SAT 1/8: Whale, Walk, Rock

Well, here is more detailed Saturday cheapness. Am traveling to CT, but I think I can do a quick Sunday thing...

In case you were interested, tonight's Arlington bean party is sold-out.

BTW: A Sunday post is coming. It includes J-pop, people on the T with no pants, bawdy live art, world music near the Fenway, and a sci-fi flick.

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SAT 1/8 (and SUN 1/9)

Noon to ???
14th Annual Moby Dick Marathon
at New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford
FREE

More than a hundred readers will take turns to recite Melville's classic for about 25 hours. Sometimes a Melville relative will show up and read a portion while appropriate images are projected.

Food and drink will be available, but you don't have to stay for the whole whale tale. It's free, so come and go as you please.

One year, I'm going dow and see how long I can hang. Not this year, but one year...

SAT 1/8

2:30 pm
"Discover Mount Auburn"
at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge
$10

Every now and then, Mount Auburn presents this (1.5-mile) walking tour of the cemetery and talk about the history, landmarks, and the notable people who are buried there.

You can always walk around for free, but it ain't bad to hear some of the context. I think I went on this tour (or sneaked along?) and I liked it.

SAT 1/8

8:30pm
Sasquatch & the Sick-A-Billys, The Gobshites, The Egos, Monsters Like Candy
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Sasquatch has been doing some solo gigs lately, but the Sick-A-Billys are along for the punkabilly ride. Heck, I don't think the Gobshites are really together at this point, but maybe this is an early warmup for some St Paddy's gigs. A pair of garage-rockers make a damn fine lineup.

SAT 1/8

9pm
Tony Savarino, Axemunkee
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE

Tony Savarino is a monster of guitar that's played with barrels of rock bands, and he's one of those masters that plays like the song matters. His new CD has got a blend of country, jazz, and blues that will make guitar-lovers drool. Axemunkee also rocks out without vocals in a spacier rock vein, and the musicianship is also top-notch.

SAT 1/8

9:30pm
Rusty Belle, Cuddle Magic, Wooden Dinosaur
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

I think Rusty Belle might be down a member tonight, although brother-sister duo Matt & Kate can make quite a full sound together. Give them a listen at the least, because I had an "Oh, wow" moment when very soon into the first song I heard for the mysterious dimension that something is going on besides people just playing and singing.

On the other hand, Cuddle Magic casts their musical spells in a relatively gargantuan ensemble. It's quite lovely as well as Wooden Dinosaur from Vermont. The Lizard Lounge is perfect spot for a night of wonderful indie-folk goodness.

SAT 1/8

10pm
Spampinato Bros
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5 / 21+

I don't remember how I learned about NRBQ, because almost no one would understand my NRBQ t-shirt when I wore it around. They were (and still are) the world's greatest bar-band -- by more than a few's proclamation. It was old-time rock 'n roll with any crazy detour they wanted to take. Joey Spampinato is definitely one of my favorite bassists, and his brother Johnny eventually took the guitar spot in the band.

It's kind of a big deal for their band to play this great out-of-the-way spot in Somerville. Good time rock!