The Anderson Collection hosts a gallery of so-called“Soundsuits” by sculptor, designer and sound artist Nick Cave. Veteran rock & roll writer Richie Unterberger looks back at the man and legend, David Bowie, with a free talk and presentation at the San Jose Public Library on Bascom Ave. Lucinda Williams plays The Mountain Winery. And San Jose’s very ownDrew Deezy takes over The Ritz, with labelmate A-Dough.
Nick Cave
Wed, 11am, Free
Anderson Collection, Stanford
Part sculptor, part clothing designer, part sound artist, Nick Cave (not of The Bad Seeds) creates full-body “soundsuits,” which are both pieces of art and performative costumes that conceal the wearer’s age, gender and race. They are made from collected and repurposed objects, including buttons, beaded baskets, doilies and sequined fabric. A collection of his soundsuits will be shown along with three videos by the interdisciplinary artist and a documentary on Cave, titled Here. The exhibit runs through Aug 14, 2017. (ST)
Go! Go! Gong Show!
Wed, 9pm, Free
Cafe Stritch, San Jose
“Mighty” Mike McGee is acclaimed slam poet, known internationally for his creativity in the realm of performative spoken word and locally for his dedication to organizing open mic nights—like the “Kitchen Sessions”—and other forums for South Bay artists to strut their stuff. The “Go! Go! Gong Show!” is one such forum. Participants have at least four minutes to show off any skill they have. If the gong is hit before they finish the performance, they are disqualified. Others’ performances will be rated on a scale from one to 10 with the winner receiving $50 and a slot in the finals. (TJ)
Rita Moreno
Thu, 6pm, $125
SJSU Student Union
If there’s anyone who understands the importance of diversity it’s Rita Moreno. The octogenarian has spent a career fighting racial stereotyping—thriving all the while. The Puerto Rican-born actress, dancer and singer is one of the few “EGOTs” (an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner). Moreno had a small part in Singing In The Rain; second, and the larger, an Oscar-winning role in West Side Story. She will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at San Jose State University’s first-ever Educational Opportunity Program Gala. The Educational Opportunity Program is designed to improve support for first-generation, low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. (NV)
Lucinda Williams
Fri, 7:30pm, $40-$70
Mountain Winery, Saratoga
Proving that some things only get better with time, Lucinda Williams’ intoxicating blend of introspective songwriting and impassioned performing skills make her one of the best acts out there today. With four decades of singing and playing experience under her belt, she continues to weave her twangy and soulful voice with a background of country, rock, folk and blues. While her records are outstanding, on stage is really the place to hear Williams. Her shows are pure musical marathons—raucous, soothing, cathartic and celebratory all at the same time. (SM)
Strength Unity Power
Fri, 6:30pm, Free
Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara
Born in Montana and reared on the Crow Indian Reservation, Wendy Red Star is a Native American multimedia artist who explores the appropriation of her culture. She creates thought-provoking images that leave the observer intrigued and wanting more. With a BFA from Montana State University and an MFA from UCLA, Red Star’s work has been displayed in a number of museums and exhibits, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Philbrook Museum of Art, and The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her forthcoming exhibit at Triton runs through Oct. 30. (TJ)
Burning Tale
Sat, 6pm, $5
Studio Bongiorno, Santa Clara
The second of two “Mighty” Mike McGee-hosted events this week, “The Burning Tale” is one part writing workshop (starting at 6pm), and one part potluck and open-mic night (beginning at 8pm). After everyone’s had a chance to mingle and share their own material, the night’s special guest, Erica Gross—poet laureate of Los Gatos—will read some of her own work. Gross’ poetry has been published in multiple journals; she hosts her own poetry-focused local-access cable show, Word to Word; she’s authored two books; and recently won the first Edwin Markham Prize for poetry. (TJ)
Rupa and the April Fishes
Sat, 8pm, $23-$29
Sunnyvale Theatre
Sunnyvale kicks off its 26th annual performing arts series, “Evenings of Cultural Arts,” with a concert by Rupa and the April Fishes. The San Francisco group have an eclectic, international sound that blends folk, Indian raga, ska, rock and jazz. The band’s lead singer, Rupa Marya, sings in English, Spanish, French and Hindi as she reflects on themes of pain and perseverance, telling her tales of sorrow and joy through her sultry, smoky voice. “Evenings of Cultural Arts” is a monthly series. Next month’s event brings The Wee Trio to the Sunnyvale Theatre on Oct. 22. (TJ)
Maná
Sat, 8:30pm, $72
SAP Center, San Jose
In 1986 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Alex González, Sergio Vallín and Juan Calleros formed the band that would become Maná. Today, they are one of the biggest and most influential Latin rock bands in the world. Since their humble beginnings, the group has sold over 40 million albums, scored four Grammy awards and eight Latin Grammy awards, and have nine No. 1 albums and 10 chart-topping singles in America alone. On their current Latino Power Tour the band aims to use its massive voice to advocate for the Latino community. (TJ)
Drew Deezy
Sat, 8pm, $18-$20
The Ritz, San Jose
American Samoan rapper Drew Deezy is one of San Jose’s rising hip-hop talents. With over 18,000 likes on Facebook, Deezy has been steady grinding on his rap game for more than a decade, crafting a sound all his own. His biggest hit, the Tenelle- and Fiji-featuring “50/50,” boasts a YouTube viewcount of 1.5 million and blends a triumphant, Uce Nation-produced beat with a sweet and swaggering hook—which toggles between the pure, soaring vocal of Tenelle and the powerful dancehall flow of Fiji. Deezy’s labelmate and fellow San Josean, A-Dough, joins him. (NV)
