Looking for some exciting events to attend in the Bay Area and beyond? Look no further than these fantastic shows! Bay Area dance enthusiasts won’t want to miss Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s upcoming performances at Cal Performances, where they’ll be showcasing two West Coast premieres: “Are You in Your Feelings?” and “In a Sentimental Mood.” Alongside these new works, audiences can expect to see some classic Ailey pieces like “Revelations,” as well as works by Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp. With Robert Battle at the helm, this revered New York dance troupe is sure to leave audiences in awe.
For those who prefer live music, be sure to catch San Jose guitarist Mason Razavi’s solo performance at the San Jose Jazz Break Room this Friday. He’ll be celebrating the release of his fourth album, “Six-String Standards,” with a lineup of classic tunes that are sure to please. Razavi’s playing is graceful and precise, and audiences can look forward to hearing him on archtop, nylon, and steel string acoustic guitars. Plus, in the second set, he’ll be joined by an impressive trio of guitarists, including the multi-talented Ryota Sato from the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars. With this kind of talent on stage, the San Jose Jazz Break Room is the place to be this Friday night!
Bay Area theater fans are in for a treat with two exciting mid-production stage shows that are not to be missed. The award-winning Center Repertory Company is presenting Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” a gripping workplace drama that explores the struggles of employees and former employees at a troubled local steel mill. With themes of loyalty, racial inequality, and social change, this gritty work is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Don’t miss out on the chance to see this powerful play, now showing through April 16 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.
Meanwhile, San Jose’s City Lights Theater Company is bringing Noel Coward’s timeless comedy “Blithe Spirit” to life. This hilarious farce centers around a struggling writer who hires an eccentric medium to conduct a séance, only to have things go terribly wrong when the spirit of his first wife makes an unexpected appearance. With a talented cast and witty writing, this show is sure to have audiences laughing from start to finish. Catch it now through April 23 at the City Lights Theater.
In other news, legendary folk singer and anti-war activist Joan Baez is revealing a surprising new side to herself in her latest book, “Am I Pretty When I Fly Upside Down?” Filled with whimsical hand-drawn images that she has been creating as a form of self-therapy since the age of 5, this slim volume showcases Baez’s spontaneity and humor in a whole new way. Fans can even catch Baez herself at City Light Books in San Francisco at 6 p.m. on Thursday for a free appearance, where she will discuss her latest work and meet with fans. And for those who can’t make it, don’t worry – Baez will be making another appearance at the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley on May 6, where tickets are available for just $15. Don’t miss your chance to discover the artistic side of this iconic performer.
