MON 3/22: Film, Stories, Rock

In case you didn't go yesterday, the Kimchi Festival was pretty good. I can't believe that I tried more than 20 different kinds... My apologies to those who showed up towards the end; I think the eating portion was done by about 5pm. I feel pretty good today; maybe fermented cabbage IS good for you!

And if you didn't go to yesterday's pub crawl, NERAX is having another opening event at Redbones tonight. Buy beer and enjoy some free apps downstairs; some special firkins will be available... Beer is good for you too!

Before the gig at Middlesex Lounge below, there's a women's mixer with a cover that benefits Project Have Hope.

Keep in mind tomorrow: Ben & Jerry's stores are offering free ice cream, and you can get a free pastry with your coffee at Starbucks with this coupon.

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MON 3/22

7pm
"Ran"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$9.75

I don't know if there will be anything special about tonight's screening, but the Coolidge Corner home page says that it is this month's "Big Screen Classics" presentation. Tomorrow would've been Akira Kurosawa's 100th birthday...

"Ran" was released 25 years ago, and it was the last epic masterpiece of his career. Based on Shakespeare's "King Lear" and a 16th-century Japanese leader. At more than 2-hours 40-minutes, it is amazing and beautiful. (Had forgotten it received 4 Oscar nominations including Best Director.)

It's playing through THUR 3/25.

MON 3/22

7pm to 9pm
Four Stories: "The Places We Go: Tales of Voyage and Discovery"
at The Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: Ethan Gilsdorf, Tara L. Masih, Ladette Randolph, Jeff Talarigo

While not usually "thrilling", some readings have more potential than others. The Four Stories series regularly hosts well-regarded authors. Even if a story doesn't appeal to you, you're likely to be sitting on a very comfortable couch or chair and enjoying a drink.

Based on this month's theme, some of the places these authors go include and are not limited to: the fantasy world of role-playing games (Ethan Gilsdorf), India (Tara L. Masih), Nebraska (Ladette Randolph), and the Middle East (Jeff Talarigo).

Audience participation is encouraged (when appropriate). Someone wins a free drink for asking the best question. Someone may even a prize for "Most Fabulous Shoes"...

The author of "Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera" (to name one), Elizabeth Searle, will be tonight's guest host.

MON 3/22

7pm to 8:45pm
"Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women": Screening
at Room 120, Bldg 6, 182 Memorial Drive (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Originally aired last year as part of PBS's "American Masters", The Globe gave this documentary a rather glowing review. It turns out that Louisa May Alcott's life was far more colorful than simply writing "Little Women". (Includes footage shot in Cambridge and Concord.)

Writer Harriet Reisen and director Nancy Porter will be in attendance.

Presented by MIT Program in Women's & Gender Studies as part of the "Chicks Make Flicks" series.

MON 3/22

9pm
Apollo Sunshine, Doomstar, Banditas
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Central Sq & MIT)
$5

Okay, this is the fourth and probably the last Boston show of the last week for Apollo Sunshine. This apparently was supposed to be a secret, so try not to tell too many people... I'm not sure what the capacity is, but I'm guessing it's going to be a pretty good turnout to cap off the homecoming gigs by these incredibly fantastic psych-rockers. (I can't believe it's already been about 18 months since I saw them play at the Middle East -- one set originals and one set of Hendrix. So good!)

Get there early and catchy the groovy indie-rock sounds of Doomstar (happy birthday to guitarist Spenser) and the harmonies of Banditas.