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[whitespace] Fugazi

Fugazi in the raw.

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Instrument

Imagine a parallel universe where a band like Fugazi would get the Behind The Music treatment on cable TV. For the band whose politics informs every aspect of making music - from selfdistribution to exclusively playing benefit shows - a VH1 documentary about them would have to pay a lot of attention to the radical personalities of frontmen Ian McKaye and Guy Picciotto and their DIY model. Thankfully Fugazi will probably never be on VH1. Instead, there is a filmmaker who does with images what Fugazi does with notes. Jem Cohen's Instrument uses Super8, 16mm, and video peppered with light flares on film burnouts and static lores pixels to give a portrait of the Washington D.C. hardcore band that's as dirgey and ecstatic as the their amazing live shows. In the film McKaye says, "yes, we are a political band, but first and foremost, we are a band and we like to play," and the film sees their intense, sweaty performances foregoing song structure to indulge in making noises and improvising off each other. A video sequence of McKaye and Picciotto fielding the haltingly recited questions of a painfully nervous 8thgrader at a suburban D.C. middle school ("What does 'Fugazi' mean?") offsets the reason why Fugazi and Cohen are great artists: they have a message, sure, but what they really want is for you to feel the raw power of every note and the distressed beauty of every frame.

Sat/15, 11:15pm. Fine Arts Cinema. 2451 Shattuck, Berk. $5. 848.1183; www.fineartscinema.com. (PC)


Goapele

Local songbird Goapele performs
at Collective Soul.


Collective Soul 2nd Anniversary

It's hard to believe that it has only been two years since the first Collective Soul party hit the La Peña stage. Goapele was still trying out songs from her now widely successful album Closer, Bamuthi was on the verge of becoming a prominent voice in the spoken word scene, Company of Prophets and Crossroads were still keeping it on the real tip, and DJ Namane and the Local 1200 crew were really starting to shake things up on the ones and twos. Since 2000, Collective Soul has been supporting rising voices and skills in the local community by bringing together artists, musicians, vocalists, DJ's, and spoken word artists and giving them a platform through which to showcase their talents. So, if you have yet to see what all the hype's about, this celebration of "collective souls" is not to be missed. Goapele is expected to lay down favorite cuts from her first album with special guest Pep Love of the Hieroglyphics, while Digital Underground's DJ Fuze and DJ Namane of the Local 1200 rock the beats.

Sat/15, 8:30pm doors, 9pm show. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berk. $8-$13. 8492568 ext. 20; www.lapena.org. (CS)


5th Annual BBQ, Beer, and Blues Fest

The three Bs--barbeque, beer, and blues. Need I say more? Throw all three together at a fourblock festival in Jack London this weekend, and we have an East Bay tradition. Last year thousands of people came out for the fest that harks back to Oakland's long history of great blues, back to 7th Street's un official "Blues Alley," and celebrates Juneteenth in style. Produced by three Oaklandoriginal institutions, Everett & Jones Barbeque, Brothers Brewing Company (the first and only African American owned brewery in the US), and D'Wayne Wiggins's (ori ginally of Tony, Toni, Tone) Grass Roots Entertainment. The allday celebration features live music, food and craft booths, and children's activities. Headlining on the main stage are Bobby Womack ("If you think you're lonely now, wait until tonight, girl"), Little Milton ("The blues is alright"), and D'Wayne Wiggins. Also appearing are Barbara Dane, Jesse James, and Gwen Avery and the Blues Sistahs, among many others. All net proceeds go straight back into the community benefiting Oakland non profits including the Children's Hospital and the Lovelife Foundation. Add to altruism a wine garden, all the beer you can drink, and weather forecasts in the 80s, you just can't go wrong.

Sat/15, 11am-6pm. 2nd and Broadway, near Jack London Square, Oakl. $10-$20. 663.7668; ticketweb.com. (EP)


Picks by Peter Crimmins (PC), Erica Pedersen (EP), and Cicely Sweed (CS).

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From the June 12-18, 2002 issue of Oakland's Urbanview.

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