FRI 12/2: Chocolate, Art, Film, Theatre, Music

Things you should know about Saturday -- before it's Saturday:

You could be part of a world-record by joining Keith Lockhart & the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in an attempt to be the largest carol-singing crowd in front of the Christian Science Center Plaza (Noon).

There is a concert for the release of "Under the Influence" at the Berklee Performance Center (8:15pm).

Student artists went into the studio with producer Paul Kolderie to record tracks originally done by Pixies, Radiohead, Mission of Burma, REM, Gang of Four, RHCP, etc -- and Kolderie did some of the originals. It's $8 for advance tickets, and Mission of Burma's Roger Miller will also perform.

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FRI 12/2 (and SAT 12/3)

11am to 3pm
"A Rich History: A Celebration of Chocolate"
at Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

Why drink hot chocolate? Because the colonials dumped the tea in the harbor.

If you're near the Old South Meeting House today or tomorrow, there will be "chocolate demonstrations, sampling of chocolate drink, and short talks."

You can walk around the hall for free -- as well as visit the shop...

Discounted tickets to the upcoming Boston Tea Party Reenactment should be available.

FRI 12/2

6pm to 9pm
John Slepian, "Update: New Work": Opening Reception
at Axiom Gallery, ground floor, about 150 Green St, Jamaica Plain (Green Street T)
FREE

I like the concepts behind this exhibit where Slepian tweaks well-known "Modernist" pieces with current technology to make it "Really Modernist Now"...?

A couple are even interactive based on Microsoft Xbox Kinect...

Exhibition on view from FRI 12/2 to SAT 1/28.

FRI 12/2

7pm to 10pm
Phidias Gold: "Distillation Show": Reception
at The Distillery Gallery, 516 E Second St, Boston (Southie)
FREE

As far as receptions that will offer free booze, it's a slam dunk at The Distillery -- even if it's cheap beer.

Local apparel company Phidias Gold has invited almost 20 artists to decorate rum bottles. (I haven't been to the gallery in a while, but the walls have been graffiti'ed in the past for more stimulation...)

FRI 12/2

7pm
"Marathon Boy": Screening
at Bldg 4, Room 231, 182 Memorial Drive (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

This is a heartbreaking documentary about a young Indian boy with an amazing aptitude for long-distance running. Of course, he is exploited left and right... Then things get worse...

From when I saw this Eventbrite page earlier this week, they have suggested registration to know about a location change. If you want to go, you might want to do it (although it hasn't changed yet. (Or just show up and be alone...)

FRI 12/2 (and SAT 12/3)

8pm
"Love's Fire"
at 808 Gallery, 808 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
$5

Back in 1997, seven playwrights created one-acts based on Shakespeare sonnets. They included Eric Bogosian, Tony Kushner, Wendy Wasserstein, Marsha Norman, John Guare, Ntozake Shange, and William Finn.

The inspiration is classic material, although the yielded tales have had mixed reviews over the years. It could be worth a shot for something different...

FRI 12/2

8:30pm
Marc Sultan, The Sinbusters, Squall
at Magic Room Gallery, Sound Museum, 155 N. Beacon Street, Brighton
$10 / 21+

I know Mark Sultan as half of The King Khan & BBQ Show, and he's still churning out kickass garage-rock. Some local garage/punk should balance any smell of poutine in the air.

FRI 12/2

9pm
Township, OldJack, Muck & the Mires
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

Holy crap, this is all-killer no-filler rock. There's a reason why this is double the usual cover at Radio -- this is a bill that could be in a much bigger room. From Rumble-winning classic hardness of Township to the soulful rock of OldJack to Muck & the Mires who were crowned the best garage-rock band in the country a few years ago -- it's rock party.

If I wasn't battling a cold, I'd be here tonight.

FRI 12/2

9pm
Moe Pope & Quills, Tan Vampires, Grey Sky Appeal
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

It's an interesting bill with hiphoppers Moe Pope & Quills and Grey Sky Appeal combined with indie-poppers Tan Vampires. In the current environment, I don't think people really need to listen to the same genre all night long. Good job, Tallboy Industries.

FRI 12/2

Blue Bloods (Midnight), Dead Friends (11pm), By the Throat (10pm), Taxi Driver (9pm)
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with wall-to-wall Boston punk...