FRI 4/16: Comedy, Drama, Dance, Rock

Tomorrow is Record Store Day, so it's a perfect time to remember why independent record stores are good for music lovers -- whether it's Weirdo Records or Newbury Comics, you might find a new favorite while hearing a live performance or getting free shwag.

Congrats to Steve Almond for selling out the Brattle tonight for a "reading and musical extravaganza"; it was going to make today's list. Interest in literature heartens me when I think the guy from "The Room" selling out a couple midnight screenings at the Coolidge Corner.

(No one cares, but my production was hampered by being a sick guy on the futon for almost all of Thursday.)

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FRI 4/16

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

Feat: Josh Gondelman, Matt D, Peter Bowers, Tom E. Morello, Rick Canavan, Cameryn Moore, Matt Kona, Tim Vargulish, AnDrew Mayer

This weekly comedy show is a great chance to start the weekend with a bunch of funny people... Low cover... Drinks aren't overpriced with no minimum (or maximum)... Stick around to dance at The Pill for one low price...

FRI 4/16

"Frankenstein": Play (8pm) & Discussion (10pm)
at Killian Hall, Hayden Memorial Library, 160 Memorial Dr, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

After presenting three Frankenstein films this week, I finally got the idea that they were providing background for the play performances this weekend (also 8pm tomorrow), directed by Visiting Artist Ricardo Pitts-Wiley.

Pitts-Wiley has previously adapted Mary Shelley's story to the stage, so it may have seen quite a fit for MIT. It's apparently set in modern times where a ship rescues the doctor and creature from the icy Arctic.

After tonight's performance, there will be a discussion about the perennially enthralling story of a scientist who creates life. (Hmm, not as fictional as it was in the 19th century.)

FRI 4/16

8pm to 10pm
Step About Boston: Annual Ceili
at Student Activities Center Gym, 1 University Rd, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

Everyone is welcome to watch BU's Irish step-dancing group and learn a bit to join in dancing and party. You don't need any experience -- or Irish ancestry. Just be open to a good time. There are a few nearby bars for some "pre-gaming" (because I know I need a few pints to get my feet in the mood), and there should be some free food to sop it up if necessary.

Maybe it's a chance to meet a nice Irish lass or lad...

FRI 4/16

Have Nots (12:10am), The Appreciation Post (11:15pm), Razors In The Night (10:30pm), Wicked Whiskey (9:45pm), The Swaggerin' Growlers (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

Wow, it's a whole lotta rock at the Have Nots' vinyl album release show (clever title: "Serf City USA"). You might even win a free copy that's chock full of tight punk with some ska influences, if you don't buy one.

It's cool that the whole night includes a bunch of different punky flavors like the classic Boston hardcore stylings of Razors in the Night, Wicked Whiskey's punkabilly, and folky-punk/punky-folk of The Swaggerin' Growlers. For more tasty variety there's The Appreciation Post who should be able to hold their own with loud, fuzzy keyboard-laced powerpop.

FRI 4/16

9:30pm
Tony The Bookie Orchestra, The Resurrectionists, Science
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8

Not only do I enjoy the country-tinged rock of Tony the Bookie Orchestra, but I hear a finely-tuned group who play the songs that confidently straddles the fence between modern and old-time. Add The Resurrectionists and Science for a full night of rootsy, bluesy rock with shadowy twists and turns.