THUR 2/26: Stories, Video, Rock

There were some interesting talks about "Democracy" like Cornel West at the Goethe-Institut and an impressive panel discussion at the Boston Athenaeum, but I thought I'd focus on other stuff with a little bit of wow factor...

I really think people should go see The Diamond Mines and Muy Cansado tonight.

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

THUR 2/26

7pm
February Winedown: "Set in Harvard Square" Writing Contest
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

I tried to tell you about the writing contest, and now it's time to hear the winning stories. I bet there were highly original entries. Did anyone here enter? Even if you're not one of the 3 official "winners", I'd be glad to publish your story here.

Grab a complimentary wine (or two) and listen to some local story tellers. If the author can't read their tale, one of the judges (Askold Melnyczuk, William Corbett, Tahmima Anam) will do the honors.

THUR 2/26

7pm to 9pm
"Experimentally ILL 3: An Indie Showcase of Alternative Film"
at Video Screening Room, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$5

This is the real independent cinema. These filmmakers have no support from any movie studio; they probably receive disdain from film establishment! Thankfully there are DIY people out there that won't let their vision remain on a bar napkin (or equivalent). Kudos to co-host Mike Phelan O'Toole and this cadre of local video artists for getting their shorts (live & animated), music videos, etc into the public realm. You're guaranteed to see some weird stuff.

THUR 2/26

10pm
The Diamond Mines, Muy Cansado, Dr & Mrs Van Der Trampp
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I've been singing their praises every week this month with absolutely no compensation! I dig their music. It's a vital, vibrant amalgamation of of rock 'n roll influences that's coalesced around cool songs. It's punk, it's soul, it's psych; it's vim, vigor, piss, vinegar. It's good stuff.

Muy Cansado is another band around town that whip a killer post-punk potion. (Okay, they remind me of The Pixies with a little bit of Meat Puppets -- among others -- to my ear.) That being said Dr & Mrs Van Der Trampp are probably the best guitar and glockenspiel duo in the Greater Boston area...

THUR 2/26

9pm
Benefit for "The Why"
Audrey Ryan, Jaggery, The Grand Tangent, The New Cartographers
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 -- 21+ / $13 -- 18+

Other Boston guys are filming a movie in Austin that seems to be about the meaning of life, death, & love with a bunch of drug use interspersed. About 10 minutes of watching clips, I sensed the influence of Ingmar Bergman. There was dreamy confusion of drug euphoria and somewhat like a concussion.

Along with finding investors and whatever else you do to fund a movie, the filmmakers are raising money to finish the project with these benefit shows/sneak screenings. I admit that I want to see the rest of the film. Several people associated with "The Why" will be there to show about 30 minutes of footage.

Audrey Ryan is the musical highlight tonight. Her music has a lovably catchy quirkiness to it, but she's practically a Top-40 act compared to the others. Jaggery is one of the bands featured in the movie, and most of them (no harpist tonight) will kick up the dreamy soundscapes. The Grand Tangent is a jazzy quartet of Berklee students that has a violinist taking on the sax role and bowing like Wayne Shorter blowing. The New Cartographers are two guys from the Blue Man Group who do jazzy guitar-drum space jams. (I dare you to paint your face blue and do crazy stuff during their set!)