WEDS WEDS. 4/2 There’s a certain comfort in John Zorn’s ...

There's a certain comfort in John Zorn's consistency and longevity. From his days at the original Knitting Factory space through his staggering variety of collaborations during the 80s and 90s and into the present, he's proven himself to be one of New York's most important musicians. Tonight and tomorrow night: Electric Masada featuring John Medeski, Cyro Baptista, Kenny Wollesen, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn and Marc Ribot, fresh from his European tour. There will be two sets each evening (8 and 10 p.m.), but considering the fanaticism of Tonic regulars, advanced tickets are recommended. 107 Norfolk St. (betw. Delancey & Rivington Sts.), 212-358-7501, $25/set.

Post-Norah Jones and Diana Krall, who would you rather be than the Bad Plus? The young jazz trio is everywhere that a young jazz trio can be, springboarding from their Times blurb (might be time to give that one a rest, guys) to become the most hyped white boys since the Strokes. Not over-hyped, though, because they deserve it. Their "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is good enough for this decade, and their originals are something too, particularly the work of insane drummer David King. At Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (Astor Pl.), 212-539-8778, 7:30 p.m., $15.

On his website, Douglas Rushkoff notes that, "many people don't seem to understand that they have a relationship to religion, at all. They think it just is." In his latest book, Nothing Sacred: The Truth About Judaism, the media and culture critic wants to remind people of this relationship by looking at the original texts and teachings of his faith with skeptical but respectful eyes. By doing so, he reinvigorates the Jewish tradition of questioning and posits that Judaism is less a religion than a process of civilization. Tonight, at NYU's Edgar Bronfman Center, Rushkoff will talk (6:00) and then celebrate the book's release (6:30-8:30). 7 E. 10th St. (betw. University Pl. & Fifth Ave.), 212-998-4114, free. For readings on Sun., April 6 and Tues., April 8, see www.nothingsacred.com.

THURS. 4/3

Michael J. Anderson is probably best remembered as the backward-talking dwarf from Twin Peaks. Shortly after the series ended, he played the lead role in Fool's Fire, Julie Taymor's adaptation of our favorite Edgar Allen Poe story, "Hop Frog." As the human actor among a cast of puppets, Anderson plays a deformed court jester who devises a delightful way to exact revenge upon his cruel king and a room full of cronies. The film?which premiered on PBS?is eerie, beautiful, at times horrifying and ultimately cathartic. After the first screening, Taymor will be on hand to answer questions. At BAM's Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 7 & 9:30, $9, $6 st/s.c.

We've got no problem with Zadie Smith, the author of the gazillion-prize-winning White Teeth and follow-up The Autograph Man. It makes sense that she'd make an appearance with Everything Is Illuminated's Jonathan Safran Foer, a top-5 finalist for Most Loathsome New Yorker as named in this newspaper last week?so we're willing to give her a pass this time. That, and we really like the Housing Works Used Book Cafe. Tonight, both authors will read from whatever is it they're doing lately. A free New York Press t-shirt goes out to the first reader to deliver to our office Foer's autograph on page 24 of last week's Most Loathsome issue. 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324, 7, free but donation of a used book is requested.

FRI. 4/4

The New York City pop scene is less skewed than mutated, with Tris McCall being the perfect barker for this four-act freak show. Playing at Pete's Candy Store tonight are Sabado Domingo, Milton, Paula Carino and McCall himself. Sabado Domingo is a front for Dan Skinner, determined to unearth what little entertainment lays in the Elephant 6 prog-pop genre. McCall goes ultra-winsome on solo piano and synthesizers, while the witticisms of Milton salvage what's left of folk music. Paula Carino is Carole King with raging hormones. 709 Lorimer St. (betw. Richardson & Frost Sts.), Williamsburg, 718-302-3770, 8 p.m., free.

His new exhibit is entitled "Der Gesang der Vögel ist sinnlos" which, in our opinion translates as "The Song of the Birds Is Useless." However, as Lothar Hempel himself has translated it as "The Song of the Bird Is Nonsense," we defer. The title piece of the show is a large, theatrical installation of birds, giant leaves and an angelic wall relief. There are also smaller (but not small) paintings that, perhaps, depict the characters for Hempel's strange romantic world. Big installation or colorful painting, nonsense or useless?either way, go see the show?it promises to be eyecatching and intriguing. The opening reception is tonight, 6-8 p.m., at Anton Kern Gallery. 532 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-367-9663. Tues.-Sat. 10-6, [through 5/10].

SAT. 4/5

Despite a grueling tour schedule and an ever-changing, ever-growing line-up, Austin's Asylum Street Spankers remain entertaining. This is the second time they'll be playing Joe's Pub in support of their latest album, My Favorite Record (Spanks a Lot), but we just never get tired of seeing them. Blending jazz, swing, country, rock, hootenanny and sass into a taut string band package, the Spankers know the value of a cold beer and dirty joke. Just take a listen to their opening and closing numbers. 425 Lafayette St. (betw. E. 4th St. & Astor Pl.), 212-539-8778, 7 & 9:30. $18, $15 adv.

SUN. 4/6

The end of an era may be upon us, but it's not going quietly. Due to loss of lease, Surf Reality is closing after years as a home for comedy and theater. In its last weeks, all the old favorites?from Scott Stiffler to Carmen Mofongo?are coming to bid farewell (Wednesday and Saturday, respectively). What promises to be even wilder, if that's possible, is SurfStock, a three-day nonstop jam hosted by Faceboy that begins today. Feel free to bring a sleeping bag?you can crash in the loft and wake up ready to take the mic yourself. Do it now, 'cause it may be a while before another such forum opens up. 172 Allen St. (betw. Rivington & Stanton Sts.), 212-636-9203; 8, $3.

MON. 4/7

From 1920-1933, Americans were prevented by law from drinking alcohol. Sure, sure, we learned all about Prohibition in grade school (and in the movies), but think about it once more: For almost thirteen years, alcohol was illegal. According to economist Mark Thornton, this "noble experiment" was undertaken to "solve social problems, reduce the tax burden?and improve health and hygiene in America." Hmm. Tonight, toast the 70th anniversary of the re-legalization of beer by lifting a pint to the twenty-first amendment, which served to repeal the eighteenth amendment.

TUES. 4/8

Despite the title, Steve Almond's My Life in Heavy Metal isn't the denim-clad, school parking-lot memoir of a suburban burnout. Maybe it should have been, but then we wouldn't have this varied, very funny and well-aimed collection of short stories about giving head, crossing party lines and people's fragile feelings. Tonight's reading and signing should be a good time. Vermont writer Arthur Bradford is also in town to read from his curious little collection Dogwalker, the narrators of which sound like Jerzy Kossinski characters with Down Syndrome. We're curious to see if Bradford is really as slow and kind as his simple, big-hearted prose would have us believe, or if it's all just an annoying literary affectation reaching for cute. Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324, 7, free, but donation of a used book is requested.

Contributors: Sharon Her, Art Janik, Mallory Jensen, Jim Knipfel, Jeff Koyen, Hana Nakamura, J.R. Taylor, Ned Vizzini, Alexander Zaitchik