Freebie of the Week: A Unique Journey in Music
Lucía Gutierrez Rebolloso, a singer from Veracruz, has taken an unexpected path to becoming a renowned Mexican/son jarocho artist. Along the way, she discovered jazz, which opened up new possibilities for her musical expression. She found inspiration in the improvisational nature of jazz and the vocal styles of artists like Jazzmeia Horn and Cécile McLorin Salvant. Her passion led her to success, as she won the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2022, making her the first Mexican artist to do so. Since then, she has rebranded herself under the moniker “Luci” and released her self-titled debut album. She has also maintained an active touring schedule.
Fans of jazz might remember her performance at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest last year. Now, she’s back in Northern California with performances at the Monterey Jazz Festival and two shows this week. One of these is a free appearance at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. She will also perform at Stanford’s The Studio venue on Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. as part of the Stanford Live series.
Celebrating African American Art
The Museum of the African Diaspora’s Nexus: SF project continues its celebration of Black art with the annual Black Art Week. This event runs through Sunday and features numerous exhibits and appearances across the Bay Area. Visitors can explore works by various Black artists at locations such as the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the Cantor Museum at Stanford University, and the KARL arts complex in San Francisco.
Art lovers can view the works of New York-based abstract contemporary artist Alteronce Gumby at Stanford as part of the Anderson Collection. There is also a new collection titled “The Art of Fashion,” featuring works by designer Brandin Vaughn, known for designing Beyoncé’s outfits for her Cowboy Carter and Renaissance tours. Another highlight is the African American quilts collection at BAMPFA. Many of these exhibits are free to attend. For more details on the events and exhibits, visit www.nexus-sfbay.com/schedule.
A Comedy of Terrors: ‘Dracula’ on Stage
The City Lights Theater Company in the South Bay is bringing a unique blend of horror and comedy to the stage with “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.” This 90-minute show, created by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, combines elements of Bram Stoker, Mel Brooks, and Monty Python. It has already been performed in London and New York, and it promises a fast-paced, humorous experience filled with classic comedic tropes.
Directed by Caitlin Lawrence Papp, the production features a cast of six and is described as a show that “you can really sink your teeth into.” The play runs through October 19 at City Lights Theater in downtown San Jose. Tickets range from $40 to $68 and can be purchased at https://cltc.org.
A Spotlight on the San Francisco Symphony
This weekend, the San Francisco Symphony is highlighting its longtime principal trombonist, Timothy Higgins, with the world premiere of a piece he composed for full orchestra. Titled “Market Street, 1920s,” the work is described as an over-the-top, farcical, and tongue-in-cheek argument about the direction of culture. Audiences can expect a mix of melodies, blats, and squawks.
Guest conductor Gustavo Gimeno, who is the music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Teatro Real in Spain, will lead the three performances in Davies Hall. The program also includes Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, with Spanish pianist Javier Perianes as soloist, and Piotr Ilych Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range from $30 to $185 and can be purchased at sfsymphony.org.
An Art Explosion in Emeryville
Emeryville is celebrating its 39th iteration of the Emeryville Art Exhibition, officially declaring October as Art & Culture Month. The exhibition opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Public Market Emeryville, located at 5005 Shellmound St. From October 4 to 26, more than 200 works by 140 local artists will be on display for free from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays.
The juried show features a wide range of artistic mediums, including paintings, sculptures, woodworks, ceramics, textiles, photographs, digital artworks, and original music. Visitors can purchase pieces they like, and the exhibition space, donated by Oxford Properties Group, is conveniently located at the south end of the market. The area also includes artisan food outlets, ample parking, and a Saturday morning farmers’ market. More information can be found at www.emeryarts.org.
