November 8. In 1987, Suzanne Vega’s “Luka,” the gargantuan smash from her second album, Solitude Standing, was pretty much inescapable—unexpected, for a song that’s basically a commentary on child abuse. Not exactly feel-good fodder for a platinum single, despite the chipper, chirpy sound of the music. Perhaps this is something to ponder, her unlikely rise to fame via a track shedding light on a serious, shadowy topic released in the soma-soaked era of Ronald Reagan and Phil Collins. And ponder it you can, when Vega makes this unusual small-club appearance at the Towne Crier. (Steve Forbert holds forth November 1; Melissa Ferrick visits November 9.) $50, $55. 8:30pm. Beacon. (845) 855-1300; Townecrier.com.
This article appears in November 2014.
