FRI 6/18: Comedy, Dance, Film, Rock

I haven't said this lately, but thanks for reading.

I'm really close to getting my act together here and making this as useful as it should be. Hang in there with me...

I was walking through the Seaport area this week and saw the Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastion de Elcano. It's beautiful, especially at night when the masts and all the rope is illuminated. I don't know if they're joining tomorrow night's "Parade of Lights" through the harbor, but you can board the ship at various times through Sunday near the World Trade Center.

There's not much info on the website, but Greek Festival food is going down at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church tonight through Sunday just a couple blocks from the heart of Central Square. I've seen it get crowded at the usual meal times, so be prepared.

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FRI 6/18

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

Feat: James Parkinson, Scott Moran, Nick Lavelle, Rob Crean, others

This is another reason why I'm not a big fan of Facebook. (I'm not saying I like MySpace better, but...) I can't get on this morning to get more details about tonight's show. I know people will say something funny, and it's a pretty good cheap time that can be a good start to Friday night and the the weekend.

You can even stay for The Pill's dance party.

FRI 6/18 (and SAT 6/19)

8:20pm
Zoe Dance presents "High Rise"
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

I'm mainly amused by a two-stage, modern-dance story being performed with live soundtrack from a progressive rock band. I have a feeling they'll convey the story about neighbors in an apartment building.

The performances will start at sundown.

Rain dates: SUN 6/20 & MON 6/21

FRI 6/18

Sunset
"Grease" Sing-A-Long
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

The first feature of WBZ's Free Friday Flicks is billed as a sing-a-long. I've done extensive research on the subject, and no one is actually forced to sing along. I've seen people just sit there and watch! The proper etiquette is to accept that others will sing, and you shouldn't go if that offends you.

You can show up anytime you like, but the film should start after sundown (about 8:30pm). The WBZ might start handing out free gum and the like around 6pm...

The Friday night program resumes on 7/9 -- with "The Wizard of Oz" including a 13-minute silent version from 1910 -- and continues through the end of August. I'm actually surprised that most of the movies were released in the last two years!

The Boston Harbor Hotel is beginning its outdoor Friday films tonight with "Driving Miss Daisy", and it runs through 9/3. They have chairs, and you don't have to buy anything. I feel like you can have more elbow room on the Esplanade.

FRI 6/18

Reigning Sound (11:45pm), Movers & Shakers (10:40pm), Triple Thick (9:40pm), Sister Spaceman (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

Three really cool and excellent bands will rock will prep the crowd for what is apparently Reigning Sound's first Boston gig in 5 years. (Hard to believe there are still some tickets left, but I read there will be about fifty available.) It's not going too far out on a limb to say that most garage-rock fans consider this band that started out of Memphis is probably the best stuff that's happening right now.

Triple Thick adds their own skuzzy garage romps, and they have a new CD out. Sister Spaceman continues the reverb-heavy garage-blues that we loved from Mr. Airplane Man. And Movers & Shakers always dish out a tasty stew of rootsy punk.

FRI 6/18

9:30pm
The Lights Out, AM Stereo, Trucker Mouth, Larcenist
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Another damn fine rock show is next door and downstairs. The Lights Out is one of those bands that put together punchy, hooky guitar rock that I'd call radio-ready. If radio stations had the balls to play new rock, these guys would be kicking more ass than they already do. You should dig the straight-ahead rock of AM Stereo, Trucker Mouth's Southern-leaning hard rock, and some heavy Americana from Larcenist.

The show is presented by Sam Adams, so keep an eye out for potential free shwag. One can never have too many keychains! (Or can you? Hmm.)

FRI 6/18

9:30pm
Yoni Gordon & The Goods, The Bynars, One Happy Island
at House of Blues - Front Room, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE / 21+

Dude! I would gladly pay money to see this show, but I'll put that towards beer or merch if I go. (It was a late night at Precinct with Hey Mama, and no one high-fived me for a free beer.)

When you see some delivering the rock as passionately as Yoni Gordon, you want to look at that punky singer-songwriter flag atop the pole and give it big ol' salute! Yoni & The Goods will prick up your ears and rock you, rock you.

The Bynars goose their jangly powerpop with loads of vintage synth sounds that get the party started... Or keep the party going... Or revive the party at a really late hour so your neighbor calls the cops. Good stuff! You even get the buoyant indie-pop of One Happy Island.

FRI 6/18 (and SAT 6/19)

10pm
John Powhida International Airport, Brett Rosenberg & the Jewish Cowgirls
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5-ish / 21+

After moving to Nashville a couple years ago, kickass guitarist Brett Rosenberg is in town for a couple of gigs at my current favorite bar in Davis Square and what is becoming the destination of many great shows.

It's going to be a night of Rudds-like rock goodness, since he'll be joined by the former Rudds drummer and the bass player from Powhida International Airport. I have a hard time believing that John Powhida and Rosenberg won't spend some time on stage together for something close to another Rudds reunion.

Together or apart, there's will be boatloads of sweet tunes and top musicianship.

Brett's is supposed to do a solo set in the same place tomorrow night opening for amazing singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston ($12)