It's so much easier to preach Zen non-attachment than to practice it. After almost 10 years, I think I've finally lost my favorite umbrella.
Darn.
Plenty of fun for the price of a cheap umbrella (or less)!
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TUES 10/13
6pm
"Advising The President"
at JFK Forum, 79 JFK St, Cambridge (Kennedy School of Govt)
FREE
A Conversation With Ted Sorensen (Special Counsel, Adviser to President Kennedy) and Ken Duberstein (Chief of Staff, President Reagan)
Isn't it cool that lectures like this are regularly open to the public?
TUES 10/13
6:30pm
Pae White: Lecture
at Trustees Room, 11th Fl, Tower Bldg, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston (MassArt)
FREE
White's work seems very interesting and has been exhibited extensively including the 2009 Venice Biennale. I imagine she'll have some stimulating things to say about art.
MassArt campus map [PDF]
TUES 10/13
7:30pm
Winterpills, Stephanie's Id
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+
This might be excellent rainy evening music. When I was listening to Stephanie's Id, I had the sensation of being bundled up on a cold night with wine numbing me through my veins. Winterpills reminds me of the melancholy pop that Elliott Smith made.
TUES 10/13
9:30pm
Avi & Celia), Erin Harpe
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$6 advance / $7 door / 21+
Avi & Celia started out ripping it up as a bluesy duo that already had the energy of a full band. They've added a rhythm section for their new CD "Hey Mama", and it's bluesy/rootsy/rockin' stew as expected.
During their October residency, a different guest opens each week. Blues mama and delta-guitar mistress Erin Harpe gets the mojo rolling with an acoustic set.
TUES 10/13
9:30pm
The Rob Crean Show
w/ MC Mr. Napkins, Tim Vargulish, Ahmed Bharoocha, Matt D, Worldmap
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+
It's a comedy show in the format of variety/talk show with various segments, interviews, and performances. It's a funny group of people doing something other than a your average stand-up show.
It's also a chance to see the hilarious MC Mr. Napkins. Musical guest Worldmap sound interesting -- a little indie-noisy, a little progressive rock. Members of the Anderson Comedy troupe will perform as well.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
TUES 10/13: Talks, Pop, Blues, Comedy
Monday, October 12, 2009
MON 10/12: Art, Lit, Songs
If you love "Where the Wild Things Are" and you're downtown today, you should think about stopping by the Aquarium around noon, 1pm, or 2pm for a chance to win advance screening passes, and there should be other little giveaways.
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MON 10/12
10am to 4pm
Opening Our Doors 2009
All around the Fenway
FREE
Overdosing on art is probably my favorite way to spend Columbus Day. The MFA? The Gardner Museum? The Mapparium? Free today, and much more.
Almost every every cultural institution in the Fenway area offers free admission and special programs.
MON 10/12
1pm to 6pm
Charles River Literary Fair
at George Sherman Union, Basement, 775 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE
Unlike the upcoming Boston Book Festival, this literary fair is geared towards people who are interested in writing/publishing field. It's a chance to meet representatives from dozens of local literary magazines, presses, etc.
It could be a good opportunity to meet other writers and like-minded people.
Bring some used books for the swap table, and any leftover books will be donated to a prison book program.
MON 10/12
10pm
Sodafrog, Marc Pinansky, Mikey French Fries
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE
This is the type of show to have a drink and pay attention to the music. (Although it wouldn't be cool to yap at an acoustic gig in a small room like ZuZu.)
There's a only one amphibian in Sodafrog. Have you ever listened to the song "Wildflowers" where Tom Petty and his acoustic guitar holds your undivided attention for the whole song. Tom Janovitz does something like that with direct delivery and finely honed songs. Whatever Mama Janovitz cooked for her sons, I wish I ate more of that myself.
The other guys are far from slouches who've been in some of the best bands around town (sometimes together). Marc Pinansky (Township, Runner & The Thermodynamics, Tulsa, etc) is a big hairy dude of musical goodness; I wonder if burps melodies and coughs chords. Maybe he has some new lyrics in his beard. Mikey French Fries has drummed with excellent bands like Mean Creek, Tulsa, and Movers & Shakers. When he sings and strums, it's a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n roll... Y'know, greasy and salty too...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
SUN 10/11: Fests, Drawing, Roots/Rock
Yeah, I stink but I have tomorrow off. I could get caught up... Go Sox!
I went to HonkFest yesterday, and it was awesome as usual. You can still catch some of it in Harvard Sq today.
(The subsequent pub crawl was great, but not conducive to blog production...)
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SUN 10/11
9am to 8pm
Irish Heritage Festival
around Adams Corner, Dorchester (shuttles from Ashmont T and North Quincy T)
FREE
There's a lot good craic to be found in Dorchester. Lots of culture, food, vendors.
SUN 10/11
9am to 4pm
Transporterfest/Volkswagen Day
at Larz Anderson Museum, 15 Newton St, Brookline
$10 / $5 seniors, students, ages 6 – 12 (includes Museum admission)
I don't know if I'd pay $10 to look at a bunch of vintage VW's, but I love occasionally seeing an old, orange microbus that is parked in Somerville/Cambridge.
SUN 10/11
Noon to 6pm
Annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest
along JFK St, Brattle St, Mass Ave, Church St, and Charles Sq in Harvard Sq, Cambridge
FREE
It's a beautiful day, so get out and wade through the crowds to enjoy some good music. Besides many of the HonkFest bands, there's some fine rock/folk/etc from Lake Street Dive (2pm), Cassavettes (3pm), Emily Elbert (3pm), Televandals (4pm), Broken Blossoms (5pm).
SUN 10/11
2:30pm to 5:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+
Probably the most fun you can have at a drawing session in a public place. Anyone can give it a shot. From first-timers to professionals, all are welcome to have some art fun with no one to tell you what to do.
A couple of tips: Come on time to get a seat up front. Keep it small so others can crowd in around you. Bring your stuff in a milk crate so you have something to sit on or put your stuff on. (we have lots of seats, but more is helpful) There will be some fancy paper for you to buy if you want.
You're not going to find a cheaper art class -- mainly because it's not a class. Just go and have some fun.
Model of the Month: Lots of curves to be drawn for Dirty Nellie and Decolletage of Big Moves Boston (who modeled on Columbus Day weekend last year)
SUN 10/11
9pm
Trampled by Turtles (fr. MN), Tony The Bookie Orchestra, Poverty Line Old Time Band
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+
Whether or not you have a three-day weekend, this is a damn good show to groove to tunes with a country/folk flavor. Trampled by Turtles bring their tasty, passionately rootsy sound from Duluth, and Poverty Line Old Time Band live up to their name. My fave of the night Tony the Bookie Orchestra should shake things up with their sweet, country-tinged rock.
Friday, October 09, 2009
SAT 10/10: Film, Honk, Fireworks, Folk, Rock
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SAT 10/10
11am
"Repulsion"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE
I really hope that I'll wake up early on the right Saturday morning with sufficient initiative to enjoy “Elements of Cinema”. I don’t care if it’s 11am -- I'll probably have a coke and popcorn.
The monthly series regularly presents a classic or essential piece of cinema like a friggin’ film appreciation class. They’ve shown several that I saw in MY film appreciation course. After more than a year, the selections are becoming less obvious.
I wonder if this is a timely choice to present an early Roman Polanski thriller. I think he’s been in the news lately... The post-screening discussion may take an unusual turn.
Just enjoy the film for its merits (and Catherine Deneuve)!
SAT 10/10
Noon to 9pm
HONK! Festival
Around Davis Sq, Somerville
FREE
After work, Banda Roncati from Bologna was playing on the red line. (Those crazy Italians couldn’t contain themselves.) If I were going to choose, this would be the best bet of the weekend.
SAT 10/10 & SUN 10/11
Noon to 6pm
East Boston Open Studios
at Various Locations
at 80 Border Street Cultural Exchange Center
FREE
Without ever going to Eastie’s open studios, I anticipate there are some wonderful artists camping on that isolated stretch. (Imagine the genius hiding in Chelsea!) There are frequently interesting exhibits at 80 Border St. I read there is going to be something there this weekend.
Be happy and take the T. If I were you (and I might be), I’d work in a meal too. Almost every week, I hear something about one good restaurant or another... Yelp isn’t a bad place to look for hints.
SAT 10/10
2pm to 4pm
Social Cinema: "Copyright Criminals"
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE
When does artistic borrowing become stealing? Is it more egregious to steal someone’s ideas or to take a recording and make something new and fresh?
You could wait until this is on PBS next year or see this documentary on sampling and beyond. There is usually a discussion afterwards.
SAT 10/10
4pm to 8pm
"Riverfest 2009"
along the Mystic River waterfront, about 180 Foley St, Somerville (across from the Assembly Sq Marketplace)
FREE
It’s nice to see that the developers at Assembly Square do something for the community as the seemingly interminable transformation occurs. (As a Somerville resident, I’m pissed that Good Time Emporium is gone and we don’t have an Ikea. Heck, I’d rather just have Good Times back.)
Family-friendly games, activities, and entertainment might keep you busy until the 30-minute fireworks display begins at 8pm. The proceeds from concessions will benefit dozens of local charities.
SAT 10/10
8pm
Bethel Steele, Chris Wilhelm
at Loring Greenough House, 12 South St, Jamaica Plain
$10
"JP Unplugged" presents a series of acoustic concerts in this historic house where the acoustics are supposed to be excellent. It’s an intimate spot with about 40 seats.
I know JP Licks is down the street, but I’m think “two scoops of folk singers” in my head. (I want ice cream right now.) Although I have a hard time believing this woman’s real name is Bethel Steele, she’s got some good stuff. Chris Wilhelm has a clean, earnest style; the songs are catchy and heartfelt.
SAT 10/10
9pm
The Glam vs. Punk Extravaganza
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+
Feat: Gene Dante & the Future Starlets, The New Alibis, MeAndJoanCollins, The Acro-brats
It’s a beautiful sight that we’re not afraid to appreciate various approaches to good music. Even if they called it a “battle”, it would still be like an extravaganza. When you have two of the best glam-rock bands and two purveyors of punk, the listener wins. (But MeAndJoanCollins may be the best out of the four.)
10/10 & 10/11: HONK!
More cheapness coming. You can already see Saturday items on the calendar.
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SAT 10/10
Noon to 9pm
HONK! Festival
Around Davis Sq, Somerville
FREE
SUN 10/11
Noon
HONK! Parade
from Davis Sq, Somerville
to Harvard Square Ocktoberfest
FREE
SUN 10/11
8pm to Midnight
Blow-Out Concert
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq, Somerville
$10
Although HonkFest technically begins today, the main event is tomorrow when acoustically mobile street bands surround Davis Square with loads of brass, drums, and love.
Walk around at any time for a little while and you'll hear a sweet sampling of the approximately 30 bands blowing at 7 spots around Davis Sq.
Most of the groups hail from various points in the Northeast, but a few have come from the West Coast, the South, and a handful from Canada and Italy.
The atmosphere is like a big feel-good party. Musical influences from around the world can be heard, but HonkFest feels like New Orleans to me in sound and attitude. (Actually I wish I could go around 3pm or 8pm to hear the Pinettes Brass Band from NOLA.)
On Sunday, you can parade along with the bands to Harvard Square for a couple hours. Some of the bands will perform on a couple of the Ocktoberfest stages. There's also the indoor concert at night for a more conventional listening experience.
Bands scheduled to appear:
AfroBrazil, The Bahamas, Junkanoo Jumpers, Banda Roncati, The Barrage Band Orchestra, The Bread & Puppet Circus Band, Black Bear Combo, Brass Messengers, Caka!ak Thunder, The Carnival Band, Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble, Environmental Encroachment, Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band, Extraordinary Rendition Band, Himalayas, Hungry March Band, Leftist Marching Band, Loyd Family Players, Minor Mishap Marching Band, Orkestar Zirkonium, Pinettes Brass Band, Pink Puffers, Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Samba Tremeterra, The Scene Of The Crime Rovers, Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band, Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, The Springville All Star Marching Band, What Cheer? Brigade, Yellow Hat BandSome of my pix from last year (click for a large image):
