TUES 8/19: Prez Talk, Classical, Rock, Folk

I tried to go to "The Big Lebowski" Party at Coolidge Corner Theatre, but it was sold out when I got there at 6:59pm... So I went across the street and had a white Russian... I can't believe I wore my bowling shirt...

George, the Coolidge's program director, said to me, "There's next year."

Thanks, George.

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TUES 8/19

6pm to 8pm
"Presidential Politics: Campaigning and the Media"
at (probably) 190 High St, 4th Fl, Boston (Financial District)
FREE w/ RSVP

Former radio host and current Tufts professor Michael Goldman is the first speaker in a 3-part series on the presidential campaign ("as a way to understand the world around us") sponsored by Boston Cares. According to the blurb, the discussion will cover:

the role the media plays within presidential campaigns and the role it has in shaping our perceptions of the candidates. Lastly, the evening will end with a discussion about the two presidential candidates and the campaign to date.

When you RSVP they'll let you know the exact address, but most of these talks are held at their office. (It looks like there is still room...)

TUES 8/19

6pm
"Music in the Park": Strasbourg Youth Orchestra
at Christopher Columbus Park, Boston (North End/Waterfront)
FREE

It might be a nice evening to listen to some music by the water. A bunch of youngish, French musicians have been in town for a few days, and it appears they're playing a mix of classical pieces and some contemporary symphonic works.

I didn't know Strasbourg was Boston's sister city; it turns out that we have 8 "sister cities"... (WTF?!?)

TUES 8/19

9:30pm
Band In Boston Residency
Beasts of England, Anthems, Greg (of Pending Disappointment), Polarbaron, Emeen Z
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 -- 21+ / $10 -- 18+

I put up a short post about this series of Band In Boston anniversary shows yesterday. I listened to every band playing tonight, and there's some damn good music with some interesting variety! I guess the idea is to trust Jen and Andy's good taste, if you don't listen to their every podcast. But you should listen...


From the Weekly List:


TUES 8/19

9pm
Neil Cleary's Doozy, James Kochalka Superstar, David Kamm, Jesse Popp, MC Mr. Napkins, The Artificial Hearts
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

Of Neil Cleary, I liked this snippet from All Music Guide; I'd want to say something similar:

Look at it this way: y’know that guy that all of Aimee Mann and Liz Phair’s breakup songs are about? Okay, imagine if he wrote those songs about himself, but he didn’t quite get what they were so ticked off about: that’s a fair approximation of the lyrical thrust of this album. John Hiatt, Nick Lowe and Randy Newman have all toyed with this persona as well, and echoes of all three waft through these dozen rootsy power pop tunes.

James Kochalka is a cartoonist from Burlington, VT; but he wrote one of my favorite songs called "Hockey Monkey". It's truly a gem! It should be a fun show with some comedy, some more music, and a funny musician (MC Mr. Napkins).

I still maintain this will be an awesome show!

TUES 8/19

9:30pm to Midnight
Peter Mulvey
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
$10

WTF? There's almost never a cover at Atwoods! Well, Peter Mulvey is passing through town and he's worth it. Apparently this songwriter spent a couple years in Boston and often played in the T. (He recorded a whole CD of cover songs at the Davis Sq station in '01.) You might not have tipped him, so pay up for a night of songs from his rich rasp over sweet guitar work.

TUES 8/19

10pm
The Sneaks
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

There's some free pop-rock too.