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This weekend, Chinese mythology comes to life through puppets and music in “Book of Mountains and Seas” at Stanford Live, Palo Alto Philharmonic performs the world premiere of a new symphony and jazz pianists Tammy Hall and Edward Simon play in Palo Alto. Plus singer-songwriter Margo Cilker celebrates the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” in Los Altos, high-energy guitarist Ron Artis II performs in Mountain View and Peninsula Women’s Chorus plays a concert in the park.
‘Book of Mountains and Seas’
Ancient Chinese creation mythology is brought to life on stage through the epic, drum-and-vocal-driven music of composer Huang Ruo and the large-scale puppet creations of puppeteer Basil Twist. “Book of Mountains and Seas,” according to Stanford Live, challenges audiences to “consider the power of the natural world and our vital, yet tenuous, relationship to it.” Prior to the April 6 performance, audiences are invited to a talk with Ruo and Twist at 6:45 p.m.
April 6 at 7:30 p.m. and April 7 at 2:30 p.m., Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford; $55; live.stanford.edu/calendar/april-2024/book-mountains-and-seas.
‘A Premiere Fourth’
For its spring concert, titled ‘A Premiere Fourth,’ the Palo Alto Philharmonic presents the world premiere of Symphony No. 4, a new work by composer Lee Actor. He is the orchestra’s composer-in-residence and assistant conductor. The philharmonic commissioned the symphony, a work in four movements written for full orchestra that plays with shifting harmonies, according to Actor’s program notes. The concert also features Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture” and Sibelius’ “En Saga.” Music Director Lara Webber offers a pre-concert talk at 7:30 p.m.
April 6, 8-10 p.m., at De Anza College Visual and Performing Arts Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, $10-$20, paphil.org.
Ron Artis II
Community School of Music and Arts hosts a free concert with guitarist and singer Ron Artis II. He will play songs from his well-received debut album, “Soul Street.” Artis’ fleet-fingered, expressive stylings draw on influences of Delta blues, gospel, R&B and high-energy Northern soul. Woven together with personal, positive lyrics, his upbeat funky sound will bring a ray of musical sunshine to what looks to be a weekend of April showers.
April 6, 7:30 p.m., at Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, free, arts4all.org.
Peninsula Women’s Chorus at the Park
Peninsula Women’s Chorus has been going strong since 1966, with a history of commissioning many new works, championing under-heralded works and taking on challenging pieces, as well as releasing recordings and racking up choral awards over the years. The group presents a free community concert (kids welcome) al fresco in Sunnyvale (weather permitting), its third annual park event. Selections include an a cappella arrangement of Mozart‘s overture to “The Magic Flute,” Michael Bussewitz-Quarm‘s “Nigra Sum,” Mendelssohn‘s “Lift Thine Eyes,” and an excerpt from something new: Peninsula Women’s Chorus composer-in-residence Theresa Wong‘s “Night into Dawn.”
April 6, 3 p.m., Ortega Park, 636 Harrow Way, Sunnyvale, free, pwchorus.org.
Tammy Hall and Edward Simon
Bay Area pianists Tammy Hall and Edward Simon will each perform a solo set at a concert presented by Palo Alto’s Earthwise Productions – part of a series of eight piano-focused events. Hall has had a long career on the jazz scene, both in the Bay Area and well beyond, touring internationally and playing at prestigious spots like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center, and has also delved into the world of musical theater and has worked as an educator and community mentor. Simon, who originally hails from Venezuela, has also had an accomplished career in music, exploring jazz and Latin American folk sounds and releasing numerous albums over the years. A member of the SF JAZZ collective, he’s a former Guggenheim Fellow and recipient of the NAACP Image Award.
April 7, 2 p.m., Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; $4.25-$18; eventbrite.com.
Margo Cilker
Peninsula-raised Americana musician Margo Cilker returns to her old hometown for a concert at the Los Altos History Museum, playing songs off her latest record, “Valley of Heart’s Delight.” The title is a reference to the old nickname for the Santa Clara Valley and Cilker has an enduring fascination with the area’s agricultural history, partly thanks to the work of local author Robin Chapman, whose books include “The Valley of Heart’s Delight: True Tales from Around the Bay” and “California Apricots: the Lost Orchards of Silicon Valley.” Chapman will join Cilker at the event, discussing the history of the Los Altos Heritage Orchard. Carrying on the theme, apricot-flavored drinks will be offered.
April 7, 4 p.m., Los Altos History Museum, 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos; $15 general admission/free for members and kids 10 and under; losaltoshistory.org.