Beat Happenings

Jack Handy's got nothin' on Amadeus: Deep Thoughts by Mozart: "People think I was poisoned because, post-mortem, my body was swollen and elastic. But really, people should have thought I was poisoned because I LOVED DRINKING POISON." For more musically Deep Mozart, head to Powell Symphony Hall (718 North Grand Boulevard; 314-533-2500) on Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21, at 8 p.m.; there you'll see the Symphony Chorus, as conducted by Nicholas McGegan. A cool $20 covers the concert and a reception to follow.

Rome wasn't built in a day: ....but of course, the Romans didn't have any fundraising help from their local up-'n' coming emo-pop band. Lucky for Habitat for Humanity, they do have such support, thanks to the "Building Homes with Building Rome" benefit. The proficient popsters-turned-humanitarians will be performing with the Dead End at Fontbonne University's Dunham Student Activity Center (6800 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton; 314-862-3456) on Friday, January 20, at 8 p.m. Beyond the $2 minimum donation, band and charity merchandise will be sold to benefit the cause.

He has a dream, too: Local Jewish-music artist Rick Recht strongly believes in eliminating prejudice. Hey! Kinda like Martin Luther King Jr.! In fact, Recht will be performing his "Tear Down The Walls: Teen Initiative" concert at University City High School (7401 Balson Avenue, University City; 314-290-4100) on Thursday, January 19, at 7 p.m. Through this free program, Recht will be educating teenagers on how to become peer leaders and help do away with bigotry in the community. MLK would be proud.

Contact the author [email protected]