FRI 10/9: Rap, Rock, Soul, Uke, Horror

Obviously you can make your own "good time" wherever you are, but sometimes I get a feeling about an event. For the "Material Girl" fans, you can go to a Madonna karaoke party at Limelight tonight. Sing a song to win prizes... A drag queen will host... [Facebook]

So... This is my list, and these are things that I'd be more willing to do than Madonna-oke. (Don't get me wrong, I was interested in something like this. But feel free to go, and tell me I was wrong.)

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

FRI 10/9

6pm
Boycott Blues
at Underground Hip-Hop Headquarters, 234 Huntington Ave, Boston (South End-ish)
FREE / 15+

I like the way that Boycott Blues puts samples together (listen to Work'n On It). It's not quite as indie-rock-friendly as a Beck, but maybe closer to classic Kool Keith or Prince Paul. (Did I think of those artists because of the alliteration?)

Free bit of rap to start the long weekend. Let's hope for a Columbus Day screed...

FRI 10/9

7pm (doors open)
WFNX Disorientation
Feat: Black Joe Lewis, White Rabbits
at Lansdowne Pub, 9 Lansdowne St, Boston
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

I entered my info last night for this show, but I haven't received a response. On other concerts this week, they've stopped accepting requests, so I think you can still try to RSVP.

It would be worth it just to catch Black Joe Lewis. He and his band are in the top tier of the retro-soul movement along with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and a couple others. This is not polite reverence for the classics -- Black Joe Lewis gets nasty and bluesy for a modern Stax vibe.

White Rabbits are a really strong indie-rock band with some killer songs in the vein of The Walkmen, Delta Spirit, etc.

FRI 10/9

7:30 pm
"Tough Times Don't Last; Ukuleles Do"
at Spiegel Auditorium/Blacksmith House, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10

Feat: Danno Sullivan, Jumpin’ Jim Beloff & Liz Beloff, Joel "Ukulele Eck" Eckhaus, Davis Sweet

I didn't listen to any of these guys, because I already have a good idea of what these guys are doing (and the audio samples were readily available). It's billed as a "Night of Not-Depressing Songs", so expect a lot of classic tunes from the '20s and thereabouts.

I've been saying (now and then) that we're at the cusp of a ukulele renaissance. It's cheap, portable, easy-to-learn, and powerfully joy-inducing.

Tickets will be available at the door, but advance purchase is recommended via 617-547-6789 or online.

FRI 10/9

9pm
The Beatings, The Dirty Truckers, Muck & The Mires, Tori Pyne
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

There is a lot of variety in this lineup. The meat in the sonic sandwich is comprised of the Stonesy, sometimes twangy, rip-roaring rock of The Dirty Truckers and the nonpareil fusion of early Mersey-like garage-rock 'n punk power of Muck & The Mires.

The Beatings started out at the beginning of the decade with deliciously fresh, noisy, fuzzy post-punk. I think they took a break for a while, but they're back together with a new CD that sounds stronger and more focused than before.

Tori Pyne starts off with some rock that has a swinging, jazzy twist.

FRI 10/9

9:30pm
The Upper Crust, Cortez, Cocked N' Loaded
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

The Upper Crust is a cross between AC/DC, Aerosmith, and 18th-century aristocrats. These "fop-rockers" are actually veteran players from the Boston punk scene. The lyrics are funny and they dress in costumes and wigs, but the music rawks.

They are the dessert of a three-course meal of heavy, loud, punky, ballsy rock.

FRI 10/9

Midnight
The "Army Of Darkness" Quote-Along
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
$10

Probably only for "Evil Dead" fans, but I think this could be more fun than you-know-what. As someone who doesn't love horror films, I enjoy this series due to the humor and strong storytelling. (Director Sam Raimi may be one of the few horror directors that still made good movies when given bigger budgets.)

The third "Evil Dead" film presented by The Action Pack -- the folks behind the "R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet" & "Ladies of the 80s" sing-alongs and "Labyrinth" & "Princess Bride" quote-alongs.

The midnight shows at Coolidge Corner are usually a really fun time, and the final entry in the "Evil Dead" trilogy is likely to meet or exceed expectations.

THUR 10/8: Various Degrees of Rock

Do you ever get the feeling you're forgetting something? I don't claim these are "the best", but they're all good.

It's $15, but I saw "The Ego and The Oracle" last week at The Burren. They're performing every Thursday in October, and it's an awesome show. I like listening to Jim's Big Ego, but it's got the "supernatural/interactive" angle too.

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

THUR 10/8

6pm
James Dean Bradfield: Performance & Signing
at Newbury Comics, 332 Newbury Street, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

The Manic Street Preachers are at The Paradise tonight, but guitarist-singer James Dean Bradfield will do a short set for the die-hard and simply curious alike. He'll probably play no longer than 30 minutes, but this could be the last US tour since they haven't hit the states in 10 years...

Although he was ruled to be deceased after disappearing, wouldn't it be crazy if Richey Edwards shows up one day? At a record-store performance in a New England city?

THUR 10/8

9pm
The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Lovely Feathers, Arletta
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

The Canadians are coming! Well, two bands of Quebecois origin. The Rural Alberta Advantage were in town a couple months ago, and they return with The Lovely Feathers for a double blast of tasty folky indie-pop. Arletta does us proud as our kickass representatives.

THUR 10/8

Humanwine (11:15pm), Ketman (10:15pm), What Time Is It Mr. Fox? (9:20pm), Workman's Comp (9pm?)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

If you ever wanted to find out what the deal is about Humanwine, tonight would be an excellent night. They're celebrating their new CD then heading out on the road for 8 months to spread their special Humanwine (I dislike upper-case) sound that leans towards political, gypsy-flavored blend and is probably the punkest band this die of Fugazi.

They will supposed play for 2 hours after Ketman plays their skronky post-punk and What Time Is It Mr. Fox? Time-travels for a little modern-cabaret stylings. Can't say much about Workman's Comp, but am guessing this might be the "secret special traveler guest" mentioned on their site; it should fit in somewhere in the musical tutti-frutti.

People are encouraged to come in costume, so the freak flag will be waving strong.

WED 10/7: Take, Listen, Hear, Bob, Sway, Etc

So I didn't list Matt & Kim, because they must have received too many RSVP's for the free show. Still, White Rabbits and Black Joe Lewis are playing on Friday.

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

WED 10/7

4pm to 7pm
Get a Dunks Espresso Coupon
at MBTA Stations: Downtown Crossing, South Station, North Station, Harvard, Back Bay, Government Center
FREE

Did you know it was Fair Trade Month? Dunkin’ Donuts in association with TransFair USA and the Fair Trade Boston campaign is handing out coupons for a free espresso.

If someone wants to hand you something at the T this afternoon, take it!

WED 10/7

6pm to 8:30pm
Flyleaf Listening Party
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
FREE / 18+

This is more notice than suggestion. Maybe someone wants to hear the new album "Memento Mori" with acoustic appearance by Lacey and Jared from the band.

Unless you listen to WAAF and win, it's "first-come, first-serve" entry.

WED 10/7

7pm
Christopher Klein, "The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston": Reading
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

With a town full of "die-hard sports fans", this book is bound to have plenty of bits they don't know (or "known at one point but forgotten").

Author Christopher Klein wrote a comprehensive guide to the Boston Harbor Islands a few years ago, and it seems he's on a mission to compile a series of indispensable handbooks to everything cool about the area. The book covers local sports history way beyond the "Big 4", and there's plenty of tips to stay on top of the current scene.

If you really want to dork out, he's charted out a "Boston Sports Trail" walking tour.

WED 10/7

8pm to 10pm
"Opera of the Future": Lecture & Demonstration
at Blacksmith House, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10

Elly Jessop (MIT Media Lab) shows how technology can change musical composition and performance (and beyond). It's intended for opera, but I wouldn't be surprised to see these devices adapted by other genres and stage productions.

She will probably demonstrate a "musical glove" to be used in "Death and the Powers", a new opera to debut next season at the A.R.T.

Advance registration is (probably) recommended.

(Yes, I'd rather listen to a lecture about technological advances in opera than listen to the new Flyleaf CD.)

WED 10/7

Arms & Sleepers (11:35pm), Junius (10:35pm), Metavari (9:40pm), Thunderhole (8:45pm)
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 advance / $10 door / 18+

It's not you typical rock show. Half of the bands don't sound like rock to me anyway.

Arms and Sleepers sounds like a dude playing with computers on the recording, but it turns out to be two guys -- that actually play with flair in concert. The drummer is pounding it out, but the ambient, orchestral pop wafting around it keeps it chill. (Their new CD has plenty of vocals, so hopefully they'll at least be sequenced.) Junious has the guitars going in a dark, shoegazey way that's pretty interesting. Metavari call themselves an instrumental rock-trio from Indiana, but there's a big piece of electro in their sound. Kicking everything off with a lot more gusto is the experimental, synthy rock of Thunderhole.

It's really good, and I'm not saying it has to be a rock show. It's just not your typical rock show.

(Those are the times I read; I never guarantee anything...)

TUES 10/6: Geeks, Pop, Comedy, Punk v. Rap

As usual, this isn't everything cheap happening tonight. It is probably the best cheapness.

I'm torn between Golden Bloom/Rachael Cantu or Eugene Mirman -- or going home and taking care of all the stuff I should do...

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

TUES 10/6

7pm
Ethan Gilsdorf, "Fantasy Freaks And Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms": Reading & more
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE

Local author Ethan Gilsdorf has come clean about his Dungeons & Dragons adolescence but goes much further and investigates many facets of current gaming culture. I imagine this tome will help laymen understand their LARPing loved ones as well as provide gamers a better sense of their subculture.

Each of his readings have had a little extra going on. There will still be some sort of geeky fantasy-trivia contest, but stand back for the live-action sword-play demonstration.

If you still want to chat about LARPing or other topics, there's a reception (cash bar & free appetizers) across the at Christopher's Restaurant afterwards.

TUES 10/6

7:30pm
Golden Bloom, Rachael Cantu
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+

There are a lot of good things about this show:

1) Golden Bloom may be the 2009 pinnacle of powerpop goodness.
2) Rachael Cantu may play solo tonight, but she'll still blow you away
3) You don't have to wait so long for an early show to start.
4) Two artists -- "All killer, no filler."
5) Sox aren't playing tonight.
6) Bruins aren't playing tonight.

TUES 10/6

9pm
Eugene Mirman & Friends
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 18+

It seems like Eugene Mirman's comedy doesn't appeal to everyone. I think he's hilarious -- and I'm far from the only one -- but he's got an atypical rhythm, and the jokes need you to pay attention because the punchline is rarely something like "Git 'er done." This is a release party for his new CD, "God Is a Twelve-Year-Old Boy With Asperger's".

I'm sure the fellow performers will be worthwhile also.

Note: If Eugene or a friend is googling him and sees this, I was trying to find the cover photo from "The Improper Bostonian". That's the best picture ever taken of Eugene Mirman. (Maybe because he doesn't actually look like that...)

TUES 10/6

9:30pm
The Sprained Ankles vs.Wasted Talent
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$8 / 21+

It's rocker (and more) Clay N. Ferno's birthday party, and it looks like a good time.

I'm pretty sure Clay wrote this, but he put it rather well:

DJ Tim Kelly from WMBR's Late Riser's Club will be the ultimate judge of the competition set for this evening as weirdo doo-wop punk and rollers The Sprained Ankles square off against bizarro old school hip hop live act Wasted Talent (featuring Nabo Rawk and Paul Foley).

MON 10/5: Talk, Rock, Classical

Yep, yep, yep.

Not a bad variety tonight...

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

MON 10/5

6:30pm
"Afghanistan Revisited"
at First Parish Church, 3 Church St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Andrew Bacevich (BU professor, former soldier, critic of US foreicn policy since the Iraq Invasion) and Charles Sennott (journalist, "Global Post" founder) discuss the conflict getting more and more attention these days.

MON 10/5

7pm (doors open)
WFNX Disorientation Week
Feat: Wild Light, Dearly Beloved
at Lansdowne Pub, 9 Lansdowne St, Boston
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

There are free WFNX shows at Lansdowne Pub through Friday, but tonight's show looks like a really good night (as well as Matt & Kim on WED 10/7 and Black Joe Lewis / White Rabbits on FRI 10/9.

Beside's Wild Light's solid rock from the Granite State, Dearly Beloved is a rather strong band from Toronto.

You can still RSVP; the sooner you get there, the better your chances of getting in before they fill it up.

MON 10/5

7pm to 9pm
Four Stories: "Conspicuous Consumption: Stories of eating, shopping, spending, taking"
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: Erica Ferencik, Ru Freeman, Tracy McArdle, Amy Yelin

Four women telling tales of eating, shopping, spending, taking? There may be a bit of humor in these readings.

It's not hard for the Enormous Room, but the couches are very comfortable. Audience participation is encouraged (when appropriate). Someone wins a free drink every for asking the best question.

MON 10/5

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

The "First Monday" series is celebrating its 25th anniversary of some of the best free classical music as top-notch musicians associated with NEC deliver first-class chamber performances.

The program to begin the season:

Giovanni Gabrieli -- antiphonal brass fanfares
J.S. Bach -- "Wedding Cantata "Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten" BWV 202"
Mozart -- "Quintet in g-minor K. 516"

MON 10/5

10pm
Jinx Brothers, Port Charles Quintet, Civil Warblers
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

It should be a fun night. The Jinx Brothers are an acoustic duo that lovingly play early country-blues. It's supposedly the first show for Port Charles Quintet, a four-member group of local rock stalwarts including the singer and drummer of one of my favorite classic Boston bands, The Prime Movers. And Civil Warblers (members of Bread & Roses, Serious Geniuses, The Alrighters, and Darkbuster)will likely be a punky cacophony.