Backbone > Ear Whacks
Nightlife Highlights 12-02
by Wavy Davy

The Hoo Doo Man Unplugged
December 6. The last time THDM rocked Mariner’s Harbor, the neighbors complained because they mistook him for a street parade without a permit. Don’t confuse “unplugged” with “sedate”, for as any Big Easy music fan will tell you, the second line don’t need no amps, neither. (Hoo Doo holidays continue December 9 at the Round-Up in Kerhonkson and December 31 at New World Home Cooking. 8pm.) Free with two drink minimum. Kingston. 340-8051. www.thehoodooman.com.

Ron Finck Memorial Benefit Concert
December 8. Jazzman Ron Finck (who died last year) ceaselessly worked at his art form. At ease in small restaurants and large venues, Finck’s saxophone playing was like the unbroken string from 52 Street to Route 44/55. His son Matthew, a noted jazz guitarist and educator, set up a scholarship in Ron’s name at Rondout Valley High School, with the first fundraiser being this all-star session at the Rosendale Café featuring Ron’s former sidemen: trombonist Roswell Rudd, pianist Mike Kull, and drummer Gene Randolph. They’ll also be joined by Matthew’s contemporaries John Flaugher on bass and Greg Glassman on trumpet. 5-8pm. $10. 658-9048. www.rosendalecafe.com.

Meat Loaf
December 10. To us boomers, Meat Loaf was like the rock and roll gym teacher; old enough to have done it but cool enough to tell you about it. Bat Out of Hell, produced by Jim Steinman, was such a breakthrough record that even their lackluster second album sold well. Gone are the days of oxygen between live sets, and the newly lean Mr. Loaf surely has enough lung power left to take the Civic Center crowd all the way. Holy Cow, safe at second! 8pm. $37 reserved seats. 454-5800. Poughkeepsie. www.midhudsonciviccenter.com.

Thurman Baker Quartet/Bard Jazz Ensemble
December 11, 12. Bard College opens its doors to the public for a series of free December concerts featuring their outstanding educators. In the Old Gym on December 11, professor/percussionist Thurman Barker, a veteran of groups led by Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, and violinist Billy Bang, puts down the chalk and picks up sticks and mallets when he leads his own quartet (guitarist James Emery, pianist Rob Schwimmer, and bassist Jerome Harris) performing music from Barker’s recent release, Time Factor. The following night in Olin Hall, Barker’s back on the podium as he leads the Bard Jazz Ensemble and a student percussion ensemble, combined with a performance by the Bard Electro/Acoustic Ensemble, directed by David Behrman. Free. December 11, 9pm. December 12, 8pm. Annandale-on-Hudson. 758-7250. www.bard.edu.

Battuvshin
December 14, 15. Battuvshin, a leading performer of Mongolian music who lives in Siberia, and Odsuren, his Mongolian teacher, have come to New York for several months to teach Mongolian throat singing, the amazing technique in which the performer sings multiple tones simultaneously. They performed at Tibet House in November and hope to be equally well received when they teach a two-day workshop in Woodstock in December. For armchair throat singers, Battuvshin and Odsuren will perform locally both evenings: at Woodstock’s Colony Café (December 14) and Kingston’s chic The Uptown (December 15). The performers will be pleased to know both venues are smoke-free. $12 (Colony) $10 (Uptown). 657-2345. www.4thquarter.com/overtone.htm

JamHogs
December 14. Finally! Legends of Woodstock corrects their karma with a hip new manager, and bands and DJs are again making the scene. For the time and effort spent on restoration, this stellar space deserves to be truly happening. Local grunts the JamHogs deliver that good smoky flavor when they present a holiday show of sorts in the village that launched a thousand jam bands. 9pm. $5. 679-4999.

Third Floor Consortium/Orchestra de Fou
December 21. Third Floor Consortium puts the groove first with bouncing acid-jazz originals (including scratches courtesy of this DJ/scribe) and left-field covers from MMW to the Prince of Pop. With virtuosity and volume, Orchestra de Fou ceremoniously flips the bird to corporate rock, art-rock, and anything stuffy. The festive Rhinecliff Hotel will be all lit up with an added multi-media light show by Seana B., and DJ sets by Kukicha and resident DJKeith. 9pm. $5. 876-8688. www.thirdfloor.info.

Marc Black and the Funky Sex Gods
December 21. If you’re gonna go pagan, go all the way and dance to the Funky Sex Gods on the winter solstice! Black is equally adept as both guitarist and promoter, and his monthly Colony gigs are the hit of the Sunflower Set. With a rock-steady rhythm section (including Eric Parker, the uncredited “second drummer” on Waiting for Columbus), it’s a global groove-thang. More good news: Colony’s beer-and-wine license was just approved, so toast up. 9pm. Woodstock. 679-5342.