TUES 1/25: Variety, Lit, Roots, Comedy

Happy Robbie Burns Day!

Although JP's Scottish restaurant is booked for dinner, there might be a wee bit of room at the bar for a dram... I don't know when it happens, but nearby residents may want to keep an eye out for Scottish people twirling fire in the street.

Or one could just drink scotch and recite poetry anywhere.

There are some esoteric listings today. That's how Tuesdays can be...

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TUES 1/25

8pm to 10pm
"The Darker Scratcher Amateur Surgery Show"
at Doran Gallery, Artists' Residence, 600 Huntington Ave, Boston (near MassArt)
FREE

You know those art-school kids. They try to be so clever.

I watched a video of a previous Darker Scratcher show, and I think it might have been more clever if I was there in person. It looks like a variety show that's have on monologue, humor, and film.

TUES 1/25

8:05pm to 9:45pm
Literary Death Match: Boston
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$7 advance / $10 door / $5 students / 21+

Feat: Heidi Pitlor, Eugenio Volpe, Myfanwy Collins, Christopher Monks

Judges: Mehran Khaghani, Sarah Borges, Chris Castellani

If one has to raise funds for their literary journal, Todd Zuniga of Opium Magazine has a pretty good system of traveling around the continent with his Literary Death Match.

This is already more exciting than other readings solely by its title. Four competitors enter the literary cage of battle in two rounds where judges determine which two will proceed to the ever-changing, typically ridiculous final round contest.

It should be a good time with the quality contestants and judges like the hilarious Mehran. Zuniga will co-host with Kirsten Sims (described as a "designer/funambulist").

TUES 1/25

9:30pm
Session Americana
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

There were a few rootsy/folky shows that were in the running to make the list tonight, however they didn't really excite me enough to say they were worth paying $10 or $8.

Especially when there are places like Toad (7:30pm, 10pm), Plough & Stars (10:30pm), and Atwoods Tavern (10pm) -- to name a few -- that have free rootsiness tonight.

If one is going to pay, you should see the incredible Session Americana. This all-star band provides a top-shelf musical experience, and they're almost at the end of a Tuesday residency.

Advance tickets are sold out, but there are usually some that are available at the door (open at 8:30pm).

TUES 1/25

10pm
"All Star Comedy Night"
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Feat: Gary Petersen, Sean Wilkinson, Dan Crohn, Sameer Naseem, Matt D, Josh Gondelman, Ken Reid

Okay, unlike the first two monthly comedy nights, I noticed that some of the comedians acknowledged they're performing here. It's a funny set of guys, and it's free.

I wonder if it's going to be crowded since the Literary Death Match is happening right before the comedy.