TUES 10/20: Talk & Strings

A theme developed when I didn't get excited about the under-$10 music options (except the musical cap on the night). Check out the "international" sub-theme with Iraqi & Burmese speakers...

There is an excellent, almost-cheap indie-rock gig at TT the Bear's and other gigs at Passim and the Brattle -- this is the cheap stuff, folks.

And Happy "National Day on Writing"! If you feel like writing anything, this is a good day to start! The National Gallery of Writing would like you to send them some of your stuff -- any kind of writing -- to celebrate. (They offer some writing tips too.)

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TUES 10/20

6pm
"Musicians for Music 2.0": Discussion
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE / 18+

If you're involved with making music in one way or another, you might hear (and share) something helpful. There will obviously be some casual time, but it seems like the whole spends time discussing the same topic or two.

Even though the best part of music is rocking out and partying, success on any level requires some serious effort. Based on last month's session, the topics can cover social media, web promotion, money issues, how people listen to music, and different recording techniques.

Whether you make music, promote it, write about it, talk about it, or do an interpretive dance; you will probably get something out of this.

I guess I'll never "make it" these days, because I abhor that the details are on Facebook...

TUES 10/20

7pm to 8:30pm
Haider Hamza, "Talk to an Iraqi": Discussion
at Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library, 415 South St, Waltham (Brandeis campus)
FREE

When was the last time you talked to an Iraqi? Journalist Haider Hamza was living there during the invasion and reported on so many of the major events. Now the 24-year-old lives in the States, and one of his new projects was a mobile "Talk to an Iraqi" booth.

The actual booth may not be there, but the Iraqi will show up.

Are you thinking, "How the f--- do I get to Brandeis?" Try the commuter rail and the #553 stop close by...

TUES 10/20

7:30pm
After the Saffron Revolution: The Struggle for Human Rights in Burma
at Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

You know things are bad when Buddhist monks get pissed off. The situation in Burma/Myanmar is still awful, the monks led protests in 2007 that may not have toppled the regime, but they reinvigorated the resistance and brought greater international attention.

Three of the monks will speak about their lives and state of affairs in their homeland.

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TUES 10/20

10pm
String Quartet Showdown, Vol. 8
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S. Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

If you're in JP on a Tuesday night, there's a possibility to hear a fresh take on classical string music. It's happened seven times before, and they'll be battling through the end of the month. Who knows if these string quartets will "bring it" in a bar, but the music is awesome without the pretension.

Cellist Jeremy Harman organizes the smackdown that includes members of A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra, Samurai String Squad, and the plethora of music students in the area.

MON 10/19: Film, Science, Skeptics, Poetry, Folk

Oh, me, oh, my! There are a couple things to do tonight.

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MON 10/19

7pm
Science on Screen: "Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
$9.75 / $7.75 seniors, students

Most people probably don't remember this version from the director of "Gone with the Wind" & "The Wizard of Oz" that starred Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, and Lana Turner. The '31 movie might have been too fresh in people's mind to enjoy this one on its own merits.

Professors John Durant (MIT) and Anne Harrington (Harvard) are ideally suited to introduce this film since the history of science is the focus of both husband and wife, and they've taught a class together about science and medicine in Victorian England.

MON 10/19

7pm to 10pm
Boston Skeptics in the Pub: "The War of the Worlds"
at Tommy Doyle's (upstairs), 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

You won't see/hear a production of "The War of the Worlds", but the Post-Meridian Radio Players will include Orson Welles' classic in their live performances of old-time radio shows at the Somerville Theatre (10/29 to 10/31).

Artistic Director Neil Marsh is hanging out with the skeptics tonight to talk about how the public freaked out in 1938 (and probably about modern parallels). All are welcome to join for drinks and conversation -- except for close-minded people...

MON 10/19

8pm
"Blacksmith House Poetry Series": Fred Marchant & Teresa Cader
at Blacksmith House, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$3

There will be poetry readings on most Mondays for the next two months. Tonight's poets are also local college professors (Suffolk and Lesley)

I might be gullible from time to time, but it's feasible that this building is where Longfellow observed his poem's subject, "The Village Blacksmith".

MON 10/19

10pm
Phantom Ears, Spirits of the Red City, The Simon Brothers
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

It should be a good evening of small groups of slightly skewed Americana tunes, except for Spirits of the Red City who might have up to 8 players. Supposedly Phantom Ears includes "members of Doomstar", but they may be playing somewhere else tonight.

10/18: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

On Rose Polenzani's website, she has a bunch of videos like where Rose and her friends sing these clever covers, but I really liked this one.

(It's Michael Jackson-related, so spread it around and make it "viral".)

Rose Polenzani, Rose Cousins, Laura Cortese, and Anne Heaton in Halifax after a Paul McCartney concert:

SUN 10/18: Boats, King, Art, Food, Drama

I'll be honest. This looks like a good day to stay inside and/or watch a movie, but you'll probably be happy that you went out.

You don't even need to spend much money (besides of a pint of brandy to keep you warm).

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SUN 10/18

8am to 4:30pm
Annual Head of the Charles Regatta
along the Charles River, Cambridge (and Boston) [PDF]
FREE

The races will go on even if it's raining, but they'll shorten the distance.

SUN 10/18

9:45am
King Bhumibol "Brookline Palace" Commemoration
at 63 Longwood Ave, Brookline (near Coolidge Corner)
FREE

Believe it or not, the King of Thailand was born in Cambridge over 80 years ago when his father was studying at Harvard & MIT. They lived in one of apartments at this address for a few more years.

I'm guessing the King will be chilling in Thailand, but there's going to be:

a ceremony to dedicate a plaque commemorating the king's time here, from 1926-1928. Buddhist monks will chant and daub the plaque with holy water, before Thai dancers perform on the sidewalk in front of the building.

People who live here won't be able to sleep in tomorrow.

SUN 10/18

11am to 6pm
Annual Fort Point Open Studios
all around Fort Point (South Boston/Seaport)
FREE

Some of the artist studios are open tonight, a bunch of artists are still in Fort Point and you can see it (the art) for yourself.

SUN 10/18

Noon to 4pm
Teele Square Fall Fest
at Broadway and Holland St, Somerville (Teele Sq)
FREE

Something like this could interest people from as far away as Davis, Ball, and Magoun Squares... It's a bit mysterious as to what will happen besides some of the local restaurants offering some of their fare...

SUN 10/18

2pm
"Oleanna": Staged Reading
at Screening Room, Zero Arrow Theatre, 0 Arrow St / corner of Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

The Institute for Advanced Theater presents David Mamet's play about a college professor and a sturdent that explores issues of sex and power.

Sneak Peek: SAT 10/17

I'd like to think I'll get a more detailed list up at some point.

Thanks for sticking with me folks. I'll get ahead soon...

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SAT 10/17 and SUN 10/18

8am-ish to 5pm-ish
Annual Head of the Charles Regatta
along the Charles River, Cambridge (and Boston) [PDF]
FREE

The races will go on even if it's raining, but they'll shorten the distance.

SAT -- 7:45am to 6pm
SUN -- 8am to 4:30pm

SAT 10/17

10am
Tour de Somerville
Start at Seven Hills Park, behind the Somerville Theatre (Davis Sq)
FREE

It's early, and it'll probably cold 'n rainy.

Have a good bike ride!

Raindate: SUN 10/18

SAT 10/17 and SUN 10/18

11am to 6pm
Annual Fort Point Open Studios
all around Fort Point (South Boston/Seaport)
FREE

Some of the artist studios are open tonight, a bunch of artists are still in Fort Point and you can see it (the art) for yourself.

SAT 10/17

Noon
"All Troops Home Now...": Rally & March
at Copley Square, about 600 Boylston St, Boston
FREE

In case you didn't get one of the flyers handed out last week, I actually take stuff from strangers. I'm passing this on for people in the mood for some protest.

Noon: Music starts
1pm: Rally
3pm: March

The supposed "speaker guidelines":

50% on wars and occupations of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Palestine.
25% on the economic crisis and the war at home
25% on movement building, local campaigns, action

SAT 10/17

Noon to 5pm
First Annual Homestead Hayfest
at Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington St, Newton (Newton Corner/Newtonville)
Free

Old-time fun in Newton. Check out the PDF flyer. Raindate: SUN 10/18

SAT 10/17

1pm
For Amie: A Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / All Ages

Feat: Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses), Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom), Travels, Drew O'Doherty, Colin Clary (The Smittens), The Broken River Prophet, more

Wow, there's a lot of good music.

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SAT 10/17

1pm to 4pm
Home Movie Day
at Room B-04, Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Anyone can bring in 5 minutes -- or less -- of footage on VHS, DVD, 16mm, 8mm, or Super 8. (They can show Super 8's?)

Or just watch...

Film check-in at 11am; please cue tapes ahead of time.

SAT 10/17

4pm
Stuart Weisberg, "Barney Frank: The Story of America's Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman": Reading
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

This was written with Barney's cooperation. I wonder if he's in town this weekend...

Remember when he said this?

On what planet do you spend most of your time? ...Trying to have a conversation with you would be like arguing with a dining room table.

SAT 10/17

4pm to 6pm
Ghosts of Somerville
in Milk Row Cemetery, about 420 Somerville Ave, Somerville (next to Market Basket)
$8 / $5 for ages 8 to 12 and over 65

Walk around the usually closed cemetery and listen to historic Somervillians who've

Families welcome. Hot cider, donuts and pumpkins for sale. (Rain date: SUN 10/18)

SAT 10/17

6pm
Jason Crigler

10pm
Dennis Brennan

at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge St , Cambridge
FREE

Two good shows in one location: poppy folk/rock from Jason Crigler (dig the early time) and rock 'n roll master Dennis Brennan.

SAT 10/17

8pm
Red Invasion, August Spies, The Ruperts, Brunt of It, Allston Pants, Colin & The Cancer
at Massasoit Lodge #129 of Elks, 55 Bishop Allen Dr, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+

Punk rock at the Elks Lodge. Need I say more?


*** Cheap Book Sale ***

SAT 10/17 and SUN 10/18

10am to 7pm
Loading Dock Sale
at MIT Press Bookstore, 292 Main St, Cambridge (Kendall Sq)
- Whatever You Spend -

Literally *tons* of books will be on sale at drastically reduced prices--up to 90% off their original retail price. Saturday will be the "no-book-dealers" day.