Things to do this week: Blues with Marc Broussard, book banning talk with Joanna Ho, Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Mychal Threets

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Soul singer-songwriter Marc Broussard performs Oct. 14 at The Guild Theatre. Courtesy Marc Broussard.

Marc Broussard
Louisiana singer-songwriter Marc Broussard is known for his blend of blues and soul with classic rock ‘n’ roll influences. The son of Louisiana Hall of Fame guitarist Ted Broussard, Marc Broussard grew up in the Louisiana music scene and has had a long career with numerous recording projects. With his SOS Foundation, he raises money for charitable organizations he’s passionate about. His most recent release is “Smile,” a track off his forthcoming “S.O.S 5” album, benefiting the nonprofit Love of People. Broussard will perform at the Guild Theatre this week, part of his current tour.

Oct.14, doors at 7 p.m., The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $46; guildtheatre.com.

Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard
Joanna Ho (“Eyes that Kiss in the Corners”) and Caroline Kusin Pritchard (“Keeper of Stories”) launch “The Day The Books Disappeared” (illustrated by Dan Santat) at an event presented by Linden Tree Books (and held at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos). The new book is the story of a boy who discovers he can make all the books in his classroom disappear, with disastrous results. Joining the conversation are author and founder of Authors Against Book Banning Maggie Tokuda-Hall and librarian and library advocate – and new host of “Reading Rainbow” – Mychal Threets. The group will discuss not only the new book but also the importance of reading freely and fighting against book banning, according to Linden Tree.

Oct. 14, 6 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos; free, books available for purchase and/or donate; pci.jotform.com/form/252689174971169.

The B-52s and Devo
The new wave sound is alive and well this week when bands The B-52s and Devo bring their “Cosmic De-Evolution Tour” to Shoreline Amphitheatre. Both longrunning bands are known to blend visual flair with catchy, quirky sounds. The B-52s are most familiar to casual listeners for such hits as “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack” while Devo is famed for songs including “Whip It” and “Beautiful World” (and the band members’ “energy dome” hats). Fellow new wave artist Lene Lovich opens the show.

Oct. 16, 7 p.m., Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View; ticket prices vary; livenation.com/event/G5vYZbimT1Nzf/the-b-52s-devo-cosmic-de-evolution-tour.

‘Flora & Threads’
French-Canadian self-taught artist Sylvie Levesque presents an exhibition of mixed-media paintings at Viewpoints Gallery. The exhibition, “Flora & Threads,” includes the large-scale mixed-media painting “Falling Leaves,” plus 15 other pieces from her newest series. Levesque blends leaves, petals and threads into her compositions, which utilize earth tones and touches of blue-gray and green and include figures with simplified faces, with emphasis on expression and atmosphere, according to Viewpoints Gallery.

Through Nov. 2, Wednesday-Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and by appointment), Viewpoints Gallery, 315 State St., Los Altos; free; viewpointsgallery.com. A “meet the artist day” will be held Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.