21 NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN | JULY 17-23, 2013 | BOHEMIAN.COM
CULTURE
The week’s events: a selective guide HEALDSBURG
Howdy & Arigato A yodeling Japanese cowboy who sings tribute songs to the late Jimmie Rodgers? I reckon we’re not in Kansas anymore, ya’ll. Toshio Hirano has risen to fame through his yodeling tributes to Rodgers, considered the first real star of country music. As a teenager in Japan, Hirano grew attached to American folk music; listening to songs like “Blue Yodel No. 9” and “Peach Picking Time” kick-started Hirano’s passion. He performs a show at one of our favorite little joints on Sunday, July 21, at Bergamot Alley. 328-A Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. Free. 5:30pm. 707.433.8720.
N A PA
Loop-de-Loop You know that popular joke about Stephenie Meyer slamming her head on her computer keyboard and producing the Twilight novels? Well, Zoë Keating can make better music by putting her feet on her keyboard while playing the cello. And that’s no joke. Fans have built a cult following around one-woman-orchestra Keating, who makes terrific music and speaks regularly on artist empowerment. Set the weekend off right when Keating performs on Friday, July 19, at the Napa Valley Opera House. 1030 Main St., Napa. $25–$30. 8pm. 707.226.7372.
SA N R A FA E L
Sweet Soul Music In 1972, there was no better way to spend a weekend than getting stoned, rocking bell-bottoms and grooving to the Main Ingredient’s soul-filled tune “Everybody Plays the Fool.” Today, frontman Cuba Gooding Sr. keeps the music playing. When the father of Oscarwinning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. performs, expect his big hit, along with “Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love),” “I’m So Proud” and more. There’s no exception to the rule on Friday, July 19, at George’s Nightclub. 842 Fourth St., San Rafael. $20–$35. 9pm. 415.226.0262.
YOUNTVILLE
24-Hour Everything Surely taking a cue from the Bohemian’s 24-Hour Band Contest, Festival del Sole presents The 24 Hour Plays. In an evening of “extreme theater,” the players, writers and directors must create, write, rehearse and perform four 10-minute plays in 24 hours. Stars involved include Law & Order: SVU’s Christopher Meloni, The View’s Star Jones, The West Wing’s Allison Janney, The Newsroom’s Thomas Sadoski, four-time Emmy award winner Alfre Woodard and Ally McBeal herself, Calista Flockhart. Witness the results of spontaneous collaboration on Saturday, July 20, at Lincoln Theater. 100 California Drive, Yountville. $45–$75. 5:30pm. 707.944.9910.
—Anna Hecht
GLOBAL REACH Ravid Kahalani’ s Yemen Blues play the Napa Valley Opera House on July 18. See Concerts, p27.