October 9, 2002

8 Days a Week

Oct. 9-16, 2002

FOR THE PAST several years SomArts Cultural Center has played host to an elaborate, multiartist exhibit marking Day of the Dead. Last year's incarnation, built around the theme "City of Miracles," was a poignant commemoration of Sept. 11. For 2002 the display goes both global and local under the name 'Entre La Luz y La Muerte: Between Light and Death There's Life.' Again curated by Rene Yañez, this year's creation explores the mysterious light often described by near-death survivors and delves into what this bright flash might have to do with birth and death – fortunately in an artistically interesting way, not in a Crossing Over with John Edward way. Specially constructed tunnels, designed by Nick Gomez and crafted from bonelike tubes, guide visitors to altars, sculptures, and other works by more than 50 artists. A variety of themes is represented, including homages to Palestinians killed in their villages, those lost to antigay violence, murder victims in Oakland, and casualties of HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. In the spirit of Day of the Dead – which is rooted in Mexican folklore and both Catholic and indigenous beliefs – the art celebrates the lives of the dead and recognizes the importance of death in the cycle of life. Expect to be moved and awed by what's become one of the most fascinating Day of the Dead traditions in San Francisco. Through Nov. 2. Opens Sat/12, noon-5 p.m. (gallery hours Tues.-Sun., noon-5 p.m.; reception Nov. 1, 6-11 p.m.), SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan, S.F. Free. (415) 552-1770, ext. 311, www.somarts.org. (Cheryl Eddy)

Oct. 9

Wednesday

Get there early The underdog slot of opening act befits the difficult-to-pigeonhole Four Tet (a.k.a. Kieran Hebden), with his unique blend of multi-instrumentalism and computer conundrums. Opening for the more easily identifiable Super Furry Animals, Hebden will debut new tracks and reprise material from Four Tet's Pause (Domino), which found fans in a broad cross section of critics. His laptops, turntables, and mixer should prove a suitable ensemble for carefully crafted, glitch-riddled songs suffused with a deliciously warm and folksy touch. 8 p.m., Fillmore, 1805 Geary, S.F. $20. (415) 346-6000. (Peter Nicholson)

Oct. 10

Thursday

Monster mash Going by titles alone, there's no reason any freaked-out movie fool would miss a double feature of Horror Express and Deathdream. British horror wonder twins Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing team up for 1972's shock-a-licious Express, which concerns the gruesome shenanigans that erupt when an ancient apeman unthaws on a fast-moving train. Next up, in 1972's Deathdream, director Bob Clark (whose erratic filmography includes Porky's, A Christmas Story, the Ed Gein-inspired Deranged, and Baby Geniuses) guides the mayhem inflicted on a family when a vet returns home from Vietnam in zombie form (thanks to the Parkway Theater, you can munch on a pizza while all this is going on). This "Creature Features" extravaganza will be cohosted by Thrillville maestro Will Viharo and cult film guru John Stanley; the bill also includes spooky trailers, prizes, and more. 7:30 p.m., Parkway Theater, 1834 Park, Oakl. $8. (510) 814-2400, www.thrillville.net. (Cheryl Eddy)

Let it reign A hulking tree trunk of a man and a friend of nature and wild animals, Thrones mastermind Joe Preston is also a resourceful guy with a big imagination. The former Melvins bassist uses vocoders, keyboards, low-budget drum machines, and a wall of fuzzed-out bass amps to create lurching, huge-sounding psychedelic sludge jams. At his last Bottom of the Hill show, his smoke machine gave out before he had a chance to use it, causing him to pause momentarily. Someone in the audience yelled, "Fuck the smoke machine!" Preston responded, calmly and matter-of-factly, "The smoke machine's actually pretty cool." And that pretty much says it all. Tonight, Boston hardcore-dirge metal quintet Isis headline, while live-instrument experimental hip-hop group Dälek round out this diverse bill. Thrones also play Tues/15 at Cherry Bar and Lounge with Nigel Pepper Cock, Jumbos Kill Crane, and Total Shutdown. 9:30 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. $8. (415) 621-4455. (Also Tues/15, 8:30 p.m., Cherry Bar and Lounge, 917 Folsom; 415-974-1585. Call for price.) (Will York)

Oct. 11

Friday

Wet parade Here's one group that writes songs so bleak it's pointless to call them depressing. By mining constricted musical territory – plodding, Southern gothic-tinged dirges of abandonment and despair – San Diego's Black Heart Procession pack their trademark atmosphere with subtle riches of texture and tone. Chamber pop this slow forces listeners to focus on the gradual, cinematic amassing of melody beneath almost-tactile bits of piano and guitar, and with their last album, Three (Touch and Go), the group had half of San Francisco studiously engaged in that task. Coinciding with their newest release, the double album Amore Del Tropico (Touch and Go), the group begin their winter tour of the United States and Europe on the West Coast, playing here with Winfred E. Eye and Pleaseeasaur. 9 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell, S.F. $12. (415) 885-0750. (Elizabeth Lobsenz)

Shake it up That rattling, rumbling sensation rocking San Francisco isn't the work of the ol' San Andreas – it's the sound of more than 50 authors converging for the first-ever Litquake, a festival focusing on Bay Area writers (and a few well-respected outsiders). Tonight a group of local lit stars (including Justin Chin, Herb Gold, Beth Lisick, devorah major, Peter Plate, and James Kass) hold a panel discussion titled "Dystopia/Utopia: Can the Bay Area Uphold a New Generation of Writers?" Tomorrow's main event will fill the Civic Center with poets, monologists, journalists, playwrights, and other creative types – the roster includes Po Bronson, Dave Eggers, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Barry Gifford, Robert Haas, Daniel "Lemony Snicket" Handler, Josh Kornbluth, Terry McMillan, Ben Fong-Torres – who'll give 10-minute readings of their work. Litquake wraps up Saturday night at the Edinburgh Castle with readings by Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting) and others, plus music and suds. Tonight, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (also Sat/12, noon-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-1 a.m.), Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, S.F. $10-$18. (415) 597-6705 (phone number for Friday event only). Sat/12, daytime: San Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin, S.F; Hiram W. Johnson State Office Bldg., Conference Center Auditorium B-100, 350 McAllister, S.F. Free. Sat/12, evening: Edinburgh Castle Pub, 950 Geary, S.F. $10. www.litquake.org. (Eddy)

Oct. 12

Saturday

Equality now Head to the Mission for Immigrant Pride Day, a lively celebration and activist event in favor of granting immediate amnesty to undocumented workers and drawing attention to the rise in racial profiling, hate crimes, and discrimination in the United States post-Sept. 11. Learn more about these issues through information booths, speeches, and workshops, then enjoy the entertainment presented on two stages. A definite highlight will be the rock en español stage, featuring a slew of California-based groups, including headlining ska band Las Quince Letras, hip-hoppers OMD with 2Mex, ska band La Plebe, rockers Epidemia and Blasfemia, and the Bay Guardian's own DJ La Viuda Negra. Also on tap: Aztec dancers, street theater with Taller de Teatro para Jóvenes de Instituto Familiar de la Raza, salsa and flamenco music, and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 24th St. between Mission and South Van Ness, S.F. Free. (415) 229-0531 or (415) 452-9992. (Eddy)

Take a bite Tucked among Clement Street's many dim sum restaurants, bakeries, and Chinese supermarkets is Green Apple Books and Music, for 35 years an independently owned landmark in the Richmond District. An anniversary party honoring the used-book and media haven – a frequent Bay Guardian "Best of the Bay" winner – lasts all weekend, so stop by to high-five founder Richard Savoy, who is ensuring the store's independent future by gradually selling the business to three longtime employees. Festivities include storytelling for kids, book signings by numerous authors, tarot and palm readings, a bagpiper, surf jazz by the Shi-Tones, a slide show of erotic photography, and panel discussions on poetry and literary life in San Francisco – a slate of activities as varied as the tomes that line Green Apple's shelves. Through Sun/13. 10 a.m., Green Apple Books and Music, 506 Clement, S.F. Free. (415) 387-2272, www.greenapplebooks.com. (Eddy)

Oct. 13

Sunday

All in the family Clickety clacks emerge from the wheezy accordion-drum machine torso of Washington, D.C., trio El Guapo, while the group's cranial mutterings confound the dance imperative with something akin to "poetry" or "concepts." On Super/System (Dischord), numbers like "Rumbledream" recall both the Doors and Suicide with their paranoid repetition. The record is top-heavy with weird instrumentation including chimes, keyboards, and electronic tricks – and oddly punctuated vocals – which brings to mind Trans Am (whose Phil Manley recorded Super/System) bunking up with early Faust. Band-cest completists will note that El Guapo accordionist Pete Cafarella also plays in ABCs (Troubleman Unlimited). Also on the bill are Party of Helicopters, featuring guitarist Jamie Stillman (Harriet the Spy, Donut Friends Records) and a singer who reminds me of David Spade imitating Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Hella headlines. 8:30 p.m., Kimo's, 1351 Polk, S.F. $5. (415) 885-4535. (George Chen)

Seeing is hearing Engulf your senses in Godfrey Reggio's enthralling film Koyaanisqatsi along with a live performance of the soundtrack by Philip Glass and the Philip Glass Ensemble, presented as part of San Francisco Performances' 'Philip on Film' program. Aptly titled with the Hopi Indian word for "life out of balance," the movie uses poignant images ranging from serene to claustrophobic, taken from both the natural and urban landscape, to exactly depict the feelings of imbalance. The powerful and grave vision of where we've been and where we're going is greatly enhanced by the dynamic musical score. Written and performed by world-renowned minimalist composer Glass, the soundtrack is a masterpiece of its own accord. Coupled with the film it becomes inwardly affecting and sublime, superseding all barriers of language and culture. Tomorrow, Glass and his ensemble provide accompaniment for an evening of new short films by Reggio, Atom Egoyan, Peter Greenaway, and others. 7 p.m. (Also Mon/14, 8 p.m.) Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness, S.F. $18-$40. (415) 392-4400, www.performances.org. (Angie Edwards)

Oct. 14

Monday

Clowning around Any bozo can stick on a red nose and giant shoes, but Moshe Cohen is more than just your average clown. He is the U.S. representative of Clowns Without Borders, a humanitarian group that sends clown-induced happiness to refugee camps, prisons, schools, and other facilities worldwide. His performing talents have taken him around the globe (including Guatemala, Israel, South Africa, and everywhere in between), but he's close to home this week as part of Theatre of Yugen's "Yugen Presents" series. Cohen's solo show, YooWho in the Noh, mixes "Yiddish-absurdist" humor with Japanese theater stylings and also incorporates traditional clowning techniques like juggling, magic, and mime. Through Tues/15. 8 p.m., Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa, S.F. $10-$15. (415) 621-7978. (Eddy)

Oct. 15

Tuesday

Grave concerns Baltimore band Love Life have the instrumental skeleton of a no wave-goth revival band down: jagged, minimal bass; bubonic melodies; and creeping organs. But the group demonstrate their dramatic prowess, and considerable restraint, by lurking misshapenly behind vocalist Katrina Ford's doleful, guttural yelps. Ford captures the desperate, unselfconscious caged-animal presence of Nick Cave, echoing the band's distracted, arrhythmic Birthday Party-style lurching. Not that they're mere retreads: weird pieces of melody, by turns baroque and prog, pop up in their songs, highlighting the originality and utter seriousness of the band's efforts. Love Life play with Kill Me Tomorrow and Swann Danger. 10 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, S.F. $6. (415) 923-0923. (Lobsenz)

Oct. 16

Wednesday