‘Silicon Valley’ star hits City Arts
It the title doesn’t make you double up laughing, we bet the contents will. Jimmy O. Yang, who stars as Jian-Yang on the popular HBO sitcom “Silicon Valley,” has mined his own experiences as a 13-year-old non-English-speaking newcomer to this country to fuel his memoir, “How to American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents” (Da Capo Press, $27, 240 pages).
The stand-up artist writes about abandoning an internship at a financial services firm his father secured for him to pursue his comedy career, which has also included his TV debut on CBS’ “Two Broke Girls” and a standing ovation he got on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” He’ll talk about all of it at an appearance Tuesday for City Arts and Lectures.
Details: 7:30 p.m.; Nourse Theater, San Francisco; $29; www.cityarts.net.
‘Golden’ Bullock back in Berkeley
Julia Bullock is an artist of mercurial gifts — in the last few seasons, Bay Area audiences have experienced the American soprano portraying the French mystic Simone Weil, singing the music of jazz icon Josephine Baker and lending her lustrous voice to Dame Shirley, the central character in John Adams’ Gold Rush opera, “Girls of the Golden West.”
This weekend, accompanied by pianist John Arida, Bullock returns to Cal Performances with an eclectic program ranging from art songs by Schubert, Faurė and Barber to a selection of jazz and blues classics made famous by two of her musical heroes, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday.
Details: 3 p.m. Sunday; Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley; $23$46; 510-642-9988, www.calperformances.org. — Georgia Rowe, Correspondent
‘Pictures’ reinterpreted
Composers throughout history have put pen to page to create new works inspired by their predecessors, and this weekend’s appearance by Russian-born composerpianist Lera Auerbach offers an intriguing example of admiration leading to musical tribute.
Presented by San Francisco Performances, Auerbach will perform Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” for solo piano and give the world premiere of her “21st Century Pictures,” which she composed in response to Mussorgsky’s masterpiece.
Auerbach, who has composed more than 100 works for orchestra, opera, ballet, choral and chamber music, is always a riveting performer, and this outing should put both sides of her artistry on thrilling display.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; $40-$70; 415-392-2545, sfperformances. org. — Georgia Rowe, Correspondent
Alt-country hero hits S.F.
Rhett Miller came to fame as the lead singer and primary songwriter for the Old 97’s, one of the most important — and flat-out best — alt-country acts to arrive in the ’90s.
The Dallas outfit has delivered so many good albums over the years, including 1997’s “Too Far to Care” and 1999’s “Fight Songs.”
Miller is also an accomplished solo artist. And he actually released his first solo album — “Mythologies” — well before he was a member of the Old 97’s. (He was still in high school at the time of its very limited release.) There was far more buzz for Miller’s second solo effort, “The Instigator,” which was released on the major label Elektra in 2002.
Miller showcases his solo material (and hopefully some Old 97’s tunes) on Friday at Slim’s in San Francisco. Matthew Ryan opens the show.
Details: 9 p.m.; $23-$25; www.slimspresents.com. — Jim Harrington, Staff
The Ageless Marilyn Maye
Hailed by Ella Fitzgerald, beloved by Johnny Carson, and universally revered by her fellow American Songbook devotees, Marilyn Maye continues to set the standard for singing standards as her 90th birthday approaches.
With more than six dozen appearances on “The Tonight Show” during Carson’s heyday, Maye was a ubiquitous presence on television in the 1960s and ’70s. Her popular master classes have helped ensure that the exemplary wit, taste and intelligence she brings to popular songs isn’t lost.
She performs at Feinstein’s this weekend with the estimable pianist Billy Stritch, following last month’s engagement singing nursery rhymes arranged as modern jazz tunes with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Nonagenarian or not, Maye is always game for an interesting gig.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; $41.25-$75; www. feinsteinsatthenikko.com. — Andrew Gilbert, Correspondent
Goodguys’ pop of color
The Goodguys All American Get-Together returns to Pleasanton’s Alameda County Fairgrounds this weekend, and get ready for a dazzling splash of chrome and color.
More than 3,000 custom cars, motorcycle and lowriders, among other vehicles, will be on display.
Among the featured attractions will be entries in the annual Goodguys/Street Rod Headquarters Custom of the Year award, open to custom cars built from 1936 to ’72, along with a selection of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, including the Mach Ness, a chopper powered by a gas turbine helicopter engine.
And visitors with a need for speed can also take in the Goodguys AutoCross race-course competitions.
There also will be plenty of attractions for the kids, including a model race car demonstration that offers young fans their own model to assemble and decorate.
Details: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; $17 in advance, $20 at the door, $6 for kids 7-12, free for kids 6 and under, parking is $10; 925-838-9876 , www. good-guys.com. — Randy McMullen, Staff
Week in concerts: Pete Escovedo, Y&T
This week’s top concerts include a Latin jazz legend, a top jam band and some hard-rock heroes.
Pete Escovedo: The percussionist-bandleader celebrates the release of his latest album, “Back to the Bay,” with his Latin Jazz Orchestra on Saturday at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. The Minor F Quartet is also on the bill. Details: 8 p.m.; $40-$44; www.thefreight.org.
Michael Schenker Fest: Enjoy an evening on Saturday with the legendary hard-rock guitarist, who is known for his work with the Scorpions, UFO and his own solo band, the Michael Schenker Group. Also appearing at the fest are three MSG vocalists, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley. Details: 8 p.m.; City National Civic, San Jose; $42-$82, www.ticketmaster. com.
Umphrey’s McGee: These dedicated road warriors, who typically perform 100-plus concerts per year, return to the Fox Theater in Oakland on Friday. The Chicago jam band did take a break from touring to record its 11th studio album, “It’s Not Us,” which hit shelves in January. Details: 7:30 p.m.; $32.50; www.ticketmaster.com.
Y&T: It’s always good to see this longtime Bay Area favorite, which is led by incredible vocalist-guitarist Dave Meniketti. These hard rock heroes, known for such fan favorites as “Mean Streak” and “Rescue Me,” perform Saturday at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Frank Hannon (of Tesla) opens the bill. Details: 8 p.m.; $38.50; www.livenation.com.
Brett Dennen: The California-born folk-pop singersongwriter, who released his eponymous debut in 2004, performs Friday at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Dean Lewis is also on the bill. Details: 9 p.m.; $25; www. livenation.com.
Soul Ska: The Bay Area-based 10-piece rocksteady/ ska/reggae collective, featuring members of such acts as Vinyl, Albino!, Stymie & the PJLO, El Radio Fantastique, The Right Time, Jethro Jeremiah Band and more, performs Friday at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. PSDSP and DJ Harry Duncan are also on the bill. Details: 9 p.m.; $20; www.slimspresents.com. — Jim Harrington, Staff