Music of all kinds is in the air this week, from singer-songwriters teaming up to raise funds for L.A. fire relief to the world premiere of a new choral piece based on writings by John Muir; from a pop-up event highlighting rap and reggaeton to a nearly sold-out appearance by harpist Lavinia Meijer. There’s also bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz in town to promote the latest book in his “Orphan X” series; a reception for artist Samuray Akarvardar; and a teen theater production of a play that examines the impact of big historical moments on everyday individuals.
Playin’ for L.A.
The fires in Los Angeles may no longer be burning, but recovery for the area is just getting started. A fundraising concert in support of Los Angeles fire relief efforts will take place Friday at Red Rock Coffee. Lending their talents to the show are singer-songwriters Natalie Mata, Pascale Cheron, Riley, Megan Claire, Ripley, Esther Young and himynameshoney. All proceeds will benefit Southern California-based organizations California Community Foundation and Greenline Housing Foundation.Â
March 14, doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. (cafe service available until 8 p.m.) at Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View. Donations accepted. redrockcoffee.com.
Samuray Akarvardar
The newest exhibition at The Main Gallery is “Homecoming,” featuring the work of artist Samuray Akarvardar. According to the gallery’s website, Akarvardar makes art based on the human form. “In Akarvardar’s works, the concepts of drawing and painting are inextricably intertwined and the conflict between spontaneity and design is resolved by dialog,” the website states. “The excessive use of black and white in her works comes from her fascination with print media and books.” Akarvardar will give an artist talk on her work at a reception on March 15. The exhibition runs through April 13.
March 15, 5:30 p.m. (reception 5-7 p.m.), The Main Gallery, 883 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park; free; themaingallery.org.Â
‘Beethoven, Brahms and Beauty’
Bay Choral Guild celebrates its 25th year with Sanford Dole as artistic director with the world premiere of “All is Beauty,” composed for the occasion by Dole and based on texts by John Muir. The program also features Beethoven’s Mass in C, and Brahms’s “Schicksalslied.” Joining the choral guild for the performance are Jubilate Baroque Orchestra (a program of the San Francisco Early Music Society) and, as vocal soloists, soprano Ann Moss, alto Heidi Waterman, tenor Benjamin Liupaogo and bass Chung-Wai Soong.
March 15 at 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 635 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; March 16 at 4:30 p.m., Campbell United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd., Campbell; $10-$35; baychoralguild.org/tickets.html.
Underground Rush Hour
Underground Rush Hour is a pop-up music event celebrating house, rap and reggaeton sounds, featuring performances, DJ sets, and a cross between the two. Participating acts include Swami Sound, gum.mp3, galen tipton, MJ Nebreda and Polo Perks <3 <3 <3. There will also be a guest mix by drum and bass artist gabemtnz at the start of the event.
March 14, 8 p.m., The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $40.56; guildtheatre.com.
‘Sonia Flew’
Upstage Theater presents Melinda Lopez’s play “Sonia Flew,” about a woman who learns about her son’s decision to leave college and join the military in the aftermath of 9/11. Sonia is forced to confront her traumatic memories of leaving Cuba as a child when Fidel Castro’s regime rose to power. “‘Sonia Flew’ telescopes the large cultural and political forces of historic moments to examine their impact on the intimate lives of ordinary men and women,” the event’s listing states. Upstage Theater is a teen-run theater nonprofit that offers theater opportunities of all kinds (acting and production) to Bay Area youth.
March 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 16 at 2 p.m. SecondStage, Mountain View Center for The Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View; $20-$26; tickets.mvcpa.com.
Gregg Hurwitz
New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz comes to Books Inc. Palo Alto to present the latest in his “Orphan X” series, “Nemesis.” The book follows former black ops assassin Evan Smoak – highly trained and living with a strict code of rules who, after a career as Orphan X, has gone underground. He finds himself in conflict with his erstwhile best friend, Tommy Stojack, who’s apparently violated one of Smoak’s principles and who is also trying to help out the son of another friend from his past. Smoak is out for vengeance but another threat that may be even more dangerous is about to emerge.
March 18, 7 p.m., Books Inc. Palo Alto, 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto; free; booksinc.net.
Lavinia Meijer
Dutch and South Korean harpist Lavinia Meijer is the only classical artist to have hit the top 10 in the Dutch rock charts with three consecutive albums, according to Stanford Live. At her solo performance at Stanford, Meijer will perform original compositions, works by Arnalds, Frahm, Cuomo, plus pieces written for her by Philip Glass.
March 15, 7 p.m., The Studio at Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford; $40-$45 tickets are currently sold out but the box office can provide updated information on released tickets; live.stanford.edu.
