Saturday, June 18, 2011

SAT 6/18: Parade, Music, Sailing, Dance


Okay, gotta wrap this up and go to the Bruins parade!

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

SAT 6/18

11am to 1pm
Boston Bruins: Championship Parade
from TD Garden to Copley Square, Boston
FREE

The team rides along in duck boats while we cheer.

I'd love to think we'll see the Stanley Cup again soon, but this is its first Boston appearance in decades.

My personal "top 3 viewing locations": City Hall Plaza, Copley Square, and the corner of Boylston & Arlington.

SAT 6/18

2pm
Make Music Festival, Volume 4
around Harvard Sq, Cambridge
FREE

Based on "Fete de la Musique" that started in Paris, it's just a loose, outdoor celebration of music in all sorts of genres.

There's a PDF schedule/map for the 16 locations, but suffice to say that Harvard Square will be awash in music for more than 6 hours.

The only performers I'd especially seek out is OldJack at 5pm.

SAT 6/18

1pm to 5pm
Sailing Open House
at Boston Sailing Center, Lewis Wharf, Boston (North End)
FREE

Enjoy a free sail in the harbor. If you want to sign you up for lessons, you can -- or you could just check it out and enjoy the ride and free refreshments. Again, this on Lewis Wharf by the Marriot; look for the riverboat.

As they say, "No sailing experience necessary. All ages welcome. Sailors of all abilities are welcome."

There may be other open houses this summer, but I think the parade will keep the crowds light.

Keep in mind it will be a bit cooler on the water…

SAT 6/18

7pm to 10pm
BalletRox: "Springs Out of the Box"
at Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd, Dorchester (Uphams Corner)
$10 side / $20 center

Feat: The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library w/ Sarah Rabdau

I watched a video of of the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library rehearsing with the dancers, and it was rather good. The chamber-folk vibe seemed to extract the pretentiousness from the ballet, and I felt a greater appreciation.

It's not the MJEML (which includes a BalletRox choreographer) with Sarah Rabdau on vocals. Other pieces have been created by Boston Ballet alumni who work with Ballet Rox.

[Facebook]

SAT 6/18

7pm
The Pointer Sisters
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it.

Actually, I'm not that excited. Still the ladies had a bunch of fun songs, and two-thirds of the original sisters -- along with a relative -- isn't bad for basically a nostalgia act.

There is usually an opener of some kind at these oldies concerts too.

SAT 6/18

8pm to 10pm
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell
at Arts at The Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$8

Feat: Patrick Coman, Kristen Ford, Audrey Ryan, Jennifer Greer, Abbie Barrett

When singer-songwriters are doing half tribute songs and half originals, one may worry about the non-Joni material. I've seen most these folks play their own gigs, and you don't need to worry -- this is good stuff.

If Kristen Ford and Audrey Ryan don't blow you away, at least one of them will.

SAT 6/18

8:30pm to 10pm
"Parade of Lights"
around Boston Harbor
FREE

About 30 decorated boats are going down the waterfront from Charlestown towards the east end of the Seaport.

Not really thrilling, but it might be like a row of nautical Xmas trees.

This year the parade gets closer to the Boston side of the harbor; I assume it would be a pleasant sight from Eastie.

SAT 6/18

8:30pm
Hudson Falcons, Jason Bennett & The Resistance, Chosen Ones, The McGunks, Bad Lieutenants
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$10

If you're looking for top-notch Boston street-punk, look no further than Jason Bennett & The Resistance. The music is strong, and the lyrics are passionate. It's a good, solid lineup of punk bands from here to RI & NY.

SAT 6/18

9:30pm
McAlister Drive, Kingsley Flood, Son Of The Sun, Jamie Kent
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 21+

I've long been a fan of Kingsley Flood. Even though I've placed Americana labels and they were named "Best Roots Act" in Boston this week, KF is just a kickass rock band with clever songs. Maybe it's because there's a fiddle player and the singer plays an acoustic guitar with a porkpie hat. Just sit back and enjoy wild ride.

Buffalo's Son of the Sun makes big, melodic rock that has recently been prospering in the UK (rhymes with Shmoldplay or Shmow Patrol). Since they're from Buffalo, it's got more balls. McAlister Drive rocks, and I liked what I heard of Jamie Kent.

SAT 6/18

10:30pm
Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

On a recent gig post for Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, I mentioned

They won the Boston Blues Challenge last year and, from all accounts, represented Boston admirably at the international competition in Memphis.

By channeling the sound of Delta guys who got electric in that transitional period in the '40s and '50s on their way north (and the goden era of blues), Harpe and the Swingers make an organic, modern sound that rocks free of the sometimes bloated blues interpretations.

It's good stuff that you really don't need to think about too much.

1 comment:

Steve said...

About the Bruins parade, Boston has had numerous opportunities in recent years to celebrate its sports teams. The New England Patriots won back-to-back Super Bowls in 2004 and 2005, the Red Sox were World Series champions in 2004 and again in 2007, the Celtics won an NBA title in 2008, and now the Bruins just won the Stanley Cup! The New York Metropolitan area is the only other region I can think of that has had success in all four major sports leagues in such a short period of time. The Jets, Mets, Knicks, and Islanders all won championships between 1969 and 1983, with the Islanders winning four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.

ShareThis2