THUR 7/1: Talk, Film, Gaga-oke, Fireworks, Rock, Rap

Wow, half of the year is already gone. If you haven't achieved your 2010 goals yet, you still have six months...

Did anyone see a 'pop-up store' on the Boylston side of the Prudential Center? I'm wondering if it's clearly marked but you can "buy" bottles of Honest Tea for $1 on the the honor system (10am to 4pm). If you don't pay, Bostonians look like cheapskates, and maybe a hidden camera will make you look silly...

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THUR 7/1

7pm to 8pm
Prof. Charles Ogletree, "The Presumption of Guilt": Discussion & Signing
at Harvard Coop, Level 3, 1400 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Remember when the Cambridge PD thought Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was broke into his own house then they arrested him for disorderly conduct after he proved he was the lawful resident but was pissed off at the cops?

That happened about a year ago. A couple reports/studies have been recently, and Prof. Gates' attorney has written a book to shed further light -- and writing books is part of academic life...

THUR 7/1

7:45pm to 9:20pm
"Restrepo": Preview Screening
at Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

Although co-director Sebastian Junger has published a book about the time he was embedded in one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, film has a more direct impact suitable for battle experiences.

I watched the trailer for this documentary (named after a fallen soldier who's memorialized in the base's name), and while lacking Kubrick's gorgeous cinematography it conveyed the same sense of battlefield tension as "Full Metal Jacket".

Tickets are available on the day of the screening on a first-come, first-served basis.

Which means you'd need to get there way before 7:45pm...

THUR 7/1

9pm
Lady Gaga Karaoke
at King's, 50 Dalton St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

Lady Gaga has hit town, and there's still a chance to get into tomorrow's sold-out -- if you can channel your inner GaGa.

Contestants will be judged on voice quality, originality, charisma and audience response.

Sign-ups start at 8pm.

Did anyone go last week?

This might be interesting to watch, because you know there is going to be a few trainwrecks as people will do their best Gaga impersonation to win tickets to the pantless pop monster's show at the Garden.

THUR 7/1

9:15pm
Fireworks
at Trum Field, about 541 Broadway, Somerville (Magoun Sq)
FREE

They say General Washington raised the first American flag atop Somerville's Prospect Hill, so why not celebrate Independence Day before July 4?

The 30-minute fireworks display should start between 9:15pm and 9:30pm, precede by performances from a local youth group, a well-loved disco/funk band, and some more all-American entertainment.

Schedule:

6pm -- Somerville Sunsetters
6:30pm -- Booty Vortex
7:30pm -- USO Metropolitan New York Performers
8:30pm -- U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble
9:15pm -- Fireworks

Obviously a bunch of nearby streets will be closed to traffic. The #80 and #89 will get close, but it's a doable walk from Davis Sq (or Porter).

THUR 7/1

9:30pm
Girlfriends, Doomstar!, Four Eyes
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

You gotta love this fuzzy, rockalicious garage-pop band Girlfriends. I certainly do -- not that what they do is so special, but it's how they put the elements together into songs with a special charm. Then you add that they put out 7" records (new one available tonight) and cassettes.

Go send Girlfriends off on their massive tour with positive hometown support. Over the next 6 weeks, they're planning to do 50 shows around the continental US -- heading south to Mississippi, west to California, north to Washington state, then gently sloping to Washington DC before heading back to Boston. Whoa!

Doomstar! and Four Eyes sound damn good too.

THUR 7/1

9:30pm
T Banga Benefit Show
at The Western Front, 343 Western Ave, Cambridge (Cambridgeport)
$10

Feat: Slaine, Jaysaun, Oak Lonetree, The Camp, Rite Hook, J the S, A Masstapeace, Brix, Q-Furb

I didn't know local hip-hop promoter Tim "T Banga" Damrath, but he took his life recently, and the community has rallied to produce tribute shows with proceeds going to his family. This one is loaded with some of Boston's best, including upcoming movie-star Slaine.