MON 12/6: Food Talk, Hair & Karaoke, Typed Carols, Rock

It's a bit over $10, but I really dig Girlfriends, and their playing tonight at the Middle East (upstairs) with a couple cool bands that are passing through town.

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MON 12/6

7pm
Harold McGee with Jody Adams, "Keys to Good Cooking: A Guide to Making the Best of Foods and Recipes": Conversation
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

From the author of "On Food and Cooking", food scientist and NY Times contributor Harold McGee brings another volume of practical, sound advice on how to prepare food and correct flawed recipes you may find.

Chef Jody Adams of nearby Rialto will join the conversation. Even if you don't buy the book, you may leave with a couple tips to correct a couple kitchen blunders.

MON 12/6

7pm
"Big Dog Barber Shop & Record Hop"

10pm-ish
Gong Show Karaoke

at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 18+

Since I went to this thing a couple weeks ago, I feel like I need to let people know that this is fun karaoke night with a twist. Despite a low-key vibe, people may be gripping the microphone slightly tighter because a group of rockers will be judging you with a gong hanging on the wall.

Before the game a couple barbers from Brighton's Big Dog Barber Shop will be cutting hair back in the pool room. They should be reasonable (their site says regular haircuts are $15), and bringing cash would be a good idea.

The vibe is still generally positive. MC Tommy Somerville is a cool, funny guy; he usually has a Ed McMahon guy who laughs at his stuff, and the DJ's are good folks too.

Tonight's judges will be The Scars, and the singing should start after the Pats-Jets game. There may even be free pizza during the game...

MON 12/6

7:30pm
Boston Typewriter Orchestra: Holiday Concert
at Charlestown Public Library, 179 Main St, Charlestown
FREE

A few weeks ago I was doubtful that Tuba Christmas would be more than a novelty, but I was there and stayed for at least half of the performance.

I must say, I don't have much confidence in BTO's holiday concert. A bunch of guys rhythmically clicking and clacking does have a bewildering effect at first, but I didn't stay long when I saw them at ArtBeat in the past.

Maybe some holiday magic will fill the air tonight... Maybe I'm the only Scrooge about the typewriter orchestra....

MON 12/6

10pm
PS I Love You, Holiday Shores
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Many times I click on some link or widget and have no idea what that band is going to sound like. A pleasant surprise was waiting for me when PS I Love You's song started: There loud, heavy-ish guitars with melodic vocals, then chorus took a left turn and wiggled around like a guitar-drum duo can do. It was really full, so I watched a video clip of these weird guys from Ontario to discover that the bass sounds are from a set of bass pedals like Geddy Lee of Rush would use many moons ago. Hey, these guys are playing indie-rock like Dinosaur Jr or Pixies played alternative rock -- good stuff.

Holiday Shores have a sound that seems wander around but generally has a raw, trippy indie-pop thing going on. With two bands scheduled, I don't see them starting before 10pm. On the other hand, they TV's to watch Monday Night Football before the music starts.