TUES 10/20: Talk & Strings

A theme developed when I didn't get excited about the under-$10 music options (except the musical cap on the night). Check out the "international" sub-theme with Iraqi & Burmese speakers...

There is an excellent, almost-cheap indie-rock gig at TT the Bear's and other gigs at Passim and the Brattle -- this is the cheap stuff, folks.

And Happy "National Day on Writing"! If you feel like writing anything, this is a good day to start! The National Gallery of Writing would like you to send them some of your stuff -- any kind of writing -- to celebrate. (They offer some writing tips too.)

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TUES 10/20

6pm
"Musicians for Music 2.0": Discussion
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE / 18+

If you're involved with making music in one way or another, you might hear (and share) something helpful. There will obviously be some casual time, but it seems like the whole spends time discussing the same topic or two.

Even though the best part of music is rocking out and partying, success on any level requires some serious effort. Based on last month's session, the topics can cover social media, web promotion, money issues, how people listen to music, and different recording techniques.

Whether you make music, promote it, write about it, talk about it, or do an interpretive dance; you will probably get something out of this.

I guess I'll never "make it" these days, because I abhor that the details are on Facebook...

TUES 10/20

7pm to 8:30pm
Haider Hamza, "Talk to an Iraqi": Discussion
at Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library, 415 South St, Waltham (Brandeis campus)
FREE

When was the last time you talked to an Iraqi? Journalist Haider Hamza was living there during the invasion and reported on so many of the major events. Now the 24-year-old lives in the States, and one of his new projects was a mobile "Talk to an Iraqi" booth.

The actual booth may not be there, but the Iraqi will show up.

Are you thinking, "How the f--- do I get to Brandeis?" Try the commuter rail and the #553 stop close by...

TUES 10/20

7:30pm
After the Saffron Revolution: The Struggle for Human Rights in Burma
at Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

You know things are bad when Buddhist monks get pissed off. The situation in Burma/Myanmar is still awful, the monks led protests in 2007 that may not have toppled the regime, but they reinvigorated the resistance and brought greater international attention.

Three of the monks will speak about their lives and state of affairs in their homeland.

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TUES 10/20

10pm
String Quartet Showdown, Vol. 8
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S. Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

If you're in JP on a Tuesday night, there's a possibility to hear a fresh take on classical string music. It's happened seven times before, and they'll be battling through the end of the month. Who knows if these string quartets will "bring it" in a bar, but the music is awesome without the pretension.

Cellist Jeremy Harman organizes the smackdown that includes members of A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra, Samurai String Squad, and the plethora of music students in the area.