Famed Floyd concert flick comes to theaters

It’s time for some Floyd.

Of course, the response to that statement from millions of classic rock fans would probably be: When isn’t a good time to crank up some Pink Floyd?

And that’s a darned good question. Yet this time around we’re planning to get our Floyd fix in the cinema as “Pink Floyd at Pompeii — MCMLXXII” will be shown in movie theaters throughout the Bay Area (and beyond) this month.

This version of the legendary 1972 Pink Floyd concert film was digitally re-mastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage and features enhanced audio that has been newly mixed by Steven Wilson (from the prog-rock band Porcupine Tree). Of course, it certainly doesn’t hurt matters that the four band members — guitarist-vocalist David Gilmour, keyboardist Richard Wright, drummer Nick Mason and bassist Roger Waters — were performing at such an incredibly high level during the filming.

Plain and simple, the film is still a stunning achievement, capturing Pink Floyd in its full early-’70s grandeur as it performs on the floor of an ancient Roman amphitheater in Pompeii, Italy. It’s just the four of them in the house, with no audience (except for a barebones film/production crew), as they roar through such pre-“Dark Side of the Moon” classics as “Echoes,” “A Saucerful of Secrets” and “One of These Days.”

The film is currently set to screen today through Sunday at theaters in the Bay Ares and across the country. There will also be an accompanying live album released — on CD, digital audio, Dolby Atmos and vinyl — on May 2.

Details: Visit pinkfloyd.film for movie showtimes and other information.

— Jim Harrington, Staff

Classical picks: English Concert; American composers; Mozart

This weekend brings programs by The English Concert, San Jose Chamber Orchestra and Pacific Chamber Orchestra. Here’s a roundup.

Brits in Berkeley: The English Concert returns to Cal Performances this weekend with “Giulio Cesare in Egitto.” Harry Bicket conducts a concert performance of Handel’s heroic opera, which weaves family drama and political intrigue in thrilling ways. With countertenor Christophe Dumaux in the title role and soprano Louise Alder as Cleopatra, expect a dynamic performance. Details: 3 p.m. Sunday; Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; $39-$142; calperformances.org.

All-American program: San José Chamber Orchestra returns on Sunday with a program of American composers, including works by Samuel Barber, Amy Beach, Valerie Coleman, George Gershwin, and John Harbison. Barbara Day Turner conducts the concert, which includes a special appearance by the award-winning quintet Tangent Winds. Details: 7 p.m. Sunday; St. Francis Episcopal Church, San Jose; $15-$75; sjco.org.

“Mozart Rocks!”: The Pacific Chamber Orchestra presents the latest installment of its Mozart series, with Lawrence Kohl conducting works by the master. The event features special guests soprano Shawnette Sulker and flutist Leslie Chin performing excerpts from “Cosi fan Tutti” and Mozart’s Flute Concerto. Capping the concert is the composer’s mighty “Jupiter Symphony.” Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $50 general, $25 student; livermorearts.org.

— Georgia Rowe, Correspondent

Tune into a rollicking remake

Whereas filmmaker Andrew Ahn’s “Fire Island” was about as sassy as wearing a rainbow-colored Speedo at the community pool, his remake of “The Wedding Banquet,” Ang Lee’s 1993 classic about a gay couple hiding their love in order to appease familial obligations, tones down the lustfulness to celebrate the families that queer communities create. Make no mistake there are still laughs (including when characters wake up in a bed together) but Ahn is judicious about the humor and is after something much more heartfelt.

And his cast — Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Joan Chen and Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung — delivers in that department. The story hinges on Min (Gi-Chan) and Angela (Tran) impersonating a straight couple while their respective partners, Chris (Yang) and Lee (Gladstone) blend in as friends and help de-gay the Seattle home where Lee and Angela — who are trying to get pregnant via IVF — live and where the noncommittal Chris resides in the basement apartment. The pleasures of “The Wedding Banquet” belong in how unabashedly queer it is as well as its endearing performances. It is Yang’s most complex acting part yet while Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) comes across as so real you almost feel like she’s starring in a documentary. And Chen is hilarious as an over-enthusiastic PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) mom while Yuh-jung digs in deeper to play a grandmother aware of the impact of those de-gaying contortions going on around her.

“The Wedding Banquet” serves up comfort food for queer audiences during a time when they’re hungering for something upbeat to devour.

Details: Rated R (language, sexual situations); one hour, 43 minutes; now playing in Bay Area theaters.

— Randy Myers, Correspondent

Fine fiddling all around

Alasdair Fraser, the legendary fiddler and kilt-clad spiritual leader of Scottish music in the Bay Area, has announced that he plans to retire from full-time performing at the end of the year. Which makes his three concerts with SF Scottish Fiddlers this weekend even more alluring.

Fraser, who turns 70 on May 14, is also a composer, a teacher who runs a handful of renowned fiddling camps, and chief of the Culburnie Records Scottish music label. But he’s best known for his award-winning talent on the wee fiddle and his leading role with the SF Scottish Fiddlers, a group of some 200 musicians who gather regularly to exercise their passion Scottish and Celtic music.

The group also performs a few concerts each year, including this weekend’s three spring “Stravaig” performances (the title means to stray beyond limits). The shows will feature Fraser and some 70 musicians, including fiddlers, guitarists, percussionists, cello players and more.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Theatre, Davis; 7 p.m. Saturday at Angelico Concert Hall at Dominican College, San Rafael; 1 p.m. Sunday at Jackson Theater at Sonoma Country Day School, Santa Rosa; $32-$35; sffiddles.org.

— Randy McMullen, Staff

The pile of (you know what) is back

Brian Copeland’s hard-charging comedy “The Great American (Expletive) Show” has evolved from a production that was very timely when it came out several years ago to a production that may never be not timely.

That’s not a good thing.

Described as “therapy for progressives,” Copeland’s “(Expletive) Show” was created during the crazy hazy days of the first Donald J. Trump presidency, which seem almost docile compared to today. Copeland, a highly popular comedian and solo stage performer, is no doubt well-aware of this, and has revised the stand-up show to give it a more contemporary feel.

While much of Copeland’s stage catalogue covers autobiographical material, “(Expletive) Show” is a no-holds-barred plunge into political comedy. Note: If you are a spirited supporter of President Trump, our hunch is you will not find this stuff even remotely funny. For everyone else, Copeland is bringing “(Expletive) Show” to the Marsh in San Francisco for one performance — tonight!

Details: 7 p.m.; $40-$100; themarsh.org.

— Randy McMullen, Staff