TUES 8/16: Dance & Rock

Yeah, it's slim cheap pickings today...

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TUES 8/16

6pm to 8pm
Chu Ling Dance Company
at Christopher Columbus Park, about 120 Atlantic Ave, Boston (Waterfront/North End)
FREE

For more than 10 years, the Chu Ling Dance Academy has been teaching Chinese dance (traditional, classical, etc) to children, teens, and adults in the Boston area.

This might be more enjoyable if even sitting in the park on a nice evening could be enjoyable by itself, but it's probably going to happen in a partly cloudy world.

The Waterfront Performing Arts Series continues next Tuesday with the Orfeo Group's version of "Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)".

TUES 8/16

The Island of Misfit Toys (11:15pm), Rodeo Church (10:25pm), Pajama People (9:35pm), Dirty Virgins (8:45pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Some bands from Allston are crossing the river to join Chicago's Island of Misfit Toys. And I have get behind a band that makes reference to an Xmas special from my youth. Like that original gang, it's a big group of characters & instruments (horns, keyboards, banjo, xylophone, etc) that coalesce into a big fun sound.

If I make you a mix CD, there's a good chance that "Miserable" by Rodeo Church will be on it. Add a cool synth figure with crunchy guitars and downbeat lyrics over an up-tempo beat, you've got a winner in my book.

I think Pajama People may perform as a duo. Personally, the percussion adds a dimension to their gentle vignettes. On the other hand, I might feel just a tripped-out with no drums.

Yes, I begin measuring bands by their names and album names. There has to be good music, but you can get me in the right mood with something appealing and/or creative. It's a good start when I see an EP called "Whiskey Dick" by Dirty Virgins. It's a lo-fi mess with attitude, and I hope their gigs are a loud, fast shambles like they promise.