THUR 11/13: Shakespeare, Stencil, Blues, Folk, Booze

It pays to listen to college radio! I sometimes listen to WERS at work, and I won tix to see Sarah Borges and Juliana Hatfield at the Museum of Science. I didn't talk to Juliana, but she seemed alright. Both performers played great sets.

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THUR 11/13

6:30pm
Alex McNeil, "Who was the Real William Shakespeare": Lecture
in Room C05/C06*, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

There are a lot of people who don't believe William Shakespeare actually wrote all of those plays and sonnets. The President of the Shakespeare Fellowship is going to tell you why the true bard was Edward de Vere (17th Earl of Oxford).

* Did you know there were more conference rooms downstairs to the side of the Rabb Lecture Hall? That's where this lecture is...

THUR 11/13

7pm
Russell Howze, "Stencil Nation": Book Reading & Presentation
at Lucy Parsons Center, 549 Columbus Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

Soneone suggested that the first stencil may have been when someone put paint on their hand then placed it on a rock thousands of years ago. The new book, "Stencil Nation: Graffiti, Community, and Art", collects hundreds of street art examples from all over the world. Author Russell Howze will give about an hour presentation about the history and various aspect of the stenciling form as well as show some actual stencils. For the art-curious and future street artists...

THUR 11/13

8pm to 10pm
Erin Harpe
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamica Plain
$5 / 21+

I have some reasons to believe that this show will actually start early. Harpe claims she'll be playing two sets of real, deep acoustic delta blues. (Yes, she kick ass. You'll hear the original material brought to life again.) She needs to finish by 10pm, because it's Queeraoke night. You'll want to get there on time anyway, because ribs from Jakes Boss BBQ are included with the cover charge -- while they last...

THUR 11/13

10pm
Ben Sollee, Kim Taylor
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Some singer-songwriters place a cello between their legs instead of a guitar in their laps. Well, I don't know there are plural singer-songwriter cellists; but Ben Sollee is really damn good. He was in town a couple months ago with the Sparrow Quartet, a heavy-duty modern/bluegrass-ish outfit that includes Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn. Now's a chance to get the "Ben Sollee" experience.

It's easy to be drawn in with his smooth soulful vocals; the lyrics are quite thoughtful. (He even wrote a dis' song about Kanye West.) It's refreshing to hear a solo performer making a sweet sound with strumming or ivory-tickling. I'm sure he'll play he's jazzy re-write of "A Change is Gonna Come" (as an Obama supporter).

Now, I don't have an issue with guitar playing. I love it. Kim Taylor is a fantastic singer-songwriter that will surely entertain.

Free/Cheap Booze Alert:

THUR 11/13

4pm to 8pm
Annual Holiday Splendiferous Wine Tasting
at Liquor Land, 1033 Mass Ave, Boston (near South Bay Center)
FREE

I saw this from my friend Lily Von Schtoop's blog. There's no need to spend a lot of money on holiday spirits; you'll likely find a good deal on something you like. There's no need to even spend any money. It's supposed to have a lot of wines to taste. Try them all... Make different faces (some good, some bad)... After you've tried everything a least once, walk out like you'll be back (you probably will) and get on the bus to home.