VILLALOBOS BROTHERS The three Villalobos brothers were all violin prodigies growing up in Xalapa, Mexico. In 2000, Ernesto went to Manhattan School of Music on a Fulbright scholarship, in 2002, Alberto studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, and in 2003, Luis went to the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg in Germany. But a Carnegie Hall reunion of the brothers in 2005 has led to an active, non-classical concert career. They describe their music as “drawing inspiration from jazz, rock, classical, and traditional Mexican folk to deliver a message of love, brotherhood, and social justice.” Their six-piece band plays at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $26 in advance, $28 at the door. Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison St.
LINDSEY STIRLING There’s a bit of a classical violinist gone rogue theme in Berkeley this weekend. Lindsey Stirling, who plays at the Greek Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. started out as a classical violinist from Arizona, but she’s forged a solo career with a combination of violin, dance, animation and electronic beats. Her self-titled debut album has sold nearly 500,000 in the U.S. and her videos have over a half billion views on YouTube. Tickets are $35 and $45, available from Another Planet. Hearst Greek Theatre, Gayley Road.
FREEDOMLAND In its 56th season, the San Francisco Mime Troupe brings its new production, Freedomland, to Willard Park this weekend. Here’s the opening premise: “A door is blown off its hinges! Into a blasted room of scarred walls and shattered windows, armed with M-16’s, America’s bravest duck and dodge for cover, finally training their deadly gunsights on… an old black man watching TV on his couch? This isn’t Baghdad or Kandahar – it’s home, and for ex-Black Panther Malcolm Haywood it’s just another wrong door police raid in the War on Drugs.” Freedomland will be performed on both Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9 at Willard Park, with music starting at 1:30 p.m. and the show kicking off at 2 p.m. Performances are free, although donations are encouraged.
LEAVE IT TO DIVA Can you resist this description? “Their joy is contagious and you are guaranteed to be whipped into a state of happiness.” That’s what La Peña Cultural Center promises for Saturday night’s music and dance from Leave it to Diva. The five vocalists perform R&B, Motown and rock. Expect the dance floor to be packed. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.
EMPANADA MILONGA Ben Jong, conductor and director of Orquesta Z, will DJ three-and-a-half hours of tangos, from 1930s classics to contemporary alternative tango on Sunday afternoon at St. Clement’s Community House. Jong “will pepper his tandas with interesting anecdotes about the history of the songs he has chosen… to give you new insights into the music that is Argentine tango.” Plenty of free drink and snacks, and dancing in the beautiful Benjamin McDougall-designed hall. $15 suggested donation. Sunday, Aug. 9, St. Clement’s Community House, 2837 Claremont Blvd.
Don’t miss these other events previously mentioned on Berkeleyside:
A portrait of Amy Winehouse through film and exhibit
Three Berkeley homes on AIA East Bay architecture tour
Howard Alden: Seven strings, will travel
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