Rock, The Boat

SAT 9/24

An electro-rock/new-wavey dance/art show on a ferryboat? If you had asked me a week ago when acclaimed Bay Area knob-twiddler Blevin Blectum would perform on a three-story Blue & Gold Fleet vessel, I'd have said something about pigs and flying: Never gonna happen. But while I remain convinced of the incompatibility of the porcine and the airborne, "The Boat Show" proves me wrong on that first count, as Blectum joins a slate of other innovators on a three-hour tour. I'm serious! Phase Chancellor with Martin Schmidt of Matmos, light-installation imp Nathalie Roland, and video artists Kendra Juul and Kristin Miltner are some of the other swabs onboard this Whisper Culture production.

Group A dance company should be excellent (and slightly less surprising) company on deck, as the ferry takes passengers past the bridges and islands: One of the troupe's recent stunts involved about 1,000 feet of plastic wrap and Yerba Buena Gardens. More music by rockers the Mall and sample-mad duo miba rounds out the roster. Don't miss the boat at 8 p.m. at Pier 39, Beach & Embarcadero, S.F. Admission is $20-25; call (510) 420-5282 or visit www.whisperculture.com.
-- Hiya Swanhuyser

The Bam Drops
DJ "I was first"

FRI 9/23

It's fairly common knowledge that Afrika Bambaataa was sent here from the future to save us from ourselves. Like many a science-fiction superhero, this hip hop turntable-arts innovator has the big heart, giant brain, and prodigious talent needed to rescue generation after generation from certain suffering, which he began doing in 1982. As the founder of the Zulu Nation group that birthed De La Soul, Queen Latifah, and A Tribe Called Quest, "Bam" has long been known for his excellent taste in music and an unfettered approach to both collaboration -- he's recorded with Johnny Rotten as well as James Brown -- and politics: His contribution to the famous Sun City record is only a small example of his activism, but it's a funky one. See the future at 10 p.m. at the DNA Lounge, 375 11th St. (at Folsom), S.F. Admission is $10; call 626-1409 or visit www.dnalounge.com.
-- Hiya Swanhuyser

Fuck War, Man
Killing is so dorky

SAT 9/24

Most people need to act cool and distant sometimes, like they couldn't care less and aren't too affected by anything. Real ironic and detached, like they're above it all. The Anti-War March is just the opposite, so set your phasers on "I give a shit" for once, and be a warm body against U.S. invasions both formal and casual. If you want, you can show up in dark glasses and pretend you don't even know the march is happening, like you're just along for the ride, checking out the hotties. It starts at 11 a.m. at Dolores Park, Dolores between 18th and 20th streets, S.F. Participation is free; call 821-6545 or visit www.indybay.org.
-- Hiya Swanhuyser

Naked People

SUN 9/25

The Folsom Street Fair: Time to strip down, belt up, and take your twisted nighttime self on a daytime stroll. This leather event draws up to 400,000 people and features more than 20 bands, including Shitting Glitter and the charming Floating Corpses. Bring as many visiting relatives as you can, starting at 11 a.m. on Folsom Street, between Seventh and 12th streets, S.F. Admission is free; visit www.folsomstreetfair.com.
-- Michael Leaverton