WED 11/18: Art, Film, Opera, Comedy, Music

Well, there's a lot of high-quality cheapness tonight: Wild opera in a bar... Bawdy bar drawing in a school... Aggressive comedy... A free German art film... Good rock and free singer-songwriter types... Heck, I wonder if any Leonids could be seen at BU's observatory night? It's making me think Wednesday may be the "new Thursday". If you go to MassArt tonight and are ambitious, you can catch two events.

If you want a laugh, this must be the best Craigslist ad of the day: "Gravy Ladler (Saturday Evening)"

--------------------------------------------------------------

WED 11/18

5pm to 9pm
"Leaving the River": Opening Reception
at Arnheim Gallery, South Bldg, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston (MassArt campus)
FREE

There is still a sign downtown (maybe on New Chardon St?) that welcomes you to the West End, but there's little left of the neighborhood that was razed about 50 years ago. (I love that one building standing alone near the Garden.)

Evelyn Berde's multi-media installation is based on her childhood in the West End including traumatic events in her life and the loss of the neighborhood, which still lives on in the memories of the former residents who still attend reunions.

Exhibit on display through THUR 12/3.

WED 11/18

7pm
"Wings of Desire"
at Harvard Film Archive, Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

This movie blew me away when I first saw it, and it was unabated when my friends didn't feel as strongly after I'd force them to watch it.

Yes, there are a lot of angels walking around Berlin. Yes, it's mostly in black and white. Yes, it's in German (with subtitles). Yes, with open mind and open hear you will feel more alive after watching this movie. Beautiful film.

WED 11/18

7:30pm
"Operatic Acrobatics: Opera Without a Net"
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
FREE / 21+

Since we're in the middle of National Opera Week, Opera Boston celebrates with a free show of their Underground series.

Every Underground session has had a theme, and Operatic Acrobatics is comprised "difficult, high-wire" pieces -- -- that make opera geeks giddy.

About a dozen young singers (including Sol Kim Bentley, Brenna Wells, and Julia Mintzer) will tackle these high-flying arias without a net. There may be some danger, but let's hope no one is injured or embarrassed.

Hosted by Opera Boston music director Gil Rose.

Doors open at 7pm, and there's a good chance that people will be lined up before then to get into the tiny basement club.

WED 11/18

7:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret -- goes to MassArt
at Pozen Center, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston (MassArt, enter on Evans Way)
$5 / FREE w/ MassArt ID / All Ages

Feat: Molly Crabapple, Miss Southern Comfort & Dame Cuchifrita of Brown Girls Burlesque, Mr. Reusch, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band

Dr. Sketchy is taking a break from the bars to visit one of our local art schools. You won't be able to order a drink, but it should still be a fun session to draw as casually as you like. Don't let the art majors intimidate you.

Molly Crabapple (Dr. Sketchy's founder) is on the road promoting her graphic novel "Scarlett Takes Manhattan" by visiting branches like Boston.

I think I have a general idea about the program. There's going to be more models than usual: artist Mister Reusch is going kick it off as a musical monster model. The duo from NYC's Brown Girls Burlesque are probably going to pose similar to scenes in "Scarlett Takes Manhattan", and Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band will provide the lurid horns and rhythms to make you draw something awesome -- in your own way.

I bet the MassArt kids don't see life models like these...

Update: Maybe 8pm? I don't know.

WED 11/18

9pm
"Improv CageMatch"
at Castlebar, 575 Washington St, Brighton (Oak Sq)
$1 / 21+

This is when comedy gets serious. In a way... But still, y'know, funny... The Castlebar improv team will be facing Bastards Inc in a comedy battle.

I don't know what's going on exactly, but this looks funny. Two stand-up acts will perform as well.

It's only a buck to get in, and there will be $2 High Life Specials and $7 Pitchers. Drinking in a bar doesn't get much cheaper than this. Drink, laugh, repeat.

WED 11/18

9pm
Cub Country, The Big Big Bucks, Yoni Gordon & the Goods, Borrowed Eyes
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

On top of everything else happening under $10, there's a pretty killer rock show. The two touring bands include former bassists of cool bands that are now taking a looser, bluesier, folksier approach to rock. (The Cub Country guy was in Jets to Brazil; the dude behind Borrowed Eyes is formerly of ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.) Neither is a quiet and soft band, but both might fall under the "rootsy" umbrella. I hear more rock than twang, and it's something worthwhile to check out.

To spice things up, Yoni Gordon & the Goods and The Big Big Bucks get in your face and rock it out. Thumbs up for all.

WED 11/18

Audrey Ryan (10pm), Sarah Blacker (7pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Anytime you have a chance to see Audrey Ryan, you should seriously consider it. I'm genuinely flummoxed that she isn't already adored by millions of music lovers. The multi-instrumentalist dispatches thoughtful lyrics that dance in and around your ears on the inventive melodies. There's a lovably catchy quirkiness to it. Her new album sounds damn good too...

The early show with Sarah Blacker isn't shabby either.