THUR 12/4: Gibran B-Day, Boston Party, Spelling, Rock

If anyone visited earlier and saw a mess, well... Let's forget and move on...

Tip for today: Martini olives don't constitute a meal, no matter how many they put in your drink.

--------------------------------------------------------------

THUR 12/4

6pm to 8:30pm
"A Celebration of Khalil Gibran's 125th Birthday"
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Downstairs, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Although I haven't "The Prophet", I've been meaning to dig into it for years. I didn't realize he lived in Boston as a kid and lived here again when he returned from the Middle East.

Professor Suheil Bushrui (Univ. of Maryland) will give a presentation aptly titled, "The Enduring Legacy of Khalil Gibran". Wendy Jehlen of the Anikai Dance Company will perform; I know that might not sound exciting, but the photos look amazing.

Maybe there will be cake?

Maybe you should walk across the street and look at the Gibran memorial plaque in Copley Sq...

THUR 12/4

6pm to 8pm
City of Boston Official Tree Lighting Ceremony
at Boston Common, Tremont St side, Boston
FREE

Whatever your beliefs are, lights on trees can be enjoyed by anyone. Tonight is the lighting of "Boston's official non-denominational holiday shrub" (actual quote!) and trees from the Common through the Public Garden and down the Comm Ave Mall.

There's carolers, a Santa (who really isn't a religious or spiritual figure in contemporary times), and various performers. Besides giving us our tree, Nova Scotia is also sending along the bluesy Garrett Mason Band that Stevie Ray fans will definitely enjoy.

THUR 12/4

7:15pm
Spell or Dare!
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I have little info on this, but a friend and I were planning on doing a monthly spelling bee night. (Don't worry, Sooz. These people don't even have a web presence!) All I know is:

A new game show with host Laura Cortese and the Mack-ademia Panel
Sign ups 7:15 / Bee begins 7:45

Laura Cortese is a really good singer/fiddler, but I don't think she's singing tonight. Maybe afterwards?

The Boston Celtic Music Festival is having their second Toad showcase at 10pm, which was described as "tunes and songs, a blast of Cape Breton, and some mighty Irish music."

Featuring: Ellery Klein & Liz Simmons, Kimberley Fraser & Emerald Rae, Dan Gurney, Jimmy Noonan & Andy Collins.

THUR 12/4

9:30pm
Illinois, Pray For Polanski, Cars On Mars
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 18+

I saw Illinois a couple years ago opening for StellaStarr*, and they were my favorite band of the night. The more I listened, the more I loved their rootsy, twangy indie-rock. Do yourself a favor and check them out. (If anyone can rock out with a banjo in the band, they get major points with me.) With their new album, each song has a video episode that looks pretty good beyond a music video. I don't know why, but they played here last month, and they're playing again next month.

I've liked Pray For Polanski for a while too. It's a spunky sound... It's a rockabilly thing... There's the male-female dual vocals... Good stuff. Cars On Mars do sound a little drugged-out from the songs on their MySpace, but it sounds like they could be the surprise musical moment of the night.