These first few days of spring sure look fruitful. If you haven't filled out a bracket or are looking to get away from the madness of it all, then you have options, people! You can crowd surf with college students, groove to Cambodian rock, take a musical journey from Berkeley to Lake Wobegon, and more.
This is your Arts/Culture/Weekend:
THURSDAY
In the Mood // It’s the 1940s, big band is all the rage, and swing is the latest dance craze to sweep America. In the Mood is a Broadway-style touring theatrical revue that takes a nostalgic look back at that time when “music moved the nation’s spirit.” Featuring music from The Andrews Sisters, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and many more 40s greats, this is a one-time opportunity at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. Instrumental support comes from String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra. For tickets and more information about the show check out marincenter.org. // DETAILS: 3pm; 10 Avenue of the Flags; San Raphael; Cost: $25-$50
King Tuff and White Fence at UC Berkeley // King Tuff is the bewitching garage rocker “twin” of Vermont stoner metal front man Kyle Thomas. White Fence is the a hazy, neo-psych solo project of Bay Area native Tim Presley. Together, they form the perfect lineup for a sunny afternoon concert. Catch them on UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza. // DETAILS: 5pm; Upper Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley; Cost: FREE
FRIDAY
Positively Alphabet Street // If you think about it, Bob Dylan and Prince actually have a lot in common: they’re both legendary American musicians; they’re both from Minnesota; and they both really, really love harmonica. Check out art-funk ensemble PC Munoz’s Singing Blood mash up songs by the two music legends live at The Bancroft Library’s Friday night L@TE series. Come there for the mashups, stay for the chamber music from Rio Vander Stahl and a video piece by Christopher Ariza. Arrive early for best seating. // DETAILS: 7:30pm; The Bancroft Library; Berkeley; Cost: $7
SATURDAY
popUP Gallery: CITY_LIVE //popUP Gallery is located in a former auto body repair shop--so it seems appropriate that the gallery has a new show featuring urban visions by eight Bay Area artists. The gallery provides free space for talented underexposed artists to gain visibility, A portion of proceeds from exhibition sales will be donated to local arts non-profits. An additional viewing is scheduled for April 5, and also by appointment. // DETAILS: 4pm-6pm; Autobody Fine Art; 1517 Park Street; Alameda; Cost: FREE
Directions in Sound with Dengue Fever // There is no cure for the infectious tunes pumped out by L.A. band Dengue Fever. Their unique, soulful 60s-era Cambodian psychedelic sound harkens back to a musical period most people aren’t aware ever existed--before Khmer Rouge, Cambodia had a vibrant pop scene. Dengue Fever is headlining a night of performances by emerging Asian American musicians presented by the Center for Asian American Media’s CAAMFest 2013. For more information about the festival visit caamedia.org. // DETAILS: 9:30pm; Rickshaw Stop; San Francisco; Cost: $30
SUNDAY
Roots Country from “A Prairie Home Companion” Favorites Robin and Linda Williams // Known for playing American country music with soul, this musical partnership has produced a 40-year marriage and 21 albums. The Williams will perform crowd-pleasers from “A Prairie Home Companion,” the long running public radio show with which they have collaborated since nearly the beginning. // DETAILS: 8pm; Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse; Berkeley; Cost: $24.50 advance/$26.50 door
Arts/Culture/Weekend is a roundup of our favorite events coming up around the Bay Area. Please do let us know if you have an event coming up in your neighborhood, and we'll try to include it.