TUES 2/9: Film, Jazz, Rock, Comedy

Whenever February rolls around, I always think of the old Chris Rock/SNL skit when he points out that Black History Month is the shortest and coldest of the year. I haven't seen a lot of related events yet, but I'll an eye out. Berklee's Africana Studies dept is hosting a month-long concert series, including a performance tonight.

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TUES 2/9

7pm
"In the Mood for Love"
at Harvard Film Archive, Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Someone at Harvard's VES Department must really like Wong Kar-Wai, because their Tuesday/Wednesday free screenings often feature his films.

I prefer "Chungking Express" for its humorous take on unrequited love, but "In the Mood for Love" explores multiple extra-marital affairs in the director's typically lyrical, lush, colorful style.

TUES 2/9

7:30pm
Lionel Loueke
at David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St, Boston (Berklee / Back Bay)
FREE

After graduating Berklee, guitarist Lionel Loueke has been getting some attention for melding jazz with the West African of birthplace Benin. Besides accolades by publications like DownBeat for work with his own trio, Loueke has played with big shots like Terence Blanchard and Angelique Kidjo as well as touring with Herbie Hancock.

As part of this month's music series "Roots and Reason: A Celebration of American Roots Music", he's doing a solo set. It shouldn't a dry performance as he usually sings, scats, and adds vocal percussive sounds.

TUES 2/9

8:30pm
The Champagne of Bands, Sidewalk Driver (acoustic), Brendan Boogie & The Best Intentions, Kuuluuko, Bo Barringer, Duncan Wilder Johnson
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

This might be the last time you can catch some of the "One Night Band" magic until its hopeful return later this year. One of the more interesting random distributions of that day was the roster for "The Champagne of Bands" where 4 bandleaders were tossed together. The bonhomie of the whole project triumphed over individual egotism as they succeeded to create at songs that fell into each of their comfort zones.

The rest of tonight's lineup consists of sets by the individuals doing their own thing in one way or another. Destructathon/Bring the Knife frontman Duncan Wilder Johnson will unleash some spoken-word. MEandJoanCollins singer Bo Barringer is playing a solo set, and Tad McKitterick's band Sidewalk Driver are going acoustic. Drummer Cullen Corley's blues-rock duo will give it up heavy-and-trippy style. Brendan Boogie & The Best Intentions will surely deliver a blissful batch of powerpop.

Show up at 8:30pm to see the "One Night Band" short film that documented the whole process back in August.

TUES 2/9

9pm
The Rob Crean Show
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

Feat: Mehran, Gary Petersen, Ryan Douglass, Brendan Thomas Crowley, Adam Haut, Lucas Lewis, The Ex-Girlfriends, more

In a perfect world, you could watch The Rob Crean Show late at night on a cable channel that doesn't censor the dirty words. Like a talk show with sketches, interviews, video shorts, performances, and other funny segments, Crean and regulars are joined by some guests comedians and a musical act. You are definitely going to laugh several times, especially with Mehran on the bill. The Ex-Girlfriends know how to put funny and folky together (and not end up funky)...

TUES 2/9

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

I have to mention "Tearoom Tuesdays" again this week. TeaParty Boston have booked two damn good bands together again. The rootsy indie-rock of Viva Viva is matched the sleek Britpop-ish Leisure, who I haven't heard much about but that could change. (Or not, due to the generic band name -- but the music is good.)