TUES 6/19: Ferry, Food, Talk, Music

Not a bad variety of surf, classical, punk, funk and folk...

FYI: There is cheapness through the weekend on the calendar.

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TUES 6/19

9am to 5pm
Free Ferry Day
depart at Long Wharf-North Pier, 66 Long Wharf, Boston
FREE

The "Two's company, free's a crowd" motto may apply. Although I put it on the CTB calendar, greedy tourists have probably snatched up all the tickets by the time this is posted.

If you're home today, you can lay down on the Greenway at the very least. (You need to hit the Harbor Islands pavilion on the Greenway.)

"Tickets to Georges Island or Spectacle Island will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis."

TUES 6/19

Spaghetti dinner (6pm), Surf's Up Spicoli & Tsunami of Sound (7:30pm)
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

I'm not sure how well it works to put a bowl of pasta with a couple of surf bands, but "Spaghetti Tuesdays" is a new thing that Johnny D's is doing on Tuesdays this summer that covers the food and music. Give it a try and share what you think.

At least, these guys will help you dance off the carbs.

TUES 6/19

7pm
Julia Shanks, "25 Tips for Going Local without Going Crazy": Discussion
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

In case you missed her at Brookline Booksmith last week, the co-author of "The Farmer's Kitchen: The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Your CSA and Farmers' Market Foods" should have a few tips for the person that wants to shift their home consumption towards local, fresh food that quickly reaches the pockets of farmers.

Shanks may not share 25 tips in one session, but some big points should be covered; and she might cook up a few samples.

TUES 6/19

7pm
Science by the Pint: "To Sleep, Perchance to Dream: Studying Sleep in the Brain"
at Tavern in the Square, 1815 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Square)
FREE

Feat: Dr. Clif Saper

Going to meet friends for drinks tonight? Suggest going to Porter Square, and there won't be a shortage of conversation fodder.

We all know about sleep studies, but what the heck is the point of these studies? Dr. Saper of Harvard Medical's sleep medicine will give a short address followed by a question-and-answer section, then he and his colleagues will mingles to discuss things further.

There's a raffle at the end, which is usually a gift certificate to Tavern on the Square -- and you don't need to be good at pub trivia.

TUES 6/19

8pm
"Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice": John Cage
at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

Program:

Cage, "Sonatas and Interludes"
Cage, "String Quartet in Four Parts"

It's the third and last night of SICPP ("Sick puppy") performances to hear the work of avant-garde music's big hitter John Cage led by his friend Christian Wolff, who is the program's composer-in-residence this year.

This might e the last chance of the summer to hear top-notch contemporary classical music at one of nearby institutions of higher learning. It's just a guess though.

TUES 6/19

9pm
Hotels & Highways, Mia Dyson, Tall Heights
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$5 advance / $10 door

The Tuesday residency at Lizard Lounge must be having quite a folk-rocking party.

Hotels & Highways began as a collaboration between 3 singer-songwriters who got together and recorded a sweet, soul-satisfying record. Mia Dyson has been on the bill every week, because she's been playing bass with H&H, and they're backing her up for a set. Dyson and her husky voice has spent quite a bit of time in the Boston area over the years, but she's a bit of a big deal in her native Australia where she has won the equivalent of a Grammy.

Rounding things out will be Tall Heights who sing some nice harmonies over their guitar and cello.

TUES 6/19

9pm
Mean Jeans, Hollywood, White Pages, ExPlanets
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 18+

In one shot, music fans get a big, fun punk from Maryland and the west-coast Portland. Do yourself a favor and listen to PDX pop-punkers Mean Jeans, because there's a lot to love about their uncomplicated approach. Baltimore's Hollywood have a simple vibe, and they are joined by the loud 'n fast locals White Pages. I also dig the loose garage sound of ExPlanets.

TUES 6/19

9pm
Akashic Record, Rapplesauce
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
FREE

MySecretBoston continues to ensure that people can get funky for free on Tuesdays. Akashic Record veers a bit towards the jazzy side, while Rapplesauce pride themselves on getting down 'n dirty with the funk.