PICK OF THE DAY
Like father, like son
As the son of guitarist Larry Coryell, Murali Coryell grew up around some very cool musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Carlos Santana. It’s no surprise that the younger Coryell went into the biz, and it’s no surprise that the contemporary blues, rock, and soul singer-songwriter and guitarist has toured with his father. The Murali Coryell Band makes its way to Somerville to play tunes from “Sugar Lips” and an upcoming CD. 8 p.m. $10. Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville. 617-776-2004. www.johnnyds.com
WEDNESDAY
Words and music While actors from Commonwealth Shakespeare Company do their spoken thing, musicians from Boston Landmarks Orchestra do theirs. Symphonic Shakespeare is an evening of staged readings including “Henry V,” “Hamlet,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” accompanied by music composed for these works by Walton, Shostakovich, and Mendelssohn. 7 p.m. Free. DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade, Boston (rain location is Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St., Boston). 617-987-2000. www.commshakes.org
Sing it out Christine Baze is a cervical cancer survivor, pianist, singer, and songwriter who uses her story and music to help prevent cervical cancer. The “Pop Smear” rock show of local musicians, cancer survivors, and advocates includes Baze, Kristen Ford, Qwill, Cilla Bonnie, Ross Livermore, and Christopher Keating. 8 p.m. $15. Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston. 978-744-5300. www.theyellowumbrella.org
THURSDAY
Caliente calling Salsa artists owe a lot to Willie Colón, whose music provides material for their concerts and recordings. The Bronx-born, Grammy-nominated trombonist and singer is all yours at the “Caliente!” celebration of Latin music and culture. Aug. 30 from
7-9 p.m. Free. City Hall Plaza, Boston. 617-635-3911. www.cityof
boston.gov/summer
Visiting vocalists Jeune Choeur d’Ile de France is French for Youth Choir of Greater Paris, a group of singers, ages 15-25, who are on tour with their program of 19th- and 20th-century French music. Francis Bardot conducts. Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Donations welcomed. Saint Cecilia Church, 18 Belvidere St., Boston. 617-536-4546, ext. 3. www.stceciliaboston.org
Mood swings For singer, songwriter, and pianist Anne Heaton, music is “a way to uplift myself, not by running away from bad feelings, but finding by out what they have to say.” The Chicago-based musician’s upcoming release is “Honeycomb” which separates its euphoric and meditative moods onto Sides A and B. Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. $20. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. 617-492-7679. www.clubpassim.org
Taking the lead Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” takes two minor characters from “Hamlet” and gives them top billing in Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Presented by the Boston Conservatory. Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. (through Sept. 2). Free (reservations required). The Zack Box at the Boston Conservatory, 8 the Fenway, Boston. 617-912-9222. www.bostonconservatory.edu