WED 2/29: Talk, Burritos, Film, Music

Happy Leap Day!

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WED 2/29

6pm
Jodi Picoult, "Lone Wolf": Reading
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$5

When I think of Jodi Picoult, I can't help but think of the (compelling) discussion about male bias in 'serious literature'.

If you're a fan, it looks like there are still tickets available online or by phone (617-566-6660). Ir you're making a last minute decision, you should consult the Brookline Booksmith site.

WED 2/29

6pm to 8pm
"Spoon Ninja" Burrito-Rolling Competition
at Anna's Taqueria, 446 Harvard St, Brookline
FREE w/ RSVP

There will be two competitions tonight. We will find out who among Anna's fastest burrito-builders will take home this year's "Golden Spoon" trophy.

Although there's no room to compete in the amateur category, I have to think the burrito battle by-products will be shared with the crowd.

There's some info about the late 2010 battle at Burrito Blog (of course).

WED 2/29

6pm to 7pm
Mary Miller, "The Maya Murals of Bonampak: Life & Death at a Royal Court": Lecture
at Room B50, Stone Science Bldg, 675 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

A team from Yale began their study of Bonampak about 15 years ago, and Dr. Miller is one them who may be able to speak most definitively about their research on the largest examples of Mayan art to be found.

I suspect the lecture will be light on the 'end of the world' or 'ancient aliens', but they say, "reception following at the Castle."

WED 2/29

7pm
"Rear Window": Screening
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St., Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Bottom line: This is one of the classics from Alfred Hitchcock who may still be the "master of suspense".

And it's free on a big screen.

WED 2/29

7:30pm
"Refresh Refresh Refresh"
at All Asia Bar, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$3

Feat: Ryan Douglass, Wesley Morris, Caragh Poh, Ike Sriskandarajah, Liz Wood

Hosted By Leon Neyfakh

This reading series began when Boston Globe Ideas columnist Leon Neyfakh lived in New York, he once described his motivation like this:

If there’s one motivating idea behind the series it’s that there’s nothing better than hearing a short, funny thing read out loud to you. it’s not much of an insight, but it turns out that having five gifted, charismatic people who have little to do with each other go up and do that is pretty much guaranteed to be fun and surprising.

When you have a movie critic from the Globe and a contributor from the Atlantic, it could be worth the price of admission.

WED 2/29

7:30pm
"Time Bandits": Screening
at Room 522, College of Arts & Sciences Bldg, 725 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

The interesting aspect of this screening is that it's the first half of a seminar that concludes tomorrow with a chance to review original material from the production.

I saw this movie at the right time of my adolescence to consider it as one of the coolest films ever and galvanize a love for director Terry Gilliam.

WED 2/29

9:30pm
The Dennis Brennan Band, Dietrich Strause
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$7 advance / $10 at the door

Off and on, Dennis Brennan and band have done stretches of weekly residencies at Lizard Lounge. I doubt there was ever an off night for the band itself.

Expect to hear DB and the crack musicians to play two sets of rootsy-rock with gusto and verve. Great songwriting combined with top-notch playing. This guy keeps getting better over the years and doesn't seem to slow down.

WED 2/29

9:30pm
Bodega Girls present "Cool Ranch"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Feat: Pajaritos, DJ Paul Foley

Potential wintry mix should trump the urge to shake one's booty. (Maybe the line might be shorter than usual?)

The Bodega Girls usually host and DJ then invite other bands to perform on the last Wednesday of the month, but they're doing it live tonight with "new songs, old hits, cover jams". You can get a taste on YouTube.

The guest DJ's will bring the party as usual, and the Pajaritos crew might add some Latin flavor.