Weekend Calendar

Whoops, the day has gotten away from me!

The JFK Library is free until 5pm...

You could laugh tonight or see a film by the waterfront...

If it's too late to RSVP for tonight's free theater, there are 2 more shows this weekend...

Depending on youtr mood you can hear metal at Church, indie at TT the Bear's, rootsy at Toad or Club Passim...

There may be a few more items to be added to the weekend calendar, but most of it is there. Hopefully I'll elaborate in a few hours.

Wednesday to Monday Calendar

Egad, I blew yesterday's post...

If I do a full post today, it's going to cover Thursday, so we can get ahead of ourselves.

Yes, there is interesting stuff to check out today. Also keep in mind that some Thursday fun requires an RSVP (i.e. Oberhofer & The 360's and "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead").

Advance Notice: Discount Tix for October's Wrathskellar

A few of my pix from last year.

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

FRI 10/5 (thru SUN 10/28)

8pm
"The Wrathskellar"
at Davis Square Theater, 255 Elm St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$11.25 or $16.50 Goldstar price / $25 door or $27 advance

At last year's Wrathskellar, an empty storefront was transformed into a pseudo-Brechtian tavern setting for a well-paced, funny, and sexy theater experience. Now they're settling into the theater below the Burren where adult beverages will be available.

Far from being a cheesy attempt to scare folks around Halloween, it's just a darker than average burlesque during the season with morbid humor.

While the program changes slightly from year to year, pay attention from the beginning and you might pick up clues for the narrative that emerges throughout the show.

While it's slightly above the usual 'cheap thrill', consider it the "Goldstar Pick o' the Week". You have to sign up, but it's not more offensive than any other emails. (See a recent preamble for my usual Goldstar disclaimer.)

They have discounted tickets for:

FRI 10/5, SAT 10/6, SUN 10/7,
THUR 10/11, FRI 10/12, SAT 10/13, SUN 10/14,
THUR 10/18, FRI 10/19, SUN 10/21,
and THUR 10/25.

I meant to post this earlier, but the cheapest offers are available for:
SUN 10/7, THUR 10/11, SUN 10/14, and SUN 10/21 -- if you act quickly.

MON 8/27: Film, Talk, Trivia, Music

If you feel like playing and/or listening tonight, someone suggested I remind folks about the Monday Night Open Mic at the Cantab. It's free, but they pass the hat (and $5 is suggested).

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

MON 8/27

6pm
"Some Like it Hot": Screening
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death earlier this month, the BPL is showing her films on Mondays in August.

Monroe gives one of her great 'dumb blonde/savvy blonde' performances. And when men have dressed as women in movies and TV, they owe a creative debt to "Some Like it Hot" for getting Tony Curtis & Jack Lemmon to hide as memebers of an all-female band.

MON 8/27

7pm
Verlyn Klinkenborg & Tim Horvath, "Several Short Sentences About Writing": Conversation
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

Both Klinkenborg and Horvath have taught writing, so it should be quite informative to any writer who's listening.

Verlyn's CV includes being a memeber of the NY Times editorial board as well as teaching stints at Yale, Harvard, Bard, and more. A description of his new book reads:

Verlyn Klinkenborg offers an approach to writing that will change the way you work and think. There is no gospel, no orthodoxy, no dogma in this book. What you’ll find here isn’t the way to write. Instead, you’ll find a way to clear your mind of illusions about writing and discover how you write.

Maybe you'll see an improvement in coming weeks, if I go...

MON 8/27

8pm to 10pm
The Big Quiz Thing
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Do you know of another free trivia night where there's a $200 1st-place prize? It's very competitive, but it can be done. The Cheap Thrills Boston team tied for 2nd place in June. I think our team helped to make the night considered to be "the ideal live-trivia audience".

Your average pub trivia is alright, but this is probably the most entertaining trivia game I've played. There are audio and video questions. Even a wrong answer has a chance for points if it's funny enough.

If you don't win the grand prize in the 3-way finale, your team could go home with some books, DVD's, gift card and/or tickets to "The Donkey Show" and the Comedy Studio.

There is a bar, and I read they are serving food beginning at 7pm.

MON 8/27

8pm
NerdNite: "Meme mad-libs and Munch"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Talk #1 -- "Edvard Munch: His Life and Work In Context"
by David Curcio

Talk #2 -- "Sh*t [nerds] say: Just what the hell is a snowclone anyway?"
by Tim Sullivan

It's my firm belief that you can work any NerdNite topic into the next general conversation you have. At the very least you can open up with, "You know what I heard on Monday?"

Most are familiar with "The Scream", but how many of us can say much more about Edvard Munch? Almost everyone uses snowclones, but how many could cogently describe and sound like a real cutting-edge smarty-pants?

DJ Claude Money will offer some funky, nerd-friendly tunes before, after, and in between.

MON 8/27

The White Owls (8pm), Andrea Gillis Band (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Like I said before: You're getting two great bar bands that go great together. Dennis Brennan captains a kick-ass team of players through blues classics and hidden gems. Andrea Gillis is the big, soulful voice in front of her punky bar-band.

The White Owls have been Monday night regulars for a while, but who knows how long the Andrea Gillis Band may run.

MON 8/27

The Devil And A Penny (11:30pm), Abadabad (10:30pm), Mutual Benefit (9:45pm), Trach (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

This is a well-balanced night of local indie-rock where a couple bands are louder than the other two. Abadabad get their guitars a-buzzing and jangling, and Trach are heavy on peculiar, extended, mathy jams. I'm not sure what is meant by 'The Devil And A Penny', but the name sounds cool & oldfangled, which is not that far off from the tunes; while Mutual Benefit seems to offer some gentle melancholy.

MON 8/27

10pm
Kalyn Rock, Kelley McRae, Ariel Rubin
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

It's one of those nights where Central Square has my ear. Besides the above gig, there are 3 compelling singer-songwriters in a room that is suited to these kinds of line-ups.

I could say nice things about individually, but I'll let you discover the clever songs and luscious voices and eccentric deliveries for yourself. Good stuff!

SUN 8/26: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Oh, this is f---ing creepy!

From the creators of bands like The Motion Sick, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, Darling Pet Munkee and many more comes a prize-winner at the Brattle Theatre Trailer Smackdown 2012.

Yes, these crazy artists are planning to turn it into a full-length film; and they could use your financial help. Check out the Kickstarter page to see what you might get in return for patronizing the arts.

SUN 8/26: Music, March, Movie

Another beautiful day in Boston!

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

SUN 8/26

2pm
Carly Tefft
at Fox Point, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester (near JFK Library)
FREE

Hey, isn’t a nice day sit by the water and listen to a singer-songwriter for a while? Take the free shuttle from JFK/UMass as if you’re going to the Kennedy Library.

SUN 8/26

2pm
7th Annual Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Day
from Boston Common Visitor Center to North End Greenway Park, about 200 Hanover St, Boston
FREE

2pm to 3pm -- March
4pm -- Rally

It’s interesting that a serious commemoration of Italian-American history would abut a celebration of Italian-American food, carnival games, and -- oh, yeah religion.

I guess the hour between the march and the rally lets people wander over to Saint Anthony’s Feast.

SUN 8/26

4pm
Roy Sludge
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

On most Sunday afternoons, Roy Sludge and his buddies dish out foot-stomping country music with loads of wit (their CD's title track is "Too Drunk To Truck").

SUN 8/26

5pm to 7pm
Marc Pinansky & The Bored Of Health
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

On most Sundays, Marc Pinansky of Township freely serves up acoustic songs at Precinct versus the big rock of his current band. The Bored of Health consist of stand-up bass and steel-guitarist as seen in this clip.

SUN 8/26

6pm to 8pm
Phillip Young Band
at Piers Park, 95 Marginal St, Boston (Eastie)
FREE

Hey, isn’t a nice day sit by the water and listen to some funky, gospel-flavored jazz for a while?

And may be see some nearby sculptures.

SUN 8/26

7:45pm
Films at the Gate: Night #4
at Chinatown Park, about 120 Essex St, Boston (Kennedy Greenway)
FREE

Schedule:

7:45pm -- Demonstration by Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association
8pm -- " Ip Man 2"

This annual event is usually a good chance to hang out and watch some kung fu movies while chowing down on some al-fresco takeout food in Chinatown. The experience is enriched by watching them with the original Chinese audio (and English subtitles).

Based on a true story of a guy who fought against the British colonial establishment of 1940’s Hong Kong, Yip Man just wants to teach his style of kung fu.

SUN 8/26

9pm
Abbie Barrett & The Last Date
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

On their latest release, Abbie Barrett & The Last Date shares a trio of uptempo indie-poppers that I enjoy a bit more than the folkier, sensitive stuff.

SAT 8/25: Day Cheapness

Lots of fun stuff on a gorgeous day. You may or may not like some of my suggestions -- just do something!

Stay tuned for tunes and revelry (or check out the calendar).

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

SAT 8/25

1pm to 4pm
Annual Caribbean Carnival Parade & Festival
from Martin Luther King Blvd, Roxbury
to Franklin Park Zoo, Dorchester
FREE

One usually thinks of 'Carnival' as the celebration before Lent, however there are several Caribbean islands like Trinidad that celebrate in August (and July). Boston conveniently follows the timing that makes sense for dancers to wear skimpy and wildly decorative outfits, and it has done so for about 40 years.

The party starts very early in the morning near the beginning of the parade route then rolls down Blue Hill Ave with bands and extremely loud DJ trucks to the Zoo where there will be food vendors (and folks selling other wares) with Island flavors.

SAT 8/25

2pm
"O/A: The Sophocles Project"
at Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown
$5 / $3 with Charlie Card/Ticket

I'm not sure what I like more:

1) A team of Emerson grads decides to stage an experimental retelling of the 3 Oedipus plays (the 'O' stands for Oedipus and the 'A' stands for Antigone) with an original soundtrack.

2) You get a discount by showing your that you took the T, which is approximately the cost of half of the round-trip.

SAT 8/25

4pm to 7pm
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2012
at Institute for Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston (South Boston/Seaport)
FREE

Cliff Diving is a crazy idea. Although it's not as dirty as its reputation, diving into Boston Harbor seems even crazier.

Either imagine the event as a historical reenactment with graceful athletes replacing crates or as performance art where man meets the sea in a 3-second aerial ballet.

Almost a dozen of the best divers in the world return to Boston for the second year in a row for the only US stop on the tour where each contestant takes 4 90-foot leaps into the drink.

Speaking of which, I watched from the Atlantic Beer Garden last year and still marveled at the jumps from afar.

SAT 8/25 (and SUN 8/26)

7:45pm
Films at the Gate: Night #3
at Chinatown Park, about 120 Essex St, Boston (Kennedy Greenway)
FREE

Schedule:

7:45pm -- Demonstration by Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association
8pm -- "The Shaolin Temple"

Sunday -- "Ip Man 2"

This annual event is usually a good chance to hang out and watch some kung fu movies while chowing down on some al-fresco takeout food in Chinatown. The experience is enriched by watching them with the original Chinese audio (and English subtitles).

Jet Li made his debut 30 years ago in the near-constant kung-fu fighting that takes place around the Shaolin Temple, and that is supposedly a real temple in the film.

SAT 8/25

8pm
"Kung Fu Hustle": Screening
at Room 100, Bldg 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

It can't be a coincidence that there's another kung fu movie for free across the river indoors. I haven't seen "The Shaolin Temple", but the production value can't compare to this modern martial arts comedy. If you love kung fu movies, this one is hilarious.

On the other hand, sitting in a dark room at MIT hardly seems as fun as sitting in a Chinatown park.

Weekend Calendar

Kung fu movies, Greek theatre, Caribbean Carnival Parade, Swedish cars, diving off the ICA(!), and loads of music -- this could be an awesome weekend if you want it to be...

Cross your fingers for another post coming soon.

THUR 8/23: Burgers, Music, Talk

Hey: If you're free tomorrow, you might want to get an early start for the "Free Fun Fridays" offer for a free ferry ride to a Boston Harbor island. (Author Chris Klein might have some pointers -- see below.)

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

THUR 8/23

11am to 4pm
"Ultimate Baconator Challenge"
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

It could be a mob scene of freeloaders, but it wouldn't hurt to walk by for the chance to get a free Wendy's bacon cheeseburger and a shake as well as the chance at other free stuff.

Keep in mind this is a "while supplies last" situation.

More is listed below.

THUR 8/23

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

It should be a great night to sit outside on the waterfront. Why not listen to Cosmodrome's tight soul/funk jams out of Berklee?

Going to the ICA on any Thursday night for a free stroll through the galleries is a good idea.

The galleries may be at the high point of the year with an amazing exhibit of glass and mirrors and Brazilian street-art brothers who created the big head-wrapped kid in Dewey Square.

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

THUR 8/23

6pm
King & Queen Show
at Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston (Roxbury Crossing)
FREE

Feat: Aria, more

Before Saturday's Carnival parade from Roxbury to Franklin Park, dancers and musicians are putting on this concert of Caribbean sights and sounds.

THUR 8/23

7pm
Chelsea Monroe-Cassel & Sariann Lehrer, "A Feast of Ice and Fire": Discussion
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Shaws Market)
FREE

Are you reading George R. R. Martin’s "Song of Ice and Fire" series? Or watching "Game of Thrones"?

You may have heard about these ladies who have come up with recipes for all of the dishes mentioned in the books -- even the really strange ones. It's sorta like the "Julie/Julia" thing with swords and dragons.

You're might also get a taste of lemon cakes.

THUR 8/23

7:30pm
Christopher Klein, "Discovering Boston Harbor Islands": Author Talk & Book Signing
at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton (Newton Centre)
FREE

I've perused Christopher Klein's book on the Boston Harbor Islands, and it would be a worthy addition to anyone's collection for local information. It's very informative for exploring the Harbor and balanced with plenty of historical background.

There is still time and good weather for a boat ride.

THUR 8/23 (thru SUN 8/26)

8pm
Films at the Gate: "Master of the Flying Guillotine"
at Chinatown Park, about 120 Essex St, Boston (Kennedy Greenway)
FREE

Four kung fu movies will be screened al fresco in Chinatown with the original Chinese audio (and English subtitles). With so many titles to choose from -- and this connoisseur choosing them -- there won't be a bad night to go.

Universally recognized as one of the great martial arts movies, I remember seeing tonight's film as a kid and remember being fascinated that someone would come up with a weapon ike the flying guillotine.

The next 3 nights begin live demonstrations at 7:45pm, and there are walking tours at 6pm, 6:15pm, and 6:30pm

Not a bad chance to hang out and watch some kung fu movies while chowing down on some al-fresco takeout food in Chinatown...

THUR 8/23

9:30pm
Wino & Conny Ochs: "Heavy Kingdom"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

When you get a major metal guy of the past 25+ years like Scott Weinrich (The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, etc) who goes acoustic, some of the fans flip out -- in a good way or a bad way. I only saw positive reviews for the "Heavy Kingdom" album with German singer-songwriter Conny Ochs.

It's pretty much I expected: a cross between soulful, ballsy folk and doom metal without loud amplification.

Does anyone know who is opening?

8/23: Free Burger & Shake at City Hall Plaza, ICYMI

At least Thursday cheapness should be on the calendar with a full post forthcoming.

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

THUR 8/23

11am to 4pm
"Ultimate Baconator Challenge"
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Wow, I think I scooped the whole town on this one! (WCVB posted it hours after I mentioned it yesterday morning.)

I should have spread the word days ago, but my initial and subsequent searches for a relevant webpage were fruitless.

Through my correspondence with the PR lady, I'm confident this is really happening. If it doesn't, the citizens of Boston should protest Wendy's until they give all of us some free food. Yes, I plan to check this out with my own eyes.

Do you know why bacon has been a virtually omnipresent ingredient over the past few years? Because it smells and tastes great!

Yes, fast food is bad for you. Nine out of ten things you enjoy are bad for you, so abuse in moderation and get over it.

Maybe the 'bacon-themed challenges' will get the cholesterol deposits pumping through your system like your blood used to...

I'll share some of the release with you:

Wendy’s Baconator is putting his offspring, Son of Baconator, to the test to see if he can earn his “strips” by touring America to find a league of Baconator Approved fans through the Ultimate Baconator Challenge.

The mobile will make its way across the nation, stopping in 20 towns big and small [...] to put consumers to the test with bacon-themed challenges and give away more than 30,000 free Sons of Baconator.

At every stop along the tour, bacon aficionados can take the Ultimate Baconator Challenge, enjoy a free Son of Baconator with a Wendy’s Frosty, and receive gift cards, bacon-themed T-shirts and merchandise (while supplies last).

I haven't had a Son of Baconator yet, but it should be tasty.

To paraphrase my brother, "Two's company, free's a crowd." So get there early.

WED 8/22: Film, Roots, Blues, Rock

Okay, it was more researching than writing last night, but here we go...

FREE Burger Alert!

On THUR 8/23, the "Ultimate Baconator Challenge" is hitting City Hall Plaza from 11am to 4pm. The bacon-related fun will include a free Son of Baconator and Wendy’s Frosty while supplies last.

Although I don't have a good link for the event, I've been in touch with the PR lady, and I believe it's really happening.

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

WED 8/22

6pm to 8pm
"Grand Paris: The President and the Architect": Screening
at BSA Space, Suite 200, 290 Congress St, Boston (near South Station/Fort Point)
FREE w/ RSVP

6pm -- Reception
7pm -- Screening

France's President Sarkozy initiated a project to bring Paris into the future, and it seems to have been welcomed by most. The documentary focuses on one of the 10 architects who would make proposals.

PS: Now that Sarkozy is out of office, it looks like the rand plan will be implemented as bits and pieces.

WED 8/22

6:15pm
Jimmy Ryan
at Titus Sparrow Park, 200 W. Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE

There may not be another mandolinist that plays with more rock 'n roll sensibility than Jimmy Ryan. If they do, Jimmy is still way better.

There is still more music in this park for a couple more weeks -- and they had strong schedule this year.

WED 8/22

8pm to 11pm
Rockin’ Jake
at Smoken' Joe's BBQ, 351 Washington St, Brighton (Brighton Center)
FREE

Blues harp man Rockin’ Jake left New England more than 20 years ago to immerse himself in New Orleans, and he's thrived as one of the best on the national scene.

WED 8/22

9pm
Swerve IV: Viva Viva, Shelterbelt
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Feat: DJ El Poser, DJ Amadeezy

I refuse to believe that Shelterbelt is leaving Boston. (Was it something I said?) Anyway you can fare them well as they take their twangy-indie away.

There will be dancing when they and Viva aren't rocking.

WED 8/22

9pm
Jack Grisham's Lost Soul, The FU's, Give Up!, Mercy Case
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$10 / 21+

Jack Grisham is the reason to go to O'Brien's tonight (and the Boston punks joining him). He is on tour singing the songs of his old bands TSOL and The Joykiller. Grisham also released a memoir last year.

I don't care about The Joykiller, True Sounds of Liberty is one of the great hardcore bands. Someone will see this and seriously consider talking his spouse into letting him stay out late tonight.

WED 8/22

9:30pm
Dirty Dishes, Ghost Box Orchestra, Grass Is Green, Speedy Ortiz
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

For all the suckers for sweet female vocals over loud, fuzzy, 'gazey indie-rock; then it doesn't get much better than Dirty Dishes and Speedy Ortiz on the same bill. There's more noisy, angular fun with Grass Is Green; and Ghost Box Orchestra constructs their songs in such a way that you don't miss the vocals.

Tuesday Calendar

Hello, friends.

I was making good progress there for a while, but my last few days have been busy-busy. I pledge to come home tonight, get my CTB on. No stopping for free rum cocktails and hanging out with cool people. Researching and writing for me.

As for today, it's book presentations and science talk ("DIY Medical Tech"!) in the evening with indie-rock on one side of the river and punk on the other.

(Too bad I'm not posting this cool flyer.)

MON 8/20: Hip-Hop, Rock, Funk

It's one of those Mondays where I didn't see much in the early evening that excited me.

If you're hungry, Soul Fire BBQ offers all-you-can-eat wings on Monday nights from 5pm to 11pm for $8.99. I read that there are several options besides buffalo sauce.

I wish I could take all of you to a rum-cocktail event, but I was only invited because I do this site...

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

MON 8/20

9pm
"Meet Your / Beats, Rhymes and Life"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Feat: Natural, London Bridgez, The Family Dinner

A night of hip-hop is hosted by MeetYourBeat (seems to be a videography company) and Beats, Rhymes and Life (UNregular Radio show) team up for an eclectic night of Hip-Hop at Middlesex Lounge.

DJ LeahV who is part of Beats, Rhymes and Life will spin to ensure maximum party.

MON 8/20

9:30pm
Magic Man, Old Abram Brown, The Milkman’s Union
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

This should be a pretty good indie-rock show. Magic Man add a heavy dose of electronics to the guitars and drums for a catchy mix. Old Abram Brown has a big, beautiful rock sound that's ready for the masses. I'm still trying to get into The Milkman's Union's quirky twang, but others dig it.

MON 8/20

10pm
Big Digits, Home Body
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Big Digits are electro/hip-hoppy fun with a sense of humor that doesn't overshadow the beats. I've seen these guys convert hundreds in an apathetic crowd with the force of their music and charisma.

Northampton's Home Body is an electro duo that is quite a bit more atmospheric and contemplative for balance.

MON 8/20

10pm
Akashic Record
at Milky Way Lounge / Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE

Akashic Record have been laying down funky soul-jazz grooves on Mondays for almost 2 months, and who knows how long the good times will last.

If you get there early, Mondays also feature Stump Trivia (8pm to 10pm) and 50-cent wings (7pm to 9pm).

SUN 8/19: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Let me tell you something cool about Brooklyn band Happy Lives:

The last 2 local gigs have been an art space opening in Lowell and this weekend's Woodstock in the Common.

They must like the idea of playing in Boston, so feel free to like them back.

SUN 8/19: Fest, Yard Sale, Music, Crawl, Poetry, Film

Whoops, my bad about last night's post.

My apologies to tonight's bands who desrve better blurbs.

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

SUN 8/19

10am to 5pm
Boston GreenFest
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

While it's great to celebrate and encourage sustainability with presentations, exhibits, and live entertainment, I haven't been overwhelmed by the overall experience from what I've seen in previous years. (I recall seeing a Porsche that had been converted to get ridiculously good gas mileage.)

Take a look at the schedule or swing through (earlier the better) and tell me what I'm missing. Anything to encourage responsible living is a good idea.

SUN 8/19

11am to 5pm
Somerville Rock & Roll Yard Sale
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

[Facebook]

Feat: Ben Pilgrim, HoneyBunch, The 'Mericans, The Vinyl Skyway

It's free to browse and listen to the live music, but there's going to be all sorts of cool stuff for sale like t-shirts, records, handmade stuff -- everything very rock 'n roll.

Where do Peter Wolf's old sunglasses go? Maybe someone has a pair...

SUN 8/19

Noon to 10pm
"Woodstock 4"
at Boston Common, Boston
Four stages:

-- near Soldiers and Sailors Monument
-- Founders Stage, Beacon Street side, North-West
-- Cross Paths, Beacon Street side, North-East
-- near State House

FREE

The Mayan Year of Apocalypse gets a visit from the Summer of Love with almost 400 performers from all over the map to set up in different spots of the common to continuously play for 10 hours each day.

I put some more links in my earlier post.

Please do not try the brown acid!

SUN 8/19

1pm to 4pm
Cambridge Cafe Crawl
Meet at CCAE Courtyard, 42 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE w/ Registration

Some of your friends may not be able to keep up with your caffeinated self, but these folks should be hitting 3 or 4 spots in a few hours. It may not be fast enough for a fiend, but you can still try to register or just tag along as they leave.

SUN 8/19

1pm to 4pm
Annual Dog Day Poetry Marathon
at Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
FREE

The verse will be flowing more rapidly than expected. It may not be swift enough for some even though it's less then 10 minutes per poet.

Whether you can listen for hours or just hang in there for a couple poets as you head to another Inman Square destination, poetry fully blooms when it's spoken and others ears receive it.

SUN 8/19

7pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

SUN 8/19

7:30pm
Another Dead Clown, Adam PC, Saara (You Can Be A Wesley), Billy Libby, First Nature, Rob Crean
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

AKA "Another Dead Clown vs Adam PC"

It’s rock. It’s a competition. It’s got laughs. It’s free!

SUN 8/19

8pm
The Wooden Sky, The Rationales, Airport
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

Lots of rootsy indie-pop from the Boston and Toronto.

SUN 8/19

9pm
Nü Sensae, Skimask, Psychic Blood, Ex-Magicians
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$5 / 21+

[Facebook]

Speaking of Canada, Nü Sensae is a Vancouver punk duo joined by local loud, fast, noisey goodness.

SUN 8/19

9pm
Ward Hayden & Trapdoor Trout
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

The singer from Girls Guns & Glory and his buddies play good, ol-time country music the way God and Hank Williams intended it to be.

SAT 8/18: Day Cheapness

Maybe I'll look for my favorite fried calamari at the Fisherman's Feast this weekend. Maybe I'll even see the little girl on a wire on Sunday night.

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

SAT 8/18

9am to 5pm
Lowell Asian Water Festival
at Lowell Heritage State Park, 500 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell
FREE

My first impression was that there would be a giant water fight at some point, but that's probably not in the cards. (Can people jump into the Merrimac River at this spot?)

It's mainly dance, music, food, arts and crafts all day because it's the time of year:

In many Southeast Asian cultures, a time is set aside each year to thank the rivers, lakes, and ponds on which they have built their communities and earned their livelihood.

Lowell is the home to a strong Asian community, so it's nice to see a big public celebration. There will also be a 'Buddhist blessing tent'.

SAT 8/18

10am to 2pm
MG Day
at Larz Anderson Auto Museum, 15 Newton St, Brookline
$10 / $5 military, seniors, students, children under 12

I love these little British sports cars, and I didn't think there would be enough in Massachusetts to fill the Larz Anderson lawn.

SAT 8/18 (and SUN 8/19)

Various Times
Boston GreenFest
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Saturday --11am to 10pm
Sunday -- 10am to 5pm

While it's great to celebrate and encourage sustainability with presentations, exhibits, and live entertainment, I haven't been overwhelmed by the overall experience from what I've seen in previous years. (I recall seeing a Porsche that had been converted to get ridiculously good gas mileage.)

Take a look at the schedule or swing through (earlier the better) and tell me what I'm missing. Anything to encourage responsible living is a good idea.

SAT 8/18 (and SUN 8/19)

Noon to 10pm
"Woodstock 4"
at Boston Common, Boston
Four stages:

-- near Soldiers and Sailors Monument
-- Founders Stage, Beacon Street side, North-West
-- Cross Paths, Beacon Street side, North-East
-- near State House

FREE

The Mayan Year of Apocalypse gets a visit from the Summer of Love with almost 400 performers from all over the map to set up in different spots of the common to continuously play for 10 hours each day.

I put some more links in my earlier post.
http://www.cheapthrillsboston.net/2012/08/818-819-woodstock-on-boston-common.html

Please do not try the brown acid!

SAT 8/18 (and SUN 8/19)

Various Times
Annual Dog Day Poetry Marathon
at Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
FREE

Saturday -- 1pm to 5pm & 7pm to 10pm
Sunday -- 1pm to 4pm

The verse will be flowing more rapidly than expected. It may not be swift enough for some even though it's less then 10 minutes per poet.

Whether you can listen for hours or just hang in there for a couple poets as you head to another Inman Square destination, poetry fully blooms when it's spoken and others ears receive it.

SAT 8/18

1:30pm
Harry & The Potters "10th Anniversary Special"
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / All Ages

The kings of wizard-rock celebrate a decade of songs inspired by the crazy shit that goes down at Hogwarts and all the other places that muggles don't see.

The first set will be performed by the original line-up which might not have been more than the 2 brothers, then the current band closes the show. There will, of course, be a Harry Potter puppet show in between.

SAT 8/18

1:05pm
7th Annual Futures at Fenway
at Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston
$5 and up

Game 1 -- Lowell Spinners vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
Game 2 -- Pawtucket Red Sox vs. Buffalo Bisons

Fenway Park hosts a minor league doubleheader of Red Sox farm teams so you don't have to drive to Pawtucket or Lowell (but you should 'cause the lines are shorter and the prices are cheaper).

They're bringing some 'minor league' entertainment between innings, so expect stuff like t-shirt slingshots, kids racing mascots, frisbee-catching dogs, etc.

For the heck of it, the first 1,000 people aged 14 and under who visit a Kid Nation booth will get a free lightsaber. And someone on the field might be the Jacoby Ellsbury/Dustin Pedroia of the future...

So root for the home teams. If they don't win, it's a shame. That's about it, since we're not following the minor-league standings anyway.

SAT 8/18 (and SUN 8/19)

7pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

8/18 & 8/19: "Woodstock" on Boston Common

More Saturday cheapness is coming, but this extravaganza seemed to deserve its own post.

I don't have time to fix the columns...

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

SAT 8/18 and SUN 8/19

Noon to 10pm
"Woodstock 4"
at Boston Common, Boston
Four stages:

-- near Soldiers and Sailors Monument
-- Founders Stage, Beacon Street side, North-West
-- Cross Paths, Beacon Street side, North-East
-- near State House

FREE

Usually these Woodstock/Weirdstock events is at the Cambridge YMCA with 20+ bands, so things have gotten really out of control for the 4th annual event.

With so many performers doing 15 minutes right after each other at 4 locations on the Common, it's probably going to feel disorganized.

Maybe it'll feel like the original Woodstock with a lot of unkempt hipsters dancing all over the lawn. It might even rain like 1969...

The idea is for everyone to have a typical busking set-up, and there should be no breaks in between. I'm listing the schedule, but it won't be exact. Some of the spaces are blank on the schedule, and some are listed for longer sets.

The crowd's positive vibrations can make this kind of thing special, so let's shoot for more Woodstock '69 than '99.

The schedule is hopefully current; I've added links to the bands that I recognize and/or like.

Good times to go today: Noon-ish (Cotton Candy, Little War Twins, The Diamond Mines, School for Robots, Lowman) or 3pm-ish (Onslo, Jesse Kaminsky / Steve Norton, Happy Lives) or later in the evening.

Somewhere in the Common, Vic Rawlings is probably going to play experimental cello for 4 hours and Jacob Mashak will perform John Cage's 4'33" consecutively 100 times.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * SATURDAY * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STATE HOUSE Noon -- Cotton Candy 12:15 -- We Love You 12:30 -- Retribution Body 12:45 -- Richochet 1pm -- Panterrified 1:15pm -- Plake 1:30 -- Vanzetti 1:45 -- Dom LaColla 2:00 -- Adam Able 2:15 -- A.W.M.A.A 2:30 -- Filthiest Nation 2:45 -- Ray Brown 3:00 -- Onslo 3:15 -- Baylies Band 3:30 -- Orion Russell 3:45 -- Olde Men on Acid 4:00 -- Nathan Ventura 4:15 -- Codeine Schoolboy 4:30 -- Dois Apsaras 4:45 -- NATURALMAGIC 5:00 -- Slothrust 5:15 -- combman 5:30 -- Abortus Fever 5:45 -- Sun Castle 6:00 -- The Great Valley 6:15 -- Zach Phillips 6:30 -- Happy Jawbone 6:45 -- The Over Easies 7:00 -- "Special Guest" 7:15 -- nue collective 7:30 -- Eat Cloud 7:45 -- (New England) Patriots 8:00 -- Middle Kingdom 8:15 -- Not Art 8:30 -- Metal Tiger 8:45 -- Shane Hall 9:00 -- Hunnie Bunnies 9:15 -- Anus Morissette 9:30 -- :| kREW 9:45 -- Vehement Caress

CROSS PATHS Noon -- MBTA 12:15 -- In tub tune pump tropicamide 12:30 -- Little War Twins 12:45 -- Fifth Nation 1:00 -- Jeff Balter / Valerie Thompson 1:15 -- The Diamond Mines 1:30 -- Low Charge 1:45 -- Most Bitter 2:00 -- Uncle Awesome 2:15 -- Triode 2:30 -- Limbs Bin 2:45 -- Valerie Kuehne 3:00 -- Olivia 3:15 -- Ethan T. Parcel 3:30 -- Prince Romney Brass Trio 3:45 -- White Savages 4:00 -- Bruise Breakdown 4:15 -- N JETTY M 4:30 -- Prehistoric Horse 4:45 -- Peaceman and the Firedancers 5:00 -- Jack & Yoda 5:15 -- Banjo Assault 5:30 -- Joey Molinaro 5:45 -- The Lilt 6:00 -- Western Education 6:15 -- Tendrills 6:30 -- Of The Sun 6:45 -- Degan 7:00 -- B Law 7:15 -- Eskimeaux 7:30 -- ACLU Benefit 7:45 -- Brad Henkel 8:00 -- Buckminster 8:15 -- Friendship Ceremonies 8:30 -- Sam Sowyrda 8:45 -- Gmackrr 9:00 -- Ben Hersey 9:15 -- id m theft able 9:30 -- Crank Sturgeon 9:45 -- Andrea Pensado

FOUNDERS PLAQUE Noon -- Bodydrama 12:15 -- Gordon Marshall 12:30 -- One Armed Mist 12:45 -- Libras of Sound 1:00 -- School for Robots 1:15 -- Huge Bird 1:30 -- The Nimbleines 1:45 -- Walter Noons 2:00 -- Silas Lang 2:15 -- Nick Janowicz 2:30 -- Stainless 2:45 -- Make It Up 3:00 -- Huge Face 3:15 -- Don's Monkey 3:30 -- No Mayo 3:45 -- Andrew Mello 4:00 -- Cuddle Formation 4:15 -- Little Spoon 4:30 -- Cinnamon Phase 4:45 -- Bright Red Reason 5:00 -- Mixed Feelings 5:15 -- Joaquin Goldstein 5:30 -- Brendan Attridge 5:45 -- Brooke Pridemore 6:00 -- Meaner Pencil 6:15 -- Howdy, Cindy 6:30 -- Tuck Son 6:45 -- Landis Zehrung 7:00 -- Birdorgan 7:15 -- Walter Wright 7:30 -- Liz Roncka 7:45 -- Black Wampum 8:00 -- Harry & The Potters 8:15 -- Harry & The Potters 8:30 -- Ryan Krause 8:45 -- Illlich 9:00 -- Mia Friedman 9:15 -- Elijah Wyman 9:30 -- Hello Shark 9:45 -- Omnivore

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT Noon -- Christopher Strunk 12:15 -- 12:30 -- Sisters of The Moon 12:45 -- 1:00 -- Lowman 1:15 -- Adrian Sympson 1:30 -- Paul Lew 1:45 -- Matt Ress 2:00 -- Miss Olivia Kennett 2:15 -- Jason Belcher 2:30 -- Adventures of Boxhead 2:45 -- Jesse Kaminsky / Steve Norton 3:00 -- Timworld 3:15 -- Slim & Silver 3:30 -- Happy Lives 3:45 -- Munson 4:00 -- Colin and The Semicolons 4:15 -- Speaker For The Dead 4:30 -- Lung Pit 4:45 -- Rainbow Road 5:00 -- Rhythmic Cypher 5:15 -- Rhythmic Cypher 5:30 -- Eddy Luis Martinez IV 5:45 -- Glenn Furman 6:00 -- Erich Haygun 6:15 -- Jared Paul 6:30 -- Cauzamos and The Family Band 6:45 -- Lemon Kid 7:00 -- The Eskalators 7:15 -- The Wicked Hanging Chads 7:30 -- The Wicked Hanging Chads 7:45 -- The Wicked Hanging Chads 8:00 -- Little Emperor 8:15 -- Ray Brown 8:30 -- Dinnersss 8:45 -- Streight Angular 9:00 -- Hyena 9:15 -- Many Mansions 9:30 -- Casey Rocheteau 9:45 -- Michael Collins

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * SUNDAY * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STATE HOUSE Noon -- Anthro Rex 12:15 -- Ben Hersey 12:30 -- 12:45 -- Zympht 1:00 -- Yop 40 1:15 -- Amygdala 1:30 -- Warped Forest 1:45 -- Mountainshark 2:00 -- Sam Gas Can 2:15 -- Junko Fujiwara 2:30 -- East Cackalack Ascetic Death Marching Band 2:45 -- Empty Phrases 3:00 -- Mutual Benefit 3:15 -- Big Waves of Pretty 3:30 -- Something About Horses 3:45 -- Hands and Knees 4:00 -- The Full Moon 4:15 -- Spiceraq Group 4:30 -- BATHAUS + Zilla 4:45 -- Uncle Tone 5:00 -- KC Solaris 5:15 -- Turtlecat Symphony 5:30 -- Con Tex 5:45 -- Greg Mullen & His Cosmic American Band 6:00 -- James Irwin 6:15 -- Hot Tub Panorama 6:30 -- Morgan Evans Weiler 6:45 -- Gang Clan Mafia 7:00 -- Taylor Richardson 7:15 -- Cave Bears 7:30 -- Abortus Fever 7:45 -- Ghost In Salad 8:00 -- Eggs, Eggs 8:15 -- BFPSP 8:30 -- Sweatshop 8:45 -- Blue Dress 9:00 -- Sophie Dickinson 9:15 -- Zookeepers 9:30 -- The Needy Visions 9:45 -- Guerilla Toss

CROSS PATHS Noon -- Streight Angular 12:15 -- The IOA http://www.facebook.com/ioaioaioa 12:30 -- Moniker 12:45 -- The Difference Engine 1:00 -- Goodman Brown 1:15 -- Make It Up 1:30 -- Mammox 1:45 -- bathroomspace 2:00 -- A Campbell Payne 2:15 -- War and Terror 2:30 -- 2:45 -- 3:00 -- The Nimbleines 3:15 -- Doug Linse 3:30 -- Valentin Prince 3:45 -- Sodafrog 4:00 -- So Sol 4:15 -- Scott Mizrachi 4:30 -- Personal Finance 4:45 -- Slow Horse and The Night Owls 5:00 -- Hunnabee & The Sandy Tar Boys 5:15 -- Matt Alvis 5:30 -- The Debate 5:45 -- L.R.A.D 6:00 -- Becoming Animals 6:15 -- Mia Lee 6:30 -- The Craters 6:45 -- 27 Prophets 7:00 -- WhistleJacket 7:15 -- Obsidian Helix 7:30 -- Michael Bloom 7:45 -- Lady Pilot 8:00 -- Cinder Track 8:15 -- Kellzo 8:30 -- Greg Sun 8:45 -- Foom 9:00 -- Marty Barrett 9:15 -- Arkm Foam 9:30 -- Preggy Peggy & The Lazy Babymakers 9:45 -- Xiphoid Dementia

FOUNDERS PLAQUE Noon -- Forbes Graham 12:15 -- Skinny Vinny 12:30 -- Mr. Transylvania 12:45 -- Sara June 1:00 -- Michael Rosenstein 1:15 -- Yesterday's Jam 1:30 -- The Fucktrots 1:45 -- Ryan Beke 2:00 -- Brendan Lawlor 2:15 -- Mobtet 2:30 -- Daniel Harris 2:45 -- 3:00 -- International Flute Army 3:15 -- Steve Norton 3:30 -- EUU 3:45 -- Smarty 4:00 -- ZEBU / NO SOUND 4:15 -- Huge Face 4:30 -- Tud 4:45 -- Michael Richarde 5:00 -- Samuel Holland 5:15 -- Hypnic Jerk 5:30 -- WOOLFMAYN 5:45 -- heavy fragile 6:00 -- Bradley Bailey 6:15 -- Judas Broos 6:30 -- Max Jeffers 6:45 -- Chris Wilson 7:00 -- Underwater Bear Ballet 7:15 -- Sister Mary 7:30 -- Steve Arceri 7:45 -- Kal Marks 8:00 -- Matt Altieri 8:15 -- verbing noun 8:30 -- Arvid Noe 8:45 -- Olden Yolk 9pm -- Ronnie Nordac 9:15 -- Saralee 9:30 -- Camp Hope 9:45 -- Rick Berlin

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT Noon -- Pancho, Moon, North & Sun 12:15 -- Gypsy Joint 12:30 -- Tony Gwynn Stefani 12:45 -- Crashing Cars 1:00 -- Cancer Killing Gemini 1:15 -- Abram Taber 1:30 -- The Rupert Selection 1:45 -- Rusty Things 2:00 -- The Wicked 2:15 -- Chris Kazarian 2:30 -- Fixtures 2:45 -- Charlotte Huffman 3:00 -- Manaia (Jen Strickland) 3:15 -- Moonbeam Fellowship 3:30 -- Bucky Fereke 3:45 -- Jeremy Quick Trio 4:00 -- Chris Cretella 4:15 -- Broken Bottle Boys 4:30 -- Spelt Melk 4:45 -- Jesse and The Hogg Brothers 5:00 -- Deth West 5:15 -- Uniami as Ether 5 Star Dome 5:30 -- Jesse Gallagher 5:45 -- Forest Wizard 6:00 -- Planets Around The Sun 6:15 -- Quilt 6:30 -- Sun Castle 6:45 -- Dark Rodeo 7:00 -- Michael Maloney 7:15 -- Time Solo 7:30 -- Chris North 7:45 -- Tounge Oven 8:00 -- Frozen Corn 8:15 -- Hurricanes of Love 8:30 -- Pelvis McGillicuddy 8:45 -- Soft White Three Way 9:00 -- Pancho The Kidd 9:15 -- Beau Alessi 9:30 -- Rayvon Browne 9:45 -- Gracious Calamity

FRI 8/17: Fun, Film, Poetry, GreenFest, Art, Music

Saturday and Sunday cheapness is on the calendar, so stay tuned...

The Fisherman's Feast is probably the largest North End feast every year. If you don't feel like seeing them dangle a little girl on a wire (Sunday), there is plenty of Italian-style diversion in the street.

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

FRI 8/17

Various Times
"Free Fun Fridays"
at Institute of Contemporary Art (Seaport)
at Garden in the Woods, Framingham
at Concord Museum, Concord
FREE

ALSO:
at New Bedford Whaling Museum
at Edward Gorey House, Yarmouth Port

There are 3 "Free Fun Fridays" left this year, and it's not a bad way to spend some of your time wherever you might be in the Commonwealth.

The destinations may be geared towards providing easy access to semi-educational fun for kids on vacation, however free is free. Carpe diem -- if you don't have plans during the diem.

For instance, the ICA has a cool exhibit with glass and mirrors as well as work from Brazilian street-art brothers who freaked people out in Dewey Square.

Other free culture can be found near Route 128 and beyond. I recommend visiting the New Bedford Whaling Museum at least once.

As for next week, look at the bottom of the page to increase your chances at a free Boston Harbor Islands ferry ride.

FRI 8/17 (to SUN 8/19)

7pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

As I read about movie projectionists in the Phoenix recently, the HFA is one of the best rooms in ton to see a pristine, restored version.

(Yes, it's a French black & white film with subtitles.)

FRI 8/17 (to SUN 8/19)

Various Times
Annual Dog Day Poetry Marathon
at Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
FREE

Friday -- 7pm to 10pm
Saturday -- 1pm to 5pm & 7pm to 10pm
Sunday -- 1pm to 4pm

The verse will be flowing more rapidly than expected. It may not be swift enough for some even though it's less then 10 minutes per poet.

Whether you can listen for hours or just hang in there for a couple poets as you head to another Inman Square destination, poetry fully blooms when it's spoken and others ears receive it.

FRI 8/17 (to SUN 8/19)

Various Times
Boston GreenFest
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Friday -- Noon-10 pm
Saturday --11 am-10 pm
Sunday -- 10 am - 5 pm

While it's great to celebrate and encourage sustainability with presentations, exhibits, and live entertainment, I haven't been overwhelmed by the overall experience from what I've seen in previous years. (I recall seeing a Porsche that had been converted to get ridiculously good gas mileage.)

Take a look at the schedule or swing through (earlier the better) and tell me what I'm missing. Anything to encourage responsible living is a good idea.

FRI 8/17

7pm to 11pm
"Around The Way: The Beautiful Struggle": Rapper/Musician/Hip-Hop Showcase
at Lincoln Arts Project, 289 Moody St, Waltham
FREE

So I missed the first reception last week, but it looks like an interesting exhibit -- the gallery space looks much cooler than you'd expect for Waltham. There should be more than rapper Key Fiya performing (I didn't find their names), but his strong material bodes well.

You may also have a free beer or two in your future.

FRI 8/17

Sunset
Movies by Moonlight: "Planes, Trains & Automobiles"
outside Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston (Waterfront)
FREE

When you have a choice between "Puss In Boots" at the Hatch Shell a classic comedy featuring Steve Martin, John Candy, and a bunch of hilarious lines; it's easy to decide where I'd probably park myself for a free movie.

There is space to sit and see the screen along the BHH's waterfront even if you're not dining/drinking.

FRI 8/17

8pm to Midnight
Swing Dance & Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
at Boston Swing Central, The Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland St, Charlestown (near Sulliban Sq)
$10 / $8 students & seniors with valid ID

8pm to 9pm -- Lesson (included with admission)
9pm -- Dancing

Believe it or not, there's a dance club hidden behind nondescript buildings in the nether region between Charlestown and Somerville. (Otherwise known as a block away from Sullivan Square near Tavern at the End of the World.)

It's like a room-sized time machine to the '40s that takes a weekly journey where you can bop along with your honey or find partners there. I think they're serious about having fun with the watermelon seed spitting contest.

FRI 8/17

9pm
Paul Collins Beat, Muck & the Mires, Electric Mess, Fat Creeps
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10-ish

For lovers of power-pop, garage-rock and the area between the two; it doesn't get much better than this gig.

There's the Paul Collins Beat who were part of the LA scene in '70s/'80s. (If that means anything to you, Paul Collins was originally in The Nerves with Peter Case.)

It's not much of an exaggeration to say Muck & The Mires are the best garage-rock band in the country. Little Steven had a national competition a few years back, and they won. They truly kick ass in what sounds like a Merseybeat band that love The Ramones.

The Electric Mess and Fat Creeps make it a night of wall-to-wall garage-rock goodness.

FRI 8/17

Tallahassee (Midnight), The Last Good Tooth (11pm), The Nickel & Dime Band (10pm), Tom Thumb (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$12 / 18+

I'm going to list this show, because the advance tickets were $10 -- and didn't you want to see Bart Simpson kissing Garfield?

If you even remotely like rootsy rock, do yourself a favor and listen to Tallahassee's album "Jealous Hands"; it's the kind of recording that soothes your soul from beginning to end. The frontman did play professional football for a while, but it's much better for his health to write and sing as well as he does.

While The Last Good Tooth and Tom Thumb also lean towards the folky/acoustic, The Nickel & Dime Band brings a set of funky rock to the party.

Whatever funds they make tonight and at tomorrow's Talla-Galla Carnival in JP ($15) will go towards their expenses for a new recording. It's a chance to hear beautiful music with the promise of more to come.

FRI 8/17 (and SAT 8/18)

10pm
Fredericks Brown
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Although I sometimes whinge about the Beehive's slightly expensive drinks, it is A) in the South End and B) they give Bostonians a chance to hear Fredericks Brown for free.

One day you might have to pay bucks to see them at a large theater and will kick yourself for not grooving to their funky-soulful goodness all these times. It's not just about the vocals of Deva Mahal who happens to be the daughter of great bluesman Taj Mahal, but I'd listen to her sing anything.

FRI 8/17 (and SAT 8/18)

11:30pm
The Nightcap
at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

One Friday or Saturday night in Central Square, you may impress those in your company by suggesting the free half-hour comedy show. It could be stand-ups or improv or a combination of the two.

Get a change of atmosphere where they also serve beer and wine. There is plenty of time to go somewhere else before last call...

Thursday to Saturday Calendar

A full weekend post should be up later tonight, so here is something to tide you over.

It's a pretty damn good night for art and music. I'd probably go to the ICA for music and art or Precinct for music and comedy.

WED 8/15: Talk, Mozart, FanFic, Music, Trivia

If you're going to cook dinner tonight (a quite reasonable endeavor for your wallet), think about throwing in wine to celebrate what would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday.

Cheapness through Saturday on the calendar.

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

WED 8/15

7pm
Irini Rockwell, "Natural Brilliance: A Buddhist System for Uncovering Your Strengths and Letting Them Shine": Discussion
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

The idea of non-attachment may be one of the sticking points for many people who can't give up everything to study at an ashram. So "Natural Brilliance" intends to presents the Buddhist tenets as a way to be a more prudctive person in one's personal and professional life.

WED 8/15

7pm
Landmarks Festival at the Shell: Longwood Symphony
at Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

Program:

Mozart, "Don Giovanni: Overture"
Mozart, "Piano Concerto No. 21"
Mozart, "Symphony No. 41, Jupiter"

These Landmarks Orchestra concerts are usually at the Hatch Shell; let's be honest and say it's very likely going to be held at the rain location.

The normal orchestra isn't even performing tonight as the Longwood Symphony Orchestra steps in for an all-Mozart program along with young musicians from the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.

Do not fear if there's a medical emergency in the auditorium, because the LSO mainly consist health-care professionals (who presumably work in the Longwood area).

WED 8/15

9pm
Storyliars: "Dear Mr Belvedere: An Erotic Fan-Fiction Throwdown"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE, but donations accepted / 21+

Feat: Christopher Braiotta, Katie McCarthy, Brendon Thomas Crowley, Rob Crean, Walter Cornelius, Will Smalley, Laura Crawford, Tim Vargulish, Chris Coxen, Michael & Noel, Belle Gunz, more

[Facebook]

It's a departure from the usual format where the comedians et al. tell stories and the crowd guesses the one false story. What a departure it is!

Since it's a throwdown, the crowd will probably vote on the best/most ridiculous piece of erotic fanfic. Will we hear about Sherlock/Watson tryst or a Flinstones orgy? Maybe Buffy the Vampire Slayer confronts Edward and Bella with a less than fatal outcome?

It could be weird, and there will be surprises.

WED 8/15

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

Feat: Walter Sickert, Dave Mirabella (The Rationales)

When he is not rocking out, I know Mr. Boogie does something help people with issues in their lives. Putting on his 'Doctor Boogie' hat on a monthly basis, some local musicians get on the figurative couch for conversation, analysis, and (of course) music.

It will be interesting to hear if he will penetrate the mystery behind Walter Sickert. If I don't go I will listen to the streaming audio to find out if that is really his given name.

WED 8/15

9pm
"Champion Of Champions": Pub Trivia
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I still haven't experienced the interactive trivia fun of C.O.C. yet, but it sounds like they bring the concept up a notch. (Combining elements that are reminiscent of Dicecapades and Cranium?)

It usually happens at the Middle East Corner on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

While the video promo for tonight isn't fall-down hilarious, you can tell these guys have a dry wit suitable for highly competitive trivia.

WED 8/15

10pm
Members of Morphine & Jeremy Lyons
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE

Sax-man Dana Colley and drummer Jerome Deupree revive the "low-rock" sound they pioneered in Morphine with New Orleans blues-guitar ex-pat Jeremy Lyons. It's not like seeing Mark Sandman, but it's still pretty damn good especially whenever Dana Colley is doing his thing.

TUES 8/14: Chess, Funk, Rock, Johnny Pesky

It was sad to hear the news that Johnny Pesky will now be playing on the 'Field of Dreams' somewhere.

I met him a couple years back at the Old-Time Baseball game (that happened to take place last night).

Everyone was pestering him for an autograph, yet I reluctantly decided to be one more mid-inning fan.

With a program in hand, I said something like, "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Pesky, but could I get your autograph?"

I'll never forget what he said to me: "Sure, but it won't buy you a cup of coffee..."

He was the great old guy with the humility and love of baseball that I expected from seeing him in the dugout on TV. I'm glad that he could stick around to get a world series ring and see his number retired.

RIP, Johnny. At least you don't have to watch the rest of this season.

FYI: There is cheapness through Saturday on the calendar.

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

TUES 8/14

5pm
"Monthly Chess Simult" w/ Grandmaster Larry Christiansen
at South Station concourse, about 720 Atlantic Ave, Boston (Dewey Sq)
FREE

If you ever wanted to get humiliated at chess without paying for it (like at Washington Square Park), grandmaster Larry Christiansen is going to play up to 25 simultaneous games in the train concourse.

Feel free to play or just sit back and brag to friends that you could've beat the guy.

TUES 8/14

6pm to 8pm
Lovewhip
at Bremen Street Park, about 250 Bremen St, East Boston (behind Airport T)
FREE

It's funny that there are open-air concerts in a park next to the airport. Jet engines will have to compete with the funky electro jams that will please those who can dance in the sun as well as the music-lovers that want to sit in the grass and wave their feet back and forth.

On various occasions I've tried to come up with good ways to praise Lovewhip, but the simple fact is they're one of the most fun bands around.

TUES 8/14

9pm
MMOSS, Darling Pet Munkee, Bummer City, The Wild Ones
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

A couple of garage-rockers from Northern California are passing through on their way around the nation. The Wild Ones got a high compliment from one of their local radio stations who appropriately described them as "Shangri-Las meets The Ramones". Bummer City is shabby either.

They are welcomed by the most excellent, skeleton-clad rumble of Darling Pet Munkee and retro-psych from Mmoss.

TUES 8/14

9:30pm
Ezra Furman Band, The Hush Now, TBD
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

It appears Ezra Furman has parted ways with the Harpoons, the band that backed him while he was a Tufts undergrad; and I recall hearing about their SXSW gig where Furman got some attention. The appeal has always been Furman's quirky storytelling over pleasant chords. Local indie-poppers The Hush Now wrap their tunes in a sunny, 'gazey haze. There should be another opener; who knows.