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Wednesday, October 8
Chris Isaak
The Fillmore
1805 Geary, San Francisco
408.998.TIXS
Wed-Thu – 7pm, Fri–Sat – 8pm; $55
Since the day Chris Isaak romped on the beach for the steamy "Wicked Game" video, women have been swooning over this cool crooner's dreamy eyes and hunky good looks. Though a critically acclaimed musician with his own refined rockabilly style—one that harkens back to masters like Elvis and Roy Orbison—Isaak's only had dalliances with the mainstream, instead developing a dedicated core following. He enjoyed success in the acting medium with The Chris Isaak Show, his own popular comedy series on Showtime. This sexy leading man is currently touring in support of his latest studio album, Always Got Tonight.
Thursday, October 9
Kim Baker
Little Fox
2209 Broadway, Redwood City
650.369.4119
Thu – 8pm; $12-$14
Kim Baker's website describes her style as "thoughtful acoustic rock"—a pretty good description to be sure, but it downplays one important element in her sound: the rock & roll. Yeah, it's thoughtful, and sometimes acoustic, but there's a certain primal grittiness, an attitude with swagger, that emits from her music. As a vocalist, Baker can croon and yelp with the best of 'em, and her upbeat rock numbers are a perfect backdrop for the unrestrained emotion. Of course, the San Francisco–based singer/songwriter has more than one heartfelt ballad up her sleeve, and when things get somber, Baker is at her best: tales of love and loss evoke human sentiment we can all take to heart. Proceeds from this show benefit Larkin Street Youth Services.
Friday, October 10
New Kids on the Block
HP Pavilion
525 W. Santa Clara St, San Jose
408.998.TIXS
Fri – 8pm; $37.50-$77.50
New Kids on the Block helped pave the way for acts like N'Sync and Backstreet Boys, creating a Beatles-like frenzy everywhere they went in the early '90s with little more than baby faces, choreographed dance moves and some sweet, sweet crooning. But just as quickly as their stardom came, so came the backlash. I recall drawing black-marker moustaches and fat eyebrows on the NKOTB posters that adorned my wall once I realized everyone else I knew thought the New Kids were old news. They sang that they'd be loving me forever, I put my NKOTB sweatshirt out in our garage sale. Earlier this year the New Kids announced they had reunited, and though the boys' new stuff isn't anything terribly impressive lyrically or musically, they've proven they still have what it takes to excite the ladies. Natasha Bedingfield opens.
Saturday October 11
My Dream
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose
888.455.SHOW
Sat – 1:30 and 7:30pm; $45-$130
The Cantonese Opera Association of Silicon Valley presents My Dream, a performance by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe. Showcasing the "unique talent, abilities and artistic excellence of the uniquely challenged artists," My Dream features traditional Chinese vocalists, musicians and dancers.
Sunday, October 12
St. Lawrence String Quartet
Dinkelspiel Auditorium
Stanford University
650.725.ARTS
Sun – 2:30pm; $20-$46
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the St. Lawrence String Quartet is Stanford's home team, acting as Ensemble in Residence since 1998. Their renown, though, is global. For this program, the quartet will perform works by Haydn, Hindemith and Schumann.
Monday October 13
Black Kids
The Fillmore
1805 Geary, San Francisco
408.998.TIXS
Mon – 8pm; $20
Over the past decade, indie rock has gone from a bastion of shy and largely immobile outcasts to an increasingly inclusive excuse to party with your glasses on. The Black Kids is one of many bands that have been tapping the unabashed exuberance of pop music from the '80s to coax the kids to dance, but they're doing it with more brains and less makeup. Jacksonville's Black Kids are known for their energetic and infectious live shows, but they've also figured out how to capture that energy in the studio. Their song "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" pulls up alongside and then surpasses one of the Cure's most optimistic songs, "Doing the Unstuck." The Virgins also perform.
Tuesday, October 14
Dig Dug
Anno Domini
366 S. First St, San Jose
408.271.5155
Tue – 8-11pm; free
On the second Tuesday of every month, the Anno Domini Gallery hosts Dig Dug, a monthly listening party and late-night record swap. Nate "DJ Ennui" LeBlanc curates the event, which features a steady stream of music and record addicts. Come bearing vinyl offerings or an eye for the obscure.
