8 Days a Week

July 2-9, 2003

FOR THE MILLIONTH time – you won't see guys in black leotards pretending to be pull ropes or battle imaginary windstorms at San Francisco Mime Troupe performances. Eternally vital and groundbreaking (no small feat, considering this is its 44th season), the SFMT is renowned for its ability to precisely skewer current events with a mix of hilarity, smarts, and spot-on original songs. Recent summer shows – performed in local parks, free – have satirized the yuppie live-work loft phenomenon (City for Sale); the aftermath of Sept. 11 (Mr. Smith Goes to Obscuristan); and nightcrawlers in the White House (1600 Transylvania Avenue). This year our invasion-happy government gets taken to task in Veronique of the Mounties, which imagines that the United States – fresh off the bullying of Iraq, Syria, and France – decides Canada is crawling with terrorists and needs to be invaded (the scheme's appropriate name: "Operation Frozen Freedom.") Can one fearless Mountie save the day? And more important, what the hell is wrong with the United States, anyway? Veronique will be performed on both sides of the bay throughout the summer, so you'll get ample chances to find out. At various Bay Area locations through Sept. 1. Fri/4-Sun/6, 2 p.m. (live music at 1:30 p.m.), Dolores Park, 18th St. between Dolores and Church, S.F. Free. (415) 285-1717, www.sfmt.org. (Cheryl Eddy)

July 2

Wednesday

Something in the air Our perceptions of the modern moment are so fundamentally shaped by a corrupt mass media that, despite widespread challenge to the social order, many Americans, à la 1984, confuse lies with truth, and making war with working for peace. That makes exhibits like a pair that hit town this week all the more important. The venerable Lab, working with Global Exchange and Art and Revolution, presents 'Art Propaganda War,' a group show of public art celebrating creative dissent. For more art and acts of resistance, there's the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery's 'Illegal Art: Freedom of Expression in the Corporate Age,' which has worked its way cross-country raising questions about the use of intellectual property laws to stifle artistic expression. "Illegal Art" includes performances and panels that help shine light on the issues. "Art Propaganda War": Through July 12. Wed.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. (reception Fri/4, 4-7pm), the Lab, 2948 16th St., S.F. Free. (415) 864-8855. "Illegal Art: Freedom of Expression in the Corporate Age": Through July 25. Tues.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (reception Wed/2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.), SFMOMA Artists Gallery, Fort Mason, Building A, Marina at Laguna, S.F. (415) 441-4777. (J.H. Tompkins)

July 3

Thursday

Eye and eye Those who appreciate visual stimuli along with their avant-noise freak-outs and performance art should consider a trek to the East Bay for the second annual installment of 'Reversible Eye.' The two-day art, music, and performance showcase takes place at 21 Grand (a snug little space next to an accordion shop on Oakland's auto row) and features work by 12 artists, including Jessie Eva, Kyle Ranson, and Benjamin Hirschkoff. The Reversible Eye Web site (www.reversibleeye.com) promises work and subject matter ranging from "nightmare photography" and "flat acrylic minimal" to "cut off limbs ... degradation" and "beautiful textures and treatment of paint." The rather testy, treble-heavy locals Curse of the Birthmark are one of the bands slated to play on the first night, at which you can also see the everyday-is-Halloween antics of the Phantom Limbs, innovative hip-hopper James Eksel, Snowsuit, and Sixes. Come back Friday night for Chromatics, New Collapse, Weegs, Neither/Neither World, Janet Pants Dans Theater, and Black Ice. Tonight: exhibit 5-8 p.m., bands 8 p.m.-midnight; Fri/4: exhibit 2-6 p.m., bands 6 p.m., 21 Grand, 449B 23rd St., Oakl. $5. (510) 444-7263. (Anup Pradhan)

July 4

Friday

Booked up If your plans for summer reading extend beyond the new Harry Potter book you ordered off Amazon.com, take note of a little something going down this weekend called 'Celebrate Your Independents!' Ten local indie bookstores (Booksmith, Borderlands, Browser, Builder's Booksource, A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, Christopher's, Fields, Green Apple Books, Get Lost, and Modern Times) band together for three days of tax-free shopping, gift-certificate raffles, special in-store events, and more. Pledge your allegiance to local businesses, pick up some new page-turners, and save a couple of bucks in the process – well-read founding father Benjamin Franklin would definitely approve. Through July 6. Various locations, S.F. (415) 387-2272. (Cheryl Eddy)

July 5

Saturday

Deep blue A lot of house music passes itself off as deep, but Ron Trent knows the true score. Trent started DJing in 1984 at the tender age of 14 and has gone on to help define deep house, both as a DJ and producer and through his work with Prescription Records and Giant Step. He continues to school pretenders with the latest installment of Wave Music's excellent (though somewhat unimaginatively titled) Deep and Sexy 2. A release party for the compilation doubles as a welcome return for DJ Said's always satisfying Atmosfere, with local vinyl connoisseur Tomas (Voltage Music, XLR8R) doing opening duties. 10 p.m., Club Six, 60 Sixth St., S.F. $10-$15. (415) 863-1221. (Peter Nicholson)

Language arts Formed in 1968, the Last Poets grew famous dissing the Man and fortifying the black community with such vehement, smoking cuts as "White Man's Got a God Complex" and "When the Revolution Comes." Like modern-day griots, they've been putting it down for hip-hop since the days when Jerry Brown was buying pimple cream – prefiguring the raps of Public Enemy and Poor Righteous Teachers. Marking their 35th anniversary, the Last Poets headline 'Summer's Groove,' a day of music and poetry to celebrate the Oakland community. Hosted by Dwayne Wiggins (of East Bay R&B group Tony! Toni! Tone!), the event benefits Millennium Ministries and the House of Music education program, which provides Oakland youths with opportunities to learn studio engineering and production. Local divas Ledisi and Goapele also perform. 6 p.m., Woodminster Amphitheater, 3304 Joaquin Miller Rd., Oakl. $35-$40. (510) 434-9385, www.ticketmaster.com. (Rachel Swan)

Claws out Six years old and going strong, 'Midnight Mass' returns for another summer of movies and mayhem. Hostess Peaches Christ and her sidekick, Martiny, know how to pick 'em – as in previous years, selections lurch toward horror (Spider Baby, Carrie), and more often than not keep a stiletto heel firmly planted in freaky outrageousness (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Pink Flamingos). Diehards know the screenings are just icing on the cake – the real draw are the preshow contests and performances, which are tailored to each week's movie (example: for Annie, the Mass-ers plan to premiere trAnnie, a musical starring Peaches as "Ms. Trannagan"). New this year is the season-ending San Francisco Underground Film Festival, sure to be dripping with campy goodness. The whole shebang kicks off tonight, Las Vegas-style, with perennial fave Showgirls. Through Aug. 16. Sat., midnight, Bridge Theatre, 3010 Geary, S.F. $8. (415) 751-3213 (Eddy)

All-American Imagine sitting in the perfect armchair – not too soft, but not overstuffed either. Add a painting of some Alpine lake to ruminate over and you've got the American Analog Set. Everything about the band invites reflection. Their sound is gentle, without a trace of abrasiveness, as though they're playing beneath blankets. Yet, as much as the Austin, Texas, quintet clearly love their warm synths, muted guitars, and brushed drums, they don't make indie elevator music. Their catchy hooks and animated percussion keep your attention glued to every note. Andrew Kenny's smart vocals, sung just louder than a whisper, perfectly complement the rhythms. The American Analog Set play two shows this week, featuring songs from their new album, Promise of Love (Tiger Style). Small Hours and Irving open tonight; Tarantel and Film School open Sun/6. Tonight, 9:30 p.m., and Sun/6, 4 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. $12. (415) 626-9618. (Phil Herrick)

July 6

Sunday

Thumb wars Even if you don't fancy yourself the Rex Reed type, the first annual U Judge It! Film Festival gives you the opportunity to enter the rarefied airspace of film festival judge. Regular Joes and Janes can vote wirelessly via Pocket PC, laptop, or Web-enabled cell phone in categories like "Film You Wish You Were In," "Character You Most Identify With," and "Actor-Actress You Wish You Could Date," as well as the relatively blasé "Best Overall." Cooler still is the ability to instantly communicate with other audience members as the films unfold. Lacking high-tech accoutrements? Not a problem: hop on the express bus to the 21st century at the voting kiosk in the lobby. The fest features an impressive list of films from around the world, including the Sundance Film Festival-lauded Sister Helen, a documentary about a nun who runs a halfway house in the South Bronx. At the end of the day, festival-goers can hobnob with the filmmakers at the awards dinner at the Delancey Street Restaurant. Bonus points will be awarded to those wearing ascots or monocles. Screenings 2-4:30 p.m. and 5-7:30 p.m.; awards dinner 8-10 p.m., Delancey Street Theater, 600 Embarcadero, S.F. $8-$25. (415) 386-8062, www.ujudgeit.org. (Duncan Scott Davidson)

July 7

Monday

Portrait of an artist Since 1998 the Luggage Store Gallery has been bringing young people and art together in unique ways. This week's exhibition is no exception. 'Projecting Process' is a collaboration by talented delete local artists, who have created an installation around a central mural. Participants artists – Nick Stohlman, Harley Burkhart, Levi Ryken, Matt Hunter, Robert Trujillo, Nick Stohlman, Plinoi Hernandez, and Cole Greif – are from diverse disciplines and work in various media including aerosol, oil painting, sound design, portrait photography, and graphic arts. The installation, curated by Cole Greif, is part of the Luggage Store's larger Short Cuts series, which gives young people experience in organizing an exhibition. 8 p.m., Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market, S.F. Free. (415) 255-5971. (Herrick)

July 8

Tuesday

Tragic kingdom The African-American Shakespeare Company's mission is to transform familiar, classic stories into fresh works with contemporary relevance; appropriately, its motto is "envisioning the classics with color." This season has already featured a energetic take on Cinderella and a version of Othello set in a cutthroat law firm. Next up is director Bonnee Christian's spin on Sophocles' Antigone, which shifts the action from Thebes to an urban street corner and incorporates rap-style dialogue but retains the source material's somber study of right versus wrong, old versus young, and life versus death – which rings surprisingly true today, considering Sophocles penned it around 440 B.C. Through July 20. Previews tonight and July 9, 8 p.m. Opens July 10, 8 p.m. Runs Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. (also July 17, 2 p.m.); Sun., 2 p.m., Zeum Theatre, 221 Howard, S.F. $17-$22 (previews $5). 1-888-462-2838, www.acteva.com/go/shakes. (Eddy)

July 9

Wednesday

Weird science Back by popular demand, UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science's annual Ice Cream Day is the perfect opportunity to learn how to make your favorite flavor. And being the rigorous academic institution that it is, LHS also promises to reveal the hard science behind the tasty frozen dessert. While enjoying a scoop of your homemade mint chip, make sure to check out the new outdoor science park, "Forces That Shape the Bay." The interactive exhibit traces the geological formation of the bay with the help of earthquake simulators, erosion activities, and high-power telescopes. Noon-2 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive, Berk. $8, $6 for youths 5 to 18, seniors, and disabled, $4 for children 3 to 4, free for those two and under. (510) 642-5132 (Herrick)