TUES 11/11: Vets Film, Music, Comedy, Irish Combo

Yes, that wild-eyed man (I have my pronunciation guess) is in town tonight. There's a lot of other good stuff around too.

Special thanks to the veterans today.

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TUES 11/11

7:30pm
"After The Fog: Interviews with Combat Veterans": Screening & Discussion
at the Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St, Arlington
$9 online / $10 door

Vermont veterans of WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq share some of their battle experiences in this documentary on Veteran’s Day. The director will lead the post-screening discussion and Q&A. He'll be joined by local veterans.

TUES 11/11

Been Wiser (11:45pm), Bob Carlton (10:45pm), Dr and Mrs. Vandertrampp (9:45pm), Yankee Blue Jeans (9pm)
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
$7

It's billed as a Been Wiser show, but he's the singer in The Diamond Mines and I think some of the band will play for more than just Ben's kick-ass songs and acoustic guitar. That's most likely what you'll get from Bob Carlton who has theat indie-folk vibe, but I liked his minimalist intensity... Besides being some sort of French language mnemonic, this quirky drum-guitar-vocals duo sound like they're having fun. As do Yankee Blue Jeans, who rip it Appalachian-style.

TUES 11/11

9:30pm
The Rob Crean Show
Feat: Tom E. Morello, MC Mr. Napkins, Tim Vargulish, The Living Sea
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$8 / 21+

It's a comedy show in the format of variety/talk show. Imagine a late-night talk show with various sketches, interviews, and performances, and a "humorous take on the news" segment. Now imagine it being funny... One of the funniest guys I've heard in a while is MC Mr. Napkins; he does these hilarious raps far off the radar of other hip-hoppers. The Living Sea sound great too with tasty, potent guitar parts and a female singer with lovely, unpretentious voice. Members of the Anderson comedy troupe will probably perform as well.

TUES 11/11

10pm
New York Songwriters Circle
Feat: Richard Saunders, Jen Murdza, Micah, Rebecca Folsom, Chris Ayer
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

The folkies that get involved with New York Songwriters Circle are generally serious and polished. It's been a regular gathering at NYC's Bitter End for almost 20 years, and they started a competition about 5 years ago. (Last week, the truly deserving Mieka Pauley won this year's grand prize -- so even if it's rigged in some way, they have good taste!)

Chris Ayer was one of the finalists, and performing at ths 2nd Boston edition of the "songwriters in the round". It's probably more like a "semi-round, because a full-circle would be a little rude to the audience... He's joined by several talented locals and Rebecca Folsom who's passing through from Boulder, CO (?). I listened to all of them, but Richard Saunders is the guy I'd be curious about: he's 18, looks like he's 12, and sings like he's been gigging for 20 years.

(Some of the MySpace pages made a point of saying "21+ unless with parent/guardian".)

TUES 11/11

10pm
Aindrias de Staic, "Around the World on 80 Quid"
at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10

Before the Boston Irish Film Festival spreads its tourism-board blarney this week, a lone Irishman hits town with true Irishness. (Well... As true as a great Irish storyteller can be...) Armed with his violin and sharp sense of humor, Aindrias has traveled far and wide from Galway; and his mind is full of hilarious adventures. Originally conceived to be a screenplay, this show has been a big hit at festivals in Edinburgh, Melbourne, and New Zealand.

There is other comedy and other music tonight, but who knows when de Staic will be in these parts again. (He's also at The Burren on Monday, but never mind about that.) This is where I'm going tonight.

His short film, "Malarkey", to give you a taste. (From what I can tell, there'll be more craic tonight...)