Jan. 5-12, 2005

YERBA BUENA CENTER for the Arts' unique double bill 'Two Hard-Asses: Ann Coulter vs. Charles Bronson' throws fictive and nonfictive toughies into mano-a-mano screening combat. First up, Elinor Burkett and Patrick Wright's new 38-minute documentary, "Is It True What They Say about Ann?," offers a straight-up portrait of the right-wing "hit" lady Coulter, whom you probably love to hate. Next is Michael Winner's 1972 The Mechanic, an offbeat suspense-action movie that's one of the best efforts by both the (usually crappy) director and its star. Bronson plays an esteemed hired gun whose meticulous preparations for another imaginative "perfect kill" are laid out in a remarkable 16-minute opening sequence without any dialogue. After Bronson completes his next assignment, to off an old friend, the murdered man's son (surfalicious Jan-Michael Vincent) seems eager to be adopted by the loner assassin as both "son" and apprentice. The Mechanic's complicated, twisted psychology makes it much more than a routine crime flick – and gives Bronson a greater acting workout than usual. Just for starters, Bronson's rather spectacular beachfront bachelor pad features Hieronymus Bosch paintings on the wall, and though he seems as cool as ice, he suffers from sleeplessness and anxiety attacks. In screenwriter Lewis John Carlino's original script, the assassin and apprentice were gay lovers. When that concept proved too risky for the studio, any direct references to such a relationship were deleted. But there's still a lot of fascinating subtext to their partnership, especially as played out in the whopper of a double-twist ending. Fri/7, 7:30 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, S.F. $5-$8. (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org. (Dennis Harvey)

Jan. 5: Wednesday

Ladies first In the fourth issue of Ladyfriend, the zine "for ladies and all their friends," Chicago-based editor and publisher Christa Donner tackles the topic of age. "Age is a funny topic to explore in zine form," she muses in the issue's intro, "since a lot of people still assume that putting these things out is just a hobby for angst-ridden teenagers with spare time on their hands." Donner, born in 1975, and other "older" zinesters such as fiftysomething-year-old Liz Seymour prove the young 'uns aren't the only ones in touch with DIY culture. Donner's latest zine project, Free Advice, has her asking strangers for advice about various subjects including fear of flying and childbirth. Donner reads from Ladyfriend and Free Advice as a part of the Perpetual Motion Roadshow. Other performers include cartoonist Stephen Notley and hip-hopper More or Les. 7 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 282-9246, www.ladyfriend.homestead.comor www.nomediakings.org. (Sarah Han)

Jan. 6: Thursday

Unsolved mystery It's been nearly 60 years since aspiring actress Elizabeth Short gained the sensational fame she craved – though she wasn't around to enjoy it since notoriety came only after her dead body was found naked and sliced in half at the waist. Oakland's 21 Grand remembers the definitive Hollywood nightmare with 'The Black Dahlia Show,' a group exhibition featuring pieces that refer to different aspects of the sensational case. Video works by curator Hailey Ashcraft explore Short's journey from small-town girl to big-city wannabe starlet, as well as the fine line between self-promotion and self-exploitation; Kirstyn Russell's photographs of vacant lots evoke the Los Angeles yard where Short's severed remains were discovered; and Dale Hoyt's video addresses the many "Confessing Sams" who took credit for the murder. Other participants include Kim Weller, Leah Beck, Jessica Ingram, and Erik McDonald. A Jan. 21 event features additional videos, readings, and performances. Through Jan. 30. Gallery hours: Thurs., 4-8 p.m.; Fri., 4-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 1-6 p.m. (reception Jan. 14, 7-10 p.m.; performance event Jan. 21, 8 p.m., $6-$10 sliding scale), 21 Grand, 449B 23rd St., Oakl. Free. (510) 444-7263. (Cheryl Eddy)

Jan. 7: Friday

Board life Don't let the goofy Police Academy reference throw you – Hightower are serious about their rock. The Mission District's own street metal trio began playing in 2001, first performing at barbecues and parties on skate ramps in their own backyards and gradually gaining cred among metalheads outside of their social scene for their gigantic, heavy sound and stoner-friendly riffs. Their Web site touts the motto "Live to skate – skate to die," so it's not surprising their first full-length, a self-titled CD release on Man Baby Records, is dedicated to telling the tales, the good times and the bad, of San Francisco skater life. They play with Los Angeles' 400 Blows and the Bay Area's Replicator. 10 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F. $8. (415) 621-4455. (Han)

Blow me Blues harp lovers will be in hog heaven when Mark Hummel presents his 14th annual Blues Harmonica Blow Out. This time around, you can catch a pair of Grammy nominees amid the lippy crew. James Cotton recently scored his eighth nod in the Best Traditional Blues category for Baby, Don't Tear My Clothes (Telarc), his follow-up to 2002's W.C. Handy Award-winning 35th Anniversary Jam. A Tunica, Miss., native who began blowing at age six and later became the protégé of legends like Sonny Boy Williamson, Sam Phillips, and Muddy Waters, Cotton promises to let it rip at these events, showcasing Baby, which includes guests like Odetta, Bobby Rush, and Doc Watson. Cotton is joined by Charlie Musselwhite, celebrating his seventh nom in the Best Contemporary Blues field for Sanctuary (Real World). Last seen in blues concert doc Lightning in a Bottle, Fabulous Thunderbird Kim Wilson also appears, as does Hummel. Through Sun/9. Tonight and Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 8 p.m., Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakl. $5-$30. (510) 238-9200. (Kimberly Chun)

Jan. 8: Saturday

Shining poppy people Yes, the Stone Roses drone never quite went away – their leader just went solo, and their albums proved more influential than any of us would have assumed. The British, San Francisco transplants of Hybrid Kid prove there's life in that Madchester mastodon yet by suturing likable pop rock of a shoegazer variety to a mod, almost Coldplay-like etherealness. Now if vocalist Danny can rid himself of that tendency to kookily hoot at the end of vocal lines; that brings back bad memories – and the mannerisms – of Sinéad O'Connor. Also touching down and tarrying a while tonight are Bay Area indie rockers Whitey on the Moon, who come off smart and punchy like San Diego and Chicago – think Joan of Arc bouncing off the walls of a cramped spacecraft with, say, Squirrel Bait. On this year's Discolandia (Vela Para Todo), they're not quite "indie-soul hop," as the combo have described their debut, Special New Band (Vela Para Todo). Instead they impress with a hyper, punky energy and a hint of quirky, soulful storytelling. More please! Apside and Astronaut also play. 9:30 p.m., Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell, S.F. $7. (415) 861-2011. (Chun)

Don't think twice The life story of Ramblin' Jack Elliott is the stuff of American legend. Born Elliott Adnopoz in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood, the singer exchanged city life for cowboy coffee and began palling around with an aging Woody Guthrie while still a wide-eyed kid. Elliott learned a lifetime's worth of songs during the early days, but it was his conviction that folk music ought to be lived as much as played that catapulted him to notoriety. Never much of a songwriter in his own right, Elliott's shaky voice and ramblin' lifestyle nonetheless formed an integral link between modern folk music's creators (Guthrie, Alan Lomax, etc.) and interpreters (the beats, the hippies, and of course Dylan). Seeing him perform the songs he loves and tell the stories he lived is to be relished. 8:15 p.m., Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez, S.F. $18. (415) 454-5238. (Max Goldberg)

Jan. 9: Sunday

Talk soup Local performance company the Buddy Club boasts a roster packed with kid-friendly talent, including face painters, palm readers, stilt walkers, magicians, and clowns. But even jaded wee ones who've been to birthday parties all over town probably haven't ever seen a ventriloquist onstage – I mean, have you? Check out one of the Bay Area's best-known practitioners of the art, Steve Chaney, who – along with his puppet partner, the jaunty Cornelius Crowe – brings the jokes like nobody's business. Also on the bill is singer-songwriter Dan Goldensohn, revered by the pre-pre-MTV set for songs like "The Truth about Dinosaurs." 11 a.m.-noon, Randall Museum Theater, 199 Museum Way, S.F. $7. (510) 236-7469, www.thebuddyclub.com. (Eddy)

Jan. 10: Monday

Getting it write In an interview for AsianWeek, author May-lee Chai explains that although Amy Tan opened up a niche for Asian American writers, the Joy Luck Club author's literary legacy has also had a negative effect on what some readers and literary agents expect from such writers. Breaking from the predictable autobiographical route, Chai's latest book, Glamorous Asian, presents challenging and thoughtful essays and short stories about various Asian American identities and experiences. She breaks damaging and restrictive stereotypes and showcases her place and talent as an individual who happens to be an Asian American. 7 p.m., A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness, S.F. Free. (415) 441-6670. (Han)

Jan. 11: Tuesday

Some dreams come true True heroes never really die. Seventy-six years after the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the 'Oakland Celebrates the Dream' festival brings together the East Bay community to keep his memory alive. Former representative Ronald V. Dellums kicks off the fest with a ceremony in front of Oakland City Hall. A celebrated activist in his own right, Dellums speaks on the life of King. Other scholarly and political speakers accent each day of the festival, which also features a film and discussion about Shirley Chisholm, the first African American congresswoman. Events such as a shoreline cleanup, panels on community service, and a health, job, and peace fair invoke King's spirit of social justice. But this is, after all, a celebration, and performances by American Idol contestant LaToya London and the Oakland Jazz Choir lighten the festival's mood. Through Jan. 17. Opening ceremony 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th St. and Broadway, Oakl. Free ("In the Name of Love" concert $6-$20). (510) 444-CITY. Go to www.oaklandnet.com/celebrationsfor a schedule of events. (Leah Freeman)

Don't hang the DJ Female DJ crew Sister S.F. has been giving support and props to Bay Area women DJs and MCs since 1997. Its members have included local favorites like XJS, Siren, Samira, Polywog, Charlotte the Baroness, and Forest Green. The collective offers resources for up-and-coming performers and promotes events and appearances by established artists. Sister S.F. and author Cathy Yardley – whose latest novel, Couch World, focuses on the life of a young female DJ in San Francisco – present a free DJ clinic for those wanting to know what it takes to be a master behind the wheels of steel. Learn about equipment, techniques, tricks, and more from the experts. Who knows? You might be the next star DJ in da club. 7-10 p.m., Norcal DJ and Music Production Academy, Ste. 190W, 600 Townsend, S.F. Free (RSVP required at info@dunamispr.com). www.sistersf.com. (Han)

Jan. 12: Wednesday

Catch 22 Peikwen Cheng surely had plenty of Kodak moments to choose from for 'Through the Eyes of the 22,' his exhibition of color photographs documenting the neighborhoods traversed by and the passengers on the 22 Fillmore bus line. Hands down, I've witnessed, smelled, heard, and ridden next to some of the funniest, weirdest, and funkiest that San Francisco has to offer aboard the 22 – including duck-calling bus drivers, loud talkers, close sitters, vomit- and rain-soaked seats, and a whole cast of riders who'd be perfect material for a sketch comedy routine. It's no surprise Cheng chose the 22: it sprawls from yuppie Marina hangouts and posh Pacific Heights digs, past Japantown and the Fillmore hood, onto the sleazy, sketchy Mission District stretch of 16th Street, and finally, to the newly developing regions of Potrero Hill. It's a perfect slice of San Francisco life on wheels. Through March 26. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (reception Wed/12, 5:30-7:30pm), San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, City Hall, lower level, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., S.F. Free. (415) 554-6080, www.sfacgallery.org. (Han)

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