Songwriter and singer Sal Valentino's band the Beau Brummels mastered the pop-rock genre popularized by their contemporaries the Beatles.
From having early sessions produced by Sly Stone to creating a series of influential records in the mid-'60s that are still highly regarded today, the band's work has continually grown in critical esteem.
Valentino has continually grown as well, creating the sprawling "hippie family band" Stoneground in 1971. In the past several years the longtime Sacramento resident has released a series of strong personal solo records, "Dreamin' Man" (2006), "Come Out Tonight" (2006) and "Every Now and Then" (2008).
Valentino also turns up for occasional live performances, and he headlines at the open-air venue at Fairytale Town on Wednesday night. Singer- songwriters Alex Nelson and Hans Erberbach will open the show.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the performances begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and free to children 12 and under. Members of Fairytale Town and Capital Public Radio receive a two-for-one discount. Fairytale Town is at 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento. Information: (916) 808-7462, www.fairytaletown.org.
Analyze this
On the same day England enters World War II, two of the 20th century's most admired thinkers have a little chat.
In "Freud's Last Session," playwright Mark St. Germain centers on legendary psychiatrist Dr. Sigmund Freud (David Silberman) as he interviews a thoughtful young professor who turns out to be C.S. Lewis (Jason Kuykendahl). Lewis has satirized Freud in a recent publication, but instead of the expected bullying, a poignant and spirited debate on love, sex, God and the meaning of life takes place.
The show has been an off-Broadway hit in New York for the last year. Jerry Montoya directs here for B Street Theatre's B3 Series.
Previews are at 7 tonight and 4 p.m. Saturday. It opens at 8 p.m. Saturday and continues at 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 2. 2711 B St., Sacramento. Tickets are $10 previews, $22-$30 regular. Information: (916) 443-5300, www.bstreettheatre.org.
Crisscross, crisscross
Writer Patricia Highsmith had one of the more sophisticated and devilish imaginations to reach popular print. Her novels about shady art connoisseur Tom Ripley have consistently made intriguing film adaptations.
Highsmith's first novel, though, remains her most enduring work. "Strangers on a Train" dishes the psychological menace spinning out of commonplace occurrences.
The work was perfectly tailored for Alfred Hitchcock, who created a classic suspense film from the material. Actor's Workshop of Sacramento presents a little-seen theatrical adaptation of the novel with Eason Donner and Dan Fagan as the two darkly fated strangers. Nancy Martis, Anna Shah, Matt Moore and Sean Williams round out the ensemble.
See it at 8 p.m Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 9 at California Stage, 2509 R St., Sacramento. Tickets are $13 and $15. Information: (916) 501-6104, actinsac.com.
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Call The Bee's Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120.
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