WED 10/13: Talk, Film, Blues, Rock

As a bit of good will, I'll try to post a weekend highlights/preview tonight (or tomorrow morning).

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WED 10/13

5:30pm
Benjamin Studevent-Hickman, "The Origins & Development of the Cuneiform Script": Lecture
at Geological Lecture Hall, Peabody Museum, 24 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

For some reason, ancient Mesopotamia fascinated me when I was younger -- even before I read any HP Lovecraft. Among their early advancements was the first written language system (that we know of). An Assyriologist describes cuneiform's structure and development.

Part of "Visible Language" series about writing systems (through December).

"A public reception follows at the Peabody Museum, 11 Divinity Ave."

WED 10/13

7pm
Lawrence Lessig, "Renewing Democracy: Change Congress": Discussion
at First Parish Church, 3 Church St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Have you ever had a conversation with friends about how the "system is broken" and come up with some wild ideas. Maybe you came up with good ideas, but Lawrence Lessig is a Harvard law professor (and was a clerk for Antonin Scalia) so he may have some proposals that may be legal if not likely.

WED 9/22

9pm
"From Dusk Till Dawn" w/ Improvised Live Soundtrack
at St Paul Episcopal Church, 1135 Walnut St, Newton Highlands (near the Green Line stop)
FREE, non-perishable food donation appreciated

I listed the "King Kong vs Godzilla" event in Newton last month, so I might as well.

This month about 14 musicians are going to improvise a soundtrack to the Tarantino-penned story directed by Robert Rodriguez. I hope they don't get distarcted when Salma Hayek does her dance... These guys aren't slouches, so it should be edgy but musical.

Maybe homemade tacos will be for sale?

WED 10/13

9pm
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers
at Milky Way Lounge/Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE

Erin Harpe plays the hell out of the acoustic-fingerstyle blues of the early 1900's, and now she has a band joining her two sets tonight and every second Wednesday of the month.

This group has the feel of early WWII blues bands that are just a couple evolutionary steps from rock 'n roll. And it sounds fantastic.

It's also going to be a warm-up gig for the Boston Blues Challenge on Sunday at Johnny D's.

WED 10/13

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone (11pm), Otouto (10pm), School Mates (9:05pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

If you ever wanted to see Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, this is his last show in the Boston area. Owen Ashworth (the guy from CFTPA) has decided he wants to start fresh with a new moiker in the future, so this is really the last time around for this band name and probably the songs.

Joining him are Otouto, some electro/pop friends from Australia, and School Mates that's a new project from the Pants Yell guy. (See how it works, Owen?)

WED 10/13

9:30pm
Yoni Gordon, Jeff Rowe, War of Words, Billy Brown
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

I usually love Yoni Gordon's electric band approach to his passionate songistry. On his new album, he goes acoustic and is going on a 'tent tour'. After this gig, there will be a bunch of shows in tents including a tent show somewhere in Boston. Tell your friends and dress warmly in the future.

Although originally listed as $5, it's still worthwhile at $7 for a night of punk-folk/folk-punk goodness.

WED 10/13

9:30pm
Guillermo Sexo, MeAndJoanCollins, Appomattox, Soft Pyramids
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 18+

It's four heaping doses of kickass modern rock. I've gushed about MeAndJoanCollins on many occasions, and they all offer dynamic songs that get the blood pumpming.