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This week, Junior Brown brings classic country with a modern twist to The Guild; “The Tempest” blows into Redwood City with free Shakespeare in the Park; the Bay Area Aloha Festival celebrates the culture of the Pacific Islands; over 150 artists show their works at the Los Altos Fine Arts Festival; Feldman’s Books marks the launch of a picture book about a dog’s day at the beach; and Community School of Music and Arts holds a reception for a show of Pedro Rivas Lopez’s monarch butterfly paintings.
Junior Brown
This country legend sticks his neck out creatively, in more ways than one. Credited with the creation of a double-necked “guit-steel” that combines a traditional six-string guitar with a full-size steel guitar, Brown employs the instrument to great effect in his unique sound. His witty lyrics, delivered via wryly casual vocals, meld with old-school twangy guitar for a lively take on OG country music that sounds like a 1950s musical cowpoke transported to the 21st century. His most recent album, “The American Original,” brings together 22 favorite songs from previous releases.
Aug. 15, 8 p.m., at The Guild, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, $52.15-$121.67, guildtheatre.com.
Shakespeare in the Park
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival tours the Bay Area each summer, staging one of the Bard’s plays in free performances in the park. This year features one of Shakepeare’s later plays, “The Tempest,” which comes to Redwood City’s Red Morton Park for three weekends. The play tells of a father and daughter, Prospero and Miranda, set adrift to sea by Prospero’s jealous brother. They find their way to an island full of magical creatures, but then eventually, after a massive storm, Prospero’s brother and a crew of other unique characters also come to be shipwrecked on the island – and a reckoning ensues. A discussion with Dr. Edmund Campos, an expert in Renaissance literature, will follow the Aug. 11 performance.
Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 10-25, 6 p.m, at Red Morton Park, Valota Road side, 1455 Madison Ave, Redwood City, free, redwoodcity.org.
‘Magical Monarcas’ reception
This summer, Mohr Gallery at Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) is featuring “Magical Monarcas,” an exhibition of paintings of monarch butterflies by local multidisciplinary artist and community worker Pedro Rivas Lopez. “His work is influenced by his Indigenous Mesoamerican ancestry, his experiences as a Mexican Immigrant, the human emotion, and politics,” according to the gallery website. Monarch butterflies, representing themes of identity, transformation and empowerment, are a common subject in Lopez’s colorful pieces. On Aug. 10, CSMA holds a reception for the show, which is on view through Sept. 6.
Aug. 10, 4-6 p.m., at Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio CircleMountain View, free, arts4all.org/mohr-galler.
‘Tennessee Goes to the Beach’
Talk about the dog days of summer: Feldman’s Books celebrates all things canine with a launch party for author Jeanine Keller’s dog-themed picture book “Tennessee Goes to the Beach.” The evening includes music and readings from works such as Robinson Jeffers’ “The House-dog’s Grave” and J. Allen Boone’s “Kinship With All Life.” Plus, a favorite furry face will be on hand for festivities: Sabine the Therapy Dog, who’s sometimes featured at her own events at Feldman’s, will take part in the launch. She’s making her print debut with Keller’s book, lending her likeness to the titular character of Tennessee.
Aug. 10, 6 p.m., at Feldman’s Books, 1075 Curtis St., Menlo Park, free, eventbrite.com.
Bay Area Aloha Festival
Pacific Islanders Cultural Association hosts two days of live entertainment, workshops and arts and crafts and food vendors celebrating all things aloha. This fun family-friendly event also has plenty for kids, with a “Ohana Keiki Korner” that will be buzzing with activities that range from candy lei-making and special Hawaiian crafts to ukulele lessons.
Aug. 10-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, $5 suggested admission/$20 parking, pica-org.org.
Los Altos Fine Art in the Park
Los Altos Rotary holds its annual art festival, Fine Art in the Park, with the chance to meet over 150 juried artists who will be displaying and selling work in a variety of media, including paintings and sculpture, glass, wood, textiles, jewelry and other wearable art. The event also features live music and entertainment throughout the day. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food and drink, such as bruschetta, falafel and shawarma, plus dishes from local favorites Chef Chu’s and Armadillo Willy’s, along with beer and wine.
Aug. 10-11, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at Lincoln Park, Los Altos, rotaryartshow.com.
