Billy, Do Be a Hero

It's abundantly clear what Reverend Billy & the Stop Big Boxes Gospel Choir are against. On the off chance you're confused, the good reverend's house of worship is called the Church of Stop Shopping. Now that we've got that cleared up, let's see what this charismatic faux man of the cloth and his chorusing crusaders are for.

Dietmar Post

Hallelujah! Billy strikes again.

Details

Starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 24

Admission is $10

621-6120

www.revbil ly.com

Castro Theatre, 429 Castro (near Market), S.F.

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• Reverend Billy
• Jimmy Swaggart
• Food and Cooking
• Coffee

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The mermaid's nipples, for one. In his fight against what many have called Starbucks' rapacious business practices, Billy (a character created by actor Bill Talen) has pointed out that the coffee company's mermaid logo was once anatomically correct, but at some point lost two important bits. This is exactly the sort of detail -- seemingly silly, yet ultimately meaningful -- upon which Billy sermonizes at length, appearing in what he calls "right-wing duds with a left-wing message." Catch him and you'll see a blond Jimmy Swaggart pompadour, a gleaming white jacket, and the all-important priest's collar. "Put the odd back in God!" he's known to bellow, standing on a tabletop in one of the earth-toned cappuccino emporiums. Meanwhile, robes swaying, voices lifted to the heavens, the members of Billy's choir put the preacher in his proper context -- and confuse the heck out of people with their hands around gingerbread lattes.

What else is this group in favor of? In his book What Should I Do If Reverend Billy Is in My Store? (its title based on an interior Starbucks memo), Talen champions creative impulses, historical awareness, and friendly neighborhoods. It isn't explicitly stated that the Church of Stop Shopping wants us all to smile at strangers more often, but it's strongly inferred. Phrases like "a sensual and peopled life" and "100 per cent fair trade espresso roast Peace Coffee" describe the world as Billy would like to see it; the church also advocates for old buildings, good jokes, and bird-watching. With the exception of the coffee, none of the above is available at retail outlets.