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This week, pianist Ben Rosenblum and his ensemble perform jazz from multiple regions and eras in a free concert at the Community School of Music and Arts; “Once on This Island” opens at The Pear Theatre; food icon and author Ruth Reichl speaks at the Oshman Family JCC; Portola Valley Arts Fest showcases local visual, performing and literary artists and Redwood City hosts a Fiestas Patrias celebration.
Ben Rosenblum
Acclaimed jazz pianist, accordionist and composer Ben Rosenblum is joining his longtime collaborators – Bay Area bassist Matt Muntz and New York-based drummer Ben Zweig – for a free community performance of music representing multiple regions and eras, as befitting their wealth of experience in diverse genres. The trio’s “Jazz Around the World” program includes a mix of original compositions, jazz standards and selections from a variety of world-music styles.
Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m., Tateuchi Hall, Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View; free; arts4all.org.
‘Once on This Island’
For its next production, The Pear Theatre takes on the enchanting “Once on This Island,” by musical powerhouses Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and directed by the Pear’s artistic director, Sinjin Jones. The Caribbean-set show is full of hummable melodies and danceable beats and tells the tale of a dreamy peasant girl, Ti Moune, who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the posh side of the island, whom she rescues in a storm. The amused gods and goddesses watching over these mortals decide to bet on which is stronger – love or death – with Ti Moune’s life in the balance.
Sept. 13-Oct. 13 (see online for specific performance dates and times), The Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View; $45; thepear.org/season23.
Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl has been a chef, a restaurant critic, the longtime editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine and even a TV personality, including as a judge on “Top Chef Masters.” She’s also penned bestselling memoirs and a cookbook. Recently, she partnered with director Laura Gabbert to produce the documentary “Food and Country,” about challenges faced by independent farmers, ranchers and chefs in the modern food industry. She’s currently an editor with Random House and she’ll discuss her latest book, “Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir,” about her time at the magazine, at an upcoming event at the JCC in Palo Alto.
Sept. 14, 7 p.m., Albert & Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto; $71.21 eventbrite.com.
Portola Valley Arts Fest
‘Tis the season for art & wine festivals, but Portola Valley offers a uniquely local twist on the favorite event — a “home-spun and intimate” festival, as the event’s website describes. Portola Valley Arts Fest showcases the town’s artistic community in a day that highlights visual and performing arts and literature, as well as local food and drink. Visitors can meet local artists and check out their work, and enjoy performances throughout the day, which include a local author storytime at 10:30 a.m. and a variety show at 11 a.m. featuring youth from Portola Valley Theater Conservatory, followed by musical performances by vocal and guitar duo Jen & Jim and box-player Barry O’Connell and flutist Vinny Cronin. At 3 p.m., catch local authors Susanne Pari, Ellen Barker, Toby Brooks, Miriam Freedman, Debbie Romani reading from their works.
Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 3300 Alpine Road, Portola Valley. sites.google.com/view/portolavalleyartsfest/home.
Fiestas Patrias
Downtown Redwood City hosts Fiestas Patrias – an annual community celebration of Mexican independence (as well as many other Latin American countries). The festivities include foods, arts and craft vendors, a flag ceremony by the Consul General de Mexico, activities for kids, live mariachi music, ballet folklorico performances and more.
Sept. 15, 3-8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway St., Redwood City; free;.redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/cultural/fiestas-patrias.
