The New Deal

The idea might not be as progressive as FDR’s strategy of economic relief, reform and recovery, from which the band derives its name, but the concept of performing breakbeat and house music with live, un-looped instruments remains pretty innovative, 11 years into the Toronto band’s career. The New Deal pretty much invented the “livetronic” genre that has become a late-night staple on the festival circuit, but their sweaty, synth grooves work just as well indoors.

With the help of DJ Motion Potion, who SF Weekly described as “the DJ for people who hate DJs,” and Albany’s own prog-livetronic (progtronic?) crew Timbre Coup, the New Deal will turn Rev Hall into the closest thing to Camp Bisco since, well, Camp Bisco.

The New Deal play Revolution Hall (425 River St., Troy) tonight (Aug. 20) at 8 PM. Tickets are $23. Call 274-0553 for more info.

Pacific Northwest Ballet

Choreographer and star dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Ulysses Dove was known for work that blended speed and ferocity with sensuality, emotion and eroticism. Now, Pacific Northwest Ballet presents an exclusive-to-the-Pillow, all-Dove program featuring Vespers, Red Angels and Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven.

According to The New York Times, “Pacific Northwest Ballet would stand out in the richest of seasons.”

Well, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival is know for its rich seasons, so you’ll have to head to Becket, Mass., yourself to determine if this week’s exclusive performance by the Seattle-based company shines as anticipated.

But word is tickets are selling like hotcakes. So get ’em while you can.

Pacific Northwest Ballet alights on the Ted Shawn Theatre stage at Jacob’s Pillow (358 George Carter Road, Becket, Mass.) tonight (Thursday, Aug. 20) at 8 PM. Performances run through Sunday (Aug. 22). Tickets are $59.50; a youth matinee on Saturday offers $10 youth tickets when accompanied by an adult. For more info, or to purchase tickets, call (413) 243-0745.

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Tanglewood season is winding down, but not losing steam. Example: Kurt Masur will conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Saturday night in an all-Mendelssohn program, and the featured soloist will be violinist Gil Shaham (pictured).

The program only features three works, but they’re spectacular. Symphony No. 4 (Italian) was Mendelssohn’s musical response to making “the grand tour” of Italy. Even better is the Hebrides Overture, the composer’s evocative and lovely portrait of the dank, foggy, mysterious Scottish isles; oldsters may remember its “Fingal’s Cave” theme, appropriated by cartoon composer Carl Stalling as the theme for animator Chuck Jones’ Minah Bird. And Shaham will shine on the Violin Concerto, which is not only one of the most popular Mendelssohn works, it’s one of the most-loved violin concertos, period.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra will perform Saturday (Aug. 22) at 8:30 PM in the Koussevitzky Music Shed (Tanglewood, Lenox, Mass.). Tickets are $18 (lawn) to $89. For more info, visit tangle wood.org.