THUR 6/18: Science, Film, Much Music

Unfortunately I didn't get any free tequila last night. Fortunately, my softball team won. I hope some of you got into the Rattlesnake and had a good time.

Was there any free booze at the Peace Corps session? Inquiring minds want to know!

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THUR 6/18

5pm to 8pm
"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Primate Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)"
at Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$4.50 / $3.50 seniors, non-Harvard students / $3 ages 3 to 18

The title of the first "Summer Nights at the Museum" session made me laugh, and next month will be "Life's a Niche"... One Thursday per summer month, you can get into the HMNH for half the usual admission (after 5pm).

Besides the mind-blowing "Glass Flowers" and some of the weirdest fossils et cetera, there will be gallery talks by Harvard grad students at 5pm and 7pm based on the theme, for example:

Explore the EVOLUTION exhibit and the Great Hall of Mammals and see how evolutionary processes such as sexual selection have shaped primate social systems and sexual relationships. We'll compare human behaviors to those of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzee and bonobo, and we’ll also learn about Harvard’s primate research and conservation projects in tropical forest communities of east Africa.

THUR 7/16: "Life's a Niche"
THUR 8/20: "The Best Fossils Darwin Never Saw"

THUR 6/18

7pm
"Whatever Works": Preview Screening
at AMC Loews Theatre, 175 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common)
FREE w/ RSVP

This might be a really funny, because Woody allen wrote it in the 70's, but it was shelved when the original star died.

Larry David is the star of Woody Allen's latest film -- but us fans know this isn't the first time he's been in a Woody movie. (You can see him in "Radio Days" before creating "Seinfeld" as well as a bit part in Allen's contribution to "New York Stories".) Is Larry one of the best Woody surrogates ever? Yeah, probably.

Obviously, this is probably one of those deals where too many people can RSVP and will be accommodated first-come, first-served style.

THUR 6/18

Milquetoast & Co (11pm), Kingsley Flood (10pm), Tall Tall Trees (9pm) Emily Russo (8pm)
at Cantab Underground / Club Bohemia, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

This is quite a group of bands that should play well together. They all have a rootsy influence, but it's manifested in different ways and to different degrees. I liked Milquetoast & Co when I first heard them a couple years ago, and they've kept on refining their sound while still evading an easy tag on their sound. Let's say it's twangy, jazzy chill-rock with cello. They get points for the CD title, "Drinking and Smoking Too Much With Women I Hate", and the lyrics match that sardonic line.

Every now and then, a band comes up with a really good line to describe their music; Kingsley Flood's goal is to achieve "a sound resembling what would happen if the Band met the Clash in a back alley throwdown." They're doing a good job, because the music bursts and fizzes in an Americana vein that seems to flow naturally. You should hear this band!

Sometimes New Yorkers are so hip-'n-ironic that it leaves a funny taste in my mouth. Tall Tall Trees sound really really good, but it bugs me when they start by saying they're "an alternative country folk band based in Harlem." Maybe they should just say they're really grad students at Columbia -- or whatever their deal is... Darn them, it's a pretty sweet blend of old-timey music and rock.

Emily Russo plays keyboards and sings, but she's got a strong, soulful approach. It seems like Club Bohemia often puts an acoustic or solo act at the beginning of the night as a warm-up, and it works well.

THUR 6/18

8pm to 10pm
Urban Caravan: "Tribute to Paul McCartney"
at Clear Conscience Cafe, 581 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

It's Paul McCartney's birthday, and Urban Caravan are doing a tribute show just like they did for John Lennon in October. Song after song, I can imagine McCartney saying, "Oh, I like that one. They sound really good." Together and solo in easygoing way, they'll sing it from periods of Paul's oeuvre.

There's probably no better place to hear some good music while enjoying good coffee.

Happy b-day, Paul -- if you're really alive... (I hope they do "Silly Love Songs"!)

THUR 6/18

10:30pm
Robin Lane & Johnny Angel, Angeline, other guests
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5-ish

It's going to be a pretty special night of music as Johnny Angel is doing an acoustic duo gig with the legendary Robin Lane before two loud, electric homecoming/reunion gigs with The Blackjacks at TT's.

These are probably Johnny's first local gigs in 5 years, and this guy has a lot of friends (and more people that probably think they're friends) after being a huge force on Boston rock in the 80's. Angeline is also doing a stripped-down set that should accentuate their amazing vocals.

If you can get into the tiny club likely teeming with aging scenesters, you'll probably hear some great stuff. Some guests may include: Jen D'Angora (Downbeat 5, Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents), Marnie Hall (violinist), John Felice (The Real Kids, The Modern Lovers).

THUR 6/18

10pm
Major Lazer, A-Trak, Matt & Kim, Steve Porter, Thunderheist
at House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
$10

Unfortinately there's no free rum at this Bacardi-sponsored dance party, but there's some killer music and it's rare to see a $10 gig at House of Blues. (Two PBR's will cost more than admission!) Gotta love indie-rock/dance-pop duo Matt & Kim and Major Lazer that mixes reggae with clubbiness; when it's leaning towards reggae, it's really damn good.