WED 7/27: Museum, Talk, Music, Shakespeare

By the way, there is a lecture at the Coolidge Corner Theatre tonight at 7pm. It's called "Buddhism and Science" by a British psychologist and a Buddhist. The suggested donation is $10.

(Wish me luck with the next couple days of bloggin while I'm travelin'...

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WED 7/27

5pm to 8pm
Summer Nights at the Museum: "Hogwarts at HMNH"
at Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$4.50

Maybe if I paid attention to Harry Potter, I understand why museums like HMNH and Museum of Science (exhibit last year?) try to tie these stories to the real world -- other than attracting young people.

They say:

...find the real specimens that inspired magical objects in the Harry Potter books. Come dressed as your favorite magical character or creature, and discover how the fictional potions, wands and magical creatures have an origin in the natural world.

Harvard's Museum of Natural History is already one of those weird places that I encourage people to visit for more than the glass flowers. There's another half-off admission evening sessions on WED 8/24.

WED 7/27

6pm
Ethan Daniels, "Under Cape Cod Waters": Author Talk
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Add another level of appreciation for the beauty of the Cape by going under the surface of the water.

It looks like Ethan Daniels has put together a lovely book on the aquatic life around the geographic arm of the Commonwealth. I suspect there will be a slideshow tonight.

WED 7/27

7pm to 10pm
St. Joseph's Unity Festival
at Paul Revere Mall, about 400 Hanover St, Boston (North End)
FREE
Klezmer, Irish, and Chinese -- oh, my! Although it's not on the Saint Joseph Society website, I'm willing to bet that there will be some music on the Prado tonight before this weekend's St. Joseph feast.

The Klezwoods and Devri Band have stated they're playing, and more diversity like Chinese music is expected.

WED 7/27 (thru SUN 8/14)

Various Times
"All's Well That Ends Well"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE

Tuesdays to Saturdays -- 8pm
Sundays -- 7pm

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Shakespeare on the Common is one of the best cheap thrills every year. Let a professional production of Shakespeare's wit and verse entertain you for a couple hours.

Just as a glimpse of this year's play: It's a comedy about girl loves boy, chases him to Paris, weds against his will, follows him to Florence, tricks him into bed, and -- after more confusion -- they live happily ever after.

Hey, get culture and fun rolled into one...

WED 7/27

9:30pm
The Gay Blades, Cold Fronts, Worried Well, Yale MA
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

The last time that NYC's The Gay Blades were in town, I was totally impressed with this guitar-drums duo for being so loud 'n hooky. As they thrash around, I want to lash along.

There are any slouches on the bill with loads on modern indie-rock with bits of electro here and there.

WED 7/27

9:30pm
The Diamond Mines, Night Manager, Naga Gaga
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5 (or FREE?) / 21+

I'm not sure if it's actually free, but The Diamond Mines say it is. There's no reason to make it up, because $5 is still a pretty good deal for such a kick-ass rock band. The saxophone is gone from earlier days, but they're still swinging in a punky, powerpop kind of way.

Jeez, I really want to predict that Night Manager is going to take the music blogosphere by storm and will be giant darlings of noisy garage-pop. But I won't do that -- I'll just say that they're pretty darn cool, and I dig 'em. I like Naga Gaga too.