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.