THUR 7/23: Art, Film, Latin, Punk, Shakespeare

Well... I had a bit of technical difficulties, but here are some ideas for today. I guess I'm getting soft when I put the photo of the Afro-Cuban ladies instead of the punk flyer. Hopefully, we'll have clear skies tonight.

Btw: It's free to see the Celtics Dancers final auditions at House of Blues tonight, but they're asking for a $10 donation for the Celtics Shamrock Foundation. You can get tickets at local Qdoba locations to stare from much closer than the top level at the Garden.

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

THUR 7/23

5pm to 8pm
Neighborhood Nights: "Pleasure Gardens"
at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 280 The Fenway, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

Isabella Stewart Gardner would open her home to the neighborhood a century ago, and now the museum continues the tradition for three summer Thursdays. There's one more free night in August, but when was the last time you've been there? It's one of the most beautiful interiors in town. Berklee's bluegrass band is going to play, and there will be activities for all, but let the kids at it first:

* decorate your own flower pot
* plant seeds in peat pots to grow at home
* create a musical wind chime to enhance your outdoor space

THUR 7/23

5pm
"Together in Time", "Life After High School": Screening & Reception
at West End Branch Library, 151 Cambridge St, Boston
FREE

There are a couple other films still to be shown as part of the "Avenue of the Arts Film Festival", but this is the only notable remaining program. Documentary director Steve Alves, who lives in Western Mass, will be at the 5pm 'reception' with music by the Patrice Monahan Jazz Group.

The films (at 6pm) each last about half an hour. "Together in Time" (2001) examines the past and present of contra dancing in New England. You can laugh at the youth fashion of 2000 in "Life After High School" while seeing how the grads deal with their options. Hey, it's free and there might even be some wine at the reception.

THUR 7/23

7pm
Obbini Tumbao
at O'Day Park, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Take a West African word for "woman" and a vague term for "a beat", and you've got a sweet Afro-Cuban band created by percussionist Anita Quinto and pianist Rebecca Cline who met at Berklee who put together a crack band with vocalists and fat horn section. Good times for grooves.

There's one more concert in the Tito Puente Latin Music Series next week, so think about it.

THUR 7/23

9:30pm
The Briggs, Left Alone, Refuse Resist, The Acro-brats
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

It's two California punk bands with two of our local outfits, Refuse Resist and The Acro-brats. I'm not that hip to the scene, but all the bands sound damn good. Upon reflection this is the best cheap rock show of the night.


THUR 7/16 (thru THUR 8/6)

6:45pm
"The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (abridged)"
at Christian Herter Park, 1175A Soldiers Field Road, Brighton (near Charles River, across from WBZ)
FREE

"To rain or not to rain." That is the question, since this wacky take on all 37 Shakespeare plays in slightly more than 90 minutes.

It's happening where the Publick Theatre has performed Shakespeare on a yearly basis, but they're "on hiatus." Besides the Bard being twisted for free, there are grills at the park for anyone to make burgers or whatever...

You can pay $15 or go for free on Thursdays. If you have valid student ID, you can get in for free on Fridays too.