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Photo courtesy Scott Lasky
What better time to check in with the classics than fall? As the 2025-26 arts season shows, there’s plenty of room to revisit earlier favorites and celebrate some marquee names while also exploring new ground, too.
This fall sees the return of many well-loved musicals to local stages, from “Gypsy” to “Cabaret” to “Little Shop of Horrors,” plus reimaginings, such as popular playwright Lauren Gunderson’s updated take on “Little Women.”
At venues large and small, there are famous names in music and comedy, from arena acts like The Who, Judas Priest and Alice Cooper to Cheap Trick, Jefferson Starship, Rosanne Cash and comedian Sandra Bernhard.
On the literary side of things, we’ll hear from plenty of big names, including Joan Baez and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
There are also familiar personalities popping up in new spaces, such as venerable actor Morgan Freeman and his Symphonic Blues Experience, Emmy Award-winning comedian and actor Michael Richards (“Seinfeld”) in conversation about his memoir — even a virtual appearance by author and activist Malala Yousafzai.
As always, there are lots of new ideas on tap, as well, such as interactive media festival Code:ART which returns to Palo Alto with new, intriguing pieces, while The Pear Theatre delves into the life of computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, and composer and DJ Mason Bates drops by the Redwood Symphony’s 40th anniversary celebration. Read on for a look at what’s coming up this fall.
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Stage
Get a touch of the Emerald Isle right here on the Peninsula when “A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music & Dance Sensation” makes a stop in Redwood City as part of a major tour. Featuring Irish dance champions and dancers from “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance,” the show brings to life Irish history through movement, music and wit, including via folk mash-ups, a cappella tap battles and storytelling. The music includes classic Irish songs such as “Danny Boy” and “Wild Rover” in a reimagined, contemporary score. Dancer Ella Giammichele is seen here in a number called “Vikings.”
Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theatre, 2221 Broadway, Redwood City; $60-$90; tinyurl.com/TasteofIrelandRWC
Courtesy Chris Hardy Photography
Los Altos Stage Company: “Cabaret,” Kander & Ebb’s classic musical follows a romance between an American writer and an English cabaret dancer in 1930s Berlin (Sept. 4-28); “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas,” Michael Wilson’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale of spirits and redemption (Nov. 28-Dec. 21). losaltosstage.org.
Mountain View Center for Performing Arts: Center of the Universe LLC presents “Silicon Valley Twelfth Night,” a retelling of Shakespeare’s comedy set in a future where artificial intelligence thrives (Oct. 17-18); mvcpa.com.
Palo Alto Players: Classic musical “Gypsy” offers a backstage look at early 20th-century showbiz and the pitfalls of chasing stardom that’s loosely based on the life of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee (Sept. 5-21); “Annie,” the well-loved musical based on a 1920s comic strip finds plucky redheaded orphan Annie outsmarting a cruel headmistress and befriending a billionaire (Nov. 7-23). paplayers.org.
The Pear Theatre: “The Art of Murder,” Joe DiPietro’s thriller about a successful and eccentric artist plotting the murder of the art dealer he believes has wronged him (Oct. 3-19); “Ada and the Engine,” Lauren Gunderson’s drama about Ada Lovelace, a pioneer in math and early computing who was also the daughter of famed poet Lord Byron (Nov. 21-Dec. 7). thepear.org.
Stanford Live: “Humans 2.0,” an acrobatic performance exploring the experiences of being human from Australian circus company Circa (Nov. 1-2); “Burnout Paradise,” a show from Australian experimental theater company Pony Cam (Nov. 12-15); “Dökk,” a multimedia performance of light, sound and movement by Italian digital art studio fuse* (Dec. 5) live.stanford.edu.
West Bay Opera is going biblical for its 70th season, kicking off the milestone year with Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila,'” based on the Bible story of supernatural strongman Samson and Dalila, the vengeful woman who brings about his downfall. Fit for its epic tale of power and betrayal, the opera is set in ancient city squares and temples, as seen in a rendering above of a scene from Act 2 by set and projection designer Peter Crompton. Regular West Bay audiences will hear some familiar voices, with tenor John Kun Park, who sang the title role in the company’s “Otello” this spring, back on the stage as Samson. Bass Casey Germain, who has appeared as General Peron in West Bay’s “Corpus Evita” and the count in “La sonnambula,” performs several roles, including villainous governor Abimelech. Mezzo Kim Stanish will make her company debut as the temptress Dalila. West Bay Opera General Director José Luis Moscovich conducts and directs. (See an excerpt from a previous West Bay Opera production.)
Oct. 10, 12, 18-19 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; $49-$135; wbopera.org.
Courtesy Peter Crompton/West Bay Opera
Sunnyvale Community Players: B-movie horror musical spoof “Little Shop of Horrors” (through Sept. 28); “Dracula,” a new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s vampire novel, tells of the mysterious Count Dracula’s time in London and how the people he meets try to unravel his identity before it’s too late (Oct. 25-Nov. 9). sunnyvaleplayers.org.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley: Lauren Gunderson reimagines Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel “Little Women” about the trials and triumphs of the four March sisters and their mother during the American Civil War (Sept. 24-Oct. 12); “A Driving Beat,” world premiere by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, about a cross-country road trip that brings a mom and son together (Oct. 29-Nov. 23). theatreworks.org.
West Bay Opera: Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila’,” based on the biblical story about the supernatural strongman and the woman who engineers his downfall. (Oct. 10-19, with a free informal preview with piano on Oct. 2) wbopera.org.
Woodside Musical Theatre: “The Wedding Singer,” a musical based on the retro romcom of the same name about New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer, circa 1985, and the waitress that he woos. (Sept. 26-Oct. 12). woodsidetheatre.com.
Youth theater companies
Palo Alto Children’s Theatre: “Honk!” a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling,” staged as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre (through Sept. 28). bit.ly/3MfZIm1.
Peninsula Youth Theatre: “Shrek the Musical,” a show based on the comic animated film about an ogre who becomes an unlikely hero (Nov. 8-16). pytnet.org.
Upstage Theatre: “Witch,” Jen Silverman’s drama based on a 1620s play about what happens when the devil comes to a small town and tempts the citizens, and tries to turn the head of Elizabeth, a local woman who has been frequently accused of witchcraft (Oct. 17-19). upstagetheater.net.
Dance
A Taste of Ireland — An Irish Music and Dance Sensation: World champion Irish dancers, musicians and a vocalist bring a modern spin to classic Irish songs such as “Danny Boy” and “Wild Rover” in a show that tells of the history and culture of Ireland. Sept. 25 at the Fox Theatre.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts: Smuin Contemporary Ballet presents its fall program, featuring “Extremely Close” by Alejandro Cerrudo, the West Coast premiere of “Partita” by Justin Peck and “A Long Night” by Smuin Artistic Director Amy Seiwert (Sept. 12-14). mvcpa.com/events.
Zohar Dance: Performance series 12 (Nov. 8). zohardancecompany.org.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet kicks off its 32nd season with three works new to local audiences. The company’s season opener, “Extremely Close,” takes its name from Alejandro Cerrudo’s contemporary work of the same name, making its Bay Area premiere. Set to music by Philip Glass and Dustin O’Halloran, the dramatic piece is danced on a stage covered with feathers. Dancers will swap their pointe shoes for sneakers for “Partita,” choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Justin Peck and set to Caroline Shaw’s Pulitzer Prize-winning multi-layered a cappella work “Partita for 8 Voices.” Smuin will be the first company to perform the work since its 2022 premiere with New York City Ballet. Amy Seiwert’s “A Long Night,” also making its West Coast premiere, reimagines Shakespeare’s enchanted romantic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” drawing on music by Patsy Cline, Pink Martini, and Tom Wait. This will mark the first season programmed solely by Seiwert, Smuin’s new artistic director and a former company member who stepped into the role in 2024. Seen here are dancers Tessa Barbour, left, Ricardo Dyer and Yuri Rogers.
Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 13, 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 14, 2 p.m., at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. $28-$94; smuinballet.org.
Photo courtesy Keith Sutter.
Film
Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival: A festival of feature films and documentaries. Most screenings held online, with select special screenings and events held in Palo Alto. (Oct. 19-25). svjff.org.
Stanford Live: Bassist, composer and vocalist Mali Obomsawin and her quartet play live accompaniment for the National Geographic documentary “Sugarcane,” for which she wrote the score. The film tells of the abuses of the Canadian Indian residential school system. (Nov. 7). live.stanford.edu.
United Nations Association Film Festival: A documentary festival highlighting films that explore various issues of human rights. Various venues in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford and San Francisco (Oct. 16-26). unaff.org.
Concerts
Multiple Grammy Award-winning musician Rosanne Cash writes and plays acclaimed country and Americana music tinged with blues, folk and rock. In addition to her keen songwriting skills, she’s also an author of several books (and yes, she is the daughter of country legend Johnny Cash). She comes to Bing Concert Hall for an intimate concert (presented in association with Hardly Strictly Bluegrass’ “Out of the Park” series, according to Stanford Live). Cash will perform alongside her longtime collaborator and husband, the musician and producer John Leventhal. (Hear Cash’s “You Won’t Let Me In”.)
Oct. 5, 4 p.m., at Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford; ticket prices vary; live.stanford.edu.
Photo courtesy Pam Springsteen
Club Fox: Folk singer-songwriter Suzie Daines celebrates her new album, “Grass Stained Dreams,” with Jenner Fox and Jeremy Elliott (Oct. 5); music of The Eagles with Illeagles (Oct. 11); Pink Floyd tribute band Pete Floyd (Oct. 25); Riff Raff, a high-voltage tribute to AC/DC, shares the bill with The Butlers, who play favorite ’70s tunes from Thin Lizzy, Tom Petty and others (Nov. 22). clubfoxrwc.com.
Community School of Music and Arts: “Everything Old is New Again: A Cabaret Concert & Conversation” with countertenor and sopranist Von Bringhurst, vocalist Adesuwa O, and pianist Paola Rapaj Kraja features songs from diverse genres such as opera, musical theater, jazz and world to explore how they influence each other (Nov. 7); pianist Matthew Ball, aka the Boogie Woogie Kid, plays boogie-woogie piano, swing dance hits, New Orleans standards and more (Nov. 16). arts4all.org
The Fox Theatre: Pop stars and actors from the Philippines Daniel Padilla and Ian Veneracion appear together in concert (Sept. 19); Filipino reggae singer Elias J. TV (Sept. 26); Afghan singer Sediq Shabab (Oct. 10); classical music and flamenco with Lebanese-born violinist Ara Malikian (Oct. 16); The Graduates: The Sound of Simon and Garfunkel (Oct. 17); country singer-songwriter Sara Evans (Oct. 18); Filipino pop rockers Aegis with Inigo Pascual (Oct. 24); Deadwood Halloween with Alex Jordan and Friends (Oct. 31); Filipino singer-songwriter Juan Karlos (Nov. 1); musician James Garner’s tribute to Johnny Cash (Nov. 23); Fleetwood Mac tribute band Fleetwood Mask (Nov. 29). foxrwc.com.
Earthwise Productions: Khachapuri Trio, featuring Beth Custer, David James and Jess Ivry, plays an eclectic jazz set with arrangements of music by Chick Corea, Julius Hemphill and Kurt Weill (Sept. 21). tinyurl.com/KhachapuriTrioPA.
The music collective Brass Against reimagines politically charged songs, with a blast of brass instruments lending new power and uplifting energy to familiar tunes, as well as some originals. Their repertoire spans songs by groups such as Rage Against the Machine, Black Sabbath, Tool, System of a Down and others. Brass Against comes to The Guild Theatre on a tour they’ve dubbed “What Better Time Than Now.” (See the band perform their song “End” on YouTube.)
Sept. 23, 8 p.m., at The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $30-$84; guildtheatre.com.
Photo courtesy Brass Against
The Guild Theatre: Yacht rock favorites with Mustache Harbor (Sept. 12); Music for the Masses Dark New Wave ’80s Nite (Sept. 13); Jimi Hendrix and Grateful Dead tribute band Jimi’s Dead (Sept. 18); power pop rockers Cheap Trick (Sept. 19); hits from the 1970s-90s with Neon Velvet (Sept. 20); politically charged rock covers with brass band Brass Against (Sept. 23); ’80s favorites with Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey (Sept. 25); French rock guitarist Louis Bertignac (Sept. 24); folk rockers Dawes (Sept. 26) 1980s pop singer Debbie Gibson’s Newstalgia Live Greatest Hits and Beyond (Oct. 2); ’80s alt-rockers Dramarama (Oct. 3); Petty Theft plays the music of Tom Petty (Oct. 4); blues, soul and funk with Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (Oct. 7); alternative country, roots, rock and folk with singer-songwriter The White Buffalo (Oct. 9); soul, funk, jazz and R&B meet New Orleans’ traditional brass band with Rebirth Brass Band (Oct. 10); rocker and former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay (Oct. 11-12); Louisiana soul singer-songwriter Marc Broussard (Oct. 14); bluegrass with The Brothers Comatose (Oct. 17); pop and rock celebrating island heritage with Etu (Oct. 19); Past Curfew plays cover songs by one-hit wonders (Oct. 24); The Hustle ’70s Disco Halloween with a DJ playing disco hits (Oct. 25); Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish tribute band Pink Talking Fish (Oct. 30); eclectic jam band Spafford (Oct. 31); Fleetwood Macramé plays music by Fleetwood Mac and classic rock (Nov. 1); ’80s favorites with Tainted Love (Nov. 8); classic rockers ZZ Top (Nov. 9); organist Melvin Seals and JGB, “keepers of the flame” of the Jerry Garcia Band (Nov. 14-15); country with Brent Cobb and the Fixin’s (Nov 16); Jefferson Starship 50th anniversary tour (Nov. 21); Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party (Nov. 22); Andy Bell of 1980s synth-pop band Erasure (Nov. 26); ’80s new wave band Flock of Seagulls (Nov. 28-29). guildtheatre.com.
Little Green A Plant Bar: Water, experimental electronic music (Sept. 12); “Guitar Guitars Guitaring,” with professional guitarists Robert Miller and Christopher Mallett, Carlos Rivera, Gianfranco Baltazar and Sebastrian Quintero (Sept. 19). littlegreenaplantbar.com/classes
Meyhouse Palo Alto: “The Full Spectrum of Black Music” with the Anthony Wonsey Trui (Sept. 12); “From Joni Mitchell to Abbey Lincoln,” a tribute to women in music with vocalist Jenna Mammina (Sept. 13); “Groove, Rhythm and Soul” with Ray Obiedo Latin Jazz Ensemble (Sept. 19); “Let’s Go to Brazil,” samba, bossa nova, Brazilian jazz and more with pianist Tammy L. Hall (Sept. 20); “Peggy Lee Project: A Tribute to an Icon” with vocalist Suzanna Smith (Sept. 27); Hilary Gardner and The Lonesome Pines playing songs of the American West (Oct. 4); Flubby Dubby Jazz Night with seven-string guitarist Ron Jackson and Friends (Oct. 10); jazz, Latin fusion and global music with Grammy-winning Latin percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo and LehCats (Oct. 11); “From Bob Dylan to Cole Porter” with vocalist Paula West (Oct. 17-18); “Sinatra My Way” with vocalist Jonathan Poreta and a trio (Oct. 24); “Andrea Claburn Sings Ella: A Tribute to the First Lady of Song,” featuring jazz vocalist Claburn celebrating legendary vocalist Ella Fitzgerald (Oct. 25); Turkish jazz night with Sinem Sen Trio and vocalist John R. Burr (Nov. 15); flamenco guitarist Teresa Jiménez (Nov. 28-29). meyhousejazz.com.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts: “Swinging in the Holidays” with Jazz at the Ballroom, featuring up-and-coming talents from Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City’s famed Birdland Club, and NBC’s “The Voice” (Nov. 22). mvcpa.com/events.
Peninsula Harmony Chorus: The a cappella chorus presents “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” a program of music that celebrates togetherness (Sept. 13). peninsulaharmony.org.
2nd Story at Red Rock Coffee: “California Cosmic String Band” Alan Bond & Skedaddle play bluegrass and old-timey originals (Sept. 27). redrockcoffee.com/2nd-story
Seminal British band The Who, known for iconic songs such as “My Generation,” has been rocking since the 1960s. Now, lead singer Roger Daltrey and lead guitarist Pete Townshend are on what they’re calling their North American farewell tour, including a stop at Shoreline Amphitheatre (with opening act Candlebox), along with the current touring lineup of Simon Townshend (Pete’s baby brother) on mandolin, guitar and backing vocals; Loren Gold on keyboards and backing vocals; Jon Button on bass; Scott Devours on drums; John Hogg on backing vocals and percussion; and Jody Linscott on percussion. (Hear a live performance of the band’s “Who Are You.”)
Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m., Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View; ticket prices vary; shorelineamphitheatre.com/shows.
Courtesy Polydor Records.
Shoreline Amphitheatre: neil young and the chrome hearts (Sept. 12); KIDZ BOP Live (Sept. 19); The Who (Sept. 21); Thomas Rhett (Sept. 27); Conan Gray (Oct. 3); Above & Beyond (Oct. 4); Judas Priest and Alice Cooper (Oct. 14); The B-52s and DEVO (Oct. 16); Junior H $ad Boyz & Broken Tour (Oct. 18); Matt Rife (Oct. 19). livenation.com.
Stanford Live: Jazz and Latin vocalist Lucía (Oct. 3); Rosanne Cash performs country, blues and Americana with her husband and longtime recording partner John Leventhal (Oct. 5); All-women jazz collective Artemis performs music from their album “Arboresque,” featuring original compositions and arrangements by Wayne Shorter (Oct. 12); Contemporary Portuguese fado music with singer Mariza (Nov. 5); Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience features a live appearance from the legendary actor and multimedia narration of music performed by respected Delta blues musicians (Nov. 19). live.stanford.edu
Classical
The Kombos Collective is a chamber ensemble dedicated to championing the music of Greece and the Greek diaspora. In honor of the centennial of Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis, Kombos Collective, featuring Katerina Clambaneva on vocals, Ellie Falaris Ganelin on flute and Mary-Victoria Voutsas on piano, presents a concert of Hadjidakis’ songs and piano works at the Community School of Music and Arts. According to the event listing, Hadjidakis combined classical and folk styles and helped transform popular music into a respected art form. (Watch pianist Mary-Victoria Voutsas perform a composition by Hadjidakis.)
Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View; free; arts4all.org.
Courtesy Community School of Music and Arts.
Bay Choral Guild: The choir pays tribute to the patron saint of music with “Celebrating Cecilia,” Britten’s Hymn for St. Cecilia, Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day and Jacob de Haan’s Missa Santa Cecilia (Nov. 23 in Palo Alto; also Nov. 22 in Campbell). baychoralguild.org.
California Bach Society: “Cori Spezzati,” a program highlighting the “split-choir” sound with a choir singing in parts that respond to each other, featuring works by Willaert, Gabrieli and Phinot, plus Bach’s double-choir motet “Singet dem Herrn” (Oct. 4 in Palo Alto; with other Bay Area performances Oct. 3 and 5). calbach.org.
Community School of Music and Arts: Pianist Sarah Cahill presents “The Wood So Wild,” a program of music celebrating nature by 19th- and 20th-century composers. (Sept. 19); “Chamber Music Dreams,” a concert featuring CSMA faculty performing music with themes of dreaming, longing and spiritual introspection (Oct. 3); The Kombos Collective marks the centennial of Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis with a program of his works (Oct. 17). arts4all.org.
Coast Live Music: “Wines and Winds at Fogarty Winery,” a wind ensemble performs a program of Mozart’s Serenade No. 11 in E-flat Major, K 375; Ruth Gipps “Andante doloroso” from Wind Octet, Op. 65; and Smetana’s Suite from The Bartered Bride. Wine and hors d’oeuvres precede the concert (Oct. 2). coastlivemusic.com.
Composer and DJ Mason Bates, who won a Grammy Award for his 2017 opera “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” will be on hand to help the Redwood Symphony mark its 40th anniversary with a concert that both looks back to the classics and ahead to what’s next. Redwood Symphony founder and Music Director Eric Kujawsky, who’s led the orchestra for all 40 years, will be at the podium for a program of Emmanuel Chabrier’s “España,” Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto featuring Palo Alto-born violinist Karen Bentley Pollick and Bates’ “Alternative Energy.” Bates (pictured here), will perform the electronic elements in his dynamic four-movement symphonic work, which draws on other nontraditional instruments, such as car parts used for percussion. (Watch the Redwood Symphony’s 2016 performance of “Alternative Energy.”)
Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. (pre-concert talk 6:45 p.m.), at Cañada College, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City; $15-$35; redwoodsymphony.org.
Photo courtesy Opus 3 Artists
Ives Collective: The ensemble of Hrabba Atladottir, violin; Susan Freier, viola; Stephen Harrison, cello; and Keisuke Nakagoshi, piano, performs Jean Cras’ String Trio; Leo Ornstein’s Cello Sonata, Op. 52, No. 1, SO 612 and Brahms’ Piano Quartet in G minor, Op.25 (Sept. 27 in Palo Alto and Sept. 28 in San Francisco) ivescollective.org.
Music at Kohl Mansion: Bennewitz Quartet performs Haydn’s String Quartet in F Major, Op. 77, No. 2, Janáček’s String Quartet No. 2, “Intimate Letters” and Dvořák’s String Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 105 (Oct. 19); Trio Bohémo performs Haydn’s Piano Trio in A Major, Bohuslav Martinů’s Piano Trio No. 2 in D minor, Jan Vičar’s cycle of folk songs, “From Moravia,” and Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15 (Nov. 16). musicatkohl.org.
Music@Menlo: “Romantic Reverie: From Bohemia to Hollywood,” featuring Gramophone Young Artist of the Year, violinist Stella Chen and a chamber ensemble performing Dvorak’s Miniatures for Two Violins and Viola, op. 75a; Fritz Kreisler’s String Quartet in A minor; and Korngold’s Piano Quintet in E major, op. 15 (Oct. 4) musicatmenlo.org.
Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO): This all-strings chamber orchestra for youth presents concerts from its five student ensembles. Cellist Christopher Costanza teaches a master class as part of the orchestra’s Leder Master Class series (Oct. 19); PACO’s senior ensemble performs works by Dvořák’, Barber and Coleridge-Taylor (Nov. 1); The Debut Orchestra performs music by Mozart, Shawn Hsieh and Britten (Nov. 8, 2 p.m.); the Sinfonia ensemble performs works by Mozart, Dvořák and Gabriela Lena Frank Leyendas (Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.); PACO Academy Chamber Concert, with program TBA (Nov. 16). pacomusic.org.
Palo Alto Philharmonic: Baroque concert, with select soloists and small ensembles performing music from the 16th-18th centuries (Sept. 13); a program with Augusta Read Thomas’ “Of Paradise and Light,” Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Suite for Viola and Small Orchestra with guest violist Jenny Douglass, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 (Oct. 18); Fall Chamber Concert features Philharmonic musicians and friends in wind, string and brass ensembles (Nov. 8). paphil.org.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale: “Fury and Heartbreak,” an Italian baroque program featuring Galuppi’s Concerto a quattro No. 4 in C minor; Marcello’s Cantata for Soprano and Strings Arianna abbandonata; Handel’s Cantata for Soprano and Strings Armida abbandonata; Durante’s Concerto a quattro No. 2 in G minor and Vivaldi’s In furore iustissimae irae, with soprano Maya Kherani (Oct. 19) at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts
Redwood Symphony: “Virtuosi!” celebrates the 100th birthday of composer Kirke Mechem, who will be on hand for a program featuring his work “The Jayhawk: Overture to a Mythical Comedy,” along with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with guest soloist Daniel Glover, and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra (Sept. 27); “Scary music from Disney, movies and the classics” is a family-friendly concert featuring Stephen Schwartz’s Suite from “Wicked,” Paul Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” Danny Elfman’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas Suite” and John Williams’ “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme).” It kicks off a tour of the orchestra and concludes with 10 raffle winners getting a chance to briefly guest conduct the symphony (Oct. 26); “40th anniversary concert with Mason Bates,” the symphony marks a milestone with a program of Emmanuel Chabrier’s “España,” Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with guest soloist Karen Bentley Pollick; and Mason Bates’ “Alternative Energy” with Bates as a soloist (Nov. 22). redwoodsymphony.org.
Schola Cantorum: “Amor! 2: Music from Brazil,” contemporary and traditional music, including sambas and folk melodies, with special guest, Brazilian conductor and composer Daniel Alfonso (Nov. 2) scholacantorum.org.
Stanford Live: Classical pianist Michelle Cann performs works by Ravel, John Sylvanus Thompson, Mendelssohn and others (Oct. 8); Viano String Quartet, joined by pianist Vienna Teng, performs Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74, “Harp” and originals by Teng (Oct. 19); Classical pianist Hayato Sumino plays selections by Chopin, Ravel, Debussy, Gershwin, Hans Zimmer and original works (Oct. 26); Colombian cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia performs selections by Henri Dupack, Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and Stravinsky (Oct. 22); Rob Kapilow’s “What Makes it Great” series looks at Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (Nov. 9); Vienna Boys Choir performs Johann Strauss’ waltzes and polkas (Nov. 12), live.stanford.edu.
Woodside Village Band: Fall concert featuring James Barnes’ “Autumn Soliloquy,” Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” Vaughan Williams’ “English Folk Song Suite” and Sousa’s “The Gallant Seventh” (Sept. 13). windband.org/woodside.
Comedy
Club Fox: Russian-born stand-up comedian Dan the Stranger talks about exile, political satire and more (Nov. 23). clubfoxrwc.com.
The Guild Theatre: An Evening of Conversations, Questions and Answers with Emmy-winning actor and comedian Michael Richards, best known for his role on “Seinfeld” (Sept. 27-28); Jérémy Charbonnel’s French-language comedy show (Oct. 29). guildtheatre.com.
Rooster T. Feathers: Sal Calanni (Sept. 12); Sam Salem (Sept. 13); SF Comedy Kings with Michael Meehan, Johnny Steele and Larry “Bubbles” Brown (Sept. 14); Flash Forward Improv (Sept. 17); Johnny Pemberton (Sept. 18-20); Comedy Queens Who Rock the Mic (Sept. 21); Roosters Comedy Showcase (Sept. 24); Brett Ernst (Sept. 24-27); A.J. Wilkerson (Oct. 2-4); Roast Battle (Oct. 5); Alingon Mitra (Oct. 9-12); Joe Zimmerman (Oct. 16-19); Caitlun Peluffo (Oct. 23-25); Escape Reality – A Night of Mind-Melting Magic and Comedy with Jake Bery and Sean Francisco (Oct. 26); Roosters Comedy Showcase (Oct. 29); James Camacho (Oct. 30); Eddie Ifft (Nov. 1-2); Roast Battle Bay Area (Nov. 5); Gareth Reynolds (Nov. 6-8); Luke Severeid (Nov. 9); Ron Josol (Nov. 13-16); Varun Thaku presents “Space Cadet” (Nov. 16); HypnoMarc Comedy Hypnosis Show (Nov. 22); Roosters Comedy Showcase (Nov. 26). roostertfeathers.com.
Stanford Live: Sandra Bernhard performs a blend of cabaret, standup and social commentary in her show “Shapes and Forms” (Oct. 4); “Hysterical: Hairy Situation,” a new show by ALOK (Oct. 25). live.stanford.edu.
Museums and galleries
For three decades, Pakistani American artist Shahzia Sikander has been “reframing South Asian visual histories through a contemporary feminist perspective,” through a range of media and traditions, according to Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center, which is hosting “Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior,” a career-spanning exhibition of Sikander’s works this autumn and into winter. “She considers diasporic experiences, histories of colonialism, and Western relations with the global south and the wider Islamic world, often through the lens of gender and body politics,” the Cantor’s website notes. The exhibition premiered at La Biennale di Venezia and appears at Stanford in connection with the museum’s Asian American Art Initiative. Seen here is the 2022 piece “Fixed, Fluid,” created from glass mosaic with patinated brass frame.
Sept. 17-Jan. 25, Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford; free; museum.stanford.edu.
Image courtesy Dr. Fatima Zuberi, © Shahzia Sikander
Anderson Collection: “Spotlights” installations focusing on works by Susan Rothenberg, Sean Scully, and Robert Therrien (through Feb. 15); the first West Coast museum exhibition of New York-based artist Alteronce Gumby (Sept. 24-March 1). anderson.stanford.edu/programs-exhibitions.
Bryant Street Gallery: “Something Blue” (through Oct. 18). bryantstreet.com.
Cantor Arts Center: “She Never Dances Alone,” a video work by Jeffrey Gibson that pays tribute to the matriarchal roots of many indigenous communities (through Oct. 19); “Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior,” a career-spanning exhibition focusing on Pakistani American artist Shahzia Sikander (Sept. 17-Jan. 25); “Edmonia Lewis: Indelible Impressions,” marble carvings by 19th-century American sculptor Edmonia Lewis (Sept. 17-Jan. 4); “Cunning Folk: Witchcraft, Magic and Occult Knowledge” explores magical practice, practitioners and their persecution in European artwork and culture 1500–1750 (Oct. 15-Feb. 22). museum.stanford.edu.
Center for Creativity: The following exhibitions are on view through Nov. 2 “Art of the Community: Redwood City 2025,” a juried exhibition of Redwood City artists; “The View,” an installation by Violet May Tutt; “The Librarian,” an installation by Beatric Hull; “Recovery Happens Art Show 2025” from Voices of Recovery San Mateo County; Disabilities Showcase. The following exhibitions will be on view Nov. 6-Jan. 4: “Refuge,” guest curated by Na Omi Shintani; “The Secret Life of Maxine Mays.” rwccfc.org/exhibitions.
Djerassi Resident Artists Program: Fall sculpture hikes, guided hikes highlighting sculptures built over the years into the natural environment on the Djerassi property by artists from the residency program (Sept. 13, 20, 27; Oct. 11 and 18); sunset/full moon sculpture hikes (Sept. 21; Oct. 6 and Nov. 5); sound immersion experiences (Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 7); Artful Harvest, a benefit gala supporting Djerassi’s mission (Sept. 28) djerassi.org.
The Foster Museum: Selected works by watercolor painter Tony Foster; thefoster.org.
Gallery House: Abstract paintings by Renata Aryanti (through September). The gallery also features works in a variety of media by the cooperative gallery’s member artists. galleryhouse.art.
Gallery 9 Los Altos: “Half Dome and Elsewhere,” paintings by Daniel Meehan (through September); paintings by Maria Pazos (Sept. 30-Nov. 2); painting and collage work by Joyce Savre (Nov. 4-30). gallery9losaltos.art.
Los Altos History Museum: “Building El Sueño: Isabel Merriman, Sarah Winchester and the California Dream,” an exploration of the life of Isabel Merriman, the sister of Sarah Winchester (of Winchester Mystery House fame) and her impact on the Peninsula (through Nov. 30); plus a variety of permanent exhibits exploring the history and culture of the Los Altos and Silicon Valley region. losaltoshistory.org
The Main Gallery: Group shows highlighting works by the gallery’s member artists in a variety of media. themaingallery.org.
Museum of American Heritage: “Honoring 35 Years of Collectors” (through Sept. 21). moah.org.
Pacific Art League: Solo exhibition by painter Judith Gaulke (through Sept. 23); “California Dreaming,” group exhibition featuring works in a variety of media highlighting artists’ various takes on what California means to them (through Sept. 23); solo exhibition by abstract artist Simeon Dumas (Oct. 3-28); “Abstraction,” a group show featuring a variety of abstract art (Oct. 3-28); 104th anniversary group exhibition and fundraiser (Nov. 14-Jan. 13) pacificartleague.org.
Palo Alto Art Center: “Pushing Boundaries: Ceramic Artists and Identity,” an exhibition of contemporary California-based artists whose work with clay explores themes of identity and more (Sept. 13-Dec. 7); “Ashwini Bhat: Being, Longing …” a site-specific installation that complements the themes of the “Centering: Clay and Community” series exhibition (Sept. 13-Aug. 23, 2026). paloalto.gov.
Pamela Walsh Gallery: “Cloud Songs,” nontraditional landscapes by Don Scott Macdonald and Jeffrey Beauchamp (through Oct. 4). pamelawalshgallery.com.
Portola Gallery: Fused glass artworks by Cindy Kennaugh (Sept. 1-30); impressionistic landscapes and still-life paintings in soft pastels by Mary K. Stahl (Oct. 1-31); nature-inspired watercolors by Yvonne Newhouse (Nov. 1-30); group show featuring the gallery’s member artists (Dec. 1-31). portolaartgallery.com.
Qualia Contemporary Art Gallery: “At Ease With Hand and Mind: Calligraphy, Literature and Contemporary Art,” group show featuring 19 artists whose works explore the interchange of Chinese calligraphy and painting, (through Sept. 27). qualiacontemporaryart.com.
QD Gallery: Works in a variety of media by 40 local artists. The gallery will host a reception Sept. 18 featuring live music by Topman Trio band. The gallery is located at Stanford Shopping Center. qdgallery.com.
Redwood City Art Kiosk: Installation by Casa Circulo Cultural (Sept. 21-Nov. 10) . fungcollaboratives.org.
Viewpoints Gallery: Plein-air cityscapes, still-lifes, interiors and portraits by oil painter Maura Carta (September); layered and textured paintings by Sylvie Levesque (October); blown glass works by Ronen Vainish (November); landscape paintings by Julia Seelos (December). viewpointsgallery.com.
Art festivals and events
The city of Palo Alto’s biennial interactive media festival returns with unique pieces installed throughout downtown Palo Alto. From Oct 16 through 25, Palo Alto’s city hall will be transformed by eight-story 3D projection artworks. The festival also features “urban interventions” Oct. 16-18 that will be installed in various spaces such as parking lots, alleys and storefronts throughout downtown. These works include “Grove” (seen above) a “forest” of glowing columns inspired by the subterranean networks that trees use to communicate. Many pieces pair light or video with movement to ensure that visitors can get in on the act. Sound plays a role in some pieces as well: there’s even a special interactive photo booth that encourages participants to “scream into the void.”
Projections on view Oct. 16-25, 6-10 p.m. at Palo Alto City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; all other pieces on view Oct. 16-18 at locations throughout downtown Palo Alto. tinyurl.com/PACodeArt2025.
Courtesy Pneuhaus/City of Palo Alto
Art Battle: A live painting competition featuring 10 artists going head-to-head in three rounds to create original artworks in just 20 minutes in each round. Sept. 19 at Springline Menlo Park. tinyurl.com/SpringlineArtBattle
Art for All Family Day: The Cantor Arts Center and Anderson Collection host a day of free hands-on art activities, live music on the lawn, storytime and a scavenger hunt in the galleries Oct. 12 on the lawn between Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection, Stanford. tinyurl.com/ArtforAllFamilyDay.
Cubberley Artist Open Studios: Visitors can see works in a variety of media by artists in the city of Palo Alto’s artist residency program at the Cubberley Community Center. Other organizations based at the center will take part, with a book sale hosted by the Friends of the Palo Alto Library and a fall market presented by Imagination Lab School, Nov. 8 at Cubberley Artist Studio Program, Palo Alto. tinyurl.com/PAopenstudiosFall2025.
FabMo Artisans Market: Fine art, accessories, decor, gifts and holiday items sustainably crafted by nearly 40 local makers using fabric, notions, wallpaper, tile and other items diverted by FabMo from being sent to the landfill. Oct. 5 in Los Altos. fabmo.org/artisans-market
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch: This sparkliest of pumpkin patches has been bringing glittering glass gourds to the Palo Alto Art Center’s lawn for three decades. Pick your perfect glass pumpkin or other objet d’art from the patch and catch glass-blowing demonstrations at this favorite Peninsula event. Sept. 27-28 at the Palo Alto Art Center. greatglasspumpkinpatch.org
Author events
Iconic musician and activist (and longtime local) Joan Baez recounts her time at Kepler’s – then a counterculture headquarters – in the 1950s and ’60s, and her love of literature and music, at a fundraising event for the bookstore, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Baez will be in conversation with former University of California, Berkeley, adjunct professor Kimberly Ford. Other longtime Kepler’s supporters, including author V.R. Ferose, are also scheduled to speak, and there will be refreshments at a reception before and after the event. Each admission ticket comes with a signed copy of Baez’s book “Am I Pretty When I Fly?”
Oct. 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $200; keplers.org.
Courtesy High Road Touring
Books Inc. Palo Alto: Sex educator, urologist and podcaster Kelly Casperson discusses her book “The Menopause Moment” (Sept. 18); Yiming Ma shares his new dystopian novel “These Memories Do Not Belong to Us,” about a land where memories are bought and sold (Sept. 22). booksinc.net.
Books Inc. Mountain View: Author Emily Jane shares “American Werewolves,” her new novel satirizing our capitalist society (Sept. 20); Bal Khabra discusses her latest romance novel, “Revolve,” about a figure skater and hockey player falling in love (Oct. 15); Kimberly Bea presents “The Changeling Queen,” her novel based on mystical Scottish folklore and tragic romance (Oct. 28). booksinc.net.
Computer History Museum: Author Victor Petrov discusses his book “Balkan Cyberia,” about the many innovations in electronics and computing in Bulgaria during the Cold War era (Sept. 18). computerhistory.org.
Feldman’s Books: The Literature of War & Peace: A Symposium Part I (Oct. 11) and The Literature of War & Peace: A Symposium Part II (Oct. 18). feldmansbooks.net.
Fireside Books and More: Wendelin Van Draanen, author of the Sammy Keyes mysteries and “Flipped,” shares her latest young adult thriller (Sept. 12); Rebecca Bloom, author of “When Women Get Sick,” is featured in conversation with Erika Bell, Director of Cancer Information and Education at Bay Area Cancer Connections, about how to improve women’s health (Sept. 18); Storytime with magician Mr. Horsefeathers (Sept. 20); Indie Author Week (Sept. 22-26). firesiderwc.com/events.
Nidhi Chanani’s graphic novel for youth, “Super Boba Cafe” tells of how everything changes for young Aria after a visit to San Francisco, where she discovers a monster living under the boba shop run by her nainai (grandmother). In this followup, “Super Boba Cafe: Home Sea Home,” Aria realizes that she has some unfinished business back in the city by the bay after the monster keeps appearing in her dreams — and she seems to have acquired some powers that allow her to manipulate water. So it’s back to SF and Nainai’s shop, where the duo learn that the monster needs their help to return to his home. Chanani is featured in conversation with author Booki Vivat to celebrate the launch of “Super Boba Cafe: Home Sea Home.”
Oct. 8, 6 p.m., at Linden Tree Books, 265 State St., Los Altos; lindentreebooks.com.
Photo courtesy Macmillan Publishers
Linden Tree Books: Abigail Hing Wen discusses her middle-grade debut novel “The Vale,” about a 13-year-old who has built an immersive AI-generated world using technology created by his inventor parents (Sept. 13); Penny Nolan shares her latest picture book, “Maverick’s Ride,” about a carousel horse who longs for freedom (Sept. 14); Shafaq Khan celebrates the launch of her debut novel, “Zeyna Lost and Found,” about 12-year-old Zeyna, who must clear her parents’ name after they are accused of a jewel heist during a family visit to Pakistan (Sept. 14); Bethanie Murguia shares “Wagnificent: A New Dog in the Den,” the second in her graphic novel series about a pooch named Thunder and her human, Sage (Oct. 4); Scott Campbell marks the launch of his graphic novel, “Cabin Head and Tree Head,” which captures the escapades of two unusual buddies (Oct. 7); Nidhi Chanani is featured in conversation with Booki Vivat about her newest book, “Super Boba Cafe: Home Sea Home” (Oct. 8). lindentreebooks.com.
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center: An evening with Michelin-trained chef and dad David Nayfield, author of “Dad, What’s for Dinner?” (Sept 15). paloaltojcc.orgr.
Mountain View Library: Author talks are virtual unless otherwise noted. Sci-fi author Ray Nayler discusses his latest book, “Where the Axe is Buried” (Sept. 23); science fiction author, activist and journalist Cory Doctorow discusses his newest book, “Picks & Shovels” (Sept. 25); education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai talks about her new memoir, “Finding My Way” (Oct. 22). mountainview.libcal.com.
Palo Alto Libraries: The Rinconada Library hosts a virtual event with Zach Rausch, researcher and co-author of the book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing An Epidemic of Mental Illness” (Sept. 20); the Mitchell Park Library hosts a virtual discussion with Dr. Lisa Damour, author of “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents” (Oct. 30). paloalto.bibliocommons.com.
As a young engineer, Tim Berners-Lee came up with the idea of adding hyperlinks to the internet, thereby inventing the World Wide Web (which he distributed for no commercial reward) and changing the world as we know it. The winner of the Turing Prize (and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004), he has long been an advocate for shared standards and open web access. “His goal was to unleash a wave of creativity and collaboration for the benefit of all – a goal he’s pursued to this day,” Kepler’s website states. He comes to Kepler’s for a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Thomas L. Friedman. They’ll discuss Berners-Lee’s memoir “This Is for Everyone,” which chronicles his own role in the rise of the digital world, as well as his thoughts on the future.
Oct. 8, 7 p.m., Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; ticket prices vary depending on type selected; keplers.org.
Photo courtesy Pan MacMillian.
Kepler’s Books: Sen. Josh Becker helps celebrate the launch of “Practicing the Art of Becoming: Embracing Risk and Discovering Your Authentic Being,” a book by his longtime friend Patty Elvey (Sept. 16); Katherine Applegate discusses her new children’s book, “Pocket Bear,” about a teddy bear created as a good luck charm in World War I and his second chance at life a century later (Sept. 17); Kepler’s throws a 70th anniversary block party, with live music, food and children’s activities (Sept. 20); Kiran Desai talks about her latest novel, “The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,” a love story and a family saga (Sept. 21); Political economist, former cabinet member and author Robert Reich shares his new memoir, “Saving Capitalism and The Common Good,” Sept. 24 presented by Kepler’s Books at the Fox Theatre; Amanda Uhle, publisher and executive director of McSweeney’s, shares her memoir, “Destroy This House,” in conversation with author Dave Eggers (Sept. 30); authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro share their new fantasy novel “The Court of the Dead,” from the world of Percy Jackson (Oct. 1); Randi Weingarten, author of “Why Fascists Fear Teachers,” discusses the importance of public education (Oct. 3); Alexandra Brown Chang shares her debut novel, the young adult romance “By Invitation Only” (Oct. 4); With “Replaceable You,” author Mary Roach explores the groundbreaking territory of regenerative medicine (Oct. 7); Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, discusses the past and future of his invention in “This is For Everyone” (Oct. 8); Oliver Burkeman shares his new book, “Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts” (Oct. 9); Stanford University scientist Daria Mochly-Rosen and author Emanuel Rosen discuss their book “The Life Machines” (Oct. 17); editor John Freeman explores the current landscape of California writers and what they can reveal about the state’s past and future with “California Rewritten” (Oct. 21); in her memoir, “Like a Wave We Break,” Jane Chen, inventor of a groundbreaking incubator that saved newborns in vulnerable communities, explores the journey of self-reflection she embarked on after her company shut down (Oct. 22); musician and activist Joan Baez recalls her time at the progressive bookstore in conversation with Kimberly Ford (Oct. 29); Drew Daywalt shares his new graphic novel, “No Sam! And the Meow of Deception,” about Sam the pug, who strives to protect his humans from suburban evil (Nov. 2); author Gary Shteyngart discusses his latest novel, “Vera, or Faith” (Nov. 3); Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson shares his newest novel. “The Wayfinder,” set in the Polynesian islands, about a young girl who is chosen to save her people from starvation (Nov. 5); nonfiction author Bruce Henderson discusses his latest book, “Midnight Flyboys,” about a long-classified top-secret mission in Europe during World War II (Nov. 11); Story is the Thing features readings with local authors Richard Osborn, Lori Ostlund, Raj Oza and Shobha Rao (Nov. 12); Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, shares his experiences with distance running in “The Running Ground” (Nov. 22). keplers.org.
Stanford Live: Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor, author of “She Said,” about the Harvey Weinstein investigation, is featured in conversation with Stanford professor Pamela S. Karlan (Oct. 9). live.stanford.edu.
Updates and corrections
Editor’s note: In an earlier version of this story, information for the Code:ART festival incorrectly listed the dates for when the festival’s exhibits will be on display. The festival’s urban intervention exhibits will be on display Oct. 16-18 and the 3D projections at Palo Alto City Hall will be on display Oct. 16-25.
