Saturday, June 09, 2012

SAT 6/9: Photos, Herbs, Dance, Pride, Magic, Music

Boston Pride Parade
On a sunny weekend, doing almost anything (or hardly anything at all) is a splendid way to pass the hours. Take a look and see if something strikes your fancy...

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SAT 6/9

10am to 10pm
Flash Forward Festival
at The Fairmont Hotel, Battery Wharf, Boston (North End/Waterfront)
FREE

Last year's inaugural exhibit was an excellent survey of photographers from Canada, UK, and the States where there were 2 or 3 works by each winner of the related competition.

The exhibit returns to a large room and a couple satellites at the Fairmont that is open until 10pm. Between 10am and 6pm, there are various free lectures and panels.

SAT 6/9

11am to 6pm
Herbstalk
at Arts at the Armory Performance Hall, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$5 suggested donation

Of course, nature has given us more remedies than a medicine cabinet can hold, yet most modern apes prefer the prefab pills of a pharmacy. While I can get a little fatigued by the enthusiasm of some devotees, we wouldn't have created the artificial cures if there wasn't something to the originals.

A group of "local herbalists, holistic nutritionists, naturopathic doctors and natural health counselors" will offer classes (be ready to take notes) and local/handmade products will be for sale.

There are a handful of classes that begin each hour that include topics such as: healthy skin & Scalp, heartburn relief, using infused oils, herbs to aid chronic disease, first aid & sports medicine, and stress-relieving recipes.

SAT 6/9

Noon to 10pm
4th Annual Dance for World Community Festival
around Old Cambridge Baptist Church, 1151 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Noon to 7pm -- Dance performances
7pm to 10pm -- "Dancing in the Street"
I walked by the dance festival a couple years ago, and it held my interest for a little while. If you don't feel like watching whatever type of dance on the various stages, the groups will change every 15 to 20 minutes -- and there are indoor classes to learn a few moves.

Everyone is welcome to join the dance party from 7pm to 10pm.

SAT 6/9

Noon to 6pm
Boston Pride Parade & Festival
from South End to City Hall Plaza, Boston
FREE

Feat: Rye Rye, Alexis Jordan, Kerli, Mod Gun, Grygiel, Mob Music, Justin Utley, Lauren Bateman Band, Ariel Aparicio, Aerochix

Although the parade will begin in Copley Square, the route still wends its way into South End before making it to City Hall Plaza. The weather is cooperating for a day of fabulousness throughout the route into the festival for pride, music, vendors, etc.

Of course, people of all orientations and genders are welcome. Non-LGBTQ folks may actually enjoy themselves as much as everyone else...

For an entrance fee, there's a balcony above the stage to act as a cocktail lounge.

SAT 6/9

2:30pm, 7:30pm
Bob the Magic Guy, "Magic For Smart People"
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
$10 / $6 for 12 and under

Ah, magicians know how to influence and misdirect. Don't be swayed by Bob the Magic Guy calling you smart for simply showing up. Keep an eye on him like any other real estate broker turned illusionist who offers an hour-long family-friendly show. (Includes a 10 minute intermission.)

SAT 6/9

7:30pm to 11pm
Tango By Moonlight
at Weeks Memorial Footbridge, Memorial Dr & DeWolfe St, Harvard Sq
FREE

The moon won't be as big as it was last month, however motion is far more important than size when it comes to tango...

Every summer for moor than 15 years, people gather on the bridge to dance between sky and river. As usual, they'll start with brief tango lesson for the first 15 minutes or so, then you can try for as long as you like until the tango stymies you. That's a good time to dance and sway in your own style.

It's a fun time with and without a partner, since you can usually find a partner or two. Perhaps the spirit will move you. I've gone several times over the years, and it's always a good time. Yes, it's good for a date night without going in a dance club.

If not tonight, there are 5 more sessions through October.

SAT 6/9

9pm
Aloud, Mellow Bravo, Animal Talk, The Albrights
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10

If there was such a thing as a rock 'n roll sundae, let's put a couple scoops of anthemic modern/classic rock from Aloud and Mellow Bravo. Add a scoop of dancey indie-rock from Animal Talk. The Albrights from Buffalo can be the nuts (thick, crunchy guitars) and the banana (smooth guy-gal vocals). Subsitute your drink of choice for the chocolate syrup, and you've got a pretty sweet Saturday-night treat.

SAT 6/9

10pm
John Powhida International Airport
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Either you love or hate John Powhida's big voice and rock-star charisma, but you have a chance to A/B the bands handling the funky pop-rock sound. The tiny Toad stage can't hold all of the twisted pop/funk/soul-rock that the 'Airport' brings, but there will be some room to soak it in.

SAT 6/9

9pm
Dan Brenner, Mary Lou Lord, Martha Marin
at Redstar Union, Building 400, One Kendall Sq, Cambridge
$10

I don't know much about this space. Every now and then, it usually hosts a quality music/comedy show. Accomplished singer-songwriter Dan Brenner is joined by local legend Mary Lou Lord and Martha Marin who appears to be Philly rock chick who loves Tom Waits and The Clash in equal parts. Be prepared to be impressed several times throughout the gig.

SAT 6/9

10pm
Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
$5 / 21+

At a gig like this, Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents should be doing 2 or 3 sets of the best girl-group-soul revue this side of Motown. There are horns, back-up singers, a rocking band, and the tremendous vocals of Jenny Dee that began blowing the minds of Boston fans in the Downbeat 5.

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