ALOK
Writer, comedian, speaker and actor ALOK returns to their alma mater with a show at Stanford Live. ALOK, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University, has performed in over 40 countries and sold out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, according to their bio. They are the author of the books ”Beyond the Gender Binary,” “Femme in Public” and “Your Wound, My Garden.” ALOK brings their latest standup show, “Hairy Situation,” to Stanford Live, with tales of everything from messing up a TikTok makeup tutorial to being mistaken for a famous Brazilian DJ.
Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., at Bing Concert Hall, Stanford; $28.08-$64.80; live.stanford.edu.
Jonathan Poretz: Sinatra My Way
Vocalist Jonathan Poretz brings the music of Ol’ Blue Eyes to Meyhouse Palo Alto. Backed by a jazz trio, Poretz sings some of the standards made famous by Frank Sinatra in a way that captures Sinatra’s unique style while still making the tunes his own. Poretz has also paid tribute to other legendary vocalists such as Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett and Sinatra’s Rat Pack compatriot Dean Martin.
Oct. 24, 5 and 8 p.m. (5 p.m. show sold out), at Meyhouse Palo Alto, 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto; $38-$48; meyhousejazz.com.
Navigation III: Lingering
Djerassi Resident Artists Program hosts a day of performances and installations as part of the program’s “Navigation” series led by Djerassi alumni artist Alex H. Nichols. The series invites local and international artists to create ephemeral pieces based on the theme “Lingering.” Guests are invited to do just that — linger — as they tour one-day-only art installations and performances presented in the redwood forests and mountain meadows of the Djerassi property. The event also includes a lunch of a Japanese tasting bento created by chefs Yusuke Konno and Saya Yaegashi.
Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Djerassi Resident Artists Program, 2325 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside; $50-$150 donation; djerassi.org/events/navigation-iii-lingering.
Book Arts Bazaar
Bay Area Book Artists host this annual event that lovers of the printed page are bound to enjoy. Visitors can learn to stitch their own handmade books, make a souvenir on a printing press and buy creations by book artists and book-related vendors, such as artist books, handmade paper and cards. Those who are inspired to make their own books can also pick up art supplies, paper, ephemera and more.
Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Red Morton Park, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City; free; bayareabookartists.org.
Yale Whiffenpoofs
Since its founding in 1909, Yale University’s whimsically named Whiffenpoofs a cappella singing group has performed on every continent but Antarctica, sung for U.S. presidents from Reagan to Obama and appeared on TV shows including “The West Wing” and “Glee.” Currently on tour, the “Whiffs” come to Palo Alto for a concert, which will feature their wide-ranging repertoire that encompasses jazz, folk, pop and Broadway tunes. The ensemble, which bills itself as “America’s oldest collegiate singing group,” is made up of 14 senior Yale students, including Palo Alto’s Quincy Rosenzweig, a 2022 Gunn High School grad. He also sings with Doox of Yale, which has performed locally.
Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., at Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto; whiffs.ticketbud.com.
