FRI 8/19: GreenFest, Music, Film

Whoops. If you haven't picked up free ferry tix to the Harbor Islands at this point, you're S.O.L. There is still some "Free Fun" next Friday...

It may not be on the Saturday calendar yet, but people are going to dive off the top of the ICA into Boston Harbor -- and KC & the Sunshine Band are at the Hatch Shell. You decide which one is more unbelievable.

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FRI 8/19 (and SAT 8/20)

Various Times
Boston GreenFest 2011
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Friday -- Noon to 9:30pm
Saturday -- 11am to 8 pm

It's great that Boston has something like GreenFest to celebrate and encourage sustainability with presentations, exhibits, and entertainment. I'd love to give a hearty recommendation, but I haven't been overwhelmed by what I've seen in previous years.

It's interesting like the cars that travel 111 miles on 1 gallon of gas. One year they had a bunch of killer bands on the stage, but I'm not really excited except for escape artist Alexanderia the Great (5pm) and the eco-friendly fireworks & lasershow (9:30pm).

Go enjoy yourself. Get inspired. I hope you disagree with me.

FRI 8/19

7pm
"Stop The Stigma": Tunefoolery Awareness Concert
at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$8 / All Ages

Feat: Mali Sastri/Tony Leva/Raky Sastri (of Jaggery), Sarah Rabdau, Molly Zenobia, Lainey SchoolTree, Brian King, Brendan Burns, and Tunefoolery members

Since I wasn't familiar with Tunefoolery before seeing this 'awareness concert', they've already succeeded to a degree.

Besides sharing information about this outfit that provides a platform for people with psychiatric issues to perform music, the tunes will generally be on the dark and dramatic side. It will be interesting to hear if the Tunefoolery performers also have a turbulent tone to their songs.

FRI 8/19

Sundown
Free Friday Flicks: "Rango"
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

So these 'summertime series' things may be winding down (the last Hatch Shell movie is next week), however we don't need a movie to sit along the Esplanade on a Friday evening.

There happens to be a movie playing tonight. Playing a cartoon chameleon may not be Johnny Depp's finest moment; I like to think Rango sounds a lot like his version of Hunter S. Thompson...

It seems geared for a night with kids of all ages that could include a blanket, picnic, etc.

FRI 8/19

9pm
The Figurines, Pomegranates, The Dirtybombs
at Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

After a slight customs delay, The Figurines are currently peddling their Danish indie-pop around the States. It sounds really promising as if they really want to get loud and rock out. Maybe the Figurines will take their catchy tunes up a notch in concert.

Cincinnati's Pomegranates are a rather tasty and tart musical treat that have passed through town a few times, so some of your fellow Bostonians are ahead of the curve. From the parts of The Luxury, Conservative Man, and Televandals comes The Dirtybombs, a giant musical robot with state-of-the-art rock powers that encourages dancing and partying.

FRI 8/19

Mistle Thrush (Midnight), Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling (11pm), Count Zero (10pm), Pray For Polanski (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

My first DNFMOMD was singer-drummer Sophia's birthday show a couple years ago, and I was a fan from the beginning. Without bashing away, it's pretty awesome to hear how complete the songs feel with only bass, drums, and fierce-cool vocals. If you haven't seen their music video take on the "The Prisoner" opening, it's just a click away!

The rest of the lineup is really damn incredible from beginning to end. Get there early, because you don't want to miss Pray for Polanski rip it up. Pace yourself, because you'll want to stay for one of Mistle Thrush's rare reunion gigs.

Go ahead and wish Sophia a happy birthday.

Maybe there will be vegan cupcakes too...