Soundbites

BENEFIT BASH: Friday, August 8, the Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., sponsors a benefit for Alejandra Aceveda, hosting a barrage of local talent donating their efforts to the cause. Aceveda's friends here in Tucson organized this benefit to help cover the costs of hospitalization, as well as transportation from her village home in Nicaragua to Cuba for a much-needed operation to repair injuries received during Hurricane Juan. Flying debris fractured Aceveda's skull in such a way that spinal fluid continuously leaks from her nose--a painful, life-threatening situation leaving her unable to work. Although unavailable to her in Nicaragua, the operation Aceveda requires is simple, and relatively inexpensive if performed in Cuba (as opposed to the U.S.). Without it, her situation is terminal.

Sound Bites Among the fabulous local talent performing for Aceveda's cause are Al Perry, Honeywagon, James Dead and Doo Rag. DJ Kidd Squidd is offering himself as emcee for the evening, and KXCI and KFMA have both donated air time to the cause.

The cause and the bands should be motivation enough, but if you need more convincing, also consider that this is one of few occasions when you can get drunk and still feel socially responsible. Seriously, though, the show is sure to be a blast and your attendance could positively affect the life of someone else--if at least 200 people attend, and each pays the suggested donation of $5 at the door, Alejandra Aceveda will be on her way to Cuba and restored health. Call 622-8848 for more information.

HOT PICK: A Saturday evening with Bob Log III, BeBe and Serge at The Airport Lounge, 20 E. Pennington St., should see the Lounge returned to a state a bit less starched and more closely resembling the characteristic eclecticism the regular crowd has come love. Last Saturday, super svelte Seattle lounge legends The Nightcaps packed the Airport from stem to stern with a plethora of blank, "cultivated" faces seldom seen there before (come to think of it, some of them may have been there for the Ernie Menehunie show)...and not likely to be seen there again soon. For long moments I thought I was at an airport lounge, perhaps one in Kansas City, or the Twilight Zone.

The band, however, played two fantastic sets and an encore to an audience that grew thinner and livelier with the lateness of the hour. So smooth and professional were they with their nimble series of jazz standards, occasional cheeky cover songs and smattering of originals, it was hard to imagine the individual Nightcap's hardcore heritage. Even so, Tucson's almost-own Phonoroyale has just as much to offer in the way of cool ambiance, if not musical dexterity, and cultivates an audience slightly less...staid.

Speaking of ambiance, the eclectic frivolity and colorful charm downtowners have come to expect underground at The Airport Lounge returns fresh and dirty at 10 p.m. Saturday, August 9, thanks to the zany antics and wacky musical forays of BeBe, Serge and Doo Rag's own Bob Log III. Call 882-0400 for more information.

LAST NOTES: The monsoons are here and the madness continues on the Winsett Park Stage tonight with One Drop, punk rock delivered by the Secret Chiefs, and esteemed veteran singer-songwriter Stefan George. (George has upcoming shows with Anna Duff as Arm and Hammer, so watch for updates in Soundbites). As always, Monsoon Madness showcases start at 7:30 p.m.--provided it's not pouring rain--and are free and open to all.

The Luna Loca, 540 N. Stone Ave., opens its discriminating doors once again to showcase another of the avant garde's (yeah, we used to call it alternative...) better-kept secrets, Dischord Records recording artists Make-Up. A four-piece composed of members from cities on both coasts, formerly in the bands Nation of Ulysses and the Frumpies, Make-Up is known for its frenetic theatricality--it must be seen to be appreciated. Dub Narcotic Sound System opens the all-ages show at 9 p.m. Thursday, August 7. Cover is $5 at the door. Call 882-8848 for more information.

Also on August 7, veterans of NASCAR Circuit stages--I think they may also have played some tractor pulls--Randy Baldwin and Trial By Fire hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. at Jaime's Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave., for a rollicking good time. The band has been humping gear all over the west and northwest in support of their new CD, Feel Good Music, out on, you guessed it, Feel Good Records. Call 634-0233 for more information.

Dr. Hector & the Groove Injectors bring their "juke-jumpin' blues" to The Boondocks Lounge, 3306 N. First Ave., on Saturday, August 9. The Florida-based band has been working that well-beaten blues path for the past nine years, and is currently touring to support their new Kingsnake release, Bad Connection. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door, $5 for TBS members. Call 690-0991 for more information.

Classical guitar fans need mark their calendars for next Thursday, August 14, when Brent Poe performs a recital featuring a wide variety of contemporary Latin guitar works, including pieces by Brouwer, Lauro, Barrios, Sainz de la Maza and Villa Lobos. An award-winning classical guitarist who graduated from Julliard in 1992, Poe has toured worldwide and is currently supporting his latest release, 20th century Latin Guitar Works. Show time is 7:30 p.m. at the PCC Center for the Arts, 2202 W. Anklam Road. Tickets are $5, available at Hear's Music and the PCC West Campus cashier. Call 884-6988 for more information.

The Saint Andrew's Bach Society holds its third concert in an ongoing summer series at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 10, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 545 S. Fifth Ave. Desert Sand, the duo of flautist Sandy Schwoebel and pianist/organist Jeffri Sanders, performs works by composers Isaac Albéniz, Jehan Alain, Feim Ibrahimi, Colin Cowles, Arthur Foote and Lukas Foss. Tickets are $8, discounted $3 for students and seniors. Call 628-8119 for more information. TW

--Lisa Weeks


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