FRI 3/19: Art, Theatre, Comedy, Rock, Coffee, Punk

Lots of Cheap fun tonight. Enjoy the the great weekend!

(More forthcoming...)

Hey, have you thought about entering the Cheap Thrills "Boston Skyline" necklace giveaway?

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FRI 3/19

7pm to 10pm
"Paint it Now": Opening Reception
at The Distillery Gallery, 516 E 2nd St, Boston (Southie)
FREE

For the second time, The Distillery Gallery and OverKill Studio allow a bunch of artists create on the gallery walls. About twenty artists from Boston, NYC, and Philly can only use black paint (like they did two years ago).

It looked really cool the first time. One of the exhibit sponsors is Narragansett, so there should be beer tonight...

FRI 3/19

7pm
Kristina Lenzi, "Clumsy Cakes Returns"
at Meme Gallery, 55 Norfolk St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Performance art involving a "lost cake recipe" and discovering the "meaning of a blank canvas." A bunch of cool stuff happens in this gallery, so...

FRI 3/19 (and SAT 3/20)

7pm to 9pm
"Demarcations"
at Killian Hall, Hayden Memorial Library, 160 Memorial Dr, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

I liked how this was described as a "short evening of theater games."

Fun includes but is not limited to: "An Objective Interpretation of a Kabbalistic Myth of Creation," devised by Istvan Cziegler; "The Birth of Rhythm out of Nearly Nothing," written by Weores Sandor; "Sound Groups and Dance Music," written by Weores Sandor; "Stepping Stones," written by Paul Welle; "Geographical Fugue," composed by Ernst Toch.

It seems like it'll be experimental theatre and similar cultural experiences...

FRI 3/19

7:30pm to 9:30pm
Anderson Comedy: "The Gas"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5

Feat: Rob Crean, Peter Bowers, Benny Bosh, Jenny Z, Sarah Heggan, Will Smalley, Mike Abramson, Maria Ciampa

This weekly comedy show is a great chance to start the weekend with a bunch of funny people, and -- this week -- you can also help a good cause just by showing up and paying the cover charge.

Go laugh and drink PBR tall boys. I bet you'll have a damn good time for a total of $20...

The proceeds benefit 826 Boston, a nonprofit located in Egleston Sq that offers tutoring for young people to encourage and improve their writing.

FRI 3/19

Forgetful Jones (Midnight), I Pistol (11pm), Planetoid (10pm), Mascara (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

JustBill takes photos of a lot of rock bands around Boston. Apparently he put together a show of his own last year, and he's done it again. The two bands I really like are I Pistol who excel at well-crafted crunchy, fuzzy, powerpopping rock and Mascara's potent, progressive rock led by the charismatic Chris Mascara.

Planetoid specializes stoney, space-rock and dress up like aliens and robots -- which is pretty cool. (I'm assuming they are not really from outer space.) For some reason, I haven't gotten into Forgetful Jones (at least, to this date). You, on the other hand, may love them.

(Did you know this muppet is called Forgetful Jones? I had forgottten.)

FRI 3/19

9:30pm
Brownboot (11:45pm), The Dirty Truckers (10:45pm), The Rationales (9:45pm)
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$9

What started out as a one-off Black Crowes tribute band turned into BrownBoot, a Faces/Rod Stewart Halloween gig, which has now turned into a kickass rock band with a soul-sational singer who will be doing a mainly original song set.

I guess The Dirty Truckers like Precinct, because they were there about 3 weeks ago. Union Square and those who can find it can soak in twangy, Stonesy, rip-roaring rock from one of last year's Rumble finalists. The Rationales start the party a la Americana.

FRI 3/19 (to SUN 3/21)

Various Times
NorthEast Regional Barista Competition
at Arts at The Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE

Friday -- Noon to 5:30pm
Saturday -- 11:15pm to 5:30pm
Sunday -- 10:30pm to 1pm

I checked with someone associated with the event, and it's open to the public. It's a timed event that's also judged on taste, where four espressos, four cappuccinos and four espresso-based signature drinks need to be completed in 15 minutes.

I doubt that anyone could sample each barista's espresso drinks since there will be up to 18 different competitors from across the region on the first 2 days and 6 finalists on Sunday.

There will be one espresso machine dedicated to making complimentary espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, etc for the spectators. Go if you're in the neighborhood, because you know it's going to smell great!

The winner goes on to the national championship next month in California where the US champ will be chosen for the international competition...

FRI 3/19 to SUN 3/21

Various Times
Boston Rules, OK 2010
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

I suspect that if you're going to attend (one of) these shows, you have already heard about it -- but I could be wrong.

With the number of bands playing over the next three days at this second annual punk rock festival, it's not likely that I would listen to all of them. There are good bands on every show and different flavors although it seems lie a lot of hardcore. For people that pay attention to the scene, note the reunions of The Vigilantes, Disorderly Conduct, and Guns Up.

The night shows are 18+, and the afternoon shows are "all ages" (like the Middle East's usual matinees).

FRI 3/19 -- 9pm

COA, PanzerBastard, Side Effects, Cromulent, Nothing But Enemies, Revilers

SAT 3/20 -- 1:30pm

The Pinkerton Thugs, Tommy and the Terrors, Razors in the Night, Disorderly Conduct, Oi! the Band, Colin and The Cancer

SAT 3/20 -- 9pm

The Vigilantes, Jason Bennett and the Resistance, Tijuana Sweetheart, These Lies, Paul & The Strings, War of Words

SUN 3/21 -- 1:30pm

Guns Up!, For the Worse, Ashers, Watchfire, Word for Word