WED 12/15: Talk, Party, Stage, Music

Since it's the 15th of the month during Anna's Taqueria 15th anniversary year, they're giving out something free today. (It's a taco...)

The Feast, a newish 'lifestyle' site, asked me and a dozen or so other people about town what they want for Xmas. I wasn't trying to go cheap, but I was surprised that a few chose cheaper items than me...

While the donation is $20, the Chandler Travis Holiday Extravaganza (7:30pm) at Johnny D's. A lot of great acts play to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

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WED 12/15

6pm to 7pm
Boston Society of Architects, "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful": Discussion
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Feat: Nader Tehrani, Jane Weinzapfel, Nick Winton

Tonight's panelists should have a good grasp on the various aspects of beauty in architecture beyond simple aesthetics. Each of them have won the Harleston Parker Medal for designing the most beautiful building in Boston.

Sarah Williams Goldhagen, architecture critic at The New Republic, will moderate.

WED 12/15

7pm to 11pm
"The Winter Escape"
at The Lansdowne Pub, 9 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
No cover / 21+

Are interested in having a few drinks near Kenmore Square and/or winning skis/lift passes/Harpoon gear?

This would be the place to be.

WED 12/15

7:30pm
For the Sake of the Song: Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks"
at Arts at The Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$10

Feat: Patrick Coman, Patrick Yerby, Brendan Murphy, Matt Borrello, Brendan Hogan, Dressing the Debutantes, Greg Klyma

In this Dylan-lover's humble opinion, "Blood on the Tracks" is definitely one of Bob's top 3 albums -- and may be my personal fave. The emotional quotient is high throughout this post-divorce collection, and the songs are all so damn good. Like a good album, there is musical variety while remaining cohesive.

Many fine folky/rootsy artists will take turns performing it in its entirety, which will be followed by an "open Dylan jam".

Proceeds benefit the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

WED 12/15

8pm
"Bear Patrol": Staged Reading
at Black Box Theatre, Boston Center for Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston (South End)
FREE

I suspect this new play may be a palate-cleanser if mass commercialism has been leaving a bad taste in your mouth lately.

It seems to be a post-nuclear apocalyptic take on a "Wizard of Oz" road tale that examines the bonds of family and friendship.

They say:

Cookies and toy masks for all, plus a $4 ticket offer to the full production in March for all attendees of this reading.

Check out some info playwright John J. King's other productions to get a better idea of what one can expect, if you like.

WED 12/15

9:30pm
The Scrooges, Movers & Shakers, Cocked n Loaded
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

Maybe you need to like Iggy Pop and The Stooges to really appreciate The Scrooges, or maybe a bunch of grubby-looking Santas raging through their catalog will turn you into a fan.
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What seemed like a lark when it began a few years ago has turned into a loud yuletide tradition that had the Scrooges bouncing around various venues for a couple weeks. This time they've anchored weekly gigs at O'Brien's. Personally this third night has my favorite hard-rockin' support, but you can still catch these bad Santas next Wednesday.

WED 12/15

10:30pm
O'Halloran Brothers, Lenny Lashley's Army of One, Cerebral Ballsy, Pinecone Teeth
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

A more relaxed "Holiday Extravaganza" will be happening at the Plough in what is something like a disjointed, acoustic Darkbuster get-together. Darkbuster's frontman Lenny Lashley is doing his own thing as well as guitarist Amy Griffin peforming as Pinecone Teeth.

I think drummer Dan O'Halloran is playing with a couple of his brothers and other friends as well as in Cerebral Ballsy, an acoustic version of 007 Hundred Club.

Do you think there could be some musical cross-pollination? I do.