Rasputina

Rasputina play MilkBoy on Wednesday, October 28, with Dust Bowl Faeries opening. If you've never come across them, Rasputina is a cello rock trio led by Melora Creager, who calls the group the Traveling Ladies Cello Society—an electric cello choir that allows no boys or guitars. The concept started as a manifesto: a stationary cello choir wearing elaborate historical feminine costumes, from Victorian whites to Indian princesses, Hawaiian handmaidens and fallen medieval queens. Creager has directed the group for 20 years and has said she'll disband it when a certain roll of industrial-grade Saran Wrap runs out.

Creager's path to the project is a bit of a New York story. Born and raised in Kansas, she moved to the city at 18 to study photography at Parsons, played cello in rock bands, and crossed paths with drag performers. She formed The Fingerlakes Trio, a classical group that played disco covers, before joining NYC's Ultra Vivid Scene and becoming Nirvana's cellist on their final European tour. Since then, Rasputina has shared stages with Nirvana, Marilyn Manson, Bob Mould and Porno for Pyros.

Opening for them are Dust Bowl Faeries, who fuse dark cabaret and gothic polka, drawing on circus songs, murder ballads and Eastern European folk. Between the two acts, the night leans toward the theatrical and the orchestral, with cellos and cabaret taking center stage.

Doors open at 7 PM and the show starts at 8 PM. Tickets are $30 to $35, and it's a 21+ show, so you'll need a valid photo ID. A couple of things to keep in mind about the venue: the stage is on the second floor, it's standing room only, and there's no elevator in the building.