WED 1/18: Music, Talk, Theatre, Poetry, Games

Alright, now we're getting a decent variety of cheapness in 2012...

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WED 1/18

5pm
Anthony Green: Performance & Signing
at Newbury Comics, North Market Bldg, 4 Faneuil Hall Market Pl, Boston (Quincy Market)
FREE

If you're a Circa Survive fan, you may know he's doing an in-store performance before his gig at the Paradise.

If you're not, then why not check out a free performance if you work near Faneuil Hall.

WED 1/18 (thru WED 3/7)

5:30pm to 6:45pm
"BSO 101": Adult Education Series
at Symphony Hall, 310 Mass Ave, Boston (South End-ish)
FREE

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is presenting a second season of free lectures at Symphony Hall to discuss various topics and to listen to excerpts of pieces from upcoming concerts (Mozart, Beethoven, etc).

There are 3 sessions left, and those who show up will find the answer to "What Makes a Symphony?"

The BSO discusses "Two Choral Masterpieces" on 2/15 and "Beethoven Up Close" on 3/7.

WED 1/18

6pm to 7pm
Ray Jayawardhana, "Strange New Worlds: From Meteorites in Antarctica to the Search for Life Beyond Our Solar System"
at Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

If you missed a previous lecture about the hunt for life in the universe, we live in Boston where there are plenty of scientists who will publicly share their knowledge.

(There should be free parking in the garage at 52 Oxford Street.)

WED 1/18

7pm
Theda Skocpol & Vanessa Williamson, "The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism": Discussion
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

7:30pm
Philosophy Cafe, "A Philosophical Look at Inequality"
at Harvard Book Store, Lower Level, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

It seems like there have been quite a few books on the Tea Party. Maybe next year will see a spate of Occupy manuscripts. Since you have a pair of Harvard professors collaborating on the project, the research and analysis of the movement should be sound and reliable.

In my mind, a philosophical discussion about inequality relates to the Tea Party who seem to say that life is unfair and we should let it be.

WED 1/18 (and WED 1/25)

7:30pm to 9:30pm
Winter Panto 2012: "Humpty Dumpty"
at Black Box Theatre, Boston Center for Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston (South End)
$5 minimum

For many years, 'pantomime' conjured images of playing charades. Somewhere along the line, I read about the English tradition of presenting a musical/comedy show around Christmastime. They're usually silly (sometimes bawdy) versions of commonly-recognized tale.

You could pay full price on other nights, but I talk about cheap fun like pay-what-you-can nights (payable at the door day of show only) tonight and next week.

This production says it is suitable for all ages, and there's no doubt that you've never seen Humpty Dumpty like this before.

WED 1/18

8pm
Poetry Slam: World Qualifier Semi-Final
at Cantab Underground, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Central Sq & Harvard Sq)
$5

I've been to the Cantab's poetry night, and it's quite a vibrant and crowded scene. I'd get there early if you really want to get in, because it can be a full house.

Besides the open-mic at 8pm, 18 poets will compete in a two-round slam around 10pm to narrow down who will represent the Cantab at the National Poetry Slam (not in Boston this year).

WED 1/18 (and WED 1/25)

8:30pm
Roy Sludge
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

Last year, Sludge released a kick-ass country CD with a good dose of wit called "Too Drunk To Truck", and the songs go from there. Buy yourself another beer since you didn't pay to get in and enjoy the tunes tonight and/or next Wednesday.

When people give directions to Radio, it's easy to say, "It's across the street from Market Basket." So maybe you can do some shopping beforehand...

WED 1/18

9:30pm
"Punch Out!" Competition
at Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

Feat: DJs El Amado, Thaddeus Jeffries, Team Teamwork

When you're not dancing, there is going to be an informal Punch Out! tournament on 2 Wii's and 2 Atari 2600's with a grand prize of dinner for two at the restaurant upstairs.

They've done Tetris and Tennis tournaments before, so they must have worked out a decent plan to make this work.