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Urban Guide Listings to plan your week by Freaky sprite Cindy Wonderful acquaints us with the finer points of pleasure. The International Terrorism Tour's Pleasure Principle Cindy Wonderful, the flamboyant lead performer of all-girl Denver band Rainbow Sugar (now rumored to be defunct) answers her cell phone yelling through static and background cacophony that sounds like a drunk circus band, complete with crashing toy piano. She can't hear attempts by callers to identify themselves, excuses herself to turn the music down, and returns laughing. "Ha Ha! Fooled you! This is my voice mail. Please leave a message." If this micro-performance is in any way representative of the act in store Thursday night, 21 Grand is slated to host a surprising, devilishly fun evening. Last sighted at Ladyfest (in Superman underwear?), Cindy Wonderful will appear with Romantic Retard Nation and The Human Jukebox as part of their "International Terrorism Tour," "because terror equals fear, people fear what they don't know, people don't know pleasure, we are here to acquaint you." Cindy Wonderful uses rap, dance, and visuals (video art, smoke, and bubbles are mentioned) in her performance, while Romantic Retard Nation goes downbeat with "smooth, romantic, mellow jams." The Human Jukebox mysteriously specializes in stepping up beat-boxing and Party Jams to a freaky new level. Local hip-hop/electronica song-and-dance mavens Robosapien will join the melee. 21 Grand is committed to providing cheap, all-ages shows, so anyone with a vested interest in winning the war against mediocrity and boredom should unite to party with this convention-defying act. Thurs/19, 9:00 pm. 21 Grand, 449B 23rd St., btwn. Telegraph and Broadway, Oakl. $8. 444-7263. (MW) Prophets of Rage prophesize about a Puerto Rico Libre for the "Grito de Lares" fundraiser. Back to the Future Two unrelated events in Oakland this week show that past and present are arbitrary distinctions when it comes to underdogdom. On one hand, you've got Arjuna, a maestro of throat singing (vocally producing more than one tone at a time), dramatically retelling the haunting story of Ishi, surviving member of California's Yahi Indian tribe who spent his life's close with anthropologists at the UC Anthro Museum in San Francisco. Using Yahi myths and chants (catalogued for prosperity with the help of Ishi from 1911 to 1916), Arjuna will resurrect the dispossessed tone of Ishi's last days with his percussion-accompanied performance, "Dancing Song of Dead People in Other Worlds." On the other hand, a Native American Health Center sponsored event will highlight the more prescient struggle in Vieques, Puerto Rico, the site of Columbus's magnanimous step of ill-repute, with a fundraiser, "Grito de Lares" (Cry of the Dollar). Comite' 98 for a Free Puerto Rico has lined up the Prophets of Rage, Piri Thomas, and the grupo folklórico, Paulé, for a night of politically charged hip hop and hip swingin' bomba music to raise awareness about present-day inequities on Christopher Colonialist's old stomping grounds. From century's dawn to century's dawn, the same story unfolds with different players, and Oakland's got something to say about it. 'Dancing Song of Dead People in Other Worlds." Fri20/-Sat/21, 8pm. TUVA Space. 3192 Adeline, Oakl. $10. 655.9755; "Grito de Lares." Sun/22, 5:30pm-8:30pm. The Black Box. 1728 Telegraph, Oakl. 398.5660. (EP) DJ Zeph shows his skillz on the tables. Pass the Peas With the full moon working a collective vibe in Pisces on the autumnal equinox the time has come to party in the change of seasons and give thanks for what's been harvested. The Smartbeats crew are feeling that tip on the real. Known for rockin' Bay Area clubs with a gumbo pot of down tempo, deep house, hip hop, soul, funk, roots, and dub, this group of West Coast DJ's and booty shakers are truly dedicated to keeping the spirit of the groove alive and know damn well that it takes a community to bring down a dance floor. Join them this Saturday when they pack two floors with a full-blown, ass-to-the-ground, foot-stompin', body-shakin' experience. Downstairs, in the jukejoint, the "jus a taste of urban skills" hip-hop-poet-dancers get the party in motion while Rashidi Omari (of Company of Prophets) works his skills on the turntables and Tim'm T. West (of the Deep Dickollective) has his way with the mic. Groovement pulls in the funk vibe with a live jam session, then the original "breakbuilders," DJ Zeph and DJ Imperial have it out in a rhythmic battle on four turntables. If you wanna get busy on the hardwood, head to the upstairs discotech where Markie Mark and DJ Spun (of Wicked) will make your body rock with their legendary penchant for house beats. Ain't got enough? Then stick around while Smartbeats' very own Discovery and Jah Mystic keep the party popping 'till close. With two bars and Mexican food 'til 2am, the choices are endless. So, take your pick and work it on the up-n-down flow. Sat/21, 8pm doors. Talk of the Town, 4481 International Blvd., Oakl. $5 b4 11pm. 534.talk. (CS) By Erica Pedersen (EP), Cicely J. Sweed (CS), and Meg Wright (MW). [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]