FRI 2/20: Snow, Lit, Poetry, Rock

Let's see if I can summarize the rest of the CTB weekend calendar tonight.

Until then, go outside and have fun despite the temps! (Then go back inside, because it's pretty cold out there.)

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FRI 2/20 to SUN 2/22

Various Times
Slope Fest
at Lawn on D, 420 D St, Boston (Southie)
FREE

Friday -- 6pm to 8pm (downhill winter sport exhibition)
Saturday -- 11am to 8pm (snow tubing and downhill winter sport exhibition)
Sunday -- 11am to 8pm (snow tubing)

It's difficult to know what's going on this weekend at the park near the Seaport, because it has been postponed due to all of the friggin' snow yet the event description has not changed. If you like to frolic in a more organized manner with food trucks and a bar, then this is your place. Other cheap options include Boston Common or the MIT snow mountains off Vassar Street.

Slope Fest does offer a snow tubing down a 70-foot long slope for a few bucks, which could be cool…

FRI 2/20

7pm
Daniel Handler w/ Elisa Gabbert & Janaka Stucky, "Poets & Pirates": Readings
at First Parish Church, 3 Church St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5

Doors open at 6:30pm; tix available at Harvard Book Store or 617-661-1515 or online.

Though Daniel Handler has written a handful of novels geared for adults -- including the latest, "We Are Pirates" -- most of us get excited about his time in The Magnetic Fields and the books he wrote as Lemony Snicket.

Local poet & impresario Janaka Stucky and Denver poet Elisa Gabbert will both share some pieces as well.

FRI 2/20

7pm to 9pm
"The History of Synthesis Part 1: Before Moog": Lecture/Demonstration
at Mmmmaven, 614 Mass Ave #203, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Since I found out about this place, I've been intrigued by a learning place focused on electronic dance music and turntabling. Of course they want you to sign up for a course, but one can just sit there enjoy the evening if like really old synthesizers. There will be an ancient doo-dad on hand that still works.

FRI 2/20

7:30pm to 9pm
"The Colored Museum" Poetry Slam
at Museum of African American History, 46 Joy St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE

Doors open at 6:30pm; "First come, first served" (or RSVP)

In association with the Huntington Theatre Company's upcoming production "The Colored Museum", poets from colleges between here and New York will compete for a prize and right to be known as the Museum of African American History's Poetry Slam Champ.

FRI 2/20

9pm
"2nd Annual Lux Lives": Celebration of Lux Interior of The Cramps
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$8 / 21+

Feat: The Evil Streaks, The Skeleton Beats, Thee Icepicks, DJ Kogar The Swinging Ape

The wild man in heels who fronted The Cramps died 6 years ago, but Lux Interior lives on through the fantastic rockabilly with a creepiness that was just as original as anything else emerging from the NYC punk scene. As part of a global series of annual concerts, his fans and musical successors get together as a fundraiser for Best Friends Animal Society (his favorite charity).

FRI 2/20

10pm
Reports, Halfsour, Mark Robinson, Laika's Orbit
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 21+

While checking out this gig, my 2008 recommendation for Reports also said "they don't play out very often". While I haven't been diligently monitoring the club listings, I assume a band who is celebrating their 10th anniversary is rocking up and down the coast every week.

It took me a while to warm up to their noisy, messy goodness, but you will be dancing around the room if you give them a chance. Everyone on the bill sounds great in their own poppy/punky way, especially Mark Robinson formerly of 90's DC rockers Unrest and who has played locally over the years in Cotton Candy.