I went through a “silent film” phase a few years ago and the highlight was watching a string of Buster Keaton movies and shorts. Somehow I’d never seen “The General” or any of the other timeless classics made by the brilliant deadpan actor/director/writer (once nicknamed “The Great Stone Face”). I was immediately hit by how Keaton’s demeanor, presence and sensibility somehow seemed more contemporary than a lot of comedy stuff from the 1990s.
Now audiences can experience one of Keaton’s triumphs, “Sherlock Jr.,” complete with a live score by the eight-piece BQE Project (under the direction of Tom Nazziola), outside in Courtyard C at MASS MoCA in North Adams Saturday at 8 p.m. (if it rains, everything moves indoors to the museum’s Hunter Center).
Before the main feature, the BQE will start off the night accompanying two animated shorts from the 1920s — “Sure-Locked Homes” (featuring Felix the Cat) and “Fadeaway” (a friendly experimental Max Fleischer production starring Ko-Ko the Clown).
“Sherlock Jr.” is the story of a down-and-out movie theater employee who’s inspired to try and be a detective; once he falls asleep at the projector, the film shifts into a higher gear. It’s full of Keaton’s trademark physical comedy and stunts (done by the man himself), all wonderfully choreographed (like a bit with a booby-trapped billiard ball), but the movie also includes true sleight-of-hand with its camera work and editing, making for some simple yet magical special effects that should delight audiences of any age.
Pothole Pictures is known for showcasing live local musicians before each of its screenings of classic films, but this week, it’s also featuring live music during the film itself: cellist Wayne Smith, violinist Patrick Doane and electronic musician Lysha Smith will perform a live, original score for the legendary 1929 Russian silent film “Man With a Movie Camera,” accompanying the playful black-and-white movie with a combination of classical and improvisational modern music. The film begins at 7:30 p.m., but Jess Dow and Friends will start off the night with vocal-oriented jazz, Celtic music and more at 7 p.m. At Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls, Friday and Saturday.
Mystics Anonymous, the rock collective fronted by guitarist/singer/songwriter Jeff Steblea, celebrates the release of its new EP, “She Wanted the Future” — which comes attached to a comic book hand-drawn by his wife, Ingrid — with a live performance at The Basement in Northampton Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth returns to perform new pieces at a concert at the Hunter Center at MASS MoCA Friday at 8 p.m. Scheduled to be part of the program are works by jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, Nick Zammuto (of The Books and his own outfit Zammuto), vocalist composer Toby Twining, avant-garde death-metal man Androo O’Hearn and composer/writer/musician Rinde Eckert.
Need to funkify your life? Lucky for you and your cosmic booty, the influential intergalactic mastermind of the P-Funk Family is making a stop in the Valley this weekend: see George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at scenic Mountain Park in Holyoke Saturday at 4 p.m.
Pocketful of Sex Change is led by fearless local poet Connolly Ryan (who recently referred to his position as the “front/blunt man”). The group performs a special “Different Personnel, Same Volcanic Torque” show with the freewheeling Ryan backed by guitarists Will Cluster and Kurt Fedora, drummer Greg Eramo and special guests at Brew Practitioners in Florence Saturday at 7 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Iris DeMent put out a new record last year called “The Trackless Woods,” on which she set to music the translated words of Russian modernist poet Anna Akhmatova. If you’re not familiar with DeMent’s own work, you may know her from the wonderful duets she did with John Prine back on his 1999’s album “In Spite of Ourselves.” See DeMent at the Iron Horse in Northampton Sunday at 7 p.m.
Local record label Peace & Rhythm presents the band Rebirth at The Root Cellar, the newest music venue in downtown Greenfield (located below Mesa Verde). The band consists of Cinamon Blair (bass, guitar, vocals), Ian Hamel (ukulele, bass, vocals), I-Shea (congas, percussion, vocals) and Karim Sumun (guitar, bass, vocals), and they bring their blend of “Afro-influenced folk,” funk, soul, reggae, jazz, Latin, hip-hop and more to The Root Cellar Wednesday at 9 p.m. (Doors open at 8). It’s a free show.