SAT 5/22: EarthFest, Hugs, Art, Sailing, Music

I have to go out, get a haircut, and enjoy the day.

Unfortunately, I didn't see a zombie march for this weekend. They coincided with EarthFest last year, and it's amusing to think of them as 'recycled people'...

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SAT 5/22

11:30am to 5pm
EarthFest
at Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Storrow Dr, Boston
FREE

Feat: Collective Soul (3:45pm), Gin Blossoms (2:30pm), Crash Kings (1:15pm), Marcy Playground (Noon)

If the Crash Kings weren't wedged into this lineup, you could close your eyes and pretend it's 1997. If you liked "Sex & Candy" and the other couple Marcy Playground tunes you may have heard, you'll probably like the rest.. As far as the Gin Blossoms, you'll probably recognize about 7 or 8 guilty pleasures if you were listening to top-40 radio back in the day. Crash Kings aren't bad at all; I read several band comparisons, but I hear a triangulation of Ben Folds, Maroon 5, and Queen.

Jackson Wetherbee Band from Duxbury won a contest to be the local opener (11:30am), and it's fine acoustic rock to arrive to. (I'm pretty sure I would be there if Naked on Roller Skates were opening...)

There's still a kids' stage; it's a little disappointing there isn't a secondary stage for local bands. Maybe the economy will be better next year..

Hey -- keep in mind it's "EarthFest", so let's be cool with the trash, etc.

SAT 5/22

Noon to 4pm
Give/Get a Hug
from Park Street T to Downtown Crossing
FREE

Hugs are awesome. I love hugs. If it's been a while since you've hugged a stranger, this is a good time to do it. It's apparently "Free Hugs Day".

If you're going to be part of the giving team, you should think about being outside of the Park Street T around noon. (I also suggest showering before hand.) As time goes by, wander towards Downtown Crossing.

If you see the huggers, don't linger if you haven't showered beforehand.

Feel free to make a sign and make your own vigilante hug team. People at EarthFest might appreciate one..

SAT 5/22 (and SUN 5/23)

Noon to 6pm
Cambridge Open Studios: Central
around Central Sq & Cambridgeport, Cambridge
FREE

About 75 artists in various media are showing their stuff at about 50 locations, and most of them are between Central Square T and the river according to the map and brochure [PDF]. Walk around or seek out something that catches your eye in the brochure...

SAT 5/22

1pm to 5pm
Sailing Open House
at Boston Sailing Center, Lewis Wharf, Boston (North End)
FREE

Enjoy a free sail in the harbor. If you want to sign you up for lessons, you can -- or you could just check it out and enjoy the ride and free refreshments.

People get a sail on a first-come, first-served basis, so keep that in mind. And don't complain if you get there too late; there will be other sailing open houses this year, and I will try to give advance notice.

As they say, "No sailing experience necessary. All ages welcome. Sailors of all abilities are welcome."

Again, this on Lewis Wharf by the Marriot; they saylook for the riverboat.

SAT 5/22

007Hundred Club (9pm), Drago (8:15pm), The Spoilers (7:30pm), By The Throat (6:45pm), Up For Nothing (5:30pm), The McGunks (4:45pm), The Doll Eyes (4pm)
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$10 / All Ages

Sure, an all-ages punk show means people under 18 can go -- but it also means people of ALL ages, man...

Besides it's a birthday party for a couple people in The Spoilers and By The Throat, and they're probably older than 21...

It may have been the bands, but the last all-ages show I went saw at the Midway was really friggin' loud.

SAT 5/22

8pm to Midnight
Saint Stanislaus Day Polka Party
Feat: Al Janik's Plastyczny Ser Orkestra
at the Polish American Club, 747 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (East Cambridge)
$10-ish

Roll out at the barrel, and we'll have a barrel of fun. Al Janik and the Plastic Cheese Band really plays polka with a sense of humor and laissez-faire/WTF attitude.

The time I only notice the "plastic cheese band" playing for Saint Stanislaus Day (technically May 8). Since the Abbey Lounge closed, they've moved to the Polish American Club. Honestly I want to go to the gig, so I have an excuse to go into this place. It doesn't look inviting to strangers, and I doubt it's very hospitable tonight.

Cover charge usually includes a Polish buffet, and the beers have to be cheap. Sure, it's fine to enjoy this in an ironic way, but you should dance at some point. If not the whole night, dammit.

SAT 5/22

9pm
Humanwine, Mighty Tiny, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Dave Magario
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

While I said that I was rooting for Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling when the first Rock 'n Roll Rumble of the year took place last month. Humanwine won that night, and I'm always rooting for them too. They make deep music and they take social and political stances; and I think they live on a bio-diesel bus. The more I listen, the more I like; but there is background reading to do for the songs to really delve into it. Whoa...

More like a loveliest than a rematch, D.N.F.M.O.M.D. are playing a set of marvelously minimalist, punchy art-rock inspired by "The Prisoner" -- cool stuff. Mighty Tiny fits right in with a sound that falls in the neighborhood of gypsy-jazz/carnival-rock, and they all wear masks like a cabaret-punk version of Slipknot. Dave Magario will open with thoughtful solo acoustic songs.

The opening sets may be slightly briefer than usual, since Humanwine may play about 90 minutes including "guests from Somerville Symphony Orchestra."

SAT 5/22

9:30pm
Morrissey's Birthday Tribute
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 21+

Feat: The Honors, Jay Marsh, Ad Frank, Jake Zavracky, Jesse Duquette, more

Some of you will want to celebrate Morrissey's birthday. There are those who will want to blast The Smiths with some wine and candles in front of their home shrine. Others may feel like the communal celebration.

From what I've read the live performance will start around 10pm. The solo guys like Jay Marsh from Taxpayer, Ad Frank, Jake Zavracky from Cyanide Valentine, and Jesse Duquette from Emergency Music will go on first. The Honors should do something close to their Halloween set from last year as The Smiths. A band comprised of local Moz-lovers will join forces for a tribute set as Unhappy Birthday.

DJ's Michael V, David Day, and Dave Duncan Virr have plenty of related material to play defer, after, and between.

SAT 5/22

10pm
Deva Mahal
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

I've looked in a few (legal and otherwise) spots, and I had a difficult time downloading any Deva Mahal or Frederick's Brown songs. Take a listen, and experience what may be on your iPod in the future because sometimes you're in the mood for jazz-funk-soul singing. (Yes, she's the daughter of bluesman Taj Mahal.)

Here's my little formula from yesterday: Sublime soulful singing [minus] cover charge [plus] overpriced drinks [equals] a potentially good night if it's not too out of the way.