Big venues

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

Steve Martin: comedian, actor, author—diva? Just check out some of the demands in his recently leaked tour rider: waterproof guyliner, a Louis XVI chair upholstered in vertical stripes and a six-pack of any canned beverage, “for Steve to compare his abs to.” OK, so the rider—leaked on Martin’s website—is a joke, but Martin’s music career isn’t. His debut all-music album, The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, won this year’s Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Martin has toured the country fronting the bluegrass quintet Steep Canyon Rangers. They make a one-night stop this month at UC Davis Mondavi Center.

Sunday, October 3, 7 pm.; $35-$68. Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis, 9399 Old Davis Road, Davis; www.mondaviarts.org.

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Jaripeo de Oro Featuring Joan Sebastian

When I first saw the videos for Jaripeo de Oro, who’ll be at Arco Arena this month, I figured jaripeo translates to “sweet mustache.” Turns out, jaripeo de oro means “golden rodeo.” (I was a little off.) While American cowboys have been breaking ribs trying to clutch to bucking broncos, their Mexican counterparts were training the majestic animals to perform finely choreographed dance moves while they sing (the cowboys sing, not the horses). Of course, there’s plenty of that wild horse riding here, too. The show features award-winning singer and songwriter Joan Sebastian (and his sweet ’stache, by the way), who has composed hundreds of Spanish pop and ranchera songs. El Chapo de Sinaloa opens the show.

Sunday, October 10, 5pm.; $42.50-$172.50. Arco Arena, 1 Sports Parkway; www.jaripeodeoro.com.

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Also

BURN THE FLOOR: Broadway Sacramento presents the international dance sensation after its record-breaking run on Broadway. Dancers will demonstrate the drama of dance, from the Lindy, foxtrot and Charleston to the cha-cha, rumba and salsa. Through 10/10. $18-$65. (916) 808-5181, ww.broadwaysacramento.com.

LAURA BUSH: Sacramento Speakers Series presents former first lady, author, speaker and, apparently, supporter of gay marriage, as she brings her speaking tour to the City of Trees. 10/11, 8pm. $205-$420. Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street; (866) 773-2535; www.sacramentospeakers.com.

FIRE AND ROMANCE: The Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra begins its Great Composers Concert Series with an evening of Russian romantic music, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor and Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto in D minor, performed by Russian-Armenian violin virtuoso Mikhail Simonyan. Sa 10/16, pre-concert talk 7pm; concert time 8pm. (916) 732-9045, www.sacphil.org.

SHAKIRA: The Colombian-born sensation and brings her no-lie hips and catchy Spanish/English/Spanglish pop tunes to Arco Arena for a night of butt-shaking bailes. Tu 10/19, doors open at 7pm. $39.50-$149.50. Arco Arena, 1 Sports Parkway; (916) 928-6900; www.arcoarena.com.

HOW WE DECIDE: THE NEW SCIENCE OF DECISION MAKING: Author of Proust Was a Neuroscientist and the instant best-seller How We Decide, Jonah Lehrer talks about how we make decisions—and how we can make better decisions. W, 10/27, 8 pm. Mondavi Center, 9399 Old Davis Rd. in Davis; (530) 754-2787; www.mondaviarts.org.

MADNESS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: This festival will explore the link between musical composition and the composer, drawing on contemporary works to reflect current views regarding madness, exploring how music operates as a haven, a refuge, an escape, a statement of joy or a means for survival. 10/27-10/30. $9-$40. Mondavi Center, 9399 Old Davis Rd. in Davis; (530) 754-2787; www.mondaviarts.org.