September 25 2002

stage

Stage listings are compiled by Cheryl Eddy. Performance times may change; call venues to confirm. Reviewers are Robert Avila, Sima Belmar, Rita Felciano, Brad Rosenstein, and Lara Shalson. See 8 Days a Week for information on how to submit items to the listings.

theater

Opening

Brand Potrero Hill Playhouse, 935 De Haro; (510) 845-2687. $12-20. Previews Thurs/26, 8pm. Opens Fri/27, 8pm. Runs Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. Through Oct 20. Last Planet Theatre presents Henrik Ibsen's epic tragedy.

Eight X Tenn Eureka Theatre Company, 215 Jackson; (510) 434-0734. $12-20. Previews Wed/25-Thurs/26, 8pm. Opens Fri/27, 8pm. Runs Tues-Sat, 8pm (also Sun/29, Oct 6, 13, and 20, 3pm). Through Oct 20. See 8 Days a Week, page 58.

'Feast of One-Page Plays' ODC Theater, 3153 17th St; 863-9834. $15-18. Opens Thurs/26, 8pm. Runs Thurs-Sun, 8pm. Through Oct 6. ABYDOS/The Directors Theater presents their second annual festival of very short plays.

Romeo and Juliet Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, 620 Sutter; 422-2222. $28-36. Previews Thurs/26, 8pm. Opens Fri/27, 8pm. Runs Sat/28, Oct 4-5, and 10-12, 8pm (also Oct 5 and 12, 2pm); Oct 6 and 13, 2pm. Through Oct 13. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival presents the classic love story.

Ongoing

And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $7-10. Wed/25-Thurs/26, 10:15am; Sat/28, 8pm; Sun/29, 2pm. The New Conservatory Theatre Center's 2002-03 YouthAware Program presents James Still's play about the young author.

Are We Almost There? Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter; 345-7575. $15. Sun, 2pm (starting Oct 3, schedule will be Thurs-Sat, 8pm, $12-15). Open-ended. Travel is the theme of this musical comedy revue.

*Body Blows New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972, www.nctcsf.org. $15-25. Thurs/26-Sat/28, 8pm; Sun/29, 2pm. You may know Tim Miller as one of the NEA Four, who in 1990 successfully sued the United States government for violating the artists' First Amendment rights when it rescinded their National Endowment for the Arts grants on charges of obscenity. Not one to be cowed by political pressures, Miller has continued to create honest and provocative performances exploring the sexual, spiritual, and political realities of his life as a gay man. From his first date with a boy in high school through the onset of the AIDS crisis to his battle to keep his Australian partner in the country, Miller's latest piece charts the significant blows he has received in his life, demonstrating that kisses as much as fists have the power to hit straight to the heart. Never afraid of breaking the fourth wall, Miller makes his body a bridge capable of spanning the distance between himself and us, challenging the borders of individual identity and making his stories – and what great stories – also somehow our own. (Shalson)

¡Cantinflas! Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission; 978-ARTS. $10-15. Thurs/26-Sat/28, 8pm; Sun/29, 3pm. Artist in residence Herbert Sigüenza, a member of Culture Clash, presents a bilingual performance about the remarkable life of Cantinflas, the late Mexican comedian.

Dreams of the Salthorse Thick House, 1695 18th St; 821-4849. $15-20. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 5pm. Through Oct 20. Encore Theatre Company closes its 16th season with the world premiere of Adam Rapp's surreal play about a world where love is the only crime.

Far from Springer Call for location info: 789-7617. $10-20. Sat-Sun, 8pm. Through Oct 13. A private home hosts In Home Theater Productions' presentation of Craig Fox's play about two queer best friends.

F***cking Handicapped Guy Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter; 282-8721. $15. Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Through Oct 12. Steve Parks stars in his solo show, a comedic and poignant look at his struggles with MS.

The Full Monty Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market; 512-7770. $41-81. Tues-Sat, 8pm (also Wed and Sat, 2pm); Sun, 2pm. Through Oct 13. Best of Broadway presents the based-on-the-film musical comedy about working-class blokes who hit on an inventive scheme to make money.

Hairstory Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. $15-25. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm (also Sun/29, 3pm). Through Oct 5. Theatre Rhinoceros opens its 25th season with a musical review about hair. Based on interviews conducted by coauthors Johari Jabir and Doug Holsclaw, the show explores the role that hair plays in our sexual, gender, and ethnic identities. The original score by Jabir covers a range of musical genres including gospel, soul, jazz, and pop as well as some clever homages. The piece suffers a bit from an underdeveloped plot, but there are several humorous and insightful individual moments. (Shalson)

*Let's Talk about Me Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. $16-18. Extended run: Thurs/26-Sat/28, 8:30pm; Sun/29, 7:30pm. Three inspired one-acts compose a cool, quirky, and intimate portrait of San Francisco's underground. Punk rock veteran Jennifer Blowdryer directs and co-narrates Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace, her schlock-horror adaptation of Scott Thorson's tell-all memoir of five years with the extravagant entertainer. Nathan Tucker plays the aging star's phlegmatic 18-year-old protégé, the object of insatiable appetites and petty obsessions brilliantly brought to life by cabaret dabster Phillip R. Ford, decked out in Sue Fox's marvelous costumes. Next, Ford directs the equally accomplished Arturo Galster as drag queen legend Doris Fish. Galster's Fish – immaculately polished but relaxed and inviting – is a charming, very funny tribute and a bravura act all its own. Finally, Laurie Bushman directs scenes from Blowdryer's autobiographical White Trash Debutante, a paean to the punk rock '70s that conveys the spirit of its subject in its playful irreverence. (Avila)

PINS Walker Theatre, New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $18-38. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun/29, 2pm. Through Oct 13. One of the more insidious things about homophobia is that it's not always obvious who the homophobe is. Sometimes it's a gay kid whose internalized self-hatred makes him lash out at other queers. Without perpetuating the stereotype that gay-bashers are usually gay bashers (because if it's believed that only queers attack other queers – and this is certainly not the case – it's much too easy to dismiss it as a "gay problem"), Jim Provenzano (who writes the Sports Complex column in the Bay Area Reporter) explores the nuances of this phenomenon in his sensitive work on the unlikely topic of high school wrestling. Joey Nicci (Nick Tagas) is in love with a fellow wrestler but still participates in the ostracizing of another openly gay teammate, with tragic results. The treatment of adolescent sexuality and the pressures and pleasures of team sports is perceptive and honest, and offers a unique view of growing up gay. (Shalson)

Rebel Without a Pause Brava Theater Center, 2789 24th St; 647-2822. $24-28. Wed/25-Sun/29, 8pm. New York-based comedian Reno brings back her popular show, a firsthand account of the events of Sept. 11.

*Stories by Tobias Wolff Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 437-6775. $25 (Wed, pay what you can). Extended run: Thurs/26-Sat/28, 8:30pm; Sun/29, 3pm. Word for Word triumphantly stages three tales from the oeuvre of the masterful short story writer. In the Garden of the North American Martyrs, directed by Sheila Balter, follows a frumpy, undistinguished academic (Susan Harloe) through a humiliating job interview at a snooty East Coast university. Next, Stephanie Hunt directs Lady's Dream and Bullet in the Brain. The first explores love's necessary illusions, as a Southern belle (Nancy Shelby) and her overbearing husband (Joel Mullennix) reflect separately on their courtship many years before. In the final piece, a snide and pompous book critic named Anders (Paul Finocchiaro) is toppled in a bank line by his own uncontrollable penchant for sarcasm. Throughout, intelligent, imaginative staging and fine ensemble performances mesh with Wolff's crystalline prose and playful wit to elicit our lively and unflagging interest. (Avila)

Talking with Angels A Traveling Jewish Theater, 470 Florida; 389-8975. $15-20. Wed/25-Sat/28, 8pm; Sun/29, 5pm. (Oct 3, moves to Spanganga, 3376 19th St; 821-1102. Same schedule through Oct 20.) In Nazi-occupied Hungary, four friends held weekly philosophical discussions, where, according to their manuscripts, they were visited by forces that they came to know as angels. Shelley Mitchell's virtuosic solo performance presents this story from the perspective of the lone survivor: an elderly, decidedly nonreligious and likably cynical Gitta Mallasz, as she would have appeared at one of her many lectures in the 1980s. With the aid of Robert Ted Anderson's apt lighting, Mitchell transforms into the younger Hanna, who served as the medium for the angels to bring us their dialogues. Whether one believes in angels or is more inclined to find another explanation, this is a remarkable story. But the angels' words are less inspiring than one might hope for from divine entities. Far more moving is the story of Mallasz's (mostly successful) attempts to save over 100 Jewish women and children by sheltering them in a mock Nazi war factory near the end of the war. (Shalson)

We're Going down the Pub Edinburgh Castle Pub, 950 Geary; 885-4074. $10. Thurs/26-Sat/28, 8pm. The Edinburgh Castle Pub brings back its live, multimedia comedy show about pub life.

The Winter's Tale Golden Gate Park, West of the Conservatory of Flowers, www.sfshakes.org. Free. Sat/28-Sun/29, 1:30pm. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival celebrates 20 years of Free Shakespeare in the Park with a performance of the Bard's tale of jealousy and forgiveness.

Bay Area

Deep Space Transparent Theater, 1901 Ashby, Berk; (510) 883-0305. $20 (Sun, pay what you can). Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. Through Oct 20. Transparent Theater presents Alex Johnston's play about two Irish men struggling with their confusion about male identity.

The Drawer Boy San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose; (408) 367-7255. Call for price. Wed/25-Sat/28, 8pm (also Wed/25, noon; Sat/28, 3pm); Sun/29, 2pm. San Jose Repertory Theatre presents Michael Healey's play about two Canadian farmers who share a secret from their days in World War II.

*The House of Blue Leaves Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison, Berk; (510) 647-2949. $10-54. Tues and Thurs-Sat, 8pm (also Sat/28, Oct 3, 12, 17, and 26, 2pm); Wed and Sun, 7pm (also Sun, 2pm). Through Oct 27. See "Adam and Evelyn," page 44.

Julius Caesar LaVal's Subterranean Theatre, 1834 Euclid, Berk; (510) 234-6046. Call for price. Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Through Oct 12. It is commonplace for playwrights to use "exotic" locations to comment on their societies. Along these lines, Shakespeare's play about events in ancient Rome has often been seen as a covert way of criticizing the Elizabethan era's trend toward consolidated monarchal power. Place the play in Mussolini's Italy of the 1930s, as Subterranean Shakespeare has done, and the message is clear. Or is it? While antifascist in its thrust, Julius Caesar is far from offering any simple solutions. And of course, the million-dollar question of the play is how we define honor in a situation rife with self-serving ambition, betrayal, and misconceived plans. Director Stanley Spenger's spare and straightforward rendering falters slightly in the decision to intercut the two famous funereal speeches given by Brutus and Mark Antony, but the speeches themselves are competently delivered by actors Armand J. Blashi and John Polak. This is a somewhat uneven production, but overall an enjoyable one. (Shalson)

The Music Lesson Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller, Mill Valley; (415) 388-5208. $24-40 (Tues, pay what you can). Tues and Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Wed, 7:30pm; Sun, 2 and 7pm. Through Oct 6. Marin Theatre Company performs Tammy Ryan's play about two Bosnian music teachers who flee to Pittsburgh.

*Ragtime Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Castro at Mercy, Mountain View; (650) 903-6000. $20-45. Wed/25-Sat/28, 8pm; Sun/29, 2pm. The best musical in years capped the turn of the 21st century with the story of the American fin de siècle. Ragtime, based on E.L. Doctorow's novel and currently enjoying a terrific production under TheatreWorks artistic director Robert Kelley, rejuvenated the American musical by, among other things, bringing narrative substance back to the genre. In this grand, colorful, and consistently entertaining and moving spectacle, a cast of historical characters (including the likes of Emma Goldman, Henry Ford, Harry Houdini, and Booker T. Washington) mixes with fictional ones – a WASP family, a Jewish immigrant and his daughter, and a ragtime musician and his young family, whose lives all intersect – to weave an intimate social tapestry out of a volcanic period of change and upheaval, cooperation and strife, and inspired invention. Ragtime, the new syncopated, improvisational music style then emanating from Harlem, provides the theme. Musical director William Liberatore oversees Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Aherns's charming score. Not just a nostalgiafest, the novel's moral subtext, skillfully preserved in Terrence McNally's brilliant book, speaks directly to us today, offering a far subtler basis for the appreciation of our own history than the cruder forms of do-no-wrong patriotism so prevalent today. (Avila)

*The Shape of Things Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison, Berk; (510) 843-4822. $28-38. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2 and 7pm. Through Oct 20. See "Adam and Evelyn," page 44.

Twelfth Night Highway One at Calle del Mar, Stinson Beach; (415) 868-1115, www.shakespeareatstinson.org. $13-23. Fri, 7pm; Sat-Sun, 6pm (Oct 5-6, shows at 5:30pm). Through Oct 6. Shakespeare at Stinson presents Shakespeare's gender-bending comedy.

We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! Eighth Street Studio, 2525 Eighth St, Berk; (510) 704-8210. $10-25. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. Through Oct 19. Italian prankster-playwright Dario Fo made a funny Nobel laureate in 1997. He took the opportunity to do what he does best: tell a joke and the truth. Thus his speech was ebulliently silly but also a serious plea for the importance of laughter, irreverent laughter in the face of authority. Shotgun Players continues its thoughtful response to the timbre of the times with Fo's rollicking comedy about the working poor, We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! Antonia (Katjah Rivera) joins the neighborhood women in raiding the local supermarket amid increased gouging from all quarters, but she and best friend Margherita (Andrea Day) must hide the results from their conformist husbands, Giovanni (Clive Worsley) and Luigi (Ian Petroni), who meanwhile get downsized at the Fiat plant. Add a couple of cops and an undertaker (Kevin Kelleher) and stir vigorously. The result is revolt à la Fo, an answer to the hunger for dignity. Director Rebecca Novick knows the recipe for the madness Fo uses to make his eminently rational points, and she localizes the story a bit, too. If performances are uneven and the timing not always there, there are magic moments in this worthy production that takes its comedy seriously. (Avila)

The Winter's Tale Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, Gateway Blvd exit off Hwy 24, Orinda; (510) 548-9666, www.calshakes.org. $13-46. Tues-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm (also Sat, 2pm); Sun, 4pm. Through Oct 6. The Winter's Tale, mixing ample doses of tragedy and comedy, can be a tough play to get right. Though classified as a romance – love assailed, then redeemed through the mysterious workings of fate – its elements are richer and deeper than that. Director Lisa Peterson closes California Shakespeare Festival's season with an ambitious production that, while making the most of the play's light and shadow, spreads itself a little thin in the process. Still, a fine cast and an impressive production design can't help but make this Winter's Tale an enjoyable experience, even if through all the dazzle we still feel like we're missing something. (Avila)

dance

'Words on Dance' Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 345-7575. Mon, 7:30pm. $15-20. See 8 Days a Week, page 58.

Bay Area

Foundry Headlands Center for the Arts, Bldg 952, gym, 944 Fort Barry, Sausalito; (415) 331-2787. Sun, 1 and 4pm. $5-8. See Critic's Choice.

'Marin's 21st Century Dance and Music Collaboration 2002' Marin Center Showcase Theater, 3501 Civic Center, San Rafael; (415) 472-3500. Fri-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $10-15. Ten choreographers and their composers-sound designers present work at this year's event; groups represented include Big Moves Dance Co., Chitresh Das Dance Company, Danny Nguyen Dancers and Musicians, and more.

performance

Adeo Jon Sims Center for the Arts, 1519 Mission; 554-0402. Fri, 8pm. $5-10 (sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds). As part of the Jon Sims Center's Fall 2002 AIRspace artists-in-residence series, the performance ensemble of queer men of color presents a work that explores the ways in which desire is portrayed in the mainstream media.

'APAture: A Window on the Art of Young Asian Pacific Americans: Literary Performance Evening' Somarts, 934 Brannan; 503-0520, www.kearnystreet.org. Fri, 8-10pm. $5. This event features music by Matthew T. Murdock and Dhaia Tribe; a dance performance by Charlise Tiee; poetry and fiction readings by Olivia Boler, Christine Beyer, Anhoni Patel, Sharline Chiang, Abeer Y. Hoque with Simi Hoque and Mary Patrick; and literary feature Ishle Park.

BATS Improv Bayfront Theater, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; www.batsimprov.com. Thurs-Sun, 8pm. $6-12. This week's shows: "The Big Wheel" (Thurs); "The Life Game" (Fri); "The Serial" (Sat); "Micetro" (Sun).

'The Best of the Fringe' Exit Theatre and Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy; 673-3847, www.sffringe.org. Fri-Sat, 7pm, 8:30pm, 10pm. $12-20. Six favorites from this year's San Francisco Fringe Festival return for encore engagements.

'Celebrating Saroyan' San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin; 664-4418. Sun, 1:30pm. Free. Literary legend William Saroyan is remembered with a day of activities that includes a discussion of his works, a performance of his one-act play Hello Out There, readings, a documentary, and more.

The Kinsey Sicks Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. Fri, 8pm. Through Oct 4. $20-32. "America's favorite dragapella beautyshop quartet" returns home to San Francisco after a successful run of shows in Montreal and on the East Coast.

'Nomadic' Club Galia, 2565 Mission; 346-6040. Thurs, 8pm. $10. The Hub and PlayGround present a performance fest of play readings, installation art, and DJs in honor of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

'Partition' McBean Theater, Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon; 441-8822. Wed, 7pm. $6-10. As part of its "Science on Stage" festival of new plays, the Magic Theatre presents a staged reading of Ira Hauptman's comedy about early-20th-century Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

'Post-Glamour Summit 2002' New Langton Arts, 1246 Folsom; 626-5416. Sat, 8pm. $6-8. Twelve Bay Area artists present video, sound, visual art, and other works in a collaborative event that "raises a fist at the corporate packaging of glamour."

'Slow Art' Union Square, Powell at Geary; 923-1338. Sat, 1:30pm. Free. This ongoing series features free concerts (this week the San Francisco Opera performs), plus exhibits mounted by Red Umbrella designed to "slow the world down."

'Tease-O-Rama 2002' Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus; 401-1152, www.teaseorama.com. Fri-Sat, 8:30pm. $25-30. (Also, Sun, 9:30pm, Broadway Studios, 435 Broadway; 401-1152, www.teaseorama.com. $20-25.) See 8 Days a Week, page 58.

'SS Trannyshack III' Pier 41, Fisherman's Wharf; www.heklina.com. Sat, 10pm-1am. $35-45. Heklina, Miss Chocolate, and other drag stars take the stage for Trannyshack's third annual boat cruise.

'What I Did Last Summer' Blue Room Gallery, 2331 Mission; 515-1210. Wed, 8pm. $8-10. The Moving Target Series presents an evening of storytelling with Blevin Blectum, James Bewley, and Justin Veach.

Bay Area

'Leaves Falling, Hope Rising: Stirring the Peace Cauldron' Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier, El Cerrito; (510) 649-1791. Sat, 8pm. $10-20. Olivia Corson and other members of Body Tales: Movement Theater perform improvisational movement theater works.

'Nomade' Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph, Berk; (510) 642-9988. Wed-Sat, 8pm (also Sat, 2pm); Sun, 3pm. $26-48. Quebec-based Cirque Éloize performs a new show that pays tribute to Roma, or Gypsy, culture.

'Persephone Rising' Black Box, 1928 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 547-6997. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. Through Oct 5. $13-26. Magical Acts Ritual Theater presents an original work based on Greek mythology.

comedy

Blue Bear Performance Hall Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 885-5678. Sat, 8:30pm: "Improvalicious Improvisation Theater Troupe," $5-10. Through Oct 5.

Caffe Sapore 790 Lombard; 474-1222. Fri, 8pm: "Comedy at Caffe Supore" hosted by Melissa Gans with headliner Lisa Nelson, $10.

Cobb's Comedy Club 2801 Leavenworth; 928-4320, www.cobbscomedyclub.com. Tues, 8pm: "SF Sketchfest Sneak Preview Show" with Totally False People, Kasper Hauser, the Meehan Brothers, White Noise Radio Theater, and host Joe Klocek, $12.

The Field 524 Union; 377-1662. Wed, 8pm: "Comedy Club," with host Ian Jensen, $5.

Java Source 343 Clement; 387-8025. Fri, 10:30pm and Sat, 10pm: Comedy open mic hosted by Tony Sparks, free.

San Francisco LGBT Community Center 1800 Market; 865-5633. Mon, 8pm: "Monday Night Gay Comedy," with host Lisa Geduldig, $8-15 (no one turned away for lack of funds).

San Francisco State University Studio Theatre, Creative Arts bldg, 1600 Holloway; www.totallyfalsepeople.com. Fri, 8pm: Totally False People perform sketch comedy, with host Joe Klocek, free (suggested donation $5).

Theatre Rhinoceros 2926 16th St; 861-5079. Fri-Sat, 8pm: Comedian Kate Clinton performs her stand-up show, "You Look Like You Need a Laugh," $25.

spoken word

Open mics take place almost every night in cafés throughout the Bay Area. If you want to perform, show up about half an hour before start time to put your name on the list. A day-by-day guide to word events and featured readers:

Wednesday: La Peña Cultural Center La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 849-2566. "Ten Qweens and a Mic," open mic hosted by Paradise, 7:30pm, $3. Brainwash Cafe 1122 Folsom; 864-3842. "Spoken Word Salon," open mic with host Diamond Dave Whitaker, 8pm, free.

Thursday: The Poetry Center Humanities 512, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway; www.sfsu.edu/~poetry. Stacy Doris and Chet Wiener read their poetry, 7:30pm, free. Dalva 3121 16th St; 931-4551. "The Poetry Mission" open mic with featured reader David West, 7pm, free. Coppa D'Oro Cafe 3164 24th St; 821-1618. "Poetry on the Patio" spoken word and acoustic music open mic with host Barbara Bennett, 6:30pm, free.

Friday: Small Press Traffic Literary Arts Center at California College of Arts and Crafts, 1111 Eighth St; 551-9728. Brandon Downing and Mark DuCharme read their poetry, 7:30pm, $5-10.

Saturday: Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut, Berk; (510) 527-9753. "Rhythm and Muse" open mic, with featured readers Susan Newman and Nicole Milner, 7pm, free. SF LGBT Center 1800 Market; www.ForWordGirls.com. "ForWord Girls: Take Back the Mic '02" spoken word event for "girls of all genders," with workshops, panels, and performances, 9am-10pm, $25-100.

Sunday: Cody's Books 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. "Poetry Flash," with Margaret Kaufman and Robert Funge, 7:30pm, $2. First Unitarian Universalist Church 1187 Franklin; 776-4580, ext 31. "Soulful Sundown" music-worship service with featured performers, spoken word ensemble Copus, 5pm, call for price.

Monday: Perry's Joint 1661 Fillmore; 931-5260. "Celebration of the Word," with featured readers Vernon Small, 7pm, free. Tuva Space 3192 Adeline, Berk; isiswonder@hotmail.com. "Sedition: Poetry and Politics" open mic with featured reader Paul Dosh, 7:30pm, $3-5 (no one turned away for lack of funds).