Sneak Peek -- SAT 8/29

Yep, yep, yep...

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SAT 8/29

Noon to 7pm
Boston Caribbean Carnival Parade
from MLK Blvd & Warren St to Franklin Park, Dorchester (Seaver St / Blue Hill Ave side)
FREE

...what to expect: "streams of vividly costumed, scantily clad masqueraders shaking their booties to DJs and steel-drum bands playing soca and calypso plus some spooge, reggae, salsa, and zouk"

The parade at the beginning is the highlight.

SAT 8/29

1pm to 4pm
"Powderhouse Camera Obscura"
at Nathan Tufts Park, Broadway & College Ave Rotary, Somerville (Powderhouse Sq)
FREE

Local artist Annie Smidt is temporarily turning the Powder House into a "camera obscura" and she'll take digital photos to record the images. If you want to be a part of the art project -- or have a love of optics -- just walk in front of the window and make a funny pose.

SAT 8/29

4pm to 7pm
"Big Fat Whale" & "Keef Knight": Slideshow, Book Signing, Etc.
at The Burren, Back Room, 247 Elm St, Somerville (Davis Sq)

FREE

The "Big Fat Whale" comic is one of the consistent reasons to pick up The Phoenix every week (along with several other comics, the articles, and the event listings). Brian McFadden has compiled a "best-of" book called, "Fun Stuff for Dum-Dums". It's quite a funny mix of topics.

After looking at a few of the archives, the format is usually a group of fictitious/ridiculous ideas, objects, or people types in 9 panels or less. Every one isn't a masterpiece, but there's always one item that makes me laugh.

Malden native Keith Knight is an extra treat. I'm not sure if any local publication currently carries his comic, but his mainly autobiographical comics are often hilarious with a few touching episodes here and there.

There will be sales and signings before and after the 5pm presentation.

SAT 8/29

8:30pm
One Night Band
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 advance / $12 day of show / 18+

Boston Band Crush presents a big ol' musician swapping rock-fest.

It's a pretty crazy musical experiment that they're putting together -- Take 40 musicians, split them into 8 new bands, and give them 12 hours to put 3 originals and 1 cover together. I wrote a little more below. (Or you can read all the stuff on Boston Band Crush...)

SAT 8/29

9pm to 1am
Project Mum: "Space: The Final Frontier"
Under the McGrath Highway, about 150 Medford St, Somerville (outside Union Sq)
$10 suggested donation

This is the best night of the year to dance under the McGrath Highway... because other people will also be dancing.

They transform the dance area every year with decor and video projections. Unfortunately I was stone sober when I showed up, so it was difficult to get into the dance mood. Otherwise it's a cool open-air dance party with musical turns to space you out by DJ Flack, Wayne and Wax, Axel Foley, and DJ Pace.

There's also a "Space Costume Contest", so think about dressing up...

SAT 8/29

9pm
Girls, Guns & Glory, The Dejas, Trucker Mouth
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston
$8 advance / $10 day of show / 18+

I'm guessing the more quiet Dejas will go on before the Southern-rock fans Trucker Mouth and alt-country Rumble winners Girls, Guns & Glory.

SAT 8/29

9:30pm
The Rex Complex, Monique Ortiz, Railbird
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 / 21+

Wow, this is going be an intense night of moody, atmospheric music. The Rex Complex have a new CD out, and a dark basement is a really good place to listen to it. Too bad it couldn't be smoky too.

Monique Ortiz is going to be joined by second bassist Steve Breman and drummer R.L. Hulsman for her brand of low-rock stomp.