WED 4/14: Talk, Film, Music, Burlesque

Good luck to anyone going to the "tea party" today. Enjoy your free speech. I hope there won't be too many fake supporters out there. I like thinking that all those wild signs are real...

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WED 4/14

6:30pm to 8pm
Christopher Klein, "The Die-Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston": Discussion
at Orientation Room, 1st Fl, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Even a "die-hard sports fan" is going to know everything in this book (or at least remember everything)... The book covers local sports history way beyond the "Big 4", and I think tonight's discussion will go back to the days of Benjamin Franklin as well as past and present sporting venues.

"Book sale and signing to follow."

WED 4/14

7pm
"Young Frankenstein"
at Room 133, Bldg 3, 33 Mass Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

Although "Blazing Saddles" may be my favorite Mel Brooks/Gene Wilder movie, this is one of the funniest movies ever. It doesn't matter that there are little Yiddish jokes that might not hit me. The comedic performances are perfect from Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, and Peter Boyle as ('The Monster').

If a bunch of movies have been shown and there's a play & discussion on Friday, then you might as well call it "Frankenstein Week" at MIT.

WED 4/14

7pm
"Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers": Screening
at Adams House ArtSpace, 10 Linden St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Garlic-lovers and fans of quirky documentaries will dig what someone on IMDB called "a 50 minute excursion into the world of those who love, cherish, sing, cook, grow and pick and know a good deal about that most polarizing of seasonings and produce."

I watched a couple clips from this 1980 documentary that mainly occurs around Northern California, and one included the stuffing of whole tiny pigs with minced garlic -- probably delicious yet a little unappetizing to watch.

Steve Johnson of Rendezvous Restaurant will introduce the film. Bring Your Own Seating, if you don't want to sit on the floor or stand in the back. You might get a taste of some "garlicky noshes" too.

WED 4/14

7pm to 11pm
"A Grand Ole Hoot"
Feat: Vikesh Kapoor, Spitzer Space Telescope, Old Hannah, Barna Howard, more
at YMCA Theater, 820 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$7 / All Ages

Before the first "Grand Ole Hoot" in September, I saw an article about this guy who was having monthly hootenannies in his Allston attic. Sounds like fun, and they're letting more people enjoy it again. Several of last year's Hoot will be joined by many others in what will be similar to original idea of letting a bunch of people sing one or two songs.

One of the organizers, Lonesome Vince, said, "April's show will be a contemporary, theatrical celebration of a community built by the all-inclusive folk tradition."

WED 4/14

7pm
Josh Ritter, "So Runs The World Away": Listening Party
FREE / 21+

9pm
John Shade w/ The Neave String Quartet, Mark Erelli
$8 / 21+

both at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)

I haven't heard a Josh Ritter song that I didn't like, so there's no doubt the new one (his first since the excellent "The Historical Conquests of..." from '07) is full of musical delights.

Stick around for another really strong singer-songwriter (who used to gig around under his birth name) is John Shade who possesses a wizardly mastery of melody and emotion that needs to get into your mp3 player or car stereo or whatever. Like a recent residency at the Armory, he'll perform with a string quartet. The folktastic and guitarific Mark Erelli is going to bring even more beautiful music to the party.

WED 4/14

10pm
"Rogue the Casbah"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Central Sq & MIT)
$5 / 21+

Special Guests: Bitches of Destiny, Johnny Blazes

It's going to be an '80s theme to the show when there's mentions of spandex, leg warmers, aerobics, Malibu Barbie, and burning down the house. If you bring a Rubik's Cube and are the first person to solve it, you'll win a prize. Or you can watch the ladies dance out of most of their clothes...