TUES 12/14: Revue, Film, Blues, Jazz

Yeah, these are all on the other side of the River.

Boston Proper, I love you, but you don't always offer a good cheap time.

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TUES 12/14

7pm to 10pm
"Skewed & Screwed Revue"
at All Asia Cafe, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Music: Evan Greer, Gene Dante

Burlesque: Fonda Feeling, Amy Macabre, Lady Grinch, Baroness Blitzen Von Schtupp, Lady Naboombu, Serendipity Galore

This is periodic fundraiser for GLBT causes (Transgender Emergency Fund tonight) and also for the organizers' own travails after one partner began their gender transition. Therefore skewed treatment led them into a screwed economic situation.

Of course, everyone is welcome (to attend and perform). There's no exclusivity in enjoying the riot-folk of Evan Greer and a solo set from glammy rocker Gene Dante. There seems to be a burlesque-heavy line-up, and I assume Scratch (MC of the Boston Babydolls) may keep the good times rolling.

TUES 12/14

7:30pm
"The Tempest": Free Screening
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE w/ Pass [PDF]

There's a lot of talent involved, although I haven't heard a lot of good buzz. There is no doubt that director Julie Taymor ("Frida", "Across The Universe"; theater-version of "Lion King", "Spiderman") has a strong, imaginative vision.

The cast in this Shakespeare play getting its latest adaption includes Helen Mirren, David Strathairn, Alan Cumming, Chris Cooper, Djimon Hounsou, Alfred Molina, Russell Brand, and others. Maybe Russell Brand doesn't suggest high art, but there are fools in many tales by the Bard.

It could be crap, or it could become one of your favorite movies. You may appreciate it for the lush visuals and the new twist on the story. Why not see it for free on the big screen.

Of course, this is one of those deals where you have to print out the pass (admits two) and get there early enough to be admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. (If last weekend's limited release box-office is an indicator, there won't be a long line.)

TUES 12/14

7:30pm
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers Memphis Fundraiser
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

Feat: Roomful of Blues, Danny Klein's Full House, James Montgomery, Dennis Brennan, Tim Gearan, 11th Hour Band, Alizon Lissance, Geoff Bartley, Satch Romano, Cindy Daley, more

Wow, there have been a few Erin Harpe fundraising shows lately, but the last Delta Swingers gig of the year is bursting at its bluesy seams.

With so many quality blues bands, this doesn't even seem like a benefit show at $10. It's a friggin' bargain! On top of local talent that I notice playing around on a regular basis, the big-time Rhode Island blues-machine Roomful of Blues are performing. And J. Geils Band bassist Danny Klein is bringing his current band that plays the old stuff. Stick around, and you're definitely going to hear a monster jam at the end of the night.

I may be a homer, but I think the judges at the Boston Blues Challenge gave us a strong chance of winning the next year's international competition in Memphis. Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers might sneak up on all the other bands by not having a wanky electric guitarist and smack everyone with a modern vitality and genuine, rockin' Delta sound that they may not expect from New England.

The band is collecting money for travel expenses so they can bring back the blues title. If you don't go tonight and buy a bunch of 50/50 raffle tickets, then maybe you'd be willing to help them raise $1,500 on Kickstarter.

TUES 12/14

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

There is probably no statistics for the number of fictional bands that moved out of their original context to remain musically viable. (Spinal Tap comes to mind, but that movie was a documentary of their career...)

The Annie Darcy Band began playing jazzy standards in the bar of an experimental production of "Macbeth", and now they regularly perform at Club Oberon. The piano trio fronted by dual vocalists is performing a holiday-theme show, and it'll likely have more theatricality than the average music gig.