Highly Recommended
Tonight — Theatricum Botanicum: The Winter’s Tale is one of Willie the Shake’s last, a tragi-comedy in five acts. TB’s ever-evolving staple A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been performed by them every season, for more than half a century now. Molière’s classic Wendy’s Peter Pan is typical of how TB takes a fresh look at things and by title alone sounds like a lot of fun. Tartuffe is brought forward a few centuries, and right into today’s headlines. Midsummer Thurs, next Thurs, 7:30pm, Wendy Fri 7:30pm, Winter Sat 7:30pm, Tartuffe Sun 7:30pm,$15-60.
Jon Batiste – First noticed him leading the band with panache on Stephen Colbert, wasn’t surprised when he released a couple of great singles, because his performance of "Freedom" on the Grammys a couple years ago was off the charts. He had the biggest names in music standing, applauding, going nuts. Sat 8pm, Greek Theatre, LA, $48-176.
Hot Club of Los Angeles — You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday night, 9-11:30pm, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. This amazing ensemble is a treasure. Mon 9pm, Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
Recommended
"Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak" — Now you can see them much bigger than a page in a book. This is the first complete retrospective of his art since his death in 2012, and includes his work in many areas of the arts. 8/8 - 9/1, Skirball Museum, admission price? Parking fee — call for info and hours.
Tonight — The Substance of Fire — Is still gaining steam, as the rave reviews roll in. Drawing actors like Bryan Cranston, Kevin Pollack, Dann Florek, Laurence Fishburne. ("They all loved it," said Ruskin’s Mike Myers.) And now they are adding Thursdays, starting tonight. Starring Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross, both with extensive credits and awards for stage, film and TV. Go soon, you may well want to return, and take friends. Fri, Sat, next Thurs 8pm, Sun 2pm, Ruskin Group Theatre, SM Airport, $25-40.
Hives, Foo Fighters — OK, this is a little iffy, and my millennial daughter may cringe at this pick, but I think The Hives always have the possibility of reclaiming their early rock and roll Swedish awesomeness, and FF Dave Grohl lives the rocker’s total immersion, with energy and humor. Fri 5:30pm, BMO Stadium, LA, $102-599.
Wailing Souls — Great name, eh? Great vocal harmonies, since the ‘60s, I’ve seen them several times in the last 40 years, the real deal, originals Pipe and Bread are still wailing. I expect a big crowd there in the park. Sat 7pm, Levitt Pavilion, MacArthur Park, LA, free.
Alanis Morisette, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts — Kickass proof that the "ladies" can sing, play their instruments, and blow any rockers off the stage. Great pairing. If you’ve never seen JJ, you haven’t lived. Don’t kill yourself, just go. Sat 8pm, Kia Forum,
Library Girl — "Into This House We're Born." LG always has some music bubbling in its themes but this month they are getting right to it, with the quintessential yet unique LA band. Celebrating the lyrical essence of The Doors' music. An especially sterling roster of writers will be on stage, including co-curator Michael C. Ford, who was good buds with Jim Morrison, noted music journalist Steve Hochman, and Susan Hayden herself. Also, the return of Mason Summit, now a Nashville cat, whose songs graced LG shows for so many years. (He’s not 12 anymore.) Do not miss this one. See you there. Sun 7pm, Ruskin Group Theatre, Santa Monica Airport, $20, includes dessert and free parking, such a deal.
Pretenders, Foo Fighters — Combine two picks above: if you’ve never seen The Pretenders/Chrissie Hynde… Jagger at 80 has Chrissie at 72 chasing him, also an amazing catalog of songs. 5:30pm, BMO Stadium, LA, $102-599.
Coming Attractions (also Recommended): "Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak," Skirball, 8/8-9/1; Theatricum Botanicum — A Midsummer Night’s Dream 8/8, 15, 29 — Wendy’s Peter Pan 8/9, 18, 25 — The Winter’s Tale 8/10, 16, 24 — Tartuffe-Born Again 8/11, 18, 25, 30; The Substance of Fire, Ruskin Group Theatre, 8/8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 9/1; Hives, Foo Fighters, BMO Stadium, 8/9; Jon Batiste, Greek, 8/10; Wailing Souls, Levitt Pavilion, 8/10; Alanis Morisette, Joan Jett & Blackhearts, Kia Forum, 8/10; Library Girl, Ruskin Theatre, 8/11; Pretenders, Foo Fighters, BMO Stadium, 8/11; Herbie Hancock "Head Hunters" 50th, Hollywood Bowl, 8/14; 10CC, Theatre at Ace Hotel, 8/15; Lila Downs, Marina del Rey summer concert series, 8/17; All-Dvořák with Midori, LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl, 8/20; Gary Clark Jr., Hollywood Bowl, 8/21; Ghostland Observatory, Teragram Ballroom, 8/24; Ash Grove Alumni, McCabe’s, 8/25; Dudamel & Yunchan Lim, Hollywood Bowl, 8/29.
Charles Andrews has listened to a lot of music of all kinds, including more than 3,000 live shows. He has lived in Santa Monica for 38 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Really. Send love and/or hate mail to: mailto:therealmrmusic@gmail.com
