Jason Moran’s ties to Monk run deep
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Jason Moran: The dazzling pianist has said he was just a hip-hoploving kid taking piano lessons when one day his father put Thelonious Monk’s “’Round Midnight” on the stereo and his life changed forever. So it’s only natural that Moran and his band are taking part in the Monk centennial celebrations this year by performing “In My Mind,” a multimedia show that recreates a legendary Monk performance in 1959. Moran brings the show to Stanford University’s Bing Concert Hall on Saturday.
Presented by Stanford Live; 7:30 p.m.; $23-$75; live.stanford.edu. 2
Jay Blakesberg: Many rock music fans are well-acquainted with the work of Blakesberg, a Bay Area-based photographer who in the past 40 years has captured such icons as the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, R.E.M., Radiohead and the Rolling Stones. Now the highlights of his storied career are being assembled in a gallery show, “Dark + Light: The Rock & Roll Photography of Jay Blakesberg, 19782017” at the Harvey Milk Photo Center in San Francisco. The collection includes some 120 images.
Today through Jan. 6; opening reception 5:30-9 p.m. today; additional photos at McLaren Lodge, San Francisco; free admission; harveymilkphotocenter.org.
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“The Royale”: Marco Ramirez has earned awards and major buzz as a writer for the TV series “Orange Is the New Black.” His 90-minute stage drama getting its Bay Area premiere at Berkeley’s Aurora Theatre is based on the early 20th- century life of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion.
Through Dec. 3; $33-$65; 510-843- 4822, auroratheatre.org.
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Montrose Trio: The group consisting of pianist Jon Kimura Parker, violinist Martin Beaver and cellist Clive Greensmith formed in 2013 and has been winning raves ever since. The trio kicks off the Music@Menlo Winter Series Sunday with a program of Shostakovich, Beethoven and Brahms.
6 p.m.; Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton; $20-$52; musicatmenlo.org.
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Tango Buenos Aires: Long considered one of the top tango troupes on the planet, TBA returns to UC Berkeley this weekend to perform its latest show, a tribute to legendary Argentine actor, singer and composer Carlos Gardel.
Presented by Cal Performances; 8 p.m. Saturday; Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; $30$86; 510- 642-9988, calperformances.org.
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Goodguys Autumn Get-Together: The annual hot rod and custom car show is timed to Veterans Day (Saturday), and all armed services veterans get in free. The event itself serves up more than 2,500 custom cars, hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. There’s also a parade, demolition derby, “burnout” contest, kids activities and more.
8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton; $6-$20; parking is $10; www.good-guys.com.
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Horszowski Trio: The New York outfit formed in 2011 is named for the legendary Polish pianist, composer and teacher Mieczyslaw Horszowski. Reportedly, trio pianist Rieko Aizawa was the last musician Horszowski taught — when he was 100 years old. Something must have rubbed off, because Aizawa and the Horszowski Trio have been winning rave reviews for years now. They come to San Jose’s Trianon Theatre with violist Masumi Per Rostad Sunday to perform works by Schumann and Faure as well as the world premiere of Andreia Pinto- Correia’s “The Night Migrations.”
Presented by San Jose Chamber Music Society; 7 p.m.; $34$49; www.sjchambermusic.org.
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Diablo Ballet: The holiday dance season will soon be upon us, in all its Nutcracker and Velveteen Rabbit glory. Actually, it’s here now, with Diablo Ballet’s annual “A Swingin’ Holiday and More” performance slated for this weekend. The program features the title work by famed Broadway choreographer Sean Kelly — with live accompaniment by the Diablo Ballet Swing Orchestra — as well as works by George Balanchine and Robert Dekkers.
8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Del Valle Theatre, Walnut Creek; $49; 925-943-7469; diabloballet.org.
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Manhattan Transfer: The vocal group known for its snazzy, inventive and addictive covers of jazz and pop standards, and such radiofriendly hits as “Boy from New York City,” is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a tour that drops in at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater on Saturday.
8 p.m.; $50$100; 925-373- 6800, lvpac.org.
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“Love Is a Dirty Word”: In this acclaimed 80-minute solo show, actor Giovanni Adams recounts a life in which the various elements — a religious household, a constantly shifting family structure, the realization that he is gay — often seemed at odds with each other. But his is a story of willful adaptation, not pity. Adams brings “Love” to San Francisco’s Z Space performance complex for a two-week run beginning Friday. Through Nov. 26; $30; zspace.org.