Calendar for the week

thursday
july 3
Marisa Monte: Critics are hailing Marisa Monte, the new Brazilian diva whose cascade of black hair, red lips, and sexy moves qualify her to carry the torch of Gal Costa and Astrud Gilberto. Her voice might just have something to do with it, too. Best-known for rejuvenating the bossa nova, Monte has explored a range of musical styles, collaborating with artists such as Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, David Byrne, and Arto Lindsey (who produced her latest album, A Great Noise, on Metro Blue/Blue Note Records). Tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (174 E. Flagler St.), the 30-year-old singer returns to Miami for the first time since her local debut three years ago, to perform hits from her already extensive discography. Tickets range from $20 to $35. Call 672-5202. (JC)

Beast and Baker Rock the Road: Those two rascals of radio Beast and Baker kick off this fine Independence Day weekend with another local rock extravaganza at Tobacco Road (626 S. Miami Ave.), featuring the fabulous funkin' of now-New Yorker Raw B. Jae, the low-down groovin' of Manchild, the rump-shakin' Cuban rhythms of Khadir, the hard-rockin' ruminations of Sixo, the bass-thumpin' of Buddha Gonzalez, the conga-and-guitar whalin' of Al's Not Well, the strummin' of Curious Hair, the Florida bluesin' of Iko-Iko, and the percussive bump-and-grindin' of the Baboons. The fun-havin' starts around 8:00 p.m. Admission is seven bucks. Call 374-1198. (GC)

Nicky Silver Play Festival: Playwright Nicky Silver will be in Miami as two local companies present productions of his works this week. First up, Area Stage Company (645 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach) opens the dark comedy Raised in Captivity, about a brother and sister dealing with guilt, self-punishment, and redemption, tonight at 8:15 p.m. Tickets cost $35 for tonight's opening, $20 for all other performances (the show runs through July 20). Call 673-8002. Tomorrow the Florida Shakespeare Theatre (Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables) presents the South Florida premiere of Silver's ferocious comedy about five selfish people, The Food Chain, with a barbecue at 5:30 p.m. and curtain at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $50 for this opening night performance, $19 to $26 for all other performances (the show runs through August 16). Call 445-1119. On Monday the Silver Fest continues as Books & Books (933 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach) hosts a lecture by Silver about his works at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free. Call 532-3222. Back at the Biltmore on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. the FST presents a reading directed by Silver of his 1993 off-Broadway comedy Pterodactyls. Call 445-1119. See our "Calendar Listings" for more information on these and other upcoming performances of Nicky Silver's plays. (GC)

friday
july 4
America's Birthday Bash: Not that there isn't a plethora of Independence Day celebrations. They're everywhere, from the tiniest backwater municipality to the White House lawn (just read the item below). But in Miami, there is one celebration head and fireworks above the rest. With more than 100,000 people expected for this -- its tenth -- year, the party at Bayfront Park (301 Biscayne Blvd.) promises to be an explosively good time, with performances by legendary rock group BTO, even more legendary blues singer Koko Taylor, and others. Festgoers can also enjoy a sports celebrity autograph area, a beauty pageant, kids' games, and -- no surprise here -- fireworks. The bash starts at noon, with the rockets and sparklers scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Call 358-7550. (JO)

Fourth of July Events Roundup: The following are just a few of the multitudinous celebrations taking place tonight around South Florida: WFOR-TV (Channel 4), Love 94 ( WLVE-FM 93.9), Spec's, and the City of Miami Beach present Jazz on the Beach with Love, a free concert starting at 7:00 p.m. on the beach at Collins Avenue and 73rd Street, featuring contemporary jazz saxman Warren Hill, Uruguayan harp wizard Roberto Perera, and Latin rhythm by Clouds D'Marcos. Call 673-7575. Three of country music's hottest stars -- Patty Loveless, Joe Diffie, and Tracy Byrd -- take the stage at the first annual KISS (WKIS-FM 99.9) Freedom Fest, kicking off at 3:00 p.m. at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex (1 Speedway Blvd., Homestead). Tickets cost $15. Call 621-4300. Oldies station Majic (WMXJ-FM 102.7) hosts a free family celebration on Fort Lauderdale Beach (Las Olas Boulevard and A1A, Fort Lauderdale), featuring the Tokens, Tommy Roe, and Jay and the Techniques. See our "Calendar Listings" for several other events. Have fun, but don't drive drunk, and be careful with those fireworks. (GC)

Nicky Silver Play Festival: See Thursday.

saturday
july 5
Beethoven by the Beach: The Florida Philharmonic continues its all-Beethoven summer festival with a family performance entitled "Beethoven Lives Upstairs," led by associate conductor Duilio Dobrin, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale) at 2:00 p.m. Tickets cost ten dollars. The fest goes on with three piano sonata-thons: Today at 1:00 p.m. Li Jian performs at the Broward Main Library Auditorium (100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale); on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Ronan O'Hara performs at the Broward Center; and on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Valentina Lisitsa performs at the library auditorium. Tickets cost $20. Beethoven by the Beach runs through July 20 with events at various locations in the Fort Lauderdale area. Times and ticket prices vary. See our "Calendar Listings" each week or call the Philharmonic at 930-1812 for a complete schedule. (GC)