FRI 5/22: Comedy, Rock, Mashups, Morrissey, Monty Python

The cornucopia of cheapness isn't as full as usual this weekend, which might have something to do with most people hanging out at the beach or someone's yard for the next 3 days or so.

For whatever reason, there are other options beyond cookouts. Here are some available Friday fun.

Let me say something about flexibility. It's a virtue. Maybe not one of the classic Greek virtues, but it could have been on the list.

Some of these things would've been $10 if you bought tix yesterday, but cost a couple bucks more today. Okay. Boo-hoo. Are you feeling better now? I'm showing flexibility by going over my ceiling for some quality events. Just think about it.

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FRI 5/22

7:30pm
The Christian Finnegan Au Contraire Tour
w/ Ken Reid, Chris Coxen, Laura Burns, James Lawrence, Tom E. Morello
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$12 / 18+

Christian Finnegan is pretty damn funny in short bursts like "Best Week Ever" or "Chappelle's Show" or other TV appearances. I saw some of his Comedy Central special, and he was still pretty funny. A slew of local funny people will also perform. It's an early time, so you have the flexibility to do something else or even stay for The Pill's Morrissey Birthday dance party.

FRI 5/22

9pm
Hallelujah The Hills (12:15am), Bon Savants (11:15pm), Magic Magic (10:30pm), Cymbals Eat Guitars (9:45pm), You Can Be A Wesley (9pm)
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$12 / 18+

If "Wave Backwards To Massachusetts" was the only good song Hallelujah The Hills ever made, it would still be enough reason to listen to their whole set and 4 crappy bands before them. They actually rock out with louds of excellent alt/chamber/rock, and every band sounds really good. I'm being flexible about the price, but let me tell you this -- If you want to hear a rock concert tonight and go somewhere else, you're an idiot.

FRI 5/22

9pm to 2am
Bootie Boston #13: 1 Year Anniversary
Feat: Party Ben, dj BC, DJ Lenlow, DJ Spencer 4 Hire, Katie Enlow
at Good Life, 28 Kingston St Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$5 / 21+

I'm kinda over my mash-up infatuation, but I guess they're still pretty fun. Hardcore lovers and neophytes might mingle in a human dance mash-up tonight. Besides the usual suspects, mashup master Party Ben will be there. Free mix-CD's to the first 50 people through the door.

FRI 5/22

10pm
The Pill: "Morrissey's 50th Birthday Dance Party"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 21+

So Passion Pit played at The Pill last week, so I don't think they'll try to top themselves this week. The Pill guys say it's going to be a fun dance night filled with plenty of Smiths and Morrissey tunes with videos projected above the stage. You don't need to get spectacular, because that's already awesome on top of awesome.

If can't get in, you have flexibility to walk to the Model Cafe where (I have it on good authority) they're also celebrating Morrissey's birthday with no cover charge and cheap drinks.

FRI 5/22

Midnight
"Monty Python's Holy Grail": Quote-Along
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$10

Do I need to say anything more than "I fart in your general direction"? Maybe this is the most quotable Monty Python film. (I have a fondness for "Life of Brian".) Henri from Austin's Alamo Drafthouse is on hand to host the show.

Pre-show contests, props, and other frivolity precedes the screening that has "Subtitles for all the best bits." Want flexibility? A local, low-budget, indie, gory, funny police-action film called "Lawson: White Heat" is also playing ($9) at midnight.


Update:

A commenter writes, "If I may add to the list...Lisa Bello live at the Alchemist Lounge in JP. It's a free show."

Yes, you may.

10pm
Lisa Bello
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

I listened to Lisa Bello before, and it's a bit too pop for my taste, but she can sing.