THUR 12/17: Poe Debate, Uke, Rock

I don't often look at my 'site statistics', but I noticed that people have been visiting for the Macy's coupon that I posted last year. I don't know if it'll work; I'll definitely post again if I find one. I did see this 20% coupon for Good Vibrations if you're in the market for adult merchandise. (Print it out if you're going to Brookline or use the online code.)

People also like cute kids singing Jason Mraz songs, because a lot of people clicked on Sunday's off-topic video. Go figure...

Some more-than $10 Thursday goodness:

Chandler Travis's annual "Christmas Cavalcade For the Homeless" at Johnny D's. There is a ridiculously long list of excellent performers like Dennis Brennan, Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents, The Everyday Visuals, a collaboration between Clint Conley (Mission of Burma) & Hugo Burnham (Gang of Four), and many more. The $15 cover goes to the Somerville Homeless Coaltition.

I love walking around the Gardner Museum anytime, and tonight is their monthly "After Hours" program ($12 or less) with a Saturnalia theme.

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THUR 12/17

7pm
"The Great Poe Debate"
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

There are literature events at the BPL every week, but this may be the one that fills Rabb Hall to capacity. I'm not kidding (but there's always a chance that I live in a fantasy world). I think the result of this debate will be mentioned in practically every subsequent story about Edgar Allan Poe will likely reference this debate between Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Our eminent Poe scholar Prof. Paul Lewis (American Lit, BC) takes on the curator of the Poe House in Baltimore and a major Poe guy from Philly, where each will state their case that Edgar truly belongs to their respective city. Charles Pierce (NPR, Globe, etc) will moderate, so we at least have a hometown referee...

Before the bicentennial year of the author's birth, a new exhibition "The Raven in the Frog Pond: Edgar Allan Poe and the City of Boston", is opening today in the Cheverus Room (McKim, 3rd floor) that includes rare manuscripts, letters, etc that focuses on his Boston years.

THUR 12/17

7pm
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Besides the intrinsic charm of Melvern Taylor's songs, these guys play with a perfectly breezy, old-time acoustic swing as Taylor strums the ukulele and sings in a clear and rich tones. This masterful blend of country, jazz, and Tin Pan Alley should be heard.

THUR 12/17

9pm
Hallelujah the Hills, Faces on Film, Tulsa, Jesse Gallagher
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

This is a killer show any night of the year. Hallelujah the Hills is one of my favorite bands in town. This ragged, textured, intelligent indie-rock is the stuff that really tickles my monkey-bone. The new CD sounds great, but one of my faves is still "Wave Backwards To Massachusetts".

I think the main attraction of Faces on Film is the delicately crafted songs, and it doesn't hurt that the entire band create a gorgeous, dreamy tapestry that wraps around them. Tulsa kicks my butt, because I love it when rippling waves of really loud, fuzzy, southern-drenched rock crashes into my ears. I bet he's singing about something meaningful, but I don't really care. Another treat is a set by Jesse Gallagher of Apollo Sunshine. I read that a nice chunk of Drug Rug (among others) are joining him tonight.

THUR 12/17

9pm
"Thursday before Xmas" Party
Feat: Kieran Ridge Band, GrooveStone, Tori Pyne, Brian & Scott Carroll, Reed Waddle
at Porter Belly's, 338 Washington St, Brighton (Brighton Center)
FREE w/ unwrapped toy / 21+

If you didn't know, Porter Belly's has live bands every week (including some of tonight's bands) for free. I can't picture where they would fit the musicians, but it really happens.

If you're in the mood for rootsy and/or jammy rock, bring an unwrapped toy to their 2nd annual "Thursday before Xmas" Party. The collection will go to Toys For Tots, so it's something charitable to do.

Check out Cambridge's Reed Waddle who has followed in Mieka Pauley's footsteps and has won this year's New York Songwriters Circles songwriting contest. Excellent folkiness, and I like that he doesn't focus on local, high-profile gigs.

THUR 12/17

10:30pm
"Fuzzy Christmas": Benefit for Steven Fredette
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

Feat: Hilken Mancini & Chris Colbourn, Tanya Donelly & Bill Janovitz, Heavy Stud, Dylan in the Movies, Jim Buni, Audrey Ryan, The Other Girls, David Fredette, Pat McDonald

With this many performers, I'm really not sure where they are going to put the audience. I imagine a hundred or so (?) will be able to get in to hear an unbelievably awesome show with some of Boston's best each doing a few songs.

Her performance will likely be short, but I have a feeling that Tanya Donelly fans may drive great distances to hear do a few tumes with Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz. Organizer Hilken Mancini duets with sometime partner (and Buffalo Tom bassist) Chris Colbourn. As you can see, the list goes on including Steven's brother who plays with The Upper Crust (and played with other great bands) will be there.

As with a Lizard Lounge show last month, proceeds from the door go to help Stephen Fredette (ex-Scruffy the Cat, now-Pony) defray medical bills (a little more here), so warm, fuzzy feelings will fill any space not taken up by people and drinks.