Circus Contraption is more cirque noir—a romantically shabby, Euro-bordello feeling, all accordions and tassels and faded red velvet. The Yard Dogs (from San Francisco) are more nü-vaudeville—electric guitars and burlesque dancing and flashy magic tricks. They've both got great skills and great bands—seeing them on the same stage will be a sword-swallowing, fire-eating, trapeze-swinging joy. (Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-0888. 8 pm, $18 adv/$20 DOS, 21+.)