SUN 1/25: College Help, Noise, Ethnic Folk

Let's not dwell about the weekend being almost over.

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SUN 1/25

2pm to 4pm
College Goal Sunday
at Various Locations across MA
FREE

Get some free info and help about applying for financial assistance. I think these people really want to help (even if they can't -- but be positive)! The site says that it's helpful to do this stuff even if you're not sure you're going to college in the Fall.

Click on your the location page for registration info.

Hey college-ready students, let me tell you my story--

I didn't think I was eligible for tuition assistance for various reasons. (We weren't rich, but we could afford HBO.) So I didn't even bother to look at my options. I paid my own way to state university, and it was okay -- there were plenty of babes in the quad that I could pine for... BUT who knows I could've been able to go somewhere more challenging, and maybe I would've cared a bit more.

I don;t know if this is going to be any good, but two hours (maybe less!) might change the rest of your life...

There's my story, and help is even more important today!

What do I need to bring?

If available, students and their parents should bring your FAFSA PIN, completed 2008 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 statements and other 2008 income and benefits information. Current bank statements, untaxed income records for the previous year (Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits records), driver's license (if any) and alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen). This information is helpful, but not required.

Check the website for more info or call 877-4-CGS-MAS

(I almost used this picture at the top, because it's is a real college image...)

SUN 1/25

9:30pm
"The Weird & Wonderful Western Mass Show"
Fat Worm of Error, Grey Skull, Northampton Wools, Tarp, Pak, Lazy Magnet
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

As weird as I am, I definitely listened to a lot of jazz (including Coltrane & Monk) before I heard Sonic Youth. I probably dipped my toe in Sun Ra and Captain Beefheart before SY too. I still don't think I was prepared for the dissonant, experimental noise-rock of Sonic Youth. When you're in the middle of a retro-Clapton phase, this ain't spending much time in your speakers.

They did make noise-rock more palatable for me and others, and they forever embodied NY cool to me, even if Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon have moved to Northampton. Everything starts to bore me when you get past 128, but I know there are hippie-dippie types out there. There's also a bunch of arty explorers, and Moore is teaming with guitarist Bill Nace to make some electric cacophony.

Do you ever wonder why there isn't "classical music" today? Well, this is this is it! It's atonal and has a vague recognition of rhythm. Some of these groups didn't even bother to have a web presence.

I can't say this is for everyone, but you'll see a rock icon in one of the coolest places in town that's moving before the end of March. For me, it's enticing to see Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth (and Bill Nace) doing anything at the Milky Way.

I don't know if anyone could handle this without ecstasy or nicotine breaks, but don't forget about billiards and candlepin bowling...

SUN 1/25

10pm to 1am
Goran & Adrijana Alachki
at Sabur, 212 Holland St, Somerville (near Davis Sq)
"No cover, No minimum"

I know a Macedonian, and he's a good guy. Accordionist Goran Alachki is basically the best in Macedonia. They call him a national treasure, but it's a relatively small country... It's what you think of 'Greek' music, but they don't want to hear about that... (Plus Goran goes over the top to let you know that he's better than the Greeks.) Adrijana is going to sing and get the crowd dancing and/or yearning for the motherland.

Goran and Adrijana are also performing at a Macedonian folk dancing party at MIT on Monday from 8pm to 11pm ($7 suggested donation).