SAT 8/14: Book, Paper, Dance, Comedy, Rock

If you're walking near Boston Common this weekend, you might as well check out the British Redcoat encampment as they reenact the 1775 occupation.

The Fisherman's Feast is going down in the North End too -- much like 1995...

This African dance party at All Asia looked interesting for $10, but I didn't feel too strongly about it. This happens regularly, so check out the live videocast after 9pm to get a taste for next time.

Tomorrow's cheapness is quite international. Check the calendar 'til the next post is up.

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SAT 8/14

2pm
Benjamin Herson & Jeff Deck "The Great Typo Hunt": Discussion & Signing
at Borders, 511 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

These two guys went around the country and corrected grammar and typographical errors on signs all over the place. They encapsulated their adventure in a book. I'm sure they're going to talk about the time they defaced a historical sign near the Grand Canyon.

SAT 8/14

3pm to 7pm
"Paper Party"
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
- Whatever you buy

Vendors: Albertine Press, Jenna Bantjes, Boston Paper Collective, Amy Cain, Emily Garfield, Christine Price Hamilton, Pressbound, Project Have Hope, Repeat Press, Union Press, Weinberg Design, White Sparrow Bindery, Fluff Fest Comic Book

Need to buy someone a present? Or maybe you love paper products.

The Woodrow Wilsons will perform some wonderful music at some point.

If you want to spend your afternoon in Union Square, there may still be room to join the ethnic market tour around Union Square from 2pm to 3:30pm.

SAT 8/14

7:30pm to 11pm
Tango By Moonlight
at Weeks Memorial Footbridge, Memorial Dr & DeWolfe St, Harvard Sq
FREE

Could the weather be better for dancing on a bridge over the Charles River? I know my lady might want to bring a cardigan, just in case, so there may be a few people to disagree with me.

In years past, it seemed these were scheduled around the full moon. The current schedule is a bit of a mishmash, but that shouldn't stop someone from tripping the light fantastic -- or some facsimile thereof.

They usually start with brief tango lesson for the first 15 minutes or so, then you can try for as long as you like until the tango stymies you and dancing and sway in your own style.

I've gone solo and with a partner and have danced as long as I wanted. Don't be bashful; everyone is there to dance whether they want to admit it or not.

There are two more tango nights this year, and it's difficult to find a low-pressure dance night like this.

SAT 8/14 (and SUN 8/15)

8pm
"Othello"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common)
FREE

Sunday -- 7pm

Shakespeare in the Common is down to its last weekend. Take advantage of one of the highlights of free/cheap Boston culture. Even if one doesn't make a donation, you're supporting by simply enjoying one of Shakespeare's best tragedies.

SAT 8/14

9pm
Sean Patton, Ben Kronberg, Sameer Naseem, Matt Kona, Matt D, Ken Reid, Rogelio Perez
at Roggie's Brew & Grille, 356 Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton
$8

I don't see a lot of things happening at Roggie's, so I gotta give some love to this place that I never really wanted to go. (Maybe I shouldn't judge a pub by its exterior.) There are some very funny local guys as well as Sean Patton who's been on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and Ben Kronberg on "Jimmy Kimmel Live".

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SAT 8/14

9:30pm
The Beatings, The Year Million
at House of Blues - Front Room, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE / 21+

You don't need much more reason to go besides The Beatings playing for free. The Beatings started out at the '00s with deliciously fresh, noisy, fuzzy post-punk. They took a break for a while, and they're playing again with last year's CD sounding stronger and more focused than before. It's a sin that they aren't on every rocker's mp3 player. The Year Million makes some hard, taut indie-rock.

SAT 8/14

9:30pm
Neptune, Big Digits, Man Forever
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 21+

Wow, according to the NY Times Man Forever was inspired by an orchestral performance of Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music". Instead of waves of guitar feedback, he went with waves of tuned-drum percussion. For about 40 minutes, 5 to 7 drummers (maybe including Brian from the YYY's) bash away in a percussion experiment that sounds like a pretty awesome jazz drum solo. I'm not sure I could handle listening to the whole set.

Big Digits will cleanse the palate like a hip-hop sherbet. I've seen these guys convert hundreds in an apathetic crowd with solid beats and a "phasers set to kill" performance. On their homemade instruments, Neptune rips out some weird yet compelling avant-rock. Once I let go and let the the alien groove move me, it's a good time.

SAT 8/14

10:30pm
Barrence Whitfield & The Monkey Hips
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Gigs like this must surely about the love of rock 'n roll. Barrence Whitfield is something like a missing musical link that skipped from Little Richard directly to the Boston rock scene of the '80s. With his mighty soulful singing, he should be in the pantheon of rock/r&b singers. The Monkey Hips are a squad of rockin' dudes including a sax player. On several nights a month, the Plough turns into one of those places in movies with a killer bar band -- except without the violent crowd and doorman.