MON 11/22: Talk, Jazz, Karaoke, Rock

Ah, there two good flyers I saw for tonight, but I went with the out-of-town bands instead of Viva Viva's.

There is a very strong chance that I'm going to check out the Gong Show Karaoke at TT the Bear's tonight. If you prefer having someone to chat with between songs and share a laugh at some of the performers, I'll be the dorky guy who's still wearing his business-casual work clothes and the green shoulder bag. My lady (who doesn't like karaoke anyway) is out of town, so I will be flying solo.

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MON 11/22

7pm
Rock Shop #9: "Design Shop"
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / All Ages

Feat: Aaron Belyea (Alphabet Arm), Gary Hedrick (ElefhantWorks), Liz Linder (Liz Linder Photography), Marc Beaupre (Beagle Printing), Marcus Ohanesian (Perfect Evolution)

The Rock Shop series is geared towards the music realm, but maybe anyone in a creative endeavor might hear something beneficial.

Part of a successful musical enterprise is the visual aspect. It's not everything, but it's good to have the right promotional materials, a decent web presence, and a CD (or album/tape) that doesn't look like crap.

The panel is there to answer your questions, so feel free to have one...

MON 11/22

7pm
"Lobsters and Their Kids on the Move in the Gulf of Maine": Lecture
at Harborside Learning Lab, New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston (Waterfront)
FREE

Lobsters migrate for the best temperature for their eggs? How far does a lobster go in 9 to 12 months? Jason Goldstein (Center for Marine Biology, UNH) talks about this kind of stuff tonight.

Registration requested.

I've usually left people find this space in the parking lot area on their own, but copied the relevant part from a PDF map.

"Programs last approximately one hour followed by a reception."

MON 11/22

7:30pm
John Funkhouser Quintet
at David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St, Boston (Berklee / Back Bay)
FREE

I watched a few clips of the John Funkhouser Trio, and these guys can play. You may or may not like it (I did) or jazz in general, but you can't say it isn't good.

Tonight is a quintet performance with a guitarist and a singer added for an hour of jazz.

MON 11/22

8:30pm
Gong Show Karaoke
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I still haven't seen this yet with my own eyes and ears, but I suspect it's more fun than the usual karaoke night and heavier on the rock than others. Some prizes are awarded to encourage participation.

I think most competitions of this kind don't usually have a panel of critical judges from the music scene -- with access to a gong a la the old TV show. If not a real gong, they'll figure out a way to stop someone awful. Then the fun likely begins...

I'm 90% there tonight. If 5 CTB readers show up, I'll definitely sign up to sing...

MON 11/22

9pm
Weekend, Young Prisms, Young Adults
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$8 / 18+

A couple shoegazey bands from San Francisco are playing along with the local Young Adults who have a noisy, punky good thing going on. I liked how they said they wanted to sound like Lightning Bolt meets the Ramones.

Both Weekend and Young Prisms have got their stuff together, but I preferred Weekend. Through all the layers of reverb and distortion, you can still hear a recognizable core of catchy melodies. Even when things get on the droney side, I found myself hanging on longer than I'd normally expect.

MON 11/22

10pm
Viva Viva, The Needy Visions
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
$6 / 21+

When I first heard Viva Viva, they seemed to chug along like a more straightforward rock locomotive. It seems like they've taken a turn towards a lo-fi, rootsy indie-rock vibe. The intensity is still there, and the stage presence is as strong as you'd expect from guys who've led a bunch of excellent bands (The Lot Six, Officer May, The Beat Awfuls, etc).

Their new album may be getting a wider release tomorrow (already available at Newbury Comics), so why not play a gig to celebrate? And why not have The Needy Visions also play some of their buoyant, devil-may-care garagey rock? And why not invite DJ Nighttime Gallagher to keep things grooving between sets?

SUN 11/21: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Yeah, I'm a sucker for viral videos...



If you you haven't heard the original uncensored version, you can.

SUN 11/21: JFK, Art, Skate, Music

It's cold, but it's sunny. One can sit in and watch football, or there's fun to be had beyond your couch.

If you feel like enjoying a drag show, TraniWreck is celebrating Thanksgiving or "TransGiving" at Club Oberon. I don't think I'm supposed to post the $5 discount code for the advance tix, so click to see it. The standing-room price would be $10 (plus any service fees) available until 6pm.

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SUN 11/21

10am to 3pm
Open House
at John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, 83 Beals St, Brookline (near Coolidge Corner)
FREE

As it was the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's election, we can observe the 47th anniversary of his assassination.

If you ever wanted to look inside JFK's childhood home, go in for free today. You may have seen that little sign for it on Harvard Ave.

SUN 11/21

Noon to 6pm
Annual Open Studios
at Brickbottom Studios, 1 Fitchburg St, Somerville (near Lechmere)
at Joy Street Studios, 86 Joy St, Somerville (near Lechmere)
FREE

See art, talk about art, walk to more art, maybe buy some art... About a hundred artists in various media are participating between the 2 locations that are just down the street from each other.

SUN 11/21

Noon to 6pm
Museum School Art Sale
at School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 95 Museum Rd, Boston (The Fens)
- What you buy -

The MFA is charging to get in again, but art is on display and for sale around the corner. It's the last of a 4-day sale, so who knows what's left. On the other hand, they might be vulnerable to haggling...? (Although I think the proceeds benefit programs at the school.)

SUN 11/21

5:30pm
Skating Rink Opening
at Frog Pond, near Beacon St, Boston Common
FREE

Believe it or not, it's getting cold enough to skate outdoors (if you have a special compound that can be kept frozen).

The entertainment portion of the event includes a bunch of medal-winning skaters including figure skater Emily Hughes and host & speed skater Dan Weinstein. There will be more local skating teams, mascots, dancers, and booths with giveaways.

I suspect all of the hullabaloo will last about an hour, then you can skate for free. Slightly less free, if have to rent skates ($8 / $5 for 13 and under).

The rink should be open until 9pm tonight.

SUN 11/21

7:30pm
Brookline Symphony Orchestra: Debut Concert
at All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon St, Brookline (near Cleveland Circle)
$10 / $5 students, seniors

Program:

Carl Maria von Weber, "Overture to Oberon"
Mozart, "Symphony No. 39"
Beethoven, "Symphony No. 7"

Some ambitious souls have revived a tradition of a volunteer-based Brookline Orchestra. These are one of those chances to hear quality classical music for a fraction of the usual cost.

SUN 11/21

7:30pm
Rock Shop Film Shop: "Regina Spektor: Live In London"
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / All Ages

Psst.

As I'm writing this, there are folks in Greenwich Village that are paying to see this concert film in a theater. Any of us can watch it for free.

Most people don't want to watch a concert film of Regina doing her thing while standing up about 90 minutes, so there will be seats available. (Doors open at 7pm)

SUN 11/21

9pm
Asa Brebner Band
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

When I was at Billy Ruane's birthday concert this past week, I thought it was a shame that most f these people may not have shown up this year if Billy wasn't in an urn. Shouldn't we celebrate more when people are still alive?

Tonight is Asa Brebner's birthday, and he's doing what he loves -- and anyone was is invited to have a good time as well with major guy in Boston rock (Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, Robin Lane & the Chartbusters, and much more).

Hopefully Asa will be with us for a long time to come, although his most recent CD from this year was titled "Suenos De Los Muertos" (or "Dreams of the Dead"). It should bluesy, rootsy rockin' bash. Every Asa gig I've seen has been thoroughly fun time.

SUN 11/21

9:30pm
Small Black, Class Actress, Stereo Telescope
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Call it 'electro' or 'new-new wave' or 'synth-pop' or 'Henry', there's a lot of cool tunes to hear from a couple Brooklyn bands and Boston's Stereo Telescope (with members of Campaign for Real Time and This Car Up).

If you do nothing else, I heartily recommend that you put Class Actress' "Journal of Ardency" on your next party mix. It must be on quite a few already...

The Pint is Sometimes Mightier...

...Than the keyboard.

I thought I might just go for a few pints and be a good boy last night.

Well, I'm not a good boy.

I think it's better to realize that I won't have another Saturday post up in the near future, so the one below will have to do.

I realized that I didn't mention the Brickbottom and Joy Street Open Studios (near Union Square) were happening today and tomorrow.

I'll rally with Sunday cheapness soon. (There is surprisingly quite a few choices for a Sunday.)

Cheers!

Sneak Peek: SAT 11/20

Hey, besides the SMFA sale listed below, I think there might be arts & crafts for sale in the Burren's back room from noon to 4pm.

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SAT 11/20

10am to 9:45pm
Community Open House
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

This is kind of a big deal in the art world. Bottom line: The photos make the new wing look amazing, and I've yet to hear anyone say something negative.

I do think the masses will show up early for the free day, and they may not have "read the fine print" to know that the new wing doesn't open until 11am. If you want to avoid the likely massive crowds, I suggest going later in the day since they'll be open until 9:45pm

Of course, there will be talks and family-friendly activities throughout the day as well as live classical music in the new courtyard at 6pm.

Psst: There is free admission on WED 11/24 from 10am to 4:45pm

SAT 11/20 and SUN 11/21

Noon to 6pm
Museum School Art Sale
at School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 95 Museum Rd, Boston (The Fens)
- What you buy -

If you're at the MFA, you might as well check out the artist sale around the corner. You might found something for a loved one (or for yourself).

SAT 11/20

8:30pm to 1am
"JP vs Somerville Dance Off"
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway)
$12 / 21+

Feat DJ's: Mark E. Moon & Pink Sweatshirt, Linear B. vs. Just Joan and Evaredy, Certified Max

Yeah, I'm breaking my $10 rule for a Girls Rock Camp fundraiser. Besides dancing, there'll be "raffles, contests, and trash talking".

At least one good reason to dance is to protect the reputation of your neighborhood. You don't have to pick a side to have a good time, but you really should...

Sponsored by PBR, so assume what beer might be available...

SAT 11/20

9pm
Lemuria, Young Leaves, Dan Webb & the Spiders, Save Ends
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 18+

This is going to be a kick-ass punk/rock show with bands like Buffalo's Lemuria that are ready to win you over as their biggest fan.

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SAT 11/20

9:30pm
Scissormen, Peter Parcek
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$9 advance / $10 door / 21+

A big helping blues is going down including one of the periodic returns of Scissormen from Nashville.