THUR 4/30: Film, Talk, Rock

Wow, it's the end of April. Basically a third of the year has already past, but I believe the next third is going to pretty good -- as long as a flu pandemic doesn't ruin my summer...

It's not really an "event", Sam Adams is having tastings at 60 bars in the area tonight; check out the list, if you're thinking of hanging out tonight. There could be some free beer and shwag in your future...

The Cambridge Science Festival is making a smart city even smarter through Sunday! There are a few things happening today that piqued my interest: "The Brain Experience: Looking into the Brain" (6pm), "Meltdown: What Everyone Needs to Know and Do About Energy" (7pm), Engineering Google (7pm/21+)...

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THUR 4/30

7pm
"Colossus: The Forbin Project": Intro by David Aguilar
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$9.50 / $7.50 students / $6.50 seniors

Based on a '66 novel, this well-regarded but little-seen film predates "The Terminator", "The Matrix", and "War Games"; where we fight for our survival against intelligent machines. "Colossus" is the name of America's supercomputer that's put in charge of the entire nuclear weapons system. Colossus discovers that the Russians have built a similar artificial intelligence weapons controller. When the two start communicating, wacky adventures ensue.

David Aguilar of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics will introduce the film, which is meant to kick off a two-day symposium called "Crossroads: The Future of Human Life in the Universe Conference". Sessions are free on Friday and Saturday at Zero Arrow Theatre.

THUR 4/30

8pm
Robert Kuttner, "Obama's Challenge: Prospects for Economic Success"
at Room 105, Emerson Hall, 12 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard Yard)
FREE

Liberal columnist and author Robert Kuttner examines the political and economic challenges in detail. There's a likelihood for a full room; seating is "available on a first-come, first-served basis."

THUR 4/30

St. Helena (11pm), The Kickbacks (10pm), The 'Mericans (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / 21+

I'm sad to hear this is could be the last show for The Kickbacks. This might be the end of a chapter, but I'd like to believe that Tad (chief Kickback) is going rock on. They've whipped up a mighty fine batch of songs that fall somewhere between Paul Westerberg and Steve Earle. It seems like we don't see Providence's The Mericans that often, but they're coming to give a rootsy toast to their buddies. St Helena seemed rougher than expected at The Cantab last month, but there's some superb melancholy pop in this band.

THUR 4/30

9:30pm
The Murder, Capital Scam, Dirty Southern Revolutionaries
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

It's loud and fast rock party hosted The Murder, one of our fine purveyors of Boston punk. Capital Scam is a hardcore band from wonderfully weird Austin, TX. They're joined by Dirty Southern Revolutionaries, which is an awesome name, from North Carolina. The Revolutionaries are more metal than punk, but "it's all good!"

THUR 4/30

10pm
Movers & Shakers, Jeff Darosa, War of Words (acoustic)
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Movers & Shakers have been rocking the Plough every Thursday this month (for free!), and you've got one more chance to catch them before you'll have to pay their Ameri-punk-ana (that actually reminds me of The Clash at times, so this may not have been the best word to make up) goodness. After a show full-on gig at the Middle East last night, an acoustic version of War of Words plays tonight. Singer-songwriter dude Jeff Darosa also joins the festivities.