THUR 12/8: Talk, Party, Shakespeare, Music

I was going to tell you to hit up tonight's first show of Kingsley Flood's 3-Night EP release party at Lizard Lounge, but they're all sold out. Some tix should be available at the door, but that's a risky proposition. Go to their site and listen to the music, because it kicks ass. (I contend that I wrote their first CD review.)

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THUR 12/8

6pm
David Axelrod, “2012 and Beyond: An Electoral Outlook”: Lecture
at Room 121, McGuinn Hall, 140 Comm Ave, Chestnut Hill (BC campus)
FREE

I think Axelrod is working on President Obama's reelection campaign, so it's doubtful you'll hear extra-juicy behind-closed-doors anecdotes.

You will probably hear an analysis of Obama's performance to-date and the campaign issues from a guy who has probably said something similar to the president.

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THUR 12/8

6pm to 9pm
BSSC Mistletoe Mixer
at Sweet Caroline's, 1260 Boylston St, Boston (near Fenway Park)
$10 / $5 BSSC members

There are similar organizations out there, but BSSC was the first recreational sports league I heard about -- and probably still attracts the most players.

This is a chance to hang out with relatively sociable people who like to play sports, and there's one free drink with admission along with some light apps.

A little bit of every BSSC membership was tucked away for charity, and tonight they're giving checks to Comfort Zone Camp, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Boys & Girls Club.

THUR 12/8

7pm
"The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition": Discussion
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Feat: Steven Pinker, Lois Lowry, Wendy Kaminer, Steve Kleinedler

A new American Heritage Executive Editor Steve Kleinedler is going to talk dictionary with a Harvard psychology professor, an author, and a civil libertarian.

I assume they'll touch on the hubbub over the definition of "Anchor Baby".

Personally, I liked the AH list of "100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know".

THUR 12/8 (thru SAT 12/10)

Various Times
The Shakespeare Project: "What a Rash and Bloody Deed Is This!"
at TheatreLab@855, CFA Bldg, 855 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

Thursday -- 7:30pm
Friday -- 4pm, 8pm
Saturday -- 8pm

As part of a year-long initiative to examine the nature of violence, scenes/excerpts of "murder, mayhem, war, and cruelty" have been selected out of the many examples in the Bard's catalogue.

In the same building, the annual 10-minute play festival begins at 7:30pm tonight (with non-matching curtain times tomorrow and Saturday).

(In case you're wondering, the title is a line from Hamlet.)

THUR 12/8

8pm
Nat Baldwin, Chris North Dream Quartet, Carver Audain, Preggy Peggy Huangmei Opera
at Aviary Gallery, 48 South St, Jamaica Plain
$2 minimum donation suggested

You might be familiar with the group where Nat Baldwin plays bass, Dirty Projectors, but he's a rather awesome solo performer with his big stand-up bass -- and it's not exactly mellow stuff.

In a nutshell, the lineup is a mix of folky and experimental. What would you expect for a gig in a JP art gallery?

Give what you can to support the performers; I saw a range of $2 to $20...

THUR 12/8

9pm
Movers and Shakers, Frank Morey Band, Banditas
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 / 21+

Gosh, Union Square is a good little corner of the world. I hope the Green Line Extension doesn't ruin the vibe when it arrives in 15 or 20 years...

While we wait, Radio is one of the latest reasons to get oneself over there because almost every night has a compelling lineup.

For years, I've admired how Movers & Shakers rip it up while adding bits of Americana texture here and there. Frank Morey can usually be found at the Plough & Stars on Sundays, but that bluesy, raspy growl and his band are on the bill with country-tinged, modern/retro Stonesy Banditas.