SAT 6/13: Outdoor Fests & Rock

There is still plenty of time to do stuff during the day (and/or night)! And I added the 'heavy metal tribute' benefit show.

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SAT 6/13

Noon to 6pm
Boston Pride Parade & Festival
from South End to City Hall Plaza
FREE

What can I say? We're having a "gay ol' time" in Boston... You don't have to be Italian to go to a North End festa... You don't have to be Greek to enjoy roasted lamb and spanakopita on a church lawn... Go have fun. The rainbow signifies all colors. (Plus it's colorful, flamboyant party people.)

SAT 6/13

Noon to 6pm
Cambridge River Festival
along Charles River, Memorial Dr, Cambridge (near Harvard Sq)
FREE

Walking along the Charles on any summer day is a magnificent time. It's more crowded than usual, but not by much... Stroll or stop wherever you like. There's going to be all types of art and entertainment -- and food.

There's a gospel & jazz stage, a family/children stage, a dance stage, a folk/roots stage (Miss Tess at 4pm, Tim Gearan at 5pm), a theater stage, a poetry area, activities, information, and I was piqued by the idea of an "interactive happening with Janis Joplin" (1pm & 3pm).

SAT 6/13

Noon to 6pm
Fair Trade Boston 2009
at Artists for Humanity's EpiCenter, 100 W. Second St, Boston (Southie/Fort Point)
FREE

Find out about Fair Trade merchants in Boston and enjoy various entertainment. I support the notion of "free trade" commerce, but I can't get too excited about it. Maybe I should go and get more knowledge...? It could be fun and make me a well-rounded human being.

SAT 6/13

1pm to 5pm
3rd Annual "JP Unplugged" Lawn Concert
at Loring-Greenough House, 12 South Street, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Feat: Chris Wilhelm, Patti Derosa, Laura Bullock, Bethel Steele, Denise Barbarita, Deborah Galiga, Mike Delaney, Ken Porter

Hey, it's turned out to be a beautiful day! If you're going to be out and about in JP, you definitely should check out the fine folks singing their folky songs. I've listened to several of them, and this won't be lame.

SAT 6/13

7pm
Three Dog Night
at Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Storrow Dr, Boston
FREE

Wow, it looks like a few of the original members are still in the band... I've seen these "oldies bands" before, and the new guys usually play better than the originals. You may think they don't have a full set of kick-ass tunes, but you'll get: "One", "Mama Told Me Not to Come", "Joy to the World", "An Old Fashioned Love Song", "'Black & White", and more. There is usually an opening band, so don't worry about being late.

Personally, I like that Oldies 103.3 puts on this Summer Concert Series.

SAT 6/13

9:30pm
The Teenage Prayers, The Rationales, Phil Aiken Army
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 / 21+

For a while, the Teenage Prayers were playing Boston all the time. It might have been a bit much, but I've missed them. I didn't realize it's been more than a year since their last visit. They probably got killer day jobs or something... They used to be the perfect blend of Memphis soul and Beatlesque rock; I bet they're still pretty damn good.

It's a really bitchin' night of song as The Rationales are going to play their superb earthy popness that reminds me of Wilco when they're not screwing around and being avant/experimental. (Isn't it funny how no one seems to mention Uncle Tupelo anymore?)

A flyer says the Phil Aiken Army is also playing, so listeners will be barraged with outstanding menage-rock de trois. (I have a vague recollection of my old friend Miguel saying Phil was his college roommate. This is parenthetical, but Miguel used to rave about this guy for years.) Solo or with band, Aiken is like a secret weapon that makes anything sound great.

SAT 6/13

Lovewhip (11pm), Hazard Adams (10pm)
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

While most electro-poppy dance music leaves me cold, I do enjoy Lovewhip. Most of this genre seems like empty sugar calories, but they serve it up with funky density like a delicious chocolate truffle. Lovewhip is a funky chocolate truffle with hot guitar-raspberry jam drizzled over it. Give it a dollop of fresh cream too.

Am not sure how they were paired with Hazard Adams, who is quite different than his brother "Patch". Instead of lame pranks to cheer up sick kids, this band churns out a country/folky classic rock that sorta reminds me of early-70s Stones.

SAT 6/13

8pm
"Heavy Metal Tribute" to the Homeless
Feat: Beast Over Boston, Sad Wings Of Destiny, Supernaut, High Voltage
at The Baseball Tavern, 1270 Boylston St, Boston (Fenway)
$10

Tribute bands usually don't make the list, but this seemed like a good time to make an exception. Four heavy metal tribute bands + one good cause = a good idea -- and there are people -- with and without mullets -- that still love vintage metal. Proceeds benefit the Matta Home for homeless veterans.

Listen to classic Iron Maiden (Beast Over Boston), Judas Priest (Sad Wings Of Destiny), Black Sabbath (Supernaut), and AC/DC (High Voltage).

Live music is in the basement.