or venues and credits are noted where provided.
advertising sales THOM WARD RON WILLIS 415.552.8040 advertise@baystages.com distribution JUAN RAMIREZ If you need additional copies or would like to become a distribution point for BAY STAGES please call our office. PDF copies of individual articles are available upon request. Press releases and promotional materials may be sent to:
thisjustin@baystages.com or mailed to:
image: kyle froman
BAY STAGES 780 sutter street SF, ca 94109 p: 415.552.8040 f: 415.869.3700
JULY 2011 |
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IN PRINT
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ONLINE
Celebrating Live Performing Arts in SF and Beyond!
Stop searching and start finding! All your theatre, music, dance and more is at
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view from the editor In our time-crunched, media-saturated lives it is easy to notice the big, shiny objects and overlook the smaller gems. In Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim wrote “There are giants in the sky.” In our world of performing arts media the giants are indeed in the sky. They’re on billboards. They ride the television airwaves. They redecorate busses, coast on cab roofs and even go underground to take over entire subway platforms. Later in that show, Sondheim rightfully concludes: “Giants can be good.” He’s right. They can. The trick is to not notice just the giants. The Bay Area is rich with small to medium arts organizations tilting quixotically against limited resources, a still limping economy, and a dwindling pool of government, corporate and private sector support. Still they persevere. Ironically, some even manage to thrive - artistically, if not fiscally - and consistently produce excellent work. For the performing arts patron who must juggle those same economic conditions, the temptation to go with the “brand name” is reasonable. However
making that your only option cuts some choice artistic treats from your menu. Our mission at BAYSTAGES is to cover the full spectrum of options - or at least as much of it as we can get into our printed and digital pages - and share that information with residents and visitors so that you not only know about the latest nationally touring act to visit the region, but also about the really excellent creative work being done by performers and organizations in your neighborhood. This month we are launching the beta version of a new feature on our website - a custom-designed database that focuses only on the performing arts and leaves the other content to more general purpose information resources. We invite you to visit www.baystages.com and give our search engine a spin. Tell us what you like about it and what could serve you better.
ROBERT SOKOL, editor
image: via media
The cast of last month’s production of Little Shop of Horrors at Boxcar Theatre, one of the many “small” theatre companies who don’t let a limit of square footage limit the scope of their imagination or creative ambitions. For this show they literally “took it to the streets” and created an innovative rendering of a well known, oft-produced show. Month after month companies with less than 100 available seats per performance do the same. Give them a try.
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CLOSING SHOWS 2 | Juno en Victoria
DAILY
Stage Werx | San Francisco $24 | 000.000.0000 wilywestproductions.com
The following listings are compiled from a wide variety of sources including press releases and venue websites, which are subject to change without notice. Please be sure to verify performance times and dates when making your ticket purchases.
Inspired by Austen, Forster and others, a new tragicomedy about the secret lives of Victorian Women.
Shows with multiple performances are listed in DAILY STAGES as of their opening night. Some shows offer preview performances prior to opening. Please consult their websites.
2 | The Imaginary Invalid
CLOSING SHOWS are listed in the featured columns to the left with the date of the final scheduled performance noted next to the title. ONGOING SHOWS are listed in the features columns to the left and offer regularly scheduled performance throughout the month. Closing and ongoing shows are not included in the daily listings that follow.
Historic Hoover Theatre | SJ $16-$20 | 408.264.3479 shadyshakes.org
In Shady Shakespeare’s production of Moliere’s last play, baroque meets glam rock. 3 | Moonlight & Magnolias
Altarena Playhouse | Alameda $22 | 510.523.1553 altarena.org A backstage dramedy about the chaotic rewriting of the script for the film Gone With the Wind.
3 | Götterdämmerung
War Memorial Opera House | SF $25-$295 | 415.864.3330 sfopera.com
The transcendent climax of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. In repertoire with the full Cycle. 3 | Ethic Dance Festival
YBCA (Novellus Theater) | SF $18-$58 | 415.978.2787 worldartswest.org
Yup’ik Eskimo, Indian, Filipino, Korean, Liberian, Irish, Eastern European, Mexican dance and more. 3 | Dave Burleigh
Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale $12-$16 | 408.736.0921 roostertfeathers.com
Dave Burleigh has been entertaining audiences around the globe with his unique blend of comedy. 3 | Hal Sparks
Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $18.50-$22.50 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedy.com Co-star of the hit Showtime series Queer As Folk, Sparks shares the stage with Myq Kaplan.
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01 | All My Children The Marsh | Berkeley $20-$50 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Matt Smith’s solo show: a man who tracks down his old girlfriends’ kids and pretends to be their dad (Ends 7/23) 01 | Favorite String Serenades - San Francisco Symphony Flint Center | Cupertino $15-$71 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
Featuring Mozart’s A Little Night Music, Dvorak’s Serenade and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade in C major. 01 | James Cotton Superharp Band Yoshi’s | Oakland $28 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
James Cotton’s Birthday is July 1st. Come out and wish a Blues legend a Happy Birthday! (Ends 7/3) 01 | Knight Drive, Fantasia & Tres Hombres George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $10-$13 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
A ZZ Top tribute, a hard rock tattoo band and a ladies’ band that evokes Heart and Led Zeppelin. 01 | Neko Case Mountain Winery | Saratoga $35-$75 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
Neko Case brings her 2011 tour to Saratoga.
01 | Not a Genuine Black Man The Marsh | Berkeley $25-$50 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Brian Copeland’s monologue about race and more is both funny and poignant. (Ends 7/14) 01 | Ottmar Liebert Yoshi’s | San Francisco $25-$30 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Gold and Platinum album recording Flamenco guitarist brings his Luna Negra band to Yoshi’s. (Ends 7/3) 01 | Sonny & the Sunsets Great American Music Hall | SF $13 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
Sonny Smith began singing as a patient at Warm Springs Foundation Hospital to amuse other patients. 01 | The Bubble Man The Marsh | Berkeley $8-$11 | 800.838.3006 themarsh.org
Louis Pearl’s “The World’s Funniest Bubble Show” appeals to young & old with audience participation. (Ends 7/24) 01 | Wild Night and The Newcastles Club Fox | Redwood City $8 | 650.369.7770 foxrwc.com
Veteran Bay Area performers play the music of both Van Morrison and Eric Burdon and the Animals.
02 | 2011 Vans Warped Tour Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View $34.50 | 800.745.3000 vanswarpedtour.com
A summer music/extreme sports festival since 1995, this tour features 40 bands on multiple stages. 02 | Lumerians Great American Music Hall | SF $13 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
The Oakland-based quintet plays droning dance music for the soul you forgot you had. 02 | New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys HP Pavilion At San Jose | SJ $39.75-$105.50 | 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com
Join the mass female hysteria for the highly anticipated 2011 boyband-bananza! 02 | Pink Martini Flint Center | Cupertino $15-$75 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
With the San Francisco Symphony, Pink Martini brings their eclectic stylings to the South Bay. 02 | Pink Martini with the San Francisco Symphony Flint Center | Cupertino $15-$75 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
Known for their original mix of Latin, classical, jazz, cabaret, and one-of-a-kind musical style. 02 | San Francisco Symphony: Favorite String Serenades Davies Symphony Hall | SF $15-$71 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
Here are three intimate pieces that deliver big delights from Mozart, Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. 02 | Tim Hockenberry George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15-$20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Long-time Bay Area singer and Trans-Siberian Orchestra artist with guests The Lorin Rowan Trio.
03 | Carolina Lugo’s & Carole Acuna’s Ballet Flamenco Pena Pachamama | SF $18 | 800.838.3006 carolinalugo.com
Show combines the pulsating sounds of footwork,song, castanets, syncopated hand clapping and guitar.
03 | Oh Mr Sousa! California Theatre | San Jose $21.50-$36.50 | 408.792.4111 lyrictheatre.org
With high-spirited music, eight actors play multiple roles to highlight major events in Sousa’s life 03 | The Great American Songsmiths Stanford’s Dinkelspiel Auditorium | Palo Alto $18-$28 | 650.725.2787 stanfordjazz.org
Clairdee, Bobbe Norris, Larry Dunlap, and other guest artists celebrate the Great American Songbook.
04 | 4th of July with the San Francisco Symphony Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View $25-$47.35 | 800.745.3000 livenation.com
Celebrate the 4th of July with the SF Symphony at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. 04 | Dayna Stephens Benefit Yoshi’s | San Francisco $25-$35 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
All-Star Musicians’ Tribute and Fundraiser for saxophonist Stephens who needs a kidney transplant.
04 | George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic Yoshi’s | Oakland $50 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
One of the most important innovators of funk music, next to James Brown and Sly Stone. (Ends 7/6)
CLOSING SHOWS 5 | Ariodante
Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $20-$37 | 415.771.6900 marinesmemorialtheatre.com Somewhat modified from Shakespeare, Handel’s tale of love and villainy in a Medieval castle. 10 | Darwin in Malibu
Old First Church | SF $20 | 408.288.7820 northsidetheatre.com
Malibu. Today. With Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley and the Bishop of Oxford in debate. 16 | A Raisin in the Sun
Pear Avenue Theatre | Mountain View $15-$30 | 800.380.3095 thepear.org
Lorraine Hansberry’s masterpiece about an African-American family claiming the American Dream. 16 | Hansel & Gretel: The Untold Story
Lucie Stern Theater | Palo Alto $8-$12 | cityofpaloalto.org A fanciful version of the beloved fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. 17 | Avenue Q
San Jose Stage Company $16.50-$50 | 408.283.7142 thestage.org
Hilarious and irreverent Tony winner for Best Musical about real life in New York City. 17 | Kim Nalley
Rrazz Room | San Francisco $30-$37.50 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Nalley presents her show She Put A Spell On Me: The Songs of Nina Simone.
17 | Metamorphosis
Aurora Theatre | Berkeley $38-$55 | 510.843.4822 auroratheatre.org Kafka’s masterful tale of horror and absurdity about a traveling salesman’s bizarre transformation. 17 | Go, Dog, Go!
Children’s Fairyland | Oakland $15 | 510.296.4433 bactheatre.org Bay Area Children’s Theatre - All the zany excitement of the story for preschoolers comes to life.
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CLOSING SHOWS 17 | King O’ the Moon
Willows Theatre | Concord $20-$32 | 925.798.1300 willowstheatre.com A family gathers to honor their father’s memory and they become entangled in each others’ problems. 22 | Around the World in 80 Days
Sunnyvale Community Theatre $10-$25 | 408.720.0873 ctcinc.org California Theatre Center. Jules Verne’s tale of Phileas Fogg. In rep w/3 other plays until 7/24.
23 | The Sound of Music
Saratoga Civic Theater $16-$30 | 800.838.3006 wvlo.org
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved classic winner of six Tony awards including Best Musical. 30 | Tigers Be Still
SF Playhouse | SF $15-$50 | 415.677.9596 sfplayhouse.org
A young woman expects the perfect career and life to fall into place upon earning her masters. 31 | The Verona Project
Bruns Amphitheater | Orinda $35-$66 | 510.548.9666 calshakes.org
A brand-new work by Amanda Dehnert inspired by (but not limited to) The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 31 | Assisted Living
Imperial Palace | SF $79.50-$99.50 | 866.811.4111 assistedlivingthemusical.com A ride through the pleasures and perils of later life served up with a dim sum banquet dinner. 31 | Teatro ZinZanni: Maestro’s Enchantment
Teatro ZinZanni | SF $117-$186 | 415.438.2668 love.zinzanni.org Joan Baez returns. European cabaret and cirque performers served up with a gourmet fivecourse meal.
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DAILY 05 | Steely Dan Mountain Winery | Saratoga $65-$225 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
The tour showcases greatest hits and deep cuts alike. 06 | Scott Capurro George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15-$20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
San Francisco native known for his confrontational, controversial yet thought-provoking comedy. 07 | Boxcar (El Vagon) Brava Theatre | San Francisco $20 | 800.380.3095 brava.org
Four Mexicans wait for even the border patrol to open their sealed boxcar in the insufferable heat. (Ends 7/16) 07 | Buckethead Great American Music Hall | SF $27-$30 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
Buckethead is a virtuoso guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist encompassing several genres of music. (Ends 7/8) 07 | Colbie Caillat Wente Vineyards Estate Winery Livermore $79-$275 | 800.745.3000 wentevineyards.com
Armed simply with her dusky vocals and acoustic guitar, Colbie Caillat continues to resonate. 07 | George Clinton and Parliament Yoshi’s | San Francisco $50 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Celebrating the 70th birthday of the Godfather of Funk. (Ends 7/10) 07 | Marga Gomez The Marsh - San Francisco | San Francisco $15-$50 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Gomez’s Not Getting Any Younger show, her “coming of middle age” show. (Ends 7/24)
07 | Pablo Francisco Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $23.50-$25.50 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedy.com
Funnyman Francisco starred in Comedy Central’s special “Ouch!”23.50 (Ends 7/10) 07 | Roomful of Blues Yoshi’s | Oakland $12-$20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Inspired, lively and heated brand of rippling, up-tempo, horn-dominated R&B. 07 | San Francisco Symphony : My Classic Gershwin Davies Symphony Hall | San Francisco $15-$70 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
Featuring tunes from Girl Crazy, American in Paris and more treasures of American musical theater. 07 | Smash Mouth with Drake Bell Montalvo Arts Center | Saratoga $49-$86 | 408.961.5858 montalvoarts.org
Smash Mouth has brought their ska influenced pop-rock to the big screen in popular films.
07 | Vanessa Carlton Café Du Nord | San Francisco $25 | 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com
An evening with the certified platinum Rock, Pop and Alternative performer. 08 | Michael Franks Yoshi’s | Oakland $22-$30 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Singer/songwriter has mesmerized an international legion of fans with his one-of-a-kind artistry. (Ends 7/10)
by grier cooper Ballet takes a quantum leap into the digital age as Post:Ballet presents its sophomore season, aptly named Seconds. The company’s mission of challenging the stereotypes of ballet and its relevancy to modern audiences through multidisciplinary collaborations yields an end result that pushes artistic and technical boundaries to create dance that is rooted in a classic idiom, yet alive and vital through its use of today’s artistic pioneers and technologies. Choreographer Robert Dekkers, named one of ’25 To Watch’ by DANCE Magazine in 2011, firmly believes in the power of collaboration: “I am such a huge fan of movies, photography and visual art and I saw no reason why dance couldn’t be integrated with these multimedia elements to create new works that employ the unique qualities of each medium.”
The program includes The Happiness of Pursuit (2010), with an original score by Jacob Wolkenhauer, and Flutter (2010), an exploration of rigid gender-specific social expectations created for three women but currently reworked for three men. “I think this variation on my original theme will lead to some very interesting discussions and comparisons!” says Dekkers. Seconds July 15 to 16 | 0800 pm Herbst Theater 401 Van Ness Avenue, SF $15 to $15 | 415.392.4400 postballet.org
image: natalia perez
The program opens with two world premieres. Colouring (2011) features live dance, music (an original score by Daniel Berkman), painting and photography (yes, all live!) to create a unique expression of the creative process. “I was fascinated by the tremendous amount of labor involved in the process of creation, all focused on that brief moment when the creation breathes life,” says Dekkers. “The photographer’s ability to capture brief moments in time… ultimately helps me express the lengthy and truly beautiful process of creation.” Interference Pattern (cinematography by Amir Jaffer and music by Avey Tare and Kria Brekkan) resulted from Dekkers’ fascination with a quantum physics experiment where scientists realized their expectations elicited a change in the behavior of particulate matter. “I have a deep-seeded interest in exploring scientific theories or concepts and then considering how they relate to our word and our relationships… In
a world where we are constantly connected to those around us, is observation subliminally influencing every action we take?”
dANCE
seconds
post:ballet marries motion and pictures
JULY 2011 |
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ABSOLUTELY SAN FRANCISCO
DAILY
Anne Doherty’s one-woman musical dramedy about life, love and the San Francisco experience.
08 | OMFG! The Internet Dating Musical ODC Theater | San Francisco $15-$18 | 415.863.9834 odctheater.org
ONGOING SHOWS Alcove Theatre | SF $32-$50 | 415.922.8168 absolutelysanfrancisco.com
Club Fugazi | SF $25-$130 | 415.421.4222 beachblanketbabylon.com
Two people reinvent themselves on an online dating site through song, dance, and spoken word. (Ends 7/17)
Big City Improv
08 | Salty Towers Exit Theatre | San Francisco $15-$25 | 800.838.3006 thunderbirdtheatre.com
Beach Blanet Babylon
Long-running revue that skewers news an pop culture with songs, dances and outrageously big hats.
Shelton Theater | SF $20 | 866.468.3399 sheltontheater.com
4 years running - every scene is based upon the suggestions shouted out by the audience. BILLY ELLIOT
Orpheum Theatre | SF $55-$200 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com
A young boy from a poor neighborhood dreams of becoming a dancer in this Elton John musical. (Ends 9/17) DON REED - EAST 14th St.
Marsh | Berkeley $20-$35 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
“Tales of a Reluctant Player” a Godfearing church boy, he wanted to be just like his dear old dad. Marga’s Funny Mondays
Marsh | Berkeley $10 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Comedy and variety showcase featuring a changing line-up of jokesters, hosted by Marga Gomez. Secret Improv Society
Shelton Theater | SF $15 | 866.468.3399 sheltontheater.com
Thunderbird Theatre presents a farce about Poseidon, an underthe-sea inn-keeper, and his cohorts. (Ends 7/23) 08 | Zoo Station & Stung George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $10-$13 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
One act offering “the complete U2 experience” and the other as “the ultimate Police tribute band.” 09 | Colbie Caillat Robert Mondavi Winery | Napa $75-$205 | 866.468.3399 robertmondavi.com
Armed simply with her dusky vocals and acoustic guitar, Colbie Caillat continues to resonate. 09 | Hot Buttered Rum Osher Marin JCC | San Rafael $20-$25 | 415.444.8000 marinjcc.org
Bluegrass Night at Osher Marin JCC. Jugtown Pirates open for Hot Buttered Rum String Band. 09 | Lydia Pense & Cold Blood George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15-$20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Creating characters, stories, scenes, and songs on the spot based on audience suggestions.
A San Francisco funk, soul and rock band with a sound that came to be known as East Bay Grease.
Shopping! The Musical
09 | Sheila E & Pete Escovedo Montalvo Arts Center | Saratoga $49-$86 | 408.961.5858 montalvoarts.org
Shelton Theater | SF $27-$29 | 800.838.3006 sheltontheater.com
An original musical revue written and directed by Morris Bobrow about everyone’s favorite pastime.
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Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo and daughter-hitmaker Sheila E. perform together.
09 | Washed Out Great American Music Hall | SF $16 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
Washed Out is the alias for Ernest Greene, who recorded “Within and Without” with Ben Allen. 10 | Anya Marina Café Du Nord | San Francisco $12 | 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com
A modern day Renaissance woman: actress, comic, disc jockey, and songwriter with unique vocals. 10 | Howard Jones Montalvo Arts Center | Saratoga $49-$86 | 408.961.5858 montalvoarts.org
Jones racked up a string of hits in the mid- and late ‘80s before becoming a 90’s cult figure.
10 | Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View $40-$75 | 800.745.3000 livenation.com
Lineup includes Dethklok, Testament, Disturbed, Godsmack, Machine Head, Trivium, and many more.
10 | The Monkees featuring Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork Mountain Winery | Saratoga $49.50-$150 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
Three of the four original members of the popular ‘60’s group have reunited for a summer tour. 10 | The New Literary Vanguard Brava Theatre | San Francisco $12.50-$15 | brava.org
Jesse Ball, Adam Levin and Charles Yu - hailed as heirs to Pynchon and his ilk - in conversation. 11 | Bill Bell Yoshi’s | Oakland $16 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Bill Bell, jazz pianist, composer, arranger has earned the title “Jazz Professor”.
by nicole dial Shakespeare’s Macbeth is arguably one of his most famous plays and portrays the tragic tale of tortured noble and his wife as they set on a dark course of political ambition and murder most foul. This season, the Livermore Shakespeare Festival performs the Bard’s legendary and infamously cursed “Scottish Play” in the heart of the Livermore Valley at Concannon Vineyards in front of the restored Ellen Row Concannon Victorian house. Beginning just before sunset at the outdoor theatre, Macbeth hears the prophecy of three witches that predict he will become the King of Scotland. While the sky darkens over the audience, Macbeth and his wife will be seduced by lure of power, stopping at nothing to make sure the prophecy comes true, with the play reaching the final conclusion backlit by the moon and the stars over the stage. This version of Macbeth draws only from the first folio version of the play and is set as a period drama in medieval Scotland. “The play will be performed the way Shakespeare intended it to be performed,” said Jennifer Le Blanc who is playing Lady Macbeth opposite Armando McClain’s title character.
shakespeare
macbeth
toil and trouble for livermore shakespeare festival
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image: joshua large
Le Blanc is excited to be playing the role. “It’s fascinating to chew on the words, until you find the places that unhinge her. She’s such a very rich and interesting character,” Le Blanc said. “She goes from an ambitious woman to someone who is completely racked with guilt by what she’s done and seen. “ macbeth July 1 to 30 Concannon Vineyards 4590 Tesla Road, Livermore $34 to 39 | 925.443.2273 livermoreshakes.org
Armando McClain
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JUST RELEASED
DAILY 11 | Eddie Vedder Paramount Theatre | Oakland $78 | 800.745.3000 paramounttheatre.com
14 | Fly By Night Lucie Stern Theater | Palo Alto $22-$47 | 650.463.1960 theatreworks.org
11 | Terry Disley Yoshi’s | San Francisco $20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
14 | Jay Pharoah Cobb’s Comedy Club | San Francisco $18.50-$20.50 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedy.com
The guitarist and lead singer of Pearl Jam for two decades, Eddie Vedder solos at the Paramount. (Ends 7/12) CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Original Broadway Cast The energetic, Tony-winning performance of Norbert Leo Butz - along with co-stars Aaron Tveit, Tom Wopat and Kerry Butler - is captured for posterity on CD. The score to the adaption of the 2002 film - about con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. and his FBI pursuer Carl Hanratty - is by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the Tonywinning team behind Hairspray. The recording offers a generous 17 tracks including the bonus number, “Fifty Checks” sung by Tom Wopat, which was cut after the 2009 Seattle tryout. Packaging includes a richly illustrated booklet with a full libretto. (ghostlightrecords.com)
UK Jazz pianist Terry Disley and an 8 piece band re-interpret the work of Brubeck & Guaraldi. 12 | American Idol Live! Tour 2011 Oracle Arena | Oakland $42.75-$62 | 800.745.3000 americanidol.comtour
AMERICAN IDOL tour returns for another summer jaunt showcasing performances by this season’s top 11. 12 | American Idols Live! Oracle Arena | Oakland $42.75-$62 | 800.745.3000 americanidol.comtour
The Top 11 finalists from the 10th season of ‘American Idol’ hit the road for the summer. 12 | Jonathan Butler Yoshi’s | San Francisco $18-$25 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
WONDERLAND Original Broadway Cast
Closing after less than a month’s run and a total Tony shut-out, Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland lives on digitally. Janet Dacal headlined this musical re-vamp of the Lewis Carroll classic, with lyrics by Jack Murphy, playing an adult Alice stressed out by modern life. Critics of the show cited a lack of focus in proceedings, which is not improved on the on the recording. Karen Mason lands a moment with “Off With Their Heads” but the rest of the songs really don’t engage you with story. There are some attractive melodies, but it’s not a score that will invite repeat listenings, despite an attractive package and full libretto. (masterworksbroadway.com)
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South African-born Butler brings his sold-out show back to Yoshi’s. (Ends 7/13) 13 | American Idols Live! HP Pavilion At San Jose | San Jose $42-$65 | 800.745.3000 americanidol.comtour
The Top 11 finalists from the 10th season of ‘American Idol’ hit the road for the summer. 14 | Chris Botti With The San Francisco Symphony Davies Symphony Hall | SF $15-$80 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
Grammy-award winning trumpeter Chris Botti and his sensational band returns.
The promise of change begets anxiety and hope, devastation and delight in this charming musical. (Ends 8/13)
Pharoah’s comedic chops earned him a role as 1the star of the 2010 BET Awards short, “The Package.” (Ends 7/17) 14 | Jon Nakamatu Plays the Coronation Concerto California Theatre | San Jose $20-$65 | 800.838.3006 midsummermozart.org
Festival remains the only festival in North America dedicated exclusively to Mozart’s music. 14 | Nellie McKay Yoshi’s | San Francisco $15-$20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
The talented, diverse & awardwinning McKay brings her unique ability to transcend genre to Yoshi’s. 14 | One-Man Star Wars San Jose Repertory Theatre | SJ $39-$69 | 408.367.7255 sjrep.com
Charles Ross takes us on a hilarious re-creation of the original Star Wars trilogy. (Ends 7/17)
14 | Pete Escovedo & Family Latin Jazz Orchestra Yoshi’s | Oakland $24-$28 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
The legend broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz, Salsa, Latin Jazz and contemporary music. (Ends 7/17)
by chris rené To hear composer Chris Winslow describe it, OMFG! is about “a girl and a guy who are in mid mid-life crisis and decide to use online dating as a way to connect.” To improve their options, each character gets creative with their self-evaluation. They also indulge in a codependent wave of trying to be whatever they think will please the other.
musical
OMFG!
he said/she said
When the guy infers he likes Latin women, the girl goes all Spanglish, which Winslow says is the perfect opportunity for a song for her. On the flip side, rather than admit he’s an elementary school art teacher, the guy tells makes up a story about being a sailor and traveling the world and she just buys into it. Cue song. “The music uses different genres that reflect each of their fantasy worlds,” says Winslow. It was important to Winslow to cast actors who sang rather than singers. “We had to have just the right people for the two leads. Cindy Goldfield and Jackson Davis are superb actors. Singers are wonderful, but actors who can propel themselves into a song are so much more engaging for a piece like this.” The show, which has lyrics by Gavin Geoffrey Dillard, has been in development for three years while Winslow has been Artist in Residence at ODC Theater. “What’s been great about that is that there’s been no pressure to do something in a hurry. We did a small private workshop reading about a year ago with a director to just, you know, hear the music and read through he script. The folks at ODC have been really great at providing the space and the resources to get the show to the point where it is now, so I can really focus on the rehearsal process and working with the performers.”
images: d’arcy drolinger
And after ODC? Winslow see lots of potential. “It’s the kind of show that doesn’t require a huge budget, so it could really play anywhere, and I hope it does!” OMFG! July 8 to 17 ODC Theater 3153 Seventeenth Street, SF $15 to $18 | 415.863.9834 odctheater.org
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RECOMMENDED
DAILY 14 | The Music Man Fox Theatre | Redwood City $22-$48 | 800.380.3095 broadwaybythebay.org
Watch the fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa. (Ends 7/31) 15 | Charlie Hunter Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $24.50-$26.50 | 866.468.3399 thefreight.org
ANDREA MARCOVICCI July 19 to 31 Rrazz Room 222 Mason Street, SF $35 to $45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Considered the First Lady of Cabaret by many, Marcovicci brings a level of scholarship to the preparation of her shows that is unparalleled. This time around, she’s serving Blue Champagne: The History of the Torch Song. It’s the melancholy melodrama of songs made popular by the likes of Ruth Etting and Libby Holman leavened with a generous dash of Marcovicci charm.
His latest features the jawdropping guitarist alongside drummer Eric Kalb and a new horn section. (Ends 7/16) 15 | Colbie Caillat Bimbo’s 365 Club | San Francisco $27.50 | 877.435.9849 bimbos365club.com
See multi-Grammy winning singersongwriter Colbie Caillat perform in this rare intimate club. 15 | Cryptical George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15-$20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
A tribute band of five musicians who grew up with the Grateful Dead’s music in their souls. 15 | Mazacote Yoshi’s | San Francisco $25 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Old-school Salsa group, including percusionist Louie Romero, present Latin jazz and original salsa.
THE E FAMILY July 14 to 17 Yoshi’s 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland $24 to $28 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Northern California native Pete Escovedo brings on the whole clan for a series of hot Latin jazz evenings guaranteed to please. Joining their patriarch are daughter Sheila E and sons Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo to celebrate his 76th birthday and pound out some loud and lively percussion rhythms. If the Escovedos don’t make your heart beat faster then maybe you just don’t have a pulse.
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15 | sfSound Old First Church | San Francisco $17 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org
sfSound is a unique collective of composer/performers that performs its own music compositions. 15 | Steve Kimock Great American Music Hall | SF $16 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
The celebrated guitarist, with guests Bobby Vega, Kyle Hollingsworth, Wally Ingram, and others.
15 | The Shadow Circus Show Stage Werx | San Francisco $13 | 800.838.3006 stagewerx.org
Macabre puppets with special guest star Jason Brock. (Ends 7/16) 15 | Tito Puente Jr Orchestra Yoshi’s | San Francisco $24 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Son of a legend, Tito Jr. carves out his own niche while also deeply honoring his roots. (Ends 7/16) 15 | Vertical Horizon with Kevin Cadogan’s Third Eye Blind Montalvo Arts Center | Saratoga $45-$78 | 408.961.5858 montalvoarts.org
Matt Scannell and Keith Kane are the members of this folk-based acoustic duo from D.C. 16 | 88 Keys of Passion Historic Hoover Theatre | SJ $30-$42 | 415.392.4400 theflamencosociety.org
From Spain, Rosario Montoya and her Flamenco group; dancer Rocio Romero and percussionist Pakito. (Ends 7/17) 16 | Aterciopelados Yoshi’s | San Francisco $25 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Columbian music icons bring their passionate musical storytelling to the stage at Yoshi’s. 16 | Bird with Strings featuring Andrew Speight Stanford’s Dinkelspiel Auditorium Palo Alto $28-$32 | 650.725.2787 stanfordjazz.org
Andrew Speight channels Charlie Parker as he plays the original arrangements with live strings. 16 | Plena Libre Osher Marin JCC | San Rafael $20-$25 | 415.444.8000 marinjcc.org
Gary Nuñez and wife Valerie Cox present “An Evening in Puerto Rico.”
music in the key of collaboration by will schmid
Playdates are usually reserved for puppies and preschoolers, but that’s exactly what Paul Reiser calls an afternoon he spent with Julia Fordham. It was a meeting where the veteran comic and star of Mad About You exposed himself to the prolific British singersongwriter, but only in the most professional of ways. Few knew Reiser had majored in piano and composition at Binghamton University. Cut to 2009 and, he says, “I’d given myself a license to write, but I didn’t know exactly what it was going to be.” Long a fan of Fordham’s work, he decided to risk asking her to listen to his music. She’d seen his show and read his book when she got the call, but “hadn’t a clue” about anything else. “I immediately Googled and found he had this degree in music,” she recalls. “That told me a lot because obviously he’d had a lot of success as an actor and comedian, but if someone major’s in music, that is
their first and true love.” Just to be sure, she also checked him out with mutual friends who gave hearty endorsements.
music
julia fordham & paul reiSer
Last year they released their CD “Unusual Suspects.” Now they’re off on a six-city tour. Reiser is a surprised as anyone. “I truly never planned for it to be anything more than an afternoon,” he says,” let alone something publicly released. It just went so easily and so well.” julia fordham & paul reiser July 30 | 8:00 pm Bimbo’s 365 Club 1025 Columbus Avenue, SF $28 | 877.435.9849 bimbos365club.com
image: simon gluckman
Name Name
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DAILY ®
1025 COLUMBUS AT CHESTNUT, SAN FRANCISCO (415) 474-0365 / WWW.BIMBOS365CLUB.COM
WED. JULY 20
16 | San Francisco’s Summer of Love Revue Club Fox | Redwood City $8 | 650.369.7770 tickets.foxrwc.com
Tributes to Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Jefferson Airplane & The Stones!
TIM ROBBINS & THE ROGUES GALLERY BAND SAT. JULY 30
16 | Volker Strifler Band George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $12-$15 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Styles cover jazz, roots, blues, rock and funky calypso rhythms. Guest: Gentry Bronson Band. 17 | Aida Montgomery Theatre | San Jose $16-$23 | 408.792.4111 cmtsj.org
Elton John’s tale of the timeless bond between an enslaved Nubian AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH princess and an Egyptian soldier. (Ends 8/6) AbSan_BayStages_ad_jul-aug-2011sixth.pdf 1
JULIA FORDHAM AND PAUL REISER
Bay Stages Magazine Left your heart in San Francisco? Get it back at.. July 2011 1/6 pg (1.5” x 3.675”)
17 | An Evening of Award Winning Hawaiian Music featuring Kupaoa Club Fox | Redwood City $17-$20 | 650.369.7770 tickets.foxrwc.com
The musical union of a real-life couple: Oahu native L’hau Hannahs Paik and Kauai’s Kellen Paik. 17 | An Evening with Sarah McLachlan and Friends Mountain Winery | Saratoga $45-$95 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
The Sarah And Friends tour will be one unlike any other, with shows consisting of two sets.
“You will laugh and cry.. A show this nuanced, this layered – and this much fun, Absolutely San Francisco is a show to see again and again.” - Ed Attanasio, Northside San Francisco
Thu and Sat at 8pm, Sun at 3pm - Open Run
The Alcove Theater 414 Mason Street, 5th Floor San Francisco
For tickets go to www.absolutelysanfrancisco.com or telephone 1.415.992.8168
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17 | Murder in Morocco - Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Angelica’s Bistro | Redwood City $65 | 650.365.3226 angelicasbistro.com
Celebrating French Bastille Weekend,Angelica’s Bistro presents a riotous intrigue set in Casablanca.
17 | Shahrzad Sepanlou Yoshi’s | San Francisco $30-$35 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Iranian born vocalist presents songs about her homeland and songs about love and hope. 18 | Chris Dilley Rrazz Room | San Francisco $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com
Best known to Bay Area audiences for creating the character of Trampolina of The Kinsey Sicks. 18 | Contemporary Jazz Orchestra Yoshi’s | San Francisco $9 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
16-piece jazz ensemble featuring top-notch musicians of the Bay Area. 18 | Rhys Darby
6/19/11 11:07 Club AM | San Cobb’s Comedy
Francisco $20.50 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedy.com
Although he has been featured in many other genre, stand-up remains a key component of Darby’s work. (Ends 7/20) 18 | Ricardo Lemvo Yoshi’s | Oakland $20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Lemvo’s blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms with pan-African styles is seamless and infectious. 19 | Andrea Marcovicci Rrazz Room | San Francisco $35-$45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com
Marcovicci presents her show Blue Champagne: The History of the Torch Song. (Ends 7/31)
19 | JD Souther & Jill Andrews Yoshi’s | San Francisco $28 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Singer/songwriter J.D. Souther, who spent two decades away from the stage, is joined by Andrews.
19 | Jimmy Scott Yoshi’s | Oakland $20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
One of the world’s best singers, influential and admired by recording artists of all music genres. 19 | The Avett Brothers Fox Theater | Oakland $37.50 | 800.745.3000 thefoxoakland.com
A rootsy amalgam of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and pop - even a jab of punk-style dynamics. (Ends 7/20) 20 | Arj Barker George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15-$20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Pawn shop owner Dave from “Flight of the Conchords” hosts Comedy Wednesday with special guests. 20 | Jon Nakamatsu Yoshi’s | San Francisco $30 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Acclaimed pianist Nakamatsu brings his talent to the stage at Yoshi’s. 20 | K’Jon Yoshi’s | Oakland $18-$24 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
K’Jon is poised to take his rightful places in the canon of legendary R&B singers and songwriters. 20 | You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown Lucie Stern Theater | Palo Alto $8-$12 | cityofpaloalto.org
A day in the life of Charlie Brown, based on the iconic comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz. (Ends 7/30) 21 | Bettye Lavette Yoshi’s | Oakland $30 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Ms. LaVette, 64, now rivals Aretha Franklin as her generation’s most vital soul singer.
21 | Charlie Murphy Cobb’s Comedy Club | San Francisco $28.50-$32.50 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedy.com
Critically-acclained stand-up show and a true Hollywood acting, writing and producing talent. (Ends 7/24) 21 | Chris Isaak Wente Vineyards Estate Winery | Livermore $89-$285 | 800.745.3000 wentevineyards.com
Isaak has an impressive recording career from his stunning 1985 debut to his latest stellar effort. 21 | Crooked Still Great American Music Hall | SF $20 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
Anon-traditional bluegrass quintet as a purveyors of the nu-folk, bluegrass movement. 21 | Johnny Gill Yoshi’s | San Francisco $38 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Boy band sensation with a repertoire of his own brings his pop stylings to Yoshi’s in the Fillmore. 21 | Mark Brandenburg Plays the Clarinet Concerto Midsummer Mozart Festival California Theatre | San Jose $20-$65 | 800.838.3006 midsummermozart.org
Festival remains the only festival in North America dedicated exclusively to Mozart’s music. 21 | Nine City Lights Theater | San Jose $15-$40 | 408.295.4200 cltc.org
Musical based on Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical film 8 1/2 about mid-life crisis. (Ends 8/28) 21 | Spontaneous Combustion Stage Werx | San Francisco $12-$15 | 800.838.3006 stagewerx.org
Comedy team of Paul Dougherty, Nina G. Perry, Elizabeth Whalley, and Hilary White.
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DAILY 22 | Bach to Bebop Douglas Morrisson Theatre | Hayward $10-$15 | 510.881.6777 dmtonline.org
22 | ODC Summer Sampler ODC Theater | San Francisco $20 | 415.863.9834 odctheater.org
22 | Casablanca With The San Francisco Symphony Davies Symphony Hall | SF $15-$70 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org
22 | Rent Mel Mello Center for the Arts | Half Moon Bay $15-$30 | 650.569.3266 coastalrep.com
In this concert, four centuries of vocal favorites brought to you by the Morrisson Theatre chorus. (Ends 7/24)
The San Francisco Symphony provides the live musical accompaniment for this classic American film. 22 | Chris Isaak Mountain Winery | Saratoga $49.50-$99.50 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
Isaak has an impressive recording career from his stunning 1985 debut to his latest stellar effort. 22 | David Benoit Yoshi’s | Oakland $20-$26 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
David Benoit’s expansive career as a contemporary jazz pianist has included over 25 solo recordings. (Ends 7/23) 22 | Fiddler on the Roof San Ramon Valley High School | Danville $12-$15 | 925.324.7359 diablotheatre.org
(Ends 7/31)
steven underhill | .com
415.370.7152 PHOTOGRAPHY 16 |
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22 | Korczak’s Children Hastings Studio Theatre at A.C.T. San Francisco $10 | 415.749.2228 act-sf.org
A.C.T. Young Conservatory tells of a pediatrician heading a Jewish orphanage during WWII-era Warsaw. (Ends 8/6)
Choreographers Brenda Way and KT Nelson present an intimate sampler of ODC’s works. Reception prior. (Ends 7/23)
Jonathan Larson’s Tony and Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway musical based loosely on La Boheme. (Ends 8/20)
22 | Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15-$20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of slide guitar by the Grammy-winning producer and player.
22 | Susheela Raman Yoshi’s | San Francisco $24 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Tamil Londoner is equally at home with South Indian Classical as with Jimi Hendrix and Fela Kuti. 22 | The Velvet Teen Great American Music Hall | San Francisco $13 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
Since its inception in late 1999, The Velvet Teen has challenged the very concept of genre. 23 | Alex Ramon Magic San Jose Repertory Theatre | San Jose $20-$40 | 925.943.7469 alexramonmagic.com
You will see a fresh approach on magic by a modern-day showman. 23 | Chris Isaak Robert Mondavi Winery | Napa $75-$205 | 866.468.3399 robertmondavi.com
Isaak has an impressive recording career from his stunning 1985 debut to his latest stellar effort.
life imitates art for sf mime troupe by james j. siegel
If you’re a small theater company, do you tell the stories you want to tell or do you sell out for the cash in order to survive? That’s the question posed by the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s latest production 2012: The Musical! The troupe, which launches its 52nd season, has been asking provocative and political questions since 1959. 2012: The Musical! was written by Michael Gene Sullivan, a member since 1998. Sullivan has performed in and written over 20 of the troupe’s productions, including Red State, about a tiny town that must decide the next presidential election; and last year’s Too Big To Fail about a demon that casts a “spell of debt.” This time around, they take on the art world, telling the story of a political theater company that must decide to stay true to its roots or take corporate money at the risk of compromising its vision. The plot of the show couldn’t have had better timing. After the story was chosen, the San Francisco Mime Troupe started making headlines in political papers and on the Huffington Post. Recently, Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, had to defend grants made including those to the SF Mime Troupe that were called “ridiculous” by Representative Jeff Flake
(R-Ariz.) “We were in the middle of rehearsals when the press came out,” said Sullivan.
MIME
2012: The MUSICAL! According to Sullivan, San Francisco Mime Troupe is only able to pass along its messages through grants and donations. Most shows are free and open to the public. In fact, 2012: The Musical! debuts at Dolores Park in San Francisco. The troupe sets up a stage in the park, has a full band, and performs for park visitors. By doing this, Sullivan said he and his troupe are “claiming the public space.” It gives the company the opportunity to bring an important message to a group of people who may not necessarily buy a ticket to a show at a theater.
After the San Francisco Mime Troupe wraps up its production at Dolores Park, the musical will visit other public spaces in San Francisco and throughout California in August and September. See their website for a full schedule. 2012: The musical! July 2 to 4 | 2:00 pm Dolores Park 18th & Dolores Streets, SF FREE | 415.285.1717 sfmt.org
image: davidallenstudio.com
Lizzie Calogero Cory Censoprano Michael Gene Sullivan
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SPOTLIGHTS
DAILY 23 | Dee Dee Bridgewater Yoshi’s | San Francisco $5-$30 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
Award winning Broadway star shares her Jazz chops with audiences at Yoshi’s, including kid’s matinee (Ends 7/24)
GISELLE in 3-D July 12 | 12:00 & 7:30 pm Various Venues $13 to $15 fathomevents.com
The story of a simple village girl who falls deeply in love with a dashing prince disguised as a peasant, Giselle has been delighting dance audiences since its Paris debut in 1841. Marrying this classic to 21st century technology, a performance recorded at the historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, will screen twice at cinemas in San Francisco, San Jose, Redwood City, Dublin, Pleasant Hill , San Bruno and Daly City.
23 | Saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh YBCA (Forum Theatre) | SF $25 | 415.978.2787 ybca.org
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25 | Cold Cave Great American Music Hall | San Francisco $16-$40.95 | 415.885.0750 gamhtickets.com
An experimental electronic pop group who makes melodic synthscapes with jackhammer beats.
23 | Super Diamond George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $20 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
25 | Ed Reed Yoshi’s | Oakland $14 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Neil Diamond tribute band sings “Sweet Caroline,” “I Am, I Said” and many more classic Diamond hits.
23 | Wallpaper Great American Music Hall | SF $16-$19 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
24 | Emily Bergl Rrazz Room | San Francisco $30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com
Tom Reardon and Kerie Darner are “Professor” Harold Hill and Marian ‘The Librarian” Paroo in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. The show kicks off Broadway by the Bay’s 2011 season in their new home base. The 1957 Tony winner and 1962 Oscar nominee has a score full of classics including “Gary, Indiana,” “Ya Got Trouble” and “76 Trombones.”
Lugerner’s music encompasses the richness of diversity and values of his Bay Area roots.
Joined by string quartet ETHEL and others representing Latin, Arab and Persian musical traditions.
Wallpaper is led by Ricky Reed, a producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.
THE MUSIC MAN July 14 to 31 Fox Theatre 2215 Broadway, Redwood City $24 to $50 | 650.579.5565 broadwaybythebay.org
24 | The Steven Lugerner Septet Yoshi’s | Oakland $14 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Celebrating the release of new CD BORN TO BE BLUE. 25 | Karel Stands Up! Returns Rrazz Room | San Francisco $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com
The radio host and stand-up comedian shares his uncensored world view. 26 | Average White Band Yoshi’s | Oakland $25 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
Blending classic Waller and Cole Porter hits with Fats vintage takes on modern favorites.
AWB are widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. (Ends 7/27)
24 | Hapa Yoshi’s | Oakland $30 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
26 | Heroes and Other Strangers The Marsh | San Francisco $10-$15 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Hawaii’s most ambitious, diverse and imaginative music group. 24 | Indigo Girls Mountain Winery | Saratoga $35-$49.50 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
The Indigo Girls bring their 2011 tour to Saratoga with special guest Mount Moriah.
Zack Jaffee’s one-man-show is a noir tale told through a psychedelic lens. 26 | Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos Mountain Winery | Saratoga $39.50-$85 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
Latin rock fans are in store for a special treat with this summer’s The Brotherhood Tour.
making their own kind of music by jason victor serinus
The 10th anniversary of the Outsound New Music Summit is upon us. Celebrating musical innovation and sonic mayhem, the four nights of concerts and two public events feature some of the most cutting edge - or on the edge - musicians in the Bay Area and beyond. This year’s summit, presented by Rent Romus’ Outsound Presents, offers four distinctly different concerts, all of which are preceded by a questionand-answer session with the artists.
images: courtesy photo
The first program, FACE MUSIC, takes the human voice where it has rarely gone before. Among the performers are Bran… (POS), otherwise known as Jake Rodriguez. This legend has spent well over a decade using his voice, face, and auxiliary electronics to create a one-of-a-kind experience. “Whenever I experience his music, it’s amazing to see how deep and guttural his sound is, yet how controlled and professional it can be,” says concert organizer Romus. The next night’s The Freedom of Sound presents everything from free jazz to skronk (free improvisation that utilizes elements of free jazz and rock). Keep a special lookout for the ensemble led by Tom Djll, aka Grosse Abfahrt (translation: Big Departure), featuring unusual musical elements that create an exceptionally wide and diverse palette of sound.
music
OUTSOUND new music summit
On the third night, The Art of Composition will offer premieres of works written for Outsound’s 10th year. The biggest set, coming at evening’s end, has Gino Robair’s Ensemble Aguascalientes performing a musical suite based on scenes depicted in Jose Guadalupe Posada’s politically infused engravings of late 19th and early 20th-century life in Mexico. Also on the program are works by Andrew Raffo Dewer, and Tony Dryer and Krys Brobrowski.
The big close is Sonic Foundry Too! Expect ten inventors of thoroughly modern and visually stunning musical instruments in five collaborations. The treats will be equally sonic and visual, with all instruments set up simultaneously. In fact, some of the inventors will demo their instruments at the festival’s free Touch the Gear Exposition. Also free is a discussion panel, on Elements of Non-idiomatic Compositional Strategies. OUTSOUND NEW MUSIC SUMMIT July 17 to 23 SF Community Music Center 544 Capp Street, SF $10 to $12 | 800.838.3006 outsound.org Walter Funk Bran...(POS) Aurora Josephson
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JUST RELEASED
DAILY 26 | Rasputina Great American Music Hall | SF $16 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
“Sister Kindhook” is their seventh album, with Melora Creager, Catie D’Amica and Daniel DeJesus. 26 | Thurston Moore & Kurt Vile Great American Music Hall | SF $16-$19 | 415.885.0750 gamh.com
Moore is an acoustic guitar player and songwriter. Vile delivers distinctive Philly-accented vocals. 27 | Jason Aldean Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View $31-$73.90 | 800.745.3000 livenation.com
Aldean extends his 2011 tour into the summer, with special guests Clay Walker and Thompson Square. 28 | Joshua Walters The Marsh | Berkeley $15-$50 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Walters’ Madhouse Rhythm is a very personal account of turning mental illness into mental skillness. (Ends 8/25) 28 | Kenny Burrell w/ Jazz Heritage All-Stars Yoshi’s | Oakland $20-$30 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.comoakland
BLU-RAY BONANZA
Three very different musical films make their way to Blu-Ray for the first time. The ABBA-laced jukebox score of the 1994 Australian hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is now a legit musical on Broadway. Hair was filmed by Miloš Forman in 1979 and has a national tour of the recent Broadway revival heading to San Francisco later this year. New York, New York features classic songs mixed with Kander and Ebb originals on the lips of Liza Minnelli and others. Disappointingly, the Hair disc is just the film with no bonus materials, but the other two offer director commentaries, featurettes and other supplemental materials to enhance your viewing experience. (mgm.com)
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Featuring Steve Turre, Steve Wilson, Tivon Pennicott, Bobby Rodriguez, Billy Childs & more. (Ends 7/31) 28 | Richard Lewis Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $23.50-$25.50 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedy.com
Not just the guy from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Lewis brings his comic chops to the stage at Cobb’s. (Ends 7/31) 28 | United in Peace Commonwealth Club | Sƒ $20 | 415.597.6700 commonwealthclub.org
Artists, Statesmen and Community - arts as a medium of peace. With Thomas Simpson of Afro-Solo.
29 | A Streetcar Named Desire Dragon Theatre | Palo Alto $15-$25 | 800.838.3006 dragonproductions.net
Dragon tells its own story of this winning classic about pretense and violence by Tennessee Williams (Ends 8/21) 29 | Aida Montgomery Theatre | San Jose $15-$18 | 408.792.4111 cmtsj.org
Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida is a contemporary musical take on a grand classic tale. (Ends 8/7) 29 | Kid Rock Sheryl Crow Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View $42-$98.05 | 800.745.3000 livenation.com
The wild child of rock is joined by the talented Sheryl Crow in Mountain View on his Born Free Tour. 29 | Melissa Etheridge Mountain Winery | Saratoga $45-$109.50 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
Melissa Etheridge brings her considerable musical talents and inspirational songs to Saratoga. 29 | Necessary Monsters YBCA (Novellus Theater) | SF $20-$25 | 415.978.2787 ycba.org
A contemporary song cycle based on Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges’ Book of Imaginary Beings. (Ends 7/30) 29 | Strange Travel Suggestions The Marsh | Berkeley $ | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org
Oakland-based Jeff Greenwald brings the audience members into this improvisational adventure. (Ends 8/27)
classical voices on an intimate scale by james j. siegel
If you’ve always wanted to experience opera but felt you were too much of a novice, no need to worry, the Opera Academy of California is here to help. This month, the non-profit organization is presenting three operas that are perfect for the rookie opera lover.
The series starts with I’domeneo. Composed by Mozart, the work is set in ancient Greece after the Trojan War. Maizel promises it runs the gamut from love and jealousy to calamity and plague.
The shows, L’Etoile, I’domeneo and Little Women, will be staged at the intimate Magic Theater. The theater seats approximately 200 people, which is a far cry from the enormous opera houses where these productions are usually held.
At the other end of the spectrum, Little Women was composed by Mark Adamo in 1998. The story follows the book of the same name by Louisa May Alcott, and Maizel said that staging this opera gives audiences the opportunity to see a modern stage adaptation.
According to Yefim Maizel, artistic director for the academy, staging the shows at the Magic Theater gives audiences the opportunity to be “in the story or next to it. The level of engagement if much higher.” OAC not only strives to connect with audiences, but future opera stars as well. The academy takes undergrad and grad students under its wing to prepare them for bigger stages. “This is a big chance to expand their repertoire and immerse themselves in opera,” Maizel said about the students.
opera
opera academy of california
Wrapping up the series is L’Etoile by Emmanuel Chabrier. What makes this opera different from the other two OAC productions is its humor. The story, about a king looking to impale someone for his birthday, might not sound very humorous, but the opera delves into scenarios of mistaken identity and comic timing. The three operas range style and subject matter, but they do have one thing in common. Maizel believes they all have a positive spirit and audiences will leave the Magic Theater with an “uplifting experience.”
image: courtesy photo
Opera Academy of California July 14 to 31 Magic Theater Fort Mason Center - Building D, SF $25 to $35 | 415.345.7575 fortmason.org
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SPOTLIGHTS
DAILY 29 | Unauthorized Rolling Stones George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $12-$15 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Dave Garcia as Keith Richards fronts one of the leading Rolling Stones tribute bands in the world.
MELISSA MANCHESTER July 16 | 8:00 pm Firehouse Arts Center 4444 Railroad, Pleasanton $35 to $45 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org
The Grammy-winning singersongwriter studied with Paul Simon and backed up Bette Midler as a Harlette before making her mark with “Midnight Blue.” She’s since worked in most every genre of entertainment, making films, writing scores for theatre, acting on television and recording hits like “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.”
ROBERT WUHL July 1 to 3 Napa Valley Opera House 1030 Main Street, Napa $25 to $30 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org
School’s back in session in Assume the Position, where Emmy winner Robert Wuhl (best known as Arli$$) delivers an irreverent comedic history lesson that playfully examines some of the facts, myths, and myths-that-became-facts that have permeated American history. Mixing pop culture with historical events and observations from pundits, Wuhl is the history teacher you never had but perhaps wished you did!
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29 | When It Settles New Conservatory Theatre Center | San Francisco $32 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org
Solo performances of a dance piece by Carrie Whitaker and a theatre piece by Louie Jenkins for NCTC. (Ends 7/31) 30 | A Perfect Circle Greek Theatre | Berkeley $45 | 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com
An extension of the alt-metalfused-with-art rock style popularized by Tool in the early to mid-’90s
30 | Greg Scott Band George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $10-$15 | 800.380.3095 georgesnightclub.com
Singer-songwriter-musician Scott blends diverse influences from soul, pop and R&B. Guest: AgapeSoul 30 | Our Miss Gibbs Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts | Mountain View $25 | 650.903.6000 lyrictheatre.org
All the elements of a romantic comedy romp filled with many of the best songs of the Edwardian age! (Ends 7/31) 31 | K.D. Lang & The Siss Boom Bang Mountain Winery | Saratoga $40.50-$101.50 | 800.745.3000 mountainwinery.com
Lang has matured before our very ears over twenty-five years as a major-label artist.
design publications websites
415.552.8040 780 sutter street san francisco, ca 94109
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dians Come the Castro! y l d n e ri of Gay F Heart Gay & In The y l k e We
PM
9 AY @ D S E TU EVERY
uests each week! Featuring Ronn Vigh & special g
* 1 Drink Minimum 路 Full bar & menu available during the show For the Weekly schedule & More Info: become a fan of "Harveys Funny Tuesdays" on Facebook! HarveysSF.com
500 Castro St, (@ 18th) 路 415431.HARV
by grier cooper Enter the world of The Book and you forever transform the topography of this multidimensional multimedia performance-based installation. Each performance is a random page, where performers and audience interact to create a sort of public collective diary, a collage of sketches, snippets of thought, debris of feelings, traces of movement, and echoes of sound. The brainchild of Avy K Productions (cofounded by long-time collaborators Erika Tsimbrovsky and Vadim Puyandaev), The Book is an invitation for the audience to enter and move freely within the private internal world of the artist and leave behind impressions of the external world. “As they enter into our territory they bring with them their opinions, thoughts, and energy, thus completing the performance so that it is not merely an image we present to the audience but an experience within the same physical and energetic space,” says Ms. Tsimbrovsky. “The Book seeks to answer whether the artist can be solely an introvert, or if extroversion becomes necessary in contemporary society. Does sharing one’s art - one’s internal world - transform the artist into an extrovert?”
THE BOOK July 7, 14 & 21 | 8:00 pm SomArts Cultural Center 934 Brannan Street, SF $10 | 415.863.1414 somarts.org
image: elena zhukova
The Book has a signature audio-visual-kinetic approach to its performances, as do all other Avy K Productions. Aesthetic principles from painting are employed to develop movement sequences.
Strong visual elements of sets and costumes take on their own life within the shows, which are structured improvisational performances based in experimental non-theater dance, with a rotating cast of guest artists. Participants have a familiarity with underlying themes and one another, yet each show is a real-time conversation between them. Tsimbrovsky adds, “The core idea is that no media serves another; instead we facilitate a dialogue between artists of different media and unite them under a common theme. After a period of time I see a change in each of the participants. I see on their bodies how the project has changed them. For me, the remarkable moment is when suddenly, without my control, the group becomes transformed into a single, connected organism, fully immersed in the world of The Book.”
MULTIMEDIA
the book
turning the pages of multimedia and performance
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SPOTLIGHTS
TIM ROBBINS July 20 | 8:00 pm Bimbo’s 365 Club 1025 Columbus Avenue, SF $28 | 877.435.9849 bimbos365club.com
Director and Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins shows off another side of his talents. With guitar in hand, he trades filmmaking for music making, touring with his Rogues Gallery Band and offering songs from a newly released CD. If the sound is a little folky and Americana - Robbins writes his own songs - it’s worth noting that his father is the late Gil Robbins, member of The Highwaymen.
BARBARA EDEN July 10 | 8:00 pm Castro Theatre 429 Castro Street, SF $25 to $45 | 415.863.0611 castrotheatre.com
Miss San Francisco of 1951 returns for an evening of fun and fan worship. As the title character on I Dream of Jeannie, Eden became a television icon while sporting the most controversial television navel of the era. This evening promises look-alikes, interviews, musical performances, film clips, autograph sessions and more. Eden will also visit the Castro after a noon screening of her film The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.
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MUSIC CLUBS
COMEDY & IMPROV
The following is a partial list of music clubs in the Bay Area with ever-changing bookings of bands and other entertainment. If you enjoy the independent music scene, we recommend you call or check the websites for these clubs to get the latest performance schedules and information about ticket prices, age limits and minimum charges (if any).
The following is a partial list of comedy clubs and improv groups in the Bay Area. Please call or check the websites to get the latest schedules, ticket information, age limits and minimum charges (if any).
BISCUITS & BLUES Union Square, SF biscuitsandblues.com | 415.292.2583
BIG CITY IMPROV Union Square, SF sheltontheater.com | 415.433.1227
Bottom of the Hill Potrero Hill, SF bottomofthehill.com | 415.621.4455
COBB’S COMEDY CLUB North Beach, SF cobbscomedyclub.com | 415.928.4320
Café du Nord Upper Market, SF cafedunord.com | 415.861.5016
THE COMEDY SHOP Mission, SF comedyshop.wordpress.com
Freight & Salvage Berkeley freightandsalvage.org | 510.644.2020
COMEDYSportz San Jose comedysportzsanjose.com
George’s San Rafael georgesnightclub.com | 415.226.0262 Great American Music Hall Tenderloin, SF gamh.com | 888.233.0449
BATS Marina, SF improv.org | 415.474.6776
THE DARK ROOM Mission, SF darkroomsf.com | 415.401.7987 ENDGAMES IMPROV Union Square, SF endgamesimprov.com ENSO Half Moon Bay ensohmb.com | 650.726.1409
Hemlock Tavern Polk Gulch, SF hemlocktavern.com | No Calls
FUNNY TUESDAYS Castro, SF harveyssf.com | 415.431.4278
Independent Alamo Square, SF theindependentsf.com | 415.771.1421
THE IMPROV San Jose improv.com | 408.280.7475
Johnny Foley’s Union Square, SF johnnyfoleys.com | 415.954.0777 Rancho Nicasio Marin ranchonicasio.com | 415.662.2219 Regency Ballroom Civic Center, SF theregencyballroom.com | 800.745.3000 Rickshaw Stop Civic Center, SF rickshawstop.com | 415.861.2011 Slim’s SOMA, SF slims-sf.com | 888.233.0449
THE MARSH Berkeley themarsh.org | 415.641.0235 PUNCHLINE Enbarcadero, SF punchlinecomedyclub.com | 415.397.7573 ROOSTER T. FEATHERS Sunnyvale roostertfeathers.com | 408.736.0921 SECRET IMPROV SOCIETY Union Square, SF improvsociety.com STONE SOUP IMPROV Oakland stonesoupimprov.com | 510.380.6808
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BACK Justin Bond visits the cast of Vice Palace at the Hypnodrome
Jake Shears on Union Square
image: david wilson
image: steven underhill
Esai Morales at the Castro Theatre
Kim Nalley at the Rrazz Room
Debbie Gibson at the Phoenix Hotel
image: steven underhill
image: via media
image: steven underhill
LaToya London at the Marines Memorial Theatre
Laura Linney and Armistead Maupin on Union Square
Denise Perrier at the Hotel Nikko
image: via media
image: steven underhill
image: via media
Anita Cocktail at the Rrazz Room
Seth Numrich of War Horse at Frameline
L. Peter Callendar at the Green Room
image: steven underhill
image: steven underhill
image: via media
THEATRE DANCE DANCE MUSIC TOURS THEATRE DANCEMUSIC MUSIC TOU THEATRE TOURS
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A 501c-3 not-for-profit arts organization, Teatro ZinZanni engages, transforms, educates and delights our audiences with a unique celebration of extraordinary cirque, comedy and cabaret in an intimate live experience. Painting by Mark Stock. Courtesy of Modernism Inc.