TUES 5/31: Party, Folk, Rock

So this is the cheap stuff tonight. Maybe people are expected to lie low after an action-packed long weekend.

There will probably be some comedians at the Enormous Room tonight around 9pm (Free), but I didn't find the details.

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TUES 5/31

6pm to 9pm
Stuff Boston: Summer Fashion Issue Party
at Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

It looks like the RSVP is still open for a chance to wait in a line to get in for some complimentary Ketel One drinks and appetizers.

Kudos to Stuff for throwing these events for their new issues. I've been to a few of these, and it's not a bad stop after work.

TUES 5/31

8pm
Spider John Koerner
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

You're not going to easily hear classic '60s folk music than when Spider John Koerner comes to town.

Koerner plays a fingerstyle blues and folk guitarist much in the same as when Bob Dylan bumped into him on the '60s folk club scene. Dylan even mentions being impressed in his memoir "Chronicles, Vol. 1".

TUES 5/31

9pm
Chandler Travis Philharmonic, The Catbirds
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$7 / 21+

The fifth and final Tuesday of the month brings an end to the CTP residency. Like I said last week, I suspect they'll be a scarce sight in Boston since the band's core spends summertime rocking the Beachcomber in Wellfleet.

Doesn't it feel like summer already? The basement-level lounge is dark and cool. The tunes will be mixed in a quirky, breezy musical cocktail.

The opener also features Philharmonic members in a heavier rock setting.

MON 5/30: Museum, Nerd, Trivia, Music

Happy Memorial Day, folks!

Do you like trivia? Think about teaming with me for a great cap to the day.

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MON 5/30

10am to 4:45pm
Memorial Day -- Open House
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

If the MFA wasn't a world-class museum before, the new Arts of the Americas wing nudges it up the list. I wasn't *blown away*, but it's a substantial expansion. I recomend seeing it for free or paying regular admission.

I went to the last free event and saw the Chihuly exhibit. Pictures can't capture the amazing color and scale as well as the subtlety.

MON 5/30

Noon to Midnight
"Campfire Festival"
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 per day

Sure, you can pass an acoustic guitar around a real campfire. You know someone is going to butcher a Tom Petty (or Eagles or Sublime or whatever).

My guess is that you won't hear a Petty cover all weekend, but there will be wall-to-wall folky goodness for the next 4 days -- as well as some folks that'll be more rocky, bluesy, or left-of-center in one way or another.

Monday schedule:

12pm -- Americana Ensemble
12:30pm -- Ginger Ibex
1:15pm -- Tara Greenblatt, Bridget Matros, Karaugh Brown, Bitch Trifecta, Meg Smallidge
3pm -- Mike Evin
3:45pm -- Evie Ladin &
Keith Terry
4:30pm -- Baby States
5:15pm -- Ronald Reagan
6pm -- Munny & The Cameraman
6:45pm -- The Honey Dewdrops
7:30pm -- Dinty Child, Lloyd Thayer, Sarah Borges, Alastair Moock
9pm -- Fiske & Herrera
9:45pm -- Ariel Rubin
10:30pm -- Goli

There won't be mosquitos, and the evening looks pretty good.

MON 5/30

8pm
Nerdnite: "Psychopaths and Slot Machines"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Talk 1: Zach Alexander, "Free Money: The Art and Science of Beatable Slot Machines"

Talk 2: John Fennel, "Stalking the Sasquatch; Or, Are There Psychopaths Among Us?"

Is it worth $5 to hear a couple nerdy presentations? Maybe tonight it is, because a mathematician may give you some tips for your next trip to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. For some reason, psychopaths have been in the news this past week. It might be interesting to hear about the subject from an attorney who sex offenders.

MON 5/30

8pm to 10pm
The Big Quiz Thing
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

I went to Big Quiz Thing by myself last month, and it may be the best possible quiz night. Drinks are served, and cash could be yours for the taking.

The questions are different than your average quiz night, and it is more entertaining. And we don't even have to pay $10 like the first few

I have a friend who kicks ass at trivia, and his team has won this thing a few times. We -- you and me -- have a chance, because I'm pretty good at trivia. Join me. Leave a comment or email me, and we can make a team.

If I even get one response, I'll be there. And I'll invite friends. (This is better with a team.)

The grand prize is $200, and there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th place prizes that are books & DVDs we can share...

MON 5/30

9:30pm
Girlfriends, Sweet Bulbs, Young Adults, Sore Eros
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

I'd like to shake the hands of both of the Pelly Twins, because they do organize some brilliant shows. Any gig with Girlfriends is already a green light affair.

They make the most beautiful mess of fuzzy, punky garage-pop that will beer-soaked love so special. I read an article about Young Adults where they said they wanted to sound like 'Lightning Bolt meets the Ramones'; I think you should make up your own mind, but it's pretty cool.

In between, there's a bit of sloppy noise from Brooklyn's Sweet Bulbs and psych-noisy Northamptonisms of Sore Eros.

MON 5/30

9:30pm
Viva Viva, Doomstar!, Ski Mask
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

No need to mingle with the Allston hipsters if you're hunkered down in Cambridge.

Combine the dusky, fuzzy, rootsy indie-rock of Viva Viva with the spastic-psych goodness of Doomstar, and Ski Mask's strange noise with a fine seledtion of beer on tap, cheapish decent burgers and a cool jukebox for in between sets.

This, my friends, is a combination for a heckuva patriotic, boozy good time.

SUN 5/29: Campfire, Chapel, Rock-Talk, Rock-Rock

If you feel like going to Marshfield Fairgrounds, there is a Native American Spring Planting Pow-Wow ($5 / $2 ages 4 to 12) from 11am to 6pm.

As for tomorrow, there's a MFA Open House and trivia and more to come...

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SUN 5/29 (and MON 5/30)

Noon to Midnight
"Campfire Festival"
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 per day

Sure, you can pass an acoustic guitar around a real campfire. You know someone is going to butcher a Tom Petty (or Eagles or Sublime or whatever).

My guess is that you won't hear a Petty cover all weekend, but there will be wall-to-wall folky goodness for the next 4 days -- as well as some folks that'll be more rocky, bluesy, or left-of-center in one way or another.

Sunday schedule:

Noon -- This Frontier Needs Heroes
1pm -- Michaela Anne, Haley Shaw, Amy Reagan
2:15pm -- só sol
3pm -- Megan Lui, Jenna Nicholls, Haroula Rose
4:15pm -- Sweet Soubrette
5pm -- The Capitalist Youth
6pm -- Chris North, Kate Klim, Dietrich Strause, Rhianna LaRocque
7:30pm -- Alex Wong
8:15pm -- Abbie Gardner
9pm -- Chris O'Brien, Julia Easterlin, Courtney Brocks, Melissa Czarnik
10:45pm -- Sarah Levecque, Erin Harpe, Josh Buckley, Peter Squires

Between you and me, I think today and tomorrow are the most interesting lineups of the weekend.

SUN 5/29

1pm to 4pm
Bigelow Chapel Open House
at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge
FREE

On a trip to the cemetery, the door to the chapel was open and I snapped a photo. If you've been there and wanted to take a look around, today is your chance (or on 7/31 and 9/25).

SUN 5/29

9pm
"This Has Been A Disaster - Thanks For Having Us": Discussion & Performance
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Feat: Marissa Nadler, Matt Parish, Steve Mayone, Mr Sister

I have a feeling the place is going to be packed for the inaugural edition of a monthly series that will have author Steve Almond and Hallelujah The Hills frontman Ryan Walsh talk to musicians about musical horror stories.

Mr Sister will play afterwards, and hopefully everything will go well...

SUN 5/29

9pm
The Honors
at Hennessey's, 25 Union St, Boston
FREE

According to the calendar, The Honors are going be there tonight. No guarantees...

I will say if they are playing, you should hear some ridiculously catchy and rock with style.

SUN 5/29

10pm
Sea Monsters (10pm), Brothers McCann (9pm)
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10

For about 3 years, Christian McNeill and Jesse Dee made Sunday nights something to almost look forward to with a regular gig at Precinct.

Making good on their pledge to play on 3-day weekend Sundays, the guys are celebrating the release of a 7" single that is a golden rock 'n soul nugget that'll have yearning for more.

As usual, the band and horn section gets bigger with plenty of guests such as Nicole Nelson & Tim Gearan.

Brothers McCann open with an acoustic, but you may want to show up early. I have a feeling this could be a packed house too.

SAT 5/28: Zombies, Music, Art, TV

The long weekend has arrived!

The Bruins are in the Finals!

It's a hot and sunny!

Yay.

I hope you're having a great Saturday. I should have Sunday/Monday stuff up soon.

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SAT 5/28

3:30pm
Zombie March VII
meet at South Station through Boston
FREE

Did you read the recent government warning about a zombie apocalypse? Well, this is much less serious, but still kinda fun to see if you're in town.


It's not too late to get zombified and join -- or enjoy the spectacle if you're al fresco.

Take a look at the route, and there are quite a few places to park and enjoy the macabre campiness on Boylston, Newbury, the Common or Faneuil Hall.

The after-party is at TT the Bear's in Central Sq, so be aware when you're on the T.

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SAT 5/28

6pm
Elastic Waste Band
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

I happened to be in Union Square on Saturday afternoon and caught the Elastic Waste Band's early set at Sally O'Briens. It was pretty damn good, and they nailed the Morphine stuff.

New Orleans guitarist Jeremy Lyons is no Sandman, but he balances reviving the vocals and being himself.

The place was rather crowded. Maybe it's people that don't feel like going any Wednesday night to Atwoods Tavern.

Birds of Play (at 9pm) aren't bad either.

SAT 5/28

7pm to 10pm
New York Per4mances #2
at Meme Gallery, 55 Norfolk St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: AABier, Jill McDermid, Erik Hokanson

This is it -- the final night of performance art at the Meme Gallery.

It seems rather amazing that it lasted for the few years of continually cool, weird stuff that went on over there. I got the feeling that very little was actually *sold* there to you know... pay rent...

Of course, I rarely understand the underlying messages of most of these performances, so why should I understand the business model?

The performers include AA Bier, a pair of sisters whi do some strange stuff, as well as Jill McDermid and Erik Hokanson who run a gallery together in NYC and I think will do separate things.

SAT 5/28

7pm to 10:30pm
"Worried All The Time" Launch Party
at Arts at the Armory Performance Hall, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$10 / All Ages

Feat: Rob Potylo & The Lonely Planets, The Galactic Army Of Toys, The Space Balloons, The Tiny Space Instrument Revue

MC: Kevin Harrington

Gotta love the abundance of creativity in our corner of the world. Except "Worried All The Time" is a new TV show that takes place on the Planet of Allston and is loosely based on "The Little Prince".

It's premiering on MyTV tonight, and the launch party will feature live performances from many of the principals like Rob Potylo (ex-Robby Roadsteamer, "Quiet Desperation" show, etc), Mike & Sophia (from Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, etc, etc.), and many more.

It looks like a real trippy show, and I expect a good mix of tunes, laughs, and fun in general.

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SAT 5/28

9:30pm
Mean Creek, Hands & Knees, Fedavees, Banditas
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 21+

Dang, this is a pretty sweet show stacked with some of the best of local indie-rock that slip in various degrees of rootsy twang into their sound. Perhaps Mean Creek less so of the three that I'm referencing; they stretch out and jangle, and it sounds great. On the other hand, Banditas remind me of early-70s Rolling Stones with laid-back female harmonies instead of Mick. Hands & Knees really grab my indie-pop heart with their catchy tunes that punky it up here and there then get twangy there and here...

SAT 5/28

10:30pm
Spider John Koerner
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5ish / 21+

Apparently Spider John Koerner used to regularly play at the Plough back in the '70s. You can hear a country blues guitarist and singer who's been around so long that he was a contemporary of Bob Dylan on the '60s folk club scene. Dylan even mentions being impressed in his memoir "Chronicles, Vol. 1".

He's also playing at Sally O'Briens on Tuesday.

FRI 5/27: Comedy, Art, Folk, Rock, Honk

Oh, man. I swung by Trident Booksellers for Jamie Bissonette's cooking demo last night. It was informative, interactive and tasty. What more could you want? I even had seconds of the tripe & beef tongue stew (delicious, really!), so it was almost a free meal.

Let's not dwell on the time I mention a 2-for-1 coupon for "The Gas" comedy show when it was the wrong week. There are 2 ads this week as can be seen below.

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FRI 5/27

6pm to 9pm
"Illustrators' Riff": Reception
at Boston School of Guitar, 33A Harvard St, 3rd Floor, #52, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

Feat: Ken Boyer, Maddie Copp, Laura Harrigan, Emily Holt, Virginia Kainamisis, Steve Mardo, Kelsey Marr, Coleen Palencia, Heather Short, Justine Silva, Victoria Wu

Nearly every Friday has an art reception at one gallery or another at a gallery. I like that this one isn't at a gallery.

Unless you want to learn to play guitar, there is a slight chance for a visit to a third-floor music school in Coolidge Corner. (I think I'm the only person that's listed this thing too.)

The artists are all 3rd-year Illustration students at MassArt, so they should be showing some aptitude at this point...

If you're in the neighborhood and like new experiences, there will be refreshments too.

FRI 5/27 thru MON 5/30

Various Times
"Campfire Festival"
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 per day / $30 weekend pass

Friday -- 6pm to 12:30am
Saturday thru Monday -- Noon to Midnight

Sure, you can pass an acoustic guitar around a real campfire. You know someone is going to butcher a Tom Petty (or Eagles or Sublime or whatever).

My guess is that you won't hear a Petty cover all weekend, but there will be wall-to-wall folky goodness for the next 4 days -- as well as some folks that'll be more rocky, bluesy, or left-of-center in one way or another.

Friday schedule:

6pm -- We're About 9
6:45pm -- Jenna Lindbo, Eric Leva, Brian Ernst, Jeff Cannon
8:15pm -- Andrew & Noah Band
9pm -- Andy Cambria, Marc Pinansky, Dan Baker, The Birthday Suicide
10:30pm -- Libby Kirkpatrick
11:15pm -- Tall Heights

Between you and me, I think Sunday and Monday are the most interesting lineups.

FRI 5/27

The Fatal Flaw (11:45pm), Sidewalk Driver (10:40pm), Hot Protestants (9:45pm), The Future Everybody (8:50pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

There is a good reason to get there way before The Future Everybody chimes out the first chord or even before the drum-stick four-count.

The 100 people get a free copy of "Narrow Hours", the new CD from the most excellent Fatal Flaw. You can download it, but isn't it nice to get something for being prompt? It's really good collection of instantly likable, superbly performed, hook-filled rock.

Sidewalk Driver are awesome. Frontman Tad doesn't have to be a kick-ass showman with his tremendous voice, but he is anyway. I'm a little confused that Hot Protestants is playing since I thought they were the new incarnation of Age Rings (yet that band had a CD release party last Saturday -- oh, I think I get it now)...

Doesn't matter. This would be my "rock lock" of the night -- if I had such a thing...

FRI 5/27

9pm
Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
at Porter Belly's, 338 Washington St, Brighton (Brighton Center)
FREE

I often forget to look what's happening at this spot, but they do have good bands away from the spotlight. A podcast Local Music 101 apparently records bands on many Friday nights.

Maybe there'll be some chatting, but Friday night drinkers want to hear music and Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band brings the party with wild horn-band explorations that hit New Orleans, the Balkans, and I think Mars...

Fridays: Laugh with "The Gas"

More cheapness is on the way.

Friday stuff is on the calendar, and more is coming soon.

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FRIDAYS

7:30pm to 9:30pm
"The Gas"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5

On most Fridays, you can laugh your way into the weekend even if your friends aren't particularly funny.

Lately Anderson Comedy hasn't been posting the Friday shows on their Facebook page. On the dead-tree front, there is often a 2-for-1 ad in either the Phoenix or the Weekly Dig. It happens that both have an ad this week.

I don't want to track down the week when I mentioned the ad and had mixed up my issue date.

If the door guy gives you a problem about you and your friend both getting in for $5, grab a weekly from one of the nearby kiosks or whip out the smart phone and click on one of the images above to magnify.

I know that $2.50 could be spent on beer for your belly, but stick with tall boys for a cheap night nonetheless.

My understanding is that you can loiter around for The Pill to dance the night away.

I've been to a few Anderson Comedy shows and have laughed quite a bit.



This Friday's show looks pretty good. Lucas Lewis did a spot-on Southie character once, and I was figuratively rolling on the floor.

THUR 5/26: Food, Film, Music

I might have stayed in my comfort zone on today's list, but I think these are the best cheap options. I don't want to steer you wrong, folks.

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THUR 5/26

7pm
Cooking Demo: Jamie Bissonnette
at Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St, Boston
FREE

Chef Jamie is known to be a snout-to-tail guy, however I doubt he's going to butcher a whole pig in a bookstore. Maybe he'll recreate the tripe dish or pig ear terrine that are featured in the recent cookbook, "Primal Cuts: Cooking with America’s Best Butchers".

Besides demonstrating strong culinary vision at Toro and Coppa, Bissonnette won an episode of "Chopped" last month -- and that may be the toughest cooking contest on TV.

THUR 5/26

7pm
"England!": Screening
at Goethe Institut Boston, 170 Beacon St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

Yep, it's a German film about a man who gets sick at Chernobyl and titled on the character's destination.

There may be other movies about a dying person on a final quest, but this one seems to avoid the predictable plot points and cliche sentiments.

From this clip, it definitely has potential to be a really cool film.

THUR 5/26

7:30pm
Franc Graham Band
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I was about to compare Franc Graham to Lucinda Williams and wondered if that was an unfair comparison. Then I read her bio where she mentions how Lucinda heard her stuff and invited Franc to open for her on tour (unfortunately didn't have a happy ending). Still, she writes some cool, earthy songs with a cleaner vocal style.

THUR 5/26

8pm
Japan Tsunami Benefit
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

Feat: Michael Tarbox, Lloyd Thayer

The impulse may be to question a benefit concert for one disaster when there is a more current disaster. The people in Japan are still struggling, and there will surely be other fundraisers for the victims of recent tornados.

On the other hand, one can go hear some pretty awesome country-flavored and bluesy tunes simply for the enjoyment and not worry what happens to your cover charge. I've heard Michael Tarbox rip it up, and I've heard some gentle stuff. Lloyd Thayer is a tremendous slide guitarist with a rough voice.

(BTW: Proceeds go to the Japanese Disaster Relief Fund – Boston)

THUR 5/26

10:30pm
Movers & Shakers, Lenny Lashley
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

For the third year in a row, Movers & Shakers are doing every Thursday in May at the Plough. There's a different opener every week, and they're worthwhile.

There are bands near and far that rock out in a big, American, punky style. I've always thought Movers & Shakers are one of the best, and they keep on getting better.

You've had 3 previous chances to get a free taste this month. Get a hearty, meaty piece of rock pie and savor all those little unexpected chunks of musical flavor.

On this last Thursday, Darkbuster's Lenny Lashley is doing an acoustic thing these days. Even when Lenny gets country, it's punk in its own way.

WED 5/25: Bike, War Talk, Music, Dance

Yeah, I know you could dance to any music, but "Cool Ranch" at the bottom is intended for people to shake it...

When I first saw info on the Radical Roxbury Bike Tour ($10), I didn't think we'd have good weather.

Since it's a beautiful day, some of you might want to go on a bike ride and see the landmarks connected to Malcolm X, MLK Jr, Black Panthers and so on.

The group leaves meets at Roxbury Crossing Station at 6pm. It's limited to 20 people, but there seems to be space left as of this morning. You can purchase a spot ahead of time or bring cash with you -- and you have to bring a helmet as well.

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WED 5/25

6:30 pm
"Civil War Ancestors": Panel Discussion
at Orientation Room, 1st Fl, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

The men of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States might hate being compared to the DAR, but the machismo level is not in doubt.

Three members of MOLLUS will discuss how to research one's ancestors who may have fought in the Civil War, and they'll share some info about their Union relatives.

WED 5/25

7pm
Karl Marlantes & Sebastian Junger, "Matterhorn" and "War": Readings
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE

If someone asks why there isn't more discussion about the wars still happening on the other side of the world, tell them they're looking in the wrong place.

Take Sebastian Junger's "War", which was researched with US soldiers in the most dangerous part of Afghanistan. ("Restrepo" is the documentary made during that time.)

What can be described as decades in the making, Rhodes Scholar and Vietnam vet Karl Marlantes has novelized his war experiences into what many have described as a powerful depiction its horrors.

WED 5/25

8pm
Diego Garcia, Matt Lowell
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
$10 / All Ages

So, it's a couple guys moving in opposite directions. Diego Garcia used to rock out as the singer in Elefant, and now he's gone quiet and contemplative. Matt Lowell has been a singer-songwriter type who has gotten a band to make a bigger sound.

WED 5/25

Coyote Kolb (10pm), Audrey Ryan (9pm), Kelly Godshall (8pm)
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 / 18+

This gig looks like it might have steady rise that'll lead to a rockin' alt-country climax with Coyote Kolb. I assume Kelly Godshall who normally performs with the synthy Amber Spyglass will do a solo set. Then Audrey Ryan will accompany herself on guitar, drums, etc for the coolest kind of one-woman band creating delightfully quirky tunes.

WED 5/25

9:30pm
Hey Rosetta!, Old Abram Brown
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Newfie indie-rockers Hey Rosetta! add violin and cello to the mix, but I disagree with some who compare them to Arcade Fire. Maybe they're saying both are Canadian bands with more than guitars, but the sound is more earnest like a Travis for an example off the top of my head.

Our local dudes Old Abram Brown make big, beautiful rock that jibes well with our neighbors to the North.

WED 5/25

10pm
Bodega Girls present "Cool Ranch"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Feat: Stereo Telescope, DJ Monster Carl

What was once known as a "Lo-Fi Hedonistic Dance Party" has been abbreviated to "Cool Ranch".

While they do perform live, a couple of the Bodega Girls usually DJ on the last Wednesday of the month, usually inviting another group to do a live set. It sounds like BG will do some live stuff as well as a set from electronic duo Stereo Telescope.

Get ready for a hip, multi-media dancing mayhem with special lighting/visuals too.

TUES 5/24: Food, Drink, Draw, Rock

Someone reminded me of this quote recently:

Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.

-- David Lee Roth

This Just In: There's a weekly magic & comedy night ($10) every Tuesday at the Comedy Studio/Hong Kong. It seems that Judah Friedlander ("30 Rock", dude with 'World Champion' hat) will appear tonight. The advance tix are $12, but there may be none at the door.

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TUES 5/24

6pm
Chefs' Roundtable:
With Jody Adams, Barbara Lynch, and Lydia Shire
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

When the conventional wisdom says that cooking is a field dominated by men, three of the most successful chefs in town don't have a single Rocky Mountain oyster among them...

They'll talk about their craft and the business.

Food writer Alison Arnett will moderate.

TUES 5/24

6pm to 9pm
Luke O'Neil, "Boston's Best Dive Bars Drinking and Diving in Beantown": Book Release Party
at TC's Lounge, 1 Haviland St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

it's true that dive bars are an endangered species in Boston, but at least 90 are still boozing it up as chronicled in this book. Luke O'Neil knows his drinks; he got quite a few of my faces in this Top 10 Dive Bars piece.

I think you can get the book for $10 or maybe a few bucks more. You certainly will feel better since you should get a free 'Gansett for showing up and hanging with Luke and friends.

TUES 5/24

7:30pm to 9:30pm
Dr. Sketchy Boston: Evening Session
at Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave, Boston (South End)
$8

Tonight's Model: Naomi Bennett

Have you wanted to go to Dr. Sketchy, but Sunday afternoons at Great Scott just don't work for you?

From first-timers to professionals, all are welcome to have some art fun with no one to tell you what to do. Just bring something to draw on and enjoy a judgement-free session.

If you're a fan of the opposite sex, you probably haven't been to Club Cafe. It's rather short walk from the Back Bay T station. The art is happening in the back room.

TUES 5/24

9pm
The Bright Light Social Hour, The Sound Of Growing Up, Allison Weiss, The Control
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

There's a band that's getting a lot of buzz in Austin, and they happen to be an Austin band. The local musicos crowned The Bright Light Social Hour with 6 wins at this year's Austin Music Awards during SXSW. They've got an uplifting, funky rock with pop sensibilities and an energetic live show, so it's easy to why BLSH are gaining attention. Check them out for good iPod fodder, especially for the upcoming warm months.

Some good poppy/folky acts open.

TUES 5/24

9pm
Chandler Travis Philharmonic, PJ O'Connell
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$7 / 21+

Another month of Chandler Travis is winding down. Oh, he and the Philharmonic will probably be back -- but summer is coming, and why come to Boston when there are perennial gigs at the Beachcomber...

Eevry week the CTP bash out a rollicking rock/R&B/jazz/soul/etc cocktail that goes down easily with a juicy fizz. Each week has also included a "Music Appreciation segment", where Chandler schools the crowd on something he loves.

It's unlikely that PJ O’Connell's backing band will include half of NRBQ and Mike Gent from the Figgs like his most recent album. He might just appear with solely his guitar, but the songs have got the master touch that comes from years of experience.

MON 5/23: Talk, Folk, Rock

Hey, I didn't go anywhere this weekend -- except for the Haymarket and Somerville. Expect this blog to be updated at least until the end of the Mayan calendar...

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MON 5/23

6pm
Geraldine Brooks, "Caleb's Crossing": Reading
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

The new novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author is based on the life of the first Native American to graduate from Harvard University.

MON 5/23

6pm to 7:30pm
"Egypt: Towards a Vibrant Civil Society": Panel Discussion
at Room 101, EG&G Education Center, 50 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Feat: Wael Ghonim, Mona Mowafi

If you don't recognize the name Wael Ghonim, he was the Egyptian Google employee who was instrumental in using Twitter to organize protests that led to Pres. Mubarak's ouster.

MON 5/23

7pm
S. J. Chambers, "The Steampunk Bible": Presentation
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE

Feat: Jake von Slatt, Mike Libby, Aleks Sennwald, Jess Nivens

If you're interested to learn more about steampunk, the discussion along with samples of steampunk creations will give you a good idea of the modern-Victorian aesthetic.

MON 5/23

7pm to 9:30pm
Boston Skeptics in the Pub
at Tommy Doyle's, 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Feat: John Rennie

Oh, the skeptics will probably have a field day with the fizzled "Rapture" over the weekend. I imagine the discussion could be wide-ranging with former Scientific American editor-in-chief, John Rennie.

MON 5/23

8pm
Thea Hopkin's "Roots Attached Revue", Julie Dougherty, Brendan Hogan
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$6

Thea Hopkins is in the midst of a Monday residency, so there will be more rootsy/folky goodness next week as well.

MON 5/23

10pm
The Dead Trees
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Way back in 2005/2006, I recall when these guys were a rocking outfit with a funny name from Newton. They changed their name, went on tour with one of The Strokes, moved to LA, and still periodically return. I always dug their jangly-fuzzy rock, and you'll probably dig it if you're hanging around Central Square tonight.

SUN 5/22: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

I won't say "Happy Birthday, Morrissey".

Let's look back to the '80s when a dour poet obsessed with Oscar Wilde and James Dean was in an awesome band -- and it was cooler than ever to be depressed (with thick-frame glasses).

SUN 5/22: Art, Awesome, Music

Okay, no apocalytic disasters yesterday? Let's enjoy Sunday before life goes on as usual.

There's a "Top Shelf Flea Market" at the Dilboy VFW in Davis Square from Noon to 6pm. It's free admission, but you'll probably spend more than $10 except maybe if you just hit the bar...

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SUN 5/22

Noon to 6pm
Cambridge Open Studios: North/West
from Alewife / Fresh Pond to Porter Sq & Harvard Sq, Cambridge
FREE

Noon to 6pm
East Boston Open Studios
near Maverick Square & Beyond, Boston
FREE

You could walk around Cambridge or Eastie and chat with artists. If you look at the PDF brochure, most of the studios in Cambridge are between Porter Square and Alewife.

Since I don't go to Eastie enough, I like the idea of a few spots with a bunch of art bundled together.

SUN 5/22

2pm to 8pm
"Play-Jurisms: creativity! copyright! ethics! appropriation!"
at Democracy Center, 45 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Anyone can attend, however people who create in whatever medium might be more interested -- especially if you build on the works of others.
Schedule:

2pm -- "Create, Don’t Appropriate: The Dangers of Misplaced Anger in the War on Corporate Mass Media Culture"
3:15pm -- "Artists Who Appropriate and the Art That They Make": Panel Discussion
4:30pm -- Boston Radical Reference Workshop / “Show-And-Tell/ Open Discussion”
7pm -- “Gang Clan Mafia Sings Happy Birthday to You, Pac Man”
8pm -- Factory Seconds: Performance

I'm not sure how a horn band applies to the event theme, but it'll be a fun finish.

SUN 5/22

2pm to 3pm
Neil Pasricha, "The Book of (Even More) Awesome": Discussion
at Harvard Coop, 3rd level, 1400 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

As many things that can irritate, there are more things that can bring a smile or an approving nod.

An example of an awesome thing would be creating a blog to chronicle this stuff and getting a book deal.

Neil has an MBA from Harvard, so maybe he'll have a local awesome thing to share.

SUN 5/22

3pm to 5pm
"Visionseven": Art Reception
at Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
FREE

Feat: Nina Ata, Wesley Ennis, Kristin Ford, Shea Justice, Joshua Luke, Roberto Mighty, Jason Pramas

All 7 artists are MFA Visual Arts candidates at the Art Institute of Boston, so the concepts are meticulously conceived that work on multiple levels to signify Man's inhumanity to man.

And there might be cool to look at as well. Snag a glass of wine and enjoy some art that isn't part of a walking tour.

SUN 5/22

9pm
Rescue Grand Opening Party
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

Feat: Little Victory

I thought this thrift-style store opened a long time ago, but let them throw an opening party if they want to do it.

Little Victory is coming up from Brooklyn, so they've got a 50-50 shot at exploding on music websites. They actually have a good distorted rumble while still being potentially danceable.

There will be a bunch of DJ's who might lean heavy on The Smiths and Morrissey, because it's his birthday.

The last time I went to a PBR-sponsered gig with live screen-printing, the shirts were free... Just saying you might leave with an extremely colorful shirt.

SAT 5/21: Art, Earthfest, Porchfest, Fights, Songs

I don't think I can explain the attraction of capoeira, except it looks cool. It looks like dance, but it's supposed to be a martial art.

A new capoeira studio in Brighton is having a festival today, and the public is welcome to watch the workshops, etc.

If you're in the neighborhood, someone over there told me it'd be better to visit towards the end of sessions when they're doing their group fight-dance thing.

Oh, and there's Sunday cheapness on the calendar.

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SAT 5/21 (and SUN 5/22)

Noon to 6pm
Cambridge Open Studios: North/West
from Alewife / Fresh Pond to Porter Sq & Harvard Sq, Cambridge
FREE

Noon to 6pm
East Boston Open Studios
near Maverick Square & Beyond, Boston
FREE

You could walk around Cambridge or Eastie and chat with artists. If you look at the PDF brochure, most of the studios in Cambridge are between Porter Square and Alewife.

Since I don't go to Eastie enough, I like the idea of a few spots with a bunch of art bundled together.

SAT 5/21

Noon
Earthfest
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

Feat: Ed Kowalczyk (3:45pm), OK Go (2:30pm), Sponge (1:15pm), Atomic Tom (Noon)

As far as I'm concerned, OK Go is the best reason to go to Earthfest. I remember liking Sponge back in the 90's, and Ed Kowalczyk will probably play most of Live's hits although there might be some solo material too.

SAT 5/21

Noon to 6pm
Somerville PorchFest 2011
throughout Somerville (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3)
FREE

What a clever idea. About 75 musical groups are just going to play on porches or generally outside. There are 3 time periods in different part of town. I imagine some people could go rogue and start playing if they're not part of the official event.

I might seek out: Mike Rivard, Greg Klyma, Mount Peru, and there's a whole bunch of awesome at Q Division Studios (near Davis Sq) where they're also having a 'yard sale' today.

SAT 5/21 (and SUN 5/22)

1:30pm to 7pm
"Play-Jurisms: creativity! copyright! ethics! appropriation!"
at Democracy Center, 45 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Sunday: 2pm to 8pm

Anyone can attend, however people who create in whatever medium might be more interested -- especially if you build on the works of others.

Schedule:

1:30pm -- Copyright Offense and Defense for Artists
3pm -- Recent Trends in Artists Rights
4:30pm -- Culture Should be Shared, Not Monopolized
7pm -- “Sonic Outlaws”

If you haven't clicked the link yet, the last session is a documentary.

SAT 5/21

5pm
MEMENDS
at Meme Gallery, 55 Norfolk St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

This is probably the last happening at Meme Gallery, and a lot of cool stuff happened in the little room.

There'll be a variety of performances and art (7pm) as well as a basketball game with peculiar nets (5pm).

It's a farewell party, they suggest to "bring something yummy to share with everyone that starts with M or E!"

With Seth Barger, Phil Fryer & Sandrine Schaefer, the MEME team, and DJs Jesse Kaminsky, Ricardo De Lima, Flandrew Fleisenberg.

SAT 5/21

7:30pm
"Stand Tall Against Sexual Violence": All Female Fight Night
at Redline Fight Sports, 614 Mass Ave, Cambridge
$10

Umm, since it's for charity... I should leave my preconceptions about gender behind, because I know women can kick ass. They will fight in various styles, and it'll be entertaining and probably eye-opening.

Proceeds benefit the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

SAT 5/21

7:30pm
Sarah Borges
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I'm not sure if she's really going to play tonight, but it's worth a shot to grab a beer and be disappointed to hear Sarah and her fantastic voice. I think she'll be quite preggers based on the photo on her site. (Or maybe the baby has already arrived?)

SAT 5/21

9pm
Age Rings, Taxpayer, Pretty & Nice, You Can Be A Wesley
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Holy Cow, there's a lot of excellent indie-rock packed in one show.

And Age Rings have recorded a lot of material, because they're releasing a double-CD (whoa!?). Taxpayer is not my favorite, but they have a very well-put-together sound. I'm more enamored with the punky skew of Pretty & Nice or even the You Can Be A Wesley's fuzzy bounce.

If you want to hear rocking' tunes in your face, look no further.

FRI 5/20: Art, Civil Rights, Comedy, Music

Wow, I was surprised at how many people decided to click 'Follow' on Twitter. I'm seriously considering the occasional witty post to make it more entertaining...

Of course, the 'Rapture' isn't going to happen tomorrow. (Although it would be funny if aliens wanted to destroy the planet to make a space highway.)

What a way to celebrate tomorrow with Earthfest at the Hatch Shell and Porchfest across Somerville, and plenty of other cheap weekend options!

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FRI 5/20

6pm
"Bits + Pieces": Opening Reception
at Mills Gallery, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Feat: Jane Blood, Nance Davies, Billy Mavreas, Lissa Rivera, Dana Sherwood, Isaac White

Artists aren't "hoarders"; they're just collecting material for future creations.

The concept of collecting and its meaning is theme of this exhibit that's on view through SUN 6/26. I think it might be interesting to ask them about their stuff tonight.

FRI 5/20

6:30pm to 8:30pm
"Freedom Riders: Could You Get On The Bus?": Screening & Discussion
at WGBH Studios, One Guest Street, Brighton
FREE w/ RSVP

It looks like there is still space, if you want to attend a screening of the program showing on PBS.

There will also be a discussion with the filmmaker Stanley Nelson and a panel with reporters and scholars: Callie Crossley, Phillip Martin, Kim McLarin, Peniel Joseph.

There's even free parking and a complimentary cocktail reception begins at 6:30pm.

FRI 5/20

7pm to 9:30pm
The Gas -- "Funny Boners 2: Crooked Directions"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5

Feat: Mehran Khaghani, more

Has there even been a dating show on TV lately? Sounds like it'll be a twist on "The Dating Game" where people from the audience will be chosen to participate. If I were organizing it, a guy/gal will be asking pre-written questions to a panel of comedians who will improvise.

If people realty value a 'sense of humor', it should be evident here.

Mehran will finish things off by simply saying crazy, hilarious shit.

FRI 5/20

8pm
"Wayfaring Strange: an offbeat song swap"
at Arts at The Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$7

Feat: Leesa Coyne, Joe Kowan, Davina Yanetty, Nick Zaino

In the middle of Somerville, 4 singer-songwriter types are planning to get strange. I assume it will be something like a "in the round" performance -- but different in a way... and strange songs...?

I still laugh thinking about Joe Kowan's alter-ego J-Krafty, the rapping bedazzler and Leesa Coyne of Naked on Roller Skates was one of his posse (Scissah or Knitta, I can't remember). And Davina Yanetty has some rather funny tunes too...

FRI 5/20

Static Of The Gods (Midnight), Endless Wave (11:10pm), Soft Pyramids (10:20pm), Vary Lumar (9:30pm), Emily Peal (8:45pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

Both Static Of The Gods and Endless Wave have new CD's to share with the world. Before the double shot of shoegazey goodness, there's a trio of extremely satisfying pop and indie-rock that I'd like to hear more and more.

FRI 5/20

9pm
Queerpalooza
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$6ish / 18 +

Feat: Gunpowder Gelatine, Shepherdess, Happy Little Clouds, Nebraska, Michelle Barrett

The Midway already hosts a weekly "ladies' night", so at least a bunch of lesbians know how to get here. Of course, everyone is welcome to hear a couple of folky acts, a couple indie bands, and an all-female Queen tribute band.

THUR 5/19: Talk, Film, Music

Hey, there's a new capoeira studio in Brighton. They're hold a festival from today through Sunday, and the public is welcome to watch the workshops, etc. Someone over there told me it'd be better to visit towards the end of sessions when they're doing their group fight-dance thing.

Also -- Someone at Zaarly sent me a message about going live in Boston yesterday. It's an informal person-to-person commerce site that sounds like it could be interesting way to get things done.

A person makes a request for goods and/or services via the phone app (or website), then others can respond if the price is right. Am passing it along, because I think it'll work better if more people use it.

Ask for something -- anything -- and you might get some unexpected help... Fulfill a request, and make a few bucks...

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THUR 5/19

6pm
"Charles Sumner at 200": Discussion
at First Parish Church, 1446 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

One would think that Charles Sumner is famous enough to have a movie made of his life. Sumner was a passionate abolitionist who was beaten by another congressman on the floor of the Senate.

Beverly Morgan-Welch of the Museum of African American History and Daniel Coquillette of Harvard Law School discuss Sumner's significance in America's ongoing struggles for civil rights.

Before this event begins, the City of Cambridge is rededicating his statue -- the guy seated in the Mass Ave median in front of First Parish Church.

THUR 5/19

7:30pm
Best of "Open Screen"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$7

Local filmmakers get together throughout the year, and anyone can show what they've made. Tonight's program is a survey of the best submissions over the past year. You're bound to see some bizarre and funny shorts.

THUR 5/19

8pm
The David Mayfield Parade, Jack Grace, Erin Harpe
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
$10

This one caught my eye because of amazing acoustic-blues singer-guitarist Erin Harpe, and I found super-solid folk-rocker-with-cool-beard David Mayfield as well as swinging, wry songs of Jack Grace. Good stuff!

THUR 5/19

Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys (11:45pm), Ska Prest (10:50pm), The Parasites (9:55pm), Gun Shop Daddy (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

A couple psychobilly bands are going to sandwich a ska group, and it should be a hopping gig. I wasn't impressed with the blues-rock of Gun Shop Daddy, so don't rush if you're going.

THUR 5/19

9:30pm
Steph's & Carlos' Going Away Party: Night #1
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5

Feat: Blow Your Face Out, Slim Lizzy, Confederacy of Dumpsters

People publicize their farewell parties, so strangers (and long-lost friends) can enjoy some tunes and good vibes.

Sadly, the weather has turned Boston into London so no grilling tonight. If you want to hear some J. Geils Band and Thin Lizzy tributes along with a New Orleans-style horn band, this is the place.

If you bump into Steph or Carlos, wish them well.

THUR 5/19

10:30pm
Movers & Shakers, Tony The Bookie Orchestra
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

For the third year in a row, Movers & Shakers are doing every Thursday in May at the Plough. There's a different opener every week, and they're worthwhile.

I will tell you again: They rock. Listen ahead of time, or just hang out at one of my favorite pubs. And I dig the rootsy freakiness of Tony The Bookie Orchestra too.

You Ask, I Answer: Twitter?

Maci "asked":

I come here once or twice a week. Why on earth don't you have a twitter?

I did set up a Twitter account, and - as of now - I will update it when posts are up.


Maybe I'll add other little tidbits too.

When I'm confidently ahead in Cheap Thrills information, I might even set up a Facebook page...

WED 5/18: Shteyngart, Science, Songs

Cheap fun for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are on the calendar. I'll flesh it out later.

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WED 5/18

6pm
>Gary Shteyngart, "Super Sad True Love Story": >Reading
at >Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5

Tickets available at >Harvard Book Store or by phone 617-661-1515

This story sounds like a hilarious take on a depressingly dystopic vision of the near-future in an alternate universe that seems not too different than our own...

WED 5/18

7pm to 9pm
Science in the News: "The Mystery of Sleep: How Neuroscientists are Solving One of the Brains Most Interesting Puzzles"
at Pfizer Auditorium Hall, Mallinckrodt Bldg, 12 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

The lecture title reminds of "The Science of Sleep", but I suspect the similarities quickly end. Still in might be interesting to hear about developments in sleep research.

WED 5/18

Highly Personal Trash (10pm), Audrey Ryan (9pm), Andrew Greene (8pm)
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$6-ish

Am a big fan of both Audrey Ryan and Highly Personal Trash. There are going to be a bunch of fantastic songs that are given a first-class delivery.

[Facebook]

WED 5/18

9pm
"For the Sake of the Song" Plays Neil Young's "Harvest"
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Feat: Sarah Blacker, Autumn Hollow Band, James Houlahan, Patrick Coman, Danielle Miraglia, Garlic & Moonshine

Usually the "For the Sake of the Song" also includes each performer doing some of their own songs as well. So we'll see. "Harvest" isn't my favorite Neil Young album, but there are several classics on it.

They've made a handy list for tonight:

Side I
Out on the Weekend - James Houlahan (w/ Noel Coakly & Patrick Coman Band)
Harvest - Patrick Coman Band
A Man Needs A Maid - Sarah Blacker
Heart of Gold - Autumn Hollow
Are You Ready For the Country - Autumn Hollow

Side II
Old Man - Sarah Blacker (w/ Noel Coakley)
There's A World - James Houlahan
Alabama - Danielle Miraglia
The Needle and the Damage Done - Garlic & Moonshine
Words (Between the Lines of Age) - Garlic & Moonshine

Even if it's a short show, the proceeds benefit Music Drives Us, that promotes music education in New England.

WED 5/18

9:30pm
Girlfriends, Gold-Bears, Reports, Whir
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

Oh, this show is going to rock from beginning to front. Get thee to a Girlfriends show as soon as possible, and repeat! Gold-Bears from Atlanta appropriately describe themselves as "twee punk". Reports and Whir make some interesting sounds too.

TUES 5/17: Film & Music

Good news, the weekend preview is almost ready.

There's also a new pub trivia game in town that starts tonight at Goody Glover's (8pm) and will be doing other regular nights in Allston, Cambridge, and Quincy. Geeks Who Drink claim it's more exciting and generally better than Stump...

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TUES 5/17

6pm to 8pm
"Welcome to Shelbyville!": Screening & Discussion
at Lavine Civic Forum, City Year Headquarters, 287 Columbus Ave, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

A look at a struggling town whose economic issues are compounded by immigration, race, and religion -- that's set during the 2008 presidential campaign. A panel discussion follows the screening.

To RSVP, email Rachel or call 617-422-0910, ext. 207

TUES 5/17

7pm
I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business, Mansions
at Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston
$5 to $20 / All Ages

It's a "Pay What You Want" tour, but the minimum appears to $5.

I'm not familiar with The Early November, but the former singer has chosen a longer name for his current project and making some decent poppy-rock. Doors at 6pm.

TUES 5/17

8pm
Boston Handbell Festival
at Old South Church, 645 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE / Donations Accepted

If you're walking through Copley Square, it's free to walk in and check it out. Although a few minutes of bell-ringing would drive me batty...

TUES 5/17

8pm
Zippah Recording Compilation #9 Release Party
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+

A local recording studio has wrangled about 15 artists who have worked with them for a compilation CD and a night of 15-minute (or slightly less) sets.

In chronological order from first to last:
The High Horses, Sugar Snow, Green Street Station, Abbie Barrett & The Last Date, Ashley Joelle Jordan, Phil Ayoub & the Ragged Impresarios, Ramona Silver, Brian Charles, The Field Effect, Jody Blackwell, Holly Hox & the Forget Me Nots, Kim Trusty, Ashpark, Paddy Saul, Ted Hu, Noize Tank, Ocean*Transfer

They say, "You may never see these artists in one place again!" They're probably right, because there's quite a variety of genres. (There are some good acts, but it might be a night for band friends to show up.)

TUES 5/17

9pm
Chandler Travis Philharmonic, Jennifer Kimball
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$7 / 21+

A wonderful rock 'n roll mish-mash is presented by the Chandler Travis Philharmonic every Tuesday in May with a different quality opener each week -- like singer-songwriter Jennifer Kimball.

TUES 5/17

10:30pm
Riki Rocksteady
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I feel comfortable saying that you're not going to find better acoustic ska music than Riki Rocksteady tonight.