May 4: Cypress String Quartet. Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 130 is on the program offered by this local quartet. 3pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; www.montalvoarts.org)
May 4: Rafal Blechacz. This award-winning young Polish pianist delivers show-stopping performances. 7pm. (San Jose: Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. Fifth St.; 408/295-6500; www.trianontheatre.com)
May 11 & 18: California Youth Symphony. The youth-friendly program includes selections from Ives-Schumann, Prokofiev, Britten, Gordeli and Weber. 2:30pm. (May 11: Cupertino Flint Center; 408/864-8816. May 18: San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St.; 650/762-0258; www.cys.org)
May 14: Vladimir Feltsman. This celebrated Russian pianist presents a program of Bach, Beethoven and Mussorgsky. 7:30pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; www.montalvoarts.org)
May 16: San Francisco Symphony. This all-Brahms program features some of the composer’s best known works, including Serenade No. 2 and Piano Concerto No.1. 8pm. (Cupertino: Flint Center; 408/864-8816; www.flintcenter.com)
May 16: Stanford Chamber Chorale. The chorale’s last concert before its tour to China features works by Chen Yi, Kudo, Copeland and Debussy. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 16-17: Peninsula Symphony featuring Jing Wang. The symphony plays a program that includes Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, C sharp minor and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64. 8pm. (Fri: San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St.; 650/762-0258. Sat: Cupertino Flint Center; 408/864-8816; www.peninsulasymphony.org)
May 17: Stanford Wind Ensemble. The ensemble joins piano soloist Yana Reznik for a program of works by Gershwin, Hindsmith and Persichetti. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 18: Afiara String Quartet presents Dmitri Shostakovich: The Thaw. Explore Shostakovich’s work in post-Stalin USSR. The quartet will also perform String Quartet No. 8. 2pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; www.montalvoarts.org)
May 18: San Jose Chamber Orchestra. Big and brassy is the name of the game as the orchestra presents And the Trumpets Will Sound, a program of horn music, including Bartok’s Transylvanian Dances. 7pm. (San Jose: Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. 5th St.; 408/995-5400; www.sjco.org)
May 21: Iain Quinn. Welsh organist performs inspiring works on the Murray Harris organ. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 23: Nova Vista Symphony presents Rhythm of Russia. Hear the best of Russia’s composers, including pieces from Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and others. 8pm. (Mountain View: Center for the Performing Arts; 650/903-6000)
May 28: Stanford University Singers. Robert Huw Morgan directs the chorus in an all-Bach program, including the Magnificat. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 31: Stanford Symphony Orchestra & Symphonic Chorus. Features performances of works including Zhou Long’s Cosmic Fire and the choral finale to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
Music: Jazz & Other
May 1: Jiaotong University Chorus. Part of Stanford University’s Pan-Asian Music Festival, this chorus from Shanghai performs folk music from China’s rich tapestry of 56 ethnic traditions. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus/Dinkelspiel Auditorium; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 2: Hot For Teacher and Generation Swine. Van Halen and Mötley Crüe tribute bands bring down the house with the hits. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; www.foxdream.com)
May 2: Iva Bittova, Don Byron and Marc Ribot. Catch this highly acclaimed trio with Iva Bittova on vocals and violin, Don Byron on saxaphone, and Marc Ribot on guitar. 8pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; )www.montalvoarts.org
May 3: Michael Bublé. This Grammy-winning jazz and pop wunderkind amazes audiences with his smooth voice and modern takes on old standards. 8pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
May 3: Sticks and Stones. Stanford Taiko’s spring concert features high-energy, original works for North American taiko. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 3: Xianghua Buddhist Ceremonial Music. Hailing from the temple-filled city of Meizhou, China, nine Buddhist monks and nuns share their sacred and meditative music with American audiences. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 3: Bay Bells. Using English handbells, performers play music from American composers as well as original works. 3 & 7pm. (Mountain View: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/903-6000; www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/mvcpa/mvcpa.html)
May 3: Orquesta Pacheco. Salsa band wows audiences with a hot Latin sound. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; www.foxdream.com)
May 4: Ed Johnson, Kristin Strom and Jennifer Lee. Sunday Jazz at the Little Fox brings you an evening of exciting Brazilian and straight-ahead jazz. 4pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 4: Cui Jian. Often compared to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, this legendary Chinese rock artist promises to bring the house down with his politically charged songwriting. 8pm. (Palo Alto: Stanford Campus; 650/725-ARTS; http://music.stanford.edu)
May 5: An Evening with The Greencards. Join this Grammy Award-winning bluegrass and Americana trio for an evening of lively mandolin, bass and fiddle music. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; )www.foxdream.com
May 7: Avril Lavigne. This pop/rock powerhouse performs from her latest album, “The Best Damn Thing.” 7pm. (San Jose: HP Pavillion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Redwood City Blues Jam. Watch the musical stylings of the area’s best blues artists in this monthly event. If you’re not too shabby on guitar or harmonica, you might get to jam with the bands. 7pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 8: Jerry Douglas Band. Master dobro player Jerry Douglas plays bluegrass, country and other selections. 7:30pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; )www.montalvoarts.org
May 8-11: Gershwin 1920’s Radio Hour is a live recreation of a 20’s radio show, featuring Gershwin’s piano concertos in their big band glory. Thurs 7:30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2:30pm (San Jose: California Theatre, 345 S. First St.; 408/286-2600; www.symphonysiliconvalley.org)
May 9: Erin McKeown and Sean Hayes. Singer/songwriter McKeown joins vocalist Sean Hayes for an evening of earthy folk music. 8pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; )www.montalvoarts.org
May 9: Pride & Joy. This Bay Area ensemble’s renditions of timeless pop/soul songs makes for an electrifying, high-style show. 9pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; )www.foxdream.com
May 10: Jerry Garcia Band featuring Melvin Seals. Seals, a master keyboardist who played alongside Jerry Garcia himself, keeps the legend alive. 9pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox, 2209 Broadway; 650/FOX-4119; )www.foxdream.com
May 10: Alicia Keyes. R&B ingénue plays from her newest album. 9pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
May 10: Joe Jackson Trio with Mutlu. Pianist and vocalist Jackson plays selections from his new album and joins Mutlu with his blend of soul, reggae and hip-hop. 8pm. (Redwood City: Fox Theatre; 650/369-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 11: Makana & Band. This new Hawaiian singer/songwriter’s slack key guitar talents shine with high-powered rock songs. 7pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 11: Franc D’Ambrosio. Best known for being the longest-running “Phantom of the Opera,” this Broadway singer brings new hits from Hollywood to the stage. 4:30pm. (Half Moon Bay: Bach Society; 650/726-4143; www.bachddsoc.org)
May 13: Jonathan Edwards. Edwards’ mellow acoustic sound has earned him acclaim with such hits as “Shanty” and “Sunshine.” 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 16: Juanes la Vida. Columbian pop heartthrob heats up the stage with his socially conscious rock music. 8pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
May 16: Big Daddy Sunshine, GravyBoat and Kingsway 202. These Bay Area bands offer cover songs from the 50s through the 90s, and original rock compositions. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 17: Best Intentions: A Motown Mania Tribute Show. Dynamic homages to Motown greats like the Temptations and The Four Tops. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 18: The Waybacks. Eclectic band mixes Memphis soul, honky-tonk, Parisian swing, classical, vintage blue pop and much more. 7pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 18: Hot Club of San Francisco. In an homage to the catchy jazz of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli, this ensemble breathes new life into the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars. 4:30pm. (Half Moon Bay: Bach Society; 650/726-4143; www.bachddsoc.org)
May 21: The Tamburitzans. See a unique performance of folk music and dance from Eastern Europe. 8pm. (Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts; 650/903-6000; www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/mvcpa/mvcpa.html)
May 23: My Brightest Diamond & Noe Venable. Eclectic music meets Venable’s folk tunes. 8pm. (Saratoga: Montalvo Arts Center; 408/961-5800; )www.montalvoarts.org
May 23: Masterpiece plus DaVine featuring Damien Carter. This party band kicks it into high gear with everything from classic standards to modern hits. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 24: Unauthorized Rolling Stones and Just Cream. Cover bands deliver renditions of Rolling Stones and Cream singles. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 25: Nicholas Bearde Quartet. Renowned R&B vocalist performs ballads from the likes of Lou Rawls and Nat King Cole. 4:30pm. (Half Moon Bay: Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society; 650/726-4143; www.bachddsoc.org)
May 25: House of Floyd. Pink Floyd’s classic hits come alive through this tribute band. 7pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 28: The Cure. This legendary 80s rock band returns to the stage to play new material and, of course, classic Cure hits. 7:30pm. (San Jose: HP Pavilion; 408/287-9200; www.hppsj.com)
May 30: Los Lobos. Latin music legends showcase their blend of R&B, cumbia, blues and barrio rock. 8pm. (Campbell: Heritage Theatre, 1 West Campbell Ave.; 408/866-2700; www.ci.campbell.ca.us/heritagetheatre/index.htm)
May 30: Chris Cain Band and Maxx Cabello Jr. offer jazz, blues guitar and vocals. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
May 31: Heartbreaker. Cover band relives Led Zeppelin’s best live performances. 8pm. (Redwood City: The Little Fox; 650/FOX-4119; ) www.foxdream.com
