FRI 9/2: Art, Theatre, Music, Burlesque, Dance

Whoops, my thoughts on Friday's cheap options.

Tickets to the Annual Boston Tattoo Convention are more than $10, but the Sheraton lobby (Back Bay) could be some interesting people watching all weekend long.

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FRI 9/2

5pm to 9pm
First Friday Open Studios
at SoWa Arts Bldg, 450 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

When I've gone, there were decent crowds passing through. Several dozen studios with interesting works are always open in the rather large building, and there's bound to be refreshments in a few...

Go tonight or any first Friday of every month.

FRI 9/2

6pm to 8pm
Bread and Puppet Theater, "Man = Carrot Circus"
at Cambridge Common, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

There are several events happening around Harvard Square that they appear to be associating with writer/folk-music critic Scott Alarik's new novel, "Revival".

Alarik also wrote the the introduction to "Man = Carrot Circus", the current Bread & Puppet production that has roots in the idea of the "upright man" with his feet in the ground is similar to a carrot.

In my brief interaction with founder Peter Schumann, he is kooky in all the right ways who always seeks to represent the fairness, justice, and dignity that all people deserve. And the giant paper mache masks are so cool.

Open your mind to a bunch of Vermont hippies, and you might enjoy yourself (and leave with a few new ideas).

FRI 9/2 to MON 9/5

Various Times
Campfire Festival
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 per day / $30 all 4 days

Friday -- 6pm
Saturday to Monday -- Noon

Tonight's Schedule:

6pm -- Viatsa
6:45pm -- Ria Mae, Beth Colegrove, Lora-Faye Whelan, Kara Kulpa
8:15pm -- Nini Fabi
9pm -- Lloyd Thayer, Jeremy Lyons, Carrie Ferguson, Eric-Scott Guthrie
10:30pm -- Jesse Terry, Noam Weinstein, Dave Dersham, Anita Suhanin

How many campfires did you sit around this year? Most of us are counting on one hand, if not one finger or a faint wiggle.

No need to bring marshmallows or graham crackers, it's a campfire minus the fire yet exceptionally more acoustic instruments than usual.

It's okay if you don't get there at 6pm, but ty to arrive in time for Nini Fabi of Nini+Ben. There's a load of good music to be heard tonight and the next 3 days.

FRI 9/2 (thru SUN 9/4)

8pm
"Waiting For Godot"
at Zack Box Theatre, Downstairs, 8 The Fenway, Boston (Boston Conservatory)
FREE

SUN 9/4 -- 2pm only

This existential play by Samuel Beckett is a sparse, minimalist tale where nothing much happens, so it would work fine in a relatively small basement theater.

It's not the feel-good hit of the summer, but who's expecting that on Labor Day weekend. (It's so small, you might get shut out -- like I did when I thought I could stroll in 5 minutes before curtain.)

FRI 9/2

8pm
Movies by Moonlight: "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
at Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston (Waterfront)
FREE

What I think is wonderful about "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is that I would enjoy watching it no matter what point I started watching.

If I was walking along the harbor front or the Greenway and was near the Boston Harbor Hotel, I might stop and watch for however long it suited me.

FRI 9/2

8pm
Geek Girl Boston: "The Tardis Tease"
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 standing room

Feat: Rachel Stewart, Devora Darling, Fonda Feeling, Arson, Brandy Wine, Spookey Velvet, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, Amy Macabre

Boston burlesque has probably found its ideal audience in sci-fi fans. While I would love to see a whole night of routines based on the Doctor's companions (and why not throw in a sexy Dalek), there will be more than "Doctor Who" material.

I suspect the themes will be sufficiently nerdy. Seats are $20, but you can stand around for half.

FRI 9/2

9:30pm
"Queen For A Day" #3
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$8

Feat: Gunpowder Gelatine, Miss Madison West, Aquanette Jones, Alhena, Ukelele Union of Boston

Wow, this upcoming Monday would've been Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday.

Perhaps the the only all-female Queen tribute band, Gunpowder Gelatine usually celebrates with a night of Queen-y entertainment including burlesque and 'boylesque' and a gang of ukulele players doing a set of Queen tunes.

In honor of Queen's frontman who can't enjoy his birthday, someone came up with the whimsical idea of drawing moustaches on people for $2 to benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Everybody will be a Freddie!

The shindig is hosted by Tina Lafleur of Queer Women in Music.

There should be birthday cake as well...

FRI 9/2

10pm
The Pill w/ Oranjuly
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 21+

Whenever I feel like dancing, it's more fun if there are guitars in there -- or at least the keyboards don't sound like a disco retread. It seems like The Pill hasn't had a live performance in a few weeks, and this one is a doozey for the DJ's and diehard regulars.

Who cares if no one dances to Oranjuly's gorgeous powerpop. They should.