Monday, December 24, 2007

MON 12/24: See Mars & Moon



Looking up in the sky is one of the cheapest things you can do.

Both Mars and the Moon will be very bright tonight. According to NASA, the Red Planet won't be this visible again for 9 years; and you'll be 16 years older before you the Moon looking this bright again.

There's also a sky diagram to help you tell the difference your elbow and Uranus...

The best viewing time should be a little before midnight. Dig out the binoculars, because they will help. If you have a telescope, this would be a good night to move it away your neighbor's bedroom.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Cheap Thrills: 12/21 to 12/28

Well, I'll try to keep this up. Adding all the hyper-links just take up more time than I'd like to spend... For those stumbling upon 'ye olde blogge', I left some of the descriptions that my subscribers get.

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FRI 12/21
* The Paul Green School of Rock (Boston)
* Mente, Triple Thick, Velvetones, Rodentt
* Friday After Next w/ DJ Chubby Chub

SAT 12/22
* Tulsa, Mean Creek, Wonderful Spells, Deertick
* Andrea Gillis Band, The Russians, T Max Peace Chor-Us, Emily Grogan Band
* Boston Santacon 2007
* Notlob Parlor Concerts: Bob Franke and more -- thru 3/15

SUN 12/23
* TT's Annual Holiday Party
* Klezmer Throwdown

MON 12/24
* Have a good day/eve/night...

TUES 12/25
* "Blade Runner: Final Cut" thru THUR 1/3

WED 12/26
* Monique Ortiz
* Preacher Jack, The Doug MacDonald Band

THUR 12/27
* Club d’Elf w/ Reeves Gabrels

FRI 12/28
* The Killer Abs, Pony, The Big Disappointments,The Big, Big Bucks
* Viceversah, Elemental Zazen

SAT 12/29
* "All Together Now"
* The World's Greatest Sinners, Downbeat 5, The Self Righteous Brothers

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FRI 12/21

7pm to 8pm
Paul Green School of Rock (Boston)
at Center Court, Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St, Watertown
FREE


FRI 12/21

10pm
Mente, Triple Thick, Velvetones, Rodentt
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5


FRI 12/21

10pm
Friday After Next w/ DJ Chubby Chub
at The International, 184 High St, Boston (Financial District)
$10 Advance / $15 Door


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SAT 12/22

9:30pm
Tulsa, Mean Creek, Wonderful Spells, Deer Tick
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$8 / 21+

At first Tulsa reminded me of Sparklehorse/Wilco, but they make a very nice 'Tulsa' sound (with a hint of My Morning Jacket). I quote from their MySpace page, "Sounds Like: a magical unicorn who loves every thing that has ever been and sheds tears for the unknown junkie." I wouldn't be surprised if these guys actually 'make it'. Mean Creek -- I dare you to listen to them and tell me you don't like it! Wonderful Spells have basically been together since kindergarten, so they've had a lot of time to work on honing their power-pop.

My favorite discovery of the week has been Deer Tick, and thankfully it's a not big red sore on my back... I really like the gentle blend folk and indie-rock; there's a unique voice there that makes any music special and memorable.


SAT 12/22

The Noise Holiday Occupation Party
Andrea Gillis Band (Midnight), The Russians (11pm), T Max Peace Chor-Us (10pm), Emily Grogan Band (9pm)
at the Cantab Underground, 738 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge (between Central Sq & Harvard Sq)
$7


SAT 12/22

1pm
Boston Santacon 2007
From Faneuil Hall to Davis Sq
FREE

Put on your Santa suit and chaotically meander through Beacon Hill and Harvard Sq on your way to Davis. This could be fun, disorganized, wacky, drunken adventure. Santa didn't send the email update, but I'm pretty sure that you'll see some funny-looking Santas somewhere around Faneuil Hall...


SAT 12/22 thru 3/15

7:30pm
Notlob Parlor Concerts: Bob Franke and more
at the Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St, Jamaica Plain
Various Prices, most $10 advance tickets


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SUN 12/23

The Popgun Seven (11:35pm), "Christmas Chickens" (11:10pm), The Charms (10:50pm), Jake Zavracky (10:30pm), Corin Ashley (10:10pm), The Dirty Truckers (9:50pm), Bo Barringer (9:30pm), The Snowleopards (9:10pm), East Boston Makeout Club (8:50pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE


SUN 12/23

9pm
Klezmer Throwdown
at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE


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MON 12/24

Yeah, I've got nothing special. Probably a good night to drink egg nog and wrap gifts. Magic 8-ball says, "Chill out tonight; have fun."

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TUES 12/25 thru THUR 1/3

7pm, 9:30pm
"Blade Runner: Final Cut"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$9.50


TUES 12/25

Happy Saturnalia!

Here's my favorite NC-17, NSFW Saturnalia story of Xmas. Sometimes you can't see the dark green 'Next' arrow, but it's there...


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WED 12/26

7:00 PM
Monique Ortiz
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE


WED 12/26

Preacher Jack (9pm & 11pm), The Doug MacDonald Band (10:30pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (The Fens)
FREE / 21+


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THUR 12/27

9:30pm to 1:30am (two sets)
Club d’Elf w/ Reeves Gabrels
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10


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

FRI 12/28

10pm
The Killer Abs, Pony, The Big Disappointments, The Big, Big Bucks
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$8


FRI 12/28

9pm
Viceversah, Elemental Zazen
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 advance / $10 door / 21+


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SAT 12/29

9:30pm
"All Together Now"
Feat: Michelle Live!, Kingdom, Lone Wolf, Ian Michael Jackson & Brown Bear, Emarce, DJs Etan + Die Young
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 21+


SAT 12/29

9pm
The World's Greatest Sinners, Downbeat 5, The Self Righteous Brothers
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (The Fens)
$10 / 21+


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Links of the Week:

Make your own ringtones from any audio file. It's been around for more than a year and looks pretty cool. When I get a cellphone, I'll try this.

Modern Art versions of snowmen.

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Quote of the Week:

That some good can be derived from every event is a better proposition than
that everything happens for the best, which it assuredly does not.

-- James Kern Feibleman

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Thursday Fun -- 12/20

Blog posts should have pictures, so here's the Queens of the Stone Age in ugly Xmas sweaters:



I'm probably going to both events at some point tonight, so maybe I'll even post a review afterwards...

THUR 12/20

The Prime Movers are seriously good -- no doubt about it. You may not like the type of roaring mod-ish rock filled with catchy, fresh hooks, but you'll admit they're damn good at it. Be careful when walking by the band -- it's kinda narrow and I've seen the lead singer high-kick (a la Bob Pollard) every now and then...

And not only do Thee Monkey Butlers hark back to classic garage-rock of the 60's with a fierce musical flair, they all wear monkey masks when they perform!



THUR 12/20

9pm
"Ghouls In The Garage"
at TT the Bear's, 10 Brookline Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 18+


For those of you who don't feel like live music, Mary Widow and J. Cannibal (who organize stuff like Black Cat Burlesque shows and Feast of Flesh) will play a stack of "60s punk, garage, hard psych, international surf, psychobilly and scuzz" for crowd that would be a mix from the midnight horror movie crowd and some folks that used to hang out at ManRay.

This is every third Thursday of the month, and it should be extra wild this time. Some ladies from Black Cat Burlesque, La Gata Negra, and Babes in Boinkland will be dancing on and off stage. It's also a birthday party for Katrina Galore of performance-art group Grindhouse Marionettes.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

SAT 12/15: Somerville Illuminations Tour



4:30pm to 9pm
Annual Illuminations Tour
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Central Hill)
$10 / $5 -- for 12 and under & 60 and over

As of 12/4, all of the tours except 8:45 & 9:15pm are full; advance tix available at:
McIntyre & Moore Booksellers, 255 Elm St, Somerville (Davis Sq).

While one may get cynical about turning religious holidays into a massive, commercial cluster-assault on our senses, sanity, and savings; almost everyone enjoys houses festooned with a rainbow of lights and holiday decorations. Will you see outrageously gaudy displays as if a discount store vomited on someone's lawn? Of course, that's part of the fun.

There are 45-minute trolley tours that can be entertaining / informative / humorous depending on the guide. (I know someone on Going has been a tour guide in the past, there's at least one comedian this year, and Mayor Curatone has led tours as well...) The Somerville Community Chorus will perform throughout the day at City Hall where there will likely be other holiday fun. And you can grab a hot beverage & tasty goodies while you're loitering around.

If you'd like to go at your own pace without the commentary, a tour map is also for sale at McIntyre & Moore for the low, low price of $3 -- as well as Magpie (Davis Sq) & Blue Cloud Gallery (Ball Sq). Sure you don't get the 45-minute spiel from the tour guide -- but on the other hand, you don't get the 45-minute spiel from the tour guide...

A book and cards are also available -- and all the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff all year round.

Don't invite Al Gore, and you should have a good time either way.

Trolleys depart at 4:30, 5:00, 5:45, 6:15, 7:00, 7:30, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15.

There is a possibility to get stand-by tix on Saturday at City Hall.

If it's unsafe to drive, the tour will take place during the same time on Sunday. Call 617-625-6600 ext. 2985, if you're wondering.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Halloween Cheapage

pumpkin

From the "Better-late-than-never Dept", here's some cheap Halloween stuff in some kind of order. I didn't do my whole spiel on each, because I was havng a good time over the weekend...

Also: You could check BostonUSA's page with various Halloween things. Heck, you might want to find pumpkin patches in Eastern MA.

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TUES 10/30

10pm
Anderson Comedy’s Halloween Spooktacular
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 18+


TUES 10/30 & WED 10/31

7:30pm to 9:30pm
"Tomes of Terror II": Halloween Live Radio Plays
at First Congregational Church, 89 College Ave, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$12 / $10 for students and seniors


WED 10/31

8pm
Halloween Bike Ride 2007
Meet at Green Street T Station, 150 Green St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Imagine the type of fun-loving, free-spirit types that would ride all around town in costume. It sounds like they get into a bunch of shenanigans along the way, and I think it would be great to join them. You don't have to wear a costume or decorate your bike, but you should. The ride starts around 8:30 and goes about 20 miles at an easy pace. The route is a secret, but last year pedaled through Coolidge Corner, Harvard Sq, Central Sq, Kenmore Sq, Allston, and back to JP.

Helmets and lights are encouraged.


WED 10/31

The Luxury as Def Leppard (11:30pm), The Motion Sick as Poison (10:40pm), Sidewalk Driver as Ziggy Stardust & Spiders From Mars (9:50pm), Red Red Rockit as Jimi Hendrix Experience (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge(Central Sq)
$8 w/ costumes, $10 without

Maybe I should dress up as Scrooge on Halloween, because I've had a hard time getting into the spirit even when I was a kid. Of all the Halloween-themed rock shows (bands doing a set of songs by famous bands), I picked this one because it was the cheapest -- if you wear a costume. (Be creative and save a few bucks, or channel that time when you trick-or-treated without a costume when you were too old.) The bands are rather good, and they made some good material choices.


WED 10/31

8pm
Joe Carson as Jeff Buckley (11:45pm), Girls Guns and Glory as Ryan Adams (11pm), Cassavettes as Neil Young (10:20pm), 28 Degrees Taurus as The Velvet Underground (9:35pm), The Main Drag as Elliott Smith (9pm)
at Hennessy's Upstairs, 25 Union St, Boston (near Faniuel Hall)
$8

I probably would've written about this one had I seen in it time. There will be a costume contest too.


WED 10/31

9:30pm
The Pill's 5th Annual Halloween Show
The Daily Pravda (as David Bowie And The Spiders From Mars), The Lie Society (as Blur), Mako (as Stone Roses), Perennials (as The Libertines)
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$10 / 18+


WED 10/31

9pm
Crimson Ghosts (Midnight), Rock City Crimewave (11pm), Gein & The Graverobbers (10pm), Ghouls Night Out (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+


WED 10/31

The Big Big Bucks as The Breeders, The Indefinite Article as Talking Heads, Baker as The Cars, The Self Righteous Brothers as The Beatles, The Creedence Clearwater Revivalists
Middle east up
$9 advance / $10 day of show / 18+


WED 10/31

9:30pm
"Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn"
$5 in costume / $10 without

5pm
"It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
FREE

at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)


WED 10/31

8pm
Barstool Sports Wicked Halloween
at Hurricane O'Reilly's, 150 Canal St, Boston
FREE w/ RSVP

All must be in costume! (Best bet to see slutty costumes.)
Free Bud Light from 8pm to 9pm.


WED 10/31

9pm
Halloween Party with DJ Gucci Vuitton
at The OTHERside Cafe, 407 Newbury St, Boston (Back Bay)
$5

$5 includes two beer tickets.

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