SAT 6/19: Fests & Music

Guess what? I didn't sit at the computer last night to finish up Saturday's post, and I have to leave the house at 8am. So I just want to say, "Oh, crap. I ran out of time, but here's something."

Happy Juneteenth! I guess there were happenings throughout the week that ends with a picnic at Franklin Park today.

Besides being a great beach day, there are 'strawberry festivals' (outside of T access) at Wilson Farm in Lexington and Verrill Farm in Concord.

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SAT 6/19

10am to 5pm
See New England Festival
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

I wouldn't make a special trip unless you're yearning to pickup New England travel info and the like. There will be live music and some games set up.

Entertainment: Michael and Marisa (10:30am), Booty Vortex (Noon), Beatlejuice (1:30pm), "Captured - The Journey Show" (4pm)

Yes, a Beatles tribute band and a Journey tribute band...

SAT 6/19

Noon to 8pm
Joe's Jazz and Blues Fest
at Nathan Tufts Park, Broadway & College Ave Rotary, Somerville (Powderhouse Sq)
FREE

Mayor Joe loves his jazz and blues, so why not have an outdoor concert? It's a pretty good lineup and not too far from Davis Square.

Noon -- Somerville High School Jazz Ensemble
12:45pm -- Brendan Hogan & Band
1:45pm -- Evan Marien Trio
2:45pm -- Eric Hofbauer & the Infrared Band
3:45pm -- Peter Parcek 3
4:45pm -- The Ben Powell Quartet
5:45pm -- Camelia Latin Jazz Sextet
6:45pm -- Professor Harp

And I'm pretty sure Broadway is going to be closed from Magoun Square to Powderhouse for community fun and street clean-up.

Other gigs in Somerville over the next week will technically be part of the Jazz & Blues Fest.

SAT 6/19

1pm to 10pm
Make Music Festival, Volume 3
around Harvard Sq, Cambridge
FREE

Based on "Fete de la Musique" that started in Paris, it's just a loose, outdoor celebration of music in all sorts of genres. It is okay to throw something at anyone playing the vuvuzela.

Apparently no one wanted to list the schedule of over 150 acts in about 20 locations around Harvard Square. Let's say you won't miss the music if you're in Harvard Square today.

SAT 6/19

7pm
War, Paisley Project
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

With songs like "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "Cisco Kid", and "Why Can’t We Be Friends", War is funky summer party music. There might even be one or two original members... Paisley Project will play classic rock.

This is the first of a few summer concerts sponsored by WODS 103.3

SAT 6/19

8:30pm to 10pm
"Parade of Lights"
around Boston Harbor
FREE

About 30 decorated boats are going around Boston Harbor from Castle Island, to the East Boston waterfront, to the USS Constitution, then head along the waterfront from North End to the Seaport around the Fish Pier.

Not really thrilling, but at best it might be like a train of Xmas trees on the water.

I say go to Eastie to eat dinner and visit the HarborArts Outdoor Gallery...

SAT 6/19

9:30pm
Brendan Boogie & The Best Intentions, This Blue Heaven, The Doctors Fox, Glenn Yoder
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

A whopping amount of awesome powerpop and rock with a bit of Americana.

SAT 6/19

9:30pm
Ad Frank & The Fast Easy Women, MEandJoanCollins, Guillermo Sexo, Birds Make Birds
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Singer/guitarist Jen Grygiel of MEandJoanCollins is playing a gig as her birthday party for the 3rd year in a row. If not a gift, you exchange a sawbuck for a set from probably the best band in town. I said it last year about MEandJoanCollins, and I really haven't changed my mind.

There are no slouches in this lineup. It's wall to wall rock excellence.