WED 9/2: Film, Classical, Lecture, Rock

Isn't this just about close to perfect weather? Go out and enjoy it before the summer ends. As a pessimistic friend said on the solstice, "The days are getting shorter now..."

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WED 9/2

6pm
"Silent Light/Stellet Licht": Screening
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

This has the signs of an old-school, art-house, foreign film that moves too slow for most audiences -- but one that pays off for those who appreciate abstract moral dilemmas framed by gorgeous cinematography.

The most curious fact I learned while reading about this film is that there are Mennonites living in Mexico (and elsewhere) for a long time who mainly speak a dialect of German. That's not Spanish that the characters are talking...

This Mexican/German production (screened as part of the Iberoamerican Film Festival Boston) won the Jury prize at Cannes in 2007, which is supposedly the "third most prestigious prize."

WED 9/2

7pm
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, "Green Masterpieces"
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

Give them credit for compiling classical works that fit into a "green" theme, i.e. music inspired by nature. Believe or not that it's a "carbon-neutral" concert.

Some of Handel's "Water Music" will sound familiar to the average listener. "Night on Bald Mountain" by Mussorgsky, which was inspired by one might call a wiccan ceremony; appears in Disney's "Fantasia"; and a disco version is on the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.

Other pieces include "The Swan" (Saint-Saëns), "The Afternoon of a Faun" Prelude (Debussy), and "The Story of Frederick Law Olmsted" about the designer of our Emerald Necklace -- narrated tonight by former Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Guest Conductor: Beatrice Affron

WED 9/2

7pm to 8:30pm
Kevin Bales, "Free the Slaves": Lecture & Book Signing
at Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library, 415 South St, Waltham (Brandeis campus)
FREE

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, students are flocking to the campuses (campi?) around us. One benefit is the increase in cheap events, especially lectures and readings.

I know you're saying "whoopee", but knowledge is mental broccoli -- and provides pithy conversation fodder. There are big issues in the new Social Justice Leadership Series at Brandeis, and human trafficking/modern slavery is the first topic.

From what I've read, Kevin Bales is a leading expert on human slavery. This lecture will probably shed the issue in a new light and stimulate the listeners by presenting some possibilities to end modern slavery.

I checked, and the lectures are open to the public. It may be off the beaten path for some, but the commuter rail and the #553 stop close by...

WED 9/2

9pm
The Van Buren Boys, Filligar, Lendway, Alice Austin & The Stark Raving Mad
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

When I first read about Filligar, it notable that the band includes three brothers who attend Dartmouth. Looks like they're taking the semester off, because this is the beginning of a fairly long tour around the country. They've been at it for a while and getting some attention for their energetic, good-natured indie-pop. From what I've seen, they kick it up a notch when playing live. Filligar are Chicago kids, so they may not be in Boston soon if they've dropped out of college.

From Vermont, Lendway sounds like sweeping, spacey yet well-constructed rock. I think they're buddies with Alice Austin who lived up there for a while. She might be my favorite of the line-up with her sassy, catchy indie-rock that lays down some cow-punk stomp. I have a feeling she'll be in "one-woman rock show" mode tonight and will probably open.