Fri. Nov. 9

Rock and politics. As primary season heats up, expect more and more of these linkups. And - as a veteran of covering these things - I can tell you don't expect much rock for Rudy, or Mitt, unless Ted Nugent and the Osmonds get on board. Rock and politics just about always means left-wing rock (Think Billy Bragg, the Clash, Jackson Browne) and politics and the most left-wing guy in the campaign right now is the mostly neglected Cleveland Rep. Dennis Kucinich. If you know anything, you probably know about his hot young redhead wife and her tongue-stud. Ani DiFranco would like you to know a little more about the little man - yes, he's short, it's our only short joke - himself and he will give a presentation during DiFranco's concert at the Orpheum Theatre Friday Nov. 9. This should not come as a total shock to Ani-philes. DiFranco - no stranger to politics or controversy - is playing music this month, and dedicating the tour to promoting clean, sustainable energy solutions to the climate change crisis and opposing the construction of new nuclear power reactors.  Rep. Kucinich will address these issues and announce his new proposal to launch the Works Green Administration, which will put millions of Americans to work developing and implementing “green strategies” for alternative fuels development, energy conservation, research and technology, and the retro-fitting of homes, businesses, and government facilities to make them more energy efficient.
What about music? you ask. That, too! DiFranco is touring with her band, which includes Todd Sickafoose on upright bass, Allison Miller on drums and Mike Dillon on vibraphone and percussion. We've seen DiFranco before and she can be quite stirring in a punky Indigo kind of way. We haven't seen her in a few years, though, so we'll defer to the Buffalo news which called the ensemble “brilliant.” Kucinich is, of course, a huge fan and personal friend of Ani, and admires her ability to reach out to the millions and sing songs with a message. Says Mr. K: She “opens people’s eyes and ears to the importance and urgency of taking our planet seriously, protecting it, and finding ways to improve it for generations to come.” DiFranco is touring behind her first studio CD career retrospective, "Canon," so you may expect a lot from her,
Opening: Two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion Buddy Wakefield. Starts at 8. Tickets: $39.

One Hamilton Place, 617-931-2000 www.ticketmaster.com