THUR 2/18: Talk & Rock

Okay, the main music gig listed is over $10. It's for Haiti, man... And it should be a cool show...

For the record, I appreciate that Chipotle offers a free burrito day when they open a new location. On the other hand, you might want to bring a snack while waiting in the line at the new spot near BU today (11am to 8pm).

Are there any Lowell readers out there? Did you know there's a screening of "The Invention of Lying" ($5) upstairs at The Old Court tonight.

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THUR 2/18

6pm to 7:30pm
"What's So Funny About Edgar Allan Poe?": Discussion
at Abbey Room, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Poe is often considered a dour fellow, but remember he was from Boston. Think about all the mean, crusty Bostonians that you know with a wicked sense of humor. Besides the creepy tales he's known for, Poe apparently wrote some funny stuff.

Robert Mankoff (cartoon editor, The New Yorker) joins curator of the BPL exhibit Paul Lewis to talk about the wit of Edgar Allan Poe as well as the author as a subject of humor.

THUR 2/18

7:30pm to 8:30pm
Robert Kirshner, "Putting the Pedal to the Metal: The Mystery of the Accelerating Universe": Lecture
at Phillips Auditorium, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden St, Cambridge (between Porter Sq and Fresh Pond)
FREE

Have you heard about dark matter and dark energy? Scientists have a learned a lot about the universe in the last ten years, and they believe 95% of everything falls into these two categories. One of the discoverers of "dark energy" happens to be a Harvard guy, so you can hear about it from one of the sources.

The lectures on Observatory nights are geared towards non-scientists, so don't be intimidated if you're curious. "Lecture followed by viewing through telescopes if weather permits."

THUR 2/18

10pm
Fundraiser for Haiti
at Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$15 Suggested Donation

Feat: Drug Rug, Doomstar!, Jesse Gallagher, Banditas

A couple years ago in a plain room at MIT, I saw Drug Rug give a tremendously performance. Everything felt completely realized for big stages including the songs, the playing, and the overall dynamics. Listen for your own well-being! It's good to see that they've been getting more attention and touring (just back from a outing with Fiery Furnaces), yet they will still do gigs like this.

It's also good to see that Apollo Sunshine is still together, speaking of successful local bands, since Drug Rug is opening for them at The Paradise next month. Bassist/keyboardist Jesse Gallagher has plays gigs around town with various players, so you'll probably hear something off-center and well-played.

Adding to the delightfully trippy ruckus, dig the punchy, melodic Doomstar! and the mellow rootsiness of Banditas.

There's a possibility that it won't be a fully loud show, but it's still going to rock.

THUR 2/18

10pm
The Gobshites
at The Burren, 247 Elm St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
FREE

For lovers of punky Irish folk or folky Irish punk -- whatever you call it, this is the kind of pub-perfect music for drinking that gets me going more than the traditional seisun music that's usually playing in the front room. I could listen to these guys all night, and I think I have...

THUR 2/18

10:30pm
Lars Vegas
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Much like Pogues-like tunes are ripe for my beer-drinking soundtrack, I'd probably hanker for a mixed drink when listening to Lars Vegas (or maybe a big glass of gin with an olive). This band has been synthesizing rock and loungey rhythms for a while (their "Junkie Rock Star" was in "Next Stop Wonderland"), so it's so cool that we still can catch this band. Gotta love the witty lyrics spewed out with a cadence that often sounds like a spoken-word artist.