TUES 12/9: Blues/Roots, Comedy/Variety, Film/Drinks

Are there any rush-hour Red Line commuters out there? I've been looking for the seatless Red Line cars yesterday and today, but no luck. I usually stand anyway, so I was going to try it out.

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TUES 12/9

9pm
Geoff Bartley, Jeremy Lyons
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

Local blues/folk/roots fans probably already know at least one of these names. Geoff Bartley has been gigging for almost 40 years. While Geoff can be thought of in the general sphere of folk, there's a big blues vibe to his stuff. This guy is also a sick guitar player; if you're jaw doesn't drop, your mouth will be at least slightly agape. I haven't even mentioned his deep, heartfelt songwriting yet.

Jeremy Lyons is opening with a solo set. Lyons unexpectedly decided to move from New Orleans to Boston after the weather became really aggressive (aka Hurricane Katrina). Seems like the cold doesn't bother him so much, and we're lucky to his bluesy, swampy, NOLA slide-guitaring 'n singing. I though music at Johnny D's usually doesn't start until 10pm, but Geoff says 8:30, so I'm guessing 9pm...

TUES 12/9

9:30pm
The Rob Crean Show
Feat: Shane Mauss, Liz Prince, MC Mr. Napkins, The Cold Beat
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$8 / 21+

It's a comedy show in the format of variety/talk show with sketches, interviews, performances, etc. This should be ridiculously good and funny. Shane Mauss is hilarious; he's even better than his Conan O'Brien appearances suggest. Liz Prince is a very talented comic artist (eg the flyer above) -- both the illustrations and words. I'll say it again: MC Mr. Napkins is one of the funniest guys I've heard in a while. I love his cleverly nerdy raps! The Cold Beat rock with force – lean, mean, loud, fast rock that doesn't forget about the songs. Members of the Anderson comedy troupe will probably perform as well.

Maybe Rob Cantrell (of "Last Comic Standing") will appear tonight, but he has a gig at TT's tomorrow night.

TUES 12/9

9pm to Midnight
"Chop Shop" w/ Reception and Q&A
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

Set around a junkyard in Queens, a young man attempts to make a better life for him and his sister. This movie apparently played at the "alternative Cannes" last year, and director Ramin Bahrani won an Independent Spirit award this year. I get the feeling this film is a universal tale of struggle against "the man" presented with heaps of stark reality.

I don't know why Scion has been presenting these movies & receptions, but this is the last in the series. DJ Jayceeoh spins at the pre-screening cocktail reception.

You can RSVP until 6pm today, and it's one of those shows where it's first-come, first-seated until they reach capacity.