DJ Shadow back in Bay Area with brand new music in tow
1 DJ Shadow: Ever since Shadow, aka Paul “Josh” Davis, released his historic all-samples album “Endtroducing … ” in 1996, he has been at the focal point of a musical movement that establishes the manipulation of found sounds and shards of recorded music as an art form unto itself. But he is hardly resting on his laurels. Just last week, he dropped a surprise EP, “The Mountain Has Fallen” (the follow-up to last year’s “The Mountain Will Fall”), featuring collaborations with Nas, Danny Brown and others. Shadow, who grew up in Hayward and Davis, Arrives in Berkeley for a homecoming show at the UC Theatre on July 16.
DETAILS >> 7:30 p.m.; $35; www.theuctheatre.org.
2 Classic Albums: Live This touring show created by Craig Martin does just what its name suggests, performing iconic albums from such acts as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses and Pink Floyd as faithfully as possible. The show, with a constantly evolving cast of studio musicians, comes to the lawn outside Stanford University’s Bing Concert Hall on July 14 with one of its most ambitious projects yet, delivering the sprawling “Woodstock” soundtrack album.
DETAILS >> 6 p.m.; $15-$80; live.stanford.edu; check website for details on what you can and cannot bring to the outdoor show
3 “The Wizard of Oz”: The iconic 1939 movie that taught us that witches melt and a man made of straw can be a heartbreaking romantic figure has a stage version, full of all those great Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs. Tri-Valley Repertory is taking on the musical with ambitious stage production opening this weekend.
DETAILS >> July 15-30; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $19-$39; 925-373-6800, lvpac.org.
4 Point Richmond: Summer Concerts This free concert series returns on July 14 with an impressive double bill featuring Delta blues trio HowellDevine and the New Orleans funk/R&B outfit Second Line. The concerts take on a community party atmosphere with dancing, lots of food and drink nearby and
face-painting and other fun stuff for kids.
DETAILS >> Music starts at 5:30 p.m.; Park Place and Washington Avenue, Point Richmond; www. pointrichmondmusic.org. Dita Von Teese: Anyone who equates burlesque with tired striptease moves performed in smoky bars accompanied by an inebriated pianist hasn’t witnessed the opulent fashion/burlesque extravaganza created by Von Teese. Her current tour, “The Art of the Teese,” comes to the Fillmore in San Francisco for three shows beginning this week.
DETAILS >> 7:30 p.m. July 13, 15, 17; $49.50; livenation.com. Chevron Family Theatre Festival: The annual event brings a wide range of performers and iconic characters — including folks from “Star Wars,” “Frozen,” “Cinderella” and much more — to the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Although most of the paid headlining acts are sold out, there is still plenty of affordable fun to be had in and around the venue when event returns this weekend.
DETAILS >> 10 a.m. July 15; outdoor attractions are free, indoors, $5; 925943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.org. Betsayda Machado: She’s one of the most popular singers in Venezuela, delivering a spirited and joyous form of Afro-Soul known as tambor. She comes to Stanford University’s Bing Concert Hall on July 15. Bring your dancing shoes. DETAILS >> 7:30 p.m.; $17$50; live.stanford.edu. Aimee Mann and Ted Leo: Mann is the wonderful and provocative singer-songwriter who first gained fame as the singer for ‘Til Tuesday (“Voices Carry”) and recently released the wellreceived album “Mental Illness.” Leo is a terrific rock/punk singer and guitarist who fronts the rabble-rousing band Ted Leo and and Pharmacists. Leo and Mann have collaborated often, sometimes as the indie band The Both. They’re touring now and come to Berkeley’s UC Theatre on July 14.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m.; $35; http://www.theuctheatre.org. Jim Breuer: The New Jersey comedian is best known for his stint on “Saturday Night Live” in the ’90s (his “Joe Pesci Show” routine was genius unless, of course, you happened to be Joe Pesci), and starring with Dave Chappelle in “Half Baked.” But stand-up has been Breuer’s bread and butter from the beginning and he’s still at it, with a weekend stand coming up at the San Jose Improv.
DETAILS >> 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. July 14, 7 and 9:15 p.m. July 15; $25; sanjose.improv.com. 10 “Ghost Limb”: Marisela Treviño Orta’s new play uses the brutal repression of 1970s-80s Argentina as a backdrop to a retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone, queen of the underworld. It’s getting its world premiere at the Brava Center in San Francisco. DETAILS >> Through July 23; $22; www.brava.org.