Did you promise yourself you would read more in 2024, but gravitate to music over than literature? Do you love hearing incredibly knowledgeable people speak deeply and passionately about the music they love? Are you doing anything Sunday afternoon? Join amazing 48 Hills writer and longtime music chronicler, among many other terrific things, Tamara Palmer for Music Book Club, starting this Sunday on Zoom at noon, with Dan Charnas, the author of incredible book Dilla Time, which dives into all the ways beloved Detroit hip-hop beats pioneer J. Dilla changed the way we listen to music. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to read the book to join the conversation, you can quickly brush up on the tome here, and listen to essentials here and here, or just pop in for some on-the-fly enlightenment)
I am actually stunned at the diverse and fabulous roster of authors and topics Tamara has pulled together for the next few months, from Danyel Smith’s reflections on Black women in pop music and DJ Paulette’s spicy memoir to Scott Woods on Prince, Gina Arnold on Nirvana, and eternal groupie Pamela Des Barres. As the media partner, we here at 48 Hills will be archiving each of the shows with some new content of our own, so, as they say, stay tuned. Join us Sunday! The Zoom link is here, and there are lots more details here.
THE EDWARDIAN BALL RETURNS FRI/26 AND SAT/27 Special mention this week for this local institution—think Mad Max meets “Bridgerton”—which came roaring back from the pandemic in 2022, and last year featured more wigs, wows, and wild looks than ever.
“Nigh impossible to describe, but absolutely delightful to experience. The Edwardian Ball is an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey.
“Set in a re-imagined Edwardian Era, this multi-city, multi-media extravaganza has grown over the past 23 years from an underground club party into an internationally recognized festival of the arts, now operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.” Regency Ballroom, SF. More info here.
MORE EVENTS OF NOTE
SAT/27 STAGE DIVE INTO LIFE New year, new you, new leopard tights? Rock n’ roll self-help guru Krush is on the case! “Are you ready to rock 2024?! Part comedy concert, part transformational workshop, all mayhem, this one-of-a-kind variety show will have you laughing all the way to success! Experience hilarious life-changing moments, a rock journey with Tielle, ‘awe’ with Ash Rex, triumphant serenade with Neon, and The Ultimate Encore!” 7:30pm, Flux Vertical Theatre, Berkeley. More info here.
SAT/27: STOP MAKING SENSE If you missed the terrific revival of Jonathan Demme’s “best concert film of all time,” documenting the Talking Heads in all their off-beat splendor, this is a perfect chance to catch it on the big screen in 4K (before the Castro Theatre closes for ages). 8pm, Castro Theatre, SF. More info here.
SAT/27: FLOATING POINTS The brilliantly jazz-influenced UK electronic musician is in town to perform his score for the SF Ballet’s new Mere Mortals (Fri/26-Feb. 1)—but of course he’s making time for a dance-floor journey at Gray Area, with the awesome Jessy Lanza and Hagop Tchaparian in tow. 9pm-2am, Gray Area, SF. More info here.
SAT/27: ICEBREAKER’S BALL Every year, legendary Miami DJ Icey awakens early from hibernation to deliver fierce techno and drum and bass beats to a warm and friendly crowd in the middle of winter. Hop on a sled and get to Monarch. 9pm-2am, Monarch, SF. More info here.
SUN/28: KATE BUSH, A DRAG TRIBUTE They;’re taking on the wild and wily queen of dreams herself over at Oasis: “Join trixxie carr and special guests including Laundra Tyme and Polly Amber Ross for an unforgettable night of incomparable music. Kate Bush is for lovers, so we want to bring you LOVE, and deeper understanding… and if anyone is not familiar with her music, bring them to this show for an unforgettable indoctrination into her Sensual World! We can’t get enough of this Woman’s Work! It truly gives us The Kick Inside!” 7pm, Oasis, SF. More info here.
SUN/28: TASTE OF TENDERLOIN: AZALINA’S Chef Azalina worked her way up from street vending to running one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city. Join her for a special Malaysian lunch that features some of her favorite family recipes. 11am, Azalina’s, SF. More info here.
TUE/30: KAVEH AKBAR WITH TOMMY ORANGE: MARTYR! Poet Kaveh Akbar has just released his debut novel “Martyr!,” about an Iranian immigrant steeped in the arts, and is celebrating the occasion with Oakland’s own Pulitzer-winner Tommy Orange, whose own book There There remains essential reading. 6:30pm, Green Apple by the Park, SF. More info here.
WED/1: COLONIZING AMERICA—AN EVENING OF STANDUP WITH TJ For one night only, Haitian-born NYC comedy sensation TJ tackles immigration, language, religion, and why America may be near the end of its run—all while keeping the audience in stitches. Seawolf Public House, Oakland. More info here.
