TONIGHT: Hot WeekTonight’s performance of the re-united...

TONIGHT: Hot Week

Tonight’s performance of the re-united Sex Pistols commences the busiest week of the year at Universal Amphitheatre. There’s something happening every night and it’s a very mixed bag. Someone who owns a dictionary might even call it eclectic.

But, never mind that. The Sex Pistols, all four original members--Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock--have been touring the world since June, and tonight it’s Los Angeles’ turn. The show is nearly sold out.

A trio of country music songstresses--Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan and Carlene Carter--on Friday are followed on Saturday by the Heartbreak Kid herself, Linda Ronstadt.

Ronstadt, who has sold over 30 million records while venturing into numerous musical genres--country, rock, pop, opera, Mexican--will be performing her greatest hits this time around.

Television personality and pianist John Tesh is slated for Sunday evening. He will be followed Monday by pop singer Celine Dion. Dion’s show is also nearly sold out.

Rocker Elvis Costello and the Attractions will round out the week with performances Tuesday and Wednesday.

Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, presents:

* Sex Pistols at 8:15 tonight. Tickets are $30.50.

* Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan and Carlene Carter at 8:15 p.m. Friday. Tickets are 18.50-$35.50.

* Linda Ronstadt at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $28-$38.

* John Tesh at 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19-$36.

* Celine Dion 8:15 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $23-$38.

* Elvis Costello & the Attractions at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are $21.50-$32.50.

Call (213) 480-3232.

*

SUNDAY: Hot Stuff

Believe it or not, there’s a spice revolution on the horizon, and Sherman Oaks is going to be the center of it. Or so says self-proclaimed hot sauce guru Clive Phillips.

The opening volley might come this Sunday when Trinidad native Phillips will stage a hot sauce taste-off at Cozy’s in Sherman Oaks. Besides a taste of “de Islands” spices and music, attendees will have their collective consciousness raised as well.

“Everyone in the room is going to have some hot sauce in a little cup,” says Phillips in a heavy Island accent. “I’m going to count off, and everyone is going to taste at the same time.

“The vibration in the room will indicate the feel of their collective consciousness and the consciousness will manifest in the room.”

Not surprisingly, Phillips says people in Trinidad take their spices quite seriously.

“In Trinidad, it’s a competitive thing in the villages--there were master pepper sauce chefs in my neighborhood,” he remembers. “Most people who work with hot sauces are spiritual leaders also. It’s very competitive and ritualistic too.”

Phillips is marketing four hot sauces, or consciousness enhancers as he likes to call them, under the brand name Black Sage. One that he calls “Harbor Schroom” was inspired by a vision he had while sitting on a fallen tree in Angeles Crest Forest seeking harmony, he says.

“The taste is vaarooooommmmm,” Phillips states immodestly.

Besides offering his sauces on Sunday, Phillips also will perform music which he describes as avant garde, cosmic, urban funk.

“It’s a whole flavor thing with a hypnotic groove all the time,” he says. “It allows the musicians to fly anywhere they want to.”

* Clive Phillips, the Hot Sauce Guru, will stage a Hot Sauce Taste-Off and Caribbean Music Festival from 5-11 p.m. Sunday at Cozy’s Bar and Grill, 14058 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Tickets are $6 and proceeds will benefit children with AIDS. Call (818) 986-6000.