FUNKY DIVA STRIKES BACK

When Everybody Got Their Something dropped back in 2001, Nikka Costa almost instantly became the new millennial white-chocolate hope. Yet, amid the much-ballyhooed pop mega-releases of various former child stars, Costa’s brand of grown-ass sangin’ and sass–complete with bold stagecraft courtesy of Mr. Brown–appeared too hot for the infantilized masses to handle. Time has not been kind to her and her struggles to accomplish what the bicentennial Teena Marie could not, but Costa’s now signed to Stax and keeps on truckin’ in a heavy blend of rock ‘n’ soul. If Pebble to a Pearl connects with audiences strung out on Blighty blues Mummers Amy Winehouse and Duffy, perhaps their precursor will finally get her due? With Pictures and Sound.

Mon., Oct. 20, 7 p.m., 2008