WED 12/15: Talk, Party, Stage, Music

Since it's the 15th of the month during Anna's Taqueria 15th anniversary year, they're giving out something free today. (It's a taco...)

The Feast, a newish 'lifestyle' site, asked me and a dozen or so other people about town what they want for Xmas. I wasn't trying to go cheap, but I was surprised that a few chose cheaper items than me...

While the donation is $20, the Chandler Travis Holiday Extravaganza (7:30pm) at Johnny D's. A lot of great acts play to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

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WED 12/15

6pm to 7pm
Boston Society of Architects, "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful": Discussion
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Feat: Nader Tehrani, Jane Weinzapfel, Nick Winton

Tonight's panelists should have a good grasp on the various aspects of beauty in architecture beyond simple aesthetics. Each of them have won the Harleston Parker Medal for designing the most beautiful building in Boston.

Sarah Williams Goldhagen, architecture critic at The New Republic, will moderate.

WED 12/15

7pm to 11pm
"The Winter Escape"
at The Lansdowne Pub, 9 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
No cover / 21+

Are interested in having a few drinks near Kenmore Square and/or winning skis/lift passes/Harpoon gear?

This would be the place to be.

WED 12/15

7:30pm
For the Sake of the Song: Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks"
at Arts at The Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$10

Feat: Patrick Coman, Patrick Yerby, Brendan Murphy, Matt Borrello, Brendan Hogan, Dressing the Debutantes, Greg Klyma

In this Dylan-lover's humble opinion, "Blood on the Tracks" is definitely one of Bob's top 3 albums -- and may be my personal fave. The emotional quotient is high throughout this post-divorce collection, and the songs are all so damn good. Like a good album, there is musical variety while remaining cohesive.

Many fine folky/rootsy artists will take turns performing it in its entirety, which will be followed by an "open Dylan jam".

Proceeds benefit the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

WED 12/15

8pm
"Bear Patrol": Staged Reading
at Black Box Theatre, Boston Center for Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston (South End)
FREE

I suspect this new play may be a palate-cleanser if mass commercialism has been leaving a bad taste in your mouth lately.

It seems to be a post-nuclear apocalyptic take on a "Wizard of Oz" road tale that examines the bonds of family and friendship.

They say:

Cookies and toy masks for all, plus a $4 ticket offer to the full production in March for all attendees of this reading.

Check out some info playwright John J. King's other productions to get a better idea of what one can expect, if you like.

WED 12/15

9:30pm
The Scrooges, Movers & Shakers, Cocked n Loaded
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

Maybe you need to like Iggy Pop and The Stooges to really appreciate The Scrooges, or maybe a bunch of grubby-looking Santas raging through their catalog will turn you into a fan.
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What seemed like a lark when it began a few years ago has turned into a loud yuletide tradition that had the Scrooges bouncing around various venues for a couple weeks. This time they've anchored weekly gigs at O'Brien's. Personally this third night has my favorite hard-rockin' support, but you can still catch these bad Santas next Wednesday.

WED 12/15

10:30pm
O'Halloran Brothers, Lenny Lashley's Army of One, Cerebral Ballsy, Pinecone Teeth
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

A more relaxed "Holiday Extravaganza" will be happening at the Plough in what is something like a disjointed, acoustic Darkbuster get-together. Darkbuster's frontman Lenny Lashley is doing his own thing as well as guitarist Amy Griffin peforming as Pinecone Teeth.

I think drummer Dan O'Halloran is playing with a couple of his brothers and other friends as well as in Cerebral Ballsy, an acoustic version of 007 Hundred Club.

Do you think there could be some musical cross-pollination? I do.

TUES 12/14: Revue, Film, Blues, Jazz

Yeah, these are all on the other side of the River.

Boston Proper, I love you, but you don't always offer a good cheap time.

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TUES 12/14

7pm to 10pm
"Skewed & Screwed Revue"
at All Asia Cafe, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Music: Evan Greer, Gene Dante

Burlesque: Fonda Feeling, Amy Macabre, Lady Grinch, Baroness Blitzen Von Schtupp, Lady Naboombu, Serendipity Galore

This is periodic fundraiser for GLBT causes (Transgender Emergency Fund tonight) and also for the organizers' own travails after one partner began their gender transition. Therefore skewed treatment led them into a screwed economic situation.

Of course, everyone is welcome (to attend and perform). There's no exclusivity in enjoying the riot-folk of Evan Greer and a solo set from glammy rocker Gene Dante. There seems to be a burlesque-heavy line-up, and I assume Scratch (MC of the Boston Babydolls) may keep the good times rolling.

TUES 12/14

7:30pm
"The Tempest": Free Screening
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE w/ Pass [PDF]

There's a lot of talent involved, although I haven't heard a lot of good buzz. There is no doubt that director Julie Taymor ("Frida", "Across The Universe"; theater-version of "Lion King", "Spiderman") has a strong, imaginative vision.

The cast in this Shakespeare play getting its latest adaption includes Helen Mirren, David Strathairn, Alan Cumming, Chris Cooper, Djimon Hounsou, Alfred Molina, Russell Brand, and others. Maybe Russell Brand doesn't suggest high art, but there are fools in many tales by the Bard.

It could be crap, or it could become one of your favorite movies. You may appreciate it for the lush visuals and the new twist on the story. Why not see it for free on the big screen.

Of course, this is one of those deals where you have to print out the pass (admits two) and get there early enough to be admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. (If last weekend's limited release box-office is an indicator, there won't be a long line.)

TUES 12/14

7:30pm
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers Memphis Fundraiser
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

Feat: Roomful of Blues, Danny Klein's Full House, James Montgomery, Dennis Brennan, Tim Gearan, 11th Hour Band, Alizon Lissance, Geoff Bartley, Satch Romano, Cindy Daley, more

Wow, there have been a few Erin Harpe fundraising shows lately, but the last Delta Swingers gig of the year is bursting at its bluesy seams.

With so many quality blues bands, this doesn't even seem like a benefit show at $10. It's a friggin' bargain! On top of local talent that I notice playing around on a regular basis, the big-time Rhode Island blues-machine Roomful of Blues are performing. And J. Geils Band bassist Danny Klein is bringing his current band that plays the old stuff. Stick around, and you're definitely going to hear a monster jam at the end of the night.

I may be a homer, but I think the judges at the Boston Blues Challenge gave us a strong chance of winning the next year's international competition in Memphis. Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers might sneak up on all the other bands by not having a wanky electric guitarist and smack everyone with a modern vitality and genuine, rockin' Delta sound that they may not expect from New England.

The band is collecting money for travel expenses so they can bring back the blues title. If you don't go tonight and buy a bunch of 50/50 raffle tickets, then maybe you'd be willing to help them raise $1,500 on Kickstarter.

TUES 12/14

8pm
The Annie Darcy Band
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10

There is probably no statistics for the number of fictional bands that moved out of their original context to remain musically viable. (Spinal Tap comes to mind, but that movie was a documentary of their career...)

The Annie Darcy Band began playing jazzy standards in the bar of an experimental production of "Macbeth", and now they regularly perform at Club Oberon. The piano trio fronted by dual vocalists is performing a holiday-theme show, and it'll likely have more theatricality than the average music gig.

12/13 Addendum: Rockettes, Fashion, Cocktails, Etc

6pm
Mystery Mash-Up w/ The Rockettes
at W Boston Hotel, 100 Stuart St, Boston (Theatre District)
FREE

I saw this in an email, and thought I'd pass it along since there's no need to RSVP (you are expected to be there at 6pm).

It looks like the Rockettes will be modeling clothes from Macy's, which doesn't really sound as exciting as their usual outfits.

It's possible that other things will be happening (it's a "mystery"), however I'm guessing the fashion show is the main event (and it may last until 9pm).

Hey, cocktails called "Rockettinis" will be served...

MON 12/13: Science, Film, Classical, Rock

You know, it was actually a pretty good weekend to run around practically or completely nude.

The Santa Speedo Run was probably rather easy on Saturday, and even a little rain may not have been that bad for last night's Primal Scream at Harvard.

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MON 12/13

7pm
Jeremy Brodt, "In Search of Dragons" : Lecture
at Harborside Learning Lab, New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston (Waterfront)
FREE

Dragons... of the sea, that is.

I'm unsure if I've ever heard or known about sea dragons (they look like sea horses to me). NEAQ's Jeremy Brodt went to Australia last year to learn more about these creatures, and he'll tell you about it.

Registration requested.

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

MON 12/13

7pm
"The Day The Earth Stood Still"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$9.75 / $7.75 students, seniors

Feat: Dennis Hong, PhD

Although special effects look awesome, the best sci-fi films usually have some philosophical angle like "What would happen if aliens did land and tried to convince us to change our destructive ways?"

The original is surely a much better film than the effects-laden remake with Keanu Reeves from a couple years ago that I didn't see.

Since it's being screened as part of the "Science on Screen" series, robot expert Dennis Hong will discuss the advances and probably make some comparisons to Gort, the movie's iconic robot.

MON 12/13

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

Program

Bach, "Musical Offering: Ricercare"
Wagner, "Tannhäuser: Overture & Venusberg Music"
Brahms, "Piano Quartet, op.25, G minor"

This program includes two pieces by Bach and Brahms that were arranged in the last century for larger ensembles. The Brahms arrangement by Arnold Schoenberg was created for a ballet.

Tonight's conductor, David Loebel, will discuss the original Brahms composition at 6:45pm, and you'll be able to hear the piano quartet.

MON 12/13

9:30pm
Mmoss, Banditas, Reports
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

As usual, Monday night at Charlies is a dandy spot for a variety of noisy, angular indie rock; Stonesy twangy, with female harmonies; and trippy, droney indie-pop -- in that order.

The bands are supposedly listed in reverse sequence and may start at 9:15pm. I think it'll probably be closer to 10pm. If you hang in long enough, Life Partners may go on after Mmoss (which will ruin a night of one-word bands).

Heck, upstairs at Charlies Kitchen is a good time any night...

SUN 12/12: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Around this time last year, I went to J-Krafty's holiday party at the Dilboy in Davis Square. I made a tree ornament out of a PBR can, and it was a bunch of fun all around.



It may be too ambitious to make presents at this late date. Maybe you'll be ready for next Xmas, if you start now...