WED Wed. 6/4 Calla and Radio 4 The slow-burn of Callas ...
Calla and Radio 4
The slow-burn of Calla's stage show usually reduces crowds to happy silence as Aurelio Valle murmurs in a search for rapture (but not the Rapture because they're lame), and the band plays songs that evoke being awake way too late on a sticky summer night. Meanwhile, Radio 4's punk-tinged, politically minded dance party simultaneously extols and rails against the state of our city. What else could this all add up to but the CD release show for the new Yes New York compilation, an album featuring 16 bands partying like it's 1979, moping and rocking, waiting for the sun to shine? With the Rogers Sisters. Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery & Chrystie St.). 212-533-2111, 9 p.m., $12.
Water
With all the recent rain, and the city's reservoirs effectively full, New Yorkers have little cause to think about water scarcity. Storeowners clean sidewalks with a hose, fountains gush and we regard dripping faucets as something for the super to deal with next month. Elsewhere, water is a precious and limited resource. Rebellions have already broken out, notably in Bolivia, as companies seek to privatize access to this most basic commodity. How long will it be before a war is fought over it? Raise your awareness on this rising crisis of the new century at The Privatization of Water from Johannesburg to Jersey City. Brecht Forum, 122 W. 27th St., 10th fl. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-242-4201, 7:30, $6-$10 suggested donation.
Thur. 6/5
Arrested Development
Pop quiz. Which of the following was not an Arrested Development Song: "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss," "Tennessee" or "People Everyday"? The answer is A. "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" was by P.M. Dawn, who together with Arrested Development is probably the least hip hiphop group ever. Which isn't to say they don't put on a great show. The horseshoe-throwing crew is still touring with their afro-centric and uniquely melodic rap-like music that may be the only excuse you have to wear your big black, red and green Africa necklace and dashiki. Also one of the only children-friendly shows in rap. B.B. King Blues Club, 237 W. 42nd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-997-4144, 8, $23, $20 adv.
Fri. 6/6
Mini Kiss
Any four jokers with grease-paint can form a Kiss tribute band. So how does one rise head and shoulders above the rest? How can one quartet reach new heights? Grow to great stature in a field of mediocre talents? Well, playing music that doesn't suck is a good start, but that's not really the point, is it? Mini Kiss shifts the make-up, hack-rock paradigm twice: 1. They're kabuki karaoke, meaning that they sing along to backing tracks and 2. Their love guns are snub-nosed: they're midgets. Infra-Red Lounge, 210 Rivington Street, (betw. Ridge & Pitt Sts.) 212-254-5043, 10, $5.
Sat. 6/7
THEEYE
A lot of bad horror gets hyped by sensitive film festival attendees who don't know anything about the genre's cliches. Then there's The Eye, which even the wimpiest critic could recognize as a mix of 70s made-for-tv movies and The Sixth Sense. It's also an eerie tale filled with subtle imagery and outright gore?plus an intrusive soundtrack worthy of Italian prog-horror heroes Goblin. Detailing the plot would only discourage the film's true audience, but no horror fan will want to miss this one. And bragging rights are at stake, because the crappy Hollywood remake is already on the way. (See review on p. 41.) Angelika Film Center, 18 W. Houston St. (Mercer St.), 212-995-2000, $10. Call for times.
World/Inferno Friendship Society
There are those of us here who enjoy the World/Inferno Friendship Society, and also those of us who enjoy the Terrorsex Cabaret. What could be better, we ask, than both on the same night? Cabaret punks World/Inferno are possibly the highest-energy band with an accordion player ever, and they've got a great sense of humor to boot. Also on hand will be Skeleton Key, the eclectic Thomas Truax and, of course, MC and man-about-the-scene DJ Professor Jeff. It's not rock, techno or hip-hop, but it is more action than you deserve on a Sunday night. At Luxx, 256 Grand St. (betw. Driggs Ave. & Roebling St.), Williamsburg, 718-599-1000, 8, $9.
The Headhunters
The bass loop in the Headhunters' "Chameleon" is a landmark riff in the history of electronic music. It splattered wet chunks of fusion all over a popular audience for the first time and provided the backbone for one of the funkiest instrumental tracks ever written. Thanks to the Hudson River Park Trust, you can see the Headhunters play for free tonight down by the Hudson River waterfront. They're supported by dub/jazz/funk act Topaz and the Latin funk band Radio Mundial. There are worse things to do tonight than find your way down to Pier 54 for this gratis open-air show. 13th St. (West Side Highway), 212-375-9285, 5 to 9, free.
Mon. 6/9
Erich Bergen
Oh, the woes of the locker room! The endless pleading with Mom and Dad for the car keys and a later curfew! The tension of being both immature and hormonally charged! Being 17 was pretty tough, come to think of it. Cabaret prodigy Erich Bergen knows people are going to look askance at his debut, ?So Far, in which he sings about his experiences to date. Before they pass judgment, they should go hear him lay out his impressive skills. And maybe they should also spend a day back in high school, too, just to remember how awful it was. Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-757-0788, 10, $10, 2 drink min.
Tues. 6/10
American Power
The talk of the week. Sponsored by the Nation, the Economist, WNYC and the New York Society for Ethical Culture, "America's Role in the World?Protector or Predator?" will focus on the meaning and shape of American power in the coming century. The participants: Nation editor Katrina Vanden Heuvel and Economist editor Bill Emmott, with WNYC host Brian Lehrer moderating. Subjects to be discussed: The future of the U.N., Iraq, Israel and the Palestinians, and whatever else people ask from the floor. At the historic meeting house of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th St. (betw. Central Park West & B'way), 212-874-5210, 7:30, free.
Bingo!
Everyone foolish enough to have ever taken a cruise to, say, the Caribbean because it was, say, a honeymoon gift from the in-laws knows that the best way to pass the time among the suburban empty-nesters is to hit the Bingo room whenever possible. (Either that or sample the round-the-clock buffets?but there's only so many midnight omelettes a body can handle.) It's a great way to gamble and spend time with kindly grandmother types. Tonight?and every Tuesday?head out to Blue Lady Lounge, the best bar in Williamsburg, for two hours of "goodbye teens," "duck and dives" and "dirty gerties." The key to this Bingo night is the distinct lack of Williamsburg types: You'll most likely find yourself competing against owner Lou's aunts who live in the neighborhood. 769 Metropolitan Ave. (betw. Graham Ave. & Humboldt St.), 718-218-6997, 7-9, free.
Contributors: Adam Bulger, Mallory Jensen, Jim Knipfel, Jeff Koyen, J.R. Taylor, Ned Vizzini, Andy Wang, Alexander Zaitchik.