It’s fitting that Brian Wilson is playing the upbeat, sunny surf music of The Beach Boys again. In recent years, he has gradually moved back into the spotlight, rejuvenating his solo career with “SMiLE” and his latest album, a companion concept album released last year titled “That Lucky Old Sun.”

No, it wasn’t midnight at the oasis, it was early evening in town. But it was Maria Muldaur, evoking her old-timey pre-hit music with four guys born after she was already a star.

In “Lorna’s Silence,” we meet a young Albanian woman who is a literary descendant of a character right out of a Dostoevsky novel.

I was eager to watch “Coco Before Chanel” for two reasons. One was a chance to take in the performance of Audrey Tautou, an actress I’ve long admired. Another was a chance to meet and learn more about the legendary Coco Chanel.

There are five female characters in Alan Ball’s 1993 play, “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” and Corey White says she can see herself in all five of them.

With a second album (and first with a full band), “The Hilltown Sessions,” set for release sometime this fall, the Red Haired Strangers are gearing up for the future. They’ll be performing at Tess’ Lark Tavern along with Matt Durfee and the Rattling Baddlies Saturday night.

Suzanne Gilchrest, the flutist with Eight Strings and a Whistle, which will debut today at Skidmore College’s Filene Recital Hall, has encountered more politicians than she ever dreamed of.

There will be double vision onstage this week: two bluesmen at The Egg on Friday, two shows each at the Van Dyck by Maria Muldaur and Marshall Crenshaw ; and two singer-songwriters at The Egg on Saturday.

In the past year, Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker has been embraced by the mainstream country music machine.

The inspired artistry of pianist Emanuel Ax mesmerized a capacity crowd Wednesday night at Union College’s Memorial Chapel as part of the 38th International Festival of Chamber Music.

Peter Yorn doesn’t like to give away much of himself on stage.

When Vera Dordick makes scones, she thinks “savory” instead of “sweet.” That’s because she replaces fruits with pesto and mozzarella.

It’s not just children and their parents who are fans of The Wiggles these days. The popular children’s band has been cultivating lifelong followers.

In the old days, going out to dinner was a rare treat, as I was working full time and paying my way through grad school. A night out at a real restaurant with my friend Judith was an experience to be savored. Quintessence was a favorite because the food was tasty and affordable, even on my budget, and the bustle of the restaurant on the weekend was a welcome contrast to my usual quiet nights at home.

Today, we are encountering a new breed of parent: a college-educated adult who has the temerity to call professors and university officials to lobby for their children’s grades, question a grade and, in some cases, ask for and oversee recommendations. It is a vulgar intrusion, threatening the sanctity of academic integrity. It stems from the regrettable notion that a college is a job factory instead of an institute for learning. "Uneducated" parents from another era knew better.