Monday, December 31, 2007

NYE Tips: Stay In & Prosecco

I listed a few cheap New Year's Eve options below, and there's plenty of cool stuff going on -- but I'm hanging low tonight.

I especially don't see why I would ever want to pay more to get into a crowded bar filled with drinking amateurs. Take that money, and buy loads of drink & food; it's a perfect night for hanging out with friends. You don't have to wait at the bar for a drink, the music (or whatever) will be as loud as you want, and there's a good chance of liking everyone in the room. You can even party past 2am, if you choose...

If you don't drink champagne much, there's no need to force down a glass of Andre at midnight. While you might spend at least $30 for a pretty good bottle of the French stuff, you can get a good bottle of Prosecco, sparkling wine of my mother's homeland, for $12 to $15. Any brand should be alright. The 2 big names are Mionetto and Zardetto. It would probably be a fine base for mimosas the morning too.

Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Cheap Thrills: 12/28 to 1/4


Wow, it's another year. Good luck to everyone out there, and remember: If you're going somewhere with a cover charge on N.Y.E., they're basically inviting you to bring a flask with you...

I read an article about a guy who has a blog about cheap meals in Manhattan, and he made $1,000 in ad revenue last month. I thought, "WTF?!" I'm going to update my blog regularly (with more of the email's descriptions), post other 'cheap' notes on here, and look into putting up some ads...

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FRI 12/28
* The Killer Abs, Pony, The Big Disappointments,The Big, Big Bucks
* Viceversah, Elemental Zazen, Dominik Omega & Rev. Trxx
* Union Square Round Table

SAT 12/29
* "All Together Now"
* The World's Greatest Sinners, Downbeat 5, The Self Righteous Brothers

SUN 12/30
* "A Night of Duets"
* Seneca, Constants, Caspian, The Cancer Conspiracy, Goes Cube

MON 12/31
* The Konks, The Coffin Lids, The Tampoffs, The Throwaways
* Lyres, Prime Movers, Two Saints, The Boize*
* No Cover, No Commitment, No Problem @ Kings
* Tim Gearan Band, Allen Devine Trio

TUES 1/1
* Marx Brothers Marathon
* O2 Yoga: Open Studio

WED 1/2
* Viva La Revel-UKE-tion!
* The Naked Comedy Showcase

THUR 1/3
* Bitches Brew
* Indie Short Film Night
* Elvis Birthday Bash

FRI 1/4
* Hallelujah the Hills, Faces On Film, Reports

SAT 1/5
* Python-A-Thon

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FRI 12/28

10pm
The Killer Abs, Pony, The Big Disappointments, The Big Big Bucks
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$8


FRI 12/28

9pm
Viceversah (11:30pm), Elemental Zazen (10:30pm), Dominik Omega & Rev. Trxx (9:30pm)
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between
Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 advance / $10 door / 21+


FRI 12/28

9pm
Union Square Round Table
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 -- 21+ / $11 -- 18+

Tonight's theme is Astrology. As a Capricorn, I'd like to tell you that people shouldn't believe in it, but there's plenty of material for 2 hours of comedy/spoken word, video, and music.

Regulars Ben Dryer, Nick Branigan, Steven Derocher, Keira Horowitz, and Eugene Mirman will perform as well as Yoni Gordon, Caitlin Roy, Marian Didio, and comedian/former SNL writer Leo Allen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SAT 12/29

9:30pm
"All Together Now"
Feat: OMG Michelle, Kingdom, Lone Wolf, Ian Michael Jackson & Brown Bear, E-Marce, Etan + Die Young
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 21+

Many DJ's from other dance nights (and more) converge for awesome booty-shaking scenario.


SAT 12/29

9pm
The World's Greatest Sinners, Downbeat 5, The Self Righteous Brothers
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (The Fens)
$10 / 21+

The World's Greatest Sinners are a fantastic bunch of local soul revivalists. You may not know many of the songs they breathe new life into, but they sound brand-spankin'-new in the hands (and horns) this snappy-dressing band. You hear the influence of soul music in the Downbeat 5, and it's blended with garage/punk to create one of the best bands in town. Brett Milano described the Self Righteous Brothers as an "avant-garde garage band with a sense of humor." The music are filled with bursts of really cool musical ideas put together in unexpected ways.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SUN 12/30

5th Annual Last Night on Earth
Feat: Seneca, Constants, Caspian, The Cancer Conspiracy, Goes Cube
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+


SUN 12/30

9:00 PM
A Night of Duets
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain
$7 / 21+

It's impossible to recommend this musical experiment, except you could be pleasantly surprised to hear what different pairs of local musicians might create. The plan was born on a discussion board (Lemmingtrail). People agreed to be randomly paired, and they were given about a month's notice. As most musicians are flakey, this probably means one or two rehearsals. Some could be wonderful; I expect a few trainwrecks, but that can be entertaining.

This is going to be a benefit for 826 Boston, which supports young writers (6 to 18), so consider the cover a charitable donation instead of feeling ripped off if everyone sucks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MON 12/31

9pm
The Konks, The Coffin Lids, The Tampoffs, The Throwaways
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
$10

No one expects anything fancy at the Abbey. This might be one of the best places to avoid anything close to Ryan Seacrest or Miley Cyrus. Four different approaches on garage-rock might be your perfect soundtrack to create the first hangover of the new year. Don't forget that Miller High Life is the 'champagne of beers'.


MON 12/31

9pm
Lyres, Prime Movers, Two Saints, The Boize
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
$10

It's similar to the Abbey Lounge show but on the other side of the map, but slightly time-warped. As I can tell, the newest band on the bill might be Two Saints who played in the '89 Rock & Roll Rumble. The Lyres and The Prime Movers are two of my favorites bands, and I would go to almost any show just to see either of them. Jeff ‘ MonoMan’ Conolly of The Lyres is like the ‘energizer bunny’ of Boston garage rock -- they both wear sunglasses and have way too much energy. The Prime Movers rock and move like a new band from a place where bands like The Kinks, The Who, Cheap Trick, Teenage Fanclub, and Guided By Voices co-exist in harmony. I saw a flyer where Blondie opened for The Boize, and supposedly Pete Townshend was a fan of their power-pop.


MON 12/31

8pm
No Cover, No Commitment, No Problem
at Kings Bowl, 10 Scotia St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE / 21+

After an exhaustive yet also half-hearted search for the cheapest NYE party in Boston Proper, Kings is the winner. Covers band Thick Richard will probably play all the songs you'd expect a band to play.


MON 12/31

Tim Gearan Band (11pm), Allen Devine Trio (8pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I heard that Christopher's next door will be serving food until midnight...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TUES 1/1

Noon to 10pm
Marx Brothers Marathon
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$7.50 / $6 seniors/children under 12 (All-day Pass $25 / $20)

This may be a new annual New Year's Day; the Marx Brothers Marathon screens for the 2nd year in a row.
Today's program: 'Animal Crackers', 'Duck Soup', 'Horse Feathers', 'A Night At The Opera'


TUES 1/1

9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm
Yoga Open Studio
at O2 Yoga Studio, 121 E Berkeley 2nd Fl, Boston (South End)
FREE

Did you make any resolutions? You could try a free yoga class, if you wake up early enough, because I don't recommend trying this if you've stayed up all night. There are 3 classes: 9:30am - Intermediate, 11am - Power, 12:30pm - Basics

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WED 1/2

8pm
Viva La Revel-UKE-tion!
Feat: The East Boston Make-Out Club Band, Ian Schwartz, Sweet Soubrette, Ed White
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10

It's time to embrace the ukulele, but don't squeeze too hard or you might crush it. Musicians young and old are finding the guitar much too cumbersome to carry to gigs and are rocking/popping/folking/etc with its wee cousin. Even British school kids are ditching recorders for ukulele -- probably writing songs like 'Ukulele in the UK'.

The star of this show is The East Boston Make-Out Club Band. Their songs are lovely and hilarious, and none of the humor sounds forced. I saw EBMOCB along with Ian Schwartz last week, and Britney's "Baby One More Time" sounded better than ever; but that may be true about any cover of her songs. They're joined by Brooklyn's Sweet Soubrette and Ed White, the "Ukulele King of The Cantab"...


WED 1/2

10pm
The Naked Comedy Showcase
at ImprovBoston, 1253 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THUR 1/3

10pm
Bitches Brew
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE


THUR 1/3

6pm to 9pm
Elvis Birthday Bash
at Hard Rock Cafe, 22 Clinton St, Boston (near Faneuil Hall)
FREE

It's a few days before the King's birthday, but if you're jonesing for a fried banana & peanut butter sandwich, you should find it here. Elvis impersonator Steve Connolly is supposedly performing, but he might not want to divert attention from his subsequent show at the Cutler Majestic. Hopefully the service will be better than at Dick's Last Resort next week...


THUR 1/3

9:30pm to 11:30pm
Indie Short Film Night
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$5

I guess it was snowing on 12/13, because this was postponed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FRI 1/4

9:30pm
Hallelujah the Hills, Faces On Film, Reports, DJ Patrick Grenham
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 advance / $10 day of show / 18+

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SAT 1/5

3:30pm to 11:30pm
Python-A-Thon
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$7.50 / $6 seniors/children under 12 (All-day Pass $25 / $20)

'And Now For Something Completely Different', 'Monty Python's Life Of Brian', 'Monty Python And The Holy Grail', 'Monty Python And The Meaning Of Life'

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cheap Museum of the Week (Month):

Everyday in January

9am to 4pm
Admission for MA Residents
at Old State House Museum, 206 Washington St , Boston
Free

If you're strolling downtown with your MA identification, you can go into the Old State House for free -- the historical museum, not the T station. It's a great to see the exterior standing among the modern buldings, but I wouldn't want to pay $5 to go inside.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Link of the Week:

The Boston Globe sent 12 questions to the major Democratic & Republican candidates, and I thought it was interesting -- if just to demonstrate that Romney is a jerk who'd be worse than Bush 43. Something to forward your friends in early Primary states...

(Giuliani, Huckabee, & Thompson declined to answer any of the questions.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Quotes of the Week:

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

-- T.S. Eliot


"Appropriate standard cliches of the season to you and yours, assuming that you have some, though it's not a value judgment if you don't."

-- Anonymous

Thursday, December 27, 2007

THUR 12/27: Mary Lou Lord w/ Nash Kato (Short Notice Cheapness)



10pm
Mary Lou Lord w/ Nash Kato
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

After a weekly residency in November, singer (and 'friend' of Kurt Cobain) Mary Lou Lord seems to be doing semi-regular shows at the Plough. If you know Mary Lou, then you obviously remember Chi-Town rockers Urge Overkill. Singer/guitarist Nash Kato will also do a brief set tonight. The potential of hearing "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" might be enough to get you out tonight...?

UPDATE: My sources told me Mary Lou didn't make it, and things fell apart from there. So you didn't miss anything.

Monday, December 24, 2007

MON 12/24: See Mars & Moon



Looking up in the sky is one of the cheapest things you can do.

Both Mars and the Moon will be very bright tonight. According to NASA, the Red Planet won't be this visible again for 9 years; and you'll be 16 years older before you the Moon looking this bright again.

There's also a sky diagram to help you tell the difference your elbow and Uranus...

The best viewing time should be a little before midnight. Dig out the binoculars, because they will help. If you have a telescope, this would be a good night to move it away your neighbor's bedroom.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Cheap Thrills: 12/21 to 12/28

Well, I'll try to keep this up. Adding all the hyper-links just take up more time than I'd like to spend... For those stumbling upon 'ye olde blogge', I left some of the descriptions that my subscribers get.

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FRI 12/21
* The Paul Green School of Rock (Boston)
* Mente, Triple Thick, Velvetones, Rodentt
* Friday After Next w/ DJ Chubby Chub

SAT 12/22
* Tulsa, Mean Creek, Wonderful Spells, Deertick
* Andrea Gillis Band, The Russians, T Max Peace Chor-Us, Emily Grogan Band
* Boston Santacon 2007
* Notlob Parlor Concerts: Bob Franke and more -- thru 3/15

SUN 12/23
* TT's Annual Holiday Party
* Klezmer Throwdown

MON 12/24
* Have a good day/eve/night...

TUES 12/25
* "Blade Runner: Final Cut" thru THUR 1/3

WED 12/26
* Monique Ortiz
* Preacher Jack, The Doug MacDonald Band

THUR 12/27
* Club d’Elf w/ Reeves Gabrels

FRI 12/28
* The Killer Abs, Pony, The Big Disappointments,The Big, Big Bucks
* Viceversah, Elemental Zazen

SAT 12/29
* "All Together Now"
* The World's Greatest Sinners, Downbeat 5, The Self Righteous Brothers

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FRI 12/21

7pm to 8pm
Paul Green School of Rock (Boston)
at Center Court, Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St, Watertown
FREE


FRI 12/21

10pm
Mente, Triple Thick, Velvetones, Rodentt
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5


FRI 12/21

10pm
Friday After Next w/ DJ Chubby Chub
at The International, 184 High St, Boston (Financial District)
$10 Advance / $15 Door


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SAT 12/22

9:30pm
Tulsa, Mean Creek, Wonderful Spells, Deer Tick
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$8 / 21+

At first Tulsa reminded me of Sparklehorse/Wilco, but they make a very nice 'Tulsa' sound (with a hint of My Morning Jacket). I quote from their MySpace page, "Sounds Like: a magical unicorn who loves every thing that has ever been and sheds tears for the unknown junkie." I wouldn't be surprised if these guys actually 'make it'. Mean Creek -- I dare you to listen to them and tell me you don't like it! Wonderful Spells have basically been together since kindergarten, so they've had a lot of time to work on honing their power-pop.

My favorite discovery of the week has been Deer Tick, and thankfully it's a not big red sore on my back... I really like the gentle blend folk and indie-rock; there's a unique voice there that makes any music special and memorable.


SAT 12/22

The Noise Holiday Occupation Party
Andrea Gillis Band (Midnight), The Russians (11pm), T Max Peace Chor-Us (10pm), Emily Grogan Band (9pm)
at the Cantab Underground, 738 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge (between Central Sq & Harvard Sq)
$7


SAT 12/22

1pm
Boston Santacon 2007
From Faneuil Hall to Davis Sq
FREE

Put on your Santa suit and chaotically meander through Beacon Hill and Harvard Sq on your way to Davis. This could be fun, disorganized, wacky, drunken adventure. Santa didn't send the email update, but I'm pretty sure that you'll see some funny-looking Santas somewhere around Faneuil Hall...


SAT 12/22 thru 3/15

7:30pm
Notlob Parlor Concerts: Bob Franke and more
at the Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St, Jamaica Plain
Various Prices, most $10 advance tickets


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SUN 12/23

The Popgun Seven (11:35pm), "Christmas Chickens" (11:10pm), The Charms (10:50pm), Jake Zavracky (10:30pm), Corin Ashley (10:10pm), The Dirty Truckers (9:50pm), Bo Barringer (9:30pm), The Snowleopards (9:10pm), East Boston Makeout Club (8:50pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE


SUN 12/23

9pm
Klezmer Throwdown
at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MON 12/24

Yeah, I've got nothing special. Probably a good night to drink egg nog and wrap gifts. Magic 8-ball says, "Chill out tonight; have fun."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TUES 12/25 thru THUR 1/3

7pm, 9:30pm
"Blade Runner: Final Cut"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$9.50


TUES 12/25

Happy Saturnalia!

Here's my favorite NC-17, NSFW Saturnalia story of Xmas. Sometimes you can't see the dark green 'Next' arrow, but it's there...


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WED 12/26

7:00 PM
Monique Ortiz
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE


WED 12/26

Preacher Jack (9pm & 11pm), The Doug MacDonald Band (10:30pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (The Fens)
FREE / 21+


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THUR 12/27

9:30pm to 1:30am (two sets)
Club d’Elf w/ Reeves Gabrels
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FRI 12/28

10pm
The Killer Abs, Pony, The Big Disappointments, The Big, Big Bucks
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$8


FRI 12/28

9pm
Viceversah, Elemental Zazen
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 advance / $10 door / 21+


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SAT 12/29

9:30pm
"All Together Now"
Feat: Michelle Live!, Kingdom, Lone Wolf, Ian Michael Jackson & Brown Bear, Emarce, DJs Etan + Die Young
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 21+


SAT 12/29

9pm
The World's Greatest Sinners, Downbeat 5, The Self Righteous Brothers
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (The Fens)
$10 / 21+


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Links of the Week:

Make your own ringtones from any audio file. It's been around for more than a year and looks pretty cool. When I get a cellphone, I'll try this.

Modern Art versions of snowmen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Quote of the Week:

That some good can be derived from every event is a better proposition than
that everything happens for the best, which it assuredly does not.

-- James Kern Feibleman

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Thursday Fun -- 12/20

Blog posts should have pictures, so here's the Queens of the Stone Age in ugly Xmas sweaters:



I'm probably going to both events at some point tonight, so maybe I'll even post a review afterwards...

THUR 12/20

The Prime Movers are seriously good -- no doubt about it. You may not like the type of roaring mod-ish rock filled with catchy, fresh hooks, but you'll admit they're damn good at it. Be careful when walking by the band -- it's kinda narrow and I've seen the lead singer high-kick (a la Bob Pollard) every now and then...

And not only do Thee Monkey Butlers hark back to classic garage-rock of the 60's with a fierce musical flair, they all wear monkey masks when they perform!



THUR 12/20

9pm
"Ghouls In The Garage"
at TT the Bear's, 10 Brookline Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 18+


For those of you who don't feel like live music, Mary Widow and J. Cannibal (who organize stuff like Black Cat Burlesque shows and Feast of Flesh) will play a stack of "60s punk, garage, hard psych, international surf, psychobilly and scuzz" for crowd that would be a mix from the midnight horror movie crowd and some folks that used to hang out at ManRay.

This is every third Thursday of the month, and it should be extra wild this time. Some ladies from Black Cat Burlesque, La Gata Negra, and Babes in Boinkland will be dancing on and off stage. It's also a birthday party for Katrina Galore of performance-art group Grindhouse Marionettes.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

SAT 12/15: Somerville Illuminations Tour



4:30pm to 9pm
Annual Illuminations Tour
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Central Hill)
$10 / $5 -- for 12 and under & 60 and over

As of 12/4, all of the tours except 8:45 & 9:15pm are full; advance tix available at:
McIntyre & Moore Booksellers, 255 Elm St, Somerville (Davis Sq).

While one may get cynical about turning religious holidays into a massive, commercial cluster-assault on our senses, sanity, and savings; almost everyone enjoys houses festooned with a rainbow of lights and holiday decorations. Will you see outrageously gaudy displays as if a discount store vomited on someone's lawn? Of course, that's part of the fun.

There are 45-minute trolley tours that can be entertaining / informative / humorous depending on the guide. (I know someone on Going has been a tour guide in the past, there's at least one comedian this year, and Mayor Curatone has led tours as well...) The Somerville Community Chorus will perform throughout the day at City Hall where there will likely be other holiday fun. And you can grab a hot beverage & tasty goodies while you're loitering around.

If you'd like to go at your own pace without the commentary, a tour map is also for sale at McIntyre & Moore for the low, low price of $3 -- as well as Magpie (Davis Sq) & Blue Cloud Gallery (Ball Sq). Sure you don't get the 45-minute spiel from the tour guide -- but on the other hand, you don't get the 45-minute spiel from the tour guide...

A book and cards are also available -- and all the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff all year round.

Don't invite Al Gore, and you should have a good time either way.

Trolleys depart at 4:30, 5:00, 5:45, 6:15, 7:00, 7:30, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15.

There is a possibility to get stand-by tix on Saturday at City Hall.

If it's unsafe to drive, the tour will take place during the same time on Sunday. Call 617-625-6600 ext. 2985, if you're wondering.

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