For fans of Irish culture, it doesn’t get much more fun than hearing traditional Irish Christmas music while watching live dance and storytelling. This holiday-themed production is replete with high kicks, multiple toe taps and intricate vocal phrasings. $25-$49; 7 p.m., Friday, November 27; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, November 28; 2 p.m. Sunday, November 29. Harris Center for the Arts, 10 College Parkway in Folsom; http://anirishchristmastour.com.
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Lukas Nelson may be the son of country legend Willie Nelson, but don’t hold that against him. Since the release of his debut album Promise of the Real in 2010, Nelson and company have toured incessantly, opening for John Fogerty, B.B. King and many others. The group is now a veritable headliner in its own right and even backed Neil Young as his house band on his Monsanto Years release and tour in 2015. Nelson’s current run of shows takes the band all across California before eventually ending the year playing with his father for a three-show residency at the celebrated Austin City Limits. 314 West Main in Grass Valley, www.promiseofthereal.com.
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New Helvetia Brewing Company has proven itself quite a name around these parts and will celebrate three years with a (you guessed it) beer sampling event. This soiree starts at noon and, unlike most other events of this ilk, will last for an amazing 12 hours. Expect to taste newer additions to their menu including (but certainly not limited to) the Mystery Airship Third Anniversary Porter, the Mystery Airship Imperial Chocolate Porter, a Mystery Airship Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and a Thunderbeast IPA that is sure to make your body hair stand on end. Attendees will be treated to live music by Jayson Angove, Adrian Bellue and Güero. Additionally, food will be readily available courtesy of the always amazing Chando’s Tacos (starting at noon) and The Culinerdy Cruzer (following at 4:30 p.m.). Instead of staring at your phones and proving you’re there, you can also join in on some ping pong action as well a game of Giant Jenga. “We are almost done with the Terrible Twos, now it’s time for the Trecherous Threes” says the brewery staff on its website. If that weren’t enough of an impetus to get you out of the house, one sip of their Homeland Stout should do the trick. Raise a glass and RSVP at Facebook.com/newhelvetiabrewingco (just check out their upcoming events).
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Australian vocal group the Ten Tenors have achieved massive success all across the globe with six platinum and gold records to their credit, in addition to performing alongside musical artists such as Keith Urban, Rod Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Sarah Brightman and Willie Nelson. Their upcoming performance will include seasonal favorites such as “White Christmas,” “Amazing, Grace,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Feliz Navidad” (yes, the Spanish version), and if you’re lucky, perhaps some operatic AC/DC or Meatloaf covers. 10 College Parkway in Folsom, http://thetentenors.com.
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Rooftop shows have always been rad. There’s no disputing or fact-checking this statement. There are three reasons you should get there early for this upcoming show: First, there are a limited amount of people allowed on the rooftop due to fire codes. Second, everyone in town will be checking in from Facebook saying he/she is there (even if they’re not) and you’ll have legitimate bragging rights and the selfies with the performers to prove it. Lastly, this is the last rooftop soiree open to the public this year and it features Wisconsin rapper Milo along with special guests S.al, Kenny Segal, and Michael RJ Saalman. For those not in the know, 23-year-old Rory Ferreira (aka Milo) has already garnered a fervent following as a member of the lauded and esteemed Hellfyre Club collective. And while he has since branched out and created his own Ruby Yacht imprint to release records, his popularity has swelled enough to warrant an ambitious tour that takes him through the end of November 2015. He’ll be on tour to support his newest record, So the Flies Don’t Come, but longtime fans can expect to hear ditties from the plethora of mixtapes, singles, and extended plays he’s already unleashed on an unsuspecting public. You only have one mission: Go. It all goes down at the Warehouse Artist Lofts located at 1108 R Street on Friday, Nov. 20 starting at 7 p.m. For updated info on this rare gathering, visit the Facebook event page
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Fans of progressive rock giants Yes need little introduction to Jon Anderson, the group’s former crooner of 35 years and current singer of the Anderson Ponty band. If you heard Anderson’s early collaborations with Vangelis and Kitaro, the pairing with violinist Jean Luc Ponty makes perfect sense. After a lengthy absence from touring, Anderson said, “A breakthrough feeling came as I sang with Jean Luc’s music. To be in a band again is very exciting on many levels. We will play and sing our way around the world and have fun, for music is pleasure: Music is all that is.” Come see what makes the group tick. 1013 K Street, www.facebook.com/
andersonpontyband1.
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The Akram Khan Company, founded in 2000, is the brainchild of its namesake choreographer and dancer. Since taking his works to a larger stage and bringing a new troupe of dancers under his wing, the accolades and rave reviews have poured in for the London-born Bangladeshi performer.
Khan is known for how he pushes at the boundaries of traditional Indian dance and this performance is no exception. Kaash, which Khan originally staged in 2002, revisits the choreographer’s first full-length routine with five dancers performing Kathak-styled dance, one of the first types of classical Indian dance that the Akram learned.
The soundtrack will be provided by composer Nitin Sawhney, whose works feature elements of jazz and electronica. His previous collaborations include pairing up with the likes of Sting, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney among others. The show’s set is a backdrop created by the acclaimed sculptor Anish Kapoor.
Khan’s company is the perfect starting point for those who’ve never watched Indian dance. Worth a mention: The show will not feature an intermission but, rather, will be performed as one, elongated piece. $13.50-$51, 8 p.m. Thursday, November 19; Mondavi Center, One Shields Avenue in Davis; www.akramkhancompany.net.
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For one day only, Bend, Oregon’s own Deschutes Brewery will be hosting a rare pop-up event replete with live music (courtesy of Humble Wolf, Hans and the Hot Mess and Drop Dead Red), beer, lots of food and yet even more beer. Lovers of fine ales, porters, pilsners and seemingly everything in between need little introduction to Deschutes Brewery. The brewery’s Street Pub concept, which includes the set up of a 400-foot bar, will feature Deschutes Brewery executive chef, Jeff Usinowicz, along with Sacramento’s own chefs Brock MacDonald (Block Butcher Bar) and Wesley Nilssen (de Vere’s Irish Pub) who are sure to dish up some tasty fare. Fans of Mirror Pond Ale, Obsidian Stout or even the Cinder Cone Red Ale will be happy to find there will be even better offerings (is that possible?) available for sampling and, of course, for sale. There is no entry fee. The action starts at 2 p.m. in Midtown near 1806 Capitol Avenue. For the curious, check out Deschutesbrewery.com (click “Discover Deschutes”). Proceeds will benefit Runnin’ for Rhett, a wonderful local nonprofit dedicated to the memory of Rhett Seevers (Runninforrhett.org)
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Elf, starring Will Ferrell, became an instant holiday classic upon its release in 2003. Now the fine folks at California’s Musical Theatre are giving you a chance to experience the film up close and personal with a live adaptation for stage. Fans of Christmas tales that don’t end with a central character dying or experiencing some kind of heartbreak will enjoy the live play for its wholly whimsical and playful storyline. Those who wish to jump inside Santa’s bag of gifts and take the ride with Buddy, the musical’s main character, will be transported from the North Pole to New York. The real journey, however, begins with Buddy learning about the real world, the true identity of his real father and how he can make Christmas be everything he wants it to. The magical ride through space and time takes place at the Sacramento Community Theater located at 1301 L Street in Downtown Sacramento. This is sure to please fans of all ages, so reserve your tickets early before the limited run of shows end. Hold your space at Californiamusicaltheatre.com
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Fans of Marilyn Manson and John 5’s current band, Rob Zombie, need no introduction to one of the most innovative guitarists to ever take over mainstream rock radio. For the uninitiated, John 5, a.k.a. John William Lowery, has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including such disparate artists as k.d. Lang, Garbage, Meat Loaf, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash and Lynyrd Skynyrd. His most recent offering, Careful with That Axe, finds Lowery showcasing his skill at playing multiple genres of music like country, rock, jazz, classical and more. 9426 Greenback Lane, www.facebook.com/John5official.
Eddie