The long-awaited grand opening of "Stinky's Peepshow" promises even more than the name might suggest -- if that is possible. Sure, there will be big (and we mean BIG), bodacious, and beautiful go-go dancers who will feast on vats of cocktail weenies between pelvic thrusts. And, of course, stogie-smoking will be encouraged, even demanded, by a staff that is decked out like so many raunchy, good-for-nothing, Johnny Thunderses-in-training -- but these are not the driving forces behind "Stinky's" imminent success, only the fringe benefits. The true grit behind "Stinky's" advent is rock 'n' roll -- pure, unadulterated rock. Considering that San Francisco's musical undergrowth is littered with wimpy, ballsless, pseudo "rock" clubs, "Stinky's" vows to be the die-hard's oasis. No techno, no industrial, no ambient-house-surf-groove will you find here. At "Stinky's," you'll only get the straight shit -- New York Dolls, Black Sabbath, the Runaways, Kiss, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop, the Dead Boys, AC/DC, and the rest. Night crawlers who are cultured, fay, or light of heart need not apply. As promoter Audra Angeli-Morse says, "Rock is white trash." Be proud. The grand opening will feature live music by newcomers Bite (members of Candy Ass and Liar), as well as canned tunes supplied by DJ Paul King. Leave your gun at home, but bring your chew to the Covered Wagon Saloon (how fitting), 917 Folsom, on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 9 p.m. Cover is $5; call 974-1585.
Midnight Voices, a socially conscious hip-hop musical theater group, combines forces with the Bes Children's Educational Theater Company to present 2017 -- Cure/No Cure. The urban musical incorporates dance and theater with Midnight Voices' exemplary raps while clearly exploring the effects of AIDS in the African-American community. The first half of the play introduces characters with and without the virus in real time (1997), and the second half looks ahead 20 years to re-examine these same characters through differing lenses of spiritual, physical, and psychological involvement. 2017 will be musically dynamic but is also meant to be educational and accessible for youth, so bring the kids. There will be three performances at the Buriel Clay Memorial Theater, 762 Fulton: Friday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. Admission for each performance ranges from $5-12.50; call 436-0447. There will also be two student matinees on Friday, Jan. 31, at noon and 3 p.m. as part of the AIDS Awareness Health Fair, an all-day event that will include panel discussions and an information table.
In other socially aware happenings, the San Francisco Groove Fest is celebrating its second year. Once again, Project Open Hand and the San Francisco Food Bank will be the beneficiaries of the event, but those in attendance last year will remember that there is more than goodwill to be offered at Groove Fest II. This year's hip happening includes the funky, soulful groove of What It Is, the hard-core jazz chops of Dig, and the Brazilian-flavored jazz funk of Vivendo de Pao. DJs from Om Records (home of Mushroom Jazz) will be spinning into the early morning hours. Check it out at the King Street Garage (174 King at Third Street) on Friday, Jan. 31, at 9 p.m. Ticket price is $10; call 885-5982.
-- Silke Tudor
foam order.com
