8 Days a Week

Aug. 6-13, 2003

SEE IF THIS rings any bells: a brutal double slaying that led to "the trial of the century;" the accused eventually acquitted but held unquestionably guilty in the court of public opinion. Nah, it ain't O.J. – it's Lizzie Borden, who, according to the nursery rhyme, crept around the family home and "took an axe / And gave her mother 40 whacks," then summarily dispatched of her father in a similar manner. Or did she? The events leading up to the killings – perpetuated one hot Massachusetts morning in 1892 – are explored in 'The Fall River Axe Murders,' a short story by late gothic writer Angela Carter that's getting the performance treatment by page-to-stage theater company Word for Word. More than 100 years (and countless other sensational, similarly media-frenzied cases) later, the Borden story is still fascinating; the truly intrigued can even slumber at the crime scene, now in business as the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. And as far as Fall River goes, conspiracy theorists, true crime devotees, and fans of good theater – the cast features Word for Word's charter group of players – couldn't axe for more. Previews Wed/6, 8 p.m. Opens Thurs/7, 8 p.m. Runs Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. Through Sept. 7. Magic Theatre, Northside stage, Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D, Marina at Laguna, S.F. $27. (415) 437-6775. (Cheryl Eddy)

Aug. 6

Wednesday

All of them witches There's nothing like a little Rosemary's Baby to work you into a state of total paranoia and terror. Roman Polanski's movie has it all: murder, magic potions, a freaky apartment building, a perfectly slimy John Cassavetes, a young Charles Grodin, and the shrill twin talents of Ruth Gordon (who picked up an Oscar) and Mia Farrow (who really did eat that raw liver). Plus, there's plenty of juicy subtext, including the rumored participation of Anton LaVey and the shadow cast by the Manson murders (which transpired a year after the film's 1968 release). Rosemary's Baby plays as part of the PFA Theater's "Excess of Evil" series, which continues the devilish theme with Bernard McEveety's 1971 Brotherhood of Satan Aug. 13. 7:30 p.m., PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft, Berk. $4-$8. (510) 642-1412. (Cheryl Eddy)

Aug. 7

Thursday

Homespun revolution Zine addicts cheered early this June when Bay Guardian staffer Andrew Scott and Breezy Culbertson opened Needles and Pens, a shop chock-full of homemade and professional zines (as well as rad DIY accessories, clothing, art, and more). And they'll cheer even louder when Needles and Pens and Pond hold a double reception for two remarkable zine-related events. First, go to Pond and take a gander at 'Hickee: An Exhibition of Comics, Art, and Zines,' featuring works by the Hickee artists' collective (Scott Campbell, Joe White, Graham Annable, Raz, and others). Then walk your ass over to Needles and Pens for Microcosm Publishing's Cut and Paste Zine Tour, at which a traveling brigade of four zinesters – Alex Wrekk, Joe Biel, Dave Roche, and Josh Brownie Kid – share stories and read from their heartfelt and/or hilarious works. If you're not all zine'd out from the festivities, be sure to check out San Francisco Zine Fest at CELLspace (Sat/9-Sun/10) and make an appearance at Pond's after party (Sat/9). "Hickee: An Exhibition of Comics, Art, and Zines" 6-10 p.m., Pond, 324 14th St., S.F. Free. (415) 437-9151. Microcosm Publishing's Cut and Paste Zine Tour 7-9 p.m., Needles and Pens, 483 14th St., S.F. Free. (415) 255-1534. San Francisco Zine Fest Sat/9-Sun/10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., CELLspace, 2050 Bryant, S.F. Free. (After party at Pond, 7-10 p.m. Free.) www.sfzinefest.com. (Sarah Han)

Laugh track Eric Menendez, an incontinent cat, and God walk into a bar, kvetch about God's sex life, and then get kicked out when the joke universe threatens to implode. What are three such homeless punch-line targets to do? Head to the Marsh, of course, to be muses for the comedians and performance artists featured in the first Marsh Comedy Festival. Highlights include Scott Capurro, fag comedian extraordinaire; Will Franken of the East Bay's Tourettes Without Regrets show; and the Marsh's own Phyllis Dantzler and Liz White-Salk. The festival opens with veteran comedian Darryl Henriques, who reminisces about his army physical in The Exile Returns, a solo show. Through Aug. 23. Main stage shows Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; open mic at the Mock Cafe, 1074 Valencia, Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; late-night sketch and stand-up comedy, Fri.-Sat., 10 p.m., Marsh, 1062 Valencia, S.F. $7-$22. (415) 826-5750. (Laurie Koh)

Aug. 8

Friday

Swing out mister The Matthew Herbert Big Band comes to town, ready to shatter any preconceived notions of what electronic music should be. For the outfit's upcoming album, Goodbye Swingtime (Accidental), Herbert largely left behind the four-on-the-floor backbone that supported most of his acclaimed work as Doctor Rockit, Wishmountain, and Herbert, replacing it with the sounds of swing. Though taking a surprisingly straight approach to the genre, Herbert drags the sound into the future using his trademark manipulated samples and political undertones (antiwar texts are used as percussive instruments), with funk (and fun) results. The Matthew Herbert Big Band opens for Björk; Bonnie Prince Billy also plays. 7 p.m., Pier 30/32, Embarcadero at Brannan, S.F. $50. (415) 421-TIXS. (Peter Nicholson)

Aug. 9

Saturday

Turn it up Ian Sefchick is commonly known as the vocalist behind former San Francisco loop-rock outfit Creeper Lagoon. But since he and his bandmates decided to part ways last year, Sefchick has had time on his hands. Recently, he has been funneling his creative energy into a new project, On the Speakers. The four-piece is currently putting the final touches on its debut EP and has begun playing scattered shows throughout Los Angeles and San Francisco, opening for the likes of former Lemonhead Evan Dando, among others. Tonight the band shares the stage with Oranger, psychedelic rockers who make '60s-inspired pop that's slightly updated with electronic effects. The added production is tasteful, melding other textures with the band's "Help"-like hooks and harmonies. You can't go wrong. 9 p.m., Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market, S.F. $10. (415) 861-5016. (Phil Herrick)

Help out There are buttloads of worthy causes that need your financial TLC right now, and 'Brouhaha: A Party for Trans, Genderqueer, Intersex Folks, and Their Buddies' is raising money for two of the worthiest. First, we got Community United Against Violence, the nonprofit organization that aids survivors of hate crimes while working to stomp such crimes out altogether. Next, we got Pronoun Schmonoun, a DIY effort aiming to raise money so broke-ass trannies can afford pricey surgeries. Most of you good-hearted folks are no doubt already reaching into your wallets, but for the "what's in it for me?" set, lemme tell you: stellar spoken word vixen Thea Hillman; hip-hoppers Katastrophe, Jaycub Perez, and Robosapian; the Other Brothers performance troupe; guitar goddess Shawna Virago; and others. 4:30 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. $5-$10 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 282-3325, www.elriosf.com. (Michelle Tea)

Free love Add your voice to the fight for free speech in this tightly regulated era and rock out righteously at the 'Electronic Frontier Foundation's Freedom Fest 2003.' The EFF spends most of the year "protecting freedom where technology and law collide" – as evidenced by its resource-crammed Web site, which is well worth a visit for up-to-the-minute info on online censorship and privacy, copyright laws, and other issues. The annual outdoor bash in Golden Gate Park is a celebration of local talent, with music from Box Set, Noelle Hampton, Austin Willacy, Colin McGrath, and Lasana Bandele, plus performances by the Technomania Circus, juggler Cat Hare, and others. Noon-5 p.m., Golden Gate Park, Music Concourse Bandshell, near Fulton and Eighth Ave., S.F. Free. www.eff.org/freedomfest. (Eddy)

Aug. 10

Sunday

Conquering heroes Only a city as biz-oriented as Los Angeles could hatch a musical theater ensemble like My Barbarian. Staking claims in theatrical and musical territory through shows featuring lyrical fiction, choreography, and improv comedy, the group monopolize the act of performance in nearly every possible way. They back their off-Broadway, harmonized choruses with keyboard-driven arrangements that jump genres in time with the fantastical subjects of their songs, and they use costumes and dancing as visual aids. With this innovation in entertainment, which they call "showcore," the five members come off like arty Fame outcasts, liberating musical shtick from its usual lameness and turning cheesy dramatics into goofy, glitzy charm. Jibz Cameron of Dynasty and Will Schwartz also perform. 9 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, S.F. $6. (415) 923-0923. (Anup Pradhan)

Aug. 11

Monday

Underground on top The freeway ramp may be gone, but the much cherished atmosphere at Zeitgeist remains the same: beer, picnic tables, copious smoke, and raucous company. Considering the surroundings, it's pretty safe to say the fifth annual Zeitgeist International Film Festival isn't going to be filled with stuffy, highbrow fare – especially not when you consider the films are shown in "Beer-O-Scope" (i.e., projected on Zeitgeist's back wall). The fest, which also offered up programs in June and July, caps off tonight with "ZIFF's Favorite Shorts of the Last Five Years," encompassing themes as varied as rednecks, Lego, demolition derbies, dead grandmas, and bagpipes. 9 p.m., Zeitgeist, 199 Valencia, S.F. $5. www.overcookedcinema.com. (Eddy)

Aug. 12

Tuesday

Zozobra's ashes Each year in Santa Fe, N.M., Kiwanis Club members pack fireworks into Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom, a muslin-and-paper effigy that symbolizes the misfortunes of the previous year, and burn it from the inside out. The ritual is a fierce and cacophonous ceremony. In the same raucous vein is the band Old Man Gloom, the sludgefest side project of Aaron Turner (Isis, Lotus Eaters, House of Low Culture, Hydrahead Recordings) and members of Converge and Cave In. The group has spent most of its existence in Boston's God City studios churning out three releases (with more on the way) under the watchful eye of veteran producer Kurt Ballou. As part of the "Champions of Sound" showcase tour of Hydrahead and Tortuga Recordings, OMG has taken on four gigs, including one in San Francisco. For those who still cling to the salad days of Neurosis and Amphetamine Reptile Records (the Melvins, Hammerhead, Today Is the Day, et al), this will be a monumental moment in the history of doom-laden stoner rock. Scissorfight and Theory of Ruin also play. 9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. $7. (415) 621-4455. (George Schulz)

Aug. 13

Wednesday

Winged conservation New Zealand, currently in vogue due to its starring role in the Lord of the Rings films, is actually home to a lot more than hobbits, elves, and extremely powerful jewelry. As Dr. Douglas Long, the California Academy of Sciences' curator of ornithology and mammalogy, explains in a pair of lectures, the country – isolated for millions of years – boasts one of the world's most unusual bird populations (including the world's biggest eagle). And though human settlement brings inevitable problems – including the endangerment and extinction of rare breeds – New Zealanders are dedicated to preserving their wildlife. Today, Long discusses the country's successful methods of conservation and shares how the same techniques might be applied to protecting fauna here in California. 2 and 7:30 p.m., California Academy of Sciences, Morrison Auditorium, Golden Gate Park near Ninth Ave. and Lincoln, S.F. $8. (415) 750-7128, www.calacademy.org. (Eddy)