Sybil Vane, Prima Donna

Opera and punk rock — two great tastes that taste great together. In doubt? Then you haven't experienced Sybil Vane's Weird Opera. Vane is the alter ego of Molly Zackary, who hosted a riot-grrrl radio show while majoring in opera singing at the University of Northern Colorado. Zackary brings her split personality to the Weird Opera every Thursday at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street, where she and pianist Glen Dennis mix comedy, improv, torch songs and audience participation into an irreverent event that pays homage to everyone from Giacomo Puccini and Cole Porter to Madonna and Bikini Kill. After a post-holiday hiatus, the pair returns tonight at 9:30 p.m., joined by Seattle's Dandelion Junk Queens and local songwriter Steven Lee Lawson of Oblio Duo, for a slow-dance-themed soiree that's sure to make the Three Tenors roll over in their arias. The show is free; visit www.mercurycafe.com or call 303-294-9281 for info.
Thursdays, 9:30 p.m., 2006