Bring the buzz

MUSIC

Phil Franklin’s Midtown Village Cafe residency

Sometimes an artist can blow your mind from the opening salvo, other times a performance builds organically over time. The newly opened Midtown Village Cafe has launched an experiment in the latter: Every Friday night, a different musician hosts an evening-with-friends-styled show for the entire month. This month, it’s visual artist and musician Phil Franklin. Formerly of Sunburned Hand of the Man, Franklin currently plays with Buk Buk Bigups and Contact.

On Friday, October 19, Franklin brings the buzz with Peggy Benks (Liz Donner of Screature’s performance-art project) and the latest incarnation of the ever shape-shifting Buk Buk Bigups. Then, on Friday, October 26, he’ll be accompanied by Christine Shields, an accomplished songwriter guaranteed to bring an autumnal vibe to the intimate cafe space with her glimmering, hushed tunes. Proper Subjects, a male-female duo that plays guitar, clarinet and percussion, is also on the bill that night. The band, Franklin says, features “quirky funny songs, and a bit of surrealism.”

For those in need of further enticement, Franklin will also offer a grab bag at the door in exchange for a monetary donation of your choice (Franklin promises each is worth at least $2.99). The night will be a grab bag of treats and entertainment and perhaps a chance to witness the creation of a scene. 1827 I Street, (916) 668-6052, http://midtownvillagecafe.com.