Today
Music
'Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols'
WHAT: All Saints Episcopal Church presents a traditional "12 days of Christmas" service of carols and choir anthems. A reception follows.
WHEN: 4 p.m.
WHERE: 2076 Sutterville Road, Sacramento
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (916) 455-0643, www.allsaintssacramento.org
– Dixie Reid
Today
Joyful noise
'Stomp'
WHAT: Broadway Sacramento presents the return of this explosive, provocative, utterly unusual percussive stage show. The eight-member troupe uses everything except traditional instruments – wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans – to create music.
WHEN: 2 and 7 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 2 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. next Sunday (final show)
WHERE: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
COST: $16.50-$61.50
INFORMATION: (916) 557-1999, (916) 264-5181, www.tickets.com
– Jim Carnes
Today
Music in Winters
Antsy McClain & the Trailer Park Troubadours
WHAT: A good-time country/ roots-rock band "famous" for such tunes as "It Ain't Home 'Til You Take the Wheels Off" and "Primer-Gray Impala."
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Palms, 13 Main St., Winters
COST: $28
INFORMATION: 530) 795-1825, www.palmsplayhouse.com
– Dixie Reid
Today
Concert
Snoop Dogg with Warren G and Tha Doggpound
WHAT: Whether you know Snoop Dogg as a groundbreaking rapper or, more recently, as the oddly lovable dad on MTV's "Fatherhood" reality-TV series, this is one show not to miss.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Senator Theatre, 517 Main St, Chico
COST: $50.50
INFORMATION: (530) 891-1809 or www.jmaxproductions.net
– Rachel Leibrock
Today
Classical music
Carols in the Caves
WHAT: Now in the 23rd season, these concerts, performed by the "Improvisator," are held in several locations, including three wine caves. A must for lovers of seasonal music played on harps, psalteries, dulcimers, flutes and drums. Note: Not recommended for children under age 10.
WHEN: 2 p.m. (also performed in different locations in Napa and Los Gatos through Jan. 4)
WHERE: Clos Pegase Winery, 1060 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga
COST: $40
INFORMATION: (707) 224-4222 or www.cavemusic.com
– Edward Ortiz
Wednesday
Film festival
Sacramento Film & Music Fest
WHAT: Looking for something low-key on New Year's Eve? The Sacramento Film & Music Fest features live music and local music video – and will have you home before midnight.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Crest Theatre, 1013 K St, Sacramento
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (916) 442-7378 or www.thecrest.com.
– Rachel Leibrock
Wednesday
Comedy
David Brenner
WHAT: The nationally known stand-up comedian and humorous pundit, below, makes a rare local appearance. And on New Year's Eve, no less.
WHEN: Doors open at 7 p.m.; dinner can be at 7 or 8 p.m. (your choice). Dancing to the big-band music of Vivian Lee, followed by the show, toast and balloon drop at midnight.
WHERE: Martinique Ballroom of the Red Lion, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento
COST: $125 per person
INFORMATION: (916) 922-8041
– Jim Carnes
The second half of the 2008-09 concert season is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory. It's an embarrassment of riches – and that makes it tough to pick the best offerings. Instead of casting a spotlight on the tried and true, such as Yo-Yo Ma, I've chosen the fresh and unexpected as the standard. Here, in chronological order, are my picks.
Adam Neiman Chamber Music Alive
WHEN: Jan. 24
WHERE: St. Mark's Methodist Church, Sacramento
WHEN: Jan. 25
WHERE: Dietrich Theatre, Sierra College, Rocklin
INFORMATION: (916) 789-2920 or www.chambermusicalive.org
At 14, Neiman debuted in Germany at the Ivo Pogorelich Festival. A year later, he won second prize at Italy's Casagrande International Piano Competition. In 1995, Neiman was the youngest winner of the Gilmore Young Artist Award. He's now a sought-after chamber musician, and he will show why on Brahms' Piano Quintet and Beethoven's "Kreutzer" Sonata with Chamber Music Alive.
Philip Glass
WHEN: Feb. 18
WHERE: Mondavi Center, UC Davis
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787 or www.MondaviArts.org
As time passes, Glass' music grows deeper, more poignant and resplendent. For this rare concert, Glass performs his works at the piano, with rising star cellist Wendy Sutter.
"The Marriage of Figaro" Sacramento Opera
WHEN: Feb. 27 -March 3
WHERE: Community Center Theater, Sacramento
INFORMATION: (916) 808-5181 or www.sacopera.org
Mozart's opéra bouffe in four acts is a tantalizing marriage of comedy and drama. Soprano Emily Pulley, a highlight of last season's "Turn of the Screw," gets the nod as the Countess. Bass-baritone Bojan Knezevic, baritone Malcolm MacKenzie and lyric soprano Robin Fisher should make this the company's strongest offering this year.
Angela Hewitt – piano
WHEN: March 1
WHERE: Mondavi Center, UC Davis
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787 or www.MondaviArts.org
In 2005, Hewitt completed an 11-year project to record all of Bach's major keyboard works. That's a formidable accomplishment that showed off Hewitt's command of the Bach repertoire. At the Mondavi, she'll be performing Bach's "Goldberg Variations." A must-hear.
Vox Musica with the Nada Brahma Ensemble
WHEN: April 4
WHERE: St. John's Lutheran Church, Sacramento
INFORMATION: (916) 471-0507 or www.VoxMusica.net
Vox Musica performs the vocal music of Persia and Georgia. That repertoire should make for one of the most provocative vocal concerts this year. Best of all, they will be joined by the Nada Brahma Ensemble, whose forte is classical Indian music.
Frederic Rzewski – piano
WHEN: May 16-17
WHERE: Mondavi Center, UC Davis
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787 or www.MondaviArts.org
There's nothing quite like Rzewski's piano masterwork "The People United Will Never Be Defeated." These 36 piano variations are based on a song associated with the opposition to Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. The work is as accessible as it is richly complex.
Leon Fleisher – piano Sacramento Philharmonic
WHEN: May 16
WHERE: Community Center Theater, Sacramento
INFORMATION: (916) 808-5181 or www.sacphil.org
Now that he's using botox injections to stem the distonia that crippled his right hand, the 80-year-old Fleisher is back onstage with his esteemed interpretive technique. Fleisher joins the Philharmonic on Mozart's Concerto No. 7 for Two Pianos (with wife and collaborator Kathy Jacobson-Fleisher) and the Concerto for Piano No. 12.
San Francisco Symphony with Yuja Wang, piano
WHEN: May 21
WHERE: Mondavi Center, UC Davis
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787 or www.MondaviArts.org
The San Francisco Symphony's yearly visit to the Mondavi is always a high point of the season. Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and this great orchestra once again offer an interesting program that includes a new work by Mason Bates, plus Sibelius' Symphony No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 63, and Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16.
Sacramento Choral Society – Choral Soundscapes
WHEN: June 7
WHERE: Mondavi Center, UC Davis
INFORMATION: (866) 754-2787 www.sacramentochoral.com
This 185-member chorus will perform a refreshing program by juxtaposing Monteverdi's "Laetatus Sum" and Jan Zelenka's "Dixit Dominus" with "Fern Hill" from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano.
"Porgy and Bess" San Francisco Opera
WHEN: June 9-27
WHERE: War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
INFORMATION: (415) 864-3330 or www.sfopera.org
Gershwin's rarely performed masterpiece needs no introduction. Nor does the excellent bass-baritone of Eric Owens, who is cast as Porgy. John DeMain, who led the landmark 1976 Houston Grand Opera revival, conducts.
When all of life's little obligations (work, bills, etc.) get to be too much, sometimes it's the little bright spots on the calendar that keep me going. A night out with friends and family and songs that move me – music is an unparalleled mood lifter. These are the shows that I'm counting on to alternately make me rock out, cry, smile or just shake a tailfeather.
Willie Nelson
WHEN: Jan. 11
WHERE: Mondavi Center, UC Davis
TICKETS: $30-$75 general, $15-$37.50 for UC Davis students and children.
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787 or www.mondaviarts.org
The word "icon" is thrown about a lot, but 75-year-old Willie Nelson practically defines the term. During his six-decade career, the grizzled singer-songwriter has written songs such as "Crazy" (made famous by Patsy Cline) and made a name for himself with a extraordinary blend of pop, country, Western swing, honky-tonk and rock 'n' roll. Among his many, many hits: "Always on My Mind," "Sad Songs & Waltzes" and "On the Road Again." Catching Nelson in a venue such as the Mondavi Center will be a real treat – the perfect showcase for his honeyed voice and a backing band that includes his sister Bobbie Lee Nelson on keyboards.
Britney Spears
WHEN: April 11
WHERE: Arco Arena, 1 Sports Parkway Drive
TICKETS: $37.50-$125.00
INFORMATION (916) 649-8947 or www.ticketmaster.com
Can I just say it? I'm really looking forward to the upcoming Britney Spears show. After all our girl Brit's been through in the last few years, it's good to see her (we hope) back on her dancin' feet. Her latest album, "Circus," is uneven but still catchy. Even if you're not a fan of her particular brand of glitzy dance-pop, the spectacle of the show and the people-watching should (almost) be worth the price of admission.
Vans Warped Tour
WHEN: Aug. 21
WHERE: Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 2677 Forty Mile Road, Marysville
TICKETS: To be announced
INFORMATION: www.warpedtour.com
It's still a long way off, but this year's Warped Tour promises to carry on the tradition of the festival, now in its 15th year. Expect tons of energy, big-name headliners and a chance to catch edgy up-and-coming talent. This year's main stage bands include punk mainstays Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly and NOFX.
There are a lot of other good shows on the schedule. Sacramento local legend Far plays Jan. 15 at Empire (1417 R St.). Then, the Palms Playhouse (13 Main St., Winters) has several promising dates including quirky NorCal singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman on Jan. 21 and the wonderfully spirited Western swing band Hot Club of Cowtown on Jan. 25. Acclaimed indie folk-pop act The Fruit Bats stop by Luigi's Fun Garden (1050 20th St., Sacramento) on Jan. 29. Fans of the power pop band New Pornographers won't want to miss A.C. Newman on Feb. 24 at Harlow's (2708 J St., Sacramento) and the next night, at the same club, it's Kool Keith – hip-hop's ultimate split personality. Metalheads unite: Slipknot unravels its sound March 11 at Arco Arena. Or, for a decidedly softer touch, check out pop singer-songwriter Brett Dennen at the Boardwalk (9426 Greenback Lane, Orangevale) on March 22. You can also check your angst with some good ol' fashioned, hard-drivin' indie rock with the Hold Steady, April 15 at Harlow's. Finally, Grand Funk Railroad rolls into the Cache Creek Casino (14455 State Highway 16, Brooks) on May 23.
ALL WEEKEND
Music and theater
'Stomp'
What: Little did you know your hubcaps can multitask. Stomp's eight-member troupe concocts beautiful percussion rhythms with the most unconventional of instruments – from brooms to garbage cans to Zippo lighters. This sexy, visually compelling stage show has the whole nation making noise. Through Jan. 4.
When: 8 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
Cost: $20-$55
Information: (916) 808-5181 or www.calmt.com
ALL WEEKEND
Visual arts
'Other Heavenly Bodies'
What: Blue Moon Gallery in Sacramento presents this mixed-media holiday show, featuring painters Dorothy Champion and Patricia Williams, plus sculptures by Sharon Zachary and Chris Taylor.
When: Noon-4 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Blue Moon Gallery, Inc. 2353 Albatross Way, Sacramento
Cost: Free admission
Information:
(916) 920-2444 or www.bluemoongallery sacto.com
TODAY
Film screening
'The Trial'
What: Feel as if the world is plotting against you sometimes? Come wallow in your existential angst tonight at Movies on a Big Screen, a weekly West Sacramento film festival. This week, they're presenting Orson Welles' 1962 adaptation of Franz Kafka's acclaimed crime novel "The Trial."
When: 7 p.m.
Where: 600 Fourth St., West Sacramento
Cost: $5
Information: www.shiny-object.com/screenings
SATURDAY
Live music
The Snobs
What: "Debonair punk rock" – sound like an oxymoron? The Snobs, one of Sacramento's most promising live acts, is living the dream Saturday night at Blue Lamp. For $5, enjoy musical "champagne" on a beer drinker's budget.
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento
Cost: $5
Information:
(916) 455-3400 or www.bluelamp.com
SUNDAY
Live music
Jim Martinez
What: Internationally known pianist Jim Martinez celebrates the release of his new CD, "Music for Your Soul," a collection of church hymns reworked in the style of jazz. Martinez has featured such musical guests as Lionel Hampton and Carla Cook on previous albums.
When: 4-6:30 p.m.
Where: Sherman Clay Roseville, 771 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville
Cost: Free admission
Information:
(916) 771-0808 or www.shermanclay. com/roseville
SUNDAY
Fashion show
Nostos Algos Winter Fashion Showcase
What: Church of Satin presents this alternative fashion show, featuring local bands Sister Crayon and Dusty Brown. You won't catch sight of traditional fashion-show staples (e.g., a runway), but you can check out threads from some truly innovative local designers, including Velvet Leaf, Ingrid Fur and Sapphire Cordial.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: California Stage, 2509 R St., Sacramento
Cost: $10 advance, $12 at the door
Information: www.myspace.com/ bathedinreflection
SUNDAY
Live Music
Ricky Berger, Justin Farren and Adrian Bourgeois
What: Come see three accomplished Sacramento musicians at True Love Coffeehouse, where virtually all great local bands have some roots planted. This "in-the-round"- style concert allows for the audience to encircle the stage.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: True Love Coffeehouse, 2315 K St., Sacramento
Cost: $5
Information:
(916) 448-5683 or www.adrianbourgeois.com
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At this point, it almost feels redundant to say how transcendental a TV on the Radio show can be. Having seen them perform more times than I can count at this point (including their notorious first-ever show in L.A. at the Silverlake Lounge back in the day), I’ve grown accustomed to their live brilliance.
Such was the case when they took the Wiltern stage on Nov. 6, running through their growing catalog of jams. The capacity crowd reveled in the majesty as TVOTR bulked up tracks from their latest 5-star release Dear Science, but the biggest response came for set closer and the band’s de facto signature, “Staring at the Sun.” Let’s only hope they grace L.A. again before the tour is done.
In the meantime, run don’t walk to the Echo on Sunday Nov. 16 for the Part Time Punks Festival. Michael Stock and the PTP crew have amassed an amazing line-up of bands for it, including Athens, GA post-punk legends Pylon next to a reunion of UK pioneers A Certain Ratio.
New-school indie kids will want to catch the heavily-hyped New York crew Vivian Girls (above), who combine the blurry deliciousness of Lush with lo-fi punk aesthetics. Another can’t miss act is Sweden’s Love is All, whose high-energy pop-tinged garage rock jams are the soundtrack of the new pogo nation. This righteous festival is yet another example of why L.A. can still boast the hottest music scene in America right now…
--Scott T. Sterling
