FRI 8/27: Film, Music, Comedy

* Ugh, besides being stubborn this morning I don't know how to click the 'publish' button...

Felt the urge to go the Museum of Science, but not enough to pay? It's free today (sans movies and "Butterfly Garden") until 9pm.

For those who want to hear some live metal and Allston seemed too far, Born of Fire is doing a solidly heavy night at the Rosebud in Davis Square (yes, the back room is open again) for $6 instead of O'Brien's.

If you'd like to support and enjoy the work of young filmmakers, there's a free 'film festival' (6pm to 8pm) at the Strand Theater in Upham's Corner.

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FRI 8/27 (thru SUN 8/29)

7:15pm
"Films at the Gate": Night #2
at Vacant Lot near Chinatown Gate, about 10 Hudson St, Boston (Chinatown)
FREE

7:15pm -- Lion dance & a Kung Fu demonstration by Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association
8pm -- "Drunken Master"

When I saw "Scott Pilgrim vs The World" last week, I was wishing that the fight scenes had the elan and humor of Jackie Chan's early films. I'm far from an expert on Kung Fu movies -- the curator of this film series does know her stuff -- but this is considered classic Chan.

All of the movies will be screened al fresco in Chinatown with the original Chinese audio (and English subtitles).

There are live demonstrations tonight and tomorrow before the screenings:

SAT 8/28

7:15pm -- Tai Chi demonstration by Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association
8pm -- "Havoc in Heaven"

SUN 8/29

8pm -- "Children of Invention"

Note: Saturday and Sunday's shows are at Chinatown Park on the Kennedy Greenway (on the other side of the Gate).

There are some folding chairs, but you're encouraged to bring your own seat if you really want it.
If you're hungry, there are plenty restaurants in the neighborhood to pick something up...

FRI 8/27

8pm
The Bengsons
at Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10 (or b/o)

There's something about this duo that leads me to believe they give the audience a worthwhile performance. I've watched a few video clips, and here is more to it than the songs, which are quite good especially with Abigail's strong soulful voice. There's an element of storytelling and theater likely imbued with social justice themes.

FRI 8/27

Sunset
"Up"
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

As you can tell, I have no problem with watching cinema without seats and walls. Chances of someone kicking the back of your chair on the lawn are close to nil...

The last Free Flick of the summer at the Hatch Shell, and I don't recall reading a bad review for the animated story of the widower and boy scout traveling to South America with the aid of multi-colored balloons.

(Does it sound weird when I put it that way?)

It'll probably start around 8:30pm, but it would be fine to get there early with picnicking stuff.

FRI 8/27

Muck & The Mires (Midnight), The Egos (11pm), The Acro-Brats (10pm), Sprained Ankles (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

I noticed this lineup is similar to another recent gig at another club, but that doesn't matter. Let's not dwell in the past, when there more Muck & The Mires in the near future. The band started out as a goof, and it's become a seriously good band like a Mersey-Ramones cocktail that was deemed the best garage-band in the country a few years back.

In between two different fine shades of punk rock to start the show, there will be some reverby, gothy garage-punk. Good stuff!

FRI 8/27

9:30pm
Union Square Round Table: "Self Improvement"
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

Guests: Eugene Mirman, Val Kappa

I happen to think the usual Round Table is rather laugh-inducing, and the "Self Improvement" theme has a lot of potential for a group of people that probably self-analyze quite a bit. I have been to USRT when Eugene Mirman and Val Kappa appeared, and they were really frickin' funny.

I really appreciate that Eugene Mirman's profile continues to rise, and he still joins in the fun a t this show. If he has become a stuck-up prick, one can't tell by looking at or talking to the unassuming guy who's propped up by the bar during the intermission.

Patrick Bryant is returning for another live segment of Somerville Speakout for everyone to get a taste of complaint letters from all corners of Somerville.

Musical guest, Zbornak (get the reference?), may or may not be playing their first show, but I dug the post-punk racket from this new group.