SAT 3/27: Robots, Beer, Film, Folk, Rock, Comedy

Well, I did type for about 5 minutes after I got home then I flopped onto the futon. It was late, folks. Depending on your perspective about when the day begins, it may have been called early...

In the last couple hours, I've eaten and watched a bunch of Descendents and Dickies videos on YouTube.

File this under: "Better late than never"...

Turn off your lights tonight if you stay home!

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SAT 3/27

9:30am to 4:30pm
FIRST Robotics Competition
at Agganis Arena, 925 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

Although it would be terrible in real life, renegade robots on the attack is pretty cool notion -- as long as there are a sufficient number of slower people than you...

While not as enthralling as "Terminator" or maybe even a lot of daytime TV, it's cool that a bunch of high school students who've made robots to compete in the game that's been designed for this event. It might be interesting to watch for an hour or so.

If you go on Saturday, you might even see

The Blue Man Group have shown up in the past 2 years, so who knows...

The 'action' takes place from 9:30am to 12:15pm & 1:30pm to 4:30pm.

SAT 3/27

Noon to 7pm
New England Real Ale Exhibition
at VFW George Dilboy Post, 371 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

* Cash Bar Prices *
Half Pint - $3
Quarter Pint - $2

Some things aren't really "cheap", but they technically fit in $10 limit. The cover, which supports the cost of bringing the beer and people from the UK, just gets you in.

For the hardcore beer lover, it's a treat to sample the naturally mildly fizzy brews. One can appreciate the flavors, but the texture is an acquired taste. My notes from last year started like "malt and honey dance on the tongue" and ended "Face feels funny." Don't drink more than a half pint. If you're in the mood for day-drinking, 6 half-pints will be a good buzz.

I respect the Beer Advocate guys, and THEY say cask beer is good for you.

SAT 3/27 (thru THUR 4/1)

Various Times
12th Annual Boston Underground Film Festival
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge
$10 per screening

The beauty of BUFF is that you can find exciting, witty, provocative films that don't need big budgets. Most of these movies would be almost impossible to find, if they weren't chosen to be screened here/

The organizers must have been thinking of sex and violence when programming this year's festival. Hey -- they motivate a lot of creativity drive a lot, and this is an *underground* film festival.

Today's schedule:

2:45pm: "Sippin’ The Electric Kool Aid"
3:15pm: "My Normal"
4:45pm: "The Romantic"
5:30pm: "Where the Music’s At"
7:00pm: "Love on the Rocks"
7:30pm: "Stuck!"
9:30pm: "Red White & Blue"
9:45pm: "Someone’s Knocking at the Door" (18+)
11:55pm "Subconscious Cruelty" (18+)
11:55pm "Midnight Transgressions"

Choices include a send-up of women's prison movies ("Stuck!"), the premiere of a very independent animated feature of sublime beauty ("The Romantic"), some kinkiness ("My Normal"), a seriously dark comedy about screwed-up relationships ("Love on the Rocks"), and some cool shorts programs ("Sippin' The Electric Kool Aid", "Where the Music's At", etc).

SAT 3/27

3pm
Wotienke
at Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10

A fine example of a jazzy, folky Dutch singer-songwriter.

SAT 3/27

Naked On Roller Skates (11pm), The One Smith (10pm), Forest Fires (9pm)
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8

If you go and don't like every band, let me know. I will meet you somewhere and buy you a drink. This is songtastic, rockalicious awesomeness of alt-folk and poppy goodness..

SAT 3/27

9pm
The Main Drag, Anarchy Club, The Konks, That Handsome Devil, Death of the Cool
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

The best video games ever ("Guitar Hero", "Rock Band", "Dance Dance Revolution", etc) were developed in Central Square, and a lot of musicians work there. I'm pretty sure that members of all of these fine bands are on the payroll. I expect that a bunch of PAX East people will be here.

SAT 3/27

10:30pm to 11:25pm
Storytelling w/ Sara Benincasa & Robin Gelfenbein and Stand up w/ Bonnie McFarlane
at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / $7 students, seniors

There are a bunch of cheap programs on the 4th day of the Women In Comedy Festival, but this is probably the best bet. I can't say that I fell out of my chair, but I found them funny, and I wanted to hear more.