Thursday in Brief

Friday cheapness is on the calendar.

If you're interested about tonight:

** There is a panel discussion at the BPL regarding the issue of Boston nightlife and the closing times of bars. Registration required.

** Brookline Booksmith has arranged an Augusten Burroughs reading at the Coolidge Corner Theatre ($5).

** It's one of those robot competitions at MIT where they will have to perform tasks and games that you'd find at a carnival or county fair.

** You can hear some excellent Australian psych-pop at the Plough & Stars as well as a couple sweet New England bands. Despite the cool flyer, I doubt the music will begin anywhere close to 8pm. Maybe 9pm ($7).