SPOTLIGHT

Award-winning Australian cabaret singer Meow Meow (above) stops in at Baker Baum Hall for two shows on March 10. A Meow Meow performance is more of an experience than a concert. Yes, you will hear superb renditions of vintage songs, primarily from the turn of the last century. However, Meow Meow’s shows are an “anything goes” situation, with well-rehearsed but seemingly impromptu commentary, comedy, and, in past shows, everything from wardrobe malfunctions to crowd surfing. It all adds up to a show that both celebrates the music of the cabaret era and delivers a lot of edgy fun.

Meow Meow: Sunday, March 10 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $73-$88. theconrad.org.

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If the vocals in the band the Remnants, who appear at Beaumont’s on March 2, sound familiar, it’s because the band features not one, but two singer/guitarists who separately charted nationally in the 1980s with new wave/powerpop combos. Frontman Bob Monroe first found fame with his band The Monroes and their hit “What Do All The People Know,” while guitarist Barry Scott was formerly a part of The States, best known for their song, “Picture Me With You.” The Remnants feature excellent new original material from Monroe, Scott, and lead guitarist Ronny Jones (ex-Mac Meda), but longtime fans can rest assured the hits will be highlights of the night’s setlist.

The Remnants: Saturday, March 2 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. $10. beaumontseatery.com.

Singer Linda Berry performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on March 6. Previously with San Diego Music Award-nominated blues combo, the January Berry Band, she now leads her own quartet, adding a heavy element of funk to her sound. Berry has a wonderful, earthy, whiskey-soaked voice, perfect for her interpretations of tunes by the likes of Bo Diddley and Larry Williams. Her sassy vocals, and the band’s New Orleans grooves, breathe new life into standards such as “Slow Down” and “Who Do You Love,” making their sets perfect for dancing.

The Linda Berry Band: Wednesday, March 6 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

Illinois-based concert pianist Susan Merdinger appears at the Athenaeum on March 11 as part of their free Monday Lunchtime concert series. Merdinger is at home playing with everything from duos to symphonies, but it’s her solo shows where she really shines. Performing in advance of the release of two new albums, Merdinger’s program for this evening will be, All-American Classics, including instrumental solo piano works by a wide range of composers, such as Aaron Copland, Scott Joplin, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gershwin. This free concert is a great way to check out the Athenaeum, one of the area’s best listening rooms, with one of the best stage pianos in Southern California.

Susan Merdinger: Monday, March 11 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Noon. Free. ljathenaeum.org.

Mission Bay High School’s annual The Pops Concert takes place on March 13 at the school’s auditorium. Featuring the school’s Concert Band, Swing Choir, String, and Full Orchestra, under the wing of music director JP Balmat, the night’s performance is among the student musicians’ most ambitious with musical selections from films, musicals, and pop. They will be performing music from favorite films and musicals, as well as pop standards. With a set to list featuring tunes from “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings,” Stevie Wonder, and the Beatles, the Pops concert offers something for just about every musical taste.

Mission Bay Music Pops Concert: Wednesday, March 13 at Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave. 7 p.m. $5. missionbaymusic.com.

When it comes to funk, few local groups dig as deep as The B Sections. Appearing at the Waterbar on March 14, the quintet excels at dance floor-filling classics of the 1970s and 1980s. The B Sections include plenty of standard hits in their sets from the likes of Prince and Stevie Wonder but also feature less commonly covered tracks by such favorites as Luther Vandross and Rick James. They even throw in the occasional rock crossover track from the era, such as David Bowie’s song, “Fame.” An excellent soundtrack to an early evening outing, particularly if you enjoy dancing.

The B Sections: Thursday, March 14 at the Waterbar, 4325 Ocean Blvd., 6 p.m. No cover. waterbarsd.com.