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.