FRI 6/4: Art, Comedy, Dance, Music, Film

Technically not within our price range at CTB, Harpoon Summer Session is happening tonight and tomorrow doesn't seem like a bad deal at $20 (includes souvenir Pint Cup & a drink ticket). There lots of good bands, and additional pints are $5. It's like a really big bar, except I might wait in line with my buddies to get into this party. (Join the "Friends of Harpoon" for next time; I think they have a shorter line.)

If you love Greek food, you should think about going to the St. Athanasius Greek Festival in Arlington (6/4 to 6/6). Again you might spend more than $10 on food and drink, but you can soak in the sounds and smells and so on for free.

There are other Greek festivals over the summer. This is the one that's famous for serving open spit-roasted pig and lamb (after 5pm).

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

FRI 6/4

5pm to 9pm
First Friday Open Studios
at SoWa Arts Bldg, 450 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

Unless you actually spend a full 4 hours, it's doubtful that you'd get to all of the approx. 50 artist studios. Don't fret, because this happens on the first Friday of every month.

I've gone a couple times (since you don't go to every studio in one visit), and I always see a bunch of cool stuff. You can feel a little cultured, but not too much...

FRI 6/4

7:30pm to 9:30pm
Anderson Comedy: "The Gas"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5

Feat: Phoebe Robinson, Alex Grubard, Erika Kreutziger, Benny Bosh, Sarah Heggan, Nick Palm, Jimmy Anicet, Alana Eisner

For the second week in a row, a couple New York comedians are taking the trip up to one the funniest, cheapest ways that you can start the weekend. (Go laugh and drink PBR tall boys. I bet you'll have a damn good time for a total of $20...)

I think Phoebe Robinson and Alex Grubard might be joined by another NYC comedian, Rogelio Rojo Perez, basen on his Facebook event page comments. There are plenty of local funny people scheduled as well and Rob Crean hosts.

You can go do something else by 9:30 or even get home early... You could even stay for "The Pill" at no extra cost to dance. (Or watch people dance, you creep.)

FRI 6/4

8pm to Midnight
"Party Like It's a Verb" Dance Party: Film Fundraiser
at VFW George Dilboy Post, 371 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

Some people raised enough money to make an indie-comedy called "Party Like It's a Verb", but they need more to finish it. They're returning to the scene of a previous fundraising party.

It should be a low-pressure dance situation unlike going to a dance club. To give you an idea, there's going to be a dance contest to determine what moves will ofiicially be "The Angry Platypus" (related to the movie's story). So be creative, folks!

The stars of the film, Giulia Rozzi and Jeff Stern, will also do some stand-up -- probably separately -- and a sneak preview will be shown.

FRI 6/4

The Coffin Lids (Midnight), Lyres (11pm), Mal Thursday & the Cheetahs (10pm), The Immolators (9pm), The Satin Kittens (8pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

The Lyres and The Coffin Lids are already going to make a worthwhile night of garage-rock goodness. If not for the wild antics of Lyre's Monoman, they're also one of the classic bands on the scene. And the Lids are super-solid with a fun horror angle to many of the tunes.

This gig also features two 'vintage' bands from Western Mass. Mal Thursday has moved south and is in radio or something like that. For some reason, he's decided to reunite the Cheetahs for a handful of shows, and the old stuff sounds pretty damn good. There's not much to find on The Immolators, but the name and their rep is promising.

I'm unsure of The Satin Kittens. If you go, don't worry about showing up late...

FRI 6/4

Dexateens (11:30pm), The Howlies (10:30pm), Arletta (9:30pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

It's like a night of Southern Rock, but probably not in the Skynyrd-confederate-flag-behind-drum-kit kind of way. Dexateens might be the first band that I've known were from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Since they caught the attention of Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), their sound has expanded from the classic 70's style to something that's more song-oriented while still throwing in the "twang and crunch."

It looks they're traveling with The Howlies, a band of poppy garage-rockers from Atlanta. Even the members of the bill's local band, Arletta, brought their folk-rockage to Boston from South Carolina.

FRI 6/4

10pm
The Klezwoods
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE / 21+

I have a soft spot for klezmer music, and The Klezwoods do a great job of adding other elements for a more developed sound that's wonderfully festive. Sadly, there's little room to dance so you'll just have to sway and drink and whoop it up.

FRI 6/4

10pm
Guerilla Queer Bar - Pride Edition
at Felt, 533 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
No Cover

For the next 10 days, there are all sorts of events to enjoy "Pride Week". (This year's theme: "From Riots to Rights".)

Since you probably didn't make it to City Hall Plaza's Pride Flag raising, you can kick off the celebration of GLBT by turning this multi-level club into a giant gay bar.

FRI 6/4 (and SAT 6/5)

Midnight
"Wet Hot American Summer"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$9.75

Even better than a cheesy 80's summer-camp comedy is a satire of the genre with a boatload of very funny people (Janeane Garofalo, Amy Poehler Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, David Hyde Pierce -- even Bradley Cooper and Christopher Meloni)

It's the Coolidge Corner Theatre, so "80's Summer Camp inspired" costumes are encouraged and may win you a prize. The line usually forms towards the back of the theatre where you might find s'mores and kiddie-pool fun.

If you haven't seen it, watch until the end of the credits...

THUR 6/3: Photos, Books, Comics, Songs

I wholeheartedly confirm my endorsement of mid-week fun. I had a barrel of fun last night, and the Sox won. Go, Celts!

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

THUR 6/3

5:30pm to 7:30pm
"Paris/Prague: Tales from Two Cities": Reception
at Panopticon Gallery, Hotel Commonwealth, 502c Comm Ave, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE

Two beautiful cities are captured by two photographers, Paul Ickovic and Jason Landry. They may not even know each other, but I appreciate that both compose their photos like paintings.

The exhibit is on view through WED 7/7, although I suspect you may have a chance to meet Ickovic and/or Landry tonight -- as well as possibly scoring some wine and cheese.

THUR 6/3

6pm
Lee Child, "61 Hours": Reading
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$5

Having never read any of the 14 "Jack Reacher" novels, I still like the sound of the protagonist. He's a former military policeman who's a drifter that gets into adventures. (I think...)

Tickets available at Brookline Booksmith (279 Harvard St).

THUR 6/3 (thru WED 6/9)

7pm
Keith Knight, "The Knight Life, Chivalry Ain't Dead": Presentation & Booksigning
at Converse Library, 36 Salem St, Malden
FREE

The first of several Boston-area appearances for the cartoonist in the next week for the release of his new collection.

I will begin my Boston area book tour with a signing directly across the street from myold high school! ...There’ll be a slideshow, Q & A, book signing, and then beers at the Dockside!

Maybe Salem or Cambridge is closer for you, so I posted the details for all three below.

THUR 6/3

7:30pm
Yarn, The Darlings
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

I was not expecting to like Yarn as much as I did, but they overcame a rather bland band name with some wonderful Brooklyn-style alt-country. The songs are meaningful, and the instrumentation nails the classic country-rock nail on the head.

The Darlings center around two longtime Boston rockers, Simon Ritt and Kelly Knapp, who went country quite a few years ago.

THUR 6/3

9:30pm
Soccermom, The Stereo Flys, The Goodnight Process
at House of Blues - Front Room, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE

It's a good night to hear some splendid, noisy indie-rock from Soccermom and The Stereo Flys. After listening to the other bands, The Goodnight Process surprised me by being so straight-up powerpop. This would be a show that you should pay for, but the HOB is giving it to you free!

I liked how The Stereo Flys described their music on their MySpace page:

We feel that a combination of flexible tempo, devastating distortion, and a slick melodic core would be most appealing. We hope to deliver some sort of variation of this goal.

Actually, we just really want to sound like a flying stereo.

6/3 thru 6/9: Keith Knight, "The Knight Life, Chivalry Ain’t Dead"

Man, I have loved Keith Knight's strips for years and years. I think it's a shame that I can't get a "K fix" when I pick up any of the free local periodicals. Thanks, Internet, for keeping me in the loop.

Not only can the few panels be humorous and incisive, Knight's work is often very touching. When his wife was being treated for cancer, I felt like I was keeping up with two of my dearest friends. I still haven't met him or seen him in person, but maybe this trip back to Boston may be the time...

He's got a new compilation book "The Knight Life, Chivalry Ain’t Dead", and he's doing a few presentations and signings over the next week. Ergo, I have to spread the word.

It's free to get in, listen to Keith talk, watch the slideshow, and whatever else...

The book costs $18 according to the website, especially since it seems like anyone (whether you buy a book or not) is invited to hang out afterward for drinks.

From Malden to Salem to Cambridge, it's your chance to share the space with a man of art, cool, and genius. Most of the info below is from his site.

If you really want to dig some of the older stuff, Keith also says:

Along with the new book, I’ll have copies of "K Chronicles" and "(th)ink stuff", along with the "Beginner’s Guide to Community-Based Arts" and original art.

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

THUR 6/3

7pm
at Converse Library, 36 Salem St, Malden
FREE

I will begin my Boston area book tour with a signing directly across the street from my old high school! I am psyched to be signing for my first collection of dailies at the place where I spent hours perusing Doonesbury and Peanuts collections as a kid.

Not only that, but I was presented my first (and only) arts scholarship at the historic landmark, which was designed by architect H. H. Richardson. There will be a slideshow, Q & A, book signing, and then beers at the Dockside!

SAT 6/5

6pm
at Gulu-Gulu Cafe, 247 Essex St, Salem

Next, I’ll be signing in the lovely town of Salem, Mass, home of my alma mater, Salem State College. It’ll be alumni weekend, AND the Salem Arts Festival that weekend, so there’ll be plenty of mischief going on.

The Gulu-Gulu Cafe looks like a place I would’ve spent most of my time in, had it been around back in the day. Joining me in this slideshow/book signing will be fellow SSC alum and award-winning cartoonist Mark Parisi!!

Beers at Dodge Street following event.

WED 6/9

6pm to 8pm
at Million Year Picnic, 99 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)

I can’t make a trip to Boston without a signing at the finest comics emporium in the area, Million Year Picnic.

At one signing, Cornel West was walking by outside the shop and my aunt stopped him and took his pic alongside my cousin. She never invited him in and I’m still bitter about it. At the last signing, a guy asked me how much my Knight Life originals were. I said “One twenty five.” He proceeded to take one dollar and a quarter out of his pocket to pay me.

What I’m saying is anything can happen at MYP, and it usually does.

Beers at Shay's after the event.

WED 6/2: Comedy, Horror, Astronomy, Music

Wow, can you friggin' believe it's June already?

Maybe you should consider if you've really had enough fun yet this year.

Hey, did any of my North Shore friends get a free chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A?

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

WED 6/2

7pm to 9:30pm
Middlesex Comedy Night
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Feat: Dan Boulger, Chris Flemming, Lillian Devane, Lucas Lewis, Bethany Van Delft, Ken Reid, Lamont Price

Who needs to go to a comedy club to laugh, when you can go to a dance club? You don't even have to wait until the hipsters arrive later in the night. (I do laugh internally when I see people waiting in line to get into a bar or club.)

For a measly $5, the folks of Anderson Comedy present at least 7 funny people for your laughing pleasure. That's about 71 cents per comedian; I hope they're not offended by how cheaply they are giving the long, hard efforts of their craft...

Well, that's not your problem. Grab a couple drinks and enjoy. I recognize most the people above, and you're bound to hear some very funny shit. This may be one of the last local shows for Lucas Lewis before he moves. I wish I had a link for a recent video he made as his townie cousin; it was hilarious. It may be Lillian DeVane's birthday, so feel free to wish her well.

[Facebook]

WED 6/2

7pm to 9pm
All Things Horror Presents: Women in Horror
Feat: "The Commune" w/ "Snuff", "Hollywood Skin", "Gimme", "Fantasy"
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
$5 / 17+

Since they began in January, I watch try to watch clips from these monthly horror offerings and I'm impressed that there are some really good indie films that look really good compared to the lame-not-scary crap that opens on 2,000 screens across the country.

It's "ladies night" where women directed (and more) the feature and the 4 shorts. I'm putting the trailer for tonight's feature "The Commune" below, because you should see that it should be released like any major flick. It doesn't give much of the plot away, but you can feel an eeriness. I personally think that hippies living in a secluded community can be a creepy notion...

As a treat, filmmaker Maude Michaud is coming from Canada for a Q&A session after viewing two of her shorts, "Snuff" and "Hollywood Skin".

It takes place in the theatre's screening room downstairs. I hope you, my reader, aren't turned away; but it would be cool if the demand grew to move them to one of the larger screens.

Grab a beer and popcorn, and you're still doing better than seeing a movie at any other theater.



WED 6/2 (thru WED 9/29)

8:30pm to 9:30pm
Astronomy Open Night
at Coit Observatory, 725 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

It should be clear tonightto get up on the roof of a BU building and look at the stars. Everyone is welcome to look at the stars every Wednesday (thru 9/29), weather permitting. (If unsure, Twitter looks like the easy way to find out.)

Maybe it'll be better than your sweltering apartment? You might even learn a little about astronomy without worrying about the final exam.

To get to the observatory, go to the 5th floor; the stairwell to the Observatory is located next to room 520. (There is no handicap accessibility.)

WED 6/2

10pm
The Sweet & Low Down, Ronald Reagan
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10-ish

The Sweet and Low Down features Miss Tess and Rachael Price (Lake Street Dive), who are quite swinging gals in their main projects. In the S&LD, it seems they've delved back into the old songbooks for the jazz/blues/jump tunes that inform their music. They're releasing a CD that should filled with all-killer, no-filler -- and there won't be any scratchy record noise.

If you don't have fond memories (or just memories) of the '80s, perhaps the two sax guys of Ronald Reagan might bring a smile or a laugh with quirky covers of '80s pop and rock.

[Facebook]

WED 6/2

10pm
The Midwest Beat, Thick Shakes, DJ Dr. Dinos
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Besides being a night of kick-ass rock, it's also Thick Shakes bassist Lindsay's birthday. We've occasionally emailed, and I can tell that she's good people. Wish her a happy birthday, if you go.

If that's not your thing, you'll still hear Madison's (WI) Midwest Beat that has a bunch of garagey power-pop -- lots of uncomplicated melodies in fuzzed rumpus that reminds me of The Yardbirds when trying to be a pop band without the guitar heroics.

On the other hand, Thick Shakes get tougher and edgier. Their tunes recall the early "Nuggets" of garage-rock and bits of rawk onward for an insistent synthesis of awesomeness.

When bands aren't playing, DJ Dinos will provide some cool tuneage to keep the party going.

TUES 6/1: Film, Folk, Hip-Hop

I saw a post about the fishweir in Boston Common. If that guy hasn't seen it yet, I walked by last week. The reason why there haven't been any mentions about it may be connected to its unimpressive presence.

It's kind of cool to think the coastline of the Charles used be there, but the construct isn't very big. It's going to be set up on the Charles Street side of the Common for another week, if you want to see it for yourselves.

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

TUES 6/1 (to THUR 6/3)

Double Feature:
"Fantastic Mr. Fox" (7:30pm), "A Town Called Panic" (5:45pm, 9:30pm)
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$9.75

It's my firm belief that no matter how big and awesome a home entertainment system can be, it doesn't beat the experience of watching a film in a theatre. Most selections at the Brattle are worth the price of admission, and it's even better when you get a double-feature offer.

There are quite a few double-features in the upcoming weeks, but this is one of the few that are being screened over multiple nights if you don't feel like going tonight. I really wanted to see "Fantastic Mr. Fox" when it came out last year, so hopefully I'll be able to catch the beauty of Wes Anderson's stop-motion animated feature this week. Throw in the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, etc; and it has to be a fun cinematic ride.

If you can stand it, "A Town Called Panic" is a Belgian take on stop-motion animation. The budget is obviously lower than "...Fox", but the creativity is undeniably fantastic. As the other film traces its origin in a children's novel, "Panic" is based on a popular children's series in Belgium.

TUES 6/1

7:30pm
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Wheel, JBM, David Wax Museum
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

This early show is stacked with bands on the rootsy/acoustic tip that you will want to know about, if you don't already. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Wheel seem to have a lot of momentum in the the last year. Rateliff was raised deep in rural Missouri where he soaked in the genuine earthiness that adds gravity to his songs. Now based in Denver where the band seems to be a big deal, and they signed to our local record company last year around the time they impressed folks at the CMJ Music Marathon. He may remind one of Martin Sexton or Iron & Wine with a full band to take it up a notch.

JBM seems to be mainly one guy singing in a deep voice and playing quiet songs with some keyboard augmentation. I'm guessing it'll be him on acoustic guitar doing his modern Nick Drake thing, which is not a bad thing. (Interesting tidbit: Some sites mentioned he used to go out with Amanda Seyfried.) If you haven't gotten hip to the good-time Mexican/American folk brew (Can we call it "Meximericana"?) of David Wax Museum, I think they may be on the cusp of wider exposure with gigs like touring with The Old 97's later this year... Yes, that's a donkey's jawbone when the fiddler is playing percussion.

TUES 6/1

9:30pm
Da'Rayia, Agari Crew
at House of Blues - Front Room, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE / 21+

It's still happening, folks. A major venue is giving a (smallish) space to providing free original music almost every night. This may be my favorite thing about the new House of Blues, and let's hope it lasts for a long time.

Of course, that depends on enough people going to Kenmore Square to support the performers. Another month of free music begins with a couple hip-hop acts.

Da'Rayia's tracks sound more sonically appealing to me, and I like the seemingly natural and brash flow. It is a bit peculiar to watch Agari Crew's Boston-Tokyo axis in action. I get the feeling that, like Da'Rayia, there's a Berklee connection. I'm not sure if I'd be into listening to a whole CD by the group, but I like the positive message -- and they might win me over in person...