TUES 1/4: Talk & Music

The math geeks are already on board, but I finally saw that the number 2011 is a prime number and also the sum of 11 consecutive prime numbers. So there's a little fun with numbers to think about and share with friends!

I didn't post a flyer for any of tonight's gigs, however I was getting nostalgic and started picking my favorite flyers from last year. My January thru March picks are below.

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TUES 1/4

7pm
Micah Nathan, "Losing Graceland": Reading, etc
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

There is a book reading somewhere nearby almost every night. Few of them also include someone singing acoustic Elvis covers and an Elvis-themed dance contest.

Micah Nathan's second novel is a road story that involves a young fellow driving someone who may be Elvis Presley to Memphis. (I had a similar idea, but it was to Las Vegas...)

Even if you don't dance (winner gets a Brookline Booksmith gift card & a signed copy of this book), it could be an amusing scene. And there was a mention of wine, which normally makes readings bearable... Costumes are encouraged.

TUES 1/4

8:30pm
Bluegrass Pickin' Party
at Cantab Lounge - Downstairs, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$7 suggested donation

Feat: Sam Stambler (8:30pm), Alan Kaufman & Joint Chiefs of RetroGrass (10pm)

I have a friend who usually goes to the first pickin' party of the year. I don't know if it's any more fun, but it's a pretty darn good time if you happen to like bluegrass -- or are open to the experience.

All are invited to play at the beginning and after the featured bands -- but it's assumed that you know how to play.

They say the donation is voluntary, and When the hat comes around, it would be good karma to drop something in the hat when it comes around.

Will you hear yodeling tonight? Yes, you will.

TUES 1/4

Ice Cream Social (11:30pm), Davina Yannetty (10:40pm), Corin Ashley (9:50pm), Phil Wisdom (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$6 / 18+

While I may not call it a "Star-Studded Night of Acoustic Rock", there are a lot of fine performers who've got plenty of clever, melodic songs witing for you.

Corin Ashley is just an awesome performer and has written some great songs that deftly manipulate Beatlesque influences. On the occasions I've seen Davina Yannetty, she does rock the ukulele with witty originals, well-chosen covers, and good between-song banter. I think Ice Cream Social is performing as a duo tonight, who have a strong Irish influence. Phil Wisdom of Butterknife opens up with his acoustic pop/rock.

Faves 2010: Flyers I Posted, Part 1

There were some ideas for other 'year-end' posts, but this is easy to complete...

My favorite flyer that I posted each month in 2010. I'm doing it in 4 segments to reduce the space it takes up on the home page.

The next part will be up tomorrow night.

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JANUARY

I almost picked SAT 1/23 that has a similar format, but this one has bolder colors -- and the bell boy & sheep intrigued me:



FEBRUARY

There were several really good ones (like an edgy V-Day show and old racing photo with text), but it's all over for me when you put sexy legs on a Fender JazzMaster:



MARCH

Yeah, it was a close tie between Foxy Shazam and a red-white-blue one in classic rock poster style followed by The Lights Out's sexy pregnant woman.

MON 1/3: Film, Art, Music

Yeah, I'm still not kicking butt in 2011. It's still early!

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MON 1/3

6pm
"Gone with the Wind": Part 1
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

The BPL is continuing to show free films on Monday nights with a new series, "Black Gold: African American Academy Award Winners".

They have 6 films already scheduled. Since the first film is almost 4 hours long, it's being split over tonight and next week.

Are you going? "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a..."

MON 1/3

8pm
Deva Eveland, "There Can Be Only One!": Performance
at Meme Gallery, 55 Norfolk St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I have a feeling this performance art piece will be an absurd examination of the many religions who claim to represent the "supreme being".

Yes, a "Highlander" sword is involved.

MON 1/3

The White Owls (8pm), The Gilded Splinters (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

On the first Monday of the year, it wouldn't be unusual to have the blues.

The White Owls are a ninja-level blues squad that has Dennis Brennan ripping through classic tunes with yet another set of top-notch players. It's just one of the several iterations that finds the amazing Brennan rocking at the clubs like a fringe benefit for living in the Boston area.

The late show should be teeming with Stone-sy Americana courtesy of The Gilded Splinters.

MON 1/3

10pm
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, The Boyfriends
at ZuZu!, 474 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

Although Cassavettes won't be making kick-ass alt-country together anymore, Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion is a surf-rock project from the guitarist and bassist.

The Boyfriends bring some jangly powerpop to the table for a cool drinking soundtrack on a Monday night.

SUN 1/2: First Fail of the Year

Can you believe I drank more and stayed up longer on New Year's Night than on it's Eve?

Have a great day. Go, Pats. I'll probably rally tonight.

SAT 1/11: History, Art, Music

Sure, 1/1/11 is cool but I'm waiting for 11/11/11...

Congrats to the insane L Street Brownies who jumped into the icy waters off Southie like they do every year (clip from '10). I wonder if I ever will wake up early enough to even watch them.

If you want to spend a few extra bucks ($15), MC Mr. Napkins is back in town and performing at Club Passim (8pm). When I ran into Zach at a bar around this time last year, I told him how incredibly funny he was -- in a meandering, beery tribute to his face.

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SAT 1/1

Noon
235th Annual Grand Union Flag Raising
at Prospect Hill Park, about 70 Munroe St, Somerville (near Union Sq)
FREE

Some of Revolutionary history is that the American flag was raised atop Somerville's Prospect Hill on 1/1/1776, because George Washington said so. This is one of those annual reenactment events that I'd like to see one day.

There will be songs, readings, and people dressed up, etc.

SAT 1/1 (and SUN 1/2)

Noon to 6pm
Frances Stark, "This could become a gimick [sic] or an honest articulation of the workings of the mind": Exhibition
at List Visual Arts Center, 20 Ames St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Another one of my 2010 failures was to see this exhibit; I think I misread the title in a way that turned me off a bit. There is still a chance to see this 20-year retrospective from the artist with about 40 pieces in different media.

SAT 1/1

2pm to 4pm
New Year's Day Walk
meet at Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse, One Circuit Drive, Boston
FREE

"You'll learn a little park history, experience renowned park designer Frederick Law Olmsted's masterpiece, and catch the beginning of a winter sunset."

The path should be plowed.

SAT 1/1

8pm to Midnight
"DJ Razz"
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
FREE

My friend (in my mind, not his) -- and rocker from DMZ, The Queers, Downbeat 5, and so on -- JJ Rassler spins records with an eclectic slideshow.

SAT 1/1

10pm
Mente
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

They were the (self-proclaimed) 'worst band in Boston', but that doesn't stop them from getting back together once a year for a gig. You don't need to hear some bad rock, but it's a chance to hear "Sex Poodle" live...