This week, "Lyra" puts a contemporary dance spin on ancient myth at Stanford Live, Steve Budd performs his solo show "What They Say About Love" at Feldman's Books in Menlo Park, Earthwise Productions brings two pairs of top musician brothers to Palo Alto, 2nd Story showcases local music at Red Rock Coffee, Palo Alto's Gallery House holds a reception for its final show in its current spot and author Brian Simpson shares his new novel at Books Inc. Mountain View.
‘Lyra’
"Lyra," a collaboration between experimental chamber music group The Living Earth Show and contemporary dance company Post:ballet, is a multidisciplinary (dance, film, and live music) performance rooted in the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. According to Stanford Live, "Lyra" explores our shared human experiences of love, loss, and learning to let go.” The performance incorporates music by composer Samuel Adams, choreography by Vanessa Thiessen and cinematography by Benjamin Tarquin and was created “both in quarantine and in person.”
Jan. 18-20, 8 p.m., Bing Concert Hall Studio, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford. $50. live.stanford.edu.
‘What They Say About Love’
Feldman’s Books in downtown Menlo Park is perhaps best known as a treasure trove of used and vintage reading material, but it also offers events, including a monthly poetry open mic night and special performances featuring local artists. On Jan. 12, catch actor Steve Budd performing his award-winning, humorous solo show “What They Say About Love,” for which he interviewed a variety of couples about how they fell – and stay – in love. According to Feldman’s website, Budd performed the show at the shop in October and is back by popular demand. And if you like that one, stay tuned for next month, when he’ll present “What They Said About Sex.”
Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m., Feldman’s Books, 1075 Curtis St., Menlo Park. Free. feldmansbooks.net.
Band of Brothers Levin and La Barbera
If your new year's resolution was to catch more live shows, Earthwise Productions couldn't offer a better way to make a start on that, setting the musical bar high for 2024. The Band of Brothers double bill presented by Earthwise on Jan. 12 highlights two pairs of talented brothers who bring diverse credits and a wealth of musical experience to the stage. Bassist Tony Levin has shared the stage with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Lou Reed to Judy Collins, and he honed his jazz chops in performances with names like Buddy Rich and Chuck Mangione, while his brother, keyboardist Pete Levin, has recorded or performed with the likes of Miles Davis, Gil Evans and Dave Brubeck. (Read about Tony's experiences on the road at his longstanding blog: tonylevin.com). Meanwhile, the La Barbera brothers come with equally versatile and prestigious résumés: in addition to touring and recording under his own name, jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and flautist Pat La Barbera has performed with Buddy Rich Big Band, Woody Herman and Carlos Santana. His drummer and composer brother, Joe La Barbera, spent part of his early career performing with Herman as well as the Bill Evans Trio, he also toured and recorded with Mangione and performed for a number of years with Tony Bennett. His work as a sideman has included stints with John Scofield, Rosemary Clooney, Michael Bublé and Rod Stewart.
Jan. 12, 8 p.m. at Palo Alto Art Center auditorium, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Tickets are $4.25-$18. eventbrite.com.
2nd Story at Red Rock
Catch bluesy rock and bluegrass with Gal Klein with Mike Hanuschik on Jan. 13 upstairs at Mountain View's Red Rock Coffee. The artists perform as part of the recently launched 2nd Story series highlighting local singer-songwriters and small bands. Every Saturday, 2nd Story will bring a variety of Bay Area talents to the stage on the cafe's second floor — also home of Red Rock's popular Monday night open mic night.
Jan. 13, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View. Suggested donation $10. redrockcoffee.com.
Gallery House reception
Gallery House, the longtime Palo Alto co-op gallery that marked its 65th anniversary last year, has lost its lease and is planning to move. Earlier this week, the gallery opened "So Ready," its final exhibition in its current spot, and is marking the occasion with an opening reception Jan. 12 that features new works as well as some previously unseen pieces by 30 artists — all "priced to move," as the flyer says. Visitors will also have the chance to play curator and help one of the gallery's member artists, photographer Michael Endicott, decide how to show some of his latest works.
Jan. 12, 5- 7 p.m. at Gallery House, 320 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. galleryhouse.art.
Brian Simpson
Debut author Brian Simpson will read from his new novel “Alex Archer: Town Secrets,” about a former military pilot who’s looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family and relaxing into retirement, only to find his hometown of Patrician, Florida, is being corrupted by a sordid underworld and needs his help. The book, according to Books Inc., “pushes the reader to challenge their values, priorities they hold dear, and makes them ask themselves, ‘How would I confront pure evil if it stared me in the face?’”
Jan. 18, 7 p.m., Books Inc. Mountain View, 317 Castro St., Mountain View. booksinc.net.
