Thursday, July 31, 2008

THUR 7/31: King Khan, Pair of Jazz, Shakespeare

King Khan & the Shrines at Middle East Tonight
Even though the summer is well under way, there's still a ton of free music out there. You should see a post in the next week that's just a big list of all the free music out there. I'll even try to update it throughout the year...

I really think the musical highlight of the night is King Khan and The Shrines, but that's just me...

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THUR 7/31

9:30pm
King Khan and the Shrines, Live Fast Die, Colour Revolt
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 advance / $10 day of show / 18+

King Khan seems to usually tour the States with his stripped-down garage-punk project King Khan & BBQ Show, but this time he's out with a full band including a horn section and go-go dancer. You must seriously consider seeing the rock spectacle of Khan whenever you get a chance -- he's a wild man on- or off-stage. This is prime sweaty soul music played at about 112% intensity. (Yes, he's a Canadian of East Indian descent who moved to Berlin about 10 years ago.)

Even if you don't listen to the raw punk of Live Fast Die or the eclectic delta-blues-informed indie-rock of Colour Revolt, you will get your money's worth! If you can get in...

THUR 7/31

7pm to 9pm
Eguie Castrillo & His Orchestra
at O'Day Park, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE

It's the last concert of this year's Tito Puente Latin Music Series, so it's a big band playing caliente Latin jazz & salsa. The Eguie Castrillo Orchestra is a big band (17-piece and a singer), and I immediately thought of Tito Puente when I listened to their stuff.

In case of rain, performances will take place at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center adjacent to the park.

THUR 7/31

6pm
Sol Melodiq
at Institute for Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston (South Boston/Seaport)
FREE

Every Thursday night is free at ICA, and outdoor music is happening throughout the summer. Like the other summer performers, Sol Melodiq came out of Berklee so this band is wicked tight. Everyone says you gotta check out the Anish Kapoor exhibit inside; you might as well groove to some jazzy neo-soul outside...


Almost forgot about...

THUR 7/31 (thru SUN 8/3)

8pm (SUN: 7pm)
"As You Like It": Shakespeare in the Park
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common)
FREE

The annual Free Shakespeare performances are really one of the best gifts to the city, so we should appreciate it and take in a performance.

It's one of the Bard's sylvan love stories, which the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will twist it in their way as they usually do each year. From what I can tell, it looks like the sets will be reinterpreted in a 40's style.

Free Shakespeare doesn't last forever -- the final shows are tonight through Sunday...

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