The “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack brought bluegrass and folk music into the mainstream and, in turn, gave Nickel Creek a whole new audience. The North County “new grass” group formed in 1989 when the three members (Sean Watkins, Sara Watkins and Chris Thile) were in their pre-teens. In 1998, the band snagged a record contract with Sugar Hill and produced their self-titled debut, which came out in 2000. In 2002, the band released This Side, which climbed to No. 2 on the country charts and reached the top 20 on the billboard charts. The band performs at RIMAC Arena at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Catch the tail end of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s Classic IMAX Film Festival. Until April 18, one can see two different IMAX classics Wednesdays through Sundays. This week, “Lewis and Clark” and “Alaska” will be screened. Tickets for each movie are $6. The first film begins at 6 p.m. and the second begins at 7 p.m. For more information, call (619) 238-1233 or visit http://www.rhfleet.org.
As the famous song goes: “Love and marriage/go together like a horse and carriage …” We all know how love and marriage in 2004 goes — but what about in the 1970s? That’s the focus of this year’s Muir Musical Ensemble production of “Company.” The play follows five couples in various stages of marriage (about to be married, married or once married) and their mutual friend Robert, a 35-year-old bachelor. Told through his eyes, the audience is asked whether the couples are really happy or if it’s just an illusion. Decide for yourself. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 to $8. The play runs through April 10. For more information, call (858) 534-3588.
They would walk 500 miles, and they would walk 500 more, just to perform at the Casbah. That’s right, the Proclaimers are back on tour. Best known for their one-hit wonder diddy “I Would Walk 500 Miles” from the “Benny and Joon” soundtrack, the band, featuring twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reids, never really repeated the success they gained with that single. However, this did not deter them from making more music. The band is currently on tour promoting their latest album, Born Innocent. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $18. Don’t forget those IDs; the show is for ages 21 and up. For more information, call (619) 232-4355.
Fans of the now-defunct Convoy will be pleased as punch that three of the band members (Mark Maigaard, Brian Karscig and Jason Hill) have gone out and formed Louis XIV. Their first self-titled record is a concept album that tells the story of a kid who thinks he’s Louis XIV. If the name sounds familiar, the band performed at this year’s WinterFest, and they will play at the Casbah at 8:30 p.m. Electrelane opens. Tickets are $10. IDs are needed since the show is for ages 21 and up. For more information, call (619) 232-4355.
Those who saw the documentary “Dancemaker” will get a chance to see the Martha Graham Dance Company live when they perform at California Center for the Arts Escondido. For those who haven’t seen the film, the 40-year-old company is known for being hard-working and straightforward, a quality reflected in the choreography itself. The company has represented America in more than 40 countries. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39 to $49. For more information, call (760) 839-4138.
The Vines have been called Australia’s answer to the Strokes and have a vaguely Nirvana-esque style. They first burst on the scene with “Get Free” in 2002 and, after releasing their latest album Winning Days, the Vines have cemented their popularity. The band plays at Soma along with fellow Aussies Jet, the Living End and Neon on the Aussie Invasion Tour. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16. See our web exclusive album review of Winning Days at https://www.ucsdguardian.org.
Gray skies, shifting temperatures, bouts of rain? Ah, yes, it’s springtime and what better way to celebrate than being surrounded by butterflies and orchids? The San Diego Wild Animal Park’s “Butterflies and Orchids” event allows patrons to visit the park where thousands of butterflies fly into the park’s Hidden Jungle habitat yearly. This is the only time of year that there is such a large number of these creatures. The event runs through April 18. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Tickets are $26.50. For more information, call (760) 747-8702.
Dramatic talent can be found at more places than just San Diego Civic Theatre — UCSD’s Baldwin New Play Festival showcases some of the finest talent from the theatre and dance department’s masters of fine arts program. But don’t expect the usual romantic love stories on the stage since no topic is too taboo: Everything from missionaries to anarchists is looked at in the five plays at the festival. Check out “The Hopper Collection,” a story of a reclusive couple whose lives are shaken up by the prying of a young man. The play begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $15. For information on the other plays, showtimes and more, call (858) 534-4575 or visit http://theatre.ucsd.edu/newplayfest/npf04.htm.
