SUN 1/31: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

This the "R-rated" trailer to "Mystery Team", the low-budget indie-comedy at The Brattle this week:

SUN 1/31: Stories & Song

There’s a lot of good stuff going on today after the Celtics-Lakers game. I’ll be brief.

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SUN 1/31

6pm to 9pm
Story Slam: "It's Relative"
at the Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$7 / $5 students, seniors / FREE - Cambridge residents who tell a story

Are you ready to tell a 5-minute story about a relative? If it’s good enough, you could win a prize and be invited to "The Big Mouthoff" in April at the Boston Public Library. After everyone has put their name into consideration, 10 people are chose randomly to perform. If you’re not story-telling, you might end up judging.
Games and other fun will happen between presentations.

Hosted by Doria Hughes & Will Luera

SUN 1/31

6pm
Haiti Benefit
Feat: Boy Without God, Jesse Gallagher, Ryan Walsh, Milo Jones, Mr Sister
at Atomic Bean Cafe, 902 Mass Ave, Cambridge
- Give What You Can -

Please give a decent amount, because these are 5 performers that are going to give great songs and music that would easily be a $10+ show. You don’t usually get this quality at a coffeehouse. (In case you don't recognize their names, you've heard Jesse with Apollo Sunshine and Ryan with Hallelujah the Hills.) A special show for a damn good cause.

SUN 1/31

7:30pm
Tony the Bookie Orchestra, Sodafrog
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5 / 21+

Dang, this is a pretty sweet show too. If you open your ears ever so slightly to Tony the Bookie Orchestra, they’ll blow them wide open for some trippy country-rock. Sodafrog holds your undivided attention with direct delivery and deep, finely honed songs.

The Rosebud is like a concert hall with the ample seating yet there's a dance floor and milling area by the bar.

SUN 1/31

9pm
Chandler Travis Quartet Or So
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE

Chandler Travis always amuses with his multicolored, multi-genre music and wardrobe.

SUN 1/31

9:30pm
Crash Kings, Paper Tongues
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 18+

Could these guys already be on the radio? “WBOS presents” what seems like pop/rock that’s on the cusp of getting popular.

SUN 1/31

The Entrance Band (11pm), Lights (10pm), Lord Jeff (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

Some good ‘n noisy rock from out of town. Give it a listen even if you can't make it!

SAT 1/30: Brit Ads, Party, Crawl, Salsa, Punk, Rock

If you want to spend a few extra bucks, Three Day Threshold is hosting their annual "Rodfest" with a bunch of other good bands at The Paradise.

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SAT 1/30 (and SUN 1/31)

4pm
"Award-Winning British Commercials 2009"
at Institute for Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston (South Boston/Seaport)
$10 / $8 students, seniors

Sunday: 3:30pm

Generally speaking, British commercials are funnier. I’m not suggesting we ask the UK if we can become a colony again -- I’m just saying you’ll laugh more than watching When in Rome or The Tooth Fairy. In about 80 minutes, they show about 100 commercials.

I don’t know how the 2009 crop is overall, but this is a sample...


SAT 1/30

7pm to 10pm
2nd Grandiversary Party
at Grand, 374 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE w/ RSVP

Congratulations to Grand for sticking around for 2 years. They’ve done a pretty good job of having fun events, so they’re having a party tonight. If you’ve bought something cool and hip in the past -- or thinking about it -- please RSVP on Facebook. Everything is 20% off all day today, it could be a good time to buy a gift for someone or yourself.

SAT 1/30

8pm to 11pm
Union Sq Snuggie Pub Crawl
start at The Independent, 75 Union Square, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5

Maybe you’ve been itching to go out in your snuggie, but have thought better of it. There’s strength in numbers, and you’ll look less like a fool in a crowd of fool.

There will be snuggie games as you go along. Scheduled stops: The Independent, Precinct, Sally O’Briens, PA's Lounge, Bull McCabe's.

"A percentage of the event's proceeds will be donated to a local youth enrichment program."

SAT 1/30

9pm to 2am
Salsa for Haiti Fundraiser
at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
$10 suggested donation / 21+

Performances by: Edwin Pabon & Orchestra, Cincoson, Yarina, I-Level Collective, Carlos de Leon y su Conjunto

There seems to be a lot of live performers at this dance party. Besides the usual salsa, crowds get some traditional Ecuadorian dance music from Yarina and Reggae-influenced rhythms by I-Level Collective. As usual, there will be salsa lessons at the beginning for beginners. Food and drinks should be available.

The suggested minimum donation is $10...

SAT 1/30

9:30pm
The Designer Drugs, The Murder, Worm
at Jacques Underground, 79 Broadway, Boston (South End)
$10 / 21+

For the price of admission, you get three kickass flavors of punk downstairs -- and the drag show upstairs. Don’t worry; you don’t have to question your orientation after watching guys dressed up as women...

SAT 1/30

10:30pm
Barrence Whitfield & The Monkey Hips
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Barrence Whitfield should be more widely as the rock ' soul king of Boston. There are times when I get excited and exaggerate, but this man is amazing. With his mighty soulful singing, he should be in the pantheon of rock/r&b singers. He is something like a missing musical link that skipped from Little Richard directly to the Boston rock scene of the '80s. The Monkey Hips are a squad of rockin' dudes including a sax player.

FRI 1/29: Film, Rock, Laughs, Accordion-Rap

Oh, boy. Yesterday/today didn't turn out the way I hoped. I blame Howard Zinn and JD Salinger...

I don't believe everything I read on the internet, but this looks like a good reason to have a few pints in Porter Square this weekend.

It's a bit over $10, but the incredible Jim Infantino is playing in Newton tonight.

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FRI 1/29

2pm to 9pm
"Free Film Fridays"
at Mugar Omni Theater, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
FREE

It's the last Friday for a free IMAX movie. I think the MOS did it twice last year, so we'll see.

My useful tip who might go today: Pick up the tickets as early as possible. A lot people know about this promotion, and a lot of people just visit the Museum in general. When I tried to go in September, the next 2 screenings were already sold out.

Today's schedule:

"Antarctica" -- 6pm, 7pm
"Coral Reef Adventure" -- 2pm, 3pm
"The Greatest Places" -- 4pm, 5pm
"Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk" -- 8pm, 9pm

I think you get the topics covered from the titles...

FRI 1/29

9:30pm
Mrs. Danvers, Black Kettle, Hellfire and Honey
at Cantab Underground / Club Bohemia, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

I could recommend this gig solely on the strength of Mrs. Danvers who whip up a funky rock stew with killer songs. You probably won't be able to see them in clubs this small by the end of the year. You also get the audio-honey that is Black Kettle; I wanted to listen to catchy, clever song after song. I couldn't find any info on "Hellfire and Honey", but the gig has been dubbed "Rocker Grrrl Night", so it might be more than a woman with an acoustic guitar.

Proceeds will benefit the Boston Dyke March, which occurs during Boston Pride. I could be wrong, but I bet this would be a good night for women who'd like to meet women... Of course, the tunes are great for everyone.

FRI 1/29

9:30pm
Union Square Round Table, "You Can Slow it Down, But You Can't Stop It"
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 -- 21+ / $11 -- 18+

This is a pretty fun and funny way to spend an occasional Friday. It's more than a comedy show, yet I laughed a lot. You may get a feeling that you've been invited to your talented friends' variety show in a basement --except it's not a basement, and there's an adjoining bar.

It'll be interesting what they do with this month's theme. What can be slowed but not stopped? Is it a riddle with a specific answer...?

Some of the expected performers: Chris Braiotta, TD Sidell, Ben Dryer, Keira Horowitz, Nick Branigan, Caitlin Roy, Erik P. Kraft, Gretchen Gavett, Katie McCarthy

One of tonight's guest is Patrick Bryant of WMBR's "Subject to Change" who does this thing called Somerville Speakout, which is readings of real (I think) complaint letters.

Props to musical guest Girlfriends who rocked out last night!

FRI 1/29

9:30pm
Ho-Ag, Mascara, Super 400, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

There is a serious amount of rock that could figuratively cut your head off. The Ho-Ag guys unleash wild, scuzzy angular rock with plenty of riffs to hook you in. Mascara* is all over the map in a progressive yet potent way deserves the power-trio handle. Even though many pints were involved, I think Super 400 were mainly responsible for blowing my mind at the Abbey Lounge one night; they're another power-trio that gets a little jammy in the best possible manner. The band size will probably increase as the night unfolds, because the arty, spy-punk duo of Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling should get the awesomeness rolling.

* If you think Chris Mascara isn't a charismatic performer, then you're wrong. It's that simple, because he was the model for the lead singers in the first two versions of the "Rock Band" video game. He's also the singer in Blue Man Group's "How To Be a Megastar" band. See?

FRI 1/29

10pm
Julz-A, Foster McGinty
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I only have one thing to say: Julz-A is the greatest rapper-accordionist of all time.

THUR 1/28: Monsters, Robots, Trivia, Rock, More

Anne Hathaway is receiving her Hasty Pudding “Woman of the Year” award after a short ride through Harvard Square at 2:30pm. And Ozzy Osbourne is signing his book at Barnes & Noble in Kenmore Square tonight.

They probably won't have lunch together at Sonsie, but I heard that Anne is going to OM. There's a post-Pudding party from 10pm to 1am ($5).

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THUR 1/28

6pm
Triple Feature: "Frankenstein" (6pm), "Dracula" (7:30pm), "The Wolf Man" (9:30pm)
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$9.75

More than the original source material, these three classic horror film have burrowed into the collective psyche to become the archetype of these characters. To all the vampires and werewolves running around in current movies, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney were O.G. In any remake of Frankenstein, they alway try to emulate Boris Karloff.

The old Universal horror films are still entertaining (and scary) without fast-cut editing and slo-mo ninja moves; they benefit by using storytelling in place of special effects. See them all for one ticket. (FYI: The Brattle serves beer.)

THUR 1/28

7pm to 9pm
6.270 Autonomous Robot Competition
at Room 100, Bldg 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

For the geeks out there, you can watch the other geeks compete with their 'autonomous robots' who perform the required tasks without human input -- and not enslaving the human race...

THUR 1/28

8pm to 10pm
The Big Quiz Thing
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10

If you're really think you're a pub trivia bad-ass, why don't you put your money where that body-part-with-the-useless-information is... Leave it to New Yorkers to make turn trivia into a multi-media production... The maximum team size is 8. I like the "smart-ass point", where you witty incorrect answer could still count.

THUR 1/28

9:30pm
Retribution Gospel Choir, Girlfriends, Drew O'Doherty
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

For those who dig the chilled indie-rock of Low, singer-guitarist Alan Sparhawk is in town of his side projects Retribution Gospel Choir. It rocks a bit harder, and the guitar is louder. While his drummer wife isn't involved, the bassist from Low is behind the drums. I'm digging it! Every time I hear Girlfriends I apparently forget that these folks rock with a blissfully fuzzy rockitude. Drew O'Doherty kicks ass with his voice, guitar, and songs.

THUR 1/28

9:30pm
Brian Ellis, Peace Loving, Many Mansions, Greg Mullen
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 -- 21+ / $10 -- 18+

The folks at Whitehaus occasionally put on shows outside of their JP headquarters. Instead of a house party, they're converging on the plain, dank room of Somerville for a night of spoken-word, singer-songwriter, and experimental music before Peace Loving goes on a 3-month tour.

WED 1/27: Science, Games, Food, Film, Bingo, Music

Sorry, I couldn't narrow it down any more than this... I would want to go to all of these things!

Why did I pick today's image? Hey, there's a band who named themselves after Charlie Brown's friend (or a candy). Although her hair is quite brown, I think of her as a ginger.

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WED 1/27

5pm to 7pm
Richard Wrangham, "Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human": Lecture & Booksigning
at Geological Lecture Hall, Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

In the first of three lectures in a series titled "Food For Thought", the main thrust of Prof. Wrangham's new book seems to be that our forebears began cooking much earlier than previously thought -- and it had a tremendous influence on our evolution.

The book-signing (5pm) precedes the lecture (6pm), and it should be an illuminating glimpse into our relationship with food.

Moderated by Prof. Noel Michele Holbrook (Biology & Forestry)

WED 1/27

6:30pm
2nd Annual Rock Paper Scissors Competition
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5 / 21+

It was called Ro-sham-bo by my friends and I. Whoever invented this game was a genius -- except he couldn't figure out how to put it in a box and sell it! It's difficult to find three other objects that relate to each in other in such an elegantly simple relationship.

Register with your battle name (help here or here) from 6:30 to 7:30pm, and the first battle begins at 8pm.

There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. Some people get pretty serious about it, so you can read some tips.

Sounds like it was a good time last year...

WED 1/27

6:30pm to 8:30pm
"Ginger Explosion"
at Grand, 374 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5

Mmmm, ginger... chefs from various restaurants (including Union Square's Ronnarong) are creating sweet and savory dishes that celebrate this tasty tuber. You might want to read up about the multi-purpose root, because there's going to be a trivia contest and other fun.

I looked at the Facebook page, and it's probably going to be a full house. It's given that most people don't show up even though they RSVP, but these folks have also organized other events that deliver the goods (an ice cream party and nutty tasting). I went to the "Ice Cream Showdown", which was held in the lot next to Grand, and it was a big crowd.

(No kicking of gingers, please!)

WED 1/27

7pm
"Lost In La Mancha"
at Room 133, Bldg 3, 33 Mass Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

The last screening of "The Life and Death of Terry Gilliam: A Film Symposium" is actually a film about the director.

Unfortunately and ironically, Terry Gilliam's attempt to film his version of the Cervantes classic turned out to be quixotic. What could have been a DVD extra turned into a complete documentary about the travails that befell Gilliam and company in the ultimately unsuccessful enterprise.

WED 1/27

9pm
Rock N' Roll Bingo
at Milky Way Lounge / Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE

Do I really think it's going to start on time? No, but I think there's a chance that it'll start close to 9pm. When I went to the Model Cafe on a Wednesday night for bingo fun, and it was a good time without even winning. It seems like fun alternative to pub trivia while still being (very) competitive. The tunes between games are better than your typical trivia host who puts their iPod on shuffle.

There should be at least 6 chances -- and you might even get a cupcake just for playing...

It looks like the deal is first Wednesdays at the Model and last Wednesdays at the Milky Way.

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WED 1/27

8:30pm
The Peppermint Patties, Old Jack, Logan 5 & The Runners, Ed In the Refridgerators, Cult of Point Break Society
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

Did you miss "One Night Band" last August? I've attempted to kick my own ass on several occasions when thinking about it. Some of those temporary groups are reuniting over 3 shows in the next couple weeks (discounted multi-night deal available).

This band came up with a clever angle in that day before the show; the songs have a classic '50s vibe and "murder/death" is the subject of every song. Besides the original three tunes, they've added a couple more to their repertoire for this gig.

There's a lot of "cross-breeding" in the Boston scene, so the P-mint Patties are connected to a multitude of bands (The Luxury, Old Jack, Muy Cansado, The New Alibis, Vagiant, Harry & the Potters, Cult of Point Break Society, etc). Some of these bands are joining the rock fun with sets of their own.

It's a damn good bill with solid bands like Old Jack and Logan 5 & The Runners. The interesting thing about Cult of Point Break Society is that it's a project that often changes personnel as it annually performs a different classic/cult-favorite album. Ed in the Refridgerators started about 10 years ago when the duo were pre-teens, so it'll be fun to see them recapture the original angst...

I actually believe this will begin very close to 8:30pm, because they're going to premiere the "One Night Band" short film that was documented the whole process.

WED 1/27

9:30pm
Jimmy Ryan & Hayride, Sarah Borges
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$6 advance / $7 door / 21+

For a rootsier night of awesomeness, mandolinist-extraordinaire Jimmy Ryan and the super-band comprised of Duke Levine, Andrew Mazzone, and Billy Beard are in the middle of a residency where they play an "acoustic" set and an "electric" set. There's a different guest each week, and tonight they'll be joined by Sarah Borges who basically has the voice of a honky-tonkin' angel.

If you're interested, someone took photos from last week's show with Ward Hayden of Girls Guns and Glory.

TUES 1/26: Haiti Benefit, Winedown, Film, Beer Art

I offer a quote:

I have ever hated all nations, professions, and communities, and all my love is toward individuals.

-- Jonathan Swift

Stay tuned for more info, but I took the first step to have a TV show on Somerville cable-access. I'll share the details as it goes along, but the process will take a couple months.

Update: I missed that rockingly wonderful The Organ Beats are playing at Church tonight.

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TUES 1/26

6:30pm to 9:30 pm
Emerge Music Boston Fundraiser for Haiti
at All Asia Cafe, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 suggested donation

Feat: Nadia, Josh Beetler, Jah Fist, Tom Harrison Band, Gary McKnight, Dan Persons, more

Nadia is the organizer of a monthly showcase at All Asia called "Emerge Music Boston". Not only has the earthquake in Haiti has been a tragedy that has touched people around the world, but some of her relatives perished in the disaster.

More that the usual two to three performers, a variety of performers from classical Haitian, klezmer, to all sorts of acoustic stylings are gathering to aid the dire situation.

Proceeds to benefit Yele Haiti, which has moved to clear up any accounting discrepancies of the past. Give what feels right -- or at least $10.

TUES 1/26

7pm
January Winedown: "Let's Go"
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Although "Let's Go" travel guides are geared towards the student-traveler (founded by a Harvard student and still written by students), they can provide good ideas to anyone exploring an unfamiliar corner of the country or the world.

Besides mixing and mingling with a few glasses of wine, members of Let's Go Publications will be there to offer some informal travel advice.

TUES 1/26

7:30pm
"Fish Tank": Screening
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
FREE w/ Flyer

I watched a trailer, and it's a story of a British teen who lives with her too-young mother that seems like she barely took a break from partying. The frame of the story is not terribly original, but the characters can grab you in just a couple minutes, and there seems to be some appealing yet difficult twists in this Cannes prize-winner.

Print the [PDF flyer] to admit two.

"Please arrive early. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is NOT guaranteed."

TUES 1/26

8PM - 11PM
"EYE F*CK with PBR": Exhibit
at The Savant Project, 1625 Tremont St, Boston (Mission Hill)
FREE

Maybe it's just me, but the team at Savant Project comes up with some great event ideas. I've occasionally bragged my butt to Mission Hill to have a good time at this little spot. When some calls an art exhibit "EYE F*CK", they've got me on board!

Maybe it's often the beer that artists can afford or maybe it's just a Pabst promotion, there's much more "blue ribbon"-inspired images than I would've expected on this one site. More of this kind of stuff will be on display along with some free PBR shwag and probably some free bites -- and obviously cheap beer for sale.

Could it be an arty party without some DJ's spinning (DJ Knife & Coatti Mondi)?

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MON 1/25: Mayors, Puppets, Stories, Nerds, Raps, Punks

So there's a variety of Monday cheapness. Thanks to Ilyana and Katie for letting me know about two of the events below.

It's the last Monday of the month, so there's a kickass cupcake tasting near Davis Sq. They're not cheap, but the samples are delicious and increasing your goodies-to-cost ratio...

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MON 1/25

4pm
"Dialogue in Cultural Diplomacy and Urban Transformation": Discussion
at Nye Room, 5th Fl, Taubman Bldg, 79 JFK St, Cambridge (Kennedy School of Govt)
FREE

Feat: Edi Rama & Antanas Mockus, moderated by Prof. Elaine Kamarck

There are interesting items during the day, but I rarely list them. If I didn't have to work today, I'd probably listen to this pair of former mayors, Edi Rama (Tirana, Albania) and Antanas Mockus (Bogota), who implemented all sorts of amusing ideas to better their cities -- and much of it worked. Maybe Americans should elect more painters and mathematicians to elected office!

It might be geared towards "urban planning" and "municipal politics" wonks, but the beauty of the Boston-area is that there is so much free knowledge available.

MON 1/25

6pm to 8pm
"Relics of the Paper Maché Religion": Opening Recption
at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

The Bread and Puppet Theater Touring Company are performing at the BCA this week (for a reasonably low price), and an art exhibit is part of the presentation. Bread and Puppet Director Peter Schumann will speak tonight, and there should be some brief performances as well.

Cheap art will probably be for sale too...

MON 1/25

7pm to 9pm
Four Stories: "Family Feuds: Stories of Troubled Tribes & Bizarre Bonds"
at The Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: Nicole Fix, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Natasha Lvovich, Tom Perrotta

Four writers tell stories based on the theme while people listen and drink in an enormously small room (with comfortable couches). Tom Perrotta is the guy I know, and there are three women from out of town.

The "Four Stories" tradition continues where a free drink goes to the person who asks the best question.

MON 1/25

8pm
Nerd Nite
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Yes, you're destroying brain cells when you drink. Think how much smarter the survivors will be if you're listening to nerdy presentations with similarly curious people around you!

It turns out that Aaron Foster knows a lot about cheese as well as chocolate. Even though he currently works at the Taza Chocolate (factory in Somerville), I expect the ex-cheesemonger to instill the same enthusiasm to "Nerds & Whey: Or, how the controlled spoilage of milk begets the world's tastiest cheeses."

Like many MIT folks, Iolanthe Chronis came up with a high-tech way to study something low-tech like... real-life personal interactions. She dishes on some of her conclusions in what's titled, "Everything You Can Do I Can Have Measured: Studying Face to Face Social Networks Using Cellphones."

DJ Claude Money will offer some funky, nerd-friendly tunes before, after, and in between.

FYI: The plan is to host Nerd Nite at Middlesex on the last Monday of every month with an eventual happening back the Midway Cafe where it all started.

MON 1/25

9:30pm
Big Shug
at Wonder Bar, 186 Harvard Ave, Allston
FREE

There's no doubt that Big Shug is the real deal since he was part of the early Gang Starr crew, but I wanted to check out his Monday residency before I wrote about it. Alas it's the end of the month, so you can check it out tonight or hope he'll do it again. My understanding is that a live band starts out, and Shug joins them in the second set.

Don't take my word about Big Shug. Chris Faraone (my main source for what's happening in hip-hop) did a piece on him a little over a year ago.

For the thirsty cheap, Rolling Rock will be your drink of the night ($3 drafts, $8 pitcher & a pizza).

MON 1/25

10pm
The Spoilers, The Tenafly Vipers, The Furiousity
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

Another rockin' night at Charlie's balances punky estrogen and hard testosterone. The Spoilers don't mess around with loud, fast tuneage that have good hooks, attitude, and female-fronted vocals. The mostly-female Furiousity (I couldn't tell if they pronounce it "furiosity") bash it out with sassiness, humor, and joie-de-vivre in rough and ragged punk attack. The Tenafly Vipers go for more of a hard-rock angle; scroll down if you want to listen on their MySpace because someone added automatic sound in their comments check it out and swing your hair around with your eyes closed!

SUN 1/24: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

I don't watch American Idol. I didn't watch it. I did hear about local musician Andrew Fenlon had a notable appearance. I wish I could see the whole audition, but he dealt with it rather well though they probably used all of their editing power to twist reality.



Not a bad a-cappella version of "House of the Rising Sun". (Andrew and friends comment in this long discussion board thread.)

SUN 1/24: Art, Beatles, Guitar-Rock

Do we really need to watch any football today...?

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SUN 1/24

Noon to 8pm
Drawing Marathon #4
at Mobius Art Space, 725 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)
$10 Donation

Looking for something to draw? Don't worry about how well you draw, because whatever you do will be considered a product of performance art today. Instead of the usual models sitting still, your subjects will be performance artists will be doing their thing that could be music, movement, and/or "durational performance(?)".

Bring your art stuff, and stay as long as like (up to 8 hours)... Don't get hung on the perfect image, just draw a lot! Feel free to bring water and snacks.

Attendees are both audience and performers. My theory is that your paintings are responses to the performances -- and are expressions of performance art -- so all your doodles are valuable!

Expected performers include: Margaret Bellafiore, James Coleman, Jennifer Hicks, Jeff Huckleberry, Max Lord, El Putnam, Liz Roncka, Catherine Tutter, Jane Wang, Anna Wexler

SUN 1/24

2pm
Beatles Open Sing: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
at Lincoln School Auditorium, 19 Kennard Rd, Brookline
$5

"Family-friendly" events often make me shrug for some reason, but this be could use a mood-changer for some people.

"Sgt Pepper" is often cited as their best, and it's probably their least "rock n' roll" release as well. By the time you've sung "A Day in the Life" with the 4-piece band from Brookline Music School, their 2 singers, and the rest of the room; I doubt you won't feel a little better than when you arrived.

It's not far from the Brookline Hills T Station

SUN 1/24

8pm
Tokyo Tramps, The Weisstronauts, Twang 'em High
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

When I first heard about these tramps from Tokyo coming to America to follow their rock 'n roll dreams, I thought it was a gimmicky thing, and they'd end up in a Tarantino film. If that was the plan, they've been serving up bluesy rock around the area. Their new CD goes even bluesier including covers of delta classics "Rollin' & Tumblin'" and "Highway 49". The album was produced by Pete Weiss, and hie band The Weisstronauts will add a wacky set of top-notch instrumental rock. It's not hard to believe that Twang 'em High rip through swinging, crunchy, full-bodied rockabilly.

There's going to be more guitars than you can swing a pick at. Keep an eye out for drunken air-guitar players around the bar.

SAT 1/23: Hot Cocoa, Sci-Fi, Surrealism, Rock

It looks like it's going to be a beautiful winter day! Yes, there's more cheapness out there. These are good bets...

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SAT 1/23

1pm to 3pm
Hot Chocolate Tasting
at Brattle Plaza, about 25 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

When I think of hot chocolate (every few years), Burdick's comes to mind. Until I'm offered free samples, I didn't really think about the other nearby places that probably have good hot chocolate like Finale, Crema Cafe, Algiers Coffee House, and it's being held in front of Hidden Sweets.

Did you enjoy voting earlier this week? Your vote could decide "Best Hot Chocolate in Harvard Square"...

SAT 1/23

6pm
32nd Annual Science Fiction Marathon
at Room 100, Bldg 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE before 10:30pm / $8 / $5 after midnight

Schedule:

6pm -- "Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone"
8pm -- "District 13: Ultimatum"
10:30pm -- "Moon"
12:30am -- pizza break
1am -- "The Last Starfighter"
3:15am -- "Back to the Future Part II"
5:30am -- "Flash Gordon"

Even if the first two films weren't free, $8 for a whole night of film is pretty damn cheap. The first free flick is sponsored by the MIT Anime Club, and "District 13: Ultimatum" is an action-packed sneak preview sequel of dystopian French future.

Everyone leaves the auditorium, so only paying customers go back in for the rest of the night for the recent "concept" sci-fi (no lasers or homicidal cyborgs, I think) with Sam Rockwell and a trio of old-school flicks. ("Flaaash!")

Various shorts to be shown as well, and there will be pizza & refreshments (that might be included with admission).

The T will be running again by the time you're stumbling out...

SAT 1/23

7pm
Surrealist Night w/ Roger Miller
at Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$8

Conventional game nights aren't anywhere as bizarrely stimulating as a coterie of word and art games orignally conceived by the surrealists with names like "Exquisite Corpse" and the Dream Game. Games are played with 3 to 6 participants.

Roger Miller (Mission of Burma, etc) is the host, gamemaster, DJ, and beer sommelier to keep things flowing. If you need encouragement, Miller said:

The greatest virtue of these games is that they are not at all competitive. A person who is a brilliant artist may interact with a more naive drawer to produce a brilliant collective work.

SAT 1/23

8pm
Soozapalooza
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

Feat: Ryan Walsh, Good Night States, Houndstone, and The Soozapalooza Supergroup

Have you ever thought about your dream Lollapalooza? Local music maven Sooz has corralled a kick-ass night of music for an awesome birthday party.

Ryan Walsh from Hallelujah The Hills launches the music followed by my favorite synthy indie-rockers from Pittsburgh, Good Night States. The party kicks into high gear with Houndstone's hard Southern rock. The Soozapalooza Supergroup are a collection of local musicians doing a quirky set of covers (The Cult, LL Cool J, Edie Brickell, etc) at the behest of the birthday girl. Stick around for karaoke.

If you get there early, you might enjoy homemade chocolate truffles and coconut rum sorbet... You might still even have a chance to win a prize (e.g. 8GB iPod Nano) by subscribing for updates at the site...

SAT 1/23

9pm
Bring The Knife, Ashers, Razors In The Night, Motherboar, August Spies, Hannaford & The Heartstoppers
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
18+ $10

Some bands are metal... Some are punk... Some are a little of both... They will do battle, and the crowd wins. This is also first gig for Bring The Knife, which sprung from the ashes of the hardcore/metal soldiers Destructathon.

SAT 1/23

9:30pm
Brendan Boogie & The Best Intentions, Oranjuly, The Motion Sick, Paul Melancon
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

What a sweet Saturday-night basement show (where there's a bar with dozens of draft beers)! From the roaring catchy tunes of Brendan Boogie & The Best Intentions, piano-pop of Oranjuly, one of my fave bands The Motion Sick, and singer-songwriter Paul Melancon.

FRI 1/22: Film, Art, Jazz, Rock, Sock Hop

Ugh. There are times when I think I've written a lousy post (and it's never early enough). I just banged this out today. My apologies. More to come, hopefully...

There are a few chances listed below (rock at Middle East, Sock Hop at Elks Lodge) to have a good time while being charitable.

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FRI 1/22

2pm to 9pm
"Free Film Fridays"
at Mugar Omni Theater, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
FREE

Here's the tip about free IMAX movies (every Friday this month): Pick up the tickets as early as possible. A lot people know about this promotion, and a lot of people just visit the Museum in general. When I tried to go in September, the next 2 screenings were already sold out.

The schedule varies, but these are today's times:

"Antarctica" -- 6pm, 7pm
"Coral Reef Adventure" -- 2pm, 3pm
"The Greatest Places" -- 4pm, 5pm
"Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk" -- 9pm

I think you get the topics covered from the titles...

FRI 1/22

6pm to 8pm
"Amalgam" & "Different Kind of Monster": Opening Reception
at Mills Gallery, Boston Center for the Arts, 551 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

As I understand it, "AMALGAM" features work by 8 artists from the BCA Artist Studio Building who have created pieces from objects in their studios that are not necessarily going to otherwise be put together.

With "Different Kind of Monster", 3 other BCA Studio artists "explore issues of fear, identity, and the human condition through a cast of common animals and monsters depicted in peculiar and endearing ways."

The exhibits will be on view through SUN 3/7.

FRI 1/22

6pm to 9:30pm
Le Prestige Booze & Grooves
at Bull McCabe's Pub, 366 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE / 21+

This is the kind of loungey, bopping jazz for hanging out and drinking; they call it "hardcore chill-out lounge". Apparently Le Prestige plays once a month at Bull McCabe's. I guess I haven't been paying attention. Good stuff!

FRI 1/22

6:30pm to 8pm
"Post This!": Rock Poster Exhibit
at Space 242, 242 E Berkeley St, 2nd Fl, Boston (South End)
FREE

The "bar" probably won't be open, but tonight is the last chance to see about 200 rock posters together from the last 20 years or so of Boston-area concerts.

Most are for sale for $50...

FRI 1/22

8pm
A Benefit for the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Feat: The Gobshites, Force the Fallen, Forgetful Jones, The Doom Buggies, Sherman Burns, Van Burens

The situation in Haiti is so awful, I'm sure that a lot of you have already contributed it some way or another. The Middle East have put together a good mix of local rock bands to simply enjoy it as a night of music. Just know you're doing a good deed by showing and having a good time.

They're not sure where the funds are going yet, but I'd guess it'll go to one of these organizations.
FRI 1/22

9pm
"Sock Hop Sock Drive"
at Massasoit Lodge #129 of Elks, 55 Bishop Allen Dr, Cambridge (Central Sq)
White Socks (New) or $5 / 21+

Oh, the first time you put on a new pair of socks feels so good. Looking back, I'm pretty sure it has been a positive mood-changer -- and I have steady food and shelter!

The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program needs socks, so why not have a 50's style dance party to collect a bunch of them.

Bring a pair of new white socks or $5 to get in. I think Jax closes earlier than 9pm, but they probably sell packages of three for $5...

It's good old-fashioned fun with a raffle, dance-off, hula hoop competition, some limbo, and the bar will be open. "Fifties attire appreciated."

FRI 1/22

9:30pm
Midatlantic, The Lights Out, Muy Cansado, Leo Blais
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Putting four bands together for a night power-pop/indie-rock doesn't get much better than this.

I already liked Midatlantic when they were The Bleedin Bleedins, and now they have an bassist instead of a laptop pumping out basslines. The Lights Out have figured out how to write catchy songs over tight, guitar-based rock without being annoyingly poppy. Muy Cansado rips and rumbles and stomps through songs in a groovy post-punk fashion. If you haven't checked out Leo Blais yet and you love heartfelt songs dangled on top of sweet melodies, what are you waiting for?

FRI 1/22

The Everyday Visuals (11:30pm), MeAndJoanCollins (10:30pm), Thick As Thieves (9:30pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

For the people that think three bands are just the right amount, this show is just around the corner. The last time I checked in with The Everyday Visuals, their last CD progressed from the awesome powerpop goodness to a different, rootsier kind of awesomeness; and I expect nothing less than sheer excellence tonight.

About 8 months ago, I said this about MeandJoanCollins, and I haven't really changed my mind:

I'm beginning to think they might be the best band from Boston right now. There are other bands who I might actually like better, but M&JC has a compelling package of music and charisma that's hard to deny. Comparisons fly all around, but the real beauty is that they make smart, original, fresh, feral sounds without hiding their influences. [snip] ...it's a great time to jump on the band's wagon.

FRI 1/22

10pm
Deva Mahal
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Deva Mahal has an amazing voice, and people should start listening to her immediately. She seems to come up to Boston and plays the Beehive about every month or so. Yes, she's the daughter of great bluesman Taj Mahal -- in case that means anything to you.

THUR 1/21: Cuba, Japan, History, Dance, Rock

There was an "open house" at the New Alliance/EMF building in October, and I had a good time. I was flying solo, but I mingled in the various studios and met some really cool people while enjoying a few free beers and listening to good bands. I might go again tonight, but I didn't find out what band(s) might perform...

If you're into "cougars" (or are one), you may want to head to Barlow's (Fort Point) tonight.

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THUR 1/21

6pm to 9pm
Linda Hirsch, "Cuba: Threads of Hope & Renewal": Opening Reception
at Villa Victoria Gallery, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE

I really do love America even though I'm interested in this photo exhibit about Cuba and the photo exhibit about Iran that I mentioned last week.

Over the past 8 years, Wayland resident Linda Hirsch has been among the few Americans that have been allowed to visit Cuba. She has focused her lens on the island's little-known Jewish community and its place in Cuban society. expect to hear klezmer and Cuban jazz at the reception.

THUR 1/21

6:30pm
"The Cove"
at MSPCA-Angell Auditorium, 350 S. Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE w/ RSVP

The MSPCA film series is demonstrating that they care about swimming animals too. This documentary will sadly continue to be shown, because the cruelty to dolphins in Japanese waters won't likely end soon. More than most non-fiction films, it's supposed to be a nail-biter as many of the team of activists put their lives at risk to gather the evidence -- and perhaps push the envelope of the 'documentary' genre.

THUR 1/21

7pm
Boston Comics Roundtable, "Inbound #4, A Comic Book History of Boston": Discussion & Signing
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE

It was released in 2009, but let's just declare "Inbound #4, A Comic Book History of Boston" to be the coolest history book of the year. Dozens of artists chose stories from the last three centuries of local history, and they're compiled together for some easy-reading history. Some of the creators will talk about their process. And you can but a signed copy (I think it's $12, so it almost counts as a 'cheap thrill' with book included.)

THUR 1/21

9pm
DJ Nooka Jones, Mystery Roar, Pretty & Nice
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+

A couple days ago, I was watching an old live video of La Peste and marveled that people were dancing to rock. It seems like that doesn't happen anymore. On A Friday is presenting a night where dance music and rock slightly differently as DJ Nooka Jones has done a Pretty & Nice remix. Nooka will spin, and Pretty & Nice play a punky brand of powerpop that makes me want to dance -- or at least spasmodically jump around. I'm not completely on board with Mystery Roar yet, but I acknowledge they got a good electro/rock thing going on.

Btw: Everyone gets a copy of the Nooka Jones / Pretty & Nice remix.

THUR 1/21

9:30pm
Parlour Steps, The Beatings, Action Verbs, Spouse
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Kudos to Ryan's Smashing Life for putting another damn-fine night of music together. They're bringing back Vancouver's Parlour Steps with their delightful, gentle indie-pop cushioning some thoughtful and earnest lyrics. I suggest catching The Beatings in concert while you can; who knows when they're gong to take another long hiatus from fuzzy, noisy post-punk. I've enjoyed the Action Verbs's catchy indie-rock before, but I'm bummed that I haven't heard about Spouse before. It's more evidence about the excellence of the Northampton music scene.

Off-Topic: Beatles Graphs, Etc

Do you love The Beatles? I do.

And I dig crazy charts and the like. Some dude is making all sorts of them that relate to the Fab Four.

You can submit your own on Flickr.

WED 1/20: Reading, Film, Classical, Rock

Hey, folks. When I encouraged you to vote, I expected you to pick up on my secret message to vote for the democrat... Sheesh!

Just in case you're going to eat at Legal Sea Foods, you should get a cup of clam chowder with your entree. It's only 60 cents today to celebrate their 60th anniversary. It's about a $4 savings, and their chowder is delicious.

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WED 1/20

7pm, 9:30pm
Nick Flynn, "The Ticking Is the Bomb: A Memoir": Reading & Music
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
$5

Performances by:

7pm -- Eric Martin & Drew O'Doherty
9:30pm -- Buffalo Tom (acoustic), Franc Graham

File this under "Cool gig that hasn't gotten enough buzz".

A few years ago, Flynn's "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City" brought a poetic and passionate approach to his memoirs about reconnecting with his father who lives as street-person -- when not living at the Pine Street Inn. His new book deals with terror and torture while still making it personal. (You can read an excerpt in Esquire.)

Unlike most readings, it's going to last a bit longer with multiple musical performances at each reading.

At 7:30pm, Eric Martin has been part of classic bands like The Neats and The Illyrians; Drew O'Doherty is also a fantastic singer-songwriter (who used to play in Ted Leo & the Pharmacists). At the late show, you can hear Bill & Chris do some acoustic Buffalo Tom as well as the quite impressive Franc Graham who will probably play a solo set.

WED 1/20 (thru WED 1/27)

7pm
"Twelve Monkeys"
at Room 133, Bldg 3, 33 Mass Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

When you have a manic Brad Pitt and subtle Bruce Willis performance, one wonders if this is an under-appreciated Gilliam film. Maybe Bruce is traveling back in time to prevent an apocalyptic biological attack, or maybe he's hallucinating the whole thing. It's entertaining either way.

Presented as part of "The Life and Death of Terry Gilliam: A Film Symposium" curated by Michael Rapa and Jennifer Williams-Rapa, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is screening on MON 1/25 while the documentary about his aborted Don Quixote movie can be seen on WED 1/27.

WED 1/20

7:30pm
Muir String Quartet, "The Beethoven Cycle, Part 4"
at Tsai Performance Center, 685 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

One of the most respected string quartets is "in residence" at BU, and they're actually offering free concerts. There are at least two more recitals in this Beethoven series.

Program:

Quartets in E-Flat Major, Op. 74
G Major, Op. 18 No. 2
C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131

WED 1/20

9:30pm
"1919 Boston Molasses Flood Commemoration"
Feat: Boston Molasses Disaster, Self Assembly, Hot Molasses, Young & Old
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

The anniversary of Boston Molasses Disaster was actually last Friday, but some "molasses-related" bands have been getting together for annual gigs for the past couple years. For the most part, it'll be a night of cool, lo-fi indie-rock. I believe Hot Molasses Young & Old is another project from one of the B for Brontosaurus guys. Hot Molasses has a pretty cool thing going on too.

Boston Molasses Disaster is also the name of a jammy-rock band. To give you an idea, they've covered bands like Umphrey's McGee, Dave Matthews Band, and Pink Floyd -- but they've also done tunes by Springsteen, Huey Lewis, and The Beatles as well as "The Office" theme song.

Proceeds will benefit Alternatives for Community and Environment, who advocates for environmental justice with a focus to under-served communities.

TUES 1/19: Vote, Listen, Discuss

Whatever position you have about the national agenda, you should go out and vote today. It should be about the individual candidates, but you have the power to affect the political process more than any other MA Senatorial election in a long time.

You'd still have time for fun too...

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TUES 1/19

6pm
Motion City Soundtrack: Acoustic Performance & Autograph Signing
at Newbury Comics, 332 Newbury Street, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

Call me old-school, but their best albume was "Commit This To Memory", but the new CD sounds pretty good.

There have been long lines for bands with less devoted fans, so I'd guess there may be a chance that it will reach full capacity before everyone gets in.

TUES 1/19

7pm to 9pm
Rock Shop #2: “You Booked a Show... Now How Do You Get People There?"
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / All Ages

In this second in a series of monthly panel discussions aimed at local musicians, the Middle East's booking manager Kevin Hoskins will be joined by longtime Boston booker/promoter Shred and Steve Theo of Pirate! Promotion.

In my experience, the strategies likely to be shared tonight could work for almost any type of event. Respond to the Facebook invite or just show up. Bring questions.

TUES 1/19

La Tuza (7pm), The David Wax Museum (9pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Both bands have played Toad, but I don't know if they've done the same night before. La Tuza is probably the premier Mexican roots band in Boston. Some may put The David Wax Museum in the same category, but I see them more as a folk/Americana that infuses a Mexican influence. (Should it be called Meximericana?) The bottom line is that you'll hear a couple hours of jaunty good-time music that doesn't hammer you over the head.

TUES 1/19

9pm
Spitzz, Anarchcunts, The Egos, Dr Bin Laden
at Jacques Underground, 79 Broadway, Boston (South End)
$10

Bin Laden is in the South End tonight (Osama, not so much) at a punk show in the basement of a drag club.

TUES 1/19

9:30pm
Freelance Whales, Faces On Film, Animal Tropical
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

It's a folky indie-pop night with Freelance Whales (from NYC) and Animal Tropical (Miami) on tour. When I heard "Generator^1st Floor" by Freelance Whales, it did sound a bit like a giant, ancient creature swimming around a sun-glittered ocean. I dig the detailed arrangements with freewheeling vibe.

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. From what I can tell, there are some knockout lyrics, but I'm sometimes removed by a perceived seriousness.

As far as Animal Tropical (fka The Down Home Southernaires?) seem like they really care about keeping their sense of humor while bouncing around genres; I was reminded of Talking-Heads-meets-Ween, but I can also believe some would compare them as a more comfortably multi-culti Vampire Weekend.

TUES 1/19

10:30pm
Monique Ortiz w/ Roger Miller, Larry Dersch
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

This is a really special night in Monique Ortiz's month-long Tuesday residency. Expect to hear some amazing interpretations of whatever material is played when guitarist/keyboardist Roger Miller (of Mission of Burma, others) joins Ortiz and drummer Larry Dersch. I might stay out late on a school night to hear what the Facebook page called, "...a night of experimental, improvisational music..."

MON 1/18: MLK Day, Art, Red Sox, Film, Rock

It's a good thing I'm not a weatherman, because I thought the weather was going to be crappy last night.

There's MLK Jr events around town (e.g. Cambridge), but...

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MON 1/18

10am to 4:45pm
MLK Jr Day -- Open House
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston
FREE

Gotta love the MFA, they open the doors wide open on Martin Luther King Jr's Day every year. The museum is pretty good at having free admission on holidays. There are quite a few good exhibits as wells as the permanent collection, but they usually have a bunch of extras on MLK Day.

There's an art & civil rights short film program (including a documentary on artist Romare Bearden) at 10:30am, a Baptist gospel choir at 12:15pm, a poetry slam at 2:30, followed by more music.

MON 1/18

1pm
MLK National Speaking Program
at Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Market Pl, Boston
FREE

Various readings of Dr. King's texts will be interspersed with performances by an ensemble from the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Poet and activist Sonia Sanchez will deliver the keynote address.

I assume it will be held in the Great Hall upstairs at Faneuil Hall.

MON 1/18

1pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: Only Love
at Metcalf Hall, 2nd Fl, George Sherman Union, 775 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

The program to celebrate one of BU's greatest alumni with the Inner Strength Gospel Choir, the REACH! Dance Ensemble, other performances, a speech by Joseph Sebarenzi, former president of the Parliament of Rwanda.

MON 1/18

3:30pm to 5pm
Red Sox Rookie Program Autograph Signing
at Best Buy, 401 Park Dr, Boston (Fenway)
$10 Donation

Maybe none of these minor-leaguers will be superstars, but there's a good chance that some will be damn good. Your donation benefits the Red Sox Foundation.

Scheduled to appear: pitchers Casey Kelly, Randor Bierd, Felix Doubront, Ryne Miller, Junichi Tazawa, and Kyle Weiland; Luis Exposito (C); Yamaico Navarro (SS); outfielders Ryan Kalish and Che-Hsuan Lin.

MON 1/18

7pm
Science on Screen: "The Wild Child" w/ Judy Shepard-Kegl
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$9.75 / $7.75 students, seniors

Sometimes they stretch the science-cinema connection is a bit thin, but they've picked a winner tonight. Francois Truffaut took the real story of a boy who was found living on his own in the woods of France in 1798. It's a now-classic story that an idealistic doctor takes on the case and works years to teach the savage how to speak -- probably proper food-wine pairings.

About 170 years later, a French new-wave director made a black-and-white film that's supposedly faithful to the story while making a larger exploration about humanity.

Prior to the film, Dr. Judy Shepard-Kegl (Linguistics, Univ. of Southern Maine) will speak about language acquisition. Her specialty is ASL, so the discussion -- and film -- will be translated into sign language.

MON 1/18

10pm
Triple Thick, Dan Webb & the Spiders, JJ & Thee Cuban Heels, Jinx Brothers
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

If Martin Luther King were alive and in the Boston area tonight, he'd probably show, I'm guessing he would rock out upstairs at Charlies. There's something cool about hearing some really great bands in a too small room, and tonight is a killer lineup.

The guys in Triple Thick could have been satisfied with just thick, but they wanted their fuzzy brew of garage-rock three times as strong. I haven't heard Thee Cuban Heels, but everything JJ Rassler does (DMZ, The Queers, Downbeat 5, etc) is rockalicious. It will be the same as he and the band mines 50's and 60's rock and R&B. Dan Webb & the Spiders have got a good thing going that'll fit in. The Jinx Brothers are supposed to start the night with a set of early country-blues, and Triple Thick will finish up.

SUN 1/17: Lit, Film, Rock, Jazz

They say it may rain/snow later, but we own umbrellas and jackets, right?

If you have MLK Jr Day off, then today is like Saturday...

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SUN 1/17

1:30pm
Author Talk: George Saunders & Ha Jin
at Abbey Room, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Mentioned mainly for people that already like at least one of these two acclaimed essayists with new collections out. Saunders pieces in "The Braindead Megaphone" are generally humorous, while Ha Jin's stories in "A Good Fall" deal with people that are having challenges in America.

SUN 1/17

3:30pm
"HomeGrown": Screening & Discussion
at Conference Auditorium (downstairs), George Sherman Union, 775 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
$5 donation

Begin their 3rd Annual Winter Film Series, Slow Food Boston is presenting a 52-minute documentary about a family living off the grid just miles from downtown LA and producing 3 tons of food per year on their 1/4 acre property. Did I mention that they live mostly off the grid. (I don't care if you use a solar-powered computer to maintain your website, the Internet is "the grid".) Still, these folks could inspirational to the urban-dweller who'd like to do a little more. (As someone who's familiar with Pasadena, there are some parts that are about as urban as Newton...)

The panel discussion afterward will include Lisa Gross (founder, Urban Homesteaders' League) and Jess Liborio (Urban Grower, the Food Project).

SUN 1/17

Larcenist (10:20pm), Coyote Kolb (9:25pm), Lonesome Republic (8:30pm), We Were Ghosts (7:35pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

Wow, even though it's a three-day weekend for many, the bands are starting a bit early. Larcenist is bound to touch on lots of influences when there are 4 songwriters (and 5 singers) in one band. There's still an earnestly rockin' continuity though. I think of them as "heavy Americana". Coyote Kolb fall on the 'city' side of alt-country to me; it's rock that dabbles with the fuzzed-out dirges that I loved from Neil Young. They do they're own thing to make it modern. We Were Ghosts have a synth-heavy vibe that doesn't jibe that well, but should be pleasant if you don't mind the robo-vocals. Lonesome Republic is the wild-card; some these guys play in this hardcore band, but you never know...

SUN 1/17

8pm to 11pm
Now Vs Now
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Some of this progressive, funky electro-jazz is not necessarily my cup of tea, but keyboardist Jason Lindner has drawn accolades from respected jazz publication and fellow musicians. It's the NYC trio's first Boston gig, so you could say you were there from the beginning.

SUN 1/17

9pm
Treat Her Right
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Jim Fitting and David Champagne, along with the great Mark Sandman, had a rocking outfit about 20 years ago called Treat Her Right. Billy Conway was the drummer, but he lives in Montana these days. They had a bluesy flair and solid songwriting.

It felt so good to play the old tunes at the Sandman tribute concert in September, they decided to do it again and a few more times. Tim Gearan, Billy Beard, and Steve Mayone will fill out the band for an evening of great fun.