8 Days a Week

April 14-21, 2004

THE ECONOMY IS horrible, Bush is still in charge (shudder), and gas may as well be three bucks a gallon. Thank goodness the San Francisco Improv Co-Operative's San Francisco Improv Festival is roaring into town to lighten the mood a little. Actually, the fest looks to lighten the mood a lot, with a staggering lineup that features 12 weeks of performances by Bay Area ensembles as well as groups from Chicago and New York City. Get to chuckling this week with the Windy City's Annoyance Theatre cast (The Real Live Brady Bunch, Co-Ed Prison Sluts), who bust out their improv-sketch show Road Trip! Spontaneity continues to rule with locals Next Stage Improv Ensemble and the Sam Shaw Show, plus N.Y.'s Kihckercast Project (April 22 through 24); a special edition of Climate Theatre's weekly improv jam with a screening of The Delmonic Interviews, a doc about comedy legend Del Close (April 29 through May 1); improvised films by BareWitness Productions (May 6 through 8); Pharmarsupial and the Babcocks (May 13 through 22); a weekend of "two-person comedy" with Muy Fuerte, Black and Tan Improv, and the Defiant Thomas Brothers (May 27 through 29); a long-form series with New Humor Group and Oui Be Negroes (June 3 through 12); and for the grand finale, S.F. faves True Fiction Magazine (June 17 through 26). Other participants include local luminaries Lucky Dog Theatre (April 29 through May 1, Venue 9, 252 Ninth St., S.F.) and BATS Improv (June 4 through 5, Bayfront Theater, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna, S.F.). If you think about it, the Improv Festival is yet another sign – witness the San Francisco Sketch Comedy Festival (now a January staple), the reopening of venues like Cobb's Comedy Club and the Purple Onion, etc. – that comedy is on the rise in the local entertainment scene. Hey, no time like the present for some humor therapy! April 15-June 26. Shows Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m., Next Stage, 1620 Gough, S.F.; and Climate Theatre, 285 Ninth St., S.F. $15. (415) 863-1076, www.sfimprovfestival.com. (Cheryl Eddy)

April 14

Wednesday

Day of the dead The most pervasive and enduring images associated with rock 'n' roll over the years often involve booze and death. So what better inspiration for a rock outfit's name? Bottles and Skulls have been combining elements of post-hardcore, punk, and noise into a deadly, high-proof Molotov cocktail that's fermented and aged into a concoction all their own since the group arrived in San Francisco five years ago. Their latest release, Born in a Black Light (Sickroom), was produced by Seattle sound guru Jack Endino and features tracks such as "I Dissect Humans" and "Black Wedding," which delves from a bass-driven diatribe into a caterwauling guitar section vaguely reminiscent of old Jets to Brazil, with a twist. Riverboat Gamblers and Restarts also play. 9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. $8. (415) 621-4455. (Sean McCourt)

So, so def Four years ago preeminent '90s New York City hip-hop mind-benders Company Flow broke with their major-affiliated Rawkus label, and MC-producer El-P started releasing records on his own Definitive Jux imprint. Since then, independent "backpack" hip-hop has become a new game, developing creatively and profitably with Def Jux at the forefront. Showcasing its increasingly diverse, transnational lineup, the Definitive Jux Tour features Los Angeles underground legend Murs, whose recently released 9th Wonder-produced Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition brings the rapper's poised delivery into the limelight. Also on the bill are heady Boston MC and original "Jukie" Mr. Lif (performing with Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One as the Perceptionists) and S.A. Smash, a young, debaucherous duo from Columbus, Ohio. 8 p.m., Slim's, 333 11th St., S.F. $18. (415) 522-0333. (Ethan Goldwater)

April 15

Thursday

Hot dog! Riding on the wave of popularity as Japan's number-one instrumental band, the Surf Coasters arrive on American shores for the first time to take audiences along for a wild ride in the riptide. Formed 10 years ago by guitar shredder Shigeo Naka, the Coasters have a style that's in the vein of the Ventures, the Safaris, and legendary "King of the Surf Guitar" Dick Dale. The band write their own material and cover favorites from the era, including "Cruel Sea" and Dale's signature "Miserlou." Reverb-drenched staccato guitar attacks, thundering bass, and pounding drums form a cascading wall of sound that rolls out with the tsunamic force of one of those monster swells down at Maverick's. Tonight they play a free in-store show at Amoeba Music and with opening acts Teenage Harlets and Nubs at Thee Parkside. 6 p.m., Amoeba Music, 1855 Haight, S.F. Free. (415) 831-1200 (Also 9 p.m., Parkside, 1600 17th St., S.F. $7. 415-503-0393.) (McCourt)

Here be monsters "Heavyheavyweirdweird" is how USAISAMONSTER vocalist-guitarist Colin Matthews once described the duo's sound. "Heavyheavy" explains their thunderous noise, blasting through sludge and up to holy riff heaven; "weirdweird" refers to their melodic poppy trips and absence of usual song structure – or perhaps their mulleted, cavemen physical appearances. But this Charlottesville, Va.-bred, now Brooklyn-based band really need to be seen live to be truly understood. They're currently on tour with Koonda Holaa (ex-Uz Jsme Doma), who's from the Czech Republic and busts a wacky tribal noise freak-out with a hand drum and some electronics. Los Angeles' Wives bring their own concoction of punk blasts and infectious upbeat pop. Opening are I Will Kill You Fucker, a thrashy power-violence two-piece from Oakland who are probably as perverted as they sound. 10 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, S.F. $6. (415) 923-0923. (Goldwater)

April 16

Friday

Innovate or die Paperclip People, Planet E Records, the Detroit Experiment – all essential developments in electronic music and all Carl Craig projects. From the early days of the second wave of Detroit techno producers and his Innerzone Orchestra's "Bug in the Bassbin" and all the way up to his current massive remix of Beanfield's "Tides," Craig has consistently stretched the limits of not just dance music but also music in general. Few producers have had such an impact, and even fewer continue to be relevant – and the party's only 10 bucks! Monty Luke (RIOT!) and Nikola (SWAT), two of San Francisco's most-deserving DJs, also play. 10 p.m., Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, S.F. $10. (415) 820-9669. (Peter Nicholson)

Lost and found There was a time, some 35 years ago, when Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen were part of a Bay Area music scene that was as over-the-top and exhilarating as the times that spawned it. The band played a thoroughly original brand of psychedelic, rockin' country – or something like that, anyway – with sets that included "Lost in the Ozone," "Seeds and Stems Again Blues," "Mama Hated Diesels," "Truck Drivin' Man," and the top-10 hit "Hot Rod Lincoln." During an era when longhairs and rednecks were in a state of near war, the Commander and co. worked both sides of the fence, and let me tell you, it really worked out right. They haven't played together in years, and the chances to see 'em do so again are slim – so don't miss the opportunity. 9 p.m., 19 Broadway, Fairfax. $20. (415) 459-1091. (J.H. Tompkins)

Beach blanket butchery Chances are you've never heard of Del Tenney, but if you grew up in the era of drive-in psychotronica or have sat goggle-eyed during a vintage genre-a-go-go opus, then you've experienced his legacy firsthand. A Connecticut-based filmmaker who impressed 20th Century Fox with his no-budget horror flick Curse of the Living Corpse, he was asked by the studio to provide another quickie B picture and thus was born 1964's Horror of Party Beach, the first (and only) film to combine a beach blanket musical, a biker flick, juvenile-delinquent exploitation, and monster-splatter-horror theater into a scant 90 minutes. Luckily for you, the opportunity to fill in that gap in your knowledge of cinema history presents itself at the Del Tenney Tribute Weekend, including a screening of the first film he produced, Psychomania, at Foreign Cinema; the world premiere of Jacques Boyreau's musical stage adaptation of Party Beach (!!!) at the Werepad; and a rare appearance by the man himself. Go, daddy-o, go! Psychomania screens tonight, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Foreign Cinema, 2534 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 648-7600. Party Beach screens Sat/17, 8 p.m., Werepad, 2430 Third St., S.F. $15. (415) 824-7334 (reservations required). (David Fear)

April 17

Saturday

Poetry five-o It's going to be a frenzy of rhymes, couplets, free verse, and possibly some iambic pentameter at the Poetry Center 50/50 Festival, marking "50 years of poetry past ... 50 years of poetry future." Founded in 1954 after a gift from W.H. Auden, the center – which contains the American Poetry Archives and is located on San Francisco State University's campus – boasts the country's second-largest literary recordings collection (after the Library of Congress), gleaned from the center's own hosted readings as well as from donations. The free afternoon event features youth workshops and readings; the evening program fills a Lollapalooza-esque five stages with the likes of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Diane di Prima, Wanda Coleman, devorah major, SFSU students and alumni, artists from WritersCorps and Kearny Street Workshop, and others; plus a Pablo Neruda tribute, taped readings from the center's archives, a "Poetry and Jazz" area, a raffle, and more. All proceeds benefit the Poetry Center, which is sure lookin' good for its age. 4-6 p.m. (free) and 7-10 p.m. ($12-$15), Unitarian Center, 1187 Franklin, S.F. 1-866-468-3399, www.ticketweb.com. (Cheryl Eddy)

April 18

Sunday

Big time When David Parsons performed with Paul Taylor, the choreographer always referred to the dancer as the "big guy." Though legend has it that Parsons found his way into Taylor's company by fixing the boss's car, his strong athleticism earned him great popularity for the nine years he performed with Taylor's troupe. With his own Parsons Dance Company, Parsons has made his reputation as a prolific choreographer of highly athletic, often playful works that are musical and straightforward. Included in this repertory program of newer pieces are the lyrical Nascimento (1990), Sleep Study (1986), and the company's signature Caught (1982), in which a dancer rides a strobe light. 3 p.m., Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Flags at Civic Center, San Rafael. $28-$45. (415) 499-6800, www.ticketmaster.com. (Rita Felciano)

April 19

Monday

Star quality Though TV-centric folks might recognize Anna Deavere Smith solely for her work on The West Wing – an aside: it would be awesome if Martin Sheen were really president and Smith were his national security advisor, don't ya think? – there's way more to this artist than her work in the NBC trenches. A MacArthur "genius" grant winner, Smith is known to theater-centric folks for her groundbreaking, multicharacter solo plays, including the much-lauded Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, set during the aftermath of the Rodney King riots. As part of the Good Lit at the Geary series, the Commonwealth Club of California and the American Conservatory Theater (Smith's an alum) host a conversation and question-and-answer session with the dynamic performer, author, and teacher. Future participants in the series include Jane Smiley (May 24) and Elmore Leonard (June 7). 8 p.m., Geary Theater, 415 Geary, S.F. $35. (415) 749-2ACT, www.act-sf.org. (Eddy)

April 20

Tuesday

Preying mantas Now is the perfect time for Americans to look beyond their borders for art and ideas, and Spain's Manta Ray are a splendid reason why. After 10 years of leading Iberian post-punk and avant rock, the band are set to break in the States with the release of Estrexa on Portland label Filmguerrero. With a sprawling yet dense sound full of punk energy, moments of moody electronics, and more than a few riffs perfect for headbanging, Manta Ray should translate well in San Francisco. Swords Project and the Rum Diary open. 9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. $7. (415) 621-4455. (Nicholson)

April 21

Wednesday

Get fresh Think New York City has the lock on world premieres? Think again. Starting tonight, the Magic Theatre hosts 'Hot House: Three New Plays in Rep,' a nine-week showcase for a trio of just-born works presented in a format Magic artistic director Chris Smith dubs "a playwright's 'Sundance by the Bay.' " As at that famed film festival, attendees get a first peek at potential award winners and maybe even future classics. First up is Steven R. Culp's Thirteen Hallucinations of Julio Rivera, a fantasy about a murdered gay man who negotiates an afterlife populated by flying monkeys and two Madonnas, among other unusual residents. Four complex, conflicted characters inhabit Drifting Elegant, a drama from Tape author Stephen Belber (also an associate writer and performer on The Laramie Project). Rounding out the series is Cassandra Medley's Relativity, about an African American genetic researcher torn between her promising career and the radical ideas of her activist mother. Pick up the three-play pass and maximize bragging rights over your East Coast pals. For a complete schedule, go to www.magictheatre.org. Julio Rivera previews April 21-23, 8 p.m.; opens April 24, 8 p.m. Runs April 25, June 20, 2:30 p.m.; May 11, 15, 19-20, 24, 28, June 3, 5, 16, 18, and 20, 8 p.m.; May 30, June 13, 7:30 p.m.; June 12, 4 p.m., Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Building D, Marina at Laguna, S.F. $20-$38 (three-play pass $72). (415) 441-8822. (Eddy)