TUES 2/16: Mardi Gras, Food, Spiritual, Pop, Metal, Rock

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

I got carried away with the variety of cheapness tonight that includes some Mardi Gras fun. Have fun whatever you do...

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TUES 2/16

5pm
Fat Tuesday Party
at Dick's Last Resort, Quincy Marketplace, Boston
No Cover

Music: Sidewalk Driver from 8pm to 11pm

They may be too busy to insult you tonight. The attitude at Dick's is far from professional everyday, so it could be crazy.

The good news is the drinks specials ($2.75 SoCo Hurricanes, $3.50 Harpoon IPA), and the live music is from excellent glam-rock band Sidewalk Driver who have a theatrical flair that will fit the party.

The wearing of feathers and masks will be encouraged. Dick's Last Resort will have some free doubloons, masks and other Mardi Gras crap to get folks in the mood. (It wouldn't hurt to pick up some cheap beads of your own to coax the ladies...)

TUES 2/16

7pm to 9pm
"The Carnivore's Dilemma: How to Eat Meat Responsibly": Discussion
at First Church in Jamaica Plain, 6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

- Cancelled due to Snow, to be rescheduled -

This session must be geared to those who want to go vegetarian (for whatever reasons) but the love the taste of meat too much. The panel will try to guide you in a more sustainable direction and answer your questions.

Feat: Ridge Shinn (cattle farmer, Hardwick Beef), Kim Denney (Chestnut Farm Meat CSA), and Jamey Lionette (formerly Lionette's Market)

TUES 2/16

7pm to 9pm
"Food Fight": Screening & Discussion
at Hall A, Science Center, One Oxford St, Cambridge
FREE

Remember the food fight scene in "Animal House"? That was awesome...

This documentary has nothing to do with it. Perhaps this film could've been a good intro to the organic/local/sustainable food movement if the discussion above was on another night.

Beginning with the introduction of mass-produced agriculture after WWII, the film documents the beginning of the movement back towards small-scale food production -- and how Wolfgang Puck was actually more important than making fancy pizzas.

Filmmaker Chris Taylor and Woody Tasch (Slow Money Alliance) will participate in the discussion after the screening.

TUES 2/16

7:30pm
The Art Music of Black Composers: Spirituals
at David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St, Boston (Berklee / Back Bay)
FREE

All I know about this concert is that "Berklee faculty and staff perform concert spirituals of black composers." It's going to be beautiful music that will be probably be more uplifting than any time that I've been in church.

Part of "Roots and Reason: A Celebration of American Roots Music"

TUES 2/16

Lovewhip (11pm), Streight Angular (10pm), Naked on Rollers Skates (9pm), Ladderlegs (8pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$6 / 21+

When it comes to Lovewhip, there's something that tickles my monkeybone. Most electro-pop seems like empty calories, but they serve it up with funky density delight that can appeal to the wallflower and bootyshaker alike. Lovewhip may be our answer to Prince, except it's a funky, electro-jam with female guitar-slinging mastermind.

With Streight Angular, much of the songs are pumping and churning under a pleasant veil of fuzz and are steady and catchy underneath. You only need to hear the name "Naked on Roller Skates" to know you're going to like their blast of indie-pop, and you will like it. Ladderlegs will rock out in their own punky-garagey way.

TUES 2/16

8pm
1-Year Anniversary Mardi Gras Celebration
at House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kemmore Sq)
FREE / 18+

Feat: Babes In Boinkland, Black Cat Burlesque, Hot Tamale Brass Band

Just in case that the women in the crowd don't feel like honoring the Mardi Gras tradition for a string of plastic beads, pretty girls will dance on the stage with little clothes on. The NOLA-style Hot Tamale Brass Band is also appearing to keep the good times rolling.

Boston comedy veteran Steve Sweeney hosts. DJ Master Millions spins.

The only place where I saw a mention of a RSVP email was in the flyer. It wouldn't hurt to try it.

Caution: I've heard stories of problems with free events at HOB over the past year.

TUES 2/16

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

Feat: Breathing Process, Once Beloved, Mongrel, Feral Children, Meat Hammer

Help for Haiti is getting loud, hard and fast. Feral Children from Washington seem to be the wild-card mong the metal, punk/metal, and black-metal. This band is touring and played another local gig last night. Unlike the others, their sound varies quite a bit with big sections that synthy indie-rock fans would dig that eventually delve into noisier sections.

DJ Clay N Ferno spinning in between sets

Proceeds to benefit the Red Cross.

TUES 2/16

9:30pm
Magic Magic, Old Abram Brown
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$7 / 21+

Of this month's "Tearoom Tuesday" shows this month, Magic Magic may be the biggest surprise. There may not be many more chances to see them in a tiny room like this, since Magic Magic has been garnering a lot of attention in the UK and elsewhere, but it's not too late get into their poppish, retro/psych indie-rock with a two-drummer lineup. I haven't listened much to Old Abram Brown, but they make some very accessible rock that could easily get them noticed on a larger scale.

TUES 2/16

10pm
Aaron Perrino w/ guests
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S. Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

For all you Dear Leader/The Sheila Divine fans, frontman Aaron Perrino doesn't play solo gigs around town every week or even every month. It may not be as grand as full band shows, but the songs are still golden on their own. The sets at these shows are usually a healthy mix of songs from both of his bands along with amusing covers. And he may play your request...

(Maybe there'll be guests, maybe not.)