WED 5/6: Break Science w/ Lyrics Born

9pm
Break Science feat. Adam Deitch w/ Lyrics Born
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 advance / $12 day of show / 18+

I have mention this today, because it won't be $10 tomorrow, and this has the potential of being a super-sick show.

Break Science is a relatively new project for drummer (and Berklee alum) Adam Deitch. He's long played in the funk band Lettuce with Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno which led to a two-year gig with Average White Band. He's also played in John Scofield's and Wyclef Jean's bands. On top of the jazz and funk, he's into hip-hop; his production credits include: Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg, KRS-One, MF Doom, Jurassic 5, 50 Cent, Redman, etc.

Break Science is mainly a duo with a keyboardist who seems to play live parts, as well as manipulating beats, for a trip-hop/drum&bass vibe that's intended to sound like a "live mix tape". It may not appeal to jazz or funk crowd, but folks with big ears -- or those who are into electronic music -- should dig it.

I gotta believe it's going to get funky because Lyrics Born, one of my favorite rappers, is joining Break Science for this show and the next two gigs (Fairfield, CT and Portland). "Later That Day" was such an awesome album. Lyrics Born raps more like a nasty soul singer digging into an especially funky part with his raspy baritone voice. A couple years later, LB started performing with a full live band and recorded his most recent CD with them.

Break Science and Lyrics Born are each recording new material, so I imagine this is part the collaborative process for both parties (that will likely continue at the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan). The plan for tomorrow night is to play "a mix of classic Lyrics Born tracks and new material."

Note: If you've never bought advance tix at the Middle East, ask the bartender and he'll point you in the right direction.

Here is a clip of Break Science with Matisyahu:

Off-Topic: RIP Dom DeLuise

Dom DeLuise usually played goofballs, and he almost always made it hilarious. He might not have done much that I liked in the last few years, but "Blazing Saddles", "The Muppet Movie", "Smokey and the Bandit II", "History of the World: Part I", "The Cannonball Run", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "Johnny Dangerously", "Spaceballs", "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"...

The rotund comedian was a bon vivant, and it's sad there is one less party guy around... There will be a shot of tequila with your name on it, Dom!

TUES 5/5: Rock, Talk, Films, Eating & Spelling Games

Sure... It's great to have a reason to get plastered, and it's Cinco de Mayo, but here's a little tip: most bars serve tequila and Corona all year long even if they're not you're favorite Mexican restaurant.

I saw that Dick's Last Resort has $3 maragaritas. Kings has free bowling and pool after 9pm; you can get a free quesadilla if you present this coupon.

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TUES 5/5

5pm
Akron/Family: In-Store Performance & Autograph Signing
at Newbury Comics, 332 Newbury Street, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

If I got out of work early enough (and still worked downtown), I'd head over to check out Akron/Family. I get the sense these trippy folk-rockers can recreate their magical onstage rapport with people at an in-store performance.

TUES 5/5

7pm
Andrew Bacevich, "The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism"
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

Andrew Bacevich is not only a history & foreign relations professor at BU, he's a conservative and former military officer who has long been a critic of the Iraq invasion. It later became personal when his son was killed in action in Iraq. You may not agree with his opinions, but you'll hear an intelligent perspective.

TUES 5/5

6:30pm to 8:30pm
Burrito de Mayo
at Puma City, about 28 Northern Ave, Boston (Waterfront/Fan Pier)
FREE

Puma City and the whole Volvo Ocean Race Village is pretty cool. There will probably be a good crowd to see the burrito-eating competitions. There might be other "Cinco de Mayo-themed" events happening in the race village too.

The first round starts at 6:30pm, there's a "celebrity contest" (radio personalities, fire fighters, etc) at 7:30pm, and the finals start around 8pm.

It would be cool to hang out at the Puma bar on the third floor, but it's going to crowded in that narrow set-up -- so don't expect easy drink service.

There will be some giveaways/prizes and some complimentary Qdoba food...

TUES 5/5 (thru TUES 5/12)

7pm, 9:30pm
Boston 48 Hour Film Project
at Kendall Square Cinema, 370 Binney St, Cambridge
$9.75

About 90 filmmaking teams created shorts from start to finish over this past weekend. On Friday they were each given a genre, a character, a prop and a line of dialogue. After writing, acting, and editing in 48 hours, they turned in the final product on Sunday night.

All of them are shown over 4 nights (2 sessions per night): TUES 5/5 to THUR 5/7 and on TUES 5/12. I've watched a few of these instant films in the past, and they are usually pretty good.

TUES 5/5

7:15pm
Spell or Dare! (7:15pm), The Dejas (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I've wanted to check out "Spell or Dare" for a while. I know the uber-talented Laura Cortese is the host and she has some cohorts with her. I assume you can choose between a spelling word or a dare...? Signups at 7:15pm, the action "bee-gins" around 8pm.

The Dejas sound pretty good. There is a lot of personality in this acoustic guitar 'n percussion duo. The songs sound good with gentle vocals, and the percussionist employs an array of instruments to keep it interesting.

MON 5/4: Art, Film, Play, Classical Music

So I made it to a couple 'cheap thrills' yesterday. I think I have a "fun hangover"...

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MON 5/4

Noon to 9pm
The Harvard Student Art Show
at Harvard Science Center Pavilion Tent, corner of Oxford St & Kirkland St, Cambridge (Harvard Campus)
FREE

This is the first annual exhibition of student art at Harvard. I've been told prices will range between $10 and $1,000, so that means you could walk away with a piece of art for $10. It also means that some people don't really want to sell their art -- or they know someone will plop down a grand...

Think about how many Harvard alumni are in the public arena. Imagine 20 years from now, you can tell people about that painting by a famous politician, author, actor, or maybe even the next Unabomber...

There's a silent art auction & reception from 6pm to 8pm

They will accept cash or check for purchases.

MON 5/4

7pm
"The Limits of Control": Preview Screening
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

For those who love Jim Jarmusch films (like myself), it looks like another classic. I feel like I saw the preview a long time ago, because it parallels other titles in the Jarmusch oeuvre (Ghost Dog, Dead Man, etc). Nothing much seems to happen, but it's mysterious.

"Seats will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30pm."

"Broken Flowers" is playing afterwards for regular price at 9:30pm.

MON 5/4

7:30pm
"Deported/A Dream Play": Staged Reading
at Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown
$10 suggested donation

Playwright Joyce Van Dyke has been working on this play with the director and actors for about 2 years. It's based on true story of her grandmother during the Armenian genocide, but this work continues to present-day and into the the future.

Afterwards, there will be a panel discussion, "Telling Stories about the Genocide in the Theatre" that includes Dr. Martin Deranian (real-life son of one of the play's main characters), Tina Sajonian (BU Armenian Students Assoc.), Mariam Stepanyan (Armenian Library & Museum of America), and Ruth Thomasian (ProjectSAVE).

It's technically free, but they suggest a donation of $10.

MON 5/4

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

The "First Monday" series is a great chance to hear classical chamber music from top-notch players associated with NEC in some capacity. This season, every "First Monday" has commemorated an anniversary of some kind. To wrap up the current season, NEC is celebrating 200th anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn's birth.

Tonight's program:

Nocturno for Winds
Quintet in B-flat Minor, Op. 87
Excerpts from A Midsummer Night's Dream (arranged by the composer for two pianos, four hands)

5/3: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

It was an arduous first round for the Boston Celtics, so I wanted to remember last year's championship run (with Iggy & The Stooges and Dropkick Murphys)...