In dança bonita (2.9 ~ 2.10)

Only those who have attempted CAPOEIRA understand its demand to engage every muscle in the body. Developed by African slaves in Brazil, capoeira is a combat technique for self defense veiled as a dance. The result is a visually astonishing, aerobatic martial art that has capoeira masters on their hands, flying through the air and rhythmically kicking to a beat. Blending capoeira, modern dance and samba, DANCE BRAZIL, a dance group founded by renowned capoeira master JELON VIEIRA, provides an aesthetically stunning performance of physical movement. Triangle residents have an opportunity to view the fiery dance Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. at MEMORIAL HALL in Chapel Hill. Tickets are $10-$50. Call 843-3333 or visit www.carolinaperformingarts.org for more information. Ashley B. RobertsIn the rare experience (2.11)

It seems almost necessary to rib David Rawlings for the name DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE, especially since it’s nothing more than he and usual partner-in-song GILLIAN WELCH on stage singing covers (Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, Neil Young) and the songs he’s co-written. Maybe Rawlings and his Machine (DRM?) are commenting on Digital Rights Management (DRM) and electronic copyright law, or perhaps they heard Project and Experience were taken. But hold the jokes, as the “Machine” is likely a tongue-in-cheek reference to Rawling’s perpetual producer-guitarist-sideman status: Rawlings’ co-writers include Ryan Adams and Allison Krauss. He’s played with Solomon Burke and Norah Jones and produced both Old Crow Medicine Show LPs. And, for a decade, he’s been the other half of “the band” Gillian Welch. Go ahead, think of him as a machine, the kind that makes it easy to make better music. Just remember: His name is David Rawlings. He plays a tiny 1935 Epiphone Olympic archtop guitar that sounds like heaven in a wood-box. And he and Gillian Welch play Sunday, Feb. 11 at CAT’S CRADLE. Tickets for the 9 p.m. start are $15. Grayson CurrinIn recombinant music (2.10)

Think of HOBEX as genetic therapy. After all, if there’s anything to set free the boogie in the chronically uptight, it’s a dose of soul and funk. Hobex is designed to shake loose your winter doldrums, spruce up your psyche and remind your ass what hips are for. The post-Dillon Fence project of GREG HUMPHREYS, Hobex is a “groove deep, mellow high,” built on the peal of the Hammond, sturdy low-riding bass and Humphrey’s relaxed croon. The band’s eclectic, broad approach to American soul invites you to ease back into your chair or onto your feet. They’re celebrating the release of ENLIGHTENED SOUL, whose title trackwouldn’t you know?is actually a country-folk tune. Dress for the occasion, as they’ll be shooting footage for a live DVD at THE POUR HOUSE on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 p.m. Dirty Dozen Brass Band guitarist JAMIE MCLEAN (see page 51) opens with his own band. Tickets are $6-$8. Chris ParkerIn days of wine and roses (2.11)

What’s VALENTINE’S DAY without a little smooth jazz? Come and celebrate V-Day with the HAYTI HERITAGE CENTER for their 4TH ANNUAL VALENTINE’S DAY JAZZ FESTIVAL. The evening will include the melodic sounds of the NCCU JAZZ ENSEMBLE, directed by Ira Wiggins, the UNC JAZZ BAND, conducted by Jim Ketch, and the DUKE UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE, directed by John Brown. As a special encore treat, all three ensembles will grace the stage for an all-star performance. The night of jazz will take place Sunday, Feb. 11, in the St. Joseph’s Performance Hall of HHC, located at 804 Old Fayetteville St. in Durham, at 4 p.m. General admission is $15. For tickets and information, call 683-1709 or visit www.hayti.org. Iesha BrownIn smelling and tasting (2.17)

HAVE-A-HEART, a wine tasting and auction, will take place Sunday, Feb. 11 from 3-6 p.m. at the WEST END WINE BAR, 450 W. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. This ambitious event will feature wines available in our area from Argentina, Chile, Italy, France and California. Two brand new wine distributors will be currying your favor regarding their discoveries. Hors d’oevres, live music and Valentine gift ideas complete this remarkable lineup, whose profits benefit INDEPENDENT ANIMAL RESCUE, which covers the entire Triangle area. A mere $20 allows entrance at the door. For advance reservations and more information, call IAR at 403-2221 or write to animalrescue@mindspring.com. Supporters of dogswe know who you arewill have another chance to show their love the following week when IAR hosts a second fundraiser entitled AN EVENING WITH STEPHANIE MILLER. The Air America host will be the star attraction at the FRANKLIN HOTEL in Chapel Hill on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the WCHL office at 88 Vilcom Circle, Suite 130 in Chapel Hill. For more on IAR, visit www.animalrescue.net. Arturo CiompiIn Raleigh, North Carolina, United States… (2.7, 2.9, 2.11)

Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN, often considered the quintessential American play, earned him his second Pulitzer and status as the only American author to earn that award in fiction and drama. Over the years, many composers have wanted to turn the work into an opera, but none succeeded to get permissionuntil now. Adapted by two acclaimed Americans, composer Ned Rorem and poet J.D. McClatchy, Our Town, the opera, will be presented by the A.J. FLETCHER OPERA INSTITUTE of the N.C. SCHOOL OF THE ARTS in Raleigh for two days: Friday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., before continuing on its Southeastern premiere. There will also be a special showing for schoolchildren on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Call Ticketmaster at 834-4000 for reservations and admission information. Megan Stein