This is one of those weeks where you’d need to clone yourself five times over to try to attend half the scheduled shows. It’s a target-rich environment, so choose wisely.
The show that’s No. 1 on my radar is Michael Kiwanuka and Brittany Howard on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Vina Robles Amphitheatre (8 p.m.; all ages; $62.55 to $537.82 at ticketmaster.com), with Yasmin Williams opening.
I saw Howard a few years ago at the Santa Barbara Bowl when she fronted Alabama Shakes, and she’s got such a soulful, authentic vibe. I’m less familiar with Kiwanuka, but a good primer is to search out his YouTube video “The Rest of Me (Live in London),” which highlights his warm guitar work and smooth soulful voice. I think this show’s going to be one for the books.
“So excited to join Brittany on this run,” Kiwanuka announced in press materials. “I’ve been such a fan of her music since I first saw a video of her singing ‘Hold On’ in a record store somewhere. So authentically true in her voice and songs. Since then, I’ve been hooked. Seeing her shine as a solo artist is a delight, so it’s a real honor for me to be able to share the stage with her. I can’t wait to see you, America. It’s been so long, and I’ve missed playing for you. I’m counting down the days.”
Howard added, “I am so excited to be touring again with my dear friend Michael Kiwanuka and hitting so many amazing venues across the country in the fall. We started this journey at almost the same time in 2011, and it has been so amazing to follow his growth as an artist. I can’t wait to watch his set and also see Yasmin Williams, as she is such a unique artist. This tour is a dream come true.”
Love is in the air
The perfect romantic date awaits when Tango Lovers’ Volver 2 (Comeback 2) returns to the Clark Center on Friday, Oct. 18 (7:30 p.m.; $49 to $84 at clarkcenter.org). Singer Guillermo Fernandez and maestro Lautaro Greco present this dance and music spectacle from Argentina and Uruguay that features a live tango orchestra, singers, and five world-class dance couples.
Also at the Clark Center, check out In The Air Tonight, a concert celebrating Genesis and Phil Collins, and hits such as “Turn It On Again,” “Abacab,” “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight,” “Sussudio,” “Against All Odds” “Invisible Touch,” and more, on Saturday, Oct. 19 (7:30 p.m.; $39.50 to $65.40 at clarkcenter.org).
One, two, and three
You can tell Cal Poly is back in session because there are fewer parking places on your street and Cal Poly Arts has slate of concerts.
Enjoy an evening with legendary folk icons The Kingston Trio on Friday, Oct. 18, in Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre (7 p.m.; all ages; $58 to $70 at pacslo.org). They’ll perform timeless classics like “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” and “Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley.”
Violinist Tessa Lark, celloist Joshua Roman, and Grammy-winning double bassist Edgar Meyer join forces in new collaboration that include works by Bach and Edgar Meyer, on Tuesday, Oct. 22 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $30.80 to $71 at pacslo.org), in the Performing Arts Center.
Things will get very spooky when organist Cameron Carpenter, as part of the Forbes Organ Series, will accompany a screening of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 horror classic Nosferatu on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Performing Arts Center (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $30 to $37 at pacslo.org). The visually stunning vampire film and Carpenter’s ominous, spine-chilling sounds will set the tone for All Hallows Eve.
A heapin’ helpin’ of hot jazz
We have an impressive jazz scene year-round, but once a year, thanks to the Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club, the Central Coast turns into a veritable jazz mecca when Jazz Jubilee Central Coast comes to the county starting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, with a SLO Jazz Federation jazz jam at The Mark in SLO Town, and concluding on Saturday, Nov. 2, with Cuesta Jazz with Derek Brown featuring the Cuesta Big Band with a Cuesta Combo in concert at the Cuesta Performing Arts Center.
In between, see a bunch of great shows from the likes of Tom Rigney & Flambeau, The Starlight Dream Band, Gaile Gillaspie and her Big City Jazz Band, and many, many more. So many, in fact, they can’t all be listed here. Visit pismojazz.com/schedule-jazzfest for a complete schedule of events.
Love, jealousy, tragedy!
You’ll get it all when Opera SLO presents Carmen on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, in SLO’s Performing Arts Center on the Cal Poly campus (2 p.m.; all ages; general $37 to $87, and $30 to $70 for students at pacslo.org).
Set in 1820s Spain, story follows naïve soldier Don José, who’s seduced by fiery gypsy woman and smuggler Carmen. José abandons his childhood sweetheart, turns his back on his military career, and joins Carmen’s band of thugs.
This countywide arts collaboration features Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo, Applause Children’s Theater, several collaborating choruses, and others.
Smoke ’em if ya got ’em
J. Kelly “JK” Moreno is a real gather-no-moss kind of guy. The rolling stone is a novelist, Cal Poly psychology professor, researcher, psychotherapist, forensic examiner, expert witness, and singer-songwriter who’ll release his second album, He Smokes with God, this Saturday, Oct. 19, at Mulligan’s (5 to 7 p.m.; all ages; free). Moreno has a super interesting voice, and he writes really lucid songs that on this album have been informed by his psychology practice.
Each song introduces a multi-layered character who’s suffering one psychological affliction or another. These are endlessly fascinating vignettes, and Moreno has enlisted a slew of talented session players for the recording. It’s a terrific-sounding album that features rock, blues, reggae, Americana, and country.
“Were it not for music, I would not be here,” Moreno admitted. “It was music that brought my parents together; it was music that kept me sane during insane times; and it has been and remains music that keeps the dark passenger at bay and brings joy, levity, and light to every day I sing, play, and write.”
He’ll be backed by a 10-piece band.
Pay it forward
Giving Guitars is an organization that visits homeless shelters and donates guitars for the unhoused to learn on and play during their time at the shelter, and this Saturday, Oct. 19, it’s 40 Prado Homeless Services Center’s turn to receive the gift of music (5 p.m.; free but donations welcome).
Nashville’s award-winning modern country artist Steven Cade will visit as part of his international Giving Guitars Tour to raise funds and awareness for the homeless, where he’ll donate a new guitar to the shelter and do a live mini concert.
This is a great opportunity to visit the shelter and help your community.
Numbskull and Good Medicine
As usual, Numbskull and Good Medicine have a ton of shows, so I have to be brief. See singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells on Thursday, Oct. 17, in The Siren (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $29.56 at goodmedicinepresents.com). Cal Poly music alumnus Mike Annuzzi opens the show.
Conner Smith on his Storyteller Tour plays BarrelHouse Brewing on Friday, Oct. 18 (6 p.m.; all ages; $28.53 general or $95.48 VIP experience at goodmedicinepresents.com). The 24-year-old is already a seasoned Nashville songwriting vet whose penned hits like “Take It Slow,” “I Hate Alabama,” and “Creek Will Rise.”
Hiss Golden Messenger plays his album Bad Debt and other favorites on Friday, Oct. 18, in Castoro Cellars (8 p.m.; all ages; $35.74 at goodmedicinepresents.com). He wrote the record in 2010 while living in a “drafty cedar cabin in the woods outside of Pittsboro, North Carolina, with his wife and 3-month-old son, Elijah.” Hayden Pedigo opens.
Get your country and western fix when The Soda Crackers and The Haywoods share the bill at Club Car Bar on Friday, Oct. 18 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $17.72 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
Funk and jazz are on the bill with Boot Juice at Club Car Bar on Saturday, Oct. 19 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $24.41 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
One of my all-time favorite live acts, Southern Culture on the Skids, comes to The Siren Thursday, Oct. 24 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.41 at goodmedicinepresents.com). Expect deep-fried country rock.
The Siren
The Siren also has a ridiculous number of shows. Don’t miss the Hillbilly Surf Stomp with Cadillac Angels, Cuddlefish, and the Hillbilly Soul Surfers on Friday, Oct. 18 (7 p.m.; all ages; free). Expect rockabilly, surf, Western swing, and good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
See Americana and folk rockers Rose’s Pawn Shop on Saturday, Oct. 19 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18.79 at tixr.com).
Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru brings his socially conscious reggae sounds to town on Sunday, Oct. 20 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $36.25 at tixr.com).
It’s still “Midnight at the Oasis” when Maria Muldaur plays the 50th anniversary of her self-titled album that includes her iconic hit, on Tuesday, Oct. 22 (6:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $30.12 at tixr.com).
Jangling West Coast alt-country act Dead Rock West plays on Wednesday, Oct. 23 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18.48 at tixr.com) with Longstraw opening.
SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock
Saxophone and drum act Moon Hooch plays on Thursday, Oct. 17 (doors at 8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $28.24 at ticketweb.com), with special guest percussionist Cofresi opening.
Reggae ensemble Groundation plays on Saturday, Oct. 19 (doors at 8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $35.45 at ticketweb.com).
Fremont Theater
Get sad when The Emo Night Tour returns on Friday, Oct. 18 (8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $29.07 at prekindle.com).
Brooks Nielsen, lead singer and songwriter of surf-psych icons The Growlers, will perform all Growlers songs on Sunday, Oct. 20 (8 p.m.; all ages; $61.79 at prekindle.com).
It’s not music, but comedian René Vaca takes the stage on Wednesday, Oct. 23 (8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $29 to $49 plus fees at prekindle.com).
There’s more comedy when Nurse Blake: Shock Advised Tour plays Thursday, Oct. 24 (7 p.m.; 16-and-older; $41.20 to $61.50 at prekindle.com).
OK, good luck out there. Δ
Contact Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Oct 17-27, 2024.