WED 12/8: Poetry & Music

Yeah, there are a couple gigs that have a philanthropic angle tonight -- but that shouldn't get in the way of your fun...

On this anniversary of John Lennon's death, I have a message to those who think The Beatles are overrated: "You're wrong."

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WED 12/8

7pm
"Poets for Haiti" Benefit: Reading
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE

Readings by: Robert Pinsky, Daniel Tobin, Fred Marchant, Marilene Phipps-Kettlewell, Tom Daley, Ophelia Dahl

Shortly after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, there was a reading with 18 authors at Harvard to benefit the relief effort.

An anthology ($20) has been published including those writers with illustrations by Haitian artists, and the proceeds will go to Partners in Health who have been providing assistance well before the earthquake.

Those appearing tonight include former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky and Partners in Health president Ophelia Dahl.

You don't have to buy the book, but you could always gift it to someone. (Can you imagine someone getting a book of poetry in a yankee swap?)

WED 12/8

8:30pm
Fundraiser for The Boston Counter Cultural Compass
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 to $10 sliding scale / 18+

Feat: Rene, The Craters, No Way Jose, Camp Island

I keep forgetting to check the Boston Counter Cultural Compass for cheap stuff that I missed, but I'm really impressed by the handmade single-sheet that Sam Potrykus (bassist, Needy Visions) actually prints and distributes each month. In case you haven't seen it at your usual coffee shop or elsewhere, people can read the jpeg's on the site.

Some of the folks at BU's radio station have organized this show to help with BCCC's production expenses. Put on your indie-rock cap, dig the groovy tunes to keep a cool newsletter out on the streets. It's a sliding scale, so pay what you can.

I couldn't find any music for Rene, but she has a blog where she posts some of her drawings. The BU article describes her as "nasty acid-hip-hop dance beats with live drums". The Craters have got a cool, ambient synthy-pop thing going on. Again the only web presence for No Way Jose is a live video, but it rocks pretty hard as a guitar-drum duo with one guy from Doomstar! and one guy from Amoroso. Supposedly, Camp Island consists of 2 guys from The Novel Ideas who are way less aggressive than Camp Island.

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WED 12/8

9pm to 11pm
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers
at Milky Way Lounge/Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE

Unfortunately, I think this might be the last residency show for Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers -- it was nice to know there was this band playing monthly for free. I went to their Saturday fundraiser show on Saturday, and it was a damn hoot to hear the blues with genuine feeling -- and no protracted guitar solos. The sound reminds me of how they Delta guys were playing it right before many moved north in the '40s and '50s.

Why the fundraising? They've got travel expenses to represent Boston at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They've got a Kickstarter page with lots of info.

WED 12/8

10:30pm
A.K.A.C.O.D.
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5-ish

I was at AKACOD's last gig at the Plough before Monique Ortiz moved to Austin at the end of April. (I even made an animated gif from my photos.)

Maybe the holidays have brought her back to Boston, and I don't see any other local gigs while she's in town. Of course, it's a good occasion to get back with Dana Colley (Morphine/Twinemen) and Larry Dersch (way too many bands).

Whenever you have Dana Colley in your "low rock" brigade (like most Wednesdays at Atwoods), it's worth the price of admission which could be free or $6 at most. Monique's deep, sensual vocals seemed like a good fit to me.

TUES 12/7: Sweaters, Talk, Dance, Rock

There are some good, cheap reasons to be out and about. If you're going to be home, you can watch some live old-time bluegrass at Club Passim (8pm) for free on a site called Concert Window.

As I predicted, Kingsley Flood was a winner (New Artist) at the Boston Music Awards. There were many good bands nominated in all categories. Congrats to the bands and us who can hear around town! The Feast has a write-up & photo gallery of the BMA's.

I wish I could be at Redbones around 5pm tonight, because people who order a pint of Pretty Things' St. Botolph's Town will get a special Pretty Things pint glass. Have you seen their bottles? The artwork is as good as the beer! Maybe there might be a few pint glasses left by 7pm...

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TUES 12/7

6pm to 8:30pm
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
$10 / 21+

Some of you might enjoy an ugly sweater party. If you need some persuasion, the proceeds benefit Food For Free that works locally.

Prizes will also be awarded for the ugliest sweaters, and there will be raffles too.

It looks like there will be other fun along the way. People who stick around will enjoy the festive sound of The Klezwoods at 9pm (when anyone can get in for free).

TUES 12/7

6pm to 7:30pm
Alexandra Vacroux, "Russia & its Neighbors": Lecture
at Orientation Room, 1st Fl, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

As part of WorldBoston's Great Decisions 2010 lecture series, Alexandra Vacroux, Ph.D. (Russian & Eurasian Studies, Harvard) will talk about Russia as a regional and global player.

TUES 12/7

7pm & 9pm
"Aurora Borealis 9: A Laboratory of Light and Dance"
at BU Dance Theater, 915 Comm Ave (enter on Buick St), Boston (BU campus)
FREE

Theatre and dance groups at BU have collaborated on this annual show for an exploration of movement and how we see it. Students and faculty will perform dances and "movement pieces" with probably more emphasis on how to use lighting for maximum effect.

You can see a little Aurora Borealis sample from a couple years ago.

(Thanks, Allie!)

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TUES 12/7

8pm
A Naked Rock Christmas: A Benefit for the Santa Speedo Run
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

Feat: Naked On Roller Skates (11:05pm), Cheap Leather (10:15pm), St. Helena (9:25pm), Old Jack (8:40pm), Gene Dante (8pm)

If there were no reason, this would be a pretty sweet show.

Since it's the season for giving, this is the second charity event on our list. I'm not sure how many rockers are doing the Santa Speedo Run on Saturday (12/11), which supports different charities each year, but at least Leesa from Naked On Roller Skates is on this team. (I doubt roller skates will be allowed.)

Needless to say these bands rock. The only band that I didn't already know about was Cheap Leather (not an easy band to find via Google). I don't know if they will really start at 8pm, but you won't want to miss a solo set from the amazing voice of Gene Dante. There's even a rumor of some rock in speedos...

Of course, there will be raffles.

TUES 12/7

9:30pm
Fake Problems, Ninja Gun, Jeff Rowe
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

On this gig, I might loosely lump the performers into an amorphous box with a small tag describing the hybrid of folk-punk. It's a bit inaccurate, since Fake Problems' new album has quite a catchy, hooky sound and Ninja Gun probably fall more towards Alt-country. But Fake Problems have been on the Warped Tour this year, and both bands appeal to punk fans.

Maybe it's because I see local guy Jeff Rowe as someone who is expressing his punk heart with an acoustic guitar these days. I see that as the sensibility that runs through all of the bands.

MON 12/6: Food Talk, Hair & Karaoke, Typed Carols, Rock

It's a bit over $10, but I really dig Girlfriends, and their playing tonight at the Middle East (upstairs) with a couple cool bands that are passing through town.

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MON 12/6

7pm
Harold McGee with Jody Adams, "Keys to Good Cooking: A Guide to Making the Best of Foods and Recipes": Conversation
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

From the author of "On Food and Cooking", food scientist and NY Times contributor Harold McGee brings another volume of practical, sound advice on how to prepare food and correct flawed recipes you may find.

Chef Jody Adams of nearby Rialto will join the conversation. Even if you don't buy the book, you may leave with a couple tips to correct a couple kitchen blunders.

MON 12/6

7pm
"Big Dog Barber Shop & Record Hop"

10pm-ish
Gong Show Karaoke

at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 18+

Since I went to this thing a couple weeks ago, I feel like I need to let people know that this is fun karaoke night with a twist. Despite a low-key vibe, people may be gripping the microphone slightly tighter because a group of rockers will be judging you with a gong hanging on the wall.

Before the game a couple barbers from Brighton's Big Dog Barber Shop will be cutting hair back in the pool room. They should be reasonable (their site says regular haircuts are $15), and bringing cash would be a good idea.

The vibe is still generally positive. MC Tommy Somerville is a cool, funny guy; he usually has a Ed McMahon guy who laughs at his stuff, and the DJ's are good folks too.

Tonight's judges will be The Scars, and the singing should start after the Pats-Jets game. There may even be free pizza during the game...

MON 12/6

7:30pm
Boston Typewriter Orchestra: Holiday Concert
at Charlestown Public Library, 179 Main St, Charlestown
FREE

A few weeks ago I was doubtful that Tuba Christmas would be more than a novelty, but I was there and stayed for at least half of the performance.

I must say, I don't have much confidence in BTO's holiday concert. A bunch of guys rhythmically clicking and clacking does have a bewildering effect at first, but I didn't stay long when I saw them at ArtBeat in the past.

Maybe some holiday magic will fill the air tonight... Maybe I'm the only Scrooge about the typewriter orchestra....

MON 12/6

10pm
PS I Love You, Holiday Shores
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Many times I click on some link or widget and have no idea what that band is going to sound like. A pleasant surprise was waiting for me when PS I Love You's song started: There loud, heavy-ish guitars with melodic vocals, then chorus took a left turn and wiggled around like a guitar-drum duo can do. It was really full, so I watched a video clip of these weird guys from Ontario to discover that the bass sounds are from a set of bass pedals like Geddy Lee of Rush would use many moons ago. Hey, these guys are playing indie-rock like Dinosaur Jr or Pixies played alternative rock -- good stuff.

Holiday Shores have a sound that seems wander around but generally has a raw, trippy indie-pop thing going on. With two bands scheduled, I don't see them starting before 10pm. On the other hand, they TV's to watch Monday Night Football before the music starts.

SUN 12/5: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video(s)

I've listened to this song by Dayna Kurtz several times this week.
Update: Sorry, I didn't notice the distortion initially, so I switched the video and kept the song.



Wasted Talent was nominated for "Best Video" at the Boston Music Awards. I hope they win tonight.

SUN 12/5: Art, Shop, Latkes, Songs

I went to the Harvard Book Store Warehouse sale the first year, and there are a lot of books! If you have the fortitude, you may even find some gifts for people. The Somerville warehouse is open again this weekend.

There are no advance tix left for the Boston Music Awards at the Liberty Hotel, but there may be some available at the door ($20). Hang out with folks from the Boston music scene and hear a bunch of live performances. The shindig starts at 6pm. (I'm predicting Kingsley Flood will win in one of their categories.)

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SUN 12/5

11am to 4pm
Fort Point Arts Community Holiday Sale
at Art at 12/Made in Fort Point, 12 Farnsworth St, Boston (Fort Point, next door to Flour Bakery & Cafe)
Whatever you buy

About 30 artists will display and selling their stuff like jewelry, paintings, prints, photography, ceramics/pottery, "paper arts", "functional textile art", and more.

There are other open-studio/holiday-sales this weekend in Charlestown and Hyde Park.

Look at this way -- buying gifts of art ensures that somebody else has bought the identical item for your loved one.

SUN 12/5

Noon to 7pm
Bazaar Bizarre
at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
$1 admission

Yeah, they want you to pay a dollar to go shopping. There will a lot of artsy-crafty vendors with loads of cool stuff. I've usually walked out with more stuff for myself than others. They have some shopping tips for people.

SUN 12/5

1pm to 3pm
Annual "Everybody Loves Latkes" Party
at Winthrop Park, about 50 JFK St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

If you're in Harvard Square, grab a free potato pancake. It's becoming an annual tradition for various nearby restaurants donate hundreds of latkes and condiments in the Chanukkah spirit.

SUN 12/5

Sarah Jaffe (11pm), Ben Weaver (10pm), Clara Bones (9:05pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

If you haven't heard Sarah Jaffe yet, there's a good chance you will eventually. So why not today? Top-notch singer-songwriters Jaffe and Ben Weaver are touring together, and they joined by our local Clara Bones.