Out & About in March 2010

Jam Session

The spirit of Cab Calloway — the zoot-suited jazz singer and bandleader whose Cotton Club shows helped define the music of the 1930s — is channeled through Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the contemporary swing band from Los Angeles. How Big Can You Get?, the group’s latest release, features a number of Calloway’s hits, including “Reefer Man” and “Minnie the Moocher” (with sax riffs and “hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho” scat singing intact). The seven-member band sashays into the Troy Music Hall this month — and we hear their live show is a lollapalooza. March 19 at 8 p.m. 30 Second St., Troy. 518-273-0038 or www.troymusichall.org

Urban Renewal

Works by 20 contemporary artists are on view in the exhibit Painted Cities, which opens this month at the Carrie Haddad Gallery in Hudson. Working in a variety of media ranging from the traditional (oils, watercolors, pastels) to the somewhat more exotic (graphite rubbings, burned paper), many of the featured artists attempt to capture the essence of city life by documenting a small piece of it: a Chinatown storefront, commuters waiting for a train, rooftops at dusk. Widely varied in content and style, the artworks nonetheless all speak to the humanistic side of city life. March 4-Apr. 11; opening reception March 6, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours Thurs.-Mon. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 622 Warren St., Hudson. 518-828-1915 or www.carriehaddadgallery.com

Piano Men

After canceling their original July ’09 show date due to illness, mega-stars Elton John and Billy Joel at last bring their Face 2 Face tour to Albany’s Times Union Center this month. While on the surface these two ’70s icons would appear to have little in common musically — John’s orchestral ballads seem in sharp contrast with Joel’s brassy, in-your-face style — the pair have been wowing crowds by reprising their long list of hits. Graying hair and ragged voices notwithstanding, fans are sure to get their money’s worth at this rock royalty event. March 11 at 7:30 p.m. Call for tickets. S. Pearl St., Albany. 518-487-2000 or www.timesunioncenter-albany.com

Drum Line

Athleticism and musicianship combine when the Japanese percussion group Tao takes to the stage. The members of this troupe live and practice together in monastic isolation on Japan’s Mt. Kuju (they begin each day by running 12 miles along the mountain’s lower slopes). The 13 men and seven women then spend more than 10 hours practicing the thunderous drumming and gymnastic choreography that goes into their high-energy shows. Catch them at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. March 26 at 8 p.m. Call for ticket prices. 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6200 or www.artscenter.org

Hepburn X 2

About 10 years ago, Entertainment Weekly conducted a nationwide poll, which asked readers to identify their favorite classic actress of the 20th century. The top two vote-getters: Katharine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn, respectively. In their film series Hepburn vs. Hepburn, the Paramount Center for the Arts screens six movies by each unique leading lady. This month, Katharine tangles with Spencer Tracy in Adam’s Rib (March 10) and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen (March 31). Audrey hams it up with Fred Astaire in the musical Funny Face (March 3), and brings Holly Golightly to vivid life in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (March 24). The Wednesday evening series runs through Apr. 14; screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. $9, $7 seniors & students. 1008 Brown St., Peekskill. 914-739-2333 or www.paramountcenter.org