TUES 9/15: Roots, Rock, Opera, Skeptics

Isn't that the best T map you've ever seen? Who cares if it won't help most people...

Update: The photo now links to a page where you can buy a print of it.

Even though the Red Line seemed to have a few delayed stops this morning, the conductor's announcements entertained some of us. Maybe someone pissed in her Wheaties in this morning, but we heard irritated admonishments at several stations.

It culminated at Downtown Crossing when she said:

That's what you get for blocking the door with body parts!

Haha...

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

TUES 9/15

7pm to 10pm
Boston Skeptics in the Pub: "What's the Harm?"
at Tommy Doyle's (upstairs), 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

It's the skeptical view from Down Under with Australian scientist Dr. Rachael Dunlop. Come with an open yet questioning mind that's looking for evidence and sound reasoning -- and please no "shrimp on the barbie" jokes.

[Facebook]

TUES 9/15

Cassavettes (7pm), Mia Dyson (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Wanted to go to Toad last Tuesday? Cassavettes and Mia returned just for you.

From gig to gig, I've Cassavettes hit multiple points on the roots-to-rock meter. Who knows what mood they'll be in, but the room size suggests they'll be in an easygoing alt-country groove tonight.

For some reason, I haven't paid attention to Mia Dyson despite she's been playing loads of local gigs. It turns out Dyson has a beautifully husky voice, and she writes meaningful songs that complement her bluesy delivery so well. There must be a good story lurking since she's originally from Australia where she won the equivalent of a Grammy in '05. We should catch her solo performances while she's still hanging around town.

TUES 9/15

8:15pm
"Holy Ghosts: An Opera"
at Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass Ave, Boston (Back Bay)
$10 / $5 under-18 & seniors

I listened to a snippet of Larry Bell's vocal music, and it's still in the classical tradition that you'd expect for opera even though much of the action takes place in a Pentecostal church.

The opera (with 22 singers) is based on a play by Romulus Linney who included quite a bit of historical and religious accuracy. Yes, people speak in tongues and handle snakes, etc.

The production is "fully staged with costumes and lighting."

[Facebook]

TUES 9/15

9pm
Jess Tardy w/ guests
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE / 21+

Through high school and college, Jess was on an impressive track towards jazz saxophone and vocals. She decided to write her own soulful, rootsy stuff, and it looks like one of her regular gigs is Tuesday at Sally O'Brien's.

TUES 9/15

9:30pm
Ramona Falls, Brian Bonz & The Dot Hongs
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 18+

If you like Menonema, you should dig Ramona Falls which is the side project of one member and the touring band includes the Menonema drummer on bass. The music is dreamy indie-rock that gracefully moves through songs, song sections, and emotions. I think of dreams, because listening with eyes closed can give the sensation of floating/flying above a strange landscape.

As much as the two words "Dot Hongs" (friggin' Brooklyn...) put a sour look on my face, the music of Brian Bonz & co. easily wipes that look away by their well-orchestrated indie-pop.

9/17: RSVP for a Rum Drink (Yo-ho-ho!)

7pm to 9pm
"Cocktail Week Opening Night Party"
at M.J. O'Connor's, 27 Columbus Ave, Boston (Park Plaza)
FREE w/ RSVP

Wow, the "second annual" Cocktail Week (sponsored by Bacardi) has snuck up on us. The site has lists of 20 bars in Boston (plus others in Portland and Providence) that are offering a rum-cocktail 'n appetizer combo for $20.09.

It's probably a savings of 90 cents or less, but it might be interesting for those fruity-drink lovers meeting up with friends. (I'd suggest going to Top of the Hub or another spot where the drinks and apps might already be more than $10...)

The real cheapness is alive and well at the kickoff where you can score a couple Bacardi drinks and apps for free -- if get there before they reach capacity.

(Do you think they might actually serve Bacardi-and-cokes?)

It's a Stuff party, so every rummy needs to RSVP individually. If you don't like the emails they may send you in the future, it's easy to click 'delete'...

Cocktail Week runs from Thirsty Thursday 9/17 to Thirsty Thursday 9/24.

MON 9/14: Books, Film, Rap

Dang, another three-day weekend today would've been nice today.

In case you're interested, The Polyphonic Spree is doing a free show at the Paradise on Thursday. I think you can still text to get on the list (probably a "first-come..." deal).

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

MON 9/14

7pm
Cari Beauchamp, "Joseph P. Kennedy Presents His Hollywood Years": Lecture & Screening
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
FREE w/ RSVP

The patriarch is getting some attention for his professional career besides diplomacy (and bootlegging).

Fitting that the presentation at this theatre since the Kennedy family lived down the street from for 13 years -- also known as the JFK birthplace -- before heading to Hollywood via New York. Not just "a movie mogul", he was one of the most successful and influential of the era.

Author Cari Beauchamp will discuss her book and introduce "The Trespasser", a movie produced by Joe and the transitional film for silent-film star Gloria Swanson into "talkies".

Advance reservations are recommended via Brookline Adult & Community Education: 617-730-2700 or online.

MON 9/14

7pm to 9pm
Four Stories, "The Long Goodbye: Stories of endings and loss": Reading
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: Lisa Borders, Steven Brykman, Tim Horvath, Sebastian Stuart

Maybe I've got Beatles on the brain, it seems like the theme could've been "Hello Goodbye." It's the season opener of this reading series that encourages audience participation to interact with the authors. Someone wins a free drink every for asking the best question.

MON 9/14

9pm
Busdriver, Abstract Rude, Los Wunder Twins Del Rap, Will C
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 advance / $10 day of show / 18+

From LA's underground hip-hop scene centered around the long-running open-mic Project Blowed, Busdriver and Abstract Rude offer two distinct yet appealing approaches. Busdriver has a rapidly crisp delivery that covers topics from the political to the bizarre. Abstract Rude usually doesn't go at such a frenetic pace, but the rhymes have a more soulful flow.

With a name like Los Wunder Twins Del Rap, you know there's a healthy sense of humor. These guys from Lowell will make you laugh here and there, but it's solid stuff. It should be a damn good show.

9/13: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Ladies and gentlemen, all of Kenny's death scenes from Seasons 1 through 5 on "South Park"...

Sneak Peek: SUN 9/13

I guess the weather didn't cooperate on Saturday, but let's think warm thoughts...

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

SUN 9/13

Noon to 6pm
Cambridge Carnival Parade
from Central Sq to Kendall Sq, via Mass Ave to about 450 Main St, Cambridge
FREE

The parade is fun to watch, and there's loads of food options -- and live music -- at the end. We'll see how the weather goes...

SUN 9/13

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

Art and performances are scheduled to go on Sunday.

Schedule:

1pm -- Balletrox
1:45pm -- In Like Lions
2:15pm -- Boston Ballet
3pm -- Grace Kelly
3:30pm -- A Far Cry
4:15pm -- Cars On Mars
4:45pm -- A Night At The Rock Opera

SUN 9/13

Noon to 9pm
Greek Music and Food Festival
at The Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, 29 Central St, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE

I love Greek food and Greek music! You might end up spending more than $10 on food and drink, but it'll be worth it. There will be other activities and such that you might see at fairs & festivals, so it should be a good time.

Via T, think #88 (Davis Sq/Lechmere) or #90 (Davis Sq/Sullivan Sq).

SUN 9/13

3pm
Fenwick Smith
at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

Flautist Fenwick Smith leads a small ensemble of NEC faculty and recent grads for an annual flute-centric concert. I find it interesting that Smith has performed such an opening concert for over 30 years and has repeated a program.

SUN 9/13

2:30pm to 5:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$8 / 18+

Probably the most fun you can have at a drawing session in a public place. Anyone can give it a shot. From first-timers to professionals, all are welcome to have some art fun with no one to tell you what to do.

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.

You're not going to find a cheaper art class -- mainly because it's not a class. Just go and have some fun.

Model of the Month: Kitty Fox of Can Can Revolution (who modeled at the Tuesday night session about two weeks ago)

SUN 9/13

4pm to 8:30pm
"La Grande Fete"
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St , Bow St)
FREE

What's the occasion? Who cares. Haitians know how to party! For what Haiti lacks in material wealth, there's wealth of vibrant culture of music, dance, art, film, spoken word, food, etc.

Gifrants will perform, and I think he used to play regularly in the T. A local band, Watch Out!, plays kompa music; and there'll be a kompa dance demonstration.

Schedule:

4:30pm -- Live drumming
4:45pm -- Poetry and readings
5:15pm -- Gifrants
5:45pm -- Kompa dance demo
6:30pm -- Watch Out!
7:30pm -- Haitian documentaries

SUN 9/13

5pm to 9pm
Boston Improv Festival
at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
at CCTV, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge (across the street)
$10 per show / $25 Nightly pass

No one can guarantee that an improv show is going to be good, but many of these performers are very good at what they do. Shows start every 30 on one of three stages, so there are plenty of choices.

Look at the descriptions, and see what premise may tickle your fancy.

With a little support there may be a "Second Annual Boston Improv Festival"...

SUN 9/13

9:30pm
Lorelei, Cotton Candy, Carlisle Sound, Somerville Speakout
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 -21+ / $10 -18+

Anchoring the night is Lorelei, avant-gardish indie rock that formed in the early '90s and got back together in '06. Indie-pop from Cotton Candy. Psychedelic stew from Carlisle Sound. DJ Patrick Bryant of WMBR's "Subject to Change" reads Somerville Speakout, complaint letters from Somervillians. There's a player on the right side of the page to hear samples.

SUN 9/13

9:30pm
Thick Shakes, Box Elders, Hospital Rats
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$5

Two killer local garage-rock outfits join the bizarre savage-pop of Omaha's Box Elders.