MON 2/21: Sneaks, Stage, Film, Music

If you have some time during the day, you should check out the art exhibit at the Cyclorama that I mentioned on Saturday. I might go today...

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MON 2/21

11am to 6pm
Bodega 4th Annual Sale
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline St, Boston (near Fenway Park)
50% to 70% off

In previous years, this sneaker boutique would have their clearance sale of "old inventory and odd sizes" at their shop near Berklee / Christian Science Plaza, but the Bodega guys also organize the Fourth Wall Project art gallery so they're having this over there.

Everyday the discount gets deeper:

Monday -- 50% off
Tuesday -- 60% off
Wednesday -- 70% off

Usually the last 2 hours of the sale are even cheaper, but there may not be much left.

I DO recommend visiting the store, because the sliding-door through the fake vending machine is cool.

MON 2/21

7pm
"Curse of the Starving Class": Staged Reading
at Calderwood Pavilion, Wimberly Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

The people who bring you free Shakespeare in the Common every summer are presenting a staged reading of a a Sam Shepard play. From what I can tell, some people love it and some are not impressed at all.

Set on a struggling farm in the '50s, a "drunken dreamer of a father, burned-out mother, rebellious teenage daughter, and idealistic son" symbolize different perspectives on the crumbling American Dream.

There's some star power involved tonight as Chris Cooper and his wife Marianne Leone Cooper (who live in Mass) portray the mother and father. The reading is directed by actor Jim True-Frost, the cop-turned-teacher on "The Wire".

MON 2/21

7pm
"Welcome": Screening
at Room 008, Devlin Hall, 140 Comm Ave, Chestnut Hill (BC campus)
FREE

This movie about an Iraqi Kurd refugee living in Calais was nominated in almost major category last year at the French equivalent of the Oscars.

I watched the trailer, and I was already getting emotional about the kid wants to swim across the English Channel to reunite with his love who is aided by French swimming coach who is breaking up with his wife. Love, courage, and immigration are some of the big topics in this flick (French with subtitles).

MON 2/21

8:30pm
Dan Blakeslee, Tiger Saw, Tan Vampires
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5-ish

Singer-songwriter is in the midst of Monday residency, and this is a good folky/indie lineup (from Newburyport and northwards) besides Dan's compelling, literate folky tales. Tiger Saw is a regularly changing collective that revolves around songwriter Dylan Metrano; whatever they do, I always cock my head and listen when hear that forlorn voice tell peculiar stories on top of folky chamber-pop. When I listen to Tan Vampires, I think of Damien Rice or Antony & The Johnsons not in a derivative way, but fans of those guys should dig the TV's.

I suspect the music will start at this earlier-than-usual time, but I didn't find the cover info. My guess is based on other music nights, and the likelihood that there may be a lower (maybe free?) admission on a Monday.

MON 2/21

9:30pm
Gong Show Karaoke
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 18+

When I joined the fun it was a lot of fun, even for a relatively small crowd. When you think about karaoke at a divey bar, you might imagine what goes on at Gong Show Karaoke. It's loose and casual, and they kick it up a notch with the panel of judges who may gong you in mid-song -- like the old TV show.

The vibe is still generally positive. MC Tommy Somerville is a cool, funny guy (and possibly the loudest person I've ever met). Usually a band serves as the judging panel.

The point is to go and have fun and not worry about how good you are. The top 2 people do win prizes like a discount on your bar tab or a pair of tix to a TT's show.

Although listed on the site as 8:30pm, the action really starts around 9:30pm.

MON 2/21

10pm
The Humanoids, The Uncomfortables
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

It's metal night at Charlies, and I think only 2 bands are playing but you don't need more than The Humanoids anyway. It's all killer-no filler with this local band that has been together on and off since '98 and suggest that they'll never really split up even though one guy has moved away.

Like the Humanoids, the Uncomfortables get metal with a pink edge.