WED Wed. 7/16 David Lindsay: Uncrated Its the end of the ...
David Lindsay: Uncrated
It's the end of the box for Art Crating, Inc.'s group show at Spike Gallery, and they're celebrating in fine, weird style. Taking his cue from all-over-the-place figures like artist Gerard Richter and musician John Zorn, New York Press writer David Lindsay tonight pushes beyond the eclectic, pulling out a whole new voice from his latest book, Pilot, a hard-to-describe explosion of commercialspeak with lyrical flights and ominous pools in the shadows. Also appearing will be Matthew Gardiner, who'll sing art songs in a whole bunch of languages. Unique entertainment at its most free, tonight should attract a most interesting selection of folks. 547 W. 20th St. (11th Ave.), 212-627-4100, 7, free.
Thurs. 7/17
Prepare for the Unexpected
Does that midget next to you on the train strike you as just the type of person who might be toting around a baggie full of smallpox? And what about the guy with the backpack? Convinced he's carrying a homemade H-bomb? Are you the kind of person who calls 911 whenever you find suspicious crumbs at the diner?just in case? What in the hell would you do if it ever turned out you were finally right? If journalists and government officials have you too scared to leave the bathroom for fear of what might happen today, you'll want to check out the Red Cross' oxymoronically titled Prepare for the Unexpected, during which you can try conning yourself into believing you'd actually be the epitome of cool reason and readiness in the face of an emergency. That's worth something, we guess. American Red Cross, 150 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 66th & 67th Sts.), 212-875-2168, 6:15, free.
Fri. 7/18
Stephen Malkmus
Back in the halcyon days of the go-go 90s, Stephen Malkmus was the only one who laughed at our jokes when they were all so bad on Pavement's Slanted and Enchanted, the alt-rock Music from the Big Pink. His solo work sort of smacks of failure of nerve and lack of inspiration, but peaks enough to make most complaints seem like petty bitching. He's bringing his slow-burning singer/songwriter shtick to the Prospect Park Bandshell. Last time we caught the Jicks, Stevie's girlfriend was onstage with him, Linda McCartneying it up behind a mic that was turned off. No word if she's penciled in for this show, but for three beans, it's worth seeing if she shows up. 9th St. (Prospect Park West), Park Slope, 718-855-7882, 7:30, $3 don.
The Syndicate
Tired of the Donna's sugar-coated muppet rock masquerading as the true soul of wild-girl music? Then jump out of the beanbag and run to see Le Tigre's pissed-off step daughters The Syndicate at Meow Mix. Their radical politics are in your face like hot breath and the sound could blow your tennis socks right off, so hold on to the railing real tight. Filtering jazz, blues, country and hip hop through loud punk rock and a strong DIY sensibility, the four members of the Syndicate act as organizers, activists and artists. All at the same time. 269 E. Houston St. (Suffolk St.), 212-307-7171, 9, $5.
Sat. 7/19
Tron
There's something about watching outdated computer sci-fi flicks. Matthew Broderick presses
Sun. 7/20
De La Guarda Cast-Aways
What Sunday night would be complete without some Argentinian acrobatics? With De La Guarda set to close August 24, the off-Broadway cast will be making special appearances every Sunday through August 10 at De La Guarda Cast-Aways, a lower-key show that gives you a little music, some theater and a few somersaults. Or you can pray. Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (Bleecker St.), 212-614-0505, 9, $5.
Mon. 7/21
Levon Helm & the Barn Burners
The Weight is over. Levon Helm, drummer of the Band, is back and giving up the goods for free in Battery Park. Levon started his career playing country-fried r&b then switched to rock 'n' roll after seeing Elvis Presley in concert. Playing with little Bobby Zimmerman's first electric experiment and the Band, his fingerprints mark up some of the most down-home tracks to ever hit the pop charts. He got booed off the stage backing Dylan at the 1965 Newport Festival, suffered the suicide of bandmate Richard Manuel and has had to put up with Robbie Robertson for years now?it's clearly time to cut the man some slack. Battery Park City, Wagner Park Battery Pl. (West St.), 212-267-9700, 6, free.
Tom Wopat
In a perfect world, James Lipton would open an episode of Inside the Actors Studio saying, "Tom Wopat: Actor, musician, entertainer?Duke brother. Can any imagine our lives without him? The thrill of watching the boys elude corrupt, sycophantic sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, the nail-biting suspense of the General Lee in flight during a commercial break. A good ol' boy, never meaning no harm, indeed. Unless harm means tears of joy and the discomfort of getting caught in the talons of an epic. And tonight he teaches the world to sing." It's not gonna happen any time soon, but you can feast from Wopat's musical mutton tonight at the Bottom Line. Bring your anti-mesh hat weapon and everything should be just fine and dandy. Antonio Bennett opens. 15 W. 4th St., (Mercer St.) 212-228-6300, 7:30 & 10:30, $25.
Tues. 7/22
Jonathan Van Meter
Good readers will remember that we reviewed Jonathan Van Meter's The Last Good Time: Skinny D'Amato, the Notorious 500 Club, & the Rise and Fall of Atlantic City last week. Who's Paul "Skinny" D'Amato? According to our review, "D'Amato was the epitome of cool. He knew how to hold a cigarette, knew how to work a room, knew enough to give Joe DiMaggio his own table. He was not a mobster but had the mob's respect; he was a close friend of Sinatra's?" Interesting shit, right? Go to the reading and learn more. And next time we tell you something about a book, pay attention. Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227, 7, free.
Contributors: Adam Bulger, Art Janik, Jim Knipfel, Dan Migdal, Andy Wang and Alexander Zaitchik.