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Biophilia by Lena Wolff (see intro); Diane Lane in Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (see Fri/10_); Plan 9 from Outer Space poster (see Sat/11); Spinto Band (see Sun/12); Transformers (see Sun/12); Karmen Geï (see Wed/8) TRANSFORMERS PHOTO BY REVEREND MICHEL MARCH 8–14, 2006 ANIMAL CHARM By Johnny Ray HustonI call 'em as I see 'em, and I've seen a lot of local art that seems indebted to the animal and nature imagery of Lena Wolff. I don't think any of those derivative folks render deer, birds, and other beauties with quite the same politicized, light touch, though. Some big-name Mission School graduates might agree. In recent years Wolff has had a show at the SF Arts Commission Gallery, and she and fellow beast master C. Ryder Cooley have collaborated on a show at the LAB, a mural at Clarion Alley, and now another small collection of letters and drawings. BIOPHILIA Through April 9 Reception Sat/11, 6–9 p.m., with music by Cooley and Stormy Night Needles and Pens 483 14th St, SF (415) 255-2534 www.needles-pens.com LOCAL ARTIST: Amy Rathbone TITLE OF PIECE: Thus THE STORY: Working in both two and three dimensions, San Francisco artist Amy Rathbone applies vast spectrums of scale and weight, which helps balance and reveal the less apparent elements. Typical materials used in her installations include wire, ink, and spray paint. Rathbone had a solo show at New York City's Priska C. Juschka Fine Art in January 2006. Ah, '80s teensploitation. You can almost smell the jelly shoes and insolence. WEDNESDAY MARCH 8 FILM "Africa Metropolis Film Series"Flashing a seductive smile that telegraphs her I-love-trouble approach to life, the title character of Karmen Geï romances men and women, escapes jail, disrupts a wedding with an explosive dance-off, and ultimately flames out with all the drama befitting a truly operatic diva. Senegalese director Joseph Gaï Ramaka's vibrant spin on Georges Bizet was a hit at the 2002 San Francisco International Film Festival, and it's back where it's best enjoyed — on the big screen — to kick off the Africa Metropolis Film Series, presented by California Newsreel, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the San Francisco Film Society, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Future films include Fintar o Destino (Dribbling Fate), Fernando Vendrell's Cape Verde–set drama about a middle-aged shopkeeper who reclaims his soccer dreams when he becomes a coach, and, from Gabon, Dolé (Money), about a group of teens whose obsession with cash proves to be their downfall. (Cheryl Eddy) 7:30 p.m. Also April 12, May 10 Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 701 Mission, SF $5–$7 (415) 487-ARTS www.ybca.org MUSIC Jackie-O MotherfuckerSince Jackie-O Motherfucker's inception, the Portland, Ore., collective has executed epic orchestrations that mesh a diverse array of musical genres — art rock, free form jazz, hip-hop, electronic music, and video art cleverly pieced together in experimental compositions that rely heavily on improvisation. Initially a duo, the band has expanded to include the helping hands of over a dozen musicians scattered throughout the United States. Critics have praised J-OM's stylistic adeptness at assembling song structures, and they have garnered a remarkable fan base with jaunts to the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival and tours with Godspeed You Black Emperor! Flags of the Sacred Heart (ATP Recordings) is the J-OM's most solid output since 2000's seminal Fig. 5 (Road Cone) and encompasses stellar arrangements of Americana, a cappella choruses, and spiraling hums. (Chris Sabbath) With Tarentel, Sic Alps 9 p.m. 12 Galaxies 2565 Mission, SF $8 (415) 970-9777 www.12galaxies.com DANCE CLUB Nitevibe's fourth annual DJ DreamTeamThe electronic dance music Web site Nitevibe may have conducted the readers' poll, but its DJ DreamTeam showcase tonight at Club Six might as well have been sponsored by Burning Man. Perpetual playa favorite Lorin (a.k.a. Bassnectar) once again tops the list, and he'll be joined on the decks by other winners with huge followings in the Burning Man world: Smoove, Jondi and Spesh, M3, Laird, Seven, and Mancub. All were among the top 10 finishers in the recent poll. This year Nitevibe has gotten hip to its audience, separating its showcase into two nights rather than one, and sending its clubber favorites (Mark Farina, Miguel Migs, and David Harness) over to Ruby Skye — a venue that many burners don't like — the next night. Rounding out tonight's lineup are two DJs with big burner followings who also finished strong in the poll: Syd Gris and Scott Carrelli. (Steven T. Jones) 9 p.m.–5 a.m. Club Six Also Thurs/9, Ruby Skye 60 Sixth St., SF $15 presale; call for door price (415) 863-1221 www.djdreamteam.com THURSDAY MARCH 9 MUSIC HoneydewSeduction, longing, ferocity, and fragility seep through every note and word that Honeydew play. This bossa nova lounge ensemble, led by songstress-flutist-oboist Amber Lamprecht and guitarist Jordan Hayes, delivers a smooth package of old-world sounds reminiscent of eastern Europe but with a modern twist. Lamprecht provides raw and passionate vocals, a perfect contrast to Hayes's sensitive guitar work, while local percussionist extraordinaire Zach Hash adds tasteful rhythms. Tonight Honeydew lends their talents to Creativity Explored — a nonprofit visual arts center for the developmentally disabled — which is hosting a reception for "Vessels," a collection of artwork focusing on nontraditional, three-dimensional containers. (Eliana Fiore) 7–9 p.m. Creativity Explored 3245 16th St., SF Free (415) 863-2108 www.creativityexplored.org FRIDAY MARCH 10 FILM Punk GrrrlAh, '80s teensploitation. You can almost smell the jelly shoes and insolence. As part of its ongoing "Midnites for Maniacs" series, the Castro Theatre presents three rad nuggets under the rubric of "Punk Grrrl." The 1983 classic Valley Girl is a bit of an odd choice, although the titular tubular chick does fall for a "punk" boy (Nicolas Cage and his triangular chest hair). More appropriate is The Legend of Billie Jean, a tale of a Texas trailer park outlaw (Helen Slater) who becomes a media sensation. Billie Jean mashes Joan of Arc and Bonnie Parker into sheer multiplex magic, but the highlight of the evening is an ultrarare screening of Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains, a faux-gritty exposé of a Runaways-style girl group. This is the last-known print in existence, so see it now before it becomes as tattered as star Diane Lane's ripped leotards. (Michelle Devereaux) 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., midnight Castro Theatre 429 Castro, SF $10 for all three films (415) 621-6120 www.castrotheatre.com SATURDAY MARCH 11 THEATER Juan Gelion Dances for the SunBetween The Passion and the president, evangelicals are having a very good early 21st century. But what would happen if a new messiah appeared — and he didn't happen to share their conservative ideas? Dominic Orlando's Juan Gelion Dances for the Sun — presented in its world premiere by Crowded Fire Theater Company — asks this question, as well as others that crop up along the way: So, what is it like to date a dude who can perform miracles? Count on Crowded Fire to deliver its trademark brand of thought-provoking, expertly performed entertainment under the sure hand of artistic director Rebecca Novick. (Eddy) Previews Sat/11, Mon/13, and March 16–17, 8 p.m.; opens March 18, 8 p.m. Runs Thurs.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Through April 8. Traveling Jewish Theatre 470 Florida, SF $18–$30 FILM Ed Wood Film Festival"Our newly released Orgy of the Dead will be a pleasant surprise," Edward D. Wood Jr. writes in his memoir, Hollywood Rat Race. "It was filmed using exciting color." Sadly, Orgy isn't part of the Castro Theatre's Ed Wood Film Festival, but surely Ed would be happy to hear that his undisputed masterpiece, Plan 9 from Outer Space, will be screening in an "exciting" color print for the very first time. Thrill to the richly hued ochres of the cardboard headstones! Delight in the romantic azure of Tor Johnson's suit jacket! Swoon over the deep, uh, blacks of Vampira's gown! Well, hopefully the aliens are green or something. Tonight's opening promises to be a "wild red carpet affair" featuring stars from the film ("subject to availability," but you've gotta figure if they're not already dead, they're probably available). Let the grave robbing commence! (Devereaux) 7 p.m. Also Sun/12, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. Castro Theatre 429 Castro, SF $9 (415) 621-6120 SUNDAY MARCH 12 MUSIC Spinto BandWhen I first heard the song "Oh Mandy" by the Spinto Band, it never occurred to me that the six members of the band barely have 100 years of living between them. Though their ages range from 18 to 22, the Spinto Band's talent defies the numbers. Nick Krill's nearly indecipherable falsetto vocals are at times reminiscent of the range and complexity of those of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's Alec Ounsworth, while the upbeat and unabashedly catchy stylings of the Spinto Band's Nice and Nicely Done (Bar/None Records) are a delicate blend of Franz Ferdinand's dance flair and the quirky charm of Architecture in Helsinki. Local lovelies Minipop, with their own special recipe of saccharine pop that will leave you wanting seconds, open tonight's show. (Jenny Miyasaki) With Minipop 9 p.m. Cafe du Nord 2170 Market, SF $10 (415) 861-5016 QUEER PERFORMANCE "Cirque du So Gay"For many, the words Harry Potter drag will no doubt be sufficient inspiration to leave the house for a new semiregular night of queer performance at Oakland's Bench and Bar. But the promoters of "Cirque du So Gay" — local drag troupe (and three-time Best of the Bay winners) the Transformers — have gathered together a host of magically queer talent to perform alongside the sure-to-be-enchanting Hogwarts Express. Boston-based drag king crooner Heywood Wakefield and fellow out-of-towner the Cuntessa, a satirist and "crotch puppeteer" from Philadelphia, stop off in Oakland as part of their national "I'll Show You Mine" tour. And sharing the stage with them are those dancin' fools the Transformers as well as local political dragsters the Citizen Kings. (Lynn Rapoport) 9 p.m. Bench and Bar 2111 Franklin, Oakl. $5-$10; no one turned away for lack of funds (510) 444-2266 MONDAY MARCH 13 AUTHOR READING Third 2006 Progressive ReadingAt February's "Progressive Reading Series," Tobias Wolff delivered a tale of obituary writing gone awry, and Jonathan Ames sent his audience rushing home to "sit like hens" on their lovers' faces. If that evening was any indication, tonight's rendition of author Stephen Elliott's monthly literary salon supporting progressive congressional candidates should provide a provocative blend of the ruminative and the ribald. Ever considered a career in backward running? Joshua Davis tells of his forays into the world's most unusual competitions. Ever wonder how Beth Lissick treads the line between strap-on sex and strap-in stroller? Find out — she'll be reading from her memoir. Also filling the bill are poet Geoffrey Brock, gay activist Kirk Read, and short-story writer Julie Orringer. Proceeds support the Fighting Dems, a group of Iraq war veterans running for elected office. (Caitlin Van Dusen) 7 p.m. Make-Out Room 3225 22nd St., SF $10–$20 sliding scale ($30 includes a copy of the political fiction anthology Stumbling and Raging) (415) 647-2888 The Guardian listings deadline is two weeks prior to our Wednesday publication date. To submit an item for consideration, please include the title of the event, a brief description of the event, date and time, venue name, street address (listing cross streets only isn't sufficient), city, telephone number readers can call for more information, telephone number for media, and admission costs. Send information to Listings, the Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., SF, CA 94107; fax to (415) 487-2506; or e-mail (paste press release into e-mail body — no text attachments, please) to listings@sfbg.com. We cannot guarantee the return of photos, but enclosing an SASE helps. Digital photos may be submitted in jpeg format; the image must be at least 240 dpi and four inches by six inches in size. We regret we cannot accept listings over the phone.
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