Hear Chestnut mix it up, stylewise
Pianist-composer continues to excel at the eclectic
1 Cyrus Chestnut: He might be best known for the soundtrack to “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but Chestnut has a rich and deep career as a pianist and composer who blends gospel and blues into his hard-bop jazz. He performs Saturday with saxophonist Joel Frahm and vibraphonist Warren Wolf as part of the Jazz at the Lesher concert series.
Details: 5 and 8 p.m.; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $40; 925-943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.org.
2 “The Country House”: TheatreWorks presents the Northern California premiere of this Chekhovian drama by Donald Marguiles about an aging stage and screen star reuniting with her friends and family at a mountain resort, where she is about to begin a summer-stock engagement. The show was a hit on Broadway last year with Blythe Danner in the starring role.
Details: In previews Wednesday through Aug. 28; main run is Aug. 29Sept. 20; Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts; $19-$80; 650-463-1960, www.theatreworks.org.
3 “Eurydice”: Sarah Ruhl’s plays are so wonderfully evocative and imaginative that they are almost always worth seeing. “Eurydice,” which tells the myth of Orpheus from the point of view of his hardluck wife, can be powerfully poignant as well. It runs at Berkeley’s Shotgun Players Aug. 20-Sept. 20.
Details: In previews Aug. 20-26, main run Aug. 27-Sept. 20; Ashby Stage, Berkeley; $5-$30; 510-8416500, https://shotgunplayers.org.
4 Jill Scott: The terrific neo-soul singer (and accomplished actress) just released the album “Woman” with her longtime collaborators Andre Harris and Aaron Pearce. Scott describes it as “classic Philly soul meets country rhythm served with captivating storytelling.” She performs this week at the Fox in Oakland. Saturday’s show is sold out, but you can still snag seats for Friday.
Details: 8 p.m.; $59.50-$119.50; www.apeconcerts.com.
5 “The Wizard of Oz,” plus orchestra: Here’s a cool way to catch the classic big-screen musical, with the California Symphony, conducted by Sarah Hicks, delivering live accompaniment. Now if only they could bring in some real flying monkeys … .
Details: 8:30 p.m. Friday; Concord Pavilion; $10-$75; www.californiasymphony.org.
6 “H.M.S. Pinafore”: Lamplighters Music Theatre’s touring production of the classic Gilbert and Sullivan light opera, full of romance, silly songs and British blowhards, closes its run this weekend at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater.
Details: 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $25-$48; 925-373-6800, www.mylvpac.com.
7 Ralphie May: You might expect someone who releases a barbecue sauce called Fat Baby Jesus to bring an irreverent attitude toward his comedy, which is one reason why plus-sized performer Ralphie May is one of the more popular acts on the stand-up circuit. His secret seems to be that he can and does riff on just about anything and is likable enough to get away with it. He comes to the San Jose Improv this weekend for five shows.
Details: 8 tonight; 7 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; $25-$50; http://sanjose. improv.com.
8 Mads Tolling: The violinist and composer is not only an acclaimed, Grammy-winning musician, but he’s apparently a fun guy as well. He brings his quartet to Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center on Saturday for a show titled “Mads Men,” which will delve into popular TV and big-screen theme songs, including “Mission: Impossible,” “The Pink Panther” and more.
Details: 8 p.m.; $13.50$25; 925-931-4848, www.firehousearts.org.
9 Big voices, small
venue: Armando’s in Martinez is hosting two popular Bay Area singers Saturday and Aug. 29 whose voices could literally blow the intimate nightclub away. Saturday, Lavay Smith comes in with her band to perform songs by Ray Charles, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Sam Cooke and other blues icons. On Aug. 29, Lady Bianca brings her combustible mix of blues, gospel, soul and humor.
Details: Both shows start at 8 p.m. and cost $20; 925-228-6985, http:// armandosmartinez.com.
10 Pancakes and Booze: Besides being a breakfast of champions, this is also the name of an annual event that bills itself as the Bay Area’s largest underground art show. It does indeed involve alcohol and pancakes, as well as a wide array of art displays, body painting, live music and more.
Details: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday; Minna Gallery, San Francisco; $10; www.111minnagallery.com.