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Here she comes, she's a man-eater. Urban Guide Listings to plan your week by 'Medea' Don't push this Colchian princess. She's absolutely psychotic, making Freud's neurotic turn-of-the-century ladies look downright demure. In the 431BC play by Euripides, Scorpio sun-sign Medea gives her love and dark magic to Jason, helping him steal the fabled golden fleece. Grateful, he ditches her, marries a Corinthian heiress to power, and banishes Medea and their two sons from his new kingdom. The revenge that ensues is a potent, maniacal force that questions the meaning of war, retribution, and gender in a way that has kept the play hot for centuries (I won't say what she did to the sons she bore Jason). Russell Blackwood directs a slightly modernized 1947 version that emphasizes the psychological angst of its characters' obsessions. The Greek revival-style UC Theatre acoustically and visually suits the Shotgun Players' intense pre-Grecian and art-deco imagined production. Don Seaver's original music for reed piano underscores the hormonal excitement. There're two pay-what-you-can previews this Thursday and Friday. April 25-June 1. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. The Old UC Movie Theatre, 2036 University, Berk. $10-$25. (EP) Across The Sky The cosmic sounds of the Kevin Keller Trio will launch into space this week at the Chabot Space and Science Center. The trio is composed of cellist Tania Simoncelli, bassist Mark Fassett, and keyboardist Kevin Keller. The evening show, Across the Sky (named for the band's new album), will combine acoustic and electronic sounds that transmit a dreamlike aura, plus a state-of-the-art visual production. This album has also allowed Keller to incorporate more dance into his music, who has already collaborated with choreographer and performer of a solo aerial dance piece, Cherie Carson. The future of music/dance collaboration continues to look bright for Keller, with talk under way about perfor-ming a full-scale production with the Diablo Ballet. This evening's unique experience of sound and vision that is tied to the expansive world of technology is just the beginning. Fri/26, 8pm. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline, Oakl. $12-$15. 336.7300; www.chabotspace.org. (GS) 'Never Been to California' Tour Got fire? Burn the man. Burn him down -- or at least take an opportunity to get hyped about it. This Saturday, disciples of Black Rock and Burning Man acting as ambassadors of good will and (dis)-orientation invite you to the Stork Club. The "Never Been to California" tour wants to party with you when they roll into town. The line up consists of Sons of Gerlach, The Chief Megashear Project, The Hokum Boys, Duke Gunnar, Vorpal Madness, with video by Justino & Copek, audio by X10, and lights by Fillmore veteran T. Scott Sayre. Expect tight rhythms, strange sounds, and kids running around with bullhorns. Expect moments of extreme fun. Expect the unexpected. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes. Fri/26,10pm. Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakl. $5. 534.9713. (CB) Deep breath, Lisa Hayle Right To Breathe This Sunday local webzine/ musicians' resource Voice is Venom hosts the Right to Breathe benefit at The Stork Club. The event will raise funds for local music legend Jayde, who has been performing pow-erful acoustic rock in the Bay Area for the past ten years. Jayde's been dealing with severe respiratory issues and was recently hospitalized. Since she has always rolled her sleeves up and pitched in for the local music community, the local music community is now asking for folks to dig into their pockets and help her out. If you can't breathe, you certainly can't sing, let alone work. Jayde's friends in the scene responded in full force, promising to deliver an exciting Sunday full of rock and roll. Right to Breathe represents the best of the Bay Area music community and shows that rock stars are all heart. This is an all-day event featuring performers Lisa Hayle, Ralph Spight of Victim's Family, Short Wave Rocket, Bad Karma, Breast, inViolet, John the Baker, Jimmy Jack, Miss Conduct, Whore, Forcing Bloom, Girl George, and others. A minimum donation of five dollars is requested. Sun/28, 4pm-1am. Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakl. $5 donation. 534.9713; www.voiceisvenom.com. (AS) Picks by Corey Best (CB), Erica Pedersen (EP), Gabriel Serpa (GS), and Annie Sydney (AS). [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]