Our Critics' Picks

Musical Theater

URINETOWN Creators Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis were both veterans of Chicago’s improv and experimental theater scene when they collaborated on this distinctly anti-PC, “grunge” musical parody. Urinetown got exposure at the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival, moved off-Broadway and then made the first of its 965 Broadway performances less than two weeks after 9/11. The spoofy, Brechtian concoction—with its ecological-disaster plot, pointed gibes at conventional musical forms and tinkling puns—went on to wow critics and garner 10 Tony nominations. Hollman’s music finds its essential spirit in Kurt Weill-like minor-key complexities, and the lyrics to songs such as “It’s a Privilege to Pee” and “I See a River” are laced with sardonic wit. Boiler Room Theatre presents the local premiere under the direction of Patrick Kramer. Leading players include Sloan Yarborough, Laura Marsh, Alan Lee and Daniel Vincent. Aug. 10-Sept. 15 at the Factory at Franklin —MARTIN BRADY

Performance Art

A DREAM ONCE LOST This ethereal fantasy by Nashville actress Tia Shearer is, according to the author, “a lovely, collective journey” of imagination and childlike wonder. A talented troupe of five (Shearer, Robert Marigza, Marin Miller, Evelyn Blythe and Phil Perry), enacting 22 roles under the direction of Matt Bassett, are preparing to take the production up to the Philly Fringe Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 2). But before that happens, Nashville gets to preview the project at its birthplace, the Plowhaus Artists Cooperative, where the small ensemble has been prepping for its sojourn northward. The 45-minute show features original incidental music by Jordan Lehning (of the band Eureka Gold). Donations will be accepted at the door to help fund the road trip. 3 p.m. at Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative —MARTIN BRADY

Music

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM Hearing about a band that defies categorization is like hearing about a politician who has hopes, dreams and ideas. In truth, it’s probably just a jam band that mixes three genres (hard bop, African rhythms, Cuban “flavors”) or a songwriter with a zany electric sideman. But no matter your familiarity with heavy metal, 20th century experimental composition or progressive rock, Oakland, Calif.’s Sleepytime Gorilla Museum are one of the few bands working right now that, at the very least, defy easy categorization. Combining some of the most interesting musicians in America (Carla Kilhstedt of Tin Hat Trio, Nils Frykdahl of Faun Fables) with Dan Rathbun’s intriguing homemade instruments and a backstory incorporating manics, Dadaism, Anti-Humanism, Futurism and fires, SGM is at once challenging, captivating and maddening. Their latest, In Glorious Times, is a little less metal and, at times, surprisingly playful, mixing broken funk, sinister choirs and industrial rhythms. 9 p.m. at 12th & Porter —GRAYSON CURRIN

Thrills and Quills

KILLER NASHVILLE There’s a bloody dagger plunged deep into the Nashville skyline. Fear not—it’s just the logo of Killer Nashville, a national conference of mystery and thriller writers and fans that hits Williamson County next weekend. Michael Connelly is the guest of honor at this second annual gathering—the creator of the Harry Bosch novels will sign books and answer questions at a dinner on Saturday night. At the conference, aspiring authors can sign up to pitch their novels to an agent and a publisher, and editors will be on hand to critique the first few pages of that as-yet-undiscovered manuscript. And if workshops and panel discussions with titles like “Writing the Red-Hot Killer Thriller” and “Plot Twisting: The Secret’s in the Secrets” don’t sound gripping enough, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will stage a mock crime scene where would-be Poirots can exercise their little gray cells. You must register a week in advance to guarantee a spot, but walk-ups will also be welcome if there’s room. Details are available at killernashville.com. Aug. 17 at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs —CHRIS SCOTT

SATURDAY 8/11

Art

BAUHAUS @ PLOWHAUS Nashville’s longest-running artist co-op celebrates six years of introducing new artists and fresh, innovatively themed shows with its latest exhibition. The show title references the 1919 art and design movement in Germany, where artists and educators strived to bring good design and functional beauty to everyday life. More than 20 artists, such as Landry Butler, Carrie Mills, Bil Breyer, Heather Day and Plowhaus founder Franne Lee, have collaborated to “offer a new interpretation of an artistic ideal.” Opening reception 7-11 p.m. Aug. 11; through Sept. 9 at Plowhaus Artists’ Cooperative —BRITTANY CONNER

Fried Green Fun

FOURTH ANNUAL TOMATO ART FEST Do you like to hang out in seedy places? Enjoy getting sauced? Are you attracted to acidic personalities? Ever been hurled at a lame comedian? Well this is your lucky weekend—the Fourth Annual Tomato Art Fest splatters across East Nashville Saturday, with ancillary events from Thursday through Sunday. The festival has become so popular it’s practically the Bonnaroo of beefsteaks, bringing more folks to the Five Points area than at any other occasion. The fruit that thinks it’s a vegetable is the inspiration for a slew of activities: the Photomato Photography exhibit, the Tomato Art Show and Preview Party, the Tomato Parade Art Workshop (and of course the Parade of the Tomatoes itself), a Bloody Mary contest, the Tomato King and Queen Pageant, rides in a tomato-themed rickshaw, a sidewalk chalk art contest, a pizza contest, salsa dancing (get it?), oodles of food tastings and tomato-related specials at neighborhood restaurants, live music and of course our favorite, the Tomato Toss, where you can throw as many tomatoes as you like at the ReMax building. (If you can’t bring your own, the Farmers Market will be donating their unsellable tomatoes to the cause.) Haven’t you secretly longed to bash a Brandywine? Mangle a Moneymaker? Pulverize a Ponderosa Pink? Terrorize a Tigerella? Mutilate a Mortgage Lifter? (Yes, that’s really the name of a tomato variety.) Now’s your chance. Tomato Art Fest’s ground zero is Art & Invention Gallery (1106 Woodland St.), but events will take place throughout Five Points—for a full schedule, visit tomatoartfest.com. —JACK SILVERMAN