Calendar March 4 – March 10
Thursday (March 4)
A play doesn’t need a flashy storyline to be powerful. “The Fantasticks,” by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, embodies this idea telling the tale of forbidden love — or so it may seem. This off-beat musical runs through April 25 at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Showtimes vary. Tickets range from $28 to $30. For more information, call (858) 481-1055.
Friday (March 5)
Perhaps best known for their song “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” classic rockers Blue Oyster Cult have always been called the thinking-man’s metal group. With pseudo-intellectual lyrics, intense guitar riffs and a dark sound, it’s no wonder B.O.C. has a fan base that keeps demanding more. The band plays at 4th & B at 8 p.m. Bring your IDs; the show is for ages 21 and up. Tickets are $17.50. For more information, call (619) 231-4343.
Arguably one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Buddy Guy ain’t no slouch when it comes to his music. Beyond that, Guy’s bluesy sound and deep voice capture the soul of the deep South. Guy plays at the East County Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $37 to $47. For more information, call (619) 440-2277.
Saturday (March 6)
Mixing electronica with hip-hop and metal can be tricky, but Crystal Method tries to do just that. With their crunchy techno breakbeats, the duo’s sound is a style of techno grunge that has been influenced by other groups (like Prodigy). Crystal Method are touring behind their latest album, Legion of Bloom, and will perform at 4th & B. The show, which is for ages 21 and up, starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22.50 the day of the show. For more information, call (619) 231-4343.
Stay close to campus with the latest performers in the chamber music series playing at Mandeville Auditorium. The Pro Arte Quartet was founded by violinist Alphonse Onnou in 1912 and has toured ever since, performing all over the world. Tickets to the Orpheus Quartet (which was originally scheduled for this date, but canceled) will be honored at this performance. Tickets range from $10 to $25. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (858) 534-6467.
Monday (March 8)
One of jazz’s true legends, Mose Allison, will perform at Dizzy’s. The jazz/blues singer/songwriter has enjoyed a lasting career and song themes run the gamut, even featuring gripes about the music business (“Top 40” and “I’m Not Downhearted (But I’m Getting There)”). Such musical heavyweights as Van Morrison, the Who and Elvis Costello have covered his songs, making Allison a powerful figure in the music biz. The show begins at 7 p.m. and another show will follow at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, call (858) 270-7467.
Tuesday (March 9)
Indie pop maestroes Grandaddy and emo kiddos Saves the Day are on tour after releasing their latest albums (Sumday and In Reverie, respectively). With songs that have a wide range of emotions, featuring everything from the melodramatic (Saves the Day’s “Wednesday the Third”) to the fairly upbeat (“Now it’s On,” by Grandaddy), the bands will appeal to a wide audience. The Fire Theft and dios will open. The show begins at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information, call (619) 226-7662.
One of the most influential musicians of the 21st century, Jackson Browne began his career in the late 1960s the way most musicians do — playing folk music at local clubs. In Browne’s case, his career took off, and he began working with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles and the Byrds. Even after his popularity wore out, he continued writing and performing new material, most recently releasing The Naked Ride Home in 2002. The folk-rock singer will perform at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. For more information, call (760) 839-4138.
Tap tap tap tap … That’s the sound of “Riverdance,” the dancing Irish troupe that has sold out thousands of shows all over the world. Originally created as a seven-minute act during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, “Riverdance” became so popular it quickly grew to become the massive stage show it is today. “Riverdance” tells the story of two men, one good and the other bad, battling for the love of a woman with their tap shoes as their weapons. Violins and beautiful sets are the backdrop for the show, which plays at San Diego Civic Theatre through March 13. For more information, call (619) 570-1100.
Wednesday (March 10)
New York rockers the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been given so much head-spinning hype over the past couple of years, they’d make the Strokes blush. But with a hit song and video for the beautiful love song “Maps,” in which frontwoman Karen O. forgoes screaming for tender crooning, the band is poised to actually capitalize on the hype. Of course, none of this would matter if it hadn’t put out one of the best albums of 2003, the wildly infectious Fever to Tell. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs will play at SOMA. Tickets are $14. For more information, call (619) 226-7662.
— Compiled by Deena Al Shatti
Associate Hiatus Editor
