THUR 7/26: Music, Shakespeare, Opera

I don't know if it's going to be a good night to sit outside, but I'm listing the 'al fresco' stuff anyway. Check the appropriate websites/Facebook pages or take your chances...

Did you see Liverpool and Roma playing soccer (umm, football) at Fenway Park last night? It's a strange sight.

--------------------------------------------

THUR 7/26

6pm to 8:30pm
Harborwalk Sounds: Adrianne Lenker
at Institute for Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston (South Boston/Seaport)
FREE

Argh! I just can't bear to spend any time on MySpace, so I'd rather just listen to the brief teaser on Adrianne Lenker's Bandcamp (above). It's enough to expect that I'd enjoy hearing more. And there is still a month of Thursdays to hear bands on the Harborwalk underneath the museum.

Going to the ICA on any Thursday night for a free stroll through the galleries is a good idea. I want to see the Josiah McElheny exhibit (through 10/22), because he does amazing things with glass and mirrors.

Whether or not modern art is your game, there is a hallway with a breathtaking view of the Harbor.

THUR 7/26

6:30pm
Tito Puente Latin Music Series: Mango Blue
at Caboose at The Greenway, about 74 Marginal St, East Boston
at Zumix Hall, 260 Sumner St, East Boston
FREE

It's just a short walk from the Maverick T for an evening of really nice Latin jazz, and there's no shortage of Latin-American eateries in the area.

THUR 7/26 (thru SAT 7/28)

7:30pm
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"
at Mary O'Malley Park, Commandant’s Way, Chelsea Waterfront
FREE

Alternating Bilingual Nights:

English: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
Spanish: Friday

The movie was rather funny in an absurd way, so I can imagine the source play should be even better.

The titular characters were two minor players in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" who do play an important part in serving the overall plot despite their short appearances. The premise of this play is "What were Rosencrantz and Guildenstern doing?"

Tonight and tomorrow's show will be dramatized in English, the Spanish-language cast takes over every other night.

The #111 bus may be your best bet for an adventure in free theatre on the other side of the Tobin. (They recommend bringing lawn chairs or blankets -- I sat on the grass.)

THUR 7/26 (thru SUN 8/12)

8pm
Shakespeare on the Common: "Coriolanus"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE

Tuesdays to Saturdays -- 8pm
Sundays -- 7pm

In its 17th year, Shakespeare on the Common is perennially one of the best cheap thrills you'll find in Boston. Sure... New York has 'Shakespeare in the Park', but not every town has professional actors bringing the Bard to life outside where anyone can walk up and get cultured.

The story in "Coriolanus", a play set in Rome and written 400 years ago, might be familiar to the contemporary audience: People rioting in the street, because resources are being withheld from the masses. Those in power think they don't deserve it, and the main character has a special disdain for the common person although he's encouraged to run for office.

Although last year's film may have earned some accessibility for the play, it's long been said to be one the lesser works of Shakespeare. Like the movie, the costumes don't look like Roman garb; there will also be some fight scenes -- on a smaller scale.

Despite my indifference to the selection, I will still list the play every night, because 1) you might like it anyway and 2) this is an annual gift to the residents (and visitors).

"May not be appropriate for all ages. Parental discretion is advised."

Show up early between 8/3 and 8/12 for live music performances.

THUR 7/26 (to SUN 7/29)

Various Times
"Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld"
at Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Road, Dorchester (Upham's Corner)
FREE

Thursday to Saturday -- 8pm
Sunday -- 3pm

Based on the Greek myth where a great musician goes to Hell to retrieve his wife, Offenbach created a parody that also tweaks an opera that was written about 100 years earlier. "Orpheus in the Underworld" may be best known for the excerpt that's known as the can-can, which is kinda cool.

I assume the production will be sung in French with the English projected above the stage.

THUR 7/26

8:30pm
The Roy Sludge Trio feat. Duke Levine
at Cantina La Mexicana, 247 Washington St, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

For some reason, listening to country music at a Mexican restaurant amuses me. Maybe there are some parallels between county and band, but I doubt Sludge and gang will be wearing fancy matching outfits.

THUR 7/26

Louder My Dear (9pm), The MIlling Gowns (10pm), To The Wedding (11pm), Sarah Walk (Midnight)
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

Even if they don't start exactly at 9pm, you won't want to miss a bit of the bands. One of the first things about Louder My Dear: Is that a guy from Boston singing with a vaguely British accent? That might be the case, but the indie-rockers shouldn't mind celebrating what must be influences from '80s/'90s UK bands.

I've also heard similar Brit leanings from The Milling Gowns who have labeled themselves "gloom pop" which might make Morrissey proud. They sound even better lately with a change to a more traditional rock format ('hello guitar, bye piano & viola'). It keeps on getting delightfully shoegazier with To The Wedding, then stay for Sarah Walk's interesting take on a piano-trio rock.

THUR 7/26

9:30pm
Shonen Knife, White Mystery, The Moan
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

It seemed like a novelty when Shonen Knife blew up in the '90s. On the other hand, you couldn't deny that pop-punk from these three gals from Japan rocked! They haven't stopped performing and releasing albums, so I was wrong. I'm betting they still knock people on their heels.

Unlike the White Stripes, White Mystery really seems to be a brother-sister duo out of Chicago. (How likely could these ginger dopplegangers not be related?) Like Jack and Meg, they rip it up in a garagey rock explosion.

The Moan are a blues-rock duo that seems to keep it closer to their roots.

THUR 7/26

10pm
Into The Alpha
at W Hotel Lounge, 100 Stuart St, Boston (Theater District)
FREE / 21+

The Boston Phoenix is curating an "Electric Summer Music Series" at the W Boston Hotel for 5 upcoming Thursdays beginning tonight.

There are a couple tracks on Facebook that gives the impression that Gentleman Hall guitarist Cobi Mike's side project is equal parts electro and rock.

These type of events are usually a good excuse to walk around a fancy hotel and feel like one belongs there.

I should have mentioned the other day that the first 100 to RSVP would get a free Mount Gay rum cocktail. (You could give it a try.)