Sneak Peek: SAT 11/7

Before it gets any later... There's too much good stuff happpening on Saturday! (Some bands are doubling up.) I tried to whittle down the options, but this was the best I could do.

Since you might not open your bank statement, BofA cardholders (credit or ATM) can get into museums for free this weekend. Some local participants include MFA, HMNH, and DeCordova.

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SAT 11/7

10am to 3pm
Open House/Studios
at North Bennet Street School, 39 N Bennet St, Boston (North End)
FREE

Founded as a vocational school over 100 years ago, there is a lot of fine craftsmanship happening there, such as furniture/carpentry, jewelry, and musical instruments. It's not only restoration, but the students create some fine pieces that are sold in the downstairs gallery.

If you ever wanted to visit a furniture workshop or see the inner workings of a piano, swing by. Grab a coffee and something sweet if you're in the neighborhood...

SAT 11/7

11am to 5pm
Boston Lyric Opera: Open House
at Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont Street, Boston (Theatre District)
FREE

This might be geared to young people and opera-lovers, but opera-likers and the merely curious of all ages can enjoy free performances, backstage tours, demonstrations, etc.

(Scroll down to see a schedule of activities.)

SAT 11/7 & SUN 11/8

Noon to 6pm (SUN: 5pm)
Annual Open Studios
at Waltham Mills, 144 Moody St, Waltham
at Lincoln Studios, 289 Moody St, Waltham
FREE

Sunday: Noon to 5pm

When I lived in Waltham, it was a fun afternoon walking through the old mill buildings and seeing the different (more than 70) artist studios. There's a wide variety of media on display too, including video.

It's right by the train tracks near Waltham Common, and another set of artist studios recently opened down the street in the building where Jordan's Furniture used to be. Their doors will be open as well (and a DJ will be spinning in his studio).

Maybe because it's Waltham, but I recall little attitude from the artists...

SAT 11/7

4pm
John Krasinski, "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men": Discussion
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

The movie is currently showing at Kendall Square Cinema, however Krasinksi is not hanging out at a bookstore for a week or more. He'll talk about his directorial debut, which is based on short stories by David Foster Wallace, and he'll likely deflect questions about "The Office". He'll probably sign "Brief Interviews..." film postcards.

Could be cool. Maybe fairly crowded?

SAT 11/7 & SUN 11/8

4pm
Plough's 40th Anniversary Party
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Do you really need more of an excuse to celebrate? The weekend will be stacked with awesome musicians who have frequented that corner of the room and various stools around the bar...

Saturday:

Angeline, Monique Ortiz & Larry Dersch, Jimmy Ryan, Kaitlin Dibble, Josh Lederman, Chris Fullerton, Cello Chix, Natalie Flanagan, others

Sunday:

Michael Tarbox, The Raging Teens, The Konks, Triple Thick, Frank Drake & The Bagboys, Jay Allen, Stump The Undertaker's Organ, others

Looks like Sunday is generally louder than Saturday.

SAT 11/7

6pm
3rd Annual Stephen Fredette Benefit & House Party
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 before 9pm / $12 / 21+

Who wouldn't show up before 9pm? This is a jaw-dropping amount of good music. (There may even be some free food between 6:30pm and 7:45pm?) I don't remember Lizard Lounge ever listing a band to start after 1am, especially with music starting 7 hours earlier. Thankfully, they have many taps to keep one hydrated...

All proceeds from the door go to Stephen Fredette (ex-Scruffy the Cat, now-Pony) who's been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. (More to read about previous benefits.)

Feat:

1:05am -- Drug Rug
12:15am -- Morgan Nagler & Vanessa Carballa
11:25pm -- Nina Violet
10:40pm -- Lady Lamb The Beekeeper
10:05pm -- The Chris Brokaw Twelve String Guitar Trio
9:30pm -- Pony
8:55pm -- Jimmy Ryan & Hayride w/ Mary Lou Lord
8:20pm -- Kelsey Bennett
7:45pm -- Seana Carmody & Dave Norton
7:10pm -- Sway
6:40pm -- The Sheraton Commanders
6:10pm -- New Black Magic Rainbow Quartet

Note: The performances will be recorded, so you're expected to be respectful -or- go upstairs for "substantive conversation during performances".

SAT 11/7

The Curses (Midnight), The Marvels (11pm), Muck & The Mires (10pm), The Swinedells (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$9 / 21+

A kickass, punky, garagey rockin' stew! Lean, mean rock show.

SAT 11/7

9pm
The Devil Makes 3, The Wrong Reasons, Sway
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Back in the day, rock 'n roll bands didn't have drummers. It's true! You might know Aerosmith's version of "Train Kept A-Rollin" (or even The Yardbirds'), but it was drumlessly rocked out by The Rock 'n Roll Trio. The earl Elvis singles had no drummer. The Devil Makes 3 gives this approach a high-octane jolt into the present.

SAT 11/7

Bean Pickers Union (11:30pm), Preacher Jack (10:30pm), Bryan Pero (9:30pm)
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
FREE

Whenever I see Preacher Jack playing somewhere, it's my duty to let you know because he is a genuine, boogie-woogie, rockabilly living musical treasure. He'll be the magical filling in rockin' Americana (not Wonder) bread.

This week I went into the Rosebud Bar & Grill, which reopened a couple months ago. Check it out if you're looking for a good, relaxed pub experience.