15 Cheap Thrills for the Weekend

Until Thursday cheapness is posted, here are some of the 'best bets' for the Tax-Free Weekend (synopsis and the fine print).

If you've noticed a white-haired dude taking pictures at a show, that was probably Bob Colby who is having a birthday bash at TT the Bears on SUN 8/12 with 11 hours of bands for more than $10.

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FRI 8/10

5pm to 8pm
Second Fridays
at MIT Museum, 265 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

There are many cool things in the museum, and why not see it for free? Tonight's bonus: "Fun with slide rules" (Really!)

FRI 8/10 (thru 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

A beautiful film about nationalism and socio-economic class is going look more beautiful than ever.

It plays at various times through Monday, then next Friday through Sunday.

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

FRI 8/10

7pm to 9pm
"Street Diamonds": Opening Reception
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway)
FREE / 21+

Feat: Chris Piascik, Nineta, Silas Finch, Alphabet Soup, Repeat Press, Jeremy Packer, Heather McGrath, Muro-Buro, Mitch Weiss, James Mustin, Paper Fortress, Ryan Lombardi, Josh Lafayette, Tony Luong, April Clay, Goldenstash, Dan McCarthy, Robert Maloney, The !nd!v!duals w/ Silver Oris

The theme of the multi-artist, multimedia exhibit is diamonds (natural and metaphorical).

"Opening is sponsored by PBR."

FRI 8/10

8:30pm
The Wandas, St. Helena, Oranjuly, The Laughing Heart Band
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 advance / $12 day of show / 18+

Since the advance tickets are $10, it's still qualifies as a 'cheap thrill'. It's worth a trip to the Middle East's upstairs ticket office for wall-to-wall catchy rock.

FRI 8/10

10:30pm
Holiday Mountain
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5-ish / 21+

I didn't pay enough attention to Holiday Mountain's fun weirdness, and now they're moving to Austin soon.

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SAT 8/11

9am to 6:30pm
Cambridge Discovery Days 2012: "Power & Politics"
at Various Locations in Cambridge
Most FREE

More history infotainment than you can stand that's described in short and long PDF files.

SAT 8/11

1pm
"Where’s Waldo?" Crawl
start at Paddy O's, 33 Union St, Boston (near Faneuil Hall)
$5 / 21+

Get out your red-striped shirt & cap, and you will still blend in with this crowd.

RSVP is suggested.

SAT 8/11

6pm to 10pm
Hungry Tiger Street Food Festival
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

Rain Date -- SUN 8/12

There is a more than a boat load of international eats in Union Square who will set up around the plaza with live music and other entertainment.

SAT 8/11

9pm
HR (from Bad Brains), Ska-Prest, Super Ska, DJ Ford E. Buxworth
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

His current stuff is more reggae than punk these days, and supporting the lead singer from Bad Brains is the karmically correct thing.

What? Were you going see the Sublime tribute band at Church?

SAT 8/11

11:15pm to 6am
Annual Boston by Bike at Night
Start at Trinity Church, about 600 Bolyston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Riding around town all night in a giant posse is probably more awesome than running the marathon. The adventure likely begins at 11:45pm, but get there early to fill out a liability waiver and general organization.

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SUN 8/12

10am to 5pm
Annual Chinatown August Moon Festival
around Beach St, Harrison Ave, Tyler St, Boston (Chinatown)
FREE

Dim sum places will be more crowded than usual, but there's entertainment in the streets. Maybe you can snack on a mooncakes -- it's a Moon Festival thing.

SUN 8/12

2:30pm to 5:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's: Burlesque Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

Model: Ludella Hahn

Drawing in a bar is less creepy when the subject knows it's happening in a casual art-fun happening. Grab something to draw with, and the bar will gladly sell you beverages.

SUN 8/12

3:30pm to 8pm
India Day Celebration
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

It's the 65th anniversary of India's independence, so you could join the local celebration of food, music, dance, vendors, etc.

SUN 8/12

6pm
Berklee Summer in the City: Kina Zore
at Allerton Overlook, about 142 Pond Ave, Brookline (near Brookline Village)
FREE

Hey, how often do you hear an Afro-pop band in the Emerald Necklace.

SUN 8/12

7pm
"Passion Play"
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 standing room

The 3 acts aren't really different productions of the Jesus story, but the play happens while people at different times and places are going to perform it.

Playwright Sarah Ruhl and her plays receive frequent accolades.