THUR 4/29: Jazz, Shakespeare, Rumble, Rock

Darn it, it's the second night in a row where people I genuinely like are playing. It's easy to recommend tonight's "Rumble". The funny people behind the online show "Quiet Desperation" will surely make a musical spectacle tonight. Any band could win, but I'm rooting for Sophia & Mike.

Between now and Saturday, both Harvard and Boston College students are presenting arts festivals with a variety of performances. Many are free (or less than $10); I honestly didn't get too excited about today's offerings but you might.

Oh, let's not forget the Cambridge Science Festival.

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THUR 4/29

6pm to 8pm
"Ellington, Boston, and Beyond": Discussion
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

As part of Jazz Week, major composer and educator Gunther Schuller will discuss the Duke with two other jazz historians / Ellington lovers Richard Vacca and Mark Harvey.

THUR 4/29

8pm
Shakespeare Open Mic
at Gulu-Gulu Cafe, 247 Essex St, Salem
FREE

Did anyone see "Hamlet" on PBS last night? It blows my mind that one person created such an amazing body of work -- even if you account for borrowing from other sources.

In celebration of his birthday earlier this week, the Salem Theatre Company is holding its 7th annual party where everyone is welcome to recite a monologues, scene, or sonnet in first-come first-served order. You'd impress if you have something memorized, but read it if you must.

THUR 4/29

9pm
"32nd Annual WBCN Rumble Finals"
Feat: Humanwine, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Rob Potylo, King Hell
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

"Quiet Desperation", Boston's best web serial, has decided to take it in their hands to revive the Rock 'n Roll Rumble since WBCN's presence has dwindled in the last year. The setup can be seen in episode #19, and I anticipate a lot of footage for the next episode will be shot tonight.

If you haven't watched it yet, Quiet D could be briefly summarized as the quasi-fictionalized life of Rob Potylo (fka Roadsteamer) and ridiculous glimpses into the underbelly of the local music and comedy scene. It's pretty damn funny; each clip can be enjoyed separately, but you can see an interesting story by watching all of them.

The great part is that you can ignore all of that stuff by simply enjoying the tunes and whatever zaniness that might occur.

Two bands that I often have difficulty describing are Humanwine and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling. When I hear something really good and original, there's often something extra that can't be described in my usual blurbs -- but I'll blurb one more time.

The multi-genre rock of Humanwine is loved by fans of steam-punk and punk-cabaret to give you an idea that there's an out-of-time quality to the politically-aware songs.

Drawing inspiration from one of the coolest spy shows of the '60s, I get the sense that Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling has absorbed the quirky musical motifs from the soundtrack to surround the clever lyrics with arty-punky blasts of drums and fuzzed-out bass.

There may be some special preference for the other two bands to make it to the "Rumble finals". This may also be the first gig of Rob Potylo's new band (although he was a previous runner-up). He didn't seem to like it when I told him he was funny, so I'll just say check it out and enjoy the straightforward songs. King Hell are a funky metal band (yes, and it sounds good) who relocated to NYC a few years ago.

Shawn Sixx & Niki Luparelli host.

(Jeez, I wrote a lot on this one...)

THUR 4/29

9:30pm
Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents, Shaun Wolf Wortis, The Swinedells
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

It's been a long soulful April after 5 Thursdays with Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents. This big super-soul outfit finish up their residency along with two groups ready to party. Shaun Wolf Wortis organizes annual Mardi Gras and Bastille Day gigs, so there should be a New Orleans R&B vibe. The Swinedells bring a punk-rock sensibility to old-time R&B and soul.

THUR 4/29

10:30pm
A.K.A.C.O.D.
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

For a few years, AKACOD was one of the "low rock" bands that kept venturing down a path not too far from the most awesome Morphine. Vocalist/bassist Monique Ortiz has decided to pack up her fretless bass and head to Austin. Our loss is their jazzy/noir gain. This will probably be her last local gig with cohorts Dana Colley (Morphine/Twinemen) and Larry Dersch (way too many bands).

Dig the two awesome sets, raise a toast to Monique's years of fine local music service.