Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2005

TWO YEARS AGO audiences got an intriguing glimpse of Campo Santo's latest theatrical venture/adventure, Domino, during a session of the company's peek-and-speak Open Process Series at Intersection for the Arts. There, company cofounder and writer-performer Sean San José and his artistic collaborators (including actor-musician Tommy Shepherd, vocalist Scheherazade Stone, choreographer-director Erika Schuch, and sculptural and video artist/scenic designer Victor Cartagena) solicited responses from the public to an original cross-disciplinary performance piece weaving language and a buoyant, music-laden mise-en-scène into the most personal of stories. It may sound like a strange path to a depiction of utter solitude and confrontation with death, but hey, that's theater. And after all, the story – a meditation on grief and memory in the life of a man overwhelmed by the loss of a close friend, and based on real events – has an inescapably universal ring. Five years of development went into making Domino's theatrical premiere this weekend at cosponsor Yerba Buena Center for the Arts a particularly anticipated performance – one all the more promising for having some of the Bay Area's most vital and risk-taking talent behind it. Fri/2-Sat/3, 8 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum, 701 Mission, SF. $18-$25. (415) 978-ARTS. (Robert Avila)

Nov. 30

Wednesday

Testy subjects In 1971 professor Philip Zimbardo took a group of graduate students and put them in the roles of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison environment. The Stanford Prison Experiment was supposed to be a two-week project, but it ended after six days due to the very real feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and rage that were experienced in these created roles and imaginary spaces. Artur Zmijewski revisits Zimbardo's experiment in his film Repetition. Instead of grad students, Zmijewski chose unemployed Polish men for his prisoners and guards, filming them with hidden cameras. As in his predecessor's project, the subjects in Repetition took their roles a little too seriously, but this time the experiment ends with a surprising twist. Attend a screening of the documentary to learn what happens, and then attend tonight's lecture by Zimbardo and Zmijewski to hear firsthand what the psychologist and the filmmaker have to say about their work. Lecture 6 p.m., opening reception 7-8:30 p.m., California College of the Arts, Timken Lecture Hall, 1111 Eighth St., SF. Free. (415) 551-9251. Film screens every hour on the hour through Feb. 21. Gallery hours Tues. and Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m., California College of the Arts, Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, Logan Galleries, 1111 Eighth St., SF. (415) 551-9210, www.wattis.org. (Sarah Han)

Dec. 1

Thursday

Split In her artist bio, photographer Kim Pierce admits, "I am green to the San Francisco art scene, and have kept my distance from it, until now." What kept her away from exhibiting her works outside of her own bedroom walls is the same thing that has driven her to finally show them. The 140 paired Polaroid photographs in her solo show 'Bipolaroid' were taken over the past seven years, during which time she was diagnosed and undiagnosed with various mental illnesses. Through her photos Pierce was able to document her life, giving her particular experiences meaning and validity; the images were proof of her sanity. The coupled photos from "Bipolaroids" will be displayed in black Styrofoam meat packages, as well as projected and accompanied at the opening event by a sound sample of Pierce as a toddler. 7 p.m.-midnight, the Clinic, 2801 25th St., SF. Free. clinicsf.com. (Han)

Dec. 2

Friday

Nature abounds If you're a fan of Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, Six Organs of Admittance, or Current 93, you may already be familiar with Rob Fisk's artwork. Currently residing in Oakland, Fisk – who's probably most well-known as a prolific musician and as cofounder of the Free Porcupine Society record label – has created the album art for these artists and many others. His pieces vary from stark, austere silk screens to innocently hope-filled color pastels, but most of his works make some reference to the magic, mysticism, and positive forces of the natural world. 'Nests and Teams' is an exhibit of Fisk's latest drawings and prints. Through Dec. 30. Opening reception tonight (with musical performance by Grouper, Core of the Coalman, and Megaweapon) 7-10 p.m.; gallery hours Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Mama Buzz Gallery, 2318 Telegraph, Oakl. Free. (510) 465-4073. (Han)

Starry, starry night If Angel and Blue Öyster Cult had mated to create a black spandex-clad love child sometime around 1976, that child would have been named Starz. The leadoff track of their 1979 album, Coliseum Rock (Metal Blade), essentially sums up critical attitudes toward them at the time: "So Young, So Bad." But the little girls understood. Sadly, the band broke up in 1980 anyway, only months before Loverboy made it fashionable to be workin' for the weekend. Fans of the latter, lite Mötley Crüe, and early Billy Squier have probably already jizzed on their keyboards upon seeing Web postings about this $5 show. Opening act American Heartbreak supported the New York Dolls at last summer's Fillmore gig, and their brand of Cheap Trick-influenced power pop should not be missed. 9 p.m., Lost and Found Saloon, 1353 Grant, SF. $5. (415) 981-9557. (A. Jacob Metz)

Farewell 'Messiah' Send your vocal chords to a climaxing crescendo on a centuries-old vocal StairMaster this holiday season when the San Francisco Conservatory of Music conducts its annual 'Sing-It-Yourself Messiah.' Armed with 27 harmonious years of tradition and a 3,000-strong choir, this production has become one of the largest and most diverse holiday choruses in the world. Unfortunately, this year will be the last performance at its longtime home of Davies Symphony Hall, marking the end of one of the Bay Area's longest holiday traditions. Diehards, don't despair, though: Handel's masterpiece has persisted for nearly 300 years, has engraved its "Hallelujah" chorus into all our memory banks, and will undoubtedly find a new home. Pre-concert talk 7 p.m.; concert 8 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness, SF. $20-$49. (415) 864-6000. (Forrest Caskey)

Tiny treasures An installation made out of mini marshmallows? A handmade painting that can fit in your pocket? This is just some of the art you might find at the ninth annual 'Postcard Show.' This open invitational showcases 200 pieces from every medium, with one exception: The art can't exceed the size of a sheet of loose-leaf paper. This small-format requirement not only challenges artists to stretch their creativity but also allows the work to be affordably priced, from $1 to $30. Opening reception 6 p.m.; runs Sat/3-Sun/4, noon-5 p.m., the Lab, 2948 16th St., SF. Free. (415) 864-8855, www.thelab.org. (Stephanie Laemoa)

The man between I do not understand Harry Merry. It's not that I haven't tried or that I don't like him. I quite think the idea of a seven-foot-tall Dutch cross between Russell Quan and Wesley Willis is exactly the sort of thing the world needs. It's also the sort of thing one needs to experience live to truly get, although his 2004 album, Well ... Here's Another Nice Mess You've Got Me Into (Tocado), is a good place to start for odd drum-machine and keyboard-heavy pop damage. Harry Merry sings in awkward English: Envision the weirdo pop of Ariel Pink channeled through a foppish aristocrat, and then throw in lyrics like "Bands for the common man pay off their dues, you see? Best for the digestion-supremacy / That's what we swallow up, bringing nonstop ecstasy." Sam Flax Keener, USA for LSD, Talent, and KALX DJ Roscoe 2000 open. 9:30 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, SF. $7. (415) 923-0923. (Also Sun/4, 9 p.m., Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakl. $5. 510-444-6174.) (George Chen)

Dec. 3

Saturday

Pain is good Remember all those painfully embarrassing moments you had in high school and the dramatic screenplays that unfolded in your diary that you swore would never be read by anyone but you? The time has come to expose them ... on the stage! Letting out your innermost emotional horrors can be therapeutic – well, maybe not, but at least you'll get a good laugh from your audience! Can't handle the heat? I guess it's a good thing you're not a star in the new comedic show Mortified. First debuted on NPR's rousing program This American Life, the evening features everyday people reliving their pathetic high school histrionics as they read aloud their most private diary entries, love letters, poems, and locker notes. And get ready for the worst – from heinous sexual experimentation to heartbreaking locker-room rejection, the stars are limited only by the painfully hilarious torments of their youth. Also Mon/5. 7 p.m., Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., SF. $10 (reservations recommended). www.mortified.com. (Justin Yu)

Dec. 4

Sunday

Film fête For the music geek in all of us, Festival is a dream come true. This rarely screened folk music documentary breezes in this week for two days at the Red Vic. Festival director Murray Lerner's cinéma vérité record of the Newport Folk Festival from 1963 to 1966 is a visual and historical treat, featuring vintage performances by Joan Baez, Theodore Bikel, Johnny Cash, Donovan, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Brownie McGhee, and Buffy Sainte-Marie, among others. Notably included is Bob Dylan's 1965 infamous first electric performance, but the highlights are plenty (even if you're not a nerd). Through Mon/5. 7:15 p.m. and 9:25 p.m. (also Sun/4, 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.), Red Vic, 1727 Haight, SF. $8. (415) 668-3994, www.redvicmoviehouse.com. (Lydia Brawner)

This heavy heart Judging by the frequent roster changes of his two bands, Pedro the Lion and the Headphones, it might appear as if David Bazan doesn't play well in groups. In actuality, nothing could be further from the truth. Both bands put on fantastic performances, ones that highlight rhythms and guitar harmonies that aren't as obvious on the records. But the main showstopper has always been Bazan's baritone voice – metronomic and wrought with tension, it leaves the listener feeling unsettled, like how you feel when you fight with a close friend. The best way to understand the music, though, would be to attend one of Bazan's upcoming concerts. On this tour he leaves the kids at home and performs as a solo act. With only the gentle drone of his voice, a few unassuming instruments, and a horde of knuckle-biting lyrics, this show is sure to leave the audience with a heavy heart and a head full of gray swirls. Rosie Thomas and Christian Kiefer kick off the night. 9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, SF. $10. (415) 621-4455. (Yu)

Dec. 5

Monday

A grand sound Using a homemade modular synth (and often not using it), Boston sound artist Jessica Rylan is working on expanding the definition of noise music. Rylan performs under the name Can't, and her music sometimes courts the edges of the tender and confrontational, normally the domain of the folk or country singer, yet she makes it her own. Tonight she plays with a glut of noisy riches including "America's greatest living noise artist" Emil Beaulieu, Brian Miller and Kevin Shields, the Anti-Ear, Take Up Serpents, Complexxx Pyle, and Loachfillet. Phew! 8 p.m., Parkside, 1600 17th St., SF. $7. (415) 503-0393. (Brawner)

Dec. 6

Tuesday

Be right back Since neither Euphone nor Tortoise are touring this week, fans of dark, hip, DC-style instrumentals (think Spy Hunter meets Trans Am meets the new Volkswagen commercials) should check out SF avant-rockers Run Return at 222 Club's Hail and Ride night. The band plays a pre-record release show for its new LP, Metro North (n5MD), in one of the 'Loin's finest basements. Even if you're just ducking in the doorway to escape the conversational vibe of the overly talkative tranny hookers who congregate outside the door, you can't argue that 222 Club's food don't jibe with Run Return's vibe: petite pizzas, solid sangria, and tasty tapas. Get dark and down in the basement with that future rock all the kids like. DJ Theta also performs. Yoko Solo and Circuit 73 open. 8 p.m., 222 Club, 222 Hyde, SF. Free. (415) 440-0222. (Metz)

Dec. 7

Wednesday

Mixed nuts At the marrow, Mixel Pixel sound like the Moldy Peaches incorporating Atari and Commodore 64 sounds as a base block in their nutritional pyramid. The band dates back to 1995; its earliest form was as an exchange of tapes made in bedrooms between friends. The current incarnation of Mixel Pixel, now more public, is music with colorful guitar, lyrics, art, and minty synth, which can be too sweet for those with light stomachs but is an endearing testament to professional amateurism if you have your head cocked at the right angle. Single Frame and Change also perform. 9:30 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, SF. $7. (415) 923-0923. (Sean Patrick Maylone)

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