@caption:Slash
In the mid-1970s, young Saul Hudson's grandmother turned him from what he describes as "urban terrorist bicycle rider" into a rocker with the gift of a guitar (albeit one with only one string).
Hudson, better known as Slash, later reached the heights of rock 'n' roll as part of Guns N' Roses, heroes of MTV and, arguably, the biggest rock band in the nation.
The band hasn't done much lately. But while rock historians wait for the band's next move, local rockers can find out what Slash is up to. Slash's Blues Ball comes to The Edge, 260 California Ave., Palo Alto, Wednesday, Jan. 29. It's sure to be a guitar-blasting evening with many of the hard rockin' tunes from his latest release, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." The crowd will be hoping for some Guns material, but it seems unlikely that Slash will do that without Axl Rose. Floodland and The Bridge open the show and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $9 advance. For more information, call 324-EDGE.
@caption:Lori Zook in the Underworld Opera Company's "Asi Que Pasen Cinco Anos"
Federico Garcia Lorca never had the chance to see his "Asi Que Pasen Cinco Anos" performed. He was shot and fatally wounded on Aug. 19, 1936--five years to the day from the completion of his work--and was seen as a tragic example of the repression that existed in Spanish society during the country's civil war. Persecuted for being both homosexual and politically outspoken, Lorca used the turmoil he suffered to create a complex theatrical, visual and poetic expression.
The Bay Area's own Underworld Opera Company brings "Asi Que Pasen Cinco Anos," Thursdays to Sundays, Jan. 30 to Feb. 9, to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Castro and Mercy streets, Mountain View. All show times are 8 p.m., expect on Feb. 9, which is at 2 p.m. Since 1987, the Underworld Opera Company has been dedicated to the development and production of new opera. Believing that opera is the ultimate fusing of all disciplines, the company attempts to merge classical forms of music, dance, drama and visual art with modern technology and current social and political issues.
"Asi Que Pasen Cinco Anos," or "Thus Passed Five Years," follows the internal journey of a young man, unsure of what he wants, as he loses his fiance, loses his way and encounters figures of his own imagination, both evil and benign. The production combines classical opera with elements of jazz and traditional melodies. The songs will be in Spanish, the dialogue in English. Tickets are $18 (students and senior discounts, as well as group rates, are available). For more information, call 903-6000.
@caption:Marilyn Waring
Marilyn Waring plunged into politics at the age of 22, becoming the youngest and the only female member of parliament in New Zealand. She became a voice for women, youth and the Maori people. A radical feminist, Waring worked with--not against--the predominantly white, property-owning men who farmed her district, and she fought off development of the land. She also played a major role in New Zealand becoming a nuclear free zone.
Learn more about Waring in Oscar-winning filmmaker Terre Nash's 94-minute documentary, "Who's Counting? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at Stanford University's Cubberley Auditorium (located in the School of Education building, facing the main quad). Using her smarts as well as her humor, Waring lambastes economic yardsticks such as the United Nations System of National Accounts for failing to attribute value to women's unpaid labor or the long-term preservation of natural resources.
Director Nash will speak after the screening. Tickets are $5 (benefitting Bay Area Action). For more information, call 321-1994.
@caption:From left, Jessica Shade, Kenyon DeVault, Michael Zlotnik and Christina Foung in the Palo Alto Children Theatre's production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
Celebrate 60 years of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre building with the production that opened the venue back in 1937. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" opens Friday, Jan. 24 at the Children's Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, and continues through Feb. 1. Show times for the classic fairy tale, featuring Snow White, the lovable dwarfs and the handsome prince, are 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 25, 29, 31 and Feb. 1; 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25, 26 and Feb. 1; and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Tickets are $4 adults; $2 children. Anniversary-related events include: a "birthday party" for PACT participants held Wednesday, Jan. 29; a reception following the 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, show, which has been designated as the anniversary performance; and the monthly meeting of the Palo Alto Historical Association, held at the theater Sunday, Feb. 2. Prior to performances of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," those interested are invited to spend a few minutes being videotaped about their experiences at PACT. For more information, call 329-2651
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