WED 14
Once upon a time, grizzled old cowpoke movie actor Sam Elliott was a blazing young stud. In Daniel Petrie’s mostly forgotten 1976 flick Lifeguard, Elliott’s character Rick has the ideal setup for a single guy, keeping watch over a beach full of babes while romancing both Kathleen Quinlan and Anne Archer. But puzzlingly, Rick is dissatisfied. That’s where SF author and movie host Jacques Boyreau comes in. The Werepad man’s new book, The Male Mystique (Chronicle), uses ’70s-era magazine ads aimed at swinging modern men as a taking-off point for his pithy, arch commentary. Ask the irrepressible Boyreau to explain the mysterious mystique, tonight at 7:30 at the Pacific Film Archive, after he introduces Lifeguard. Info: BAMPFA.Berkeley.edu — Kelly Vance
THU 15
Sick of the daily grind? Had it with fighting your way through hellacious traffic and jumping through hoops for the boss while trying to pay off endless bills for unneeded possessions? Is life riding you like a jackass? Then take it easy, podner. You have Al Gini‘s permission. Gini, a philosophy professor at Loyola University in Chicago and cofounder of Business Ethics Quarterly, provides a logical set of excuses for “dozing, gazing, and goofing off,” in a lecture this evening (7:30 p.m.) at Claeys Lounge in Soda Center on the campus of Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, titled The Importance of Being Lazy: In Praise of Play, Leisure, and Vacations. All in favor, remain seated. The talk is free and open to the public. 1928 Saint Mary’s Rd., Moraga. 925-631-4000 or StMarys-CA.edu — Kelly Vance
FRI 16
Goddamn it. Sound on Survival describes its sound as “a rabid bat in a winding jack-in-the-box, popping up for coveted oxygen. Inebriation is on the horizon, in their loins, fermenting now.” That doesn’t leave us with a whole lot of room for description, now, does it? Well, let’s just add that all that loin-ripened intoxication may not be so good on long car rides, so the trio will probably be driving with the windows down on its forthcoming tour across the country. The ecstatic free-jazz combo — saxophonist Marco Eneidi, bass player Lisle Ellis, and drummer Peter Valsamis — kicks off its six-week jaunt tonight at 21 Grand, 449B 23rd St., Oakland at 9 p.m., and then heads eastward, returning for a Hemlock Tavern show at the end of May. Catch ’em while they’re fresh (and clean). Admission is on a sliding scale, $6-$10. — Stefanie Kalem
SAT 17
Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom, the 2001 full-length debut by Oakland singer and rapper Mystic, was a triumph of stylish substance over insubstantial style, a manifesto of self-reliance, introspection, and sheer moxie. When her album was reissued by DreamWorks later that year, Mystic stood out like a sore, socially conscious thumb in the hoochie-mama milieu that is most of mainstream hip-hop, and was rewarded for her vision by a Grammy nomination. What’s she been doing since then? Beats us. But I’m sure she’ll let you know at her show at the Shattuck Down Low tonight (2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley) with fellow Oaklandsters live hip-hop outfit Jahi and the Life, and DJ Icewater manning the decks. Doors are at 9:30 p.m., and tickets cost $12 before 11 p.m., $15 after. 510-548-1159. 21 and up. — Stefanie Kalem
SUN 18
Outdoor Sunday brunch with jazz is the order of the day today at the Berkeley High School Jazz Gala, a benefit bash at the Berkeley Rep (2025 Addison St.) for the renowned high-school musical program. Downtown Restaurant provides the food, there’s a silent auction, and Berkeley High’s Jazz Ensemble, the Lab Band, and various small combos play outdoors and on the Rep’s Roda Theatre stage. The fun begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs till 3. Tickets: $40 general, $25 kids under twelve from 510-527-8245. And be sure to pick up the Jazz Ensemble’s new CD, Jazz Emissaries, with tunes recorded on tour as well as at Berkeley’s own Fantasy Studios. For more info: BerkeleyHighJazz.org — Kelly Vance
MON 19
“The remarkable thing about television,” T.S. Eliot said, “is that it permits several million people to laugh at the same joke and still feel lonely.” Yep, it’s that time of year again — TV-Turnoff Week starts today and stretches a-a-allll the way to Sunday, the 25th. So step away from the surreality shows, high-concept cable soap operas, and talking-head cavalcades, and pick up a book. Or a magazine. Or the car keys. We here in the Calendar section make it our job to get you out in the East Bay every week, and today, we implore you to take our advice. Granted, today is Monday, and there really isn’t much going on. But, hey, isn’t there someone you can call and catch up with? A restaurant you’ve been meaning to try? Well, here’s your chance. Oh, and visit TVTurnoff.org for more info (and some disturbing facts about American television habits). — Stefanie Kalem
TUE 20
On 420.com, Steven Hager speculates that the smokers’ code for weed entered the lexicon as early as 1971, when a group of stoned San Rafael high-school students called the “Waldos” met after school, at 4:20, natch — and the name spread via Deadhead culture and High Times magazine. Now it’s ubiquitous, as in the Oakland 420 Fest 2004, a celebration of “smart stoners” today, 4/20, from 4 p.m. to midnight at the Oakland Box, 1928 Telegraph Ave. The fest is hosted by T-Kash of KPFA 94.1 FM, with musical interludes by reggae singer Vision Walker of the Wailers, hip-hop act Felonious, jazz and hip-hop vocalist Nonameko with Carlos Mena, and Filipino punk band Eskapo. Also spoken word poets, a Miss Oaksterdam 2004 Pageant, and prizes. Did you mention munchies? There’s a free food buffet until 5:30. Proceeds from 420 Fest benefit the Oakland Cannabis Initiative. To learn more, visit TaxandRegulate.com — Kelly Vance
