WED 7/18: Music, Theatre, Film, Burlesque, Comedy

Happy Mandela Day!

I'm not sure if going to a "Denim Swap" at a hip, new hotel is worth $10. On the other hand, you could switch out 3 to 5 pieces without going to a store (and there may be complimentary wine)...

You may not be aware that a bevy of bladers will be rolling all over Boston this weekend. It's going to be like "Roller Disco the Musical" -- without the songs...

It costs more than $10 to register, so I'm just passing along a 20% coupon [PDF] on full-price stuff at Eastern Mountain Sports that I saw on their site (good through SUN 7/22). Of course, EMS has other outdoor stuff on sale.

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WED 7/18

5:30pm
Shea Rose
in front of Boston Children's Museum, 308 Congress St, Boston (Fort Point)
FREE

It's the second night in a row where something free is happening outside of the Boston Children's Museum. No calisthenics is required for a good time tonight.

Of the 4 concerts that comprise the Fort Point Music Series, you'd only really want to see Shea Rose. Since her music touches on many elements, I'll share a quote from Shea I found a while ago:

I struggle to describe my voice and my songs when asked, mostly because they are ever evolving. I can say, however, that I am a soulful, feisty, rockin’ storyteller with traces of Blues, Folk, Jazz, and Rock influences.

Rose is a genuine, lovely talent who can switch from hip-hop-soaked soul-rock to sensitive singer-songwriter.


WED 7/18 (to THUR 7/19)

6pm to 7:30pm
Marty Allen & Princess Pamplemousse: Sock Puppets and Dance
at Multicultural Arts Center Courtyard, 41 Second St, Cambridge (East Cambridge)
FREE

As part of the "Boomtown Festival" that provides 4 days of afternoon activities for kids and entertainment afterwards, there will likely be a strange mix of large puppets and a dancer.

Would I trek to East Cambridge to watch puppetry and dance? No, but I respect your right to sit on the steps by the courtyard and check it out.

Maybe it's a a short stop before hanging at the Courtside...

FYI: The Taco Truck is on site from 4pm to 8pm.

WED 7/18

6:30pm to 8pm
"ShellShocked": Screening & Discussion
at North End Public Library, 25 Parmenter St, Boston
FREE

Panel: Director Emily Driscoll, Dr. Ana Marija Frankic (Green Harbors Project), Erin Byers Murray ("Shucked")

Although the film focuses on the history of oysters in New York Harbor and the struggle to restore the oyster beds, it should remind us of the fragile existence of delicious bivalves along our shores.

The discussion after the documentary may also include "oystermen and people active in the restoration of Boston Harbor."

WED 7/18

7pm
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, "Fiesta sinfónica"
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

Program:

Miguel del Aguila, "Caribeña (Caribbean)"
Alexander Borodin, "Polovtsian Dances"
Leonard Bernstein, "Mambo from West Side Story"
Arturo Márquez, "Danzón No. 2"
David Amram, "En Memoria de Chano Pozo"
Gonzalo Grau, "Viaje (Voyage) Afro-Caribbean Suite"

We all know it feels cooler by the river, so listening to one of the Landmarks Orchestra's regular Hatch Shell concerts can be a soothing time on the lawn.

Tonight's show will be a little more 'picante' than usual with the addition of musicians and dancers from Villa Victoria for symphonic salsa, mambo, and the like.

Rain location: Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St, Boston

A similar program will be performed tomorrow in the South End.

WED 7/18 (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, Sunday

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.)

WED 7/18

8pm
"Rock Therapy" w/ Brendan Boogie
at Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE

Feat: Abbie Barrett, Glenn & Nate (Parlour Bells)

Even most national shows rarely interview musicians to get some insight into their personalities. After a show you could start chatting with someone in the band, but sometimes it doesn't seem like the right moment.

Brendan puts on his 'Doctor Boogie' hat on a monthly basis and gets some local musicians on the figurative couch for conversation, analysis, and (of course) music.

My guess is that the guests will have interesting things to say.

WED 7/18

8pm doors
"Dalya's Delectable Darlings"
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$10 / 21+

Feat: Porcelain Dalya, Maggie, Belle Gunz, Lotta Sass, Penny Candy, Femme Bones, Zayde Buti, UnAmerika's Sweetheart Karin Webb, Sophia Cacciola

For her birthday, Porcelain Dalya has invited a bunch of her burlesque and musical friends. Everyone should be in good spirits for a birthday party.

Other than dancing fun, Zayde Buti is a ridiculous guy with sharply ridiculous songs; I've read that Sophia Cacciola (Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Darling Pet Munkee, etc) is going to whip out her ukulele.

WED 7/18

9pm
Storyliars: "Ruiners"
at Milky Way Lounge / Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE / 21+

The idea behind StoryLiars is relatively simple: A group of comedians and other witty folks each tell a story that are true except for one, and the audience members can win a prize by deducing (or guessing) correctly.

The theme would suggest that everyone will get to complain about how something got screwed up. As unreal as it may sound, only one of them is a lie.