MON 3/22: Film, Stories, Rock

In case you didn't go yesterday, the Kimchi Festival was pretty good. I can't believe that I tried more than 20 different kinds... My apologies to those who showed up towards the end; I think the eating portion was done by about 5pm. I feel pretty good today; maybe fermented cabbage IS good for you!

And if you didn't go to yesterday's pub crawl, NERAX is having another opening event at Redbones tonight. Buy beer and enjoy some free apps downstairs; some special firkins will be available... Beer is good for you too!

Before the gig at Middlesex Lounge below, there's a women's mixer with a cover that benefits Project Have Hope.

Keep in mind tomorrow: Ben & Jerry's stores are offering free ice cream, and you can get a free pastry with your coffee at Starbucks with this coupon.

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MON 3/22

7pm
"Ran"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$9.75

I don't know if there will be anything special about tonight's screening, but the Coolidge Corner home page says that it is this month's "Big Screen Classics" presentation. Tomorrow would've been Akira Kurosawa's 100th birthday...

"Ran" was released 25 years ago, and it was the last epic masterpiece of his career. Based on Shakespeare's "King Lear" and a 16th-century Japanese leader. At more than 2-hours 40-minutes, it is amazing and beautiful. (Had forgotten it received 4 Oscar nominations including Best Director.)

It's playing through THUR 3/25.

MON 3/22

7pm to 9pm
Four Stories: "The Places We Go: Tales of Voyage and Discovery"
at The Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: Ethan Gilsdorf, Tara L. Masih, Ladette Randolph, Jeff Talarigo

While not usually "thrilling", some readings have more potential than others. The Four Stories series regularly hosts well-regarded authors. Even if a story doesn't appeal to you, you're likely to be sitting on a very comfortable couch or chair and enjoying a drink.

Based on this month's theme, some of the places these authors go include and are not limited to: the fantasy world of role-playing games (Ethan Gilsdorf), India (Tara L. Masih), Nebraska (Ladette Randolph), and the Middle East (Jeff Talarigo).

Audience participation is encouraged (when appropriate). Someone wins a free drink for asking the best question. Someone may even a prize for "Most Fabulous Shoes"...

The author of "Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera" (to name one), Elizabeth Searle, will be tonight's guest host.

MON 3/22

7pm to 8:45pm
"Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women": Screening
at Room 120, Bldg 6, 182 Memorial Drive (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Originally aired last year as part of PBS's "American Masters", The Globe gave this documentary a rather glowing review. It turns out that Louisa May Alcott's life was far more colorful than simply writing "Little Women". (Includes footage shot in Cambridge and Concord.)

Writer Harriet Reisen and director Nancy Porter will be in attendance.

Presented by MIT Program in Women's & Gender Studies as part of the "Chicks Make Flicks" series.

MON 3/22

9pm
Apollo Sunshine, Doomstar, Banditas
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Central Sq & MIT)
$5

Okay, this is the fourth and probably the last Boston show of the last week for Apollo Sunshine. This apparently was supposed to be a secret, so try not to tell too many people... I'm not sure what the capacity is, but I'm guessing it's going to be a pretty good turnout to cap off the homecoming gigs by these incredibly fantastic psych-rockers. (I can't believe it's already been about 18 months since I saw them play at the Middle East -- one set originals and one set of Hendrix. So good!)

Get there early and catchy the groovy indie-rock sounds of Doomstar (happy birthday to guitarist Spenser) and the harmonies of Banditas.

SUN 3/21: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Congrats to our local soul man, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, who recently played on the Spanish version of "Dancing with the Stars".

I hope "Come and Get It" is a big hit there...

SUN 3/21: Crawl, Punk, Acoustic, Kimchi, Classical, Trivia

Some semi-outdoor cheapness (I'm counting the travel to W. Roxbury) awaits below.

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SUN 3/21

1:30pm
NERAX Pub Crawl
start at The Independent, 75 Union Sq, Somerville
- What You Drink -

It's a nice day for a walk, and it could even be nicer with some beer stops along your walk. The annual NERAX festival returns this week where cask-conditioned (no added artificial carbonation) ales from UK and America are available over 4 days -- 3/24 to 3/27. (It's an acquired taste, but it doesn't take long to acquire...)

I think this might be the first year with an opening crawl to 4 good beer bars between Union Sq and Kendall Sq. besides whatever drinks you buy, a brewer will be at each stop with a special sample of theirs for crawlers:

The TAP in Haverhill at The Independent (1:30pm), Pretty Things at Atwood's Tavern (2:45pm), Smuttynose at Lord Hobo (4pm, opening early for this), and Cambridge Brewing Company (5:15pm) will offer a special version of their Tall Tale Pale Ale.

SUN 3/21

1:30pm
Guns Up!, For the Worse, Ashers, Watchfire, Word for Word
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

It's the last show of Boston Rules, OK 2010. You bet your ass that people will be moshing at this hardcore show.

SUN 3/21

2:30pm
Apollo Sunshine, Bell & the Bees
at Gallery 263, 263 Pearl St, Cambridge (Cambridgeport)
$5

The Apollo Sunshine guys seem to be making the most of their first week back in a while. After playing the Paradise on Thursday and BlastFest yesterday, their making an acoustic appearance today at a small art gallery along with Bell & the Bees (which also features local Sunshine Jesse Gallagher). If you walked here from Central Sq, you'd be halfway to the Charles to enjoy the sunny day.

And it looks like they've got a gig tomorrow night too.

SUN 3/21

3pm to 6pm
The Greater Boston Kimchi Festival
at Parish Hall, Parker Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 Corey St, West Roxbury
$5

Who knows how many different kimchis will be available for sampling, but anyone who thinks they're a foodie or an adventurous eater should taste the widest possible array of the Korean delicacy in New England. There should be some great stuff to try since my understanding is that there are more of Koreans in the area than you might think.

Besides the judging and eating (awards in "Best Traditional Cabbage", "Best Traditional Non-Cabbage", "Best Innovative", "Best Professional", and "Best In Show"), there should be entertainment and various spicy cabbage fun.

Although West Roxbury isn't the most T-friendly location, the site has bus info:

To get to the church by public transportation, you can take the Orange Line to Forest Hills...

and take the 37/38 or the 36 bus, both of which stop in front of the church.

On Sunday, the following buses are available from Forest Hills:
- 37/38 (2:15pm, 3:15, 4:15)
- 36 (2:25pm, 3:05, 3:25, 4:05, 4:25, 5:05).

Event co-organizer Alex Lewin makes a basic kimchi to give you an idea to make your own:


SUN 3/21

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

For over 10 years, The Boston Trio (violin, cello, and piano) have been performing beautiful music. They are comprised of NEC professors and alumnae, and they'll be joined a school violinist for the Mozart piece.

Program:

Mozart, "Piano Trio in C Major"
Smetana, "Trio in G Minor"
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, "Piano Trio"

This is the sort of professional chamber music that one usually pays top dollar for.

SUN 3/21

8pm to 10pm
Sex and Drugs Trivia: with F*ckbucket
at The Savant Project, 1625 Tremont St, Boston (Mission Hill)
FREE

Haven't you always wanted to combine your love of trivia with your knowledge of sex and drugs? I had a good time when I went with a couple pals from Bostonist (we won). If I understand correctly, the third Sunday of every month may get a little raunchier -- starting tonight. Of course, there will still be saucy prizes to win...

Whatever the Yelp page says, it seems that hostess Cameryn Moore will be joined by guest co-host Sugar Dish of Babes in Boinkland.

"Note: F*ckbucket is 21+ only, and queer-, trans- and kink-friendly."

SAT 3/20: Bach, Blast, Coffee, Punk, Plays, Rock

I know you're going outside. These are ideas for pre- and/or post-frolicking.

(Sunday stuff on the calendar.)

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SAT 3/20

10:30am to 8pm
"Bach 325th Birthday Celebration"
at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 15 Newbury St, Boston (Back Bay)
at First Lutheran Church, 299 Berkeley St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE w/ RSVP

Okay. Bach's birthday was March 21 on the Julian calendar they used while he was alive; on our contemporary Gregorian calendar, the day would be March 31. Let's quibble about something that happened 325 years ago.

Two Back Bay churches are celebrating early with various free performances throughout the day. As one would guess, these church gigs are heavy on the organ music.

Reservations required for 2:30pm and 8pm events at Emmanuel Church. It may be full. You can call 617-536-3356, ext. 22 -- If you get the message, instructions are towards the end of a long message that tells you what info to leave on the voicemail...

SAT 3/20

11am to 11pm
BlastFest 3
at YMCA Theater, 820 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 - $10 (sliding scale) / All Ages

Feat: Apollo Sunshine, Tulsa, Boy Without God, Girlfriends, Concord Ballet Orchestra Players, Shai Erlichman, The Needy Visions, The Woodrow Wilsons, Ambitious Tugboat, James Lindsey, Wolf Woolf, Avi Jacob, The Meadowlarks, Duck That, The French Cops, Rene, Manners, Greg Mullen, The Great Valley, Debbie & The Bullets, Casey Rocheteau , Turtle Ambulance, more

See the post below for more info.

It'll be a good time.

SAT 3/20 (to SUN 3/21)

Various Times
NorthEast Regional Barista Competition
at Arts at The Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE

Saturday -- 11:15pm to 5:30pm
Sunday -- 10:30pm to 1pm

I checked with someone associated with the event, and it's open to the public. It's a timed event that's also judged on taste, where four espressos, four cappuccinos and four espresso-based signature drinks need to be completed in 15 minutes.

The second 18 of 36 baristas from across the region compete today, and the 6 finalists battle to caffeinated death on Sunday.

There will be one espresso machine dedicated to making complimentary espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, etc for the spectators. Go if you're in the neighborhood, because you know it's going to smell great!

The winner goes on to the national championship next month in California where the US champ will be chosen for the international competition...

SAT 3/20 (and SUN 3/21)

Various Times
Boston Rules, OK 2010
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

I suspect that if you're going to attend (one of) these shows, you have already heard about it -- but I could be wrong.

With the number of bands playing over the next three days at this second annual punk rock festival, it's not likely that I would listen to all of them. There are good bands on every show and different flavors although it seems lie a lot of hardcore. For people that pay attention to the scene, note the reunions of The Vigilantes, Disorderly Conduct, and Guns Up.

The night shows are 18+, and the afternoon shows are "all ages" (like the Middle East's usual matinees).

SAT 3/20 -- 1:30pm

The Pinkerton Thugs, Tommy and the Terrors, Razors in the Night, Disorderly Conduct, Oi! the Band, Colin and The Cancer

SAT 3/20 -- 9pm

The Vigilantes, Jason Bennett and the Resistance, Tijuana Sweetheart, These Lies, Paul & The Strings, War of Words

SUN 3/21 -- 1:30pm

Guns Up!, For the Worse, Ashers, Watchfire, Word for Word

(Both of today's shows look really good.)

SAT 3/20

3:30pm to 6pm
"Tell Me a Beautiful Lie": Staged Reading
at Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
FREE

Kudos to a guy who writes an original musical that takes place in the Crimea after the Russian Revolution. Of course, there's a woman involved with an absent revolutionary lover and a male friend in the counterrevolutionary forces. The music samples suggest some strong songs… This may be the first performance with "real actors and singers in front of a real audience."

SAT 3/20 (thru SAT 3/27)

7pm
"The Skin of Our Teeth"
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 / $5 students, senior citizens

Supposedly audiences hated this Thornton Wilder play when it premiered in 1942. There's a lot of symbolism about the human condition that references the Bible and ancient Greece. What I'm saying is that you may be forced to think to enjoy the play…

Wouldn't you know it -- it seems like an A.R.T. collaboration with Moscow Art Theater School. Play is performed by the ART/MXAT Institute class.

"Doors and bar open at 6:30pm"

More performances on: SUN 3/21, THUR 3/25, FRI 3/26, SAT 3/27

SAT 3/20

7pm to 9pm
Michael Tarbox / Tarbox Ramblers
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

Michael Tarbox went Nashville to record his solo CD. The Ramblers join in for newer country-flavored and probably some of their rougher, bluesier Rambler tunes.

SAT 3/20

Triple Thick (Midnight), The Konks (11pm), The Coffin Lids (10pm), The Designer Drugs (9pm)
at Cantab Underground / Club Bohemia, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

Remember the Abbey Lounge? This feels like one of those line-ups that would've been a classic Saturday night of garage/punk. Now it's closer to the T, downstairs, and the beer is not quite as cheap.

Since the Abbey closed, I still feel like The Konks don't gig as much but it's not like they care how popular they are. Their reverb-soaked, tribally rhythmic, jagged, punky goo is still one of the best sounds as far as I'm concerned.

Triple Thick kicks in a thick, fuzzy, brew of heavyweight garage-rock that barrels along but stays on track. Hey -- how many bands have a dedicated maracas/tambourine player these days? Triple Thick does!

I like The Coffin Lids incorporating a horror vein into their classic garage rock approach, and there is honesty, passion, and farfisa organ. It looks like the guys in The Designer Drugs wear more eyeliner than the female singer, but that's cool for these young glammy punks.

SAT 3/20

9:15pm
Twinemen & Guests
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 /21+

It's difficult not to think of Morphine when Dana Colley is on the sax. Oh, and that's Billy Conway on drums; didn't they play together in…? Never mind… With Laurie Sargent on vocals and guitar, it sounds altogether new while often drawing comparisons to the band that brought these folks together. I really find it a refreshing twist on the sound since Sargent doesn't sound like Sandman a all.

I didn't find out who else was playing, but it'll probably be some of their talented friends.

SAT 3/20: BlastFest 3

11am to 11pm
BlastFest 3
at YMCA Theater, 820 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 - $10 (sliding scale) / All Ages

Feat: Apollo Sunshine, Tulsa, Boy Without God, Girlfriends, Concord Ballet Orchestra Players, Shai Erlichman, The Needy Visions, The Woodrow Wilsons, Ambitious Tugboat, James Lindsey, Wolf Woolf, Avi Jacob, The Meadowlarks, Duck That, The French Cops, Rene, Manners, Greg Mullen, The Great Valley, Debbie & The Bullets, Casey Rocheteau , Turtle Ambulance, more

Host: Simone Beaubien

Oh, yeah! Tomorrow's forecast calls for a beautiful first (official) day of Spring. I understand if you want to be outside, however there is indoor fun to be had tomorrow (listed in a bit). This is the first event of the day -- and the longest.

I predict a day of cool, positive, mega-fun as the Whitehaus folks take their JP house-party blueprint way across the Charles, and they've juiced it to monstrous proportions for the third year in a row. It keeps on getting bigger and better!

It's difficult to imagine that many people can handle 12 hours of this creative cornucopia of folk, rock, spoken-word, experimental music, and some stuff that seeps around these descriptors. I imagine it could go by fast at about 20 minutes per artist.

I'm not sure if the schedule I saw is accurate. Some of the approximate times that would be more appealing to me: 1-ish (Girlfriends, Boy Without God); 3-ish (Apollo Sunshine, Shai Erlichman); and 9-ish (Tulsa, Rene, Needy Visions).

For the vinyl-lovers, "The Whitehaus Family Record Family Record" will be available at the show for $10 too. In what's described as "first ever vinyl mix tape", 26 tracks on limited-edition wax represent about two dozen bands that have played at their place.

The organizers of the Boston Zine Fair had an eviction and a recent reopening to handle, so this year's event has been grafted to BlastFest in a limited form. I read that about 20 "zinesters, comics artists, assorted DIY media peddlers" will be set up until 7pm or so.

It's a "sliding scale", so pay what you can. If you're going to be there most of the day, I think $10 is pretty damn cheap! If you're only stopping by for a little while to check it out, don't feel bad for giving $5. I expect that people will be allowed to leave and return.

If all this wasn't enough, you might even get a free PB&J sandwich! Is there a better way to celebrate the equinox?

Check out some photos from last year, and you get the idea of good vibes radiating in the room.