San Francisco Bay Guardian


Appleseed Cast - Chris Crisci’s 14-year old band has produced eight albums, dabbled in about as many different genres, and has a revolving-door lineup that would exhaust any frontperson. But Crisci shows no signs of tiring. In fact, the lyrics for the band’s most recent album, this year’s Illumination Ritual, were written over the course of three nights, between the hours of midnight and 4am. Though the band’s career has arced from its oldschool emo beginnings, the vespertine Illumination Ritual gets back to its moody roots. With a fresh lineup and a nostalgic new sound, the Appleseed Cast’s tender instrumentals and Crisci’s earnest vocals have never sounded so good. 
8:30pm, $14. Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., SF. (415) 626-4455, www.bottomofthehill.com

Information Technology Talk -It is often assumed that the advancement of technology will solve all of humankind’s problems, but is this really the case? One of today’s most respected cyber-philosophers Evgeny Morozov doesn’t think so. Join him tonight as he discusses what might happen if we continue on our path away from the natural imperfections of human life and toward a mechanically reliant age. 
7-8pm, $15. World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter, SF, www.worldaffairs.org





Big Boi - Any lingering notions of Big Boi as the “conventional” half of legendary Atlanta hip-hop duo Outkast should be dispelled by his two solo albums, including his most recent effort Viscious Lies and Dangerous Rumors released last November. Aided by cameos from Phantogram and Little Dragon in “Viscious”, Big Boi dives into rock guitars, female vocalists, and electronic bass to present a fearless, kaleidoscopic vision of rap. 8:30pm, $35. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, SF. (415) 625-8880, www.mezzaninesf.com


ArtPad - Here’s an idea for a surrealist film: enter one hotel room and find metal hands that respond to their viewers, enter another and find a strange light sculpture, then cut to a performance of synchronized swimming team in a pool in the courtyard. This is no film plot, but a description of ArtPad, the arts fair that will take over the entire Phoenix Hotel for three days. With galleries from the Bay Area filling every room with experimental exhibitions while food, drink, and performances contribute to the festive vibe, the event promises to be surreally epic. Through May 19, $25-$40. Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy, SF. www.artpadsf.com





Fun Times with Friends -So you’ve been to a stand-up show before. But have you been to a stand-up show with free cake? Fun Time with Friends (FTWF) aptly summarizes the event as something like “a comedy show crashing a party, or a party crashing a comedy show.” As this is the premiere FTWF event, its hilarious founders will take to the stage. These include: Ron Chapman, Aly Jones, Scott Simpson, and Brandon Stokes. 
8pm, $10. Lost Weekend Video, 1034 Valencia, SF. www.lostweekendvideo.com

Dale Eadnhardt Jr. Jr. - On its albums, the Detroit duo of Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein alternate between aw-shucks folksiness and the party-hearty synth-and-rock of MGMT and Phoenix. While firmly rooted in the here and now, DEJJ has shown respect to its musical inspirations with covers of classics by Madonna and the Beach Boys. The duo paid homage to Gil-Scott Heron with a shimmering, upbeat take on his funk classic “We Almost Lost Detroit,” resplendent with a video showcasing authentic locals and establishments from the Motor City. 
9pm, $16. Independent, 628 Divisadero, SF. (415) 771-1421, www.theindependentsf.com





The Whole Enchihuahua - Be warned: your cuteness tolerance is going to be tested this afternoon. The third annual Whole Enchihuahua, a canine filled afternoon organized to bring awareness to the large percentage of Chihuahuas in shelters, will consist of a doggie fashion show, adoptable animals, free dental checks for your pup, and food trucks (serving up people food, although we all know what darlihg four-legged friend is going to get your scraps). Noon-3pm, free. Dolores Park, SF. www.sfspca.org

Disappears - A 16-minute song has to do a lot of work to keep its listeners invested, but the Disappears’ “Kone”, off of the band’s April EP, is compelling because it doesn't seem to make too much of an effort. An experiment in Kraut and psych-rock, the song harkens back to the very beginnings of proto-punk; though it involves less muddy intensity, it recalls those stretches in some Velvet Underground songs that don’t feel the need to arrive anywhere, but simply relish the ride. And isn’t that the aim of any good concert? It certainly will be at tonight's.

With LENZ and the Tambo Rays, 10pm, $12. Bottom of the Hill, 2183 Mission, SF. www.bottomofthehill.com





Gothic Tropic - For a band that has released so little music -- only the 2011 EP Awesome Problems -- Gothic Tropic has developed a sense of itself. Part of it is frontperson Cecilia Della Peruti’s tendency to perform shoeless so as not to restrict her dance moves. Another aspect arises in her nickname for the trio, “the Sacred Three.” The primary feature though, is the band's sound. As its name suggests, Gothic Tropics plays sunny and exotic psych-pop tinted with some grit and darkness, and it plays it well. See the band in all of it’s fully-formed glory.
9pm, $10. Brick and Mortar, 1710 Mission, SF. (415) 800-8782, www.brickandmortarmusic.com

Amgen Tour of California 2013 -Whether you are a cycle-to-work or cycle-across-the-country kind of biker, the Amgen Tour of California is sure to stir up some motivation within your little cycle-loving skull. Competitors will be biking down from Santa Rose to cross the finish line of the 750-mile California coast race. Where’s the best place to watch? We advise snagging a spot on the Golden Gate Bridge, which will be closed to cars during the event.

8:15am-noon, free. Marina Green, Marina and Fillmore, SF. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com




Eve Ensler - KPFA Radio, Code Pink, and Pegasus Books present “Eve Ensler: In the Body of the World”, hosted by Erica Bridgeman. Internationally renowned playwright, author and activist Eve Ensler is the founder of V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls. Ensler will discuss her memoir, In the Body of the World, which takes readers through her personal history of sexual abuse, her travels to the Congo, her diagnosis with cervical cancer, and her reflections on the resilience of humanity. 
7:30pm, $35 advance/$38 at the door. First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakl.www.brownpapertickets.com

Daughter - London-based trio Daughter brings its wistful soul-searching sensibility to the stage for free at Amoeba Records today. Daughter's debut album If You Leave showcases the group's signature ethereal sound and songwriting skills, which at first listen sounds contemplative, but a second go-round will lend your ears haunting lyrics but full of melodic soul. 
6pm, free. Amoeba Records, 1855 Haight, SF. (415) 831-1200, www.amoeba.com







Feast of Words - Scarf down some literature amongst friends and food at this monthly literary feast. Tonight’s special guest will be Andrew Lam, author of Birds of Paradise Lost. Grab a plate of homemade goodies, take part in writing exercises led by Lam, and share your on-the-spot writing for a chance to be entered in a drawing for edibles, books, and other great excuses to pick up the pen. 
6:30pm, $5 with potluck dish or $12 at the door. SOMArts Cultural Center 934 Brannan, SF, feastofwords.eventbrite.com

”Eating Nose-to-Tail: The Whole Animal Movement” - Unsatisfied with the growing gaps along the whole food production chain, farmers, butchers and chefs have banded together under the whole animal movement, which emphasizes using every part of a beastie for preparation and consumption. At this talk, four of the Bay Area’s meat authorities slice into how the movement stresses conservation and connects local producers, preparers and eaters. After the talk, Dave the Butcher gives a whole animal butchery lesson while diners delve into delectables at the Ferry Building, with proceeds going to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture. 
With Chris Corsentino, Ryan Farr, John Fink, and Tia Harrison. 6:30pm program $12-$20; 8pm butchering demo, $80-$100. Commonwealth Club, 95 Market, SF. (415) 597-6700, www.commonwealthclub.org