THUR 9/8: Talk, Fashion, Music, Improv Fest

Wow, where did the time go?

If you don't have plans for tomorrow, Friday and Saturday cheapness is on the calendar.

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THUR 9/8

5pm
Andre Dubus III, "Townie": PEN New England's Monthly Writers Series
at Upstairs on the Square, 91 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

5pm to 5:45pm -- Wine Hour
5:45pm to 6:30pm -- Reading

Dubus also has an event at Middlesex Lounge on TUES 9/13, so you can hear about his memoir of growing up on the North Shore at someplace fancy or someplace not-so-fancy.

Tonight, you might get a free wine out of it -- and you can spend time here without spending a lot of cash...

THUR 9/8

6pm
"Visions of Boston: The Next 35 Years": Discussion
at Boston Room, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Panelists: Boston Architectural College President Theodore Landsmark, author William Martin, BRA Director Peter Meade, Prof. William Poorvu (Harvard Business School), Jane Weinzapfel (Leers Weinzapfel Architects)

If you think someone can have an accurate vision of Boston's near future, these people would be good candidates. Maybe each of them will have a kernel or two for you to think about anyway.

THUR 9/8

6pm to 11pm
Fashion's Night Out Boston
around the Greater Boston area / much of Newbury Street
FREE

Okay, this whole endeavor is intended to get people into stores under the assumption that they will stuff. You don't have to buy something to browse around Boston's (and beyond) first "Night Out".

Most of Newbury Street will be closed to car traffic, so you can stroll more freely to the various stores that will likely have discounts, specials, adult refreshments, and other amusement.

A music stage is going to be set up at the corner of Exeter & Newbury, and some shops will have more live music.

There is so much going on Newbury and the surrounding area.

I noticed a kickoff party at Quixote Studios in Allston (21+, 6pm to 11pm) and a drink-n-shop fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue (6pm to 9pm)

THUR 9/8

6pm to 8:30pm
Harborwalk Sounds: Mark Whitfield Jr
at Institute for Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston (South Boston/Seaport)
FREE

I doubt sitting out by the Harbor will be delightful tonight, but you can still go into the museum for free (just like every Thursday) even if you don't want to listen to jazz.

It's the last concert of the season and the last free night for although the exhibit, "The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl" is gone, there is cool stuff to see.

THUR 9/8 (thru SUN 9/11)

7pm
3rd Annual Boston Improv Festival
at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 for most shows

Today's schedule:

7pm -- Space Museum, The Dowry, Sawyer and Hurley
at Main Theater

7:30pm -- Dependable Felons, Sauce, Kraken
at Studio

8:30pm -- Harold Night All-Stars, Casual Sex Offenders, Bastards, Inc.
at Main Theater

9pm -- UnBadass, Camping with Friends, #klepper
Machine
at Studio

10pm -- Harry Roasts America!, Mon Frere, Boom Scones
at Main Theater

Performers from Boston and beyond gather together to make you laugh without knowing what they're going to say.

Sure, they practice... What would be the fun of an improv festival if they had pre-written material?

There's no one can guarantee that an improv show is going to be hilarious, but many of these performers work hard at being prepared.

Most performances will be at ImprovBoston with some Friday & Saturday shows at the YMCA Theater down Mass Ave.

THUR 9/8

8pm
The Young Evils, The Wandas, Justin Lantrip
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
$10 / All Ages

There could be more catchy indie-pop than some can handle on this bill. Nothing immediately grabbed me as I listened to The Young Evils, but the overall sound with male-female vocals over melodic fuzz is appealing. Local guys The Wandas have got the pop song formula down, and they've got quite a few sweet tunes. Singer-songwriter Justin Lantrip will probably ease the crowd into the night with a just a guitar.

THUR 9/8

8pm
Kristen Ford Band, Kara Kulpa, Audrey Ryan, Left Hand Does
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

There is a big bunch of good songs on the other side of the River as well. Kristen Ford and Kara Kulpa are hitting the road for about 2 months of gigs around the country, so it would be a win-win to see them off in style while you get wall-to-wall folky/indie/rocky excellence. And any gig with Audrey Ryan is recommended in my book.