Fall into fall's best music

Fall means fun on the Central Coast.

Music and theater take the stage this week as some of the region’s finest performing arts venues kick off their fall concert season.

On Thursday, the King of Rock n’ Roll returns with “Blue Suede Shoes: Elvis, the Early Years.”

San Luis Obispo Little Theatre brings its show about the life and genius of Elvis Presley to the Clark Center for the Performing Arts. It enjoyed a popular first run this spring.

Backed by a live band, the musical-and-dance extravaganza features more than 20 Elvis hits, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender” and “Viva Las Vegas.” It’s directed by Bill McLaughlin and choreographed by Emmy Award winner Suzy Miller.

“Blue Suede Shoes” will run through Sept. 22 at the Clark Center, 487 Fair Oaks Ave. in Arroyo Grande. Tickets are $25 to $35.

INFO: 489-9444, www.clarkcenter.org

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On Friday, guitarist and songwriter Victor Martinez performs contemporary music rooted in the folk traditions of Southern Mexico.

As Martinez explains, he mingles the native Oaxaca sones – songs merging indigenous, Spanish and African music – with influences as varied as ragtime and British pop-rock.

“Victor Martinez, instead of vocal chords, has his voice muscles intertwined with the deepest roots of his Oaxaca,” wrote Julio Ramirez of the Cultural Institute of Oaxaca. “…And so the color of his voice, the flavor of the fruit, the allegories, the lullabies, flow from the heart of this public man.”

Martinez performs at 8 p.m. Friday at the Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $20.

INFO: 756-2787, www.pacslo.org