Events Around the Bay
Anat Cohen Returns to Stanford!
July 18 at 7:30pm; Fresh off a series of major events and marking her 50th birthday, tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Ant Cohen returns to Stanford, where her jazz festival perfor-mances are an annual highlight.
There’s no artist in jazz with a creative vision quite like Anat Cohen. Since arriving in New York City in 1999, she has moved fluidly from trad jazz ensembles devoted to the early music of Louis Armstrong to post-bop alongside her generation’s most cutting-edge improvisers and composers.
She has soared in orchestral settings, celebrated Benny Goodman with Benny Green at the Village Vanguard, and walked a musical tightrope in duet with Fred Hersch in Healdsburg — all documented on record. She has joined forces with her brothers (trumpeter Avishai and soprano saxophonist Yuval) in 3 Cohens and navigated Oded Lev-Ari’s intricate compositions for the Anat Cohen Tentet. Her love of Brazilian music has often shaped her Festival appearances, where she’s collaborated with some of the world’s greatest Brazilian artists. Whether exploring the music of overlooked genius Moacir Santos or MPB icon Milton Nascimento, playing choro, bossa nova, or Brazilian jazz with her Quartetinho, Cohen remains a nonpareil clarinetist and suavely swinging tenor saxophonist at the peak of her powers. Photo by Bonnie Rattner.
Information: Visit stanford@jazz.org
“Night Driver” Ong Chauffeurs Through Berkeley
July 11 – August 8, 2026 at The Marsh Berkeley; 5:00pm Saturdays
Audiences can catch another ride with Pearl Ong’s critically acclaimed Night Driver, which will be back for an encore run at The Marsh Berkeley. The 2025 BroadwayWorld San Francisco Bay Area Awards winner for Best Cabaret/Concert/Solo Performance Night Driver chauffeurs audiences on the unexpected journeys of a model minority gone rogue.
What is a Hong Kong princess doing behind the wheel of a cab? And how does her very proper Mother react? This captivating story vividly revisits the vibrant, free-spirited scene in San Francisco from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, blending humor, rebellion, and cultural clashes to portray a life fiercely determined to defy expectations. “Night Driver” is: written and performed by Pearl Ong and directed by David Ford. Should be a fun ride…!
Information:
TICKETS: $25-$35 general admission sliding scale, $50 and $100 reserved, plus a $3 convenience fee per ticket
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley
Photo courtesy of the Marsh Berkeley
Matisse’s “Femme au Chateau”: A Modern Scandal is on View in San Francisco
Now through September 13, 2026
This is a phenomenal exhibit! And who does not love scandals??!! Experience the moment Matisse used color to break the rules of modern art as he sent shockwaves through the art world with “Femme au Chapeau” (Woman with a Hat), a portrait of his wife Amelie, painted in bold color and loose brushstrokes that defied convention. Intrigued?
I hope so… as a result: I saw this unique exhibit a few times.. You too must see this enduring impact of one of Matisse’s most iconic works in 1905 bringing together the greatest number of works from that historic period in over a century. Learn about the fascinating details on how Matisse’s peers to artists working today reacted to the “Femme au Chapeau” scandal?
***** SFMOMA is more than just a museum: Don’t miss a very special July 16 at 5:45 pm performance of the Related Exhibition of Graciela Iturbide: Folclorico: “Between Two Worlds and Feel the Beat: Dance in Photographs”. For the ultimate experience check out Roof Top Radio: Noise Pop on Floor 5!
Information
SF Museum of Modern Art: SFMOMA
415-357-4000
Photos courtesy of SFMOMA
Menlo School in Atherton Showcases Koret Young Performers
The Koret Young Performers concerts showcase the Chamber Music Institute students’ extraordinary musicianship and intense preparation. Mornings@Menlo takes place on weekdays at 11:00am beginning on July 20. And they include master classes with festival artists, and Cafe Conversations led by both artists and special guests exploring a rich variety of musical subjects. Check the schedule for dates and times.
The Koret Young Performers Concerts are scheduled for July 25, August 1 and August 8, 2026 at 12:30p.m. All events are free of charge. It’s a stunning setting and inspirational ambience not to be missed! Menlo School is one of the nation’s leading independent college preparatory schools and we are lucky to enjoy its programs in the Bay Area.
Information
Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival & Institute; www.musicatmenlo.org. 650-331-0202
50 Valparaiso Avenue in Atherton
The Koret Young Performers concerts are free to attend, but tickets are required and may be reserved in advance starting at 9am on the day of each concert.
Photos courtesy of Music at Menlo
By Lina Broydo
