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This week, singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan plays The Guild Theatre; Mark Lettieri Group brings high-energy guitar to Palo Alto; Nick Rossi and his Jazzopaters perform rarely heard Duke Ellington tunes; author Thien Pham discusses his graphic novel memoir. Plus, indie musician House of Asha plays Red Rock’s 2nd Story; Head West Marketplace is back in downtown Los Altos and Avril Lavigne gets concert season underway at Shoreline Amphitheatre.
Aoife O’Donovan and Hawktail
Singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan (also known for her work with Crooked Still and I’m With Her in addition to her solo career) this year released “All My Friends,” an album inspired by the work and words of suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, whom O’Donovan became aware of when she was commissioned to write something commemorating the 19th Amendment’s (voting rights for women) centenary. Though it’s inspired by history, the issues still resonate – especially, perhaps, in a presidential election year. “While O’Donovan has never considered herself a political songwriter, her new album testifies to her belief in the power of the vote,” her website states. When O’Donovan comes to the Guild, she’ll be joined by acoustic quartet Hawktail.
May 24, 8 p.m., Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $43-$93; tixr.com/groups.
Mark Lettieri Group
Kick start your long weekend with a high-octane, guitar-forward show as Earthwise Productions hosts Mark Lettieri Group in a free show at Mitchell Park. Five-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist, composer, producer and instructor Lettieri grew up in the Bay Area. He’s known for his work with the instrumental bands Snarky Puppy and The Fearless Flyers, as well as his own guitar-focused instrumental music and is a respected session musician. Lettieri has performed and recorded as a sideman with a wide range of artists; the long list includes names such as Erykah Badu, David Crosby, Kirk Franklin, 50 Cent, Ledisi and Nelly.
May 24, 6-8 p.m., Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, free, eventbrite.com.
Duke’s Small Groups
Legendary composer Duke Ellington is best known for big band music, but the Stanford Jazz Workshop is offering a chance to get to know a more intimate side of his music. With the concert Duke’s Small Groups, guitarist and Ellington expert Nick Rossi and his Jazzopaters delve into the jazz works Ellington wrote for smaller ensembles of about seven to 10 musicians. These rarely performed pieces mostly date from the 1930s and ’40s and show how Ellington’s compositions highlighted the skills of his soloists, according to the Stanford Jazz Workshop website. Rossi will also discuss the historical and social forces that shaped the music.
May 24, 7:30 p.m., at Campbell Recital Hall, Stanford, $12-$20, stanfordjazz.org.
House of Asha
Bay Area indie musician House of Asha, who describes her sound as a mix of dream pop, folk and alt-rock influences on her website, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the release of her debut full-length album, “Behind Closed Doors.” She’ll be performing the entire record (and perhaps some selections from her latest project), backed by a four-piece band, as part of Red Rock’s 2nd Story series. SorinVibee opens the show.
May 25, 7 p.m, Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View; $15 suggested donation; eventbrite.com.
Thien Pham
The Los Altos Library is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by hosting an event with author and illustrator Thien Pham. His most recent book, the acclaimed graphic memoir “Family Style,” chronicles his life journey, including leaving Vietnam at a young age, spending time in Thailand in a refugee camp, and ultimately immigrating to the Bay Area. The book was named one of the 10 best graphic novels of 2023 by The Washington Post. Pham will discuss his work, then participate in a Q&A session.
May 26, 4 p.m., Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos; sccl.bibliocommons.com.
Head West Marketplace
Just in time for the start of summer craft fair season, Los Altos Village Association and State Street Market welcome Head West Marketplace back to downtown Los Altos. Shop for clothing, jewelry, household items, art, plants, stuff for pets and more at this outdoor market along Los Altos’ State Street. Visitors can also enjoy live music and wine by the glass. The Bay Area-based Head West Marketplace organization “provides an ‘in-real-life’ platform for new, emerging + established local brands and small businesses,” according to an announcement about the event.
May 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at State and Third streets, Los Altos, headwestmarketplace.com.
Avril Lavigne
“Sk8ter Boi.” “Complicated.” “Girlfriend.” Are those neo-classics ringing a bell, Millennials? Canadian pop-punk star Avril Lavigne will be bringing those and more to Shoreline Amphitheatre as part of her The Greatest Hits Tour, alongside special guests All Time Low , Royal and The Serpent. Lavigne first rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a teen and has sold millions of albums worldwide.
May 28, 7 p.m., Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View; check online for prices; mountainviewamphitheater.com.