Our Critics' Picks

THURSDAY 8/9

Music

CORY BRANAN & BEN NICHOLS I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the way Cory Branan delivers the simple admission “I’ve got a crush on you” on 2001’s The Hell You Say. But in person, the former Nashville resident is more sly bravado than coy vulnerability—especially when he’s had a couple (or a couple dozen) adult beverages. That circumstance shouldn’t be in doubt as he once again shares the bill with Lucero frontman Ben Nichols—who’s written whole songs I just can’t get over. If you are a fan of either man, don’t miss this date: crazed Lucero fans, whiskey, soul-shaking tunes and the distinct possibility that one—or both—of the dudes onstage will end up face down in the parking lot. Debating between this show and Gillian Welch in the Cannery? You don’t have to. Welch tickets will gain you admission to Mercy, and the boys plan on starting late. 9 p.m. at Mercy Lounge —LEE STABERT

Having Fun With Elvis…in Jail

MOVIES @ MAIN: JAILHOUSE ROCK We may be nearing the 30th anniversary of the King’s death, but this surly slice of rock ’n’ roll glory refuses to die. Forget those movies where Elvis played fairground operators and befriended little kids; here he’s Vince Everett, a swaggering con who rises from hard time on a murder beef to the top of the pops, stepping on lots of folks in his way. For those who believe Elvis is still alive, this rowdy 1957 musical almost makes it so: you can picture a sideburned old gent watching this in seclusion at some jerkwater Texas nursing home, his lips curling in a sneer of perfect satisfaction. Don’t miss the “mystery guest” intro. 6:15 p.m. at Nashville Public Library —JIM RIDLEY

Music

LOST SIDESHOW Few rock bands inspire extreme levels of reverence and derision as well as The Doors. Was Jim Morrison a visionary misfit poet? A pretentious, drug-addled poseur? One thing’s undeniable: when people are still talking about you 35 years after your death, you’ve done something right. And unlike most of their acid-gobbling peers, The Doors were never hippy-dippy, and in many ways created the dangerous-rocker template still donned by the likes of Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse. Lost Sideshow, a group of accomplished Nashville music veterans, assemble every year to exhume the spirits of Morrison & Co., and few groups—even full-time Doors tribute bands—can do it as well. 9 p.m. at Douglas Corner —JACK SILVERMAN

Film/Fun with Nuns

SCREENING NUNS DOUBLE HEADER PEEP SHOW: THE HISTORY BOYS The Screening Nuns, a flock of twisted sisters who call OutLoud! Books their abbey, have started a free movie night every Thursday at the bookstore’s Church Street café. Dedicated to queer cinema past, present and future, the August series continues with last year’s The History Boys, in which Richard Griffiths repeats his stage success as a quirky, brilliant instructor who influences (and gropes) his pupils at a stuffy academy. 7 p.m. at OutLoud! —JIM RIDLEY

Film Premiere

SUMMER’S MORN Halfway through their Extra/Ordinary Film Project—a they-said-it-couldn’t-be-done attempt to shoot and premiere 12 feature films in 12 months—Hendersonville’s Cring family continue to challenge all the big-talkers who complain they can’t get a film produced here. Cinematographer Tracy Nichole Cring steps into the director’s chair for Film No. 6, an all-female farce about an escaped convict who barges into the home of a Crossville woman, her mouthy best friend and her neurotic cat. 7 p.m. at Palace Theatre, Gallatin —JIM RIDLEY

FRIDAY 8/10

Theater

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST Dale Wasserman’s play version of Ken Kesey’s infamous 1962 novel was last mounted in Nashville in 2000 by Circle Players. Street Theatre Company now attempts to find relevance in this curious yet exceedingly well-known period piece, which always guarantees meaty roles for actors. Director Cathy Street has enlisted some experienced locals into her cast, including Kay Ayers-Sowell, Clay Hillwig, Rob Wilds and Lane Wright. Shane Bridges, whose recent Nashville work has shown definite promise, leads the revolt at the insane asylum in the role of Randall P. McMurphy. Aug. 10-26 at the Looby Theatre —MARTIN BRADY

Psychedelic Soiree

VIC THRILL’S CIRCUS OF ENLIGHTENMENT FEAT. UNICORN Do you regret missing out on the arty insanity of Andy Warhol’s Factory parties? Wish you’d been around for the multimedia freakouts that were the Merry Pranksters’ Acid Tests? Well this week you’re in luck, because The Circus of Enlightenment, featuring ringmaster Vic Thrill, is pitching its proverbial tent in Music City. Billed as a “cosmic hootenanny,” the event will feature a set by Williamsburg fixture Thrill, who will sing and play guitar while navigating his laptop, a drum machine and a small arsenal of effects. In addition, Thrill will free-associate, wax philosophical and create real-time audio montages with microphones planted around the venue to encourage crowd participation—you’re not the audience, you’re part of the show. (Thrill’s friendship and collaboration with Hasidic rocker Curly Oxide is the subject of an upcoming film being scripted by Tina Fey and slated to star Sacha Baron Cohen as Oxide.) And beware the dawning of Unicorn, a Nashville improv prog-rock ensemble featuring Reeves Gabrels, Audley Freed, Hags Haggerty and Marc Pisapia. 8 p.m. at Club Roar, 710 Fessey Park Road; for directions, visit marcpisapia.com —JACK SILVERMAN