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This week, journalist and author Joy-Ann Reid discusses her latest book and West Bay Opera stages a work that draws on black magic and populism. Plus, indie acoustic and Turkish music shows and a panel of experts weigh in on “AI and Human Potential.”
Joy-Ann Reid
Joy-Ann Reid, journalist, author (“The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story,” “Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons, and the Racial Divide”) and host of MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” will come to Kepler’s to discuss her newest book, “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America.” It chronicles the stories of civil rights icons Medgar and Myrlie Evers, both in terms of their legacy in American history (including Medgar Evers’ 1963 assassination) as well as their relationship. Reid will be in conversation with Angie Coiro as part of Kepler’s “This Is Now” cultural and political series. Kepler’s hosts this event both in person and virtually.
Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Kepler’s Books 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, $20-$52 (tickets are for virtual event; in-person tickets have have a waiting list), keplers.org.
Güliz Ayla
Turkish singer-songwriter Güliz Ayla, whose 2015 single “Olmazsan Olmaz” became the most searched-via-Shazam song in Turkey, comes to Redwood City to perform at Club Fox. According to the club’s event listing, Ayla, known for her soulful singing and strong stage presence, “has left an indelible mark on the Turkish music scene, blending traditional elements with contemporary sounds.”
Feb. 16. 8:30 p.m., Club Fox, 2209 Broadway St., Redwood City, $40-$60, clubfoxrwc.com.
‘Corpus Evita’
West Bay Opera’s latest production is set 50 years ago in Argentina, but its origins are closely tied to the Bay Area, and to the opera company itself — and its political themes seem timeless. The company’s general director, José Luis Moscovich, wrote the libretto for “Corpus Evita,” an opera by Argentine-American composer Carlos Franzetti. According to a press release, the piece premiered with San Francisco Camerata over 20 years ago. That production’s recording, conducted by Moscovich, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005. “Corpus Evita” tells a lesser known story tied to the regime of Argentine president Juan Perón. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita” musically immortalized Juan’s second wife, Eva Perón,” but this opera tells of his third wife, Isabel Perón, who stepped into the presidency following her husband’s death in 1974. “Corpus Evita” explores Isabel’s turbulent two years in office before a coup ousted her, and how she co-opted Eva’s populist image. Eva is also present in other ways: her ghost and Juan’s play a role, along with other magical realist elements.
Feb. 16-25 at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, $40-$112. wbopera.org.
Natalie Mata and Tatiana
Musicians Natalie Mata and Tatiana – described as “indie acoustic” and “folk ethereal,” respectively, will be the featured artists at the next 2nd Story performance hosted by Red Rock Coffee. Mata released her debut original single and music video, “rerun,” last year. The new 2nd Story series aims to offer independent singer-songwriters and small bands from across many genres the chance to perform locally. All proceeds go to the artists.
Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View, suggested donation $10, redrockcoffee.com/2nd-story.
TEDx Palo Alto
“AI and Human Potential” is the theme of the next TEDx Palo Alto event, held at the Guild Theatre (which, technically, is not in Palo Alto but close enough). Resiliency expert Adam Dorsay is the emcee for a lineup that includes computer scientist Scott Aaronson, Canva’s Guy Kawasaki, former Stanford University admissions officer and author Irena Smith, musicologist Judith Finell, attorney Andy Gass, Swedish jazz musician Gunhild Carling, musical quartet Le Jazz Hot, AI policy expert Vilas Dhar, startup advisor Oded Gal, computer scientist Maja Matarić, human-robot interaction specialist Leila Takayama and CEO Mike Dougherty.
Feb. 18, 9 a.m., Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, $75, guildtheatre.com.
