NOVEMBER 15 & 16

Timing is everything in show bidness. In 1986, Josh Alan published Tales of Times Square, a frighteningly fascinating, unblinking look at the denizens of the Crossroads of the World during what he called the “golden age of pornography,” 1978-84. A decade later, those same years are chronicled California-style in the current critical smash, Boogie Nights. When Alan wrote the musical The Worst!, based on the life of schlockmeister Ed Wood, Tim Burton’s film was released almost simultaneously. Alan has a new album now, and a fair chance that he won’t be upstaged. The title cut of Blacks ‘n’ Jews is billed as an “anthem of ethnic solidarity.” (Sample rhyme: “Blacks ‘n’ Jews, blacks ‘n’ Jews/One says y’all, the other says youse.”) Son of noted novelist Bruce Jay Friedman and brother of similarly twisted artist Drew, the singer/songwriter plays the blues with more conviction than a white New York-native might be expected to possess, especially on the hauntingly wistful “Harlem Time.” Unless Tom Waits regains his voice and abandons his arty experiments, Alan may finally have the spotlight to himself. Alan performs and signs copies of the re-released Tales at 4 p.m. Saturday at Joe’s Record Paradise, 13822 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. FREE. (301) 460-8394; and performs with Faith & Jude at 9 p.m. Sunday at Iota, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. FREE. (703) 522-8340. (Dave Nuttycombe)