SPOTLIGHT

On Aug. 21, Humphrey’s Backstage Live will host a fundraiser for blues guitarist Johnny Vernazza (above), to aid in his fight with cancer. On hand will be Vernazza and his group, joined by the Chris Fast Band and Chicken Bone Slim & The Biscuits, with a host of musical luminaries sure to be in attendance. A North County resident, Vernazza is perhaps best known for his stint with the Elvin Bishop Group during the 1970s, with whom he scored numerous Billboard chart hits, including the radio classic, “Fooled Around and Fell In Love” (No. 3 in 1976). This show is a great way to thank one of the foundations of San Diego’s blues community for all the great music and evenings out he has given fans over the decades.

Johnny Vernazza Fundraiser: Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

RECOMMENDED

Fans of the Golden State’s rich music history won’t want to miss a unique presentation taking place at Baker Baum Hall on Aug. 17, California Dreamin.’ Featuring pianist Conrad Tao, rather than a look at 1960s pop music, the concert will instead focus on Russian pianist and composer Rachmaninoff’s California-based years in the early 1900s, with additional symphonic works from other noted musicians with a connection to the state, including Terry Riley and John Williams. While Tao will perform the Rachmaninoff pieces solo, other songs will feature a rotating group of musicians including the Abeo Quartet, and violinists Blake Pouliot and Simone Porter. Tickets to this show include a prelude lecture by Ara Guzelimian at 6 p.m. in The JAI.

California Dreamin’: Saturday, Aug. 17 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 7:30 p.m. $48 -$90. theconrad.org.

Disney aficionados won’t want to miss The Little Mermen, performing at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on Aug. 17. Dressed as characters from various Disney films, the group performs pop-rock versions of songs from throughout Disney’s film and TV history. You’ll find plenty of sing-a-long favorites in their setlist from movies such as the “Little Mermaid,” “Frozen,” and “Encanto,” as well as more offbeat choices, such as the “Ducktales” cartoon theme. This fun update to some of the best-known songs of the past century will appeal to kids of all ages.

The Little Mermen: Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive. 6 p.m. $15. amphitheater.ucsd.edu.

The annual Concerts on the Green music series comes to a close on Aug. 18, with a performance from The Platinum Beat. Led by singer Stacey Anne, the five-piece band is a crowd-pleaser, able to play anything from Motown to country tunes, offering up a high-energy, danceable, set of Top 40 favorites covering the past five decades. Set lists might include anyone from early Stevie Wonder to Dua Lipa. Between Kate Sessions Park’s incredible view of San Diego and Platinum Beat’s fun mix of hit songs, this is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Platinum Beat: Sunday, Aug. 18 at Kate Sessions Park, 5115 Soledad Road. 4 p.m. Free. pbtowncouncil.org/concerts-on-the-green.

West African multi-instrumentalist Adama Bilorou and his quartet perform at Dizzy’s on Aug. 23. Although considered to be primarily a percussionist, as heard on his latest album, “Anitche,” Bilorou is a virtuoso on instruments as diverse as the djembe, the chromatic balafon, and the Kora, blending it all to craft vibrant polyrhythmic Afro-jazz. Joined by saxophonist Jake Brown, bassist Josh Turner, and drummer Clayton Kraus, Bilorou’s performances will appeal to fans of both jazz and world music, but anyone who likes songs that focus as much on the rhythms, as on the melodies in the tunes, will find much to admire here.

Adama Bilorou: Friday, Aug. 23 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $25. dizzysjazz.com.

When it comes to touring music festivals it’s hard to beat The Lost 80’s Live, stopping in at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay on Aug. 23. Featuring 11 artists playing short sets focused on their hits, Lost 80’s Live is a veritable jukebox of 1980s era new wave, ska, mod and synthpop favorites, with performances scheduled from A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, The English Beat, Missing Persons, The Vapors, Escape Club, Stacey Q, Animotion, Musical Youth, Dramarama, and Boys Don’t Cry. Anyone who remembers MTV in its music video days, or the beginnings of 91X-FM, will enjoy every second of this fast-paced show.

Lost 80’s Live: Friday, Aug. 23 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $131. humphreysconcerts.com.