TUES 3/31: Some Talk, Some Rock

So I went to the MBTA meeting last night, and it was interesting in a dry-policy-wonk way. The bad news is that the possibility of service cuts and fare increases if the gas tax isn't implemented by July 1st.

It's clear that the T works in murky, secretive ways; but the good news is that there are motivated citizens banging their heads against the proverbial wall in hopes of breaking through.

Your frustrations are being aired by people who want to make a difference. They want you to contact your state representatives (find their info), and tell them how you feel about the T and the gas tax.

(I wrote a full post on Bostonist.)

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TUES 3/31

6pm
Josh Silver, "Take Back the Media: Policy, Protest, and Protecting American Democracy": Lecture
at Boston Athenaeum, 10 1/2 Beacon St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE w/ RSVP

If there's one issue that unites liberals and conservatives, it's the whole hearted belief that the mainstream media is out to screw them and favors the other side. There are big-picture thinkers on both sides like Noam Chomsky, MIT linguist, and... uhh... Bill O'Reilly, former host of "Inside Edition"? (Hey, Bill. I know Fox tries its best to be a fringe, partisan news source; but it might still qualify as "Mainstream Media".

Josh Silver is a co-founder of Free Press, a media policy reform that works to get more information in our radio and TV news. There should be something for every angry news-viewer to come away with... And it could be a mild buzz, because there's a reception following the lecture.

Call 617-720-7600 to RSVP.

TUES 3/31

6pm to 7pm
Avi, "When Jesus Laughed: Historical Fiction - Religion, Readers and Reality"
at School of Mgmt. Auditorium, 595 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

This guy is probably a total nut (and beautiful soul), but that could make this so much more interesting... Avi mainly writes books aimed at young adults, and it seems like the young folks love them. This probably NOT a religious discussion, but a lecture about writing historical fiction.

TUES 3/31

The Pink Spiders (10:45pm), Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer (9:50pm), Man On Earth (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

I'd love for someone to tell me why I shouldn't like The Pink Spiders. I remember hearing their song "Little Razorblade" a few years ago and loving it. When I saw the video (must have been Fuse), they are really into their look -- but so were a lot of good bands. The Pink Spiders might have a lot of young female fans, but they make awesome power-pop songs with a punky edge that middle-aged geeks love. It's easy to hate a popular band, but these guys are still slogging it in the rock clubs. (Keep some coin saved for picking up a CD or shirt...)

After the first 15 seconds of listening to Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer, I thought this was your average, generic pop-punk band. It would've been a shame when they have such a cool name. I was rewarded with deliciously vintage synths marrying with distorted guitars and a female lead singer spitting catchy mirth all over the place. I thought I was getting soft, until I listened to Man On Earth. They left me a bit cold. Sorry, MOE...

Glasvegas and Ida Maria are at the Paradise, but this is a damn good show for less (and that show is sold out).

MON 3/30: T Talk, Cupcakes, Fast Films, SXSW Rock

Hey, so I'm back at it... I didn't have as many choices out there for tonight, but I think these are interesting. I wonder if the Johnny Cupcakes or Young Widows (et al) will 'sell out' tonight. I have no idea, but there's a chance. (Bring your earplugs if you go to Great scott!)

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MON 3/30

5pm to 7pm
Cupcake Tastings
at Kickass Cupcakes, 378 Highland Ave, Somerville (Davis Sq)
FREE

Update: Whoops! I forgot about the cupcake tasting at Kickass...

If you're in Davis Sq this evening, swing by and pop something tasty in your mouth. Every last Monday of the month, there's cocktail-inspired mini-cupcake tasting! ("Hurricane" flavor, maybe?)

Go ahead and take a couple home with you...

MON 3/30

5pm to 7pm
MBTA Rider Oversight Committee Meeting
w/ Jonathan Davis, MBTA's Chief Financial Officer
at State Transportation Building, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston
FREE

If you've transcended "simply pissed off" to "genuinely curious" about fare increases and service cuts, the T's CFO is attending this public meeting. You can hear the current plan and probably join in on the discussion.

MON 3/30

6:30pm to 8:30pm
"An Evening with Johnny Cupcakes"
at Tower Auditorium, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston (MassArt)
$3 students / $12 general

Johnny Cupcakes was a guy who started off selling t-shirts out of the trunk of his car to having a shop on Newbury St. Along the way, Urban Outfitters stole one of his shirt designs and BusinessWeek Magazine named Johnny the "Young Entrepreneur of 2008".

Mr. Cupcakes will talk about his art, his business, and all sorts of helpful hints for the young (and old?) entrepreneur. Proceeds will benefit Youth Design Boston that guides and places inner-city high school students with internships in the design profession. So feel free to buy something off the merch table or get some raffle tickets.

MON 3/30

7pm
48 Hour Film Project: "Best of All Time"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$9.75 / $6.75 Child, Senior

The premise is simple: You get 48 hours to write, film, and edit a complete film (4 to 7 minutes in length). 48HFP's have been taking place in various cities since 2001, and this is a "best-of best-of" program unlike the usual presentation of the "best-of-weekend" selections. Besides 6 Boston-made entries, there are also a batch of last year's best from Minneapolis, Mumbai, Philly, Paris, and Toronto. About 17 shorts will be shown.

MON 3/30

9:30pm
Young Widows, My Disco, Howl, Sinaloa
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10

So three of these bands are touring after their appearances at SXSW. Young Widows is what you get when a hardcore punk band from Kentucky changes personnel but soldiers on as a new band. They decide to expand their sound, slow down some tempos, and keep rocking. My Disco does an angular, noisy post-punk thing with odd rhythms, etc. Howl is heavy, heavy metal from Providence. They're joined by Somerville punks, Sinaloa.

3/29: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Spike Jonze has made a film version of "Where the Wild Things Are", and it looks like it'll be good...



But doesn't he know it's already been done?

SAT 3/28: Beer & Tunes

Pancakes are over, but there's beer and rock still to be had. I think I'm going to try to see how drunk I can get for $30 at the Real Ale Exhibition, then hear some music later. Cross your fingers for more cheap postings...

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SAT 3/28

Noon to 7pm
New England Real Ale Exhibition
at VFW George Dilboy Post, 371 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5

At $5 admission, I think it's a good expedition for the beer-lover. With scores of cask beers at hand, the best deal seems the half-pint size (10oz) at $3 for trying different brews and getting a good buzz on... Cask-pumped beers seem a little funky to this guy who was raised with American macro-brews, etc; I'll watch if others are pounding their samples before I try it. I don't mind a good buzz if I know that it's supposed to slightly carbonated...

SAT 3/28

7pm
3rd Annual Alt. Country Extravaganza! Day Two
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

Feat: Autumn Hollow (11:30pm), Mike Macdonald & The Widow Makers (10:45pm), Golden West Motor Lodge (10pm), The Bees Knees (9:15pm), Lucky 57 (8:30pm), Beau Roland Band (7:45pm), Dave Sammarco Band (7pm)

Maybe you missed night #1, but the rock is still getting rootsy 'n shit. With 7 bands for $10, it's hard to find a better deal than that. Church usually sells tall-boys for cheap too...

SAT 3/28

Varsity Drag (Midnight), St Helena (11pm), The Motion Sick Broken River Prophet (10pm), Mr. Sister (9pm)
at Cantab Underground / Club Bohemia, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

It feel funny to say Varsity Drag sounds like Band X or Y, because the Varsity captain is Ben Deily of the original Lemonheads. He apparently wrote the songs that rocked and had balls on the early albums, and he continues to write great songs with melodies and noise. Superb! (And reminds me of Husker Du...)

Dang, St Helena is pretty damn awesome too. When dour tunes sound upbeat, it's a brilliant mix. The Motion Sick were scheduled to play, but maybe they're too wasted after their SXSW trip. Broken River Prophet is going to play back-to-back. I'm looking forward to hearing them live, because they blend in some elements that might term other bands as "Americana", but it sounds like a churning rock blend. Mr. Sister isn't loud, but they're intense; so it seems like a good opening for the night.

SAT 3/28

8pm
Brown Shoe, Calling Aviv, Talking About Commas, Johnny Duke & The Aces, Rock Hard, Quarter Life Crisis, The Gypsy West
at All Asia Cafe, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$6 / $9 for 18+ (21+ after 10pm)

It's a long, wild lineup. The two bands to hear are indie-rockers Brown Shoe and the guitar blues of Johnny Duke & The Aces. Brown Shoe are touring from California, and I assume they're on in the middle of the night between the acoustic acts (Talking About Commas, Quarter Life Crisis) and the WBCN High School Battle of the Bands contender (Calling Aviv)...

Listen to Brown Shoe; their shit is totally together -- fully formed rock with well-written songs that should be on the radio. They're supposed to put on a helluva show, so think about it...

Sneak Peek -- SAT 3/28

(Artist: Pauline Lim)

I haven't put these up on the CTB calendar yet, but there are some options for tomorrow: 2 pancake options, gardening get-together, day drinking (UK-style, minus football on TV), and a bunch of bands...

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SAT 3/28

8am to 1pm
Annual Pancake Breakfast
at Brookline High School Cafeteria, 115 Greenough St, Brookline
$5 / $3 Seniors / FREE Children under 5

10am to Noon
Pancake Breakfast
at Nave Gallery, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville (Teele Sq)
$6

Springtime is for (pancake) lovers! Both breakfasts are all-you-can-eat; the proceeds both go to charities.

Okay, the Brookline breakfast seems a lot more like an event. They have jazz bands playing and face painting & ballons for kids. Their coffee is from Starbucks, if that sways you. It's organized by the Rotary Club, and proceeds go to "various Brookline charities".

You may end up sitting in the basement of a Somerville church, but you're still going to enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes with all-you-can-drink coffee & juice. Proceeds will benefit the Nave Gallery's "guest curatorial program". If you want to drive there's legal parking available at a nearby school.

SAT 3/28

11am to 5pm
Annual "Gardeners Gathering"
at Curry Student Center, 346 Huntington Ave, Boston (Northeastern campus)
FREE

If you're into gardening there are some instructional/informational sessions [PDF schedule] that start at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. There will be a bunch organizations on hand to share their information and pamphlets. Around 4pm our golden-tongued mayor will mumble something to the green thumbs, and door prizes will be awarded.

SAT 3/28

Noon to 7pm
New England Real Ale Exhibition
at VFW George Dilboy Post, 371 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5

At $5 admission, I think it's a good expedition for the beer-lover. With scores of cask beers at hand, the best deal seems the half-pint size (10oz) at $3 for trying different brews and getting a good buzz on...

SAT 3/28

7pm
3rd Annual Alt. Country Extravaganza! Day Two
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

Feat: Autumn Hollow (11:30pm), Mike Macdonald & The Widow Makers (10:45pm), Golden West Motor Lodge (10pm), The Bees Knees (9:15pm), Lucky 57 (8:30pm), Beau Roland Band (7:45pm), Dave Sammarco Band (7pm)

The twangy-rock love fest continues!

SAT 3/28

Varsity Drag (Midnight), St Helena (11pm), The Motion Sick (10pm), Mr. Sister (9pm)
at Cantab Underground / Club Bohemia, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

Wow! Every band is awesome.

SAT 3/28

8pm
Brown Shoe, Calling Aviv, Talking About Commas, Johnny Duke & The Aces, Rock Hard, Quarter Life Crisis, The Gypsy West
at All Asia Cafe, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$6 / $9 for 18+ (21+ after 10pm)

It's a long, wild lineup. The two bands to hear are indie-rockers Brown Shoe and the guitar blues of Johnny Duke & The Aces. Brown Shoe are touring from California, and I assume they're on in the middle of the night between the acoustic acts (Talking About Commas, Quarter Life Crisis) and the WBCN High School Battle of the Bands contender (Calling Aviv)...

FRI 3/27: Art, Music, Comedy

I only suggest things to do, but I see a stiff drink (or more) in my future.

More cheapness to come. (For example, did you know there are a fundraising pancake breakfasts in Brookline and Somerville tomorrow?)

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FRI 3/27

6pm to 8pm
Yassy Goldie, "Holy GJYDhad!": Opening Reception
Michael Pope, "Neovoxer: An Experience on the Frontier of Filmmaking"
at Space 242, 242 E Berkeley St, 2nd Fl, Boston (South End)
FREE w/ RSVP

Space 242 is a cool place to look at art because the free drinks are full-sized, which makes it feel like casual open studio (where people ignore you) rather than stuffy reception. GJYD stands for Golden Jasmine Yeti Dancers, and that's just a cool name. The art has a street feel (neon colors, cut&paste images), and it's supposed to be political/anarchistic/revolutionary. Have a drink or two and enjoy before you do something else on Friday. There is still probably time to RSVP. (Maybe because I show up late, but no one has ever stopped me at the door...)

FRI 3/27

6pm to 9pm
"PARSE: Visualizing Data That Makes Us Human": Opening Reception
at AXIOM gallery, Green Street T, ground floor level, about 150 Green St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Feat: Martin Wattenberg & Fernanda Viegas, Jason Salavon, Ben Fry & Eugene Kuo, Jen Hall

What sounds interesting about this exhibit? The artists use and manipulate data to create. Data collected from human beings like REM patterns or DNA or erogenous zones... I think the relationship between data and life can be fascinating especially since data collection is reaching absurd levels.

FRI 3/27

7pm
3rd Annual Alt. Country Extravaganza -- Day One
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

Wheelers & Dealers (11:30pm), Rev Bob And The Darkness (10:45pm), Dearborn Valley (10pm), Patrick Dunn (9:15pm), Bryan Pero & The Tired Horses (8:30pm), Kingsley Flood (7:45pm), The Rationales (7pm)

After the first year when it was one very long show, it's a 2-night affair with so many of the really good Alt-Country/Americana bands that play around town. All of them have a different sound, but the musical camaraderie is evident. Don't ignore the early bands either: Kingsley Flood and The Rationales are excellent. I did a little digging; while Wheelers & Dealers don't have a web presence, I think the singer/guitarist is the owner of Looney Tunes in Back Bay.

FRI 3/27

9:30pm
Union Square Round Table "...is Born Again": 2nd Anniversary
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 -- 21+ / $13 -- 18+

Possible performers: Chris Braiotta, Nick Branigan, Steven Derocher, Marian Didio, Keira Horowitz, Caitlin Roy, TD Sidell

Unlike most months, there's no theme except being funny, singing songs, and doing other cool stuff. Eugene Mirman is a favorite comedian of mine who usually appears. He was in town with John Wesley Harding last night, so he'll probably be there. Both the Round Table and last night's Cabinet of Wonders have a similar song/comedy/spoken-word variety format. This is half the price.

I wonder who "Will the Magician" is. (Wouldn't it be awesome John Wesley Harding?) If not, he'll probably do a couple magic tricks. And Broken River Prophet is still an excellent musical guest.

FRI 3/27

9pm
Steve Brodsky, Jim Healey, Keith Pierce & Jess Collins, Darryl Sheppard, Bridget Nault
at O'Brien's Pub, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$8 / 21+

Some of the heaviest, hard-rocking folks in town (Cave-In, We're All Gonna Die, Hydronaut, Buried in Leather, Hackman, Roadsaw, etc) are showing off their acoustic chops for a different kind of intense performance. Anytime Steve Brodsky plays, good music will be in the room. Some pix from a show last year with much of the same lineup.

FRI 3/27

10:30pm
Shea Rose
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

This woman is damn impressive, and she can play! Shea Rose hits funk and rock and folk equally well with sexy, soulful power and fine restraint when called for.

FRI 3/27

10:45pm
Joanna Chapman-Smith
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

When I see acts play the "corner" (the stage right by the window), there's usually a mixed level of attention that leans towards inattention as you might expect. I do have a soft spot for Canadians (esp. my relatives up North), but I think people might pay attention to Joanna Chapman-Smith's performance. It was the recording's jazzy keyboards that first grabbed me, but the voice and songs sound great.

THUR 3/26: Much Music, Talk, & Film

Thursday, the strangest "cheap day" of the week. It's a full night of cheapness. Good variety -AND- U2 is back in Somerville...

Update: Amy H. has mentioned a comedy show tonight. See the comments.

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THUR 3/26

6:30pm
Eclipse: Master Class w/ Peter Gregson
at Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

This is basically a really fancy demonstration for a really fancy speaker system. That said, world-class audio companies don't screw around when it's time to show off their wares.

Peter Gregson is a cellist who actively infuses his music with electronics. Peter and his electric cello performs a set of compositions designed to be played through these Eclipse speakers with the real-time manipulations from Milton Mermikides (Royal Academy of Music, London).

It's classical music, and you'll probably get a spiel about the audio equipment. On the other hand, Trinity Church is beautiful with awesome acoustics. Not only have you not heard something like this before, I'm guessing the sound won't be heard by most people ever again.

You might be able to reserve seats by email.

THUR 3/26

6:30pm
"The End (or a New Beginning?) for the American Dream: Credit, Debt, and the U.S. Economy": Discussion
at C. Walsh Theater, Suffolk University, 55 Temple St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE

This lecture is bound to satisfy the political junkie and horror fan alike. Hear about the bad and good aspects of the National Debt -- and our collective individual debts.

THUR 3/26

7pm to 9pm
"Food Locavorism": Discussion
at 20 Chimneys, 3rd Fl, Student Center, 84 Mass Ave, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Locavore is the hot trend in eating. (I guess trends really do cycle back every 1,000 years...) From what I know, this is one of the most sensible things we can do to save the human race. I guess it's not as simple as you'd think, and they're going to talk about the benefits as well as the ethical caveats(?) of eating locally.

Interact with the speakers David Pimentel (Cornell), Susanne Freidberg (Dartmouth), Steve Johnson (Rendezvous Restaurant), and moderator Steven Shapin (Harvard). Have some local nibbles provided by City Feed & Supply.

After this session, you'll know as much, if not more, than your favorite foodie.

THUR 3/26

7pm
Peter Moore, Pascal Plantinga
at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10

If you're not familiar with Peter Moore and Count Zero (or Think Tree), he is "da man"! There are plenty of good singers, but he fills the room with his voice. Admittedly, I'm not a Think Tree fan from way back, but Count Zero was always interesting.

Moore's new album is pure-pop wonderful, and he's supposedly playing the album in its entirety tonight on The Lily Pad's grand piano (and his kick drum). Peter Moore should be an intergalactic superstar by now, and it's an example that the world is cruel and godless. I want to buy the physical CD "One Ride" and glue into my clock radio to hear it every morning when I wake up. If I wasn't going to Wes and Eugene’s Cabinet of Wonders at the Brattle, I'd do my best to be here.

I noticed that Count Zero did a remix of a track by Dutch pop eccentric Pascal Plantinga. I assume that has something to do with his appearance in Boston. I want to dig into Pascal's music; it's fun and quirky. Get into him and pass it on to your hip friends of all stripes.

THUR 3/26

8pm
"Side by Side by Sondheim"
at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

Stephen Sondheim has written some of the best Broadway tunes of the last 50 years from "West Side Story" to "Sweeney Todd" to "Into The Woods". Some of NEC's opera students are whipping out 30 (or so) Sondheim songs from this revue. Yes, someone will sing "Send in the Clowns".

THUR 3/26

9:30pm
"Influenza": Girls Guns and Glory, Lipbone Redding, The Molenes
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Darn it! Another good show tonight!

Influenza is a new monthly series where bands will play sets where half of the songs are covers by artists that have influenced them. Whatever the listener might think, the musicians often have a completely different version of their sonic genealogy. A band's influences may be so diffused that you couldn't fathom what its members think about their sound (unless they fill it out on MySpace).

If I were to guess/hope, I'd like to hear: Girls Guns and Glory doing Chris Isaak, Lipbone Redding doing G Love & Special Sauce, and The Molenes rocking out Willie Nelson.

THUR 3/26

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge (Kendall Sq, duh)
$8 (per show)

It's creepy and creepy/funny to fittingly end BUFF. Don't say I didn't tell you about it! Even though I didn't do a dedicated post, I mentioned it almost everyday.

5:30pm -- "Registered Sex Offender" w/ "The Queue"
5:45pm -- "Lo" w/ "On Homeostasis"
7:30pm -- "Isle Of The Damned" w/ "Master Vengeancer"
7:45pm -- "Hausu"
9:30pm -- "Deadgirl" w/ "The Scavengers"
9:45pm -- "Anywhere, USA"

For Somerville residents:

THUR 3/26

4pm, 6pm, 8pm
"U2: Rattle and Hum"
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq, Somerville
FREE for Somerville residents (ID or stamped mail req'd)

"We want to thank our neighbors for hosting the excitement of last
week's sneak U2 concert by offering these screenings."

$8 Otherwise

This concert film features many more songs than U2's last performance in Somerville...

WED 3/25: Talks, Blues, Films, Dance, Beer

Okay, steady onwards. When the calendar falls off the front page and has more days filled in, I'll put a link in the top right.

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WED 3/25

6pm
"The Shrinking World of Print Journalism: A Danger to Democracy?": Panel Discussion
at Boston Athenaeum, 10 1/2 Beacon St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE w/ RSVP

This is a great topic, but will the conversation be more fruitful than a dog chasing its tail? We had news delivery before newspapers, but it's been a medium that fit the task so well. In my opinion, the transition is the tricky part but everyone knows that our news has become more and more dynamic. We still need reporters, but why do they have to work for newspapers?

Maybe I'm talking out of the wrong orifice. These people are going to discuss it by way of "experience" and "analysis": Bruce D. Butterfield (journalism professor, Suffolk), Cullen Murphy (editor, Vanity Fair), Joan Vennochi (Boston Globe), Robert E Rosenthal (journalism chair, Suffolk).

Call 617-720-7600 to RSVP.

WED 3/25

7pm
Dr. William F. "Jack" Fry, "Solving the Stradivarius Secret": Lecture
at Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
FREE

Dr. Fry was already on Nova a few years back with his findings, but I get the feeling that some people don't feel convinced. Jack has an elegantly simple answer that Occam would probably like: All Italian violins of that period are considered great, and it's the subtle way they formed the curves. The wood, varnish, etc add other characteristics that people love about Stradivarius.

Maybe the musical physicist and violinist Rose Mary Harbison can convince you.

"Seating is limited. Seating passes are available to the general public in the Museum lobby beginning at 5:45pm, the evening of the program. First come, first served."

WED 3/25

Les Sampou (7pm); Lyons, Colley, & Dupree (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

The easy comparison for Les Sampou would be Bonnie Raitt, but I think it would be more fair to say she's reminiscent of a female John Hammond Jr. She really digs into her guitar with the slide, and her voice is just perfect. After playing all around from the Haymarket T to the Montreal Jazz Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and many other points; Les is back in town and delivering the goods. Stay/go for the late show and hear NOLA-expat Jeremy Lyons get louder yet stay bluesy with the sax-drums superduo of Dana Colley and Jerome Dupree who also played together in little band called Morphine!

WED 3/25

7:30pm
"Adventureland": Preview
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

There's a good chance the line will be way too long, but you might want to get there early if you can't wait until next Friday. If it's to tell if it's going to be incredibly funny with lots of heart or slightly disappointing. The cast looks good, and the director from "Superbad" is at the helm...

"Seats will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30pm for Brattle members, 7pm for general public."

WED 3/25

9:30pm
Bodega Girls
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

I'm listing this again, because this is the kind of off-the-cuff project that becomes more popular than the more serious musical endeavors. Half of Read Yellow make up half of the group along with (usually) rocker/folker Jake Brennan and Mac from Big Digits -- who regularly have tongue planted in their beat-making cheeks. The Boston-centric lyrics are funny but not jokey; listen to "She's Into Black Guys", and tell me a suburban-girl-who-goes-to-The-Western-Front-to-meet-guys isn't great song material.

This must be a put-on at some level, but it sounds really good. When much-loved and much-buzzed Read Yellow called it quits, it's hard to believe they really wanted to play sleazy disco-rock jams instead. On the other hand who needs to think when you're dancing? They're going to DJ and perform every last Wednesday of the month.

WED 3/25 (and THUR 3/26)

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge (Kendall Sq, duh)
$8 (per show)

Cool and weird cinema is alive and well out there. This is one of the weeks that it gets projected in the Boston area.

Documentaries are a good bet at film festivals. All indie films have a low budget, the overhead is so much lower -- all you need is a camera and lots of coffee... If this is "The Last American Freak Show", perhaps it's good and bad. Where is "lobster-girl" going to find another job these days? If you remember who Tiffany is, her fanatical admirers in "I Think We're Alone Now" might seem much stranger -- they're still weird anyway. "9to5: Days in Porn" follows different "performers" over several months; I bet this won't be the last time it plays in town.

I'm not sure if I'm excited about tonight's shorts programs ("Ill Logic", "Midnight Transgressions"), but "Mock Up on Mu" seems like a funny experiment in moviemaking.

5:30pm -- "The Last American Freak Show" w/ "Bally Master"
5:45pm -- "Mock Up on Mu" w/ "Death of the Reel"
7:30pm -- "Ill Logic"
7:45pm -- "I Think We're Alone Now" w/ "Andy", "Steak And Milk"
9:30pm -- "9 to 5: Days in Porn"
9:45pm -- "Midnight Transgressions"

WED 3/25 & SAT 3/28

6pm to 10:30pm
New England Real Ale Exhibition
at VFW George Dilboy Post, 371 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

SAT: Noon to 7pm -- $5

For the beer connisseur that enjoys a good buzz enough to drink slightly carbonated beer. For the unabashed seeker of the new and different, you're going to see cask-pumped brews from England and America that you won't find in any nearby bars.

I might go on Saturday (when the admission is only $5), but tonight is $10 plus beer costs -- admission plus six 10oz beers @ $3 comes out to $28...

Also:
Thursday: 6pm to 10:30pm -- $15
Friday: 6pm to 10:30pm -- $15

Free Coffee on Newbury St?!?

Free Coffee
at Natural Bean, 250 Newbury St, Boston (Back Bay)
Until it's not (a couple more weeks...?)

This new uber-green coffee place ("100% organic coffee, potato-based cutlery, corn-based straws & cups" -- can you eat this stuff afterwards?) must have opened up early last month.

Apparently to ensure every coffee drinker that's walking down the street will go in, they're giving out free coffee. Who knows for how long... (I feel funny calling and asking.)

If you're in the area (between Fairfield & Gloucester), you might as well check. Buy a muffin or something! If you think it's overpriced, you got a fancy coffee for free...

(Thanks, Maria A!)

Cheap Thrills Boston - Event Calendar

This is definitely "under construction" and dynamic.

There's a possibility that some things on the calendar may not eventually get a full description in the main section, but I'll try to get every "full event listing" on the calendar.



Feel free to provide feedback!

You Ask, I Answer: Couple Questions

The "Ask Cheap Thrills Rob" page has been updated.

I elaborate on matters of event listings (ask me) and whether I want to hang out with you (maybe).

TUES 3/24: Beer, Cocktails, Mandolins, Classical, Film Fest

I know you'd like to see these things before now. I'm about to check off one of my to-do items and put a public Google calendar this evening, which will have some bare info on future cheapness.

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TUES 3/24

6pm
"Beer Club"
at Jacob Wirth Restaurant, 31 Stuart St, Boston (Theater District)
FREE w/ RSVP

Update: Beer Club is full tonight.

It's the first "Beer Club" of the year. Friends have told me there's basically no catch. You call to RSVP (617-338-8586), and then you enjoy free drinks and snacks in a sectioned off part of the restaurant. There's even some prizes. I might call to see if they have space and check this out myself...

There's a different brewery that's "featured" every month. Tonight's beer partner is Long Trail Brewing, and I've enjoyed every beer I've tried from these folks.

Think about signing up for the mailing list, because who knows if I'll list it every time...

TUES 3/24

6pm to 9pm
Opus Affair
at Drink, 348 Congress St, Boston (Fort Point/Seaport)
FREE (whatever you drink, etc)

Someone told me about this cocktail group for "young professionals" that are interested in arts and culture. If you're in your 20's or 30's -- or if you're a "young 40" -- then this is a chance to meet other people that are into opera, ballet, art, music, etc. It's not moderated; people just gather around for conversation.

This is one of THE places in town for great cocktails. You could try some excellent drink for around $10, chat a bit, then head out... Order whatever you want, but you should think about a cocktail if you're going.

TUES 3/24

7:30pm
Berklee Mandolin Mashup
Feat: Eric Robertson, Dominick Leslie, Greg Allison, David Goldenberg
at David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St, Boston (Berklee / Back Bay)
FREE

Mandolins can play any kind of music (ask Jimmy Ryan!), but it's so associated with bluegrass in this country. I admit it: I think I hear the ghost of Earl Monroe even when these guys are playing jazz or classical music. The tunes should span the spectrum as the players are joined by bass, guitar, and violin.

It must take some cajones (and a thirst for knowledge) to study at Berklee with the mandolin as your primary instrument. They are obviously all excellent players. If you hear about a hot mandolinist in the next few years, it'll probably be one of these four guys.

TUES 3/24

7:30pm
Bach Competition Winners
at CFA Concert Hall, 855 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

I didn't do any research on this, but this is probably going to be a lot of cello and keyboard pieces from really good students. Johann S. Bach wrote some beautiful stuff and is one of the giants of music for a reason. If you meet a hottie at the Opus Affair above, suggest leaving for some real music. I'm guessing they'll be impressed...

TUES 3/24

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge (Kendall Sq, duh)
$8 (per show)

Cool and weird cinema is alive and well out there. This is one of the weeks that it gets projected in the Boston area. If I were going to see something tonight, I'd try one of the three later movies, but the shorts program are always a good bet.

5:30pm -- "Blood River"
5:45pm -- "BUFF Family Values"
7:30pm -- "Illustrated Oddities"
7:45pm -- "The Rock-afire Explosion" w/ "Davy Crockett In Outer Space"
9:30pm -- "Watch Out" w/ "Rebel"
9:45pm -- "Morris County" w/ "Bluff Point"

MON 3/23: Films, Music

A pretty decent Monday selection -- it's some free entertainment and the

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MON 3/23

7pm
"The Best of Jazz on Film"
at Distler Performance Hall, Granoff Music Center, 20 Talbot Ave, Medford (Tufts campus)
FREE

Lewis Porter is a pianist, music professor (Rutgers), and author who apparently has collected large personal stash of classic jazz performance films. I'd bet even the most hardcore jazzbo will see some rare, jawdropping clip tonight.

MON 3/23

The White Owls (8pm), The Tim Gearan Band (10:30pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

The White Owls are killer blues squad that has Dennis Brennan ripping through classic tunes with yet another set of top-notch players. The guy who anchors Monday nights at Toad, Tim Gearan is far from getting stale. His deep, soulful vocals and guitar-playing are surrounded by bluesy/rootsy/rock band with horns.

If one needed a good reason to go out on a Monday night, these are two good ones.

MON 3/23

10pm
Stargraph, Forsythe
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Stargraph lists Echo & the Bunnymen and The Jesus & Mary Chain among their influences. Well, they certainly understand where their music comes from. It should be a good night.

As much as Stargraph does a new, new wave really well; Forsythe has a sonorous folk-noir vibe. The other-wordly vocals are not unlike Mr. Sister who may or may not be playing, but Amelia Emmet (of Mr. S) also performs with Forsythe. (It might be a guess but brother-sister team Emily and Glenn Forsythe might have outvoted the rest of the band when choosing the name...)

MON 3/23

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge (Kendall Sq, duh)
$8 (per show)

The awards were given out last night, but it looks like all of the programs will be shown again through Thursday. If I knew the winners, I'd let you know. Take a look at the descriptions, and see if something appeals to you. Any of these are weirder or more intense than what's usually showing around town (even the documentaries).

5:30pm -- "Golgotha" w/ "Attackazoids!"
5:45pm -- "Radical Jesters" w/ "Creative Violation: The Rebel Art Of The Street Stencil", "Outside Agitator", "Start From Zero: Profile Of An Artist"
7:30pm -- "Paranoia (Does It Annoy Ya?)"
7:45pm -- "Modern Love Is Automatic" w/ "Doctor Reddy"
9:30pm -- "Plague Town" w/ "H5n1"
9:45pm -- "Bad Biology" w/ "Far Out"

If you want to see spend the next 4 nights melting your mind at the Kendall, there's a $25 weekday pass option available online or at the the box office.

3/22: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

I like music and comedy, but I wanted to mix up the off-topic video with a bit of roller derby (and music).

The Boston Derby Dames had a match last night, and this is some footage I took last month when the Derby Dames all-star team (Boston Massacre - in blue) played against Maine Port Authorities.



The song is "Heads Will Roll" by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

SUN 3/22: Part II -- Greek Music, Film Fest

Did you love Saturday? Let's have a good Sunday too.

I'm going outside, but I'll be back at the keyboard soon...

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SUN 3/22

7pm to Midnight
An Evening Of Rembetika w/ The Greek Music Ensemble
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

To the casual listener there's not much difference there's not much difference between one style of greek music versus any other. (All Greek music sounds similar to me, but I love it.) Rembetika is called the Greek blues for its gritty origins than the musical scales; I guess one difference may be the absence of trotting rhythm that compels people to dance in circles and pick up tables with their teeth.

Most of the players in The Greek Music Ensemble are music educators/students, so they might gladly explain the basis of rembetika. It's amazing how much history, culture and achievement have come out of Greece -- not to mention spinach-n-cheese-filled turnovers -- and many of us don't consider the modern nation.

This may not end up to be cheap, because Greek music makes me want to eat and drink. On the other hand, Greek people may swarm to this tiny venue, and you won't get in...

SUN 3/22 (thru THUR 3/26)

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge
$8 (individual shows)

Boston hosts a handful of independent/underground film festivals. BUFF offers some movies that are on the cusp of art-house cinema distribution and some that are just too far out. I've seen some shorts and trailers from this year's programs, and there's a lot of good filmmaking even if the production values aren't as slick as you're accustomed to. There is a lot of horror and sex -- but often with a sense of humor and intelligence you'd expect from independent cinema.

My thoughts about Sunday's schedule:

If you didn't go to Showbiz Pizza when you were a kid, "The Rock-afire Explosion" robot-animal bands are living on by folks in documentary who program them to play current songs -- then put videos on YouTube. "Mock Up on Mu" creates a sci-fi story by cutting-and-pasting various bits from all sorts of movies along with some original footage that's been distressed to match the rest. The jumps might make you sick, but that's like other rollercoasters.

Of today's two shorts programs, I'd check out "Ill Logic" because I love flat-out absurdity; this is where someone has a clever idea, but it doesn't last longer than 5 minutes. I have a feeling "Illustrated Oddities" could be a hit-or-miss assortment of animated shorts, but there may be some cool pieces in there.

Noon -- "Lo" w/ "On Homeostasis"
12:30pm -- "The Rock-afire Explosion" w/ "Out Of Print", "Davy Crockett In Outer Space"
2:30pm -- "Illustrated Oddities"
3:15pm -- "Ill Logic"
5:45pm -- "Mock Up on Mu" w/ "Death of the Reel"
6pm -- "The Antidote" w/ "Dirt", "Take Out"
8pm -- "Anywhere, USA" w/ "Thumbnail"

There's a "closing night" party/awards ceremony at Tommy Doyle's in Kendall Sq. Brother Cleve is going to DJ and make the party people boogie when crazy films aren't being handed out. It's $10, but I'm guessing it'll be a raucous crowd and there may be a complimentary Harpoon in it for you...

BUT most of the BUFF screenings will be shown again at the Kendall Sq Cinema until Thursday. If you want to see a bunch of them, there's a $25 weekday pass option. Watch as much as you dare over the next 4 days! You can buy the budget pass online or at the the box office.

SUN 3/22: Part I -- Milky Way Parade

A funny thing happened to me on the way back from the NFT party on Friday: They plied me with drinks, free guide books, and wanton, onanistic library stories. That was the first stop of a night of many drinks and mediocre Peruvian food. It transitioned into a day with my relatives on the North Shore. (If any of my colleagues are reading this, I didn't stop at the Seawitch...)

Then... I fell asleep.

Maybe no one is going to jump out of the door, but I love the Milky Way, and want to throw this out...

Stay tuned...

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SUN 3/22

1pm
Farewell / Welcome Parade
start at Bella Luna & Milky Way Lounge, 403-405 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

They're moving to a bigger (maybe better) location. Let's not forget how awesome the original Milky Way Lounge was, but it's time for a fresh start (skeeball instead of candlepin, etc). Like a New Orleans funeral march, there's some sadness but it's a joyous experience. The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band and Bloco AfroBrazil will make most of the music, but everyone is encouraged to bring an instrument and join the fun. Clap hands, sing, or just walk along to get an early glimpse of the new Bella Luna / Milky Way.

There's a strong likelihood of hot cocoa and treats awaiting the marchers at The Brewery Complex, 284 Amory St. It's about a mile from start to end. (And it's closer to the T...)

SAT 3/21: Crafts, Films, Music, Purim Party

Argh! The weekly list should go out, but late. I've tried to be efficient today, but life had other plans for me. I also really want to get a free drink at the NFT party (see below) tonight...

Enjoy our first Spring weekend! More to come...

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SAT 3/21

Noon to 6pm
Holy Craft! Fair & Flea Market
at Massasoit Lodge #129 of Elks, 55 Bishop Richard Allen Dr, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$1

DIY arts/crafts flea market in the vein of Bazaar Bizarre, Punk Rock Flea Market, etc.

On a sunny Saturday, this seems to be a time when the shopping bug strikes. The next gift-giving days (Mothers Day / Fathers Day?) may be too far in the future for some. Depending on how cool your parents are, you'd probably find things for their child... That's okay -- treat yourself.

Your dollar admission goes to AFSC Material Assistance Program that helps homeless, domestic violence survivors, and others get the basic stuff that everyone needs.

SAT 3/21

3pm to 4pm
"Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968": Screening
at Harvard Film Archive, Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Two years before the Kent State shootings -- and two months before Dr. King's assassination -- three African-American students were killed and dozens more injured when the police opened fire on a protest at South Carolina State College. We don't have to dwell on every tragic moment of American history, but we shouldn't ignore or forget them either.

Listen to firsthand accounts of protesters and police officers; other interviews include the SC governor at the time and journalists that covered the story. I assume there will be some talking before or after the screening, but the running time is 57 minutes. ("PBS, anyone?")

SAT 3/21

6pm
Jason Crigler / Goats in Trees
at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge St , Cambridge
FREE

This is top-notch, poppy folk/rock; I liked everything I listened to. As I understand it, Jason Crigler & band may have used the name "Goats in Trees", and now it's mainly his name. He's got an amazing personal story, if you read his bio.

In the blurb about the gig, Jason Crigler gushes about Dave Mattacks playing the drums. He's right -- this guy has a super-impressive CV (Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, Paul McCartney, Joan Armatrading, Brian Eno, Jimmy Page, Cat Stevens, XTC, etc etc).

SAT 3/21

8pm to 1am
"Gragger/Noisemaker": Workmen’s Circle Annual Radical Purim Party
At SEIU Local 615, 26 West St, 2nd Fl, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$10 - $20 Sliding Scale

Feat: Debo Band (10:30pm), Bloco AfroBrazil (8:45pm), DJ D'hana, members of Boston Hoop Troop and the Grasshopper Collective (11:30pm).

You don't have to be Jewish to go to a Purim party. I'd guess you would feel more comfortable at this party if your politics lean strongly to the Left. I looked at some photos from last year (about 300 attended last year), and it looks a bit like HonkFest as far as music is concerned. Besides the bands and DJ, there's going to be a hula-hoop and (indoor?) fire-juggling performance. Costumes are encouraged.

Sliding scale -- as I understand it -- is "pay what you can". (Some webpage said "cash bar", so it's definitely not a dry party.)

SAT 3/21

9:30pm
Cropduster, Township, Rpllnt, Trucker Mouth
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9

Cropduster say they want to sound like "cough syrup rock", and that fits. There are some classic influences, but it sounds modern to my ears. It feels so long ago that Township won the Rumble, but it was 2007. Maybe it's because of their retro-70's rock sound -- but I like it. Brooklyn band Rpllnt rock out with their hooks out; I'm hoping to hear more from them. Trucker Mouth has quite a bit of Southern-rock influence with a big scoop of crunchiness.

SAT 3/21

Rocky Velvet (11:30pm), The Fathoms (10pm), DJ Easy Ed
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$10

Rocky Velvet, old-school rockabilly from relatively young high-school buddies from Albany, may be in Boston for the last time before they hang up their [blue suede] shoes. (It looks like they're scheduled to play at the Plough & Stars next month, but you never know when rockabilly bands will leave the scene...)

The Fathoms precede with expert instrumental surf, then Rocky Velvet will play two sets. My virtual buddy, DJ Easy Ed, is probably going to play appropriately awesome nuggets before, between, and after the live music.

SAT 3/21 (thru THUR 3/26)

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$8 (individual shows)

Boston hosts a handful of independent/underground film festivals. BUFF offers some movies that are on the cusp of art-house cinema distribution and some that are just too far out. I've seen some shorts and trailers from this year's programs, and there's a lot of good filmmaking even if the production values aren't as slick as you're accustomed to. There is a lot of horror and sex -- but often with a sense of humor and intelligence you'd expect from independent cinema.

These are some thoughts about Saturday's offerings:

The "Radical Jesters" program looks like an interesting set of docs about anarchic, pranking street artists. Several creepy tales of suburbia comprise "Morris County". "Hausu" is a 30-year-old Japanese horror-musical-comedy-plus, which is not necessarily intended to be humorous. I actually think "9to5: Days in Porn" looks like an interesting documentary (director in attendance); I wouldn't be surprised if it comes back for short theatrical run.

"Cinemental Does BUFF" is a program of queer shorts curated by Aliza Shapiro & Robert Nadeau who have excellent taste and already do a monthly night at the Brattle. The other shorts programs are twisted takes on themes like family relationships ("BUFF Family Values"), insanity ("Paranoia (Does It Annoy Ya?)"), and secrets (umm, "I Have a Secret...").

I'd recommend "Make Your Own Damn Music Video!"; some of the artists include Amanda Palmer, Deerhoof, Team Robespierre, The Steamy Bohemians, Freezepop, Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, Gene Dante & Future Starlets, Neptune, Uncle Monsterface, and Jaggery. There's going to be a live performance at the end from a "mystery band". (I checked, and Amanda Palmer is out of town.)

You don't have to see any movies to go to J. Cannibal's "birthday party" at Om (Harvard Sq) at 11pm. The $10 cover is supposed to include a Maker's Mark cocktail.

Saturday at Kendall Square Cinema

Noon -- "Radical Jesters" w/ "Creative Violation: The Rebel Art Of The Street Stencil", "Outside Agitator", "Start From Zero: Profile Of An Artist"
12:30pm -- "The Man Who Would Be Polka King" w/ "Greaseland"
2:45pm -- "Cinemental Does BUFF"
3pm -- "I Have a Secret..."
5pm -- "BUFF Family Values"
5:45pm -- "Paranoia (Does It Annoy Ya?)"
7:15pm -- "Modern Love Is Automatic" w/ "Doctor Reddy"
7:45pm -- "Blood River"
9:30pm -- "Plague Town" w/ "H5n1"
9:45pm -- "Morris County" w/ "Bluff Point"

Saturday at Brattle Theatre

5:30pm -- "Make Your Own Damn Music Video!"
7:30pm -- "The Last American Freak Show" w/ "Bally Master"
10pm -- "Hausu"
11:55pm -- "9to5: Days in Porn"

FRI 3/20: Party, Art, Rootsy, Dance, Blues, Film Fest

Things are looking good, my friends. (Even though this is a bit later than usual...)

Btw: If you think you see me out and about, feel free to say hello or "Happy Vernal Equinox".

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FRI 3/20

6pm
NFT Boston Release Party
at Hong Kong, 1238 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE / 21+(?)

When I saw my buddy's "Not For Tourists" book on a visit to New York, I fell in love. As soon as NFT was available for Boston ('06?), I bought one.

I despise looking like a tourist in any city, yet I love finding my destination as soon as possible. There are maps on almost every page, but the black cover appears to be an average moleskine to any passerby. Even though it's not perfect, it might be the best guide to get around unfamiliar neighborhoods. Sometimes I use it to give directions.

You might get a copy for free tonight. The folks from NFT are having a little party for the new edition with some free snacks and (limited) free drinks.

I plan to be here at some point! Look for the dorky guy drinking a scorpion bowl after the free drinks are done...

FRI 3/20

7pm to 10pm
"The Good, The Bad & The Junkyard": Art Exhibit
at Museum of Bad Art, Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq, Somerville (Downstairs by restrooms)
FREE w/ RSVP (or movie ticket)

It was a bit difficult to understand this, because Junkyard Arts is having an exhibit night at the Museum of Bad Art. MoBA actually houses bad art, and Junkyard is a liaison for a group of actually good photographers, painters, etc including Dagan Barrett, John Bailey, WoodsEdge, Lauren Blais, Manifest Destitute, and Rebecca Wasilewski. I don't know if all are represented tonight, but the artwork sounds reasonably priced ($70 - $150); if you buy it you can take it home tonight. The Somerville News had an informative article about Junkyard Arts.

MoBA is open to all theater patrons, so you can catch a movie and go downstairs. Otherwise you should otherwise RSVP by email (and you could win a "goody bag with gifts, movie passes, and art"). You might still be able to get on the list, or there's an invitation to print on the Junkyard blog that could get you in.

I doubt that there will be free booze (there was grape punch and cheetos at the MoBA reception I attended), but reasonably-priced beer & wine are for sale upstairs. At some point, MoBA founder Louise Sacco will talk about the virtues of good and bad art.

FRI 3/20

9pm
Jen Murdza "California or Bust" Farewell Show
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Maybe Jen is yearning for warmer climes... Maybe she has been offered a glimmer of fame... Maybe she has family or friends to see in Los Angeles, but she should go to Nashville.

Jen Murdza may or may not be happy in either place, and the competition will be equally fierce. There are talented, attractive singer-songwriters in both places; but her soulful yet twang-approved music would find comfortable home.

Various guests will join Murdza & band.

FRI 3/20

9:30pm
The Pill w/ The Toothaches
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 21+

Do you feel like dancing to brit-pop and rock stuff? Want to hear a live set to powerpop where you could even dance to many of their songs?

FRI 3/20

10:30pm
Jeremy Lyons w/ Dana Colley & Jerome Dupree
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5-ish

Jeremy Lyons is one of our local, musical slices of New Orleans thanks to Hurricane Katrina. It seems the original Deltabilly Boys may have moved on, but guitarist Lyons continues playing his blues around with some of the best players in town like sax titan Dana Colley and drummer Jerome Dupree. Sorta like AKACOD with a male singer/guitarist instead of a female singer/bassist...

If you get there early enough, you won't pay a cover -- if there is one... They're also playing at Toad on Wednesday.

FRI 3/20 (thru THUR 3/26)

Various Times
Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$8 (individual shows)

Boston hosts a handful of independent/underground film festivals. BUFF offers some movies that are on the cusp of art-house cinema distribution and some that are just too far out. I've seen some shorts and trailers from this year's programs, and there's a lot of good filmmaking even if the production values aren't as slick as you're accustomed to. There is a lot of horror and sex -- but often with a sense of humor and intelligence you'd expect from independent cinema.

Take a chance and see something cool and/or different!

Tonight at Kendall Sq Cinema:

5:30pm -- "Golgotha" (A lighthearted homage to German Expressionism?) w/ "Attackazoids!"
5:45pm -- "Registered Sex Offender" (faux documentary) w/ "The Queue"
7:45pm -- "I Think We're Alone Now" (real, weird doc about Tiffany fans) w/ "Andy", "Steak And Milk"
8pm -- "People Are Animals Too" (feral shorts program)
9:45pm -- "Watch Out" (story about a man who loves himself WAY too much) w/ "Rebel"
10pm -- "Isle Of The Damned" (cannibalistic horror) w/ "Master Vengeancer"

Tonight at Brattle Theatre:

5:30pm -- "Psychedelicinema" (trippy shorts)
7:30pm -- "J. Cannibal's Tapas of Terror": (horror shorts -- "Treevenge" is awesome!!!)
9:30pm -- "Deadgirl" (horror film that might also provoke philosophically) w/ "The Scavengers"
11:55pm -– "Midnight Transgressions" (think about what shorts might qualify for a midnight show at an "underground film festival"...)

THUR 3/19: Talks, Film Fest, Trippy Audio/Visual, Rock/Fashion

It was one of those Thursdays where too much was going on. I think I whittled it down to the 5 best cheap options.

If you don't hit the Boston Underground Film Festival tonight, I suggest trying any of the shows over the next week -- if you like crazy-ass cinema!

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THUR 3/19

6pm
Ulrich Boser, "The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft": Discussion
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

It's been 19 years since the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum robbery in the wee hours after St. Patrick's Day. Ulrich Boser beat the 20th anniversary rush by coming out with a well-researched tome about the robbery and subsequent investigation(s). He points fingers with somewhat compelling evidence but has no answer about the artworks' location. Boser has been doing appearances around town, but I thought this one might have the most content.

THUR 3/19

6:30pm
Richard Stallman, "Copyright vs. Community": Discussion
at C. Walsh Theater, Suffolk University, 55 Temple St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE

Ah, the power of technology! The sharing of information is greater than ever before. (Perhaps there's too much sharing of useless or incorrect information, but that could be another discussion.)

The ease of online sharing and communication stimulates creativity, but some creators don't dig the unpaid usage of their efforts. Do we destroy the tools of the future (and what makes the Internet cool) in reaction to the traditional application of copyright? There should be quite a few opinions tonight.

(BTW: Who knew the music industry would despise an anti-piracy format!?)

THUR 3/19

7:30pm
"Bad Biology"
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge (Kendall Sq, duh)
$8

It's opening night of the Boston Underground Film Festival. I've seen some shorts and trailers from this year's programs. There is a lot of horror and sex -- but often with a sense of humor and intelligence you'd expect from independent cinema.

So why not open with a film filled with sex and horror? From the director of "Frankenhooker" comes "Bad Biology", it's a love story conceived in the very twisted depths of someone's psyche. From the trailer, it's everything you'd expect from a midnight movie. They eschewed CGI for old-time effects that's should add to the fun.

The festival runs through THUR 3/26 at the Kendall and the Brattle. (Maybe I'll do a dedicated BUFF post, but sheck the schedule on the BUFF site.) All screenings are $8 and there's a special $25 pass for after the weekend. You could win the daily free pass giveaway if you sign up for their mailing list.

Update:

Director Frank Henenlotter and producer R.A. the Rugged Man will be in attendance, as well as lead actress Charlee Danielson and other cast members!

The opening party is at TT's ($10) with Big Digits, Uncle Monsterface, and Get Laid. Should be a wild mix of sounds and people.

THUR 3/19

8pm to 9:30pm
Broken Victrola, Zebbler Encanti Experience
at AXIOM gallery, Green Street T, ground floor level, about 150 Green St, Jamaica Plain
$10 Suggested Donation

I always like to give Zebbler for his involvement in the unintended "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Freekout of '07" [video]. He and frequent collaborator Ben Encanti are performing at the Green St T tonight, and I doubt you'll see a mooninite. I saw them at a club last year, and they actually made me dance! They rock the laptops like killer DJ's while controlling visuals along with the audio.

Broken Vicctrola are another duo who do something more ambient in sound and vision, but that can be just as cool.

THUR 3/19

9pm
Annual Rock The Village Style Show
Tab The Band, Casey Desmond, Fluttr Effect
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Although I'm not much of a "fashion" guy, the concept works for me: mixing bands with local merchants display clothes & wares. Tab The Band may actually be growing on me. I held a grudge, because two of them are Joe Perry's kids; but they take influences like Zeppelin & Rolling Stones and turn it into something different than Aerosmith. Casey Desmond is probably growing into something different every week, but she has a great voice and a lot of talent for pop/rock style. Fluttr Effect's chamber-rock with cello & marimba seems like good fashion show music to me (edgy, arty, etc).

Allstonian style will be presented by: 379 Club, AWOL, The Alter Eco, At The Buzzer, Chandler Jewelry, Cheap Chic, Coco Cosmetics, Cottonfield, Designer's Circus, Horror Business, LAB Boston, Milano Salon & Day Spa, Rescue, Ritual Arts, and Stingray Body Art.
(Forgive me for not checking all of the links.)

Proceeds go to Allston Village Main Streets to revitalize the Allston commercial district.

Cheap Places to Live (Mostly Non-Boston)

Everyone knows about the state of the economy, and it seems like more and more people are hopping on the "cheap" train that I've been advocating for years. (It feels weird to be on the cutting edge of a trend...)

I was listening to the radio, and they were talking about cheap shelter at an ashram called Yogaville. In some ways it didn't sound better than living with your parents (at least you can sneak a shag at home with getting kicked out), but it wouldn't be bad to have plenty of meditation in one's life.

The web version had a side list called "Other Places You Can Live Free (Almost)", so I thought I'd pass it on.

They don't vouch for any of these entities, so obviously neither do I. Most of these places aren't close to Boston, but I'm pretty sure there is some organized couchsurfing going on in the area...

Enota Mountain Retreat
Offers a volunteer work-exchange program in Georgia

Himalayan Institute
Work-exchange yoga program in Honesdale, Pa.

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
Free summer work practice around San Francisco

Green Gulch Farm
Residential practice on an organic farm in Marin County, Calif.

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm
Work-study program in Grass Valley, Calif.

SonoMa Ashram
Work-exchange residential program in Sonoma, Calif.

Joshua Tree Retreat Center
Offers board in exchange for gardening and maintenance work

Organic Farms Across U.S
List of farms, many of which offer work-exchange programs

Starland Retreat
A budget retreat in the Mojave Desert primarily for gay men

National Couch Surfing Organization
A community of couch surfers who help each other out with places to stay when traveling