WED 12/22: Art, Rock, Jazz, Rock

I'm heading out of town tomorrow morning, but I will try to keep things rolling as usual (maybe better).

It's tough around this time of year, but let's not get carried away with all of the seasonal stuff. Let's choose the good stuff, and ignore the rest.

PJ Gray of Galactic Fractures and Soullelujah has put together a soulful Xmas mix that should appeal to almost everyone. You can listen to it (or download it).

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WED 12/22

4pm to 9:45pm
Open Wednesday Evening
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

They say about 10,000 people showed up for Saturday's free opening of the Art of the Americas wing. If you're not busy running errands, you'll likely find a much smaller crowd today.

Although I've misinterpreted emails before, let me put it this way:

Wednesday evenings have been free-free-FREE for years, and no strings attached for today and next Wednesday.
It will continue to be an inexpensive opportunity for the public to visit, but it will be a "voluntary contribution" ($20 suggested).

I'm not complaining, because the museum doesn't have to offer anything special. Between you and me $20 is the regular admission price -- so why not give them $10 (or whatever), get the stink-eye, and enjoy the art next year.

I have a feeling that this isn't the most popular destination during the holidays, so it could be a good time to sneak in and take a cultural break from mass commercialism.

I might check out the new Art of the Americas wing tonight...

WED 12/22

9:30pm
The Scrooges, Double Nines, Mellow Bravo
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

Last Night of The Scrooges Residency!

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.

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.

These lushes were probably having a hard time remembering where the gig was, so they've done 4 weeks at O'Brien's. Not only will it rock your ass off -- including the double-barrel openers Double Nines and Mellow Bravo -- you'll know that no one else at your dinner table thinks of Santa in the same way as you.

WED 12/22

10pm
Four Roots
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

If you're in the mood for Latin jazz, this could be a good spot. Bandleader/trumpeter Yaure Muniz Rumayor was born in Havana and now studies at Berklee. Pianist Gilson Schachnik and bassist Fernando Huergo teach there, and drummer Pablo Bencid plays with a bunch of groups including local institution Either/Orchestra.

My standard Beehive disclaimer: The drinks are more than I'd like to pay, but there's no cover charge.

WED 12/22

10:30pm
John Powhida & The Doom Band
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

A good friend of mine doesn't like John Powhida, because they think he has a big ego and won't give the music a chance. That rock-star charisma is part of Powhida's charm in my book, and he's got the pipes to back it up. Solo or with The Rudds, I've always dug his twisted pop/soul/rock blend.

A couple months ago, he played at "Mixtape: 1967" a couple months ago with 'Johnny St. John & the Doom Band'. If I were a betting man, I'd expect to hear some of John's originals and a bunch of gems from the Summer of Love.