Slowly yet surely, Dom Irrera has become one of the old men of comedy. One of the guys who have been in the business for years and whom the young comedians look up to. Just look at all the copycats. When Woody Allen came out with his neurotic Jewish shtick, overnight there were bushels of neurotic Jewish comedians. When Irrera came out with his Italian-American goodfella shtick, suddenly there were heaps of similar standups (Nick DiPaolo, I'm talking to you, you hack!). But Irrera is the original. With comedy based on his youth growing up in Philadelphia amid a massive Italian household, including four generations of the clan, Irrera manages to find common ground with most folks who see his act, proving that the American experience, while subtly different no matter where you go, retains some commonality everywhere in the nation. Or something like that. It could also be that the only ones who see Irrera are fat Italian guys. See for yourself when Irrera stands up at Uncle Funny's Comedy Club (9160 State Rd. 84, Davie). Ticket prices vary, but the two-drink minimum never changes. Irrera performs today through Saturday. Call 954-474-5653.
FRI 11/14
When one thinks of fusion music, the immediate inference is a combination of jazz and rock. But, of course, while the word fusion has come to mean specifically this genre, musicians are always trying to blend different styles to come up with something new. Which brings us to Native Roots. Today marks the first show of a three-day run for the band at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation's Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (Alligator Alley to exit 49, then north 17 miles). The band mixes Native-American and Regale music to come up with a sound all its own. And it's just one part of the American Indian Arts Celebration, held at the museum at 10 a.m. today, Saturday, and Sunday. Admission to the festival is free with museum admission, which is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and children. Call 954-965-2424.
SAT 11/15
More than 200 national and international artists arrive in Boca Raton this weekend for the 16th-annual "Downtown Boca Festival of the Arts." Held on Mizner Boulevard from SE First Street to Federal Highway, the show features more than $15 million worth of artwork, but don't think that everything at the festival is out of your price range -- you can pick up a pair of earrings for $20 or blow your wad on a $30,000 metal sculpture. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday. Admission is free. Call 954-472-3755.
SUN 11/16
It's hard to imagine that silent films used to be all the rage, but before Al Jolson and 1927's The Jazz Singer, movies were solely a feast for the eyes. In conjunction with its "Hollywood Glamour Photography" exhibit, the Norton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach) presents "You Can Do an Awful Lot in Seven Reels: Silent Movies and Popular Songs," a discussion of the influence of song on film and the public. Michael Lasser, producer and host of the national radio show Fascinatin' Rhythm, leads the interactive lecture. It starts at 3 p.m. and is free with museum admission. Call 561-832-5196.
MON 11/17
Whether you like him, hate him, or think he's a chauvinist pig, Sam Peckinpah can be filed under "cult cinema director." Films such as 1971's Straw Dogs drew criticism for graphic violence, but it was 1969's ultraviolent western The Wild Bunch that put Peckinpah on the blood-splattered map. The story of a bank robbery gone awry, the film starts with William Holden's opening line to bank customers ("If they move, kill 'em") before slowly descending into a gritty hell of shootouts and body counts. As part of Palm Beach County's "25 Days of Culture" event, Theatre West (11320 Fortune Cir., Wellington) presents a screening of the film as part of their "Cult Cinema: Movies That Shook the World" series, which happens on the first and third Monday of every month. Admission is free, and attendees receive film-related gifts. Movie starts at 8 p.m. Call 561-791-1950, or visit www.theatrewestsite.com for upcoming films.
TUE 11/18
In the spirit of Ol' Dirty Bastard and MC Paul Barman, New York's Aesop Rock has a penchant for turning nonsensical phrases into urban poetry with polysyllabic aplomb. His latest LP, Bazooka Tooth, continues the tradition of 2000's Float, taking jabs at critics of underground hip-hop with a razor-sharp tongue. On the title track, he's ready to go with the line "Oh my God/Journalists across the globe are officially critiquing my first eight bars" before sounding off about gun control, sexism, and throwing out bits of verbal dynamite such as "You should have shot yourself in the foot when it was in your mouth." Of course, it wouldn't be Aesop Rock without the accompanying signature quirky loops, twisted Atari samples, and off-kilter drumbeats. Check him out along with Mr. Lif, DJ Fakts One, Anger, and C. Rayz Walz at I/O Lounge, 30 NE 14th St., Miami. Show starts at 9 p.m. and costs $13. Call 305-358-8007.
WED 11/19
Remember LA Guns? That's OK, neither do most people. But the Factory (2674 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale), that wonderful proponent of all things glam and spandex, is here to help you remember. Like the majority of hair bands that passed out in a puddle of their own waning popularity, LA Guns has miraculously been reborn in 2003 with a decidedly different look, new members, and a new album. Yes, grab that May '89 issue of Metal Edge, because the Guns are back in action and ready to shred, albeit with a little less hair. Get cocked and loaded when they play with the Bullet Boys (yes, those Bullet Boys) at 8 p.m. Call 954-564-7625.
