THUR 8/9: Art, Music, Shakespeare

Whoops, here is tonight's suggestions.

Most of the cheapness through Tuesday is on the calendar, and some of my top pix are in the post below.

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THUR 8/9

5pm to 9pm
Neighborhood Nights: "Gardens Alive!"
at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 280 The Fenway, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

Like Isabella did when she was alive, the Gardner Museum is opening the doors on a few summer nights for the community to enjoy the collection. (Tell them I sent you, if they ask...)

Tonight is the last free night to roam around this wonderful and peculiar landmark that I've always enjoyed. (The theme is mainly for kids.)

And you can check out the new, Renzo Piano-designed wing where the carriage house used to be, which is worth a visit to the Fens by itself.

THUR 8/9

7pm
Mikael Ringquist, Marcus Santos & Bloco AfroBrazil
at O'Day Park, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE

There's one more night of the annual Tito Puente Latin Music Series to get down in some vaguely spasmodic version of the salsa.
http://www.iba-etc.org/events/2012/tplms.html

These guys do a drum-heavy style of Brazilian music, so you can move any way and fit in.

THUR 8/9 (thru SUN 8/12)

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

Thursday to Saturday -- 8pm
Sunday -- 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 sets probably won't look like Rome; there will also be some fight scenes.

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 for musical performances from NEC students from 6:20 to 7pm.

THUR 8/9

8:30pm & 10pm
"Oberon Across the Charles: The Donkey Show"
at W Hotel Lounge, 100 Stuart St, Boston (Theater District)
FREE / 21+

This is a tough one to figure out. "The Donkey Show" at the Oberon is more of a dance party that's loosely based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

As part of the Boston Phoenix's "Electric Summer Music Series", there will be 2 mini-performances in the lounge(?) in conjunction with the restaurant's themed $150 dinner.

It'll be interesting to see how the one-percenters and moochers will interact in the midst of bread and circus...

THUR 8/9

8:30pm
"Together We Fall Apart: A Live Mix Tape"
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10

Feat: Ad Frank, Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Kristen Ford, Ruby Rose Fox, Kirsten Lamb, Mike Descoteaux, Jamei Bauer, Shelby Francis, Eric Ott, Kristina Blanchflower, Goli, The Sneaky Mister, The Coyote Choir, Matt Fox, The Crazy Exes from Hell

Ooh, the cool part of the gig is that everyone goes home mix CD of the songs being performed. When you wish to hear one of these covers again -- or make a special mixtape for someone else -- it can come true.

There are links to some fresh recordings on the FB page that include Weezer's Velvet Underground's "Satellite of Love", Blondie's "Heart of Glass", and "Nothing Compares 2 U" inspired by Sinead's version.

THUR 8/9

Township (11:30pm), Coyote Kolb (10:30pm), The Silks (9:45pm), New Highway Hymnal (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Woo, boy! If the psych-rock doesn't get you or the double dose of rootsy blues/rock in the middle, the massive hard rock of Township will make you unfit to drive. Get ready to stumble to the T or a cab as you're head is pounding in a most enjoyable way.