Friday, December 05, 2008

Sneak Peek -- FRI 12/5 & SAT 12/6


Okay, this isn't a good start to an awesome day of Cheap Thrills content, but let's see what happens... More to come. A weekly list will go out today (no matter how crappy).

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FRI 12/5

6pm
"Easy Street": Screening & Discussion
at The Democracy Center, 45 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 suggested donation

This documentary follows 5 homeless people in St. Petersburg for a year. The point must be: This is perhaps the location to be homeless, and look how difficult it still is. I'm sure there will be much to discuss about homelessness after the movie. The Creative Action Project, a local group that works with young people, host tonight's program. Refreshments / baked goods will be for sale, and you they're collecting any unwanted clothes.

Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston.

FRI 12/5

7pm to 10pm
Dewar's Repeal Day Party
w/ The Sterns, The Fatal Flaw
at Phoenix Landing, 512 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+ (duh!)

Note: I bet you can still RSVP; but the earlier you get there, the better your chance to get in.

Can you imagine living in the USA when drinking was illegal? Things are pretty screwed up now, but no booze at all is just ridiculous.

After 13 sober years of ugly people living without random hook-ups, Prohibition came to an end on December 5, 1933.

Dewar's is having a party; and their parties usually include many, many free scotch drinks and cool bands. I suspect the free scotch will be flowing, but I know the music will rock. The Sterns and The Fatal Flaw are two excellent bands!

Everyone that wants to go has to register. Don't be afraid to get on The Phoenix's mailing list -- the emails are just as easy to delete as any other...

Obviously, it's a "first-come until full club capacity" situation, so plan accordingly.

FRI 12/5

7pm to 8pm
Wafaa Bilal, "Shoot an Iraqi: Art, Life and Resistance Under the Gun": Reading & Book Signing
at Harvard Coop, Level 3, 1400 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Bilal is an Iraqi-born performance artist who moved to the US after the first Gulf War. He's done some interesting projects like living in an art gallery for 30 days last year where online viewers could activate a paintball gun to shoot him. He also hacked a video game called "Virtual Jihadi" and had an online piece to determine whether he or a dog was going to be waterboarded. Are you ready to get uncomfortable?

FRI 12/5

9pm to 1am
Social Boston Sports "Office Holiday Party"
at Bleacher Bar, 82 Lansdowne St, Boston (Fenway Park)
$10

The guys at Social Boston Sports do a good job of offering an alternative to BSSC's various participatory leagues. I've noticed they throw a lot of good parties. The theme for tonight is to come dressed in either your ugliest sweater or other office holiday attire. Prizes will be awarded. Perfect Vodka is providing complimentary vodka drinks from 9pm to 10pm. Other fun is happening.

I've been told there aren't many tix left, you can purchase online.

BTW: The Bleacher Bar is under centerfield IN Fenway Park.

FRI 12/5

10pm
The Mystix
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

A kickass band of music vets playing bluesy-soulful-rootsy rock. If you're in the mood for some gritty, funky musical gumbo, you won't be disappointed.

FRI 12/5 & SAT 12/6

Ryan Lee Crosby Two Night Stand
Friday 12/5 -- The Big Disappointments, Faces on Film, Animal Hospital
Saturday 12/6 -- M.G. Lederman, The Tony the Bookie Orchestra, Mr. Sister
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 -- 21+ / $11 -- 18+

Ryan Lee Crosby is something of a melancholy troubadour. His songs are really the focus, and you get the sense that you're hearing something really special. He's releasing a new CD, and many of his talented musical friends join him over two shows. Both nights should be fantastic.

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SAT 12/6

3pm
Refuse Resist: Video Shoot & Show
w/ Last Lights, Dead Aces, Youthviolence
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamica Plain
FREE

Why not be part of the crowded club scene for fun afternoon evening of punk rock? Refuse Resist plan to run through their song "Still In Massachusetts" a few times. If everyone goes crazy when filming, it'll make for a good time. They'll do a full set afterwards along with some other bands for a few hours. Should be a good way to start the fun before everyone else you know. Those who show up after the video shoot will have to pay $4.

SAT 12/6

3pm
"Voices of Innocence":
Two-Part Celebration Of 60th Anniversary Of The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights
at Various Locations, Harvard Campus
FREE

It's probably not everyone's idea of Saturday fun to hear a discussion panel discuss the cases of 4 Louisiana men who were wrongly convicted of murder, then later hear the men tell their stories. It wasn't just these four men in Louisana, and that's why it needs to be examined.

3pm to 4pm
Part One: "Criminal" Justice
at Room 213, Sever Hall, Harvard Yard

A distinguished panel will discuss the flaws in the American criminal justice system, provide ideas for inciting change in the system, and demonstrate the sense of urgency for change by recounting their own professional experiences.
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Part Two: Resurrection After Exoneration
at Fong Auditorium, Boylston Hall, Harvard Yard
Louisiana's wrongly convicted men tell their life-altering stories in a dramatic and moving performance.
This is open to the public. There's also a reception afterwards, so just blend in with the crowd for some free nosh...

SAT 11/6

8pm to 11pm
Rakiya
at Third Life Studio, 33 Union Square, Somerville
$10

It's an Eastern Eurpean/gypsy dance party with a band that regularly puts these things together at this performance space in Union Sq. I read their directions, and I think I recall walking by the door... Should be good fun, especially if you liquor up before you go.

SAT 12/6

10pm
Brendan Boogie Band; MeandJoanCollins; The Luxury; I, Pistol
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 advance / $10 day of show / 18+

If you enjoyed Scamper like me, you'll be happy to hear Brendan the Bassist churning out new power-pop with his Boogie Band. It's wall-to-wall rocking out including the noisy, semi-glam of MeandJOANCOLLINS. I re-listened to The Luxury this week, and they no longer seem to annoy me -- this is even after they opened for Coldplay when they were in town! The opening band (I, Pistol) seems to share a few members with The Luxury.

SAT 12/6

9:30pm
Tigercity, Taxpayer, The Information, Midatlantic
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 21+

Plenty of well-done pop-rock on the other side of the river.

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