Sunday Night Vide-O-bama! #9

In a week of specious attacks on Sen. Obama and ridiculous coverage of the underqualified Repub VP candidate, here is a clip from Barack's Letterman appearance. (I try to be positive instead of attacking the other side...)



A direct link.

SUN 9/14: Rain, Sh-main...

I know it's football season, but there's stuff to do. I'd put my whole list for the week, but I want to go out there...

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SUN 9/14

Noon to 6pm
(ahts): Boston Arts Festival
at Christopher Columbus Park, Boston (North End/Waterfront)
FREE

Besides over 65 artists exhibiting and selling their works, there's a lot performances on 2 stages this year. There is entertainment all day, but my highlights for today:

4:15pm to 4:45 pm: Iyeoka
5pm to 5:30pm: The Tarbox Ramblers
5:45pm to 6:15 pm: Bon Savants

SUN 9/14

Noon to 6pm
Allston Village Street Fair
on Harvard Ave, from Brighton Ave to Cambridge St, Allston
FREE

Not your average street fair, it's funkier and hipper that those cookie-cutter festivals -- that's Allston rolls... That whole section of Harvard Ave is blocked off to the irritation of countless drivers.

A bunch of food vendors and street performers will be there. It's hard to say who's playing when, but performers include: Casey Desmond, Three Day Threshold, Barnicle, The Allstonians, Bad Ash, Logan 5 And The Runners, Nate Gibson & The Gas House Gang.

Part of the event's beauty is that it can't look much worse even after all the trash that might be left behind...

SUN 9/14

1pm to 5pm
Open House
at Cutler Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont St, Boston (Theatre District)
FREE

When you pay to see a show at the Cutler Majestic, you don't get this kind of access. Take a tour all around the theatre... Maybe you'll be there for a mini-performance, or you'll meet some artistic folks... Hear the story of the lobby's abandoned T stop... Sounds like there will be some free grub too. And some drawings that'll get you on a mailing list forever. Otherwise, I'm intrigued.

SUN 9/14

2:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

A fun, low-key, bawdy drawing session for all levels with a bar for your drinking pleasure. The models are always someone cool and alternative... Funny drawing games happen during the seesion, and prizes are awarded. So get your sketchbook, drawing pad, mini-easel, stolen office paper, whatever -- and experience the coolest & cheapest life-drawing class around.

A couple of tips: Come on time to get a seat up front. Keep it small
so others can crowd in around you. Bring your stuff in a milk crate so you have something to sit on or put your stuff on. (we have lots of seats, but more is helpful) There will be some fancy paper for you to buy if you want.

This month's model: Katrina Galore

SUN 9/14

3:30pm
Achuira, Yarina, Mexican Mariachi, Grupo Borinken
at Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE / All Ages

I'm confused about this, because it's apparently the culmination of other educational and cultural activities called the "PanAmerican Project". I'm feeleing confdent that you'll hear good music that has sprung from South America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

SUN 9/14

Various Times
Newbury Comics' 30th Anniversary
at various Newbury Comics Locations
FREE

There's only one big performace today -- Bang Camaro (3pm) at Norwood -- but all stores still offer:

- 30% off on: used CD's & DVD's; vinyl (records); trading cards; comics; and graphic novels
- Enter To Win an iPod Nano and 8-CD Collection -- at each store
- Free CD samplers and other stuff (while supplies last, and there might not be anything left based on my experience yesterday)

SUN 9/14

9:30pm
The Wonderful Spells, Movers and Shakers, The Weight
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

JP isn't really that far away. It may seem that way on a Sunday night, but they offer 3 very good bands. The Wonderful Spells are one of these bands comprised of relatives and childhood friends that could charm any crowd with their power-pop.
This is great stuff -- when do they get their wacky sit-com? Movers & Shakers don't offer sugar with their strong, steaming cup of rock; but they stir in a lot of heart and grit and decades of American music. (I wish I was in this band.)

The Weight. The Weight... I don't believe they're really from Brooklyn. If they're from Brooklyn, someone grew them in a laboratory from recovered bits of Gram Parsons' DNA...

SUN 9/14 thru WED 9/17

Various Times
Boston Film Festival
at Kendall Landmark Theatre, One Kendall Square, Cambridge
$10

A lot of these will be appearing wider release soon, but you could see them now...

Sneak Peek -- FRI 9/12 to SUN 9/14

Oh, boy. I'll add the extra links when I can... There is SO MUCH free music this weekend. If you were a crazy T-riding, yo-yo fool, you could catch hours and hours of great free entertainment.

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FRI 9/12

6pm
Copywrite, Burnt MD
at Underground Hip-Hop Headquarters, 234 Huntington Ave, Boston (South End-ish)
FREE / 15+

FRI 9/12

7pm
Winedown: "Cambridge Local First"
at Harvard Book Store 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

FRI 9/12

9:30pm
Tom Petty Tribute Show
Feat: Brendan Boogie Band, The Great Bandini, Watts, The Rationales, Jenee Halstead w/ Broken Blossoms
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Every band is doing Petty tunes. Plenty of special guests.

FRI 9/12

7pm to 7:30pm
Silent Rave, Yo!
by the fountain, 206 Clarendon St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Bring an iPod -- or something with headphones -- and silently dance together. Listen to whatever you want. Pretty fun, actually.

FRI 9/12 to SUN 9/14

Various Times
Newbury Comics' 30th Anniversary
at various Newbury Comics Locations
FREE

As a rule of thumb, acts will probably perform about 30 minutes. There are more happenings at stores outside of Greater Boston.

FRI 9/12

at Newbury Street
Passion Pit (5pm)
Mission of Burma (7pm)

at Harvard Sq
Dar Williams (6pm)

at Newton
Free Food from Blue Ribbon Barb-B-Q (5pm to 7pm)

SAT 9/13

at Norwood (Grand Opening on the Automile)
Wally The Green Monster (10am)
Big D & The Kids Table (2pm)

at Newbury Street
The Kooks (1pm)
GZA - autograph signing only (5:30pm)

at Faneuil Hall
Tulsa (3pm)
Los Lonely Boys (5pm)

at Harvard Sq
Sam Phillips (3:30pm)
Apollo Sunshine (7pm)

SUN 9/14

at Norwood
Bang Camaro (3pm)

Also

- 30% off on: used CD's & DVD's; vinyl (records); trading cards; comics; and graphic novels
- Enter To Win an iPod Nano and 8-CD Collection -- at each store
- Free CD samplers and other stuff (while supplies last)

FRI 9/12 to SUN 9/14

Various Times
(ahts): Boston Arts Festival
at Christopher Columbus Park, Boston (North End/Waterfront)
FREE

Friday : 2 to 7:30 pm,
Saturday & Sunday: Noon to 6 PM

Besides over 65 artists exhibiting and selling their works, there's a lot performances on 2 stages this year.

Some highlights:

FRI 9/12

5:45 to 6pm: Blue Man Group
6pm to 7:30 pm: Buffalo Tom

SAT 9/13

5pm to 5:30 pm: Everyday Visuals
5:45pm to 6:30 pm: Bleu

SUN 9/14

4:15pm to 4:45 pm: Iyeoka
5pm to 5:30pm: Tarbox Ramblers
5:45pm to 6:15 pm: Bon Savants

FRI 9/12 to WED 9/17

Various Times
Boston Film Festival
at Kendall Landmark Theatre, One Kendall Square, Cambridge
$10

A lot of these will be appearing wider release soon, but you could see them now...

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

SAT 9/13

11am
"Tabu"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Elements Of Cinema: HFA Programmer David Pendleton will lead discussion afterwards.

SAT 9/13

4pm to 11pm
Open House / Dance Party
at Goethe-Institut Boston, 170 Beacon Street, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

4pm to 7pm: an informal Open House of upcoming events & courses with traditional German food and drink, raffles and German book sales

7pm to 11pm: dance to cutting-edge German pop music (like SNL's "Sprockets"?)...

SAT 9/13

7:30pm to 11pm
Tango by Moonlight
over the Charles River, on the Weeks pedestrian bridge, Memorial Drive side, near Dewolf St, Cambridge
FREE

The last tango -- of the year... on the bridge...

Raindate: SUN 9/14
(Regardless of clear or cloudy skies, raindates are used only if it is actually raining at 8 pm on the primary date.)

SAT 9/13

6pm
Somerville Moped-Scooter Rally & Concourse
Feat: Broken River Prophets, The December Sound, The Big Disapointments, The Sharp Darts
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

You don't need wheels to hang out and enjoy.

SAT 9/13

8pm
Mieka Pauley, Bethel Steele
at Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St, Jamaica Plain
$10

Presented by JP Unplugged

SAT 9/13

9:30pm
Ketman, Alec Redfearn & The Seizures, Monique Ortiz, Hel Toro, Zoig-Ma-Noig
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
$12

More than $10, but the Abbey might close down so please think about going any night this upcoming week.

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SUN 9/14

2:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

A fun, low-key, bawdy drawing session for all levels with some games (and a bar!)

This month's model: Katrina Galore

SUN 9/14

Noon to 6pm
Allston Village Street Fair
on Harvard Ave, from Brighton Ave to Cambridge St, Allston
FREE

It's hard to say who's playing when, but performers include: Casey Desmond, Three Day Threshold, Barnicle, The Allstonians, Love In Stockholm, Bad Ash, Logan 5 And The Runners, The Autumn Hollow Band, Rogue Heroes, Nate Gibson & The Gas House Gang

SUN 9/14

1pm to 5pm
Open House
at Cutler Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont St, Boston (Theatre District)
FREE

Get the first look at the upcoming season, meet select artists and companies, watch special live preview performances along with video excerpts, sample fare from local restaurants, tour the historic Majestic back to front, top to bottom, learn about the fascinating history (did you know there is an old entrance to the T in the lower lobby?) ask all those questions you've wondered about, see what's new in the neighborhood, hear about all that's on the horizon and enter for a chance to win some awesome prizes

SUN 9/14

9:30pm
The Wonderful Spells, Movers and Shakers, The Weight
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

THUR 9/11: Words (Fiction & Non-), Wild Video, Good Music

So I was on "Chronicle" for about 1.5 seconds last night with my friends at Bostonist, but I don't feel like a star. Seeing the back of my head actually might have encouraged me to wear a hat more often... Most of the other Boston bloggers did alright, but I think Food Monkey did a great job. I liked his spotlight on meal deals around town...

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THUR 9/11

6pm
"Returnees" (6pm), "The Sinker" (8:30pm): Staged Readings
at Boston Playwrights Theatre, 949 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

I could be wrong, but I'm guessing the words of these plays are far more important than the sets and props. Hey, it's free...

"Returnees" by Barry Brodsky (6pm to 8pm):

...a play in which racial tensions undermine the investigation of graft and corruption in a small Washington DC military office in 1968

"The Sinker" by Jami Brandli (8:30pm to 10pm):

Three snowbound liars. One tiny gun. [unknown number] survive.

THUR 9/11

6:30pm to 8pm
Jimmy Wales, "Free Speech, Free Minds, Free Markets": Discussion
at C. Walsh Theater, Suffolk University, 55 Temple St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE

Ford Hall Forum has another impressive roster of speakers for their Fall season, and the first forum doesn't disappoint. Journalist (and Dreden Dolls song) Christopher Lydon will moderate the evening with the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales. People are joining together and sharing information for little reward besides satisfaction and dorkdom prestige... This could be fascinating; definitely better than a TV interview. Old media (live conversation) trumps adolescent media (Radio, TV) when covering new media.

THUR 9/11

7pm to 9pm
"Experimentally Ill 2" : Alternative Film Showcase
at Video Screening Room, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
FREE

There's a lot wild and weird shit going on out there. People have more access to video equipment than ever, and they're making all sorts of cool, funny, weird films. Mike Phelan O'Toole and Quincy Brisco are hosting a second free night of experimental video that includes several pieces featuring the hosts, a couple from artist D.L. Polonsky, shorts from comedy group The Peanut Butter Solutionists, "It's Jerry Time!" animations, friggin' cool experimentalism from the MindPie collective, Jesse Kreitzer's documentary on Boston's #1 celebrity autograph hound, music videos of DJ Benny Appell's "The Price Is Wrong" and midatlantic's (fka The Bleedin Bleedins) "Shine", humorously rockin' sock (and other) puppetry from Uncle Monsterface, some horror shorts and other strange stuff from Dom Portalla, James Bernardinelli, and others.

I've watched some of this stuff. Most aren't very polished, but there is good effort. I'm also glad that some of these people are putting their time and effort into something creative and non-violent...

I'm sure there will be Q's afterwards, and many of the filmmakers will be there to provide some interesting A's.

THUR 9/11

9pm
Otis Grove, Carlon, New Madrid Faults
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$5 / 21+

I like how "Boston" and "Austin" rhyme. After Boston, Austin is way up on the list of my favorite cities. Carlon and Otis Grove have cleverly named their tour after the first and last stops...

I know I'm usually an unqualified home band supporter, but... As much as I like organ trios, the other bands impress me more than Otis Grove. This isn't boring organ music -- it's jazzy with dollops of funk and hip-hop (although Soulive leans more towards hip-hop than OG). Carlon is making inarguably awesome music that you can tell all your 'cool friends' about. Someone said "Radiohead meets The Band"; fans of My Morning Jacket, Calexico, etc. should love this. New Madrid Faults sound damn good too; they ooze with musicianship, and these guys rock it out!

WED 9/10: Photos, Fashion/Film Talk, Hoedown, Book Party

Hey, we're alive! As they'll say at The Beehive tonight, "Yee-haw."

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WED 9/10

6pm to 8pm
David J. Stokle, "Pictures not Paintings": Opening Reception
at Boston French Library, 53 Marlborough St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

The images on David J. Stokle's website are striking. This exhibit is a combination of color and B&W photos on paper and canvas to "examine how our conditioned visual perception sometimes allows us to see pictures as paintings." Besides Stokle's work, there will be 2 pictures of Paris from 1881.

I remember having some wonderful wine and cheese at another Alliance Francais event; here's hoping for more of the same...

RSVP recommended and appreciated: 617-912-0400

WED 9/10

6pm to 8pm
"Cinema Couture": A Dialogue on Fashion & Film
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Boston Fashion Week and Boston Film Festival start on Friday. While I love cinema, fashion holds little interest for me. (This is clear to anyone who has seen the way I dress.) Some of you might want to listen in on this discussion. I'd like to think they will show some clips to break up two hours of yapping...

WED 9/10

7pm
MAP Boston 2008 Party
at The OtherSide Cafe, 407 Newbury St, Boston
FREE

It's a weekly planner... It's a guide book... Perhaps the school year has prompted you to become more organized? Well, you're probably not going to do it, but getting a calendar book is a good way to make you feel like it. The beauty of MAP Boston is that it runs from August to the end of next year.

No one can look at my blog all the time (at least I wouldn't recommend it), so there's info on places to go and things to do interspersed through the book. I don't recall the quality of the actual maps, there are some in it...

Enjoy some free food and maybe win a prize, then feel guilted into buying a copy of MAP Boston (retail $14.95). I don't if they'll offer a deal on the price, but I'm confident that more cool people than usual will be hanging out at The Otherside tonight!

WED 9/10

Honky-Tonk Hoedown w/ Preacher Jack (8pm), Girl Howdy (9:30pm)
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

It's hard for me to imagine The Beehive refashioning itself as a honky-tonk, but curiosity is part of the appeal. Local record company Cow Island Music is assisting with the country conversion, and two of their artists will perform.

The "Good Ol' Beehive" gets the down-home around 5:30pm -- there's a Southern-inspired menu and special bourbon cocktails -- but Preacher Jack swings the party into action at 8pm. If there's anyone who can get this place jumping like a honky-tonk, it's the Preacher who's a gospel-fueled rockabilly time capsule from the '50s. Everyone should see him at least once in their lives! It brings a smile on my face to hear the classic country sound of Girl Howdy. You will want to grab a partner onto the dance floor -- there is no escape from these ladies.