OK, that headline's a little unfair. Craig Chaquico, the one-time guitarist for Jefferson Starship (the glory years, from '74 through the late '80s) has accomplished much as a solo musician since he disembarked from the 'Ship. He's released a string of jazzy/new-agey albums, he's performed with George Benson, and he's continued his admirable philanthropic work -- so why tie Chaquico to the band he left years ago? Because "Find Your Way Back" is epic, just like "Jane," and he had a hand in writing them both.
But the headline is a snug fit for Chaquico and Moving Arts Dance, a Northern California dance company that has been around almost as long as Chaquico's been a professional musician (and he's been at it since he was fourteen). Moving Arts Dance has survived two decades of turmoil in the form of financial difficulty and dancer defection, emerging in the early oughts as a touring company with a repertory of unique works. Chaquico's no stranger to hardship himself, having recently overcome a hand injury that threatened his career as a guitarist. So it's little wonder that Chaquico and Moving Arts Dance would team up to create a collaborative piece, "Dream Catcher." The hard-rock-guitar-hero-turned-jazzbo and the hard-luck-dance-company-turned-flourishing-success perform their inspirational piece at 7:30 p.m. at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus (1 University Drive at Natural Bridge Road; 314-516-4949). No, "Jane" will not be played as an encore, but Chaquico travels with his full touring band, so you'll be on the receiving end of a full performance, relaying a message of positivity through dance and live music. Tickets are $22 to $35. -- Paul Friswold
Yo, the Tango
The crystal ball is clearing...there is mystery and romance in your future (no, that doesn't mean that during a hunt for the lost remote you will hear that blessed music and be reunited with the ice-cream truck). Looking deeper into the crystal ball, we see you will experience music, heat and passion...ah ha! Now it is clear -- you must go to Washington University's Edison Theatre (6445 Forsyth Boulevard) at 8 p.m. this Friday or Saturday (June 10 or 11) for the Tango Society of St. Louis' titillating premiere of The Gypsies' Tango. This dance-theater presentation, full of mostly local tango talent, will fill you with desire and intrigue. Tickets are $22.50 to $25 in advance through MetroTix (314-534-1111) or $30 at the door. For more information visit www.tangorosa.com. -- Amy Helms
Dead-ly Doings
The "Dead Days of Summer," happening Saturday, June 11, and July 9, are going to be grate! To convince you, here are the top three reasons you should pack up the VW Bus and pay the $5 admission price: 1) Jake's Leg (pictured), the band playing four straight hours of Grateful Dead covers during the Days, has now been performing almost as long as the Dead did -- talk about truckin'. 2) Mount Pleasant Winery at 5634 High Street (no kidding!) in Augusta (800-467-9463 or www.mountpleasant.com) has easy-drinking wines, tasty cheeses -- not gross veggie burritos -- and beautiful shady seating (which you can probably enjoy if you arrive before the band starts at 1 p.m.). 3) A sea of tie-dye and patchouli isn't nearly as much of a sensory overload when you're outside. -- Alison Sieloff
The Bachelor
At Night & Day Global, we've heard that your weekends are packed with all things wedding. From all-night-long bachelor/bachelorette parties to all-day-and-all-night awkward wedding extravaganzas, you've done it all, and you've had enough. We understand. That's why this weekend you should go see K's Theatrical Korps' production of Company, a Stephen Sondheim musical about a 35-year-old single man (horror of all horrors!) and his married friends' trip down the ol' memory lane. See? Here's a guy who's single and still swinging (and singing)! Good for him! Or is it?
The play begins at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday (June 10 through 19) at St. John the Baptist Fine Arts Center (4200 Delor Street); tickets cost $8 to $12 (314-351-8984 or www.kurtainkall.org). -- Alison Sieloff
