‘Murder’ podcasters share their faves from the stage
1 “My Favorite Murder”: Let’s face it, the ingenious methods people employ to off other people makes for a delicious topic of conversation. That’s why this weekly podcast starring Los Angeles BFFs Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark has drawn a sizable and loyal following, as it recounts perplexing murders both infamous and obscure. Now Kilgariff and Hardstark have taken their show on the road and will do a live podcast taping Feb. 17 at Oakland’s Fox Theater. Details: 8 p.m.; $29.50; www.apeconcerts.com
2 Pamela Rose: The Bay Area jazz and blues singer is also a music historian. Rose and her band Wild Women of Song have just released the cast album for their stage/concert show “Blues Is a Woman,” which uses film footage and storytelling to focus on pioneering female musicians. Rose and Wild Women are celebrating the new release with two performances of the acclaimed show.
Details: 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz; $25-$30; www.kuumbwajazz.org; 8 p.m. March 30 at Freight & Salvage. Berkeley; $24-$26; 510-644-2020, thefreight.org.
3 The Chieftains: The iconic Grammy-winning Dublin band has arguably done more to popularize Irish music around the world than anyone. After more than 50 years, thousands of concerts and more than 40 albums (including collaborations with Ry Cooder, Van Morrison, the Rolling Stones and others), the band is still delivering its blend of traditional Irish tunes and contemporary popular music. The Chieftains land at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore on Feb. 17.
Details: 8 p.m.; $90-$120; 925-373-6800, lvpac.org.
4 Jessimae Peluso: The comedian got her start in Boston’s improv scene and then got her big break as a cast member on MTV’s “Girl Code.” Now she is all over late-night TV, maintains a popular YouTube channel and is a regular presence on social media, often professing her love for John Stamos. We’ll see if she can draw a “Full House” when she headlines this weekend at San Jose Improv.
Details: Five shows Feb. 17-19; $20; sanjose. improv.com.
5 “The Real Americans”: Dan Hoyle’s incredible knack for portraying a wide mix of characters fuels this insightful solo show, drawn from a 100-day tour he made through middle America. Last year, he updated the show to reflect the changing political landscape, and now he is performing it at The Marsh Berkeley.
Details: Through Feb. 25; $25-$100; themarsh. org.
6 International Guitar Night:
The annual tour brings together some of the best guitarists from around the world. This year’s show features Lulo Reinhardt, who is carrying on the legacy of his grand-uncle, the revolutionary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Other performers Indian musician Debashish Bhattacharya, and Brazilian star on the rise Chrystian Dozza. The tour has two stops in the Bay Area.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; $35-$55; omniconcerts. com; 3 p.m. Feb. 19 at Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $30; 925-3736800, lvpac.org. Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley:
7 Ickes is considered one of the finest dobro players in the world, having come to fame as a founding member of the Nashville band Blue Highway. Hensley is an acoustic guitarist and singer who has performed seemingly with anyone who’s anyone in traditional country music. The two have been touring and recording together for several years and perform Feb. 18 at Mountain View’s Masonic Lodge.
Details: Presented by Redwood Bluegrass Associates; 7:30 p.m.; $15-$25; www.rba.org. 8 Livermore-Amador Symphony: The orchestra’s program on Feb. 18 is titled “Inspirational Journeys,” highlighted by American composer Jennifer Higdon’s “Blue Cathedral,” a work inspired by the loss of her brother. Works by Beethoven, Sibelius and Grieg round out the concert, which also features Competition for Young Musicians winners Sehyun (Eunice) Lee (piano) and Felix Yu-Shuan Shen (vocals).
Details: 8 p.m.; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $6-$35; 925-373-6800, lvpac.org.
“Ghost”:
9 The wildly popular romantic tearjerker starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore did more than change the way we look at pottery wheels forever. It also launched a 2011 stage musical adaptation featuring tunes and lyrics by pop heavyweights Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. OMG! I Love That Show Productions is presenting the musical at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts.
Details: Through March 5; $39; 925-9437469, www.lesherartscenter.org. 10 We Banjo 3: This quartet hails from Galway, Ireland, but it adds a healthy dose of American roots music to its staple of Celtic tunes performed on banjo, guitar, mandolin and fiddle. The band is touring behind its 2016 release “String Theory” and stops at Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center on Feb. 18.
Details: 8 p.m.; $25$35; 925-931-4848, www. firehousearts.org.