WED 5/20: History, Country, Philosophy

It's all early-night stuff, but it's not so bad to get home early on a week night.

If it's bad luck for a black cat to cross your path, what will happen to the black cat who crossed my path this morning?

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WED 5/20

6pm
"Lafayette and the Role of France in the American Revolution": Panel Discussion
at Treat Rotunda, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 99 Newbury St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE w/ RSVP

In celebration of the annual Massachusetts Lafayette Day, there are events throughout the day. As aide-de-camp to George Washington, General Lafayette was influential in the Revolution. It's said that he was a frequent visitor to Boston, and it's easy to believe with a street named after him and a plaque on Boston Common.

Tonight's discussion panel includes Prof. Robert Darnton (history, Harvard), author David Hackett Fisher, and Prof. Robert Allison ((history, Suffolk).

You can RSVP by email or calling 617-226-1226.

"A light reception will follow."

WED 5/20

7pm
Kelleigh Bannen
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Nashville native Kelleigh Bannen seems to have the kind of love for music that probably won't get her too far in her hometown's music machine, but there's a uncomplicated beauty to her voice as she sings her country/folk songs that will feel at home in Toad. Ex-Bostonians Jabe Beyer and Frank Swart will be backing Bannen.

When I first saw this, I thought this was one of Kelleigh's "90 Gigs in 90 Days", but Boston is not part of her successful quest. To honor her brother's death resulting from substance abuse, Kelleigh Bannen decided to begin the year by playing 90 in 90 to raise awareness about addiction research and money for the Butler Center for Research. (She collected about $7k in donations.)

WED 5/20

7:30pm
Philosophy Cafe: "The Good Life: What Is It, and How Would We Know?"
at Harvard Book Store, Lower Level, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$3 suggested donation

People are always looking for the "Good Life". While I was walking downtown someone asked me how to find the Good Life, and I told it was on Kingston Street. There will be a brief introduction of the topic, then about 45 minutes of moderated discussion. After a 15-minute coffee break, the group will muse, question, theorize, and contemplate for another 45 minutes.

Conceptions of the good life, of human flourishing, are as diverse as cultures and personalities. For some, the unexamined life isn’t worth living, while for others direct experience – of pleasure, excitement, novelty, triumph – is all that counts. Are we living lives worth living? What standards apply in deciding this question, and how do we justify them?

No credentials or expertise s needed to participate. Donation is to cover the cost of coffee, tea and cookies.