The philosophical roots of Paul Miller, AKA DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid, run deep. More than just a mixer of sounds, beats, and words, Miller describes his art as a new evolution of music. He uses the word jazz to describe what he does, but don't expect horns and vocalists. His jazz is influenced by the convergence of musical energies -- from industrial tones to symphony orchestras -- in the tradition of Sun Ra and John Coltrane. Spooky will play an eclectic set with progressive world funk outfit, Particle, which also melds varied musical traditions to forge a rich, alternative sound. The bill is slated as an after-show for the Phish Concert. The performances start after midnight at Ice Palace Soundstage, 59 NW 14 St. Tickets cost $32. Call 305-358-5885. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Portable Purgatory
WED 12/31
We've all seen those eyes glancing at us from the rectangle of a rearview mirror as we hop into the back of a taxi. And while we laugh about the man behind the wheel and his unpronounceable name, we might just end up in the cabbie's next stage play as the obnoxious back-seat driver. To see what a cabbie puts up with in a day, take a ride with actor Andy Quiroga as the driver in Will Kern's celebrated play, Hellcab, presented by the Modern Stage. It's the Christmas Eve shift for this Chicago cabbie and his fares are a mixed bag of drug addicts, Jesus freaks, fellow drivers, and horny couples. The show opens at 8:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday, January 11, at PS 742, 1165 SW 6 St. Admission ranges from $10 to $15. Call
305-324-0585. -- By John Anderson
Cuba Chat
TUE 12/30
Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea. What about Cuba? Must a country be led by a brutal dictator living in a hole to stay in the news? Well, in Miami, Cuba is always news. That's why our humble burg will host the Free Cuba Town Hall Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in room 100 of the Green Library at FIU University Park Campus (11200 SW 8th St.). There guests like Brothers to the Rescue honcho Jose Basulto will dish about the latest doings on the island and what they mean to Miami, er, the rest of the world. Admission is free. Call 305-595-3346. -- By Nina Korman
