WED 3/16: Film, Words, Music

The Globe's Big Picture has several photo sets from Japan. It's difficult to comprehend the devastation that's occured in the past week, but it's heartbreaking. I don't know what we can do except send good vibrations and/or cash.

Good luck with your St Paddy's Day celebrations. My only cheap suggestion is to make corned beef and cabbage at home with a bottle of whatever.

Or you can stake out a spot to get into the Black Rose at 6am. The first 100 people get free breakfast, and Black 47 is going to play for WFNX's morning show.

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WED 3/16

6pm
"Short & Sweet III": Animated Films from Germany
at Goethe-Institut Boston, 170 Beacon St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

There appears to be quite a bit of variety in the 10 shorts to be screened tonight. On one hand, they will all be in German. On the other hand, the visuals should be stimulating enough. On another hand, there's a wine & cheese reception from 6pm to 7pm before the films begin.

Screened as part of their exhibit, "Comics, Manga & Co: The New Culture of German Comics", that's on view through SUN 3/20.

WED 3/16

7pm
Joshua Foer, "Moonwalking with Einstein": Reading
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

In one year, this guy was covering the 'Memory Championship'.

After training, he became the next US champion.

When I heard him on the radio, he gave a few memory trips although it wasn't meant to be a lesson...

WED 3/16

7:30pm to 9:30pm
Philosophy Cafe: "What's So Great About Art?"
at Harvard Book Store, Lower Level, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Hey, it's a good question. I assume that people will a range of opinions for and against Art. Feel free to jump in, because it's an open discussion (preceded by a brief introduction).

WED 3/16 (thru THUR 3/31)

7pm to 9pm
Experimentally Ill #4
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
$7 / All Ages

This is the real independent cinema. These filmmakers have no support from any movie studio; they probably receive disdain from film establishment!

Thankfully there are DIY people out there that won't let their vision remain on a bar napkin (or equivalent). Kudos to this cadre of local video artists for getting their cinematic adventures into the public realm.

The program lists more than 30 items, so you're guaranteed to see some weird stuff.

Other screenings include FRI 3/18 again at the Somerville Theatre, THUR 3/24 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and THUR 3/31 at BATV Brookline.

WED 3/16

Aaron Chase Band (11:30pm), Matt Jackson Band (10:30pm), Niki Luparelli & the Gold Diggers (9:30pm),
at The Greatest Bar, 262 Friend St, Boston (North Station)
$5 / 21+

I hardly ever list anything going on at this watering hole who thinks quite highly of itself, but I noticed this gig which features Niki Luparelli (half of The Steamy Bohemians) performing with her jazz/cabaret backing band. Their set should include some standards and reworked modern tunes done with lots of panache.

She's going on first, so you don't have to stick around if you don't like the singer-songwriter dudes (who don't sound bad ).

I also saw that the proceeds (90% of all the $5 covers) benefit the "We Are... Curing Autism Now" charity.

WED 3/16

10:30pm
Kay McKinstry & The Good Pour
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

If you're in the mood for torchy, twangy alt-country/Americana from a band of excellent players and beautiful voice up front -- then this is your destination.