MON 10/26: Talks, Songs, Rock

Honestly, I thought the weekend was going to suck weather-wise. It turned out rather nice, especially yesterday. Maybe Monday will be better than we expect...

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MON 10/26

7pm to 9pm
"Propaganda City": Mike Bonanno, The Yes Men
at Bartos Theater, Wiesner Bldg, 20 Ames St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

The pranksterism of The Yes Men probably blurs the line of performance art, political protest, and satire. A documentary about their adventures is currently playing at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and I suspect it plays like a political version of "Jackass". They're scheduled to make an appearance at the 7pm screening on WED 10/28.

Sometimes art touches you more directly than simply hanging in a museum. As part of the "City as Stage, City as Process" lecture series that explores the idea of a "city" as a dynamic and malleable entity, it looks like one of the Yes Men will discuss last year's NY Times hoax. (During the presidential campaign, they handed out a load of fake issues that claimed the Iraq War was over.)

MON 10/26

7pm
"Shrewish Conversations: Taming the Play?": Discussion & Performance
at Downstairs at The Garage, 38 JFK St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Did anyone know there was a performance space in the basement of the Garage? I've used the restroom once, but I don't recall seeing much more. A production of "The Taming of the Shrew" is running through SUN 11/8 somewhere below ground.

Tonight's free program will consist of a discussion with the director Melia Bensussen and English professors Yu Jin Ko (Wellesley) & Caroline Bicks (BC) that will be moderated by Diana Henderson (MIT). Some find the play misogynistic, but perhaps that's not the case?

Scenes will also be performed by Sarah Newhouse -- Kate in this production -- and Paula Langton who played the character in an all-female version.

"Complimentary food and beverages will be served."

You can reserve a seat in advance via online or phone: 617-776-2200 x225.

MON 10/26

9:30pm
Joshua James, Sodafrog, Manasseh David Israel
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

It's singer-songwriter night, but headliner Joshua James.is touring with a full band. They're folky pop-rock is fairly catchy, and James sings in a high, clean timbre. This is stuff that have probably been featured on TV soundtracks.

I may be biased, but the highlight is local artist Sodafrog. Maybe Tom Janovitz will do a solo thing, or perhaps there'll be a fuller sound, but the songs have depth and his delivery commands attention. Berklee student Manasseh David Israel opens.

MON 10/26

10pm
The Coffin Lids, The Acrobrats, The Egos
at Charlies Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

Halloween celebrations always start way before I expect. These three bands played the last "Halloween Spooktacular" at the Abbey Lounge last year. The garage-rock must go on, even if the old club is dressed up as a comfort-food restaurant.

The Coffin Lids' usually play it a bit on the creepy side with horror themes in their songs, and I believe they were the anchor of many Abbey Halloween shows. This is classic garage, and I wouldn't be surprised if they dressed up as The Mummies.

Costumes are encouraged for everyone, so who knows if The Acrobrats are going to look like when pounding out hooky, bratty rock. The Egos look like they also enjoy Halloween; I've seen some goth vibe throughtout the year, and there is a spooky, reverby twist for a surfy garage sound.