FRI 2/20: Rock Video Games, Wild Parties, Jazz

Okay. Saturday sneak peek and weekly list (in some form) to come...

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FRI 2/20

6:30pm to 7:30pm
Bang Camaro Rockband Tourny
at Best Buy, 360 Newbury St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

I could be wrong, but this may cater to a different age group than those reading now... These music games are fun, and Bang Camaro is going to be there (at least some of the 20 or so members) to press the flesh then battle the crowd at RockBand. I assume those first 50 people who sign up will get to out-rock BC at their own songs, but who knows... The top 3 scores will get prizes beyond having to look interested in Bang Camaro's road stories...

Contest from 6:30-7:30, autographs afterwards.

FRI 2/20

9:30pm
Intro to Anatomy presents: "Heart Attack!!"
Feat: Lovewhip, DJ Mad Melodies, Atomic Trash, Nicholle Pride, Frenchy Distemper, Aquanet Jones, Miss Madison West, Jimmy Baal
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$7 / 21+

What kind of buddy would I be if I didn't periodically point you into wacky, edgy directions. Besides some punky burlesque, drag queens and more, the funky Lovewhip will rock the house around midnight. There will also be a kissing booth and raffle to raise funds for a film by Frau Carrissa who has published a queer sex zine, so I imagine it could be women kissing women and men kissing men? Who knows... I don't. (Update: "both male and female and of all persuasions. $1 for a cheek kiss, $5 for a french kiss") I bet it'll be a fun time!

FRI 2/20

10pm
Annual Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball and Zulu Parade of the Golden Blade
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? When Mardi Gras (2/24) rolls around, thoughts and memories of the Crescent City roll around the head like drunken sugar plum fairies (who are really trannies). While we're more than a thousand miles away, we can take this time to party NOLA-style.

Horn 'n R&B 'n soul bands -- and boogie-woogie/gospel/rockabilly shaman Preacher Jack -- whip it up at the annual party that was held at the Kirkland Cafe for years, and now it roams. This year's entertainment includes: The Chicken Slacks, Second Line Social Aide and Pleasure Society Brass Band, The Confederacy of Dumpsters (a band that gets together every year for this party, I think), Preacher Jack, and MC Mickey Bliss.

There will be free "masks, beads, and doubloons." Get dressed up (or not) and crazy (in a funloving way). These are some pix from a few years ago.

At TT's, there's another great annual Mardi Gras party with a great set of musical guests for a few bucks more.

FRI 2/20

10pm
The Dred Scott Trio
at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10

Don't take the Fung Wah to New York this weekend, because the NYC jazz experience has come to Cambridge. The Dred Scott Trio are the real deal -- hard-swinging, bebop-y piano trio with outside flourishes. There's a cheeky playfulness that that elevates rather than distract even thought they've been known to play covers from Black Sabbath or Blue Oyster Cult.

When I last went to the Lily Pad, I sat next to the proprietor so it was fortuitous that I didn't bring a flask. The Druid is next door (or you should sneak your flask pulls outside).

FRI 2/20 -- 5:30pm to 8pm
SAT 2/21 -- 10am to 6pm
SUN 2/22 -- 10am to 5pm

Boston Globe Travel Show
at World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston (Seaport)
$10 or less

More travel info than you really want, but you might find out about that special place you're dreaming of.

Tonight is free admission, and it's $10 on the weekend BUT it's a 2-for-1 deal if you print out the image or use the promo code online (or you could try code "YELP2009"; it might be outright free). Those 18 and under get in free anyway.