Canadian indie rock veterans Sloan are celebrating 35 years as a band and two decades since their acclaimed album “One Chord Over Another,” which they’ll play in its entirety at The Ritz tonight. Imagine if J. Dilla had been limited to all P. Funk and Earth Wind & Fire samples and you’re close to approximating the sound of Brooklyn duo Basstracks, who play The Continental on Thursday. Then, on Friday, it’s Craig Robinson at The Improv. And on Saturday its the return of Anne & Mark’s Art Party.
Sloan
Wed, 8pm, $18-$20
The Ritz, San Jose
Over the course of their 25 years making music and touring, this Toronto-based rock outfit have released 11 LPs and been nominated for a Juno—the Canadian version of the Grammy—nine times. They are currently on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their one Juno-winning record, the Beatles-influenced One Chord Over Another. Though less known in the U.S., Sloan were voted one of the top five Canadian bands of all time in a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation poll. On their current tour they have been performing One Chord in its entirety, then playing a second set of hits and deeper cuts. (NV)
Brasstracks
Thu, 9pm, $10-$20
The Continental, San Jose
It’s hard not to feel good while listening to Brasstracks. The Brooklyn duo mixes EDM with blaring trumpets to produce a funky, futuristic and familiar sound. Imagine how J. Dilla would sound if his sampling palate had been limited to Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power and P. Funk and you’re getting close. Trumpet player Ivan Jackson and drummer Connor Rayne have been garnering buzz online with their dancefloor-ready beats. Released last month, their Good Love EP features the lead single “Say You Won’t,” which starts off like the opening to a daytime TV show before building into a swaggering anthem. (JT)
Memphis
Fri, 8pm, $18-$35
Theatre on San Pedro Square, San Jose
A story of the love and music in the face of adversity, Memphis is inspired by actual events. Winner of four Tony Awards in 2010, this musical tells the story of a white DJ in the ’50s who chooses to play black artists on the local radio station, while an up-and-coming singer hopes to land her first big break. Memphis features music and lyrics by Bon Jovi’s David Bryan with a book and lyrics by acclaimed playwright Joe DiPietro—known for several off-broadway credits, including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and The Toxic Avenger. (JT)
Salsa Festival
Sat, 12pm, Free
Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Test your taste buds and fire up your weekend with this annual festival of sultry Latin rhythms and all kinds of salsa. The Redwood City Salsa festival returns for its ninth year of tequila and salsa tastings, hands-on art projects, music and more. The fest will feature salsas—prepared by amatuer and professional chefs—that run the gamut from mild to alarmingly hot. This year will feature music from Edgardo Cambon & Candela, as well as Ray Obiedo and The Urban Latin Jazz Project, along with others. As always, the festival is family friendly and will have a children’s play area for the little ones. (JT)
Post Street Jubilee
Sat, 6pm, Free
Post Street, San Jose
Ever ridden a penis-shaped mechanical bull? Been awhile since you last got tested? Well, here’s your chance to check those two boxes. With the advent of rapid HIV testing, getting screened doesn’t have to be an intimidating ordeal. Celebrate your certainty and recognize National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Sep 27. Now in its fourth year, the Post Street Jubilee will feature special performances by drag queens Manila Luzon, Helen Heels and Au Jus to name a few. Attendees can get tested, receive free health screenings and get a flu shot to earn a discount at participating bars. (JT)
Anne & Mark’s Art Party
Sat, 6pm, $10+
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose
What began as a small art show for friends and family in a Naglee Park backyard has blossomed into a weeklong festival. Anne & Mark’s Art Party kicks off its 2016 celebration of art, music, live performance and all things creative this weekend. The opening gala is slated for Sep. 24, and the party will run until Oct. 1—this year featuring the work of more than 300 artists and performers. Take in paintings, installations, fire-breathing art cars from Burning Man, great food, drink and music, all sprawled across 30,000 square feet at the County Fairgrounds. (NV)
Tribute to John Coltrane
Sun, 1pm, $30
Cafe Stritch, San Jose
While Rahsaan Roland Kirk is the “patron saint” of Cafe Stritch, legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane actually has his own church. This weekend, Stritch hosts a celebration of Coltrane, featuring a lineup of fantastic musicians playing his music. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the St. John Coltrane Church in San Francisco, which makes its mission to spread unity and peace through music and community outreach, and the Palo Alto-based Humane Renaissance Movement. With live poetry readings, food, drinks, and of course jazz, it promises to be a truly harmonious day. (NV)
The Heavy
Mon, 7pm, $20-$25
The Ritz, San Jose
Though they hail from the U.K., indie-soul outfit The Heavy have ties to San Jose. The Blank Club hosted one of the band’s very first headlining shows on the West Coast. What’s more, the group’s drummer, Chris Ellul is married to Jen Chambers, a Morgan Hill native. Ellul and Chambers met at that 2010 Blank show, and the band now swings through San Jose whenever possible. Back in 2010, they were touring behind their debut, The House That Dirt Built, which featured the hit “How You Like Me Now?” The group released their fourth full-length in April, Hurt & the Merciless. (NV)
Tiki Tuesday
Tue, 7pm, Free
55 South, San Jose
Americans are great at many things, from the delectable art of mixology to the not-so-nice tradition of cultural appropriation. And while it’s definitely not cool to wear that feather headdress to Coachella, you still get a pass when sipping on a highly alcoholic tiki-themed cocktail. First emerging in the early ’30s—and exploding in popularity in the late ’40s and ’50s—American tiki bars adopted the aesthetics and tropical flavors of the South Pacific. Enjoy a taste of the islands at 55 South on the last Tuesday of every month. This Tuesday’s theme is Puerto Rico. (NV)
