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‘The Brave Fuzzy’
Palo Alto High School students melded science and storytelling in their picture book for kids, “The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story.” Students from the Pen & Pipette club worked on the book for two years, consulting both scientists and elementary school-aged children in creating the book, which “blends a story about finding strength in differences with the hidden science of the microbiome,” according to an event description. The book received a star from Kirkus Reviews — rare for an independent book — and Kirkus also listed it as a top indie pick for October. The authors will be on hand at a launch party for the “The Brave Fuzzy” at Books Inc. Palo Alto.
Sept. 27, 11 a.m., at Books Inc. Palo Alto, 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; booksinc.com.
‘Private Lives’
In Noël Coward’s comedy of manners “Private Lives,” former lovers reunite while on their honeymoons with their respective new spouses and find their old spark hasn’t gone out. “As they abandon convention for a reckless reunion, they expose the absurdities of polite society and the fragile structures that hold it together,” according to the Pear Theatre, which is staging a production of the show, directed by Dennis Lickteig.
Sept. 25-Oct. 11, Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View; $48; thepear.org/season25.
Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio: Live from Havana
Cuban pianist Jorge Luis Pacheco, with bassist Gerson Lazo-Quiroga and drummer Reinier Mendoza, performs “Live from Havana,” a program featuring Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz, Latin jazz, Cuban boleros, and danzón. The show takes its name from Pacheco’s album of the same name, which was recorded during the 2025 Havana Jazz Festival. He’s performed at Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, among many other venues.
Meyhouse Jazz, Sept. 26, 5 and 8 p.m., 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto; $45-$52 (sold out at press time); meyhousejazz.com/paloalto.
Isabella Kung: ‘Jia Has a Dog Problem’
Bay Area illustrator Isabella Kung (“Nunu and the Sea”) presents a storytime featuring her new picture book, “Jia Has a Dog Problem” written by Stephanie Ellen Sy. Jia is a young girl who’s terribly afraid of dogs of every shape and size. Charlie is a French bulldog who hides from children. When a scary situation forces them together, canine and human learn to overcome their fears and find friendship.
Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m., Linden Tree Books, 265 State St., Los Altos; lindentreebooks.com/events-calendar.
An Intimate Evening with Molly Tuttle
Palo Alto-raised musician Molly Tuttle spends far more time in Nashville and on the road than on the Peninsula these days, but the two-time Grammy Award-winning bluegrass musician hasn’t forgotten her Northern California roots (in fact, she and longtime collaborator Ketch Secor also recently married at a Santa Cruz park). Likewise, local listeners always sell out Tuttle’s shows in the area. Earlier this month, the singer-songwriter and guitarist released a companion EP to her 2025 album “So Long Little Miss Sunshine,” featuring acoustic versions of five tracks. The original album celebrated themes of acceptance, independence and self-confidence, and these acoustic recordings “offer a fresh perspective on some of the album’s most personal songs,” according to Nonesuch Records. Tuttle will perform at Stanford’s Bing Concert Hall, and as of press time, there were only a handful of tickets left.
Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., at Bing Concert Hall, Stanford; $45.36-$111.24; live.stanford.edu.
Candlebox
Seattle alternative-rock band Candlebox celebrated the 30th anniversary of its self-titled debut album in 2023. Now in its 33rd year, the band (perhaps best known for “Far Behind” and “You”) is on its “Can’t Quit You” fall tour and makes a stop in Menlo Park with special guest Detroit-formed rock band Sponge.
Sept. 29, 8 p.m., The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $55-$75; guildtheatre.com/shows/candlebox-29-sep.
‘Follies’
Los Altos Stage Company’s political, musical and comedic sketch show and theater company fundraiser “Follies” returns, poking fun at the modern political landscape, from Washington D.C. to city hall. There’s also a silent auction to benefit LASC, with the catalog available for online perusal (opens Sept. 25). Audiences have four chances to catch the show, with prices varying: a preview night, a casual night with champagne and cookies, and a gala evening with two show times and a reception at the Los Altos Community Center featuring “hearty” refreshments and live music.
Sept. 30 preview at 7 p.m., Oct. 1 casual night at 7 p.m. and Oct. 2 gala at 5 and 8 p.m. Prices vary depending on performance and seating ($90-$220); losaltosstage.org/follies-2026-2.
Rick Steves
Longtime travel guide and PBS host Rick Steves voyages to Redwood City to discuss “How to See the World,” including tips on planning trips that are affordable, fun and culturally enriching. “With his signature blend of humor, heart, and easygoing wisdom from four decades of backpack-and-boarding-pass living, Rick makes the case that travel is about more than just seeing the world,” according to KQED, which is presenting the event.
Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m., $46.08-$68.93; tixr.com/groups/kqed/events.
Visit our Fall Arts Preview to find more events coming up this week, including rock guitarist Samantha Fish, Sept. 27 at The Guild; the opening of the “Beyond the Endgame” show at Qualia Contemporary Art, with a reception, 4-6 p.m. on Sept. 26; local author Nina Schuyler, Sept. 29 at Books Inc. Palo Alto and comedian W. Kamau Bell, Oct. 1 at Stanford Live.
Curated by Martina Koppel-Yang, “Beyond the Endgame” at Qualia Contemporary Art, this group show of works by nine Paris-based artists of Chinese descent from different generations explores alternative futures. “In a region dominated by technological acceleration, artificial intelligence, and automated futures, this exhibition presents an optimistic refusal of predetermined outcomes,” according to a description of the exhibtion. Pictured is “Superheroes” by multidisciplinary An Xiaotong, who re-creates images found online into other media, including Lego sculptures. The exhibition also features pieces by Armando Milano, Felicitas Yang, Yang Jiechang, Ru Xiaofan, Wang Du, Chen Zhen, Du Zhenjun and Céline Shen.
Sept. 27-Nov. 7 at Qualia Contemporary Art, Palo Alto. qualiagallery.com.
Courtesy Qualia Contemporary Art
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