WED 12/1: Art, Music, Foosball

I honestly don't know how I screwed things up today, but I've reconstructed the info. For some reason, this is a rather good Wednesday to have cheap fun.

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WED 12/1

Now to 11pm
"Medicine Wheel"
at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

From the first minutes of World AIDS Day, the "Medicine Wheel" installation has been open to people who would like to reflect on the impact of the disease. It's dimly lit, and people are respectfully quiet; but there are periodic performances (I think on the hour).

For 19 years, the shrines and pedestals have been set up, while the overall presentation evolves each year. Anyone is free to "leave an offering (personal object, letter, picture, jewelry, poem...) for the healing and remembrance of all affected by HIV and AIDS."

From the perspective of someone who has not had many friends succumb to AIDS, this was still a very heavy and somber experience.

There are various local events happening today and tomorrow to commemorate the day.

WED 12/1

6:30pm to Midnight
Year of Music Anniversary Special
at Bloc 11, 11 Bow St, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / All Ages

Feat: Kristen Ford, Kevin Byrne Band, Abbie Barrett, Audrey Ryan, Colin Kelly, Charlie Cover, One Happy Island

Admittedly, I haven't paid much attention to the music at Bloc 11 over the past year that usually happens on Wednesdays with open mic's on Thursdays. I did see tonight's show to celebrate a year of music in the back area of this rather warm coffeehouse considering it was a bank many years ago.

Tonight should be a good time with a bunch of solid singer-songwriters as well as the wonderful indie-pop of One Happy Island and the rockin' Kristen Ford who organizes the music here. If you haven't been impressed with the music set-up in the past, they've supposedly updated the sound system.

For the special occasion, there's going to be a beer & wine cash bar and free appetizers.

PLUS I'll be one of the guys that is taping the gig for Somerville Community Access TV!

WED 12/1

8pm
Foosball Tournament
at The Green Briar, 304 Washington St, Brighton (Brighton Center)
$5 / 21+

When I was looking for things to do last Wednesday, I saw that a longtime weekly foosball tournament has moved to The Green Briar after Our House West closed.

There are 3 tables, usually a crowd between 15 to 20, and partners are chosen randomly; so the playing may last a few hours.

Teams that place from first to third receive cash and a Green Briar gift certificate, which sounds like a good deal. Everyone is welcome, and there is almost as much luck as skill in winning... But they do play by some rules.

WED 12/1

9pm
Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints
at Milky Way Lounge/Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE / 21+

As of last month, Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints is bringing down the house on the first Wednesday with a couple sets of big, honking old-school soul and R&B at the Milky Way.

Guaranteed to be a good time. Go tonight or next month, but good things don't last forever. (For example, the Milky Way Lounge in a new location.)

WED 12/1

10pm
Hands & Knees, Magic Magic
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

This gig may be the start of good things at Middlesex Lounge. There have been rock shows here every now and then, but it looks like some of the Doomstar! guys are starting a monthly night, and they got a couple of killer bands. If I wasn't filming somewhere else tonight, I'd be here.

If Hand & Knees didn't already make kickass indie-rock with a hint of twang that gives them a fresh angle, they've written a song called "James Brown Died on Christmas Day" in time for the holiday season (that doesn't even need to get schmaltzy). Nice work!

On top of that, Magic Magic is band getting notice on both sides of the Atlantic for their retro/psych, two-drummer indie-pop. They've reminded me of The Flaming Lips on previous listens, but I'm hearing more of their personality more and more.

To live up to the pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS moniker under which this new night is known, the guys will play 60s garage/psych records in between sets.