FRI 7/3: Free Museum, Art, Tango, Pops Pre-Show, World Music

I was reminded by the Phoenix that Mark Sandman died 10 years ago today. Even though I didn't know him, I miss that guy. I wonder if I'd see him walk down Mass Ave every now and then... That would be cool, and we could be listening his new music too!

If you go to Northeastern (or walk around there), check out the latest issue of "The Huntington News". They asked me to name 10 things I really like, and they actually published it. (Thanks, Dani C! Did my friend at Northeastern have anything to do with this? Steve-O...?)

Almost everyone else has the day off, but I'm in the office. So it goes. If you have the day off, have a good one.

There's always Harborfest too: "Puritans, Patriots and Pirates" at King's Chapel (11am to 3:30pm), Tours of Fort Independence (Noon to 3:30pm), a "Battle for Bunker Hill" tour (3pm to 3:45pm), etc...

--------------------------------------------------------------

FRI 7/3

9am to 9pm
"Free Fun Friday"
at Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
FREE

I don't see a catch here. It looks like everyone gets into the MOS for free... For the next 10 Fridays, you can go to a different spot in MA for free thanks to The Highland Street Foundation.

FRI 7/3

5pm to 9pm
First Friday Open Studios
at SoWa Arts Bldg, 450 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

There is usually a good crowd of people walking around and checking out the approximately 50 artist studios. It might be really quiet tonight... It all depends on how you feel about crowds or talking to the artists... It happens on the first Friday of the month.

FRI 7/3

7:30 pm to 11pm
Tango by Moonlight
over the Charles River on the Weeks pedestrian bridge, Memorial Drive side, near Dewolf St, Cambridge
FREE

It's the first night of the 13th season that lasts for the next 6 full moons. (There's a clever math joke hiding in there.)

As usual, they'll start with brief period of tango instruction, then you can try for as long as you like until you feel like dancing any way you like.

It's a fun time with and without a partner, since you can usually find a partner or two. Perhaps the spirit will move you. And if the tango stymies you, it's fine to sway and turn however you like...

Rain date: SUN 7/5

Note: "Regardless of clear or cloudy skies, raindates are used only if it is actually raining (pouring) at 7 pm on the primary date. Call 617-699-6246 if unsure."

FRI 7/3

8:30pm to 10pm
Boston Pops Pre-Concert
at Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Storrow Dr, Boston
FREE

I wrote about this below, but the music should be basically the same -- without Neil Diamond. No fireworks either, but it won't be as crowded. You might be able to sit on the Esplanade and see the Pops.

FRI 7/3

9:30pm
La Tuza, Kafana
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 / 21+

It's international music night! La Tuza, the best Mexican/roots band in Boston (that I know of) has recorded a new CD. You can listen to it here, so you can learn all the words for tonight. This is good stuff to my ear, and I used to listen to some Chicano radio when I lived in L.A. Gabriel Guzman, of New York band Radio Jarocho, will sit in tonight.

I've never been inside Sabur, but a bunch of players get together as "Kafana" and apparently play Balkan folk music there.