#live-music

#live-music

New York City refuses to slow down this summer, and the weekend of August 22 to 24 is packed with culture, music, global eats, art, comedy, and outdoor vibes across the five boroughs. Whether you're in the mood for dancing on rooftops, laughing at late-night comedy, catching a stadium concert, or hitting a cultural food bazaar, this is the kind of weekend that makes NYC feel infinite.

Big news of the week: We're incredibly sad to hear that one of our old hangs, Edinburgh Castle, has closed. As bard Broke-Ass Stuart puts it, "If you were in your 20s or 30s in San Francisco at any point from the late 90s to the early 2010s, and somebody could've called you a "hipster," then you most likely spent some wonderful nights at Edinburgh Castle." Pour one out for the Castle, as the saying goes.

From new places to dine al fresco to amazing animation and and classic film comedies, there is a lot of fun stuff to do and see this weekend, so let's get to it, shall we? (As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines or other details.) Meanwhile, if you'd like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

Passengers on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle got an unexpected pick-me-up when jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and bandmates held an impromptu jam session in the aisle while the plane was stuck on the tarmac hundreds of miles from their final destination. It happened Aug. 11, when Koz and fellow musicians on the Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns Tour were headed to Seattle for two days of shows.

UNSTAGED: Live on Mid-Market celebrates Filipinx arts and culture featuring an electrifying lineup of live music, drag, comedy, dance, and interactive art.

The Hard Quartet delivered an energetic 80-minute performance at Union Pool, playing most of their 2024 self-titled debut amidst a lively atmosphere despite the extreme heat.

Stanford Blood Center reopened its South Bay Donation Center on Aug. 13 after repairs. There is a critical need for type O- blood and other blood types.

The fourth Valencia Live! block party transformed Valencia Street into a vibrant hub, featuring diverse live music, dancing, and engaging performances across various blocks.

Over the past few years, crossing the Hudson River to the Prudential Center has been a rite of passage for many K-Pop fans, eager to see artists like IU for her first stateside tour, or NCT 127 as they celebrate their 100th concert performance.

The 4th annual Noe Valley Art Festival is scheduled for Sunday, September 14th from 10am to 4pm at the Noe Valley Town Square. The event is free to the public.

Around the time the gates opened, Doja Cat, who is headlining the festival on Friday night, did a sound check of almost her entire setlist.

Dying Wish will embark on the Fall 2025 US 'Flesh Stays Together Tour' starting November 14th in Nashville, featuring support from Static Dress, Gouge Away, Orthodox, and Boltcutter.

Now in its 60th year, Summerfest brings an outstanding roster of jazz stars and emerging talents to Harlem's Grant's Tomb and Marcus Garvey Park for free musical performances.

The live performance features a fusion of Sufi, folk, and pop music, showcasing a blend of South Asian cultural heritage through diverse artists from the region.

The MAGFest of the West Coast offers a vibrant platform for console gamers and enthusiasts of tabletop gaming, featuring numerous activities across three days.

This summer, celebrate with festivals, food, and live music across the Bay Area. Events range from the massive crowds at Outside Lands to vibrant night markets with farm-to-table menus.

"bEATS is where bold flavors and live entertainment collide. We're curating an experience that intrigues your taste buds and moves your soul-with chef-driven bites, electrifying performances, and a vibe that's pure Yaamava'. There's truly nothing else like it."

Mr Ed Sheeran, who belted out a handful of numbers in front of a packed pub on Tuesday as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann engulfed the town outside.

Maynard James Keenan enforces a strict no-filming policy at his shows, stating, "It's annoying and it's distracting and the thing you're getting on your phone sucks. It's not a good representation." This aim to improve audience engagement encourages a more immersive experience, as he believes that fans should focus on the present rather than documenting the moment through their devices. Keenan allows fans to film only the last song, arguing that it provides a "souvenir that sucks that you're never gonna watch." At Tool shows, even official livestreams utilize only wide-angle shots to maintain the atmosphere.

Mark Taubert attended Stevie Wonder's concert with his children, noting the multigenerational atmosphere as they enjoyed the performance together despite different ages in attendance.

Live music venues help raise the profile of a neighborhood, drawing new residents, but their existence is often threatened by complaints from these new residents.

Every Friday through October 17th, free live music and outdoor dancing featuring styles like Tango, Country-western, Salsa, Swing, and Bollywood will be held in the Square.