8 Days a Week

Nov. 23-30, 2005

NOW THAT THEIR excitement over the de Young Museum has simmered down a bit, art fans can direct their attention to the newest kid on the block: the Museum of the African Diaspora, which has its official opening Dec. 6 but beckons the curious with a free community preview this Saturday. Built into the first three floors of the sparkling new St. Regis Hotel (and located conveniently near the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, at Mission and Third Streets), the MoAD highlights artists from Cuba, Brazil, Kenya, Mali, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, and the United States – and that's just in its two inaugural exhibitions of contemporary works. "Linkages and Themes in the African Diaspora: Selections from the Collections of Eileen Harris Norton and Peter Norton" contains 39 pieces (including photographs, paintings, video art, and more) on loan from the noted American collectors. "Dispersed: African Legacy/New World Reality" features specially commissioned works by Maria Magdalena Compos-Pons, Mildred Howard, and Marepe. MoAD also opens with "Made in Africa," a display of ancient stone tools. Free community preview Sat/26, noon-5 p.m. Official opening Dec. 3 (hours Mon., Wed., and Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.), Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission, SF. $7-$12. (415) 358-7219, www.moadsf.org. (Cheryl Eddy)

Nov. 23

Wednesday

Keeping tradition Anyone who's spent dawn of Thanksgiving morning on Alcatraz Island knows how history and context contribute to the sheer power of tradition when a dispossessed people perform a native dance. There's a similar vitality in the debke folk dance, as performed by Palestinian youth of the Dheisheh refugee camp, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Now third- and fourth-generation refugees, children make up most of this deeply impoverished, all-too-typical one-square-kilometer camp's 11,000 people, cut off from the native villages and lives of their grandparents (once farmers) and the rest of the world. Since 1993, however, the internationally touring dance troupe Ibdaa (which in Arabic means "to make something out of nothing") has kept the stories and histories of their families alive in their expressive rural dances, a creative and joyful assertion of cultural identity that speaks volumes on behalf of the Palestinian people, and peace, at home and abroad. 7 p.m., Brava Theater Center, 2789 24th St., SF. (Also Sat/26, 7 p.m., King Middle School Auditorium, 1781 Rose, Berk.) $15-$25. www.mecaforpeace.org/IbdaaNational.html. (Robert Avila)

Nov. 24

Thursday

November spawned a monster For some, the idea of Thanksgiving without a turkey dinner is unimaginable. But for those in the non-meat-eating camp – including Morrissey, my favorite swoonworthy vegetarian – it's even more unthinkable that we celebrate a holiday by feasting on the flesh of an animal. Whether or not you agree with Moz that eating meat is "death for no reason, and death for no reason is murder," you can still dance to his music at popscene's fifth annual Smiths and Morrissey tribute event: 'Meat Is Murder.' So reel around the dance floor. Or have an authentic Smiths night where you go and you stand on your own, and you leave on your own, and you go home and you cry and you want to die. Yay. Smiths cover band This Charming Man performs. 10 p.m.-2 a.m., 330 Ritch, SF. $5-$8. (415) 541-9574. (Sarah Han)

Nov. 25

Friday

Sick with a smirk The 2002 release of Movies for the Blind, the first album by German-born Chris Palko, a.k.a. Cage, rocked the underground hip-hop community as a daring stab at the confines of human interaction. The recovering mental patient has a taste for the explicit – some of his lyrics describe his intricate plans to kill his stepfather and turn the gun on himself. Not to mention all the songs that describe his former attempts to end his own life. You might think that Cage would be shunned by his colleagues and booed by his listeners for these raw and brazen diatribes, but Cage has garnered so much respect from his peers that he put off the follow-up to his first LP and instead contributed his vocals to several of his friends' albums (including a benchmark team-up with fellow underground rapper Camu Tao of Mhz). That is, until now. His latest jam, Hell's Winter, out now on Def Jux, proves that Cage is definitely still at the top of his game. Camu Tao, Slow Suicide Stimulus, and the legendary Aesop Rock complete the evening. 10 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., SF. $12. (415) 621-4455. (Justin Yu)

Nov. 26

Saturday

Days of new Ever since their first record came out, in '92, Lagwagon has been a favorite of the underground surf and skate punk scenes, grinding and dropping in with songs aggressive and fast enough to shred to, yet tuneful enough to easily implant melodies in your head that you could hum after setting your deck or board down. After dealing with the untimely death of their friend and original drummer, Derrick Plourde, earlier this year, the band is back with the very aptly titled Resolve (Fat Wreck Chords), a collection of successfully therapeutic writing and recording sessions. Songs like "Runs in the Family," "Sad Astronaut," and the moving title track are full of reflections on their departed comrade, frustrations, raw emotions, and unanswered questions, making for a powerful and poignant document. The Lawrence Arms also perform tonight and Sun/27; SetOff plays tonight only. Also Sun/27. 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Sunday), Slim's, 333 11th St., SF. $16. (415) 255-0333. (Sean McCourt)

Not leftovers I hear that laughter is actually really good for burning calories. So if you're feeling less than healthy after Thanksgiving, why not get some good belly laughs in lieu of boring old exercise? The Turkey Sandwich Comedy Show at the Purple Onion is the perfect way to deal with your Thanksgiving excesses. Four hot San Francisco comics – Boston Comedy Competition winner Ryan Stout, up-and-comer John Hoogasian, "psychotic kindergarten teacher" Drennon Davis, and actor-comedian Nathan Cozzolino – showcase what's fresh and funny. 9 p.m., Purple Onion, 140 Columbus, SF. $10. (415) 956-1653, www.purpleonioncomedy.com. (Lydia Brawner)

Nov. 27

Sunday

Catch that chicken! Believe it or not, some people actually run for fun. And as it turns out, a group of these strange footpushers have been getting together for the past 21 years on Thanksgiving weekend to pay their unique mark of respect to the oddball cartoons of Gary Larson. Named in honor of his kooky comic strip "The Far Side," this year's Run to the Far Side XXI will continue the 5K and 10K runs through Golden Gate Park. And if you happen to see a group of giant chickens running through your drum circle today, don't call the SPCA – racers are encouraged to dress up as Larson's colorful characters, which include cows, chickens, squid, and even cavemen. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the top-10 most creative costumes in the postrace contest. Online registration and more information about the event can be found at the race Web site. 8:30 a.m., Golden Gate Park, East Middle, across the street from the California Academy of Sciences construction site, SF. $35. www.rhodyco.com/farside05.html. (Yu)

Nov. 28

Monday

Shaggy ones If you've ever read a review of the Super Furry Animals, the writer probably designated the band's style within one or two of several categories: psych, pop, rock, folk, and electronica. What you should know is that all of these categories would be right, as the UK quintet is a colorful and varied group that dabbles in each of these genres. Lyrically, SFA are just as weird and fun as their melodies; their songs are chock-full of inside jokes, funny references to Welsh culture, and wordplay on Welsh and English words. Electronica artist Caribou (formerly Manitoba) opens. 8 p.m., Fillmore, 1805 Geary, SF. $20. (415) 346-6000. (Sean Patrick Maylone)

Winged avengers Remember how the Moving Units EP quickly snowballed them into NY and SF notoriety? Here's the scoop on the "next big thing": Birdmonster. With only a short three-song self-released EP, Birdmonster's early Modest Mouse-influenced sound is causing stirs among the SF underground elite. Their early incarnation was as an instrumental group, but vocalist Peter Arcuni stepped up and brought his mood-altering croons to the plate. Sometimes screamy and other times soothing, Arcuni's style dips and turns in sync with the band's bold guitars. Tiptoeing on the fringe of popularity, Birdmonster's delicate laments will soon be featured on the iPods of every hipster in town. Scissors for Lefty coheadline. 9:30 p.m., Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market, SF. $6. (415) 861-5016. (Yu)

Nov. 29

Tuesday

Warm and fuzzy Oh Japanther, how I love thee. The stripped-down masters of posi-punk can get a dance party going at full speed at the drop of a drumbeat and a shout through a microphone fashioned out of a telephone receiver. Their catchy, anthemic songs, garnished with radio and movie samples and whale songs, revel in good times and good feelings. It's simple stuff, but simple's never a bad thing if it makes you happy. Believe me, it'll only take one Japanther show before you'll be declaring your heartfelt devotion to the Brooklyn duo. Get to the show early for knob-twiddlin' techno with SF favorites Eats Tapes. 9:30 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, SF. $6. (415) 923-0923. (Han)

Nov. 30

Wednesday

On the go The clubs are thick with dance punk lately, thick enough to stand a fork in them, which makes the bands that play the angular, jagged music with spirit even more valuable. Gogogo Airheart isisis San Diego's contribution to the fold. Borrowing heavily from '70 and '80s rock ancestry, some may say the nearly decade-old band may be a good replacement for those feeling the overwhelming sense of loss from the demise of like-minded art punks the Make-Up. Gogogo Airheart will set fire to your socks and then maybe launch a few slow jams to cool your jets, using a toolbox full of horns, organ, keyboards, and other instruments to get the job done. 9 p.m. Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., SF. $6. (415) 621-4455. (Maylone)

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