US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Updated 21:49, August the 3rd, 2008
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Coley, looking forward to making fun of the Presidential playlistColey, looking forward to making fun of the Presidential playlist
 

Using poetry to laugh at the President’s playlist

PROFILE. As Dubya heads into the sunset, the “No More Bush” tour is something of a celebration, says organizer Byron Coley. It’s a more lighthearted  sequel to  the “More Hair Less Bush” bash of ’05,  but still a similarly brazen mix of liberal politics and underground art.

“It’s like, ‘Hey, ya know, Bush will be gone soon.’ In a way it’s getting in our last licks,” admits Coley, a veteran music writer who lives in Western Mass.

In the early ’80s through the mid ’90s, Coley spearheaded the alternative music scene, editing the lauded fanzine “Forced Exposure,” which was known for being highly opinionated and confrontational.

It’s no wonder that Coley has gathered some notable and talented liberal friends for an evening that mixes readings with music. The centerpiece, however,   is a collaborative tanka  — a precursor to haiku — reading, riffing on George W.

“We wrote a series of those based on George Bush’s iPod playlist. It’s allowed us to make some brutal fun of him,” the affable 51-year-old says with a chuckle. Coley is speaking from New York, while on a promotional book tour for “No Wave,” a dissection of the New York No Wave scene, which he co-wrote with Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore.

Though Moore is on the bill for some “No More Bush” shows and he wrote parts of the tanka, he won’t be in Somerville.

We wonder if, as a new political era  dawns,  public opinion will soften as Bush exits? Coley laughs.
“This is a presidency that I think will be difficult for anyone to foster any nostalgia for on any level. This tour is also a reminder of how bad things have been and that there is a brighter tomorrow on the horizon.”

Seems Coley is still highly opinionated.

No More Bush Tour
With Sunburned Hand of the Man, Jack Rose, Valerie Webber, 50 Foot Woman, Axoloti, Byron Coley, Damon Krukowksi  and Bobb Trimble
Tonight, 8
PA’s Lounge
345 Somerville Ave., Somerville
MBTA: Red Line to Porter
$8-$11, 18+ 617-776-1557
www.paslounge.com