8 Days a Week

May 18-25, 2005

WEAR YOUR HAWAIIAN print shirt and tip your Wild Turkey in commemoration of the legendary gonzo journalist at 'A Tribute to Hunter S. Thompson: Colleagues, Friends and Fans,' presented by the San Francisco Public Library and Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. Thompson's life was as diverse as his work, which ranged from sports columns to stream-of-consciousness pieces. He befriended people from seemingly different worlds, such as former president Richard Nixon (which only happened later in his life) and Hell's Angel Sonny Barger. Thompson was the kind of investigative journalist who bedded hookers and dropped acid so you didn't have to, proving that journalism is very rarely objective. Former Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres, Thompson's former editor and friend Alan Rinzler, and others eulogize and share their tales of the gun-totting, cigarette filter-holding prankster. Jack Nicholson won't be there to share the time Thompson tried to deliver an elk's heart to his home, but you and other fans can share your fondest memories and thoughts about the infamous author. Sun/22, 1 p.m., San Francisco Public Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin, S.F. Free. (415) 626-7500, www.friendssfpl.org. (Jana Rogers)

May 18 - Wednesday

Wicker man Korean-born Los Angeles artist Youn Woo Chaa learned about rattan fiber work during a yearlong residency in the Amazon. The Brazilian Tukano Indians not only taught him how to weave reeds together but also schooled him in the whole art-making process, including harvesting the aruma plants from which the reeds are made. Chaa weaves his rattan into contemporary fiber portraits – ones that look like highly pixelated photographs taken with a lo-res digital camera. While his works are modern, they stress the importance of the materials and techniques he uses, ones that are deeply rooted in indigenous art and culture. Chaa is one of 15 artists in "Spiritus Mundi," an exhibition that's part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival and that explores how artists interact with and are influenced by nature. Through June 12. Opening reception Sat/21, 6-9 p.m.; gallery hours Fri.-Sat., noon-7 p.m., Lola Gallery, 2517 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 401-6800, www.lolabrown.com. (Sarah Han)

May 19 - Thursday

Still crazy Japan's Boredoms have made noise for nearly 20 years, but dramatically different kinds of noise, from the chaotic destruction of their early days to the avant-psychedelic compositions of their latest release, Seadrum/House of Sun (Vice). "Seadrum" and "House of Sun" are beautiful, intricate explorations clocking in at more than 20 minutes apiece. Twenty years, 20-minute songs, only five cities on their North American tour, currently three drummers, and one frontperson named Eye – whether you've been a fan since their big stateside breakthrough at Lollapalooza '95 or since their tour with Sonic Youth; you dig their side projects, including Naked City (with John Zorn), Ruins, and Free Kitten (with Kim Gordon); or you're just curious about what the hell a Boredoms show would look like these days, check it out. What's missing in hilarious chaos (like 1992's "I Am Cola," which features "Coke is it!" screamed between frantic guitar segments) will surely be made up for in ... actually, I have no idea what. But I can't wait to find out. Rubber () Cement also play. 9 p.m., Independent, 628 Divisadero, S.F. $20. (415) 771-1421. (Katje Richstatter)

May 20 - Friday

On beat To celebrate the DVD release of Freestyle: Art of Rhyme, Kevin Fitzgerald's documentary about underground improvisational hip-hop artists, True Skool presents 'Fresh,' a showcase of performances by emerging hip-hop artists. Human beat machine Radio Active, who appears in Freestyle, throws it down as well on film as he does onstage. The Bay Area's Co-Deez, with DJ TD Camp, add their brand of blue-collar hip-hop to the party, and radio star Raw B comes through to lock things down. Oakland's Unified School District, featuring DJ Ecto One and SuperUgly, open. And of course, it just wouldn't be a San Francisco party without Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist and Coop D'ville spinning classics between sets. 10 p.m., Elbo Room, 647 Valencia, S.F. $10. (415) 552-7788, www.true-skool.org. (Jana Rogers)

What's buggin'? Drummer Will Bernard brings together the original members of San Francisco's funkiest groove band, Motherbug. Bernard joins Wil Blades (Hammond B3 organ) and Joe Cohen (saxophone) to bring Motherbug's message that anything goes. This powerhouse of musicians, who incorporate their diverse musical influences, gets the funk coursing through fans' veins; you'll be on your feet shaking your booty until two in the morning. Crowd favorite DJ Tobiwan warms up the dance floor with funk and rare house beats. 9:30 p.m., Boom Boom Room, 1601 Fillmore, S.F. $10. (415) 673-8000. (Rogers)

Framed! Ah, the woods are dark, deep, and dangerous, and likewise, the path to the A-Frames' new super-aggro, Amphetamine Reptile-nostalgic full-length, Black Forest (Sub Pop), is a twisted one. And that's not just because the Seattle trio were originally called Bent Sinister. The Blind, the Un-Natural Helpers, the Intelligence, the Dipers – whatev; just don't take their precious "the" away from them. These days the members are as divided as ever: under the moniker Intelligence Vs. Karate Party, the A-Frames recently put out a split 7-inch with the Coachwhips on Omnibus. This time around they resurrect three tunes from their Black Forest sessions. Word from the band (and their historian) is that the single is delightfully thick and substantial. New York City's Sightings also play, doubling your harsh pleasure. 9:30 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, S.F. $8. (415) 923-0923. (Kimberly Chun)

May 21 - Saturday

Bible bash After all the education budget cuts made by President George W. Bush and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Festival of Saints Kiril and Metody must feel like sweet relief to teachers. This Bulgarian holiday celebrates art and culture and honors St. Kiril and St. Metody, monks who invented the Cyrillic alphabet and translated the Bible into the Slavonic language. The event begins with children weaving flowers into garlands, which are placed on top of images of the saints. After singing the traditional hymn "Vurvi Narode Vazrodeni," spectators spend the rest of the night dancing as Nestinari, the Bebelekov Family, Edessa, Rumen Shopov, Kitka, Trio Popmu, the Slavonian Traveling Band, and the Westwind International Folk Ensemble perform. The hungry and thirsty can buy Bulgarian delicacies and drinks. 7 p.m., Croatian American Cultural Center, 60 Onondaga, S.F. $15, free for students and children. (510) 649-0941, www.slavonicweb.org. (Alex K. Fong)

Digital reality When he's not digging into culty topics like the maybe real, maybe fake 1969 moon landing, local filmmaker Aron Ranen – whose Power and Control: LSD in the 60s screened at the recent San Francisco Independent Film Festival – runs DVworkshops, a Mission District school that teaches digital filmmaking at affordable prices. One of his students is 70-year-old breast cancer survivor Vivi Wiitala, whose new documentary, Bosom Buddies, compiles insights about the disease – everything from alternative treatments to dealing with family members' reactions – drawn from interviews with 14 other survivors. Wiitala shows a trailer for her work at tonight's benefit, which also features live music; with the proceeds, Wiitala hopes to share free copies of her informative film with women across the country. 8 p.m.-2 a.m., DVworkshops, 442 Shotwell, S.F. $5-$50 sliding scale. (415) 810-5934, www.dvworkshops.com. (Cheryl Eddy)

May 22 - Sunday

Stuck on you Incorporating strains of early new wave and pop-fueled punk into a sonic compound that's flexible yet retains a definite cohesiveness and strength, Portland, Ore.'s Epoxies thrive on fiery and powerful vocals propelled by crunchy guitars, a punchy rhythm section, and electrifying synthesizers aplenty. On their just-released sophomore record, Stop the Future (Fat Wreck Chords), the quintet pump uranium-enriched energy into songs like "Robot Man," "This Day," and "It's You," which ought to send today's new wave wannabes running back to their TV sets to curl up in front of their favorite episode of I Love the '80s and cry. The Groovie Ghoulies open. 8 p.m., DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., S.F. $8. (415) 626-1409. (Sean McCourt)

May 23 - Monday

International sounds Instead of ending their 20th season with a program of works by young, up-and-coming composers, San Francisco new chamber music ensemble Earplay performs pieces by five elder statesmen from around the world during "Earplay 20: Concert No. 3." The show, part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival, features the world premiere of Vintage Renaissance and Beyond, by William Kraft, and the first U.S. performance of Chinese composer Wang Xi-Lin's Quartet op. 41. Music by British composer Jonathan Harvey and Americans Richard Festinger and Olly Wilson round out the show. Listeners can expect moments of pure, unadulterated beauty. Preconcert talk 7:15 p.m.; concert 8 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum, 701 Mission, S.F. $10-$20. (415) 978-2787. (Fong)

May 24 - Tuesday

Ahoy! He's sketched portraits of Margo Tenenbaum and charted the perilous terrain of Rushmore Academy. Now Eric Chase Anderson breaks away from the imaginary world of his brother, film director Wes Anderson, with Chuck Dugan Is AWOL, his own "novel with maps." The story of an adventure-seeking, eye patch-wearing teenage Navy cadet, Chuck Dugan features treasure hunting, an archenemy known as "the Admiral," deep-sea diving, and plenty of quirky intrigue; as promised, its pages also contain maps, diagrams, and helpfully annotated illustrations (a bathroom floor plan with arrows pointing to a rubber duck and "concealed pistol," for example). With effusive jacket blurbs from Owen Wilson and Michael Chabon, not to mention Anderson's family ties, it's no surprise Hollywood has already deemed Chuck Dugan seaworthy – Anderson's set to adapt his book for the big screen. Salute the author this week at a pair of local appearances. 7 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight, S.F. Free. (415) 863-8688. (Also May 25, 7:30 p.m., Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl. Free. 510-653-9965.) (Eddy)

All aboard Jazz-pop vocalists Manhattan Transfer make a stop in San Francisco to take part in SFJazz's annual spring season showcase. The quartet's tremendous drive and lineup changes have made their three-decade-long journey a lesson in patience and evolution. But the pay off is worth it; they have nearly 30 albums to their credit and numerous Grammy Awards to boot. Manhattan Transfer's carefree spirit and playful incorporation of jazz, pop, and doo-wop have won the loyalty of fans across the globe. Tonight, they perform old favorites and new Latin- and jazz-inspired tracks from their upcoming album, Vibrate (Telarc). 7:30 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness, S.F. $24-$44. (415) 392-4400, www.sfjazz.org. (Rogers)

Dancing about Architecture Picture an Arcade Fire gone to seed – and weird – in the wilds of Australia. Fitzroy, Melbourne, ensemble Architecture in Helsinki aren't quite as tuneful as that Fire up north, but they do design a mean sonic structure, judging from their rambly, new indie pop album, In Case We Die (Bar None). The eightsome of multi-instrumentalists manage to drag everything but the washer-dryer onto this album, including Farfisa, melodica, sundry guitars, vibes, steel drums, tuba, marimba, flute, clarinet, theremin, sitar, musical saw, harmonica, and "hand and power tools." Remarkably, it's as light and airy as fresh laundry. Loose in the Wild also play. 9 p.m., Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 Fourth St., S.F. $8. (415) 546-6300. (Also May 25, 8 p.m., Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market, S.F. $13. 415-861-5016.) (Chun)

May 25 - Wednesday

We care a lot The camaraderie felt among skaters is real stuff, and it's apparent in the amount of props they give each other on the streets and in support of their artistic endeavors off their boards, which often go hand in hand. So it's no surprise that there's been a lot of anticipation in the skate community for the release of John Lucero's latest effort, Who Cares: The Duane Peters Story, a documentary focusing on '80s pro skater Duane Peters. Without the sensationalism of True Hollywood Story, but with the grit and frankness of a veritable tell-all, Who Cares reveals the highs and lows of Peters's time on the professional circuit, as a musician, and with his lifetime struggle with drugs and alcohol. Who Cares screens tonight, accompanied by musical performances by local punk favorites the Grannies and Hightower, and a book signing by Keith Hamm. 8:30 p.m., Elbo Room, 647 Valencia, S.F. $5. (415) 552-7788. (Han)