Cy & David's Picks: Treasure Island, Modern Hula, and Twyla's 50th

Oct. 17–18: The Treasure Island Music Festival. Tucked in the middle of the Bay with stellar views, this year’s electronic and indie festival includes Chvrches, Deadmau5, FKA Twigs, Father John Misty, Big Grams and many, many others on two stages. New this year is a comedy lineup, while attendees still get to the island the same way they always have — from a free shuttle departing from SF. This is truly one of the Bay Area’s annual gems. Details here.

Oct. 16–18: Twyla Tharp 50th Anniversary Tour. There aren’t very many figures that have had as much influence on modern dance as Tharp, and it’s hard to believe she founded her company 50 years ago — especially considering her use of progressive contemporary music from the likes of John Zorn, Henry Butler and Steven Bernstein. Three shows at Zellerbach Auditorium are poised to show why the New York Times calls her “the queen of mixing vernacular dance and classical ballet.” Details here.

Oct. 18: Paul Jacobs and Christine Brewer with the San Francisco Symphony. An operatic soprano and a classical organist may seem like strange bedfellows, but then, this is Paul Jacobs and Christine Brewer we’re talking about here. Brewer, for her part, was the obvious replacement in 2006 when Renée Fleming had to call out sick at Festival del Solé, in Yountville; Jacobs has been one of the finest players of the organ in recent memory. The program includes Bach, Franck, Puccini, Reger, Boulanger, Handel and more. Details here.

Oct. 17–25: Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu 30th Anniversary. Patrick Makuakāne founded this dance company 30 years ago on the foundation of innovative choreography and musical choices, and has even led hula dances to the sounds of Lady Gaga. Citing hip-hop dance as a major inspiration, Makuakāne draws from past traditions while innovating the hula form for future generations. Details here.

Oct. 16–Dec. 20: the Pirates of Penzance. Berkeley Rep stages this adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic by the Hypocrites, a band of rebels from Chicago, who dethrone the masterwork with a sliver of snark and an abundance of skill. Banjos, beach balls, and guitars all come into play in this adaptation, which is the very model of a modern major musical. Details here.

Oct. 16: Fuzz and Mudhoney. Ty Seagall’s “side project” has managed to achieve the momentum of any regular band, owing to the prolific nature of Seagall — who left SF for Los Angeles when the going got tough and the rents got high. His departure has only made him more active musically, though, and his presence behind the drum kit on this show in a 100-year-old-barn is hardly the highlight when Sub Pop’s finest “Touch Me I’m Sick” purveyors headline. Details here.