MIFUNE - Their political message is set to a captivating dance beat.

Tired of the war in Iraq, as polls show nearly two-thirds of Amerians are? Come support an organization that hasn't tired of opposing that war since even before it started - the Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition (NOAC), an umbrella group of peace activists from around the area. A benefit for the group called Five Years of War - We Will Not Be Silent, a concert and informational event, takes place at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) from 7-11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. Music will be provided by singer-songwriters Zach, Sue Jeffers, Victoria Parks and Charlie Mosbrook, while "Afro-electronique" ensemble Mifune will cap the show with a combined dose of infectious, danceable rhythms and political commentary. Various progressive groups, including NOAC, Progressive Democrats of America, Revolution Books, World Can't Wait and Burned Books Publishing will have tables set up, and NOAC's Greg Coleridge will conduct current events quizzes between acts for various prizes. Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show. Go to noacinfo.com for more info. - Anastasia Pantsios

Lottery League produces more than 30 new bands

Creative miscegenation is nothing new to any music scene - indeed, it's hardly possible to hear news of a new band without learning that it's two guys from so-and-so with the drummer from whomever. But even the fluidly recombinant tendencies of terminal rock-band recidivists rarely stretch too far beyond generational or genre borders. So it was probably only a matter of time before someone forced the issue. A small cabal of local music activists calling itself "The Council of Chiefs" has conceived and organized the Cleveland Lottery League, an ambitious draft wherein over 130 musicians from a wide cross-section of styles have thrown their names in to be set up in random groups with other musicians by a lottery system. All the musicians in the Lottery League have agreed to stay with the bands fate selected for them until April 12, on which date they are to perform a short set at the Beachland, which must include at least one original group composition. The lottery, which took place at Asterisk Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 2, produced more than 30 new bands, many with truly astonishing combinations of members. While considerations of space and tedium prevent listing them all here, the full list and some photos can be found at lotteryleague.blogspot.com. Objectively, there isn't a single uninteresting combination in the bunch, and some of the groups seem to carry the potential for transcendence. Time will tell. - Ron Kretsch

Note: In addition to writing about it for us, Ron Kretsch is a musical participant in the Cleveland Lottery League. He'll be blogging the experience at thisisanartthreat.blogspot.com.

Up From the River Fest Returns

Area folkies and singer-songwriters again gather at the Kent Stage (175 E. Main St., 330.677.5005, kentstage.org) for the Sixth Annual Up from the River festival, a two-night showcase for the region's diverse down-home talent. Rio Neon, which emphasizes virtuouso vocal harmonies encompassing jazz, swing, blues, old-time and other styles; amiable veteran area singer-songwriter Alex Bevan; rootsy female trio the Rhondas; and multi-generic duo Peggy Coyle and Brad Bolton share the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, the offbeat, mostly original Smokin' Fez Monkeys, '60s-style folk ensemble Long Road, the Clearfork Bluegrass Quartet and singer-songwriter Michael Grady perform. Tickets each night: $8. - AP

Top Local Acts Play Beachland

Once again, the Free Times picked our Top 10 Bands to Watch in the coming year (issue of Jan. 2-8). If you want to see if our writers know what they're talking about, the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) has arranged to have them all play in two shows over two nights. At 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, Afternoon Naps, To Be a High-Powered Executive, Lunavelis, Unsparing Sea and State Bird will play; at 8 Saturday, Feb. 9, Living Stereo, Venomin, Muamin Collective, Gravity and Eternal Legacy showcase. Admission: $5 advance, $7 at the door. - AP

Moonlight Drive's Annual Gig

Moonlight Drive is going out for one more spin with its founding members. Although vocalist Bill Pettijohn has continued with the local Doors tribute band since its 1981 founding, co-founder, guitarist Tom Brehm, hasn't played with it since 1995 when he moved to Nashville. But Brehm will be returning from Nashville to join the ensemble (which also includes drummer Al Berdysz and keyboardist Dave Holmberg) for its annual gig at the House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave., 216.241.5555) at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8. Tickets: $10 advance, $12 at the door. - AP

High School Rock Off Winners

The "Final Exam" has been taken and graded, and the star pupils of the 12th Annual Tri-C High School Rock Off have been announced. Taking third place: the Modern Electric (Willoughby South High School); in second place, the Bootleg Brothers (Amherst Steele High School); and the best high school band in Northeast Ohio is - Thee TV Oh Dees (Avon High School), a jumpy, avant-garde-style trio who've competed two previous years. Get a taste of their music at 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 on K-Rock 92.3's Inner Sanctum Show. Nineteen bands chosen during six finals, culled from an initial field of 72, vied for top honors at the House of Blues on Saturday, Feb. 2 in front of a packed house of proud parents, siblings and high school buddies. - AP