Okay, it's a beautiful Saturday to do nothing. Or something.
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SAT 8/13
Various Times
Cambridge Discovery Days
at Various Locations
Most FREE
I misses last week's "Cambridge Discovery Day", but there are still some historical information laid before you on Saturday.
I think these are the more interesting presentations:
10am to 11:30am -- "Exploring East Cambridge"
Learn about the development of the area in the 1800's that was anchored by the building of a bridge (where the Museum of Science is) and relocation of the county courthouse.10:30am to Noon -- "Strolling down Magazine Street"
Meet at the History Station, corner of Cambridge and Third St.
I've noticed there's a lot of nice architecture, and that was the intention.1pm to 2:30pm -- "Lois Lilley Howe"
Meet in front of First Baptist Church, 5 Magazine St
She was "America's first female architect".3pm to 4:15pm -- "The Old Burying Ground: Epitaphs, Elegies & Encomiums"
Meet at Cambridge Historical Society, 159 Brattle St
Become a semi-expert on the cemetery. "No touching or rubbings of stones is permitted in the grounds; photography and drawing are fine! Handouts included."3pm to 5pm -- "Discover East Cambridge through Public Art"
Meet at gate next to Christ Church, Zero Garden St.
There are stories behind the public art.3pm to 4:30pm -- "1775: Cambridge as the Seat of Civil War"
Meet at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, 42 Second St.
We call it the Revolutionary War, but it was Civil War to the tories who lived in Cambridge.5:30pm to 6:30pm -- “His thought sounds no depth: Cambridge's Greatest Literary Battles"
Meet at the Washington Gate of Cambridge Common
These are the kind of cat fights that are too esoteric for the TMZ/Us Weekly crowd, but I guess there was a lot of aggression in Cambridge between the Revolutionary War and our Civil War.Or take a free tour of Longfellow House or self-guided tour of Mt. Auburn Cemetery. The Cooper-Frost-Austin House is the oldest house in Cambridge, and tours are $5 (or less).
Meet at Brattle House, 42 Brattle St.
SAT 8/13
2pm
"Shakespeare On Love"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE
This is the last (public?) performance for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's apprentice troupe as they present a compilation of Shakespeare sonnets and scenes on the theme of love.
It would be a good show for 1) people that want to prep for watching a complicated love story later in the night or 2) people that don't want to sit through 2 hours and 45 minutes of one story, but feel like an hour dose of classic literature.
SAT 8/13
3:30pm
Fountains of Wayne: Performance & Signing
at Newbury Comics, North Market Bldg, 4 Faneuil Hall Market Pl, Boston (Faneuil Hall)
FREE
If you don't have tix for the Friday or Saturday show at Brighton Music Hall, you can hear a few tunes and maybe get a signed copy of the new CD.
Will they play "Stacy's Mom"? Cheap Thrills magic 8-ball says, "Don't count on it." Still it's better than possibly seeing a disappointing show for $20...
SAT 8/13
7:30pm to 11pm
Tango By Moonlight
at Weeks Memorial Footbridge, Memorial Dr & DeWolfe St, Harvard Sq
FREE
There are still 2 more sessions in the 15th anniversary after this one, but why wait to impress your loved one by taking them dancing on a bridge over the Charles River?
I've gone a few times with -- and without -- a partner, and I've danced as much as I wanted every time. Every session begins with a brief tango lesson that might not really be enough to help the clueless, but you can fake it until you get that basic step.
Or just do your own dance, because they're not going to kick you out…
SAT 8/13 (and SUN 8/14)
8pm
"All's Well That Ends Well"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE
Sunday -- 7pm
Hey, it's the last weekend of free Shakespeare in the Common, and it doesn't matter that this play isn't considered one of the Bard's finest. His classic wit is still in there in this convoluted comedy.
It should be a nice weekend to sit in the Common and enjoy some culture for a few hours.
SAT 8/13
8pm
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Patty Griffin
at Arts at The Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$8
Feat: Kara Kulpa, Jess Baggia, Ariel Rubin
I'm not going to pretend that I love Patty Griffin's music. However she is a songwriter's songwriter who spent a lot of time playing in the fertile Boston folk scene of the '90s.
While not as popular as the people who've covered her songs (Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Linda Ronstadt, Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, Joan Osborne, Solomon Burke, etc), she is still more famous than these performers.
Still they will lovingly share their favorites and likely give insight about Griffin's influence.
SAT 8/13
9pm
Davina Yannetty, Space Balloons, Jamie Scandal, Craig Robertson, Jonny Pape
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$7 / 21+
Aka "The Uke-Arist II: Another Surprisingly Secular Celebration of the Ukulele"
When the NY Times is writing an article about the ukulele boom, some people may get the idea it's a fad. Maybe there will be more players next year, or maybe less. It has its advantages, and there will always be players such as these fine groups who'll celebrate the "Uke-arist".
With a broad selection of covers and witty originals, Davina Yannetty easily pulls you into her corner. And it's a fun corner.
Just like Space Balloons who may have been created for a crazy little TV show (or maybe they came from another planet). As a side note, one of the Balloons is also part of the ukulele version of Neutral Milk Hotel.
There's humor in Jamie Scandal's songs who reminds me of a female Stephen Merritt/Magnetic Fields in tone and lyrics.
It could be the fedora, but Craig Robertson exudes a classic songwriting cool. And Jonny Pape is more rocker who picked up ukulele, so there's good variety of approaches.
SAT 8/13
9:30pm
Justin Levinson, The Shills, Audrey Ryan
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+
I heard Justin Levinson a few months and was rather impressed by the gentle, slightly twangy singer-songwriter pop with a restless look in his eyes and lovely melodies. There's nothing wrong with The Shills except they don't me, but Audrey Ryan blows my mind with her lyrical and musical twists 'n turns. Get on the the Audrey train sooner than later!
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