FRIDAY
Avant cello
Zoë Keating
WHAT: It isn't often you see the word "avant" in front of anything in the realm of classical music. But this Canadian musician fits the bill. Classically trained from the age of 8, she uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to create intricate, haunting and compelling music.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: CSA Events Center, 1275 Starboard Drive, West Sacramento
COST: $17
INFORMATION: (916) 374-9177, www.zoekeating.com
FRIDAY
Free concert
Mick Martin & the Blues Rockers
WHAT: The season's final Friday Night Concert in the Park features bluesman Martin and band, plus Tess and Hip Trash and the Kyle Rowland Band. Sacramento singer-harmonica player Martin's group often is called "perhaps the best unsigned band in the blues."
WHEN: 5-9 p.m.
WHERE: Cesar Chavez Plaza, 10th and J streets, Sacramento
COST: Nothing. It's free! And, it's for all ages
INFORMATION: www.sacfridayconcerts.com
FRIDAY
Comedy
Bill Maher
WHAT: The political humorist and host of HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher" performs his stand-up act.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
COST: $49.50-$69.50 The show is officially sold out, but no-shows and folks who, at the last minute, find themselves unable to use their tickets sometimes result in seats for "stand-bys."
INFORMATION: Call the box office at (916)808-5181 for availability.
FRIDAY
Pop music
Aimee Mann
WHAT: You don't have to wait 'til Tuesday to see the hip singer-songwriter in concert.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley
COST: $40 ($35 for center members
INFORMATION: (530) 274-8384
SATURDAY
Cultural exhibit
Ballet Folklorico - Lace and Ribbons
WHAT: This display, subtitled "The Making of Cultural Affirmation," features costumes from the Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes. (Want to add in a learning experience? Artistic director Steven Valencia will discuss ballet folklorico at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.) The exhibit is part of a wider celebration of Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16.
WHEN: 1-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays (except Second Saturdays when hours are 1-9 p.m.), through Oct. 1
WHERE: La Raza Galería Posada, 1022 22nd St., Sacramento
COST: Free (donations accepted)
INFORMATION: (916) 446-5133, www.larazagaleriaposada.org
SATURDAY 8/20
Blues music
Shemekia Copeland
WHAT: Like father, like daughter? Blues belter Shemekia Copeland - and, boy, can she belt! - is the offspring of the late Texas blues guitar legend Johnny Clyde Copeland, who brought her onstage at Harlem's famed Cotton Club to sing with his band when she was just 8. Her second album, "Wicked" (released in 2000), scored three Handy Awards (Song of the Year, Blues Album of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year) and a Grammy nomination. Her latest, 2009's "Never Going Back" points to a new direction, but as she notes, her father "didn't do the typical one-four-five blues. I want to be the same way. I want to be innovative."
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Marilyn's on K, 908 K St., Sacramento
COST: $20 advance, $25 at the door
INFORMATION: (916) 446-4361, www.marilynsonk.com
SATURDAY
Hands-on history
Gold Fever!
WHAT: Visitors to Sutter's Fort State Historic Park will have the opportunity to catch 49er fever, much like the early pioneers did after the discovery of gold in 1849. This special event will feature such activities as gold panning, pioneer bowling and tall tales of big gold nuggets.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: Sutter's Fort, 2701 L St., Midtown, Sacramento
COST: $6 general, $4 ages 6-17, free for 5 and younger
INFORMATION: (916) 445-4422, www.parks.ca.gov/suttersfort
SATURDAY
Pop music
Patti LaBelle
WHAT: She spent 16 years leading Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles before they changed their name to simply LaBelle in the '70s and then disbanded in '77, sending her to solo stardom with a new attitude.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Summer Stage Outdoor Amphitheatre, Cache Creek Casino Resort, Brooks
COST: $39-$75
INFORMATION: (530) 796-3118, www.cachecreek.com/entertainment
NEXT THURSDAY
House music
Funkerman
WHAT: Funkerman (born Ardie van Beek) is a Dutch house DJ and music producer whose early tunes made the club charts in Holland and whose more recent work - "Speed Up," for instance - has hit the international music charts. His remixes are supersharp, and "Speed Up" is one of the downloadable tracks on the Xbox 360 karaoke game "Lips."
WHEN: 11:30 p.m.
WHERE: District 30, 1022 K St., Sacramento
COST: $10
INFORMATION: (916) 737-5770, www.district30sacramento.com
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