SUN 5/3: Outdoors & Indoors

You can walk around, or you could walk to a destination...

It's also the last day of the Cambridge Science Festival.

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SUN 5/3

10am to 6pm
Annual Massachusetts Socialist Conference
at Encuentro Cinco, 33 Harrison Ave, 5th Fl, Boston (Chinatown)
FREE

I've heard people call President Obama called a "socialist". I wonder how socialists feel about that. Most of the workshops and discussions last about 90 minutes (or more); check the schedule. All are welcome.

SUN 5/3

Noon to 6pm
Annual Mayfair
around Harvard Square, Cambridge
FREE

Some of the bands to catch while enjoying the food, arts & crafts, etc.

Main Stage --
Noon: Sarah RabDAU and Self-Employed Assassins
1pm: Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys
2pm: Zili Misik
3pm: Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents
4pm: The Luxury
5pm: Chester French

Club Passim Stage on Brattle Street --
1pm: Chris O'Brien
2pm: Mieka Pauley
3pm: Anne Heaton

Rain date: SUN 5/17

SUN 5/3

Noon to 6pm
Annual Somerville Open Studios
all over Somerville
FREE

Over 300 artists in over 100 venues show you what they've been creating. Physical maps/pamphlets are in stands strategically located around town.

Brookline is also has a bunch of "Open Studios" this weekend.

SUN 5/3

1pm to 6pm
Spring Celebration & Open House
at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge
FREE

It may sound weird, but this place is beautiful. You can always walk around independently for free, but there are free walking tours, trolley rides, and activities.

SUN 5/3

2pm
"Remembering Jeanne Connolly - A Celebration"
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge
FREE / 21+

Acoustic conucopia of awesomeness in memory of a great fan of Boston music.

The tentative schedule:

2:10pm -- Andrea Gillis
2:20pm -- Ad Frank
2:30pm -- Juliana Nash & Greg Porter (Talking To Animals)
2:40pm -- Members of The Luxury
2:50pm -- Pete Cassani of The Peasants
3:00pm -- Eric Doberman
3:10pm -- Remembrances from some of Jeanne's friends
3:20pm -- Joyce Raskin & Chick Graning (Scarce)
3:30pm -- Dave Aaronoff & Kevin Stevenson (The Shods)
3:40pm -- Shaun Wortis
3:50pm -- Members of The Dirty Truckers
4:00pm -- Wide Iris
4:10pm -- Kevin Patey & Amy Griffin (The Raging Teens)
4:20pm -- Bo Barringer
4:30pm -- JJ Rassler & Jen D'Angora (The Downbeat 5)
4:40pm -- Thalia Zedek

It's free, but there's probably going to be chance to donate to a Cambridge Rindge & Latin scholarship fund in Jeanne's memory; so drop a few bucks in the basket.

SUN 5/3

3pm
Lorraine & Bennett Hammond
at Blacksmith House, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge (CCAE / Harvard Sq)
FREE

This is the concluding concert of the Annual Spring Dulcimer Festival. Dulcimer is a harp-like instrument that seems a little strange-sounding to me, because it always reminds me of the Middle Ages no matter what's being played.

SUN 5/3

3pm to 6pm
"For Pete's Sake, Sing!": Singing Party
at Doyle's Cafe, 3484 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Join the Folk Song Society's monthly singing party which will be a celebration of Pete Seeger's 90th birthday. If you haven't seen PBS's "American Masters" program about Seeger, it's really good. (I was brought to to tears.)

Sing, listen, eat, drink.

"Instruments are welcome but not required. Feel free to bring a copy of Rise Up Singing! if you have one."

SUN 5/3

4pm
"Weeds as Feed": Edible Plants Walk
meet at the Williams St Entrance, about 200 Forest Hills St, Boston (Franklin Park)
FREE

This is the real old-school! Learn about some plants that actually taste good. Franklin Park will never replace Stop 'N Shop, but it's kinda cool to know what wild greens can be taken home and put in a pan. Heck, this could be especially handy until the economy recovers...

Led by local naturalist, Pamela Kristan.

SUN 5/3

8:30pm
Phantom Buffalo, Christians & Lions, Dave + The Daves
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
FREE / 21+

Free indie-rock. Phantom Buffalo is just magical to my ears. If you love The Shins, Phantom Buffalo will be right up your alley. Christians & Lions are folky and get a little psych in there.

Dave + The Daves are much like The Beat Awfuls with a different rhythm section than usual; it's another twisted, rootsy project originating from the Lot Six/Viva Viva band core.

Time flies, eh?

When I feel like I have plenty of time, I get ambitious.

No promises, but I'll get something up for Sunday, see about updating the CTB calendar, and get some kind of weekly list out.

I've been interested in checking out the Volvo Ocean Race village before it's done (last day SAT 5/16). Let me know what you think; maybe I'll swing by soon.

Remember when I mentioned the free Galactic show? I won a pair of tix! It really pays to enter contests...

Sneak Peek -- SAT 5/2

Dammit. I know this doesn't sound good, but it's been hard to narrow down all the good stuff happening in the next 7 days. I'm working on it!

Don't forget the Cambridge Science Festival has loads of happenings through Sunday.

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SAT 5/2

Various Times
Free Comic Book Day
at Participating (Cool) Stores
FREE

Pick up a free comic book, or take a kid you know to the comic book store. (It's mainly good writing & artwork these days -- and considering other things they could be doing, reading comic books is good behavior.)

According to the website, these are some participating shops:

* Newbury Comics (Govt Center, Back Bay, Alewife)
* New England Comics (Coolidge Corner, Allston, Harvard Sq)
* Hub Comics (Union Sq)
* Comicopia (Kenmore Sq)
* Million Year Picnic (Harvard Sq)

SAT 5/2

10am to 2pm
Tennis Block Party
at Shattuck Grove Courts, about 72 Circuit Dr, Boston (Franklin Park, near Shattuck Hospital)
FREE

"Events include free tennis lessons, cardio tennis, healthy living and community information, and more. All events are free, open to all ages and levels!"

SAT 5/2

1:15pm
Opening Day / Kentucky Derby Day
at Suffolk Downs Racetrack, 111 Waldemar Ave, East Boston
$2

There are other "Kentucky Derby"-theme events going on, but wouldn't it be fun to bet?

I think the main race is at 6pm. I predict the winner will be I want Revenge (silks remind me of Patriots), Friesan Fire (Celtics), Musket Man (Red Sox), or Papa Clem (Bruins)...

SAT 5/2

8:30pm
Jonathan Richman Tribute Night
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 18+

Scheduled: Ponies in the Surf, Hands and Knees, The Double Stops, Young & Old, Lou Bunk, Bill Trudell, Hot Molasses, The Woodrow Wilsons, Two Thieves, Merganser, The Diamond Mines, Thick Shakes, and more...

A benefit for the Somerville Arts Council.

Each performer do about 3 Jonathan Richman songs.

SAT 5/2

9:30pm
Jason Palmer
at Wally's Cafe, 427 Mass Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

According to his MySpace, trumpeter Jason Palmer plays at Wally's almost every Friday and Saturday -- but he's definitely going to be there (barring unforeseen circumstances) as "part of Jazz Week." (Yeah, right.) If you're in the mood for modern bebop, it doesn't get much better than this.

SAT 5/2

The Motion Sick (11:45pm), Red Quiet (11pm), Hypernova (10pm), Talk Modern (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

This is going to a monstrously good rock show with The Motion Sick and Hypernova, who left Iran to rock since they could be killed in their homeland. Red Quiet and Talk Modern sound really good too.

Thanks to Semi-Precious Weapons for cancelling, because I wasn't even paying attention to show.

SAT 5/2

10am to 6pm
Open House and Tour
at Taza Chocolate Factory, 561 Windsor St, Somerville (near Union Sq)
FREE

See some of the operation and taste uniquely delicious chocolate. Also check out Albertine Press and QRST's Shirt in the same building.

Below, you can read about my trip to Taza last week.

SAT 5/2 & SUN 5/3

Noon to 6pm
Annual Somerville Open Studios
all over Somerville
FREE

Over 300 artists in over 100 venues show you what they've been creating. Physical maps/pamphlets are in stands strategically located around town.

Brookline is also has a bunch of "Open Studios" this weekend.

SAT 5/2 & SUN 5/3

1pm to 6pm
Spring Celebration & Open House
at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge
FREE

It may sound weird, but this place is beautiful. You can always walk around independently for free, but there are free walking tours, trolley rides, and activities.

5/2: Taza Chocolate Factory Tour

10am to 6pm
Open House and Tour
at Taza Chocolate Factory, 561 Windsor St, Somerville (near Union Sq)
FREE

See some of the operation and taste uniquely delicious chocolate. Also check out Albertine Press and QRST's Shirt in the same building. When I went to the Taza Factory, we also stopped in on Albertine Press, who do some very cool letterpress printing (including Taza labels).

(It will be busiest from Noon to 5pm.) My best description of how to get there is to go to the very end of Windsor St; the building is on the corner, and the entrance (with a sign)is on Windsor Pl.

You might want to walk around Somerville anyway, since it's "Open Studios" weekend.

* * *

Last Saturday I went there and did meet the Willy Wonka of Somerville, and his name is Alex Whitmore. He didn't wear a crazy outfit, the oompa-loompa's looked like normal people, and I didn't get into a glass elevator (but I still felt like I had a golden ticket).

He did have a gleam in his eye when he talked about his chocolate. And he did personally prepare the Mexican granite millstones in the traditional style to grind the cacao. (He learned the technique to "dress the molinos" on trips to Oaxaca.)

Even before the cacao arrives in Somerville, he described the process with adjectives like "tangy" and "olive-y". Late in the day, I tried some fresh product that we made; the flavor was intense, and so was Alex's enthusiasm after I tried it.

Since late 2006, Taza has been making their product with cacao, sugar, and some flavorings like vanilla and cinnamon. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free goodness. Yes, they use nuts. Nuts and chocolate are delicious together. I did find it interesting to learn the original idea was to open a "chocolate lounge", but they name comes from "taza de chocolate" or a cup of (hot) chocolate.

When you go, you'll hear, see, and taste why there truly is no other chocolate like Taza. From the way the free-trade and organic ingredients to the way it's shipped to the actual chocolate-making that ends with the hand-wrapped final product. I remember Whitmore saying something like, "It's good to eat, good for the environment, and good for the farmers."

It would be logistically difficult to let a stream of visitors into the heart of the operations (see pix and video below), but you can check out their vintage roaster and winnower. Most importantly, you'll get to eat the most delicious chocolate you've ever had.

Although I've likely eaten less chocolate than most people, I've never tasted it like this ever before. It won't taste like a Hershey bar. They don't mash it to a homogenous goo; there's real texture to it, and there are unexpected (to me) flavors that might have you thinking like a wine connoisseur. It's not cheap stuff, but I believe it's worth it. Hey -- it's friggin' hand-made with the top-quality, organic ingredients!

Haven't noticed them in stores? You can buy some at the open house, order online, or in these places. (My favorite was the disc with guajillo chili!)

Click on images for a larger view in a new window (fyi: some are larger than others):









Check out my shaky camera work inside the grinding room...

FRI 5/1: Rock-Art, Rock, Dance Party

I've been working this week to get back to my old form and more advance notice and sending a good weekly e-list. Let's see how it goes...

Happy May Day!

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FRI 5/1

4pm to 9pm
"Put Down Ya Mic, Pick Up Yer Paintbrush": Opening Reception
at Honan-Allston Branch, 300 North Harvard St, Allston
FREE

About 50 rockers from awesome Boston bands are showing their paintings & photography. It's a wide window of time, but I have a feeling things will really pick up around 5:30pm when the acoustic punk sets begin.

There is supposed to be wine and cheese. I don't know how rowdy it'll get at the library, but this crowd could definitely push the envelope. (Do the librarians know what they're doing??)

5:35pm -- Nick James
6:10pm -- Mark Doherty, Jimmy Burke, Tom-O-Pugs
6:45pm -- Confront
7:20pm -- Swaggerin Growlers
7:55pm -- Bryan McPherson
8:30pm -- Mark Lind

FRI 5/1

Now Now Every Children (Midnight), The Hush Now (11pm), You Can Be A Wesley (10pm), Let's Whisper (9:15pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

Bradley's Almanac is one of the top-tier music blogs based in Boston -- heck, Bradley has a simply awesome music site, period. When the mood strikes him and the planets are properly aligned he puts together a lineup of excellent bands to tickle your ears and eyes. (You're responsible for getting your other senses tickled.)

Now Now Every Children (from Minneapolis) are playing their first local gig, and they'll hopefully keep coming around. Minimalist bands with female vocals can leave me hot or cold, and there's a charm here that draws them to my warm side. The Hush Now and You Can Be A Wesley are kickass yet thoughtful local indie-rockers. Let's Whisper gently warms up the crowd with some acoustic pop from Vermont.

If you haven't been to Bradley's Almanac, you should. And you should check out this show. Expect giveaways and other surprises.

FRI 5/1

9pm
Buraka Som Sistema, DJ Sega, Bodega Girls
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

This is going to be a sick night of dancing and bumping and sweating. Buraka Som Sistema mixes up a wicked brew of Portuguese/African hip-hop/electronica. (I wonder if the Portuguese crowd is going to show up tonight...?) Add Bodega Girls who I think are hilariously good, because I don't think it's a joke. The music sounds disco-funky, and the group's rock pedigree adds more texture over lyrically clever jams.

FRI 5/1

9pm
Bone Gunn, Super Volcano, Metaphor for Everything
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$5 / 21+

With a name like Bone Gunn, I was expecting a stupid metal band. They asked, I listened, and I wasn't even close. It's more like progressive rock, and I got a bit of a world music vibe to my ears. Metaphor for Everything hits a similar vein. Recently I lamented that I don't hear a lot of bands influenced by The Talking Heads (because I love that band); I wonder if this is what it would sound like. I was hoping for something a little more funky-punky, but this is good. (And they might not even listen to The 'Heads...) SuperVolcano is a bit more aggro than the other bands without sacrificing musicianship. I doubt there's any bad music here. Give a listen and head down.