Got cash? Here's what to do with it

By STAFF

1. BILLY BRAGG

TUESDAY @ GARRICK

After 30 years in the troubadour trenches, socialist singer-songwriter Billy Bragg is still an angry young man at heart. See the British musical heir to Woody Guthrie and his fascist-killing machine -- his trusty acoustic guitar -- when the folk-punk returns to pay tribute to the working man and rouse the rabble Tuesday at the Garrick. Tickets cost $32.50 at Ticketmaster.

2. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

STARTS WEDNESDAY @ CENTENNIAL CONCERT HALL

The music of the night has been heard by millions of fans around the world since Andrew Lloyd Weber's Phantom of the Opera debuted in 1986 -- including thousands of Winnipeggers who took in its run in 1993. But folks can't seem to get enough of that masked man played by Broadway Phantom John Cudia in the production opening at the Concert Hall Wednesday. Tickets cost $44 - $94 at Ticketmaster.

3. THE WAILIN' JENNYS

FRIDAY @ PANTAGES

With a new bandmate (Montreal's Annabelle Chvostek) and a followup to 2005's Juno Award-winning 40 Days (June-released Firecracker), the Jennys -- Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Chvostek -- have a lot to wail about tomorrow at Pantages Playhouse Theatre. That is, if we're to call the roots trio's tender, harmonious and so un-AC/DC-like form of song wailing. Tickets cost $21.50 at Ticketmaster.

4. JOHN PRINE

THURSDAY @ PANTAGES

It's a good week for local folk fans. On Tuesday, Billy Bragg will share some good leftist anthems -- and tonight, the legendary John Prine returns to run through some of his classics one more time. Prine turns the big 6-0 in a few weeks, but don't fear -- despite his age and a battle with throat cancer in the '90s, he's still at the top of his game. California folk-rocker Dan Reeder opens the show. Tickets cost $39 - $49 at Ticketmaster.

5. HEAD: THE MUSICAL

UNTIL SUNDAY @ ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVATORY

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived -- the six wives of Henry VIII lived like queens, but not for long. Anne Boleyn was the first to lose her head, and it's her death that inspired writer Debbie Patterson's musical of tragedy and betrayal, love and joy, darkness and light, despair and hope. Laugh, cry, sing and be royally entertained. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. today & Sun., 1 p.m. & 8 p.m. Fri. and 8 p.m. Sat. Tickets cost $15 - $25 at 957-1753.

6. JACKASS: NUMBER TWO

STARTS FRIDAY @ A THEATRE NEAR YOU

For once, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam and the rest of their disgustingly daring crew won't make you wanna yak. Of course, we're speaking of the horned, angry kinda yak -- like the one who gives Johnny a playful ram to the you-know-whats in the sequel you've been fearing for four years. Nope, don't wanna yak. But you'll wanna spew your last 15 meals when you see the new crop of torture these eternally teenage sk8er boys have inflicted upon themselves. Don't forget to flush.

7. WRITERS' FESTIVAL

UNTIL SUNDAY @ VARIOUS VENUES

A Pint of Bitter Murder makes for a cozy late pub lunch. Local mystery writer C.C. Benison, Regina's Gail Bowen and Montreal's Andree Michaud hatch plots for free at King's Head at 3:30 p.m. Sat. Start the day at 2 p.m. with a $7 screening of Deepa Mehta's Water at Cinematheque. Mehta's daughter Devyani Saltzman is at CanWest Global Performing Arts Centre Sun. at 1:30 p.m. to read her memoir Shooting Water. Tickets cost $12.

8. CONCERT OF HOPE

SATURDAY @ PANTAGES

Preferring musical fetes to pity parties, Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) victim Elizabeth Grandbois recruited homegrown singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark, legendary Canadian folkie Murray McLauchlan and local jazz man Walle Larsson, among others, for her annual cross-Canada benefit concerts. Join the altruistic crew Sat. at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $38 - $106 at Ticketmaster.

9. BOUNCE, ROCK, SKATE, ROLL

SATURDAY @ GALAXY SKATELAND

When it comes to seeking publicity for their roller bashes, local DJs Hunnicutt and Co-op always find timely ways to get ink. We could object to blatant fibs like "Galaxy Skateland is running for mayor" -- but their press releases are just so darn funny. Happy, guys? Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll gets rollin' at 10 p.m. Sat. Bring skates or you'll have to don those clunky things your parents used to wear. Admission is $10.

10. CYBERSPACE EXHIBITION

STARTS THURSDAY @ MAWA

Got sin? Spill to an online confessional with Sister Valerie of the Internet during free cyber exhibition Grrls, Chicks, Sisters & Squaws: Les Citoyennes du Cyberspace. The women's art studio becomes a cyber cafe -- and, yes, there will be espresso -- for its first public show.
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