A Real Doll

MON 6/21

Poor Margaret Doll Rod. Considering her album cover art, for which she wears
only a strategically placed guitar — not to mention her equally bawdy stage
show, where her, um, weapons sometimes slip out of their holsters — it’s no
wonder her power chords often play second fiddle to her hottie reputation. But
ask any Detroit rock aficionado about her band, the Demolition Doll Rods, and
the divine Miss M gets plenty of props for her leering and occasionally off-key
vocal work, not to mention the band’s garish, garage-style sleaze rock with
its thumping beat and slashing guitars. The band includes her sister Christine,
who plays drums stand-up-style and could beat down Meg White any day, and dog
collar-wearing guitarist Dan Kroha, a former member of the Gories, a Detroit
mainstay that would have its own floor with the MC5 in a garage-rock hall of
fame. Likewise, the Doll Rods are true to the punk ethic, still trudging along
even though they peaked in popularity in the late ’90s. “I think a lot of people
would be happy if the Doll Rods quit,” Margaret said recently. “I let that shit
inspire me.” 10 p.m. Monday, June 21. Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh Drive. For information,
call 713-521-0521. $8. — Greg Barr

Those Lovable Lawyers

Night Court is back in session

If you don’t think lawyers are creative types, think again. It can take a
lot of imagination to sway a jury. The Houston Bar Association is showcasing
the talents of its members in this year’s edition of Night Court. Hailed
as a classic mystery with clueless lawyers, The Law in Black and White features a cast of local attorneys, judges and politicians taking a stab at
solving a crime — while acting like black-and-white television characters.
Aside from all the inside jokes, the show’s apparently the real deal. Last year’s
event sold out all three nights, and this year’s is expected to do the same,
which is notable, considering that the play features no actors, just attorneysoh,
who are we kidding? Aren’t they the same thing? 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday,
June 17 through 19. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby. For
information, call 713-315-2525 or visit www.thehobbycenter.org.
$26. — Lance Walker

On The Fly

SAT 6/19

The Houston Metropolitan Dance Company has been performing at the Wortham for
about five years, and executive director Michelle Smith and company are in no
hurry to give up their swanky digs. So Met Dance is teaming up with Fly Dance
Company for a summer concert — that way fans of both groups will show up, and
there will be enough butts in the seats. You can expect all kinds of performances
from these two contemporary companies, including a piece called “What Lola Wants,”
inspired by the musical Damn Yankees. Says Smith, “It’s got a little
twist that involves food.” 8 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Cullen Theater, 501 Texas.
For information, call 713-522-6375 or visit www.houstonmetdance.com.
$18 to $35. — Keith Plocek

Fused Grooves

SAT 6/19

For most anyone who digs a shifty bass line (performed, not sampled), Stanley Clarke needs no intro. The innovative bassist has been coasting on the jazz/R&B/pop wave for years. Reunited with guitar deity Al DiMeola and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, Clarke will kick out some refreshed fusion tunes from the trio’s 1995 collaboration, Rite of Strings, at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Verizon Wireless Theater, 520 Texas. For tickets, call 713-629-3700 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. $27.50 to $46.50. — Steven Devadanam