‘Hardly Strictly Klezmer’
You could call it the Bay Area klezmer all-star jam. In the upcoming “Hardly Strictly Klezmer” concert, three Bay Area–based groups — the Red Hot Chachkas (top left), Kugelplex (bottom left) and Charming Hostess (right) — will hit the stage. Be prepared for foot stomping, fiddles and woodwinds, but also know that these musicians’ talents go beyond klezmer; their repertoire is influenced by other diaspora music, jam-band and Hungarian Roma styles.
8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 at Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $20.50-$22.50. www.thefreight.org
saturday/17
“The Gershwin Legacy.” Multimedia show and concert in remembrance of George Gershwin led by soprano Ronit Widmann-Levy and composer and lecturer Nurit Jugen. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $12-$15. www.jcceastbay.org.
Yemen Blues. Band led by Yemeni-Israeli Ravid Kahalani that blends blues, jazz and funk with traditional Yemeni elements. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7:30 p.m. $37-$50. www.paloaltojcc.org/arts. Also Nov. 18. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7:30 p.m. $35-$40. www.marinjcc.org.
sunday/18
Yiddish sing-along. Led by musician Achi Ben Shalom. At Piedmont Gardens, 110 41st St., Oakland. 3 p.m. $10. (510) 528-8872.
ongoing
“Acid Test.” Warren David Keith channels Ram Dass, aka Richard Alpert, the Jewish Harvard professor who dropped acid in the 1960s, found his guru and explored his spirituality. Script by San Francisco resident Lynne Kaufman. Through Jan. 5, 2013. At the Marsh Theatre, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. 8 p.m. Recommended for 17 and older. $15-$50. www.themarsh.org.
“Another Way Home.” Play by Anna Ziegler on obsessive middle-age Jewish parents who, while visiting their son at sleep-away camp, question what they understand about their children, their marriage and their desires. Through Dec. 2. At Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Building D, S.F. $20-$55. www.magictheatre.org.