FRI 1/30: Film, Cave Art, Music

I might not be at the top of my game today, but I'm getting stuff done.

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FRI 1/30

10am to 9pm
"Free Film Fridays"
at Mugar Omni Theater, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
FREE

The way to really enjoy science documentaries is to make them really, really big. I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but I wanted to remind you. This looks like the end of free Imax for now...

Today's schedule:

Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk -- 8pm, 9pm
The Greatest Places -- 1pm, 6pm, 7pm
Wild Ocean -- 2pm
Roving Mars -- 10am, Noon, 3pm
Dinosaurs Alive! -- 4pm, 5pm

Carpe diem, esp. when it's gratis!

FRI 1/30

6pm to 10pm
Mike Dacey, "Throw It In The River": Opening Reception
at Washington Street Art Center, 321 Washington St, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

This is my art pick of the night. Sight unseen, I'm digging the idea of a cave-like "thing" made out of found material. You might say it's collected junk, and I say: You're right, but it's become really awesome, interesting junk -- and you can go in it! There may not be a lot of room, because the dude from Baixa is going to be whipping up some sweet psych-folk-ish grooves from inside; this is the kinda of music I want to hear from a cave... There'll be some of Dacey's 2D artwork in the gallery as well. The cave can be also seen tomorrow from noon to 4pm.

This could a good beginning for a night of Union Sq fun...

FRI 1/30

9pm
The Mystery Tramps (unplugged), Greg Hawkes w/ Tim Mann
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7

Friggin' Greg Hawkes -- this guy laid down some of the coolest keyboard parts in rock history with The Cars! When not playing with "The New Cars", he likes to downsize the scope of his music. He recently released an all-Beatles CD playing only the ukulele. You can hear a snippet of "Penny Lane" on his site, and I liked it. George Harrison was playing a lot of ukulele in his final years, so take that for what it's worth. He'll be joined by another uke-ster Tim Mann. Expect to hear some Beatles, Cars, and some of Hawkes' own stuff.

The Mystery Tramps might just be old enough to drink or very close, but they've rocking out together for a few years, and they've got a pretty tight sound. It's scaled back tonight, but there will be head-bobbing and knee-pumping aplenty.

FRI 1/30

10pm
Pressure Cooker
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
$10 / 21+

Everybody loves reggae ans ska, right? Pressure Cooker plays the kind of music that makes me forget about the economy and all the other bad news. Dance/sway, drink/stumble, and have a good time at the wonderful Milky Way before they move in a couple months.

FRI 1/30

10pm
Air Traffic Controller, Ann Driscoll, Loren Francis
at The Loft @ Tommy Doyle's (upstairs), 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE (maybe $2)

There was some conflicting info about the cover -- hey, a paltry $2 is a damn good deal anyway for 3 excellent performers. I also don't know if Ann Driscoll or Loren Francis will be accompanied by others, but all the music is super-duper fiesta of power-pop goodness whether band-ish or solo.

I was upstairs at the old House of Blues this week and was reminded what good space it is, even just to hang out.