WED 12/22: Art, Rock, Jazz, Rock

I'm heading out of town tomorrow morning, but I will try to keep things rolling as usual (maybe better).

It's tough around this time of year, but let's not get carried away with all of the seasonal stuff. Let's choose the good stuff, and ignore the rest.

PJ Gray of Galactic Fractures and Soullelujah has put together a soulful Xmas mix that should appeal to almost everyone. You can listen to it (or download it).

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

WED 12/22

4pm to 9:45pm
Open Wednesday Evening
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

They say about 10,000 people showed up for Saturday's free opening of the Art of the Americas wing. If you're not busy running errands, you'll likely find a much smaller crowd today.

Although I've misinterpreted emails before, let me put it this way:

Wednesday evenings have been free-free-FREE for years, and no strings attached for today and next Wednesday.
It will continue to be an inexpensive opportunity for the public to visit, but it will be a "voluntary contribution" ($20 suggested).

I'm not complaining, because the museum doesn't have to offer anything special. Between you and me $20 is the regular admission price -- so why not give them $10 (or whatever), get the stink-eye, and enjoy the art next year.

I have a feeling that this isn't the most popular destination during the holidays, so it could be a good time to sneak in and take a cultural break from mass commercialism.

I might check out the new Art of the Americas wing tonight...

WED 12/22

9:30pm
The Scrooges, Double Nines, Mellow Bravo
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

Last Night of The Scrooges Residency!

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.

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.

These lushes were probably having a hard time remembering where the gig was, so they've done 4 weeks at O'Brien's. Not only will it rock your ass off -- including the double-barrel openers Double Nines and Mellow Bravo -- you'll know that no one else at your dinner table thinks of Santa in the same way as you.

WED 12/22

10pm
Four Roots
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

If you're in the mood for Latin jazz, this could be a good spot. Bandleader/trumpeter Yaure Muniz Rumayor was born in Havana and now studies at Berklee. Pianist Gilson Schachnik and bassist Fernando Huergo teach there, and drummer Pablo Bencid plays with a bunch of groups including local institution Either/Orchestra.

My standard Beehive disclaimer: The drinks are more than I'd like to pay, but there's no cover charge.

WED 12/22

10:30pm
John Powhida & The Doom Band
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

A good friend of mine doesn't like John Powhida, because they think he has a big ego and won't give the music a chance. That rock-star charisma is part of Powhida's charm in my book, and he's got the pipes to back it up. Solo or with The Rudds, I've always dug his twisted pop/soul/rock blend.

A couple months ago, he played at "Mixtape: 1967" a couple months ago with 'Johnny St. John & the Doom Band'. If I were a betting man, I'd expect to hear some of John's originals and a bunch of gems from the Summer of Love.

TUES 12/21: Holiday, Roots, Dance

Happy Winter Solstice everybody!

We got some cold confetti yesterday and today. Yes, you can still go out when there is snow on the ground.

There is a bunch of activity along the Greenway between 4pm and 7pm from North End to Chinatown. It's a celebration for new light installations through March of '11. The excellent Kingsley Flood are scheduled to play near South Station at 4:30pm.

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

TUES 12/21

9pm
"The ButtCracker"
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$7 / 18+

Feat: Rogue Burlesque, The Femme Show, Boston Sass Attack, Bitches of Destiny, The Tranny Roadshow, ImprovBoston, Improv Asylum, TraniWreck

The Nutcracker... The Slutcracker... We should've guessed this was ahead (or behind?). Of course, the trunk is a good place to hide Xmas presents.

Johnny Blazes and Madge of Honor have been presenting a monthly night of experimental cabaret dubbed "Hypothesis". Instead we get a tawdry, sassy holiday show of burlesque, comedy, music, and maybe even puppetry and more.

Everyone can stick around a dance with DJ Golden Touch.

TUES 12/21

9:30pm
Session Americana
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10

Do you remember that scene in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" when the Soggy Bottom Boys are recording "Man of Constant Sorrow" around a single microphone?

That's similar to what you can expect from Session Americana. With a couple mic's on a table, as much of the band will squeeze around and rip into song after song like the best jam session in someone's kitchen.

Among all the great rootsy/folky musicians in the area, these guys are among the cream of the crop that have played with too many artists to list.

You can also see them next Tuesday, and the phenomenal Duke Levine will be sitting in.

TUES 12/21

9pm to 1am
Annual Winter Solstice Party
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Feat: Shitaly, DJs Coralcola, Ectocooler, Damien Paul

I'm not sure if Enormous Room really does have an annual solstice party, but it's never too late to start... Anyway people will dance, so people will probably stand in line outside. I've seen people queuing here in the middle of winter, and it's not that great although the couches are very comfortable. Amid the DJ's, Shitaly will perform a set strangely appealing, avant-party rock; you can hear a song on SoundCloud.

MON 12/20: Holiday & Music

Is everyone getting excited for Festivus?!?

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

MON 12/20

6pm
Friends' Holiday Celebration
at South Boston Public Library, 646 E Broadway, Boston (Southie)
FREE

People in Southie can find some good, clean holiday cheer with a sing-along (maybe this attorney on piano), a reading of "The Night Before Christmas", and "holiday goodies" brought to you by the Friends of the South Boston Branch Library.

MON 12/20

7pm
Boston Skeptics Holiday Shindig
at Tommy Doyle's (upstairs), 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Feat: Dan Hart

For those looking for less traditional festivities, you could hang out with the skeptics. They might just smirk and scoff in your face if you said, "Merry Christmas" or other holiday greeting that's not based on hard evidence.

Although people that may not "believe" in any metaphysical aspects of religion still want to party around Winter Solstice time.

Tonight's entertainment includes ex-psychologist singer-songwriter Dan Hart who'll probably do a bunch of original holiday songs that will be neither warm nor fuzzy. A Yankee Swap will follow (Think $10 or under, if you want to participate).

MON 12/20

9:30pm
Tristan Da Cunha, Old Man Lady Luck, Guillermo Sexo, Fat History Month
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 /18+

It's going to be a good night to hear some math/psych/noise rock lashing at the audience to absorb like ecstatic devotees ready for the aural whip.

MON 12/20

9:30pm
Gong Show Karaoke
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 18+

This is a loose and casual karaoke night, and no one will judge -- except the panel of judges who may gong you in mid-song like the old TV show. Still it's usually a lighthearted criticism, and the rest of the singers will support you.

MC Tommy Somerville is a cool, funny guy (and possibly the loudest person I've ever met). Usually a band serves as the judging panel. I think it'll be The Nose Jobs this week.

Go, have fun, and don't worry about how good you are. I was gonged on my second song, and it wasn't bad at all.

Although listed on the site as 8:30pm, the action really starts around 9:30pm.

MON 12/20

10pm
Ryan Lee Crosby, Mr. Sister
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

There is going to be a whole bunch of quiet yet potent songs from masterfully melancholy singer-songwriter Ryan Lee Crosby and indie-folk group Mr Sister that revolves around the amazing jazzy, horn-like voice of Amelia Emmet. And if you don't like it, you can go to Gong Show Karaoke around the corner.

SUN 12/19: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

If this doesn't get you in the Xmas mood, then...

...that's cool.

It's a *NSFW* and occasionally crude Christmas story from Patton Oswalt that makes me laugh and laugh.

Seriously, it's twisted. Enjoy...

Patton Oswalt - Christmas Shoes - watch more funny videos

SUN 12/19: Caroling, Rocking

Okay, folks. Either sing or be sung to for little to no money...

The Charles Hotel has some free festivities for the opening of their skating rink today, but it looks kinda small (and usually crowded) in my opinion.

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

SUN 12/19

4pm
Annual Caroling Mob
meet at Forest Hills T, about 3798 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
FREE

A bunch of festive souls walk around JP and sing holiday songs, and all singers of any size, shape, creed, or ability are welcome to join along. (They'll leave about 4:15pm.)

They suggest:

Bring candle lanterns (Lantern Parade lanterns work great), weather-appropriate clothing and gloves, festive hats and scarves, mugs for drinking Wassail, if you want to be green, and your good cheer.

When the time is right (cold and/or hunger), they'll hit a pub.

SUN 12/19

9pm to 11pm
Treat Her Right
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Listen to some bluesy rock from a band that originally tore it up before Mark Sandman spread the Morphine sound around the world. They got back together about a year ago, and they're back at it every now and then with loads of slide guitar and harmonica -- including semi-regular gigs at Toad. Good stuff!

SUN 12/19

10pm
Sea Monsters
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7-ish / 21+

Feat: Will Dailey

I didn't write about this gig very often in the past, because I though these guys would rock every Sunday night ad infinitum. Unfortunately, good things do come to a (hopefully) temporary end.

This gig was the brainchild of Christian McNeill and Jesse Dee who are doing quite well on their individual projects. They've formed a loose rootsy/soulful party with horns various guests and adoring fans for about 3 years, and they're planning on taking a break to record next year.

Tonight's guest is the awesome singer-songwriter Will Dailey, so I may have to go!