The accordion is definitely one of those love-it/hate-it instruments. Okay, most of us just hate it. But nothing beats the camp appeal of those keys -- except for maybe the kazoo. And nobody in these here parts can squeeze the box quite like the Accordion Kings & Queens performers. Tonight at Miller Outdoor Theatre, experience the oom-pah-pah action of Cerronato, an Austin-based band specializing in Colombian folk music. Next up is Mark Halata, a master of the polka. He's followed by Santiago Jimenez Jr., whose dad was one of the originators of the conjunto sound. The pleasing squeezing starts at 7:30 p.m. today and Friday, June 11. 100 Concert Drive. For information, call 512-441-9255 or visit www.texasfolklife.org. Free.
Friday, June 11
Hell, if you're gonna join a singles club, you might as well join one that exercises. Tonight at Champps Americana Uptown Park, Sports Monkey (née Club Monkey) is hosting a Summer Sports Sign-up Mixer. Ten bucks will get you drinks and the chance to meet other (presumably) fit singles around town. After your judgment has been clouded by the booze and you're feeling appropriately overzealous, mosey on over to the sign-up tables to register for softball, volleyball, bowling, flag football, soccer, basketball and kickball. There'll even be a table for flickball, an organized version of the finger-football game many of us played at the lunch table. Relive the past and meet someone new at 6 p.m. 1121 Uptown Park. For information, call 713-522-0881 or visit www.sportsmonkey.com. $10.
Saturday, June 12
Dallas-based artist Michael Wynne was raised in the tiny Texas town of Kirvin. He grew up being preached to about the evils of modern art while copying the works of Warhol, Rauschenberg and Pollock on his own time. His latest work, on view at Commerce Street Artists Warehouse, features dripped paint and found objects, all mixed up with glowing neon signs. See it today at the opening from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Works on view by appointment through July 3. 2315 Commerce. For information, call 713-226-7897 or visit www.commercestreet.org. Free.
Do you think you can handle enough partners to help set a world record for dating? Now, before your eyes glaze over with the image of hundreds of bodies tangled around you in sweaty embraces, let us explain what we're talking about. Tonight the folks at 8MinuteDating.com are going for a speed-dating record. All over the nation, lonely singles without much patience will meet and greet each other in hopes that their cities will set the record for the largest speed-dating event ever. Just think of the war stories: "Yeah, he was the greatest guy ever, but I had to give him the hand and move on to the next date. After all, the record was at stake." 2 p.m. Froggies Saloon, 13845 Cypress North Houston. For information, call 832-237-0650 or visit 8minutedating.com. $25.
Sunday, June 13
Oh, those wacky Greeks and their cases of mistaken identity. Oedipus famously bagged his mom by accident (or was it?) and even the great Jason saved the murderer of his father from drowning. This latter case of quirky happenstance led to Jason's search for the Golden Fleece. You can relive his journey today at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where there's a screening of Don Chaffey's campy 1963 action flick, Jason and the Argonauts. Featuring stop-action animation from special-effects wiz Ray Harryhausen, the plot of this epic movie is a little more accurate than most retellings of Greek myths, including the recent blockbuster Troy. Granted, you won't get to see Brad Pitt's gleaming muscles, but at least the geek in you will be satisfied. 2 p.m. Brown Auditorium, 1001 Bissonnet. For information, call 713-639-7515 or visit www.mfah.org/films. $5.
Monday, June 14
The Syndicate is not a girl band. We're not saying this to avoid pigeonholing this New York-based quartet's music as chick rock. No, the Syndicate is not a girl band, quite simply because the band members just aren't very girly. Ya dig? We're not sure what to call the Syndicate, besides a unique blend of original riffs and outrageous politics. You can check 'em out tonight at Super Happy Fun Land, Houston's mecca of all things indefinable. 8 p.m. 2610 Ashland. For information, call 713-880-2100 or visit www.superhappyfunland.com. $6.
Tuesday, June 15
Are you ready to jam? Bring an instrument to the Tailgate Bar's open jam session and join in. Or, if you're more of a spectator than a player, then hit the bar, buy a cold beer and catch the action. We suggest showing up early to chow down on one of the delicious burgers at Christian's Totem next door. Sure, that diet is important, but not as important as it is to support up-and-coming musicians. 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. 7340 Washington Avenue. For information, call 713-864-9744. Free.
Wednesday, June 16
We're tired of the excuses. You need to vote this year. Even if you think everyone on the ballot is a schmuck, then at least get your ass out there and write in a candidate. Granted, write-ins have pretty much no chance in hell of winning, but at least you can say, "I voted, but I didn't vote for him," when things start going wrong. Still not convinced you should hit the polls? Stop by the "Vote for America!" event today at the Art Guys World Headquarters. The Rasta Jazz Avengers will provide the sounds, while Voting in America: An independent documentary about why Americans don't vote will take care of the visuals. Produced by Laura Harrison and Charlotte Lagarde, this flick will make you realize your excuses are just as lame as those used by politicians. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 631 West 22nd. For information, visit www.votinginamerica.org. $25 to $30.
