WED 11/10: Photo, Science, Music

So I went to the "Small Brawl" last night, and it was a good time. I should known the start time was really later than posted. Still, Wasted Talent ruled... It was cool to see people of smaller stature clobber society's perceptions of their abilities. Was it a freak show? No more than any other wrestling program.

If you want to take some time to add to a public memorial for Boston music giant Billy Ruane, there are several giant canvasses set up at the Fourth Wall Project (near Fenway Park) for people to leave a little artistic blast (thru THUR 11/18).

The hours are stated as Noon to 6pm (Wednesday thru Friday) and 12:30pm to 5pm (Sunday). I did pass by on Sunday around 12:30, and it was closed. There was a nice-looking Billy mural on one of the walls.

There will be so many great musicians playing at his "birthday bash" next Wednesday at the Middle East - Downstairs ($10). I suggest getting your tix in advance.

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WED 11/10

5:30pm to 7:30pm
Neal Rantoul, "Twenty-Five Years": Reception
Roger Farrington, "30th Anniversary John Lennon Portfolio": Reception
"The Photographic Resource Center Portfolio": Reception
at Panopticon Gallery, Hotel Commonwealth, 502 Comm Ave, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE

There is a trio of photo exhibits opening at the same time in the rooms of the same gallery, so there better be plenty of wine and cheese...

Neal Rantoul focuses on outdoors material. Besides scenes from across the country, he has captured many spots around Boston that one normally doesn't (or can't) go -- including off-limits shots on Boston Harbor Islands.

Roger Farrington was an authorized photographer during John & Yoko's "Double Fantasy" recording sessions, and BU's Photographic Resource Center has created a collection of pictures from over a dozen world-class photographers.

WED 11/10

6pm to 7:30pm
Soap Box Discussion Series: Chris Reddy, "Mixing Oil and Ecosystems"
at MIT Museum, 265 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

Chris Reddy, a marine chemist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is going to discuss the long-term environmental impacts from this year's Gulf oil spill -- and oil spills in general.

Bring your questions and/or cogent points, because you can speak up.

WED 11/10

7pm to 9pm
Science in the News: "The Science of Dogs: History, Psychology, and Genetics of Man's Best Friend"
at Armenise Ampitheatre, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston (Harvard Medical School / Longwood)
FREE

In the past, this series of lectures/discussions on mainly topical scientific subjects would provide advance reading material. (PDF's of past sessions are available.)

People do love their dogs, and maybe some of you want to get reliable information on your canine companion...

WED 11/10

8pm
The Annie Darcy Band, Dagmar
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 online / $15 door

If you went to A.R.T.'s production of "Sleep No More" last year, you might have seen The Annie Darcy Band playing jazzy standards in the bar. Annie Darcy has leaped from a character in a play to front the free-standing piano trio that occasionally performs at Oberon.

Tonight they're joined by the musical duo that's behind an upcoming A.R.T. musical "The Blue Flower". A previous AmRep musical group meets next month's musical theater.

Thanks to Jim Sullivan for posting an online discount code (ANNIE8) for tonight's gig where tix can still be purchased for $8 (plus $2 fee).

WED 11/10

8pm
"Chabrol Noir"
at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

In at least the second film-and-improv event of the week. Whereas Monday screened experimental cinema, tonight the images will belong to one of the French New Wave masters Claude Chabrol who died about two months ago.

Ran Blake and Aaron Hartley had already planned this tribute before his passing as they lead New England Conservatory students and faculty as well as other guests to create the soundtracks to clips from a couple of his films.

WED 11/10

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

The summer residency has continued into the next season and hopefully into the next. When Erin Harpe plays solo, she masterfully knocks out early acoustic-fingerstyle blues. With the Delta Swingers, it has the feel of early WWII blues bands that are just a few steps from rock 'n roll.

I think it sounds great, and the judges of the Boston Blues Challenge agreed with me, because they're going to compete in next year's "international competition".