OUR PICKS FOR THE WEEK
Taksim is a Middle Eastern word meaning improvisation. And that’s what the music of New Yorker Souren Baronian sounds like — a jazz take on traditional Armenian music, with Baronian’s clarinet be-bopping over the eastern rhythms, which are equally improvisational. There are several videos on YouTube of Baronian and his band Taksim playing as belly dancers do their thing, about the coolest version of this performance genre you’re likely to come across.
The five-piece group includes players on doumbek, or hand drum, and on oud, like a lute. Baronian’s been at it for more than eight decades. Saturday at 7:30 p.m., he performs at GIG Performance Space, 1808 Second St. Tickets are $20 at the door.
ICONIC BACH: Can the world ever get enough of J.S. Bach’s “The Goldberg Variations”? Let’s hope not.
If you’re ready for another dose, or haven’t had one yet, Serenata of Santa Fe presents Bach in Spring, with harpsichordist Kathleen McIntosh performing the “iconic work that is both simply beautiful and a Rubik’s cube of invention and architecture” (Serenata’s words) at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant Ave.
McIntosh plays regularly in New Mexico, but also has performed around the world, from Havana to Moscow. Among her many recordings is a take on “The Goldberg Variations” that the Los Angeles Reader called “revelatory.” Tickets are $15-$35 at serenataofsantafe.org.
UPSTART CROWS: It’s good to get started on Shakespeare when young — there’s so much to take in.
Starting tonight, actors ages 10-18 perform the bard’s comedic “Twelfth Night” at Santa Fe Performing Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail. It’s a production of Upstart Crows, a Santa Fe nonprofit dedicated to bringing Shakespeare to young people by providing first-hand experience of the classic plays. This the Crows’ sixth uncut Shakespeare production. Most roles are double or triple cast. Be ready for some sword fights, songs and physical comedy, but of course there’s more going on.
Shows this weekend and next are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 1 p.m. Saturday matinee and a 2 p.m. show on Sunday. Tickets are $10 at the door or at upstartcrowsofsantafe.org.
PUNK PATIENCE: And just to round things out, how about some punk?
Frank Iero and the Patience, led by the former guitarist for My Chemical Romance, bring a pretty furious attack to Meow Wolf tonight for an 8 p.m. show. The band’s “I’m A Mess” will get the juices flowing. “Viva Indifference” has the attitude right. Tickets are $15 in advance at meowwolf.com, $18 at the door.