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They beat, they blow. Urban Guide Listings to plan your week by Extra Action Marching Band, Drums and Tuba Get ready for musical mayhem and wild shenanigans that push the boundaries of what's what. This Friday at the Starry Plough the Bay Area's own Extra Action Marching Band in conjunction with Drums and Tuba will perform for your listening pleasure. The Extra Action Marching Band, comprised of 35 members, started with the concept of a traditional marching band only to completely subvert it. Enjoy their contagious beats, brass-band melodies, and very unique vision of pom-pom girls and flag team. Steeped knee-deep in rhythm, Drums and Tuba (Righteous Babe Records) also explore new musical territory. They utilize guitar, drum, tuba, and live sampling to create some serious grooves that will move your body. You owe it to yourself to check this show out. Fri/29, 9:30pm. Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck, Berk. $7. 841.2082. (CB) Sia Amma's on a treasure hunt. 10th Annual Cleopatra's Ball Has anybody seen my clitoris? Well, before you all start looking for it, you should see the one-woman play on the topic. Written and performed by Sia Amma, In Search of My Clitoris heads off to Broadway after this Bay Area stint. Amma will be celebrating Women's History Month with more than 20 prolific and talented California artists at the 10th annual Cleopatra's Ball. In addition to dance, music, and slam performances, there will be an open mic for women and those who love them. The ball's ultimate goal is to have an International Women's Day celebration that incorporates the costume flair of Halloween, the love and affection of Valentine's Day, the spirit of independence of the Fourth of July, and the merriment and altruism of Christmas and Kwanzaa! Wed/27, 7-10pm. La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; Thurs/28, 5pm reception; 7-10pm performance. Cafe de la Paz (reception), 1600 Shattuck, Berk. Cafe 1428 (performance), 1428 Alice, Oakl. (AL) Don't call it a comeback. Harry Connick, Jr. and His Big Band Harry Connick, Jr. isn't making a comeback; it just feels that way. In 1989, the megabucks When Harry Met Sally soundtrack vaulted Connick from jazz obscurity into the pop stratosphere. He's reaped the rewards as he moonlighted in Hollywood, married a Victoria's Secret model, and lined his walls with gold and platinum records. But somewhere along the way, an under- current of backlash developed, whispered words about that pretty boy who sang in that Rob Reiner movie, the VH1 Sinatra who made N'awlins-inflected, Rat Pack-infested Preservation Hall retro-pop for hausfraus. Still, acces-sibility isn't a crime if the arrangements are handsome, too. 2001 brought the one-two punch of Songs I Heard and 30, albums that relish a playful diversity -- musicals, garish pop hits, movie soundtracks -- in addition to jazz repertoire. He plays it even more loosely on stage. Connick gives a rousing big band treatment to unlikely numbers such as "Supercalifragilisticexpia- lidocious" and "Ding Dong, The Witch is Dead!" He dances around and chats up the audience. Yet he never hogs the show, giving generous time for top-notch guitar, sax, and drums, plus the wailing, swinging brass improvisations of trombonist Lucien Barbarin and trumpeter Leroy Jones. Dressed in simple black, Connick doesn't need the squirrely, nutty costumes of the jump 'n' jive set when he's got a voice and band this good. Wed/27, 8pm. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakl. $29.50-$65.75. 465.6400; www.paramounttheatre.com. (JM) Reggae Massive Oasis throws all types of parties. If you're the dancing type, it is imperative that you check out this week's Reggae Massive with some local flavor on the turntables. The evening's tunes will be turned over to Namane of the (((Local 1200))) crew and Shortkut of Beat Junkies sound, plus a handful of other DJ's will keep the party moving. And if you're not in the mood to get on the dance floor under the stars make your way inside to the restaurant for some delicious Ethiopian cuisine. Sat/30, 9:30pm. Club Oasis, 135 12th St., Oakl. 763.0404. (GS) Picks by Corey Best (CB), Aimee Le Duc (AL), Jim Magary (JM), and Gabriel Serpa (GS). [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]