Weekly List is Postponed

The weekly list will be up later tonight or tomorrow. I must begin my journey to see the great Jonathan Richman!

Sneak Peek: FRI 3/7 to SUN 3/9

Here are a few things that will very likely make tomorrow's full list...

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FRI 3/7

9pm
The Fleshtones, Lyres, The Prime Movers
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Avenue, Allston
$10 / 18+

Garage-rock cult-heroes The Fleshtones are joined by two of Boston's greatest.

FRI 3/7

9:30pm
"Jerkus Circus" w/ The Steamy Bohemians & Friends
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

Besides the ribald humor and music of The Steamy Bohemians, there's more and more and more from comedians Tim Kaelin, Ira Proctor, Renata Tutko, The Untrainables; burlesque by Babes in Boinkland; clever kinetic comedy from Daniel Forlano, an acoustic set from Fluttr Effect, AND sexy hula hooping...

(Psst... Print out the flyer above for $2 off admission.)

FRI 3/7

8pm to 10pm
"Don Byron's Musical Worlds Part I"
at Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
$5

I've known Don Byron as a clarinetist but he's an equally talented saxophonist. This guy is the real deal. He should be playing at one of the good jazz clubs in town, but he's also into music education. For a fraction of a full cover -- and no drink minimum -- you should get a good concert. Also playing on SAT 3/15.

FRI 3/7 & SAT 3/8

10am to 4pm
The Somerville Maple Syrup Project: "The Big Boil"
at Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Cambridge (Union Sq)
FREE

Someone thought I made a snide comment about this event last year, but it would be interesting to see if you're in the neighborhood...

FRI 3/7

7pm
"Gentleman's Whisky and Chat Night"
at Grand, 374 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE w/ RSVP

UPDATE: This is full. Those that haven't RSVP'd are S.O.L.

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SAT 3/8

11am
Elements of Cinema: "Harlan County, USA"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Intense documentary about coal miners followed by a discussion led by a documentary filmmaker, Tracy Strain.

SAT 3/8

11am, 2pm, 7pm
Boston Massacre Reenactment
at Old State House, 206 Washington St, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Young people are doing it at 11am and 2pm; adults at 7pm. The reenactment might be diffferent than what you remember from history class. (If you remember anything like that...)

SAT 3/8

The Nightingales (Midnight), The Konks (11pm), Hotpants Romance (10pm), Apple Betty (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / 21+

The Nightingales (UK) made their first trip to Boston last year after 20+ years, and now they return with British up-'n-comers Hotpants Romance. Both The Konks and Apple Betty rock studendously well.

SAT 3/8

9pm to 2am
"Come Home": Fundraiser for Zebbler's Mom
at The Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$10 donation

No, that's not an "American Pie" reference. Do you remember the dreadlocked guy who put up the Mooninite lite-brites last year? His mother still lives in Belarus and is being harassed by the government. He's trying to raise funds to help her move to Poland where she'll be safe.

Some acoustic performances from 9pm to 11pm, electronica & more afterwards, and art etc throughout.

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SUN 3/9

9:30pm
Jesse Gallagher (of Apollo Sunshine) and Friends
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

Mainly acoustic music.

SUN 3/9

2:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

Another edition of the best drawing session in Boston. Wilder and looser than any other art class you've been to. You won't feel so bad about your drawing skills. Crazy models, contests, and prizes -- oh my!

WED 3/5: Latkes vs. Hamantaschen & Tigercity, Harris, et al.

Here are a couple things that didn't make it on the weekly list...

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WED 3/5

8pm to 9pm
Latke-Hamantaschen Debate
at Room 100, Building 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

With Purim right around the corner, it seems like hamantash has the advantage -- but that’s just one goy’s opinion... I don't know what I'm talking about, but I do love latkes.

This is the 6th year that two teams of MIT professors will debate the qualities of latkes and hamantaschen as good-naturedly. The audience will vote (with their minds instead of stomachs), but there has been a tie for the last 5 years... Really, it's a chance to hear these folks creatively geek out about Jewish delicacies and sample them afterwards.

WED 3/5

9:30pm
Tigercity, Girls Guns and Glory, Harris, Joe Carson
at Hennessy's Upstairs, 25 Union St, Boston (near Faneuil Hall)
$8

Big praise from Rolling Stone must raise the expectations for a band, and they showered Tigercity and their dancey pop-rock in the last year or so. Who knows what's going on in their minds as far as their progress in 2007...

They seem to be doing their own thing by plying at Hennessy's Upstairs Club -- I'm not sure if many people know they have rock shows up there, but they seem to play up there every time when in Boston. It's a good bet a good night of music. Girls Guns and Glory plays good ol' Americana/tonk rock. I like the unusual singer from Harris and their quirky pop. It seems Joe Carson does covers downstairs sometimes, but he sounds eerily like Jeff Buckley to me.

If you don't feel like the power-pop explosion of the Pretty & Nice/Exit Clov/Wonderful Spells show at the Middle East, this will provide some variety.

Every MON: Free Bowling (JP) & Salsa (MIT)

(I even know the photographer, Abby.)

There are a few specific things to do today in the weekly list, but Mondays offer a few weekly chances of cheap fun.

Both are indoor activities, so you can work up varying degrees of sweat -- and you don't even need to be attracted to your partner. Heck, you don't need to bring a partner to either of these!

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Mondays:

9pm
Candlepin Bowling
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

I'd go to the Milky Way on almost any night with little encouragement. It's got a comfortable ambience, it's just dark enough for me, and the staff are friendly. I like seeing bands there too, and it's big enough to get some relief from a band that annoys you. The bowling lanes or the pool room are good spots for that. It's only DJ's on Monday though.

A few friends enjoyed some free bowling, and it was a great night. Most of us sucked, so I think we were especially happy that we weren't paying. I think we did have to pay shoe rentals ($2), but I might be wrong...

Sometimes there's other fun going on -- there was also free pool and bingo at other times -- but the Monday night free bowling has been steady for a while. Check the website or call.


Mondays -- Thru 5/19

7pm to 9pm
Salsa Lessons
at Morss Hall, Walker Memorial Bldg, 142 Memorial Dr, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Salsa dancing seems disproportionately popular in Boston. I know people like dancing, but there's so many places to dance throughout the week. I've noticed this free night at MIT. It's open to the public, and beginners are welcome. From my experience, most people are friendly and open at MIT events like this.

The first 30 minutes is a short lesson to teach beginners the basic steps. The next hour is spent teaching steps to the whole group, and then it's "free dancing" after that. It's a good spot for those who haven't done much (or any) dancing in the past. Like I said, you don't need a partner; it seems there's a lot of casual partner switching in salsa. It'll work out...

I'm guessing these dance nights correspond to the time school is in session.

Cheap Thrills: 2/29 to 3/7

My apologies to anyone wanted to read this earlier. I had a technical difficulty or two. As usual, here's some of my list...

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FRI 2/29
* Ben Karlin, "Things I've Learned from Women Who've Dumped Me"
* "Failure Support Group"
* Union Square Round Table
* "Dripping With Enthusiasm" (Part Deux)
* The Figgs -- and SAT 2/16

SAT 3/1
* 2nd Annual Atwood's Bacon Eating Contest
* Breaking the Silence, "Israeli Soldiers Talk" - Opening Reception
* Say Hi, The Big Sleep

SUN 3/2
* Viva Viva, Life Partners, Toothaches
* "Catalyst to History: Why Dreyfus Matters": Symposium

MON 3/3
* "The Power Of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Are Changing The World"
* First Monday at Jordan Hall
* Nate Rogers, Members of Baker, Jon Goney

TUES 3/4
* MIT Writers Series: Jhumpa Lahiri
* Preacher Jack

WED 3/5
* "Once Upon A Tide": Lecture
* Wonderful Spells, Pretty and Nice, Exit Clov, You Can Be A Wesley
* Boston Massacre Oration

THUR 3/6
* "Cape Wind": Reading & Discussion
* Barstool Sports "Cover Model of the Year" Party

FRI 3/7
* "Gentleman's Whisky and Chat Night"
* The Fleshtones, Lyres & The Prime Movers
* Jerkus Circus w/ The Steamy Bohemians
* "Don Byron's Musical Worlds Part I"

SAT 3/8
* Boone, Topheavy, Doom Buggies, Dave Clark Band, The Buckners

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FRI 2/29

6 pm
Ben Karlin, "Things I've Learned from Women Who've Dumped Me"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 (tix available at Harvard Book Store or 617-661-1515)

FRI 2/29

6:30pm
"Failure Support Group"
at Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn, Harvard Sq, Cambridge
FREE

In real life, they're called "learning experiences", but let's be honest -- even an artistic endeavor can fail. Artists have been invited to discuss their botched art projects. Each will get 5 minutes to present, then there'll open discussion. (I'm curious if anyone will simply say they suck...?) I thought it would be ironic if no one showed up tonight, and THIS was a failure...

This IS open to art fans/haters. To heighten the mood you can enjoy complimentary "bad coffee", vanilla wafers, and accordion to accompany the "failure stories".

FRI 2/29

9pm
Union Square Round Table
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 -- 21+ / $11 -- 18+

Comedy, music, and general entertainment for the ironic hipster from:
Chris Braiotta & TD Sidell, Nick Branigan, Steven Derocher , Marian Didio, Ben Dryer, Keira Horowitz , Caitlin Roy, Yoni Gordon & The Goods, and "special guests from NY" (who will be one or more of these guys).

Bostonist was looking for some posts today, so I wrote more than this for them (sorry).

FRI 2/29

9pm
"Dripping With Enthusiasm" (Part Deux)
at Tufts Oxfam Cafe, Miller Hall basement, 210 Packard Ave, Medford (Tufts campus)
FREE / All Ages

Sure "All Ages" often connotes "entertainment for the under-21 crowd", but it technically means "everyone of all ages". This all-night Leap Day dance party is open to all who can find it, so bring your granny!

Note: They don't serve alcohol (and they might not search your bag for a flask)...

FRI 2/29 and SAT 3/1

9pm
The Figgs, Watts (FRI), The Rudds (SAT)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

I could have listed other concerts tonight, but this is the only one that's worth your attention. The Figgs have been slugging it out for over a decade, and they still pack a mighty wallop of high-octane rock with some powerpop/soul/R&B thrown in here and there. They each have solo projects, but the sum is greater than the parts.

They should be playing to thousands, but we're lucky to get them for 2 nights at the best new music venue in a long time. Each night has a set by the opener and two sets by The Figgs (with The Rudds on Saturday!)

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SAT 3/1

Noon
2nd Annual Bacon Eating Contest
at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge St , Cambridge
FREE

Ten brave souls will gorge themselves on bacon for 5 minutes. Those who slow down to look at accidents might enjoy watching this... It says "11:30", but I think it'll be closer to noon...

SAT 3/1

10pm
Say Hi, The Big Sleep
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$10 / 21+

Say Hi (fka Say Hi To Your Mom) have come all the way from Seattle, so here's a snippet from the NY Times about them:

...a classic lo-fi bedroom band with quirky instrumentation and soft, self-deprecating vocals. But not many lo-fi bedroom bands have Mr. Elbogen's sly humor: his last album was an ironically half-baked concept album about vampires. His latest, ''The Wishes and the Glitch'', is less goofy but no less smart.

The Big Sleep sounds good to me as well.

SAT 3/1

7 pm
Breaking the Silence Exhibit: "Israeli Soldiers Talk" - Opening Reception
at Harvard Hillel, Beren Hall, Second Floor, 52 Mt. Auburn Street
FREE

Breaking the Silence is organization comprised of former Israeli soldiers that documents the abuse of Palestinian civilians. Besides photography and video from the occupied Palestinian Territories, two of the former IDF soldiers associated with Breaking the Silence will be present for opening remarks. This is the exhibit's first stop on a tour through the Northeast and will be on display until SUN 3/16.

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SUN 3/2

2pm to 5pm
"Catalyst to History: Why Dreyfus Matters": Symposium
at Jacob Sleeper Auditorium, 871 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
FREE

I'm not very familiar with the trial of Captain Dreyfus, but it seems to an important case in the history of military justice, trial by media, and anti-Semitism. One article deemed it a preview or "trial run" for the Holocaust. This panel discussion will be moderated by Dan Abrams (MSNBC) and will include Alan Dershowitz, Prof. Jeffrey Mehlman (French Lit, BU), and Prof. Robert Zelnick (Journalism, BU).

SUN 3/2

9:30pm
Viva Viva, Life Partners, Toothaches
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
$7 / 21+

What I like about Viva Viva is the way they swing their big, jagged rock guitars around their songs in a tasty blend of classic/contemporary. Maybe like The Black Crowes if they had indie-cred... You've also got some noisy rock from Life Partners -- and could The Toothaches anything other than pop?

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MON 3/3

6pm
"The Power Of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Are Changing The World"
at Taubman Building, 79 JFK St, Cambridge (Kennedy School of Govt)
FREE

In a new book, "The Power Of Unreasonable People", the case is made that social organizations (profit -and- nonprofit) offer many innovative, successful models for the rest of the business world. I think it might be interesting and inspiring to hear some of these examples -- and maybe hear some dissenting opinions. Pamela Hartigan, one of the co-authors, will be on the panel.

RSVP here, if you definitely want to get in.

MON 3/3

8pm
First Monday
at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

For six months out of the year, the "First Monday" season offers my choice for the best free classical music in town. Faculty, alumni, and students of New England Conservatory various programs, and tonight has a good variety including a Brahms piece for 5 strings, a modern composition for piano/cello/violin, and songs with vocals by Cuban & Sicilian composers.

MON 3/3

9pm
Nate Rogers, Members of Baker, Jon Gorey
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
FREE

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TUES 3/4

7pm to 9pm
MIT Writers Series: Jhumpa Lahiri
at Kirsch Auditorium, Stata Center, 32 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Her short-story compilation won a Pulitzer, and her novel "The Namesake" was adapted into a film (starring Kumar of "Harold & Kumar..."). I saw that a future local appearance will have an admission fee, so here's a free event.

TUES 3/4

10pm
Preacher Jack
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Preacher Jack is back in Cambridge; can I get a hallelujah!? Fine. I don't need it... This guy is a real boogie-woogie/rockabilly treasure from the '50s, and he's from North Shore. I'm trying to let you know this is an experience you should eventually have while you live in the area. It's like going to church, but about a thousand times more entertaining.

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WED 3/5

6:30pm
Boston Massacre Oration
at Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

Just as was done shortly after the Boston Massacre, several speeches will be given about that pivotal event in the American Revolution. Now, there will also be some discussion about the tradition. This could be a little dry, but it's the first event of the week to commemorate the event. On SAT 3/8, you can see one of the reenactments down the street where it happened in front of the Old State House.

The Old State House Museum also has free admission from 9am to 5pm today.

WED 3/5

9:30pm
Wonderful Spells, Pretty and Nice, Exit Clov, You Can Be A Wesley
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+

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THUR 3/6

5:30pm
"Cape Wind": Reading & Discussion
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
FREE

THUR 3/6

9pm
Barstool Sports "Cover Model of the Year" Party
at Liquor Store, 120 Boylston St, Boston (in "The Alley" near Boston Common)
FREE w/ RSVP

I could go into the details, but most of you know whether you want to go by the event's name.

Ladies -- There is a competition/"fashion show" where you might win a trip to Vegas and a chance to compete for 2 tickets to next year's Superbowl.

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FRI 3/7

7pm
"Gentleman's Whisky and Chat Night"
at Grand, 374 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE w/ RSVP

FRI 3/7

9pm
The Fleshtones, Lyres, The Prime Movers
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Avenue, Allston
$10 / 18+

FRI 3/7

9:30pm
Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

FRI 3/7

8pm to 10pm
"Don Byron's Musical Worlds Part I"
at Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
$5

FRI 3/7 & SAT 3/8

10am to 4pm
The Somerville Maple Syrup Project: "The Big Boil"
at Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Cambridge (Union Sq)
FREE

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SAT 3/8

8pm
Boone, Topheavy, Doom Buggies, Dave Clark Band, The Buckners
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$8 / 21+

Rescheduled show.

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Advance Warning:

WED 3/12

6pm to 8:30pm
Steve Goldman and Team: Baseball Prospectus 2008
at 5th Floor Reading Room, Barnes & Noble at BU, 660 Beacon St, Boston
FREE

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Quote of the Week:

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

-- George Bernard Shaw

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th-th-that's all, folks.

~r