Eight Days a Week

March 27-April 3, 2002

TWENTY YEARS AGO San Jose's claims to fame were the cruising scene at Story and King on the east side, a handful of first-generation scratch-master DJs, and the city's reputation as the "angel dust capital of the world." Now the emergence of folks like Marc Pinate reveals a vibrant and growing cultural scene. An old-school homeboy, Pinate dished out verses with San Jose's 1999 winning national slam team and gigs with Chicano hip-hop groove band Grito Serpentino. This week he articulates the odd comfort we elicit from painful memories, performing spoken word reconstructions of inherited recollections and moments from his adolescence while headlining at 'Video ... Poetry ... Memory,' an event presented in conjunction with Galería de la Raza's "Photographic Memory" exhibit. On-screen, Alfredo Salomón pulls up assorted recollections from tributary folders on his computer in "Empty Trash (Mexico City)," a virtual tour de force. Could reinventing himself prove as simple as deleting a bunch of files? Veteran photographer Miguel Rojas re-creates the aged brown tones and jerky pans of an 8mm home movie and the inconsonant and loaded focal points of memory in "Corte en el ojo," a cruise through his native Colombia's underground gay scene during which the viewer becomes the subject. In the video "Walking Stories of Migrations North," local Jime Salcedo-Malo tenders a post-immigrant reflection on the search for home. And tejana transplant Dolissa Medina explores the "organic texture of racial memory" in her work "Grounds." Thurs/28, 7 p.m., Galería de la Raza, 2857 24th St., S.F. $3. (415) 826-8009. (Camille T. Taiara)

March 27

Wednesday

Frosh talk Let's face it: high school sucks. Especially if you're a freak, a geek, or a queer. Many have lived to tell the tale, but few have turned their harrowing ordeal into a witty, engaging memoir. Portland sophomore Zoe Trope did just that at the not-so-tender age of 14. With some help from her creative writing teacher, Trope published Please Don't Kill the Freshman, true stories of her first terrible year of high school. On her spring break tour Trope makes a visit to the Bay Area for "High School Survival Strategies for Poets and Queers," a book-release party and reading with local luminaries Beth Lisick, Kristi Bruce, and Thea Hillman. Tomorrow she'll be reading with Max Cohen, Dani Montgomery, and others at "Afterschool Special," another release party. 6:30 p.m., San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room, 100 Larkin, S.F. Free. (415) 557-4400. (Also Thurs/28, 7:30 p.m., Books Inc., 2275 Market, S.F. Free. 415-864-6777.) (Alissa Chadburn)

March 28

Thursday

Color by numbers Seattle's dance-prone art punks Chromatics sound like Numbers-gone-emo, with a roughed-up rock aftertaste that keeps things not just interesting but unpredictable, just this side of chaotic. The lead singer messes with gender expectations, the bass player does a cool goose step while she plays (worth the price of admission alone), and they have a GSL-sponsored split 7-inch with the Monitor Bats on the way. This is one of those bands you know you've heard about but you're just not sure who they are – here's your chance to find out. The Chromatics, Numbers (the official San Fran Undie House Band), and Nam open for the Vanishing. 9 p.m., Kimo's, 1351 Polk, S.F. $5. (415) 885-4535. (Mike McGuirk)

March 29

Friday

On the edge A wide range of artists express their political and social challenges to mainstream culture at the eighth annual Radical Performance Fest, which expands this year to two nights of performance in Oakland and one night in San Francisco. Tonight's highlights include a spoken word performance by devorah major, who has just been named the new poet laureate of San Francisco; an original work performed by legendary Latino theater collective Teatro Campesino; a piece by Arab American performance group Banat el Thawra; and music by conscious hip-hop group the Revolutionareez. Sat/30 performers include dance theater group Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company; poets Shailja Patel, Uchechi Kalu, and Drew Dillinger; a cappella trio Copper Wimmin; and hip-hop crew Company of Prophets. Sun/31 features aerialists with the Circo Zero troupe; women's a cappella group Samsara; performance artists Art and Revolution, doing a satirical piece about America's addiction to oil; and Amey Kazymerchyk's documentary video "Rise Up!" about women's political street activism. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., Black Box Theater, 1928 Telegraph, Oakl. $10-$25. (Also Sun., 8 p.m., SomArts, 934 Brannan, S.F. $10-$25.) (415) 285-9734. (Summers Henderson)

Flügelhorn of plenty If it takes savvy marketing to bring attention to the romantic musical ideas and gorgeously burnished tones he coaxes from his flügelhorn, then more power – and more recognition – to Dmitri Matheny, the Bay Area's lyrical master of the instrument ensconced in the jazz tradition by his mentor Art Farmer. Like a classical arts organization, Matheny has devised an annual "Home Season" to showcase various facets of his artistry. This year it starts with "Jazz under the Stars," tonight in the Ask Jeeves Planetarium, with a group that features saxophonist Dave Ellis. On Sat/30, Matheny premieres his composition The Emerald Buddha with a large ensemble that includes drummer Akira Tana, and on Sun/31, the Del Sol String Quartet join up with Matheny and pianist Darryl Grant for an Easter performance of spirituals and love songs. 7 p.m., Chabot Space and Science Center, Ask Jeeves Planetarium, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakl. $15--$25. (510) 336-7300. (Also Sat/30, 4:30 p.m., Jazzschool, Hardymon Hall, 2087 Addison, Berk. $15-$25. 510-845-5373; Sun/31, 6 p.m., California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Florence Gould Theater, 100 34th Ave., S.F. $15-25. 415-750-3698.) (Derk Richardson)

Revolution now With Michael Moore's latest literary screed, Stupid White Men ... and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation, topping the New York Times' best-seller list, it's clear that a good number of Americans are more than ready to criticize our government, in sharp contrast to the "you're either with us or against us" mentality that has pervaded the country lately. If you're looking to brush up on some leftist literature, head over to the seventh annual Anarchist Book Fair, where more than 65 exhibitors will feature books, videos, CDs, and other materials challenging corporate globalism, human rights violations, and other wrongdoings; expect a few good rants against G.W. as well. Tonight events kick off with the pre-fair "Fifth Annual Anarchist Cafe," which includes a free vegan dinner, live music, spoken word, and DJs and benefits the Anarchist Book Fair and the Coalition on Homelessness. Benefit party tonight, 6 p.m., 225 Potrero, S.F. $5-$10 (no one turned away for lack of funds). subversivesoundz@yahoo.com; book fair Sat/30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Kezar Pavilion, Stanyan at Waller, S.F. Free. (415) 431-8355. (Lara Shalson)

March 30

Saturday

Heads up Ain't nothing on television – except maybe Fear Factor – that beats watching a horde of carrion beetles gnaw the flesh from the head of a fresh specimen. A front-row seat to some first-rate scavenging is only one of the treasures to be discovered at 'Skulls,' opening today at the California Academy of Sciences. The crown jewel of the exhibition is the collection of nearly 1,500 animal skulls: giraffes, rats, dolphins, warthogs, sea lions – name a critter, and there's a good chance you'll get inside its noggin (or at least the skin on it) at this show. "Skulls" also includes an educational study of how the structure of this body part affects an animal's vision and evolution; an art exhibit featuring skull-centric art by Andy Warhol, traditional South Asian tribal artists, and a survey of the skull-and-crossbones motif's history; and a look at the academy's own archaeological research into recently discovered skeletons of extinct animals. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, near Eighth Ave. at Fulton, S.F. $2-$8.50. (415) 750-4145. (Cheryl Eddy)

A tribe of one's own It's really no surprise that Tribe 8's lead badass, Lynn Breedlove, has published her first novel, Godspeed, with the distinguished St. Martin's Press. She's been writing love poems ever since she formed her first crush at the age of 14 (on the entire girl's softball team). She honed her craft in Kathy Acker's Edinburgh Castle workshop sessions, and her readings with Sister Spit used to charm the panties off the audience. Tonight's multimedia extravaganza incorporates images captured by local photographers; music by Killer Banshee Studios, with licks and beats from Lunachicks, L7, and others; and readings from Breedlove's tale about a punk dyke bike messenger by spoken word scene stalwarts Bucky Sinister and Tara Jepsen, Tribe 8 guitarist Leslie Mah, and ex-Dirtbox singer Antonia. Bands Good for You and Wifey also perform. 8:30 p.m., Hotel Utah, 500 Fourth St., S.F. $7. (415) 421-8308. (Deborah Giattina)

March 31

Sunday

Surrender to Jonathan To get the real Jonathan Richman experience, you have to catch the legendary, eccentric 51-year-old singer-guitarist live. Only then can you appreciate the vast array of expressions that play across his slightly bewildered face and his half-nerdy, half-cool dancing style. Stalwart drummer Tommy Larkins plays the straight man to Richman, who provides the lively stage banter. Expect a barrage of slyly humorous upbeat songs from Richman's lengthy musical career and highlighted on this year's greatest-hits package, Action Packed (Rounder). Last year's Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eyeshadow (Vapor) was yet another confirmation of Richman's talents as a fine writer of wistfully romantic songs. The album's beautiful ballad "Springtime in New York," which has gained greater poignancy since Sept. 11, evoked an emotional mass sing-along when Richman played the song at Slim's late last year. Through Tues/2. 8:30 p.m., Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., S.F. $8. (415) 647-2888. (China Martens)

April 1

Monday

Blue moon The bands playing tonight at Balazo are more about holding hands and making eyes and staring inconsolably at the moon than starting a mosh pit. Besides, you're in an art gallery, so behave yourselves! Led by Katy Davidson, Dear Nora have turned heartache and heartbreak into pretty songs on a series of Magic Marker recordings, including their latest, The New Year. A recent transplant to San Francisco, Davidson often operates the band as a solo project, but tonight she joins up with three out-of-town bandmates. Mirah, whose second full-length, Advisory Committee, just came out on K, likewise dedicates her songs to all things sweet and soulful. Be forewarned: past Mirah shows have included sing-alongs. If you're too cool for school, you're too cool for this show. Also on the bill are the Dead Guitars (with members of the Fairways). 8 p.m., Balazo/Mission Badlands Gallery, 2811 Mission, S.F. $5. (415) 920-0896. (Lynn Rapoport)

April 2

Tuesday

Big bang Feminist porn is no longer a contradiction. If any doubts remain, the fierce ladies of Gynomite will blow them away like a two-ton powder keg. A kick-ass collection and performance series, "Gynomite: Fearless, Feminist Porn" is unabashedly hard-core smut, and make no mistake: these hot young writers refuse to keep it quiet. Tonight locals Daphne Gottlieb, Miriam Sachs Martin, Melissa Hung, and Thea Hillman and touring contributors Liz Belile, Sam Peterson, and Heather Barfield bring their dirtiest works to the stage. Local comedian Heather Gold MCs. 8 p.m., Spanganga, 3376 19th St., S.F. $10. www.gynomite.com. (Chadburn)

April 3

Wednesday

Cinemania Frankly, it would be impossible to have too much film in your life, which is why, in a town that's already chock full o' movies, the Cinema Salon is a welcome addition to Wednesday nights in San Francisco. In addition to screening experimental, animated, documentary, and indie narrative works, the weekly "fugitive film forum" offers up a kick-back place for cinephiles to mingle and "scream at films and at each other." The series starts with "A Cinema Salute to North Beach," a program of shorts addressing the neighborhood's various facets – from strip clubs to beat poets – by Bruce Connor ("Cosmic Ray"), Frank Stauffacher ("Notes on the Port of Saint Francis"), Dominic Angerame ("In the Course of Human Events"), and others. 7:30 p.m., Bannam Place Theater, 50A Bannam, S.F. $5-$10. (415) 986-4607, www.cinemod.net. (Eddy)

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