FRI 7/22: Free Stuff, Comedy, Music

Some good stuff hapening tonight. Hopefully this heat wave will pass soon!

Stay cool, friends!

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

FRI 7/22

Various Times
"Free Fun Fridays"
at Various Locations
FREE

Today: Franklin Park Zoo (Dorchester), The Sports Museum (TD Garden), Peabody Essex Museum (Salem), Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge)

The "Free Fun Fridays" program has expanded this year to include several locations around the Commonwealth every week through FRI 8/26.

I have mixed feelings about the zoo. Yes, it's wonderful to gain first-hand observations about animals that aren't seen in normal urban settings. On the other hand, it is a bummer that we keep these animals incarcerated.

If you're near the Green Line or Orange Line, you could stop at North Station to visit the Sports Museum and check out the Boston sports memorabilia.

FRI 7/22 to SUN 7/24

Various Times
Puerto Rican Festival & Parade
at Playstead Park, Franklin Park, 143 Seaver St, Dorchester
FREE

Friday -- 5pm to 11pm
Saturday -- Noon to 11pm
Sunday -- Noon to 3pm

Whether or not you goo to the zoo today, the Puerto Rican Festival is happening right behind it this weekend. You can enjoy some carnival rides and a bunch of food stands all weekend, and the parade happens on Sunday from Madison Park High School to the festival.

FRI 7/22

5pm to 11pm
Beantown Breakdown Pre-Party
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway)
FREE w/ RSVP / 17+

I'm not sure if you can get in, because people are supposed to email CrazyFreddy with their "full real name ASAP" to get on the guest list. They say 2-vs-2 battles start at 7pm sharp, and about 21 teams will compete.

You can still try -- if you want to see some breakdancing prior to this weekend's Beantown Breakdown. Maybe join in during the cipher.

I was a little late to notice the Vitamin Water events at the Fourth Wall Project, but there are still a few things happening, and they have a decent set-up with coolers of free Vitamin Water, a foosball table, a display of various Ray Allen shoes, and a cash bar.

FRI 7/22

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

Feat: Matt Kona, Dave McDonough, Alana Eisner, Peter Bowers, Theresa Condito, Dave Boz, Laura Clark, Andy Haynes, Steve Cronin

I didn't notice a 2-for-1 ad in the current free weeklies (as I mentioned a couple months ago). Still I think it's not a big cover charge, and you can stick around and dance with The Pill at 10pm.

There's quite a few funny people tonight, and Rob Crean hosts. (Not to suggest Rob isn't funny.)

FRI 7/22

8:30pm
Free Friday Flicks: "Despicable Me"
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

If there's nothing else you were going to do besides being your apartment, you could watch a film at the Hatch Shell...

FRI 7/22

9pm
Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Parlour Bells, Merrily James
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

If you go, you should wish Glenn of Parlour Bells a happy birthday and/or buy him a drink. He may be the most warm & cuddly guy I've net, but I've enjoyed talking to him on a couple occasions.

Both Parlour Bells and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling make some intriguing, artful music. I tend to prefer DNFOMD's raw 'n punky energy to the Bells' dramatic pop.

If you didn't see the perfect "Prisoner" tribute in DNFOMD's first video, you should! (I posted it last month.) It will whet your appetite to see the premiere of their video for "First We Take Manhattan" tonight.

Recent Berklee grad Merrily James will probably open with her beautiful voice and a guitar, and she doesn't need anything else.

FRI 7/22 (and SAT 7/23)

10pm
Fredericks Brown, Bella Kalolo
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Although I sometimes whinge about the Beehive's slightly expensive drinks, it is A) in the South End and B) they give Bostonians a chance to hear Fredericks Brown for free.

One day you might have to pay bucks to see them at a large theater and will kick yourself for not grooving to their funky-soulful goodness all these times. As a partly New Zealand band, they're bringing another soulful kiwi Bella Kalolo and her band along.