Wanda's Picks

We celebrate the work and life of Amiri Baraka with Cecil Brown, who hosts panels Sat., Nov. 7, at East Side Cultural Center in Oakland at Baraka's Birthday Party Celebration & Monday at the Jazz Heritage Center in San Francisco, and Justin Desmangles, who hosts a discussion with Baraka at the San Francisco Main Library, Sun., Nov. 8, 1 PM. Baraka just turned 75 and is in town through Nov. 9; Fannie Lou Hammer Opera: "Dark River" Nov. 12-22 at Oakland Metro Opera, oaklandopera.org, with composer Mary Watkins, Taiwo Seitu-Kujichagulia, actress, and director; Michael Dailey is Prince Charming in Opera San Jose's production of La Cenerentola, Gioachino Rossini’s 1817 tender and madcap version of Cinderella. Eight performances are scheduled from November 14 through 29 at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. Dailey performs Nov. 14, 19, 22, 24. We close with show with a conversation with Capo Verdean singer, Sara Taravares who appears at SFJAZZ tonight, 8 PM at the Herbst. Visi