Several acts on Connecticut stages this week advocate for mental health awareness and related issues, while some of the other shows directly address those themes.’
Rapper G Herbo created the Swervin’ Through Stress initiative to help destigmatize the need for mental health treatment. He personally found therapy useful in dealing with PTSD and grief. Some of his music reflects his passion for this cause — he titled his star-studded 2020 album “PTSD” — but his raps are not exclusively about mental health. G Herbo, who has been a popular rapper since his teens, is also known for tracks like “Ridin Wit It,” “Went Legit” and “Who Want Smoke??”
Trans activist and author Alok suggests using humor as a tool to withstand transphobic attacks. The poet and actor’s latest tour emphasizes their comedic side.
The Connecticut band Sasco Dead, opening for North County Band at Park City Music Hall, originally formed due to shared concerns around addiction and mental health issues. The band supports an array of charitable causes and uses their shows and social media to promote events such as International Day of Charity and Suicide Prevention Month.
Though horror-themed shows and bands are ramping up with Halloween just days away, The Haunt, interestingly, is not one of them. Yes, their song titles include “Dead 2 Me,” “Twisted Dream” and “Why Are You So Cold,” but these are relationship songs. The sibling duo’s most popular songs are about recovering from being bullied, self-worth and self-expression and “Social Intercourse” — the title of a 2021 EP, one of over a dozen EPs and 20 singles The Haunt has released beyond its three full-length albums.
David Lindsay-Abaire regularly tackles deep psychological issues in his plays, from the daily struggles of an amnesiac in “Fuddy Meers” to the loss of a child in “Rabbit Hole.” Even when the subjects are distressing there is always absurd humor in his plays. The acclaimed musical version of Lindsay-Abaire’s play “Kimberly Akimbo” is coming to the Shubert in New Haven next year. The theater department of Eastern Connecticut State University is doing his “Wonder of the World,” this week.
There’s more. Lydia Lunch’s poetry and prose can be liberating and cathartic. The musical “Almost Famous,” like the movie it’s based on, shows how stardom can ignite hazardous levels of callous indifference toward others. In some of his solo songs as well as his bestselling memoirs, Jeff Tweedy has addressed his own problems with addiction and has explored self-healing through the creative process. On the lighter side, British electropop icon Gary Numan, who titled two of his more than 20 albums “The Pleasure Principle” and “Machine & Soul” and has long plumbed the relationship between human feelings and technology, is on his latest U.S. tour.
Hairy Situation: A Comedy Show by Alok
College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven
Alok, the author (“Beyond the Gender Binary”), actor, poet and public speaker is also an accomplished comedian with TV specials and this new tour to prove it. Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. $38.52-$59.62. collegestreetmusichall.com.
Mushroomhead
The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
This is Mushroomhead’s busy season. The Ohio heavy metal band’s act involves a lot of horror imagery and special effects. The Mushroomhead show at Webster Underground on Oct. 14 at 6:45 p.m. features three other bands: Mind Incision, Black Satellite and Psychostick. $36.15. thewebsterct.com.
Acute Inflections
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, 56 Pole Bridge Road Newtown
The New York vocals/bass jazz duo Acute Inflections is the featured attraction at a fashionable “Soulful Sounds and Wine” event at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards. Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. $50-$115. acuteinflections.com.
‘The Price is Right Live’
Warner Theatre, 68 Main St., Torrington
“The Price is Right Live” is similar to the TV game show but has its own long-serving host, Todd Newton, and a different energy that comes from happening in a theater rather than a studio. Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. $37-$94 plus two different VIP packages at $267 and $295. warnertheatre.org.
Johnnyswim
Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
The fok/pop/blues duo of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, collectively known as Johnnyswim, plays a venue well suited to its introspective sound. Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. $47.42. infinityhall.com.
‘Wonder of the World’
Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., Willimantic
David Lindsay-Abaire startling drama of relationship revelations and personal discovery is the fall production at ECSU’s theater department on Oct. 14-19. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 5:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Bernstein Studio Theatre. $20, $10 seniors, $5 students. easternct.showare.com.
The Haunt
The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
Rocking Florida siblings Anastasia Grace Haunt (vocals) and Maxamillion Haunt (vocals, guitar), known for their live shows, have a new album to push, “New Addiction,” and are happily on tour with Himalayas and Chez. Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. $26.14. thewebsterct.com.
Lydia Lunch and Joseph Keckler
Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven
The New York punk poetry scene of the 1970s and ‘80s never died. Lydia Lunch, former vocalist of the legendary Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, has long allied herself with musician Joseph Keckler for spirited readings of her wild words. Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. $25; $20 in advance. cafenine.com.
Sebastian Bach, Slaughter and Quiet Riot
Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
A cadre of ‘80s hard rock survivors — former Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach, Slaughter (which still boasts founding members Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum) and Quiet Riot (with only one member who played on their biggest hits, bassist Rudy Sarzo who rejoined the band a few years ago after an 18-year break) — still feel the noise. Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. $45.05-$236.30. mohegansun.com.
Jeff Tweedy
District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk
The Wilco frontman and Uncle Tupelo alum, a stalwart of the Americana/No Depression genre, just released his fifth solo album, “Twilight Override.” He plays a solo show on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at District Music Hall with Sima Cunningham opening. $53.96-$95.16. districtmusichall.com.
Nate Jackson
Shubert Theatre, 237 College St., New Haven
Comedian Nate Jackson was already a pretty big name (and even owned his own comedy club in Washington state) but now is also known as the janitor on the TV sitcom “The Paper.” He’s on his “Big Dog” tour. Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. $49.40-$61.30. shubert.com.
Tito Nieves
The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford
Esteemed salsa vocalist Tito Nieves is marking 50 years as an entertainer with this “50 Años: La Historia” tour. Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. $51.50-$179.50. bushnell.org.
North County Band
Park City Music Hall, 2926 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport
The busy East Coast country/Americana outfit North County Band plays Park City Music Hall with the consciousness-raising Sasco Dead. Oct. 17 at 8:30 p.m. $20, $15 in advance, $35 VIP. parkcitymusichall.com.
Hartford Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven & Sibelius
The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford
With guest conductor Viswa Subbaraman, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra plays Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Drew Petersen at the piano, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 and Carl Nielsen’s Helios Overture. Oct. 17-19. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $42.50-$89.50; $10 students and children. bushnell.org.
Gary Numan
District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk
The electronic music trailblazer behind the late ‘70s and early ‘80s earworms “Are Friends Electric?” and “Cars” is still electrifying audiences. Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. $49.32-$95.16. districtmusichall.com.
Nightmare Logic: An Improv Comedy Halloween Spooktacular
Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 15 Asylum St., Hartford
The Sea Tea Improv sketch comedy folks are mixing it up for Halloween, doing both shortform and longform routines. Oct. 18 at 9 p.m. seateaimprov.com.
‘Almost Famous’
ACT of CT, 36 Old Quarry Road, Ridgefield
The Broadway run of the musical version of “Almost Famous” was unfortunately short-lived. ACT of CT, which specializes in American musicals, is giving the show — based on the 2000 film about a teenage rock journalism shadowing a fast-rising band — a fresh look, with the active participation of its creators Cameron Crowe and Tom Kitt. ACT of CT artistic director Daniel Levine directs. Oct. 18 through Nov. 23. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with an added matinee Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. actofct.org. $88-$97.
‘Dog Man: The Musical’
Oakdale Theatre, 95 Turnpike Road, Wallingford
Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London
A touring live stage version of the beloved Dav Pilkey children’s book character with the head and soul of a dog and the body of a police officer is coming to two theaters in Connecticut: Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Oakdale in Wallingford ($41.25-$128.35, livenation.com), then Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Garde in New London ($29-$75, gardearts.org).
G Herbo
Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford
The Chicago rapper and mental health activist plays the Oakdale on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. $49.25-$76. livenation.com.
Ivy Queen
Palace Theater, 100 East Main St., Waterbury
Reggaeton icon Ivy Queen, a platinum-selling recording artist in the ‘90s, continues to perform and record. Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. $49-$159. palacetheaterct.org.
Lamp
Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven