FRI 2/18: Talk, Film, Dance, Rock

So I gambled in an attempt to cover several of the upcoming days in an early post, but it didn't pay off as I had hoped. On the bright side, I think I'm in better shape than before...

A tribute show to mark the anniversary of Bon Scott's death almost made my list. Downstairs at the Middle East, a couple AC/DC tribute bands are rocking out along with a rock-comedy group and another covers band.

--------------------------------------------------------------

FRI 2/18

6:30pm to 7:30pm
Sou Fujimoto, "Primitive Future": Lecture
at Piper Auditorium, Gund Hall, 48 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

When I looked at some of Sou Fujimoto's buildings, I was reminded about the saying, "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture."

I'm sure (I hope) these buildings are structurally sound, but there is a fanciful, math-puzzle grace to his designs that seem atypical but function in a clever, efficient way. If one were to get poetic, some look like wood and cement began to dance and froze into place.

FRI 2/18 (and SAT 2/19)

7pm
Double Feature:
"Beauty and the Beast" (1946), "Histoire(s) du Cinéma: Fatale Beauté"
at Bright Screening Room, Paramount Theatre, 559 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$10 / $5 students

If you haven't seen Jean Cocteau's "La Belle et La Bete", then you've only seen cheap imitations of this classic tale. Even with technical limitations of 60+ years ago, there is a beauty unsurpassed in any version since.

Also screening is an episode of Jean-Luc Godard's 'history of cinema' series from 1997 titled "Fatal Beauty".

Both are in French with English subtitles.

FRI 2/18

7pm
"Boston Ballet Dance Talk"
at Harvard Dance Center, 60 Garden St, Cambridge (near Radcliffe Yard)
FREE

I'm not a ballet connoisseur, but I think it's a rather good deal to see some Boston Ballet dancers perform a few pieces and discuss it for free instead of paying $25-and-up to watch a complete program.

On Saturday night, it looks like performance artist Tim Miller is giving a free performance at the same time and venue.

FRI 2/18

9pm
"Winter Rock Formal"
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / 21+

Feat: Gene Dante & the Future Starlets (11:30pm), Parlour Bells (10:30pm), Highly Personal Trash (9:30pm), Valentine's Dating Game (9pm), DJ Dave Duncan

One doesn't have to get gussied up to attend the Winter Rock Formal, but other people will be dressed accordingly. Regardless of attire, it's nice to see something where you could just listen to the tunes or embrace the "high school dance" theme that's not on V-Day. Heck, they're starting the night with something like "The Dating Game" (that will probably include a performer or two)!

I wish my prom would've had 3 sweet bands or even any one of tonight's line-up whether it's the glam-rock of Gene Dante, Parlour Bells' moody pop, or the lovely sounds of the lovely singer-keyboardist Sophie Innerfield and her recently-beefed-up rhythm section.

DJ Dave Duncan of WFNX will spin some appropriate discs before and after the bands. And there will be a 'photobooth' too.

FRI 2/18

9:30pm
Muck & The Mires, Wicked Whiskey, The Acro-brats, Organs
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5 / 21+

It's been about 6 months since Muck & The Mires have played a local gig. They've got this another show in March before they head to SXSW. These guys are super-solid who merge classic garage/Mersey rock and punk vitality in equal measure. They deserved being crowned the best garage-band in the country a few years ago.

There is some quality punk, punkabilly, and bluesy garage-rock leading up to the main event.