SUN 2/6: Rock after Football

Yeah, the Pats disappointed in the playoffs...

Personally, I'm getting used to not worrying about who wins the Super Bowl. Not much happening today as most will probably enjoy the game, commercials, food, and drink to some extent.

I didn't see any specials that blew my socks off, although $15 all-you-can-eat ribs at Game On sounds promising depending on the supply and demand.

(Go, Packers.)

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SUN 2/6

9pm
Double Nines, Moons, Harvest Escaper
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$5 / 18+

Wow, Double Nines blast away through loud and fast rock without pretension. The guitarist-singer and bassist have played in other bands, but both have spent time as roadies with the Dropkick Murphys. And that would be Dropkicks guitarist Tim Brennan behind the drum kit.

There's only one track available from Moons, but it sounds like good loud sound. This might be the first gig for Harvest Escaper, and they should whip up a strong, punchy set.

There is also a possibility for free pizza.

SUN 2/6

9pm
The Honors
at Hennessy's, 25 Union St, Boston (near Faneuil Hall)
FREE

The Honors play every Friday and Sunday at Hennesssey's. I have to think there will be fewer douchebags on a Sunday night. I should probably check it out before I make judgement.

The Honors do sound ridiculously catchy and rock with style.

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FRI 2/4: Films, Art, Ninjas, Music

Wow, I really suck today. Maybe I'll rally later with a great weekend post... (Saturday stuff on calendar)

It's something of a "Friday movie night."

If it wasn't $11, I probably would've added "OxyMorons" that's playing at Revere's Showcase Cinemas. There's good article in The Phoenix about the Charlestown guy who lived the drug/crime life and wrote a movie that makes "The Town" look like a G-rated comedy.

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FRI 2/4 (thru SUN 2/6)

Double Feature:
"The 400 Blows" (5:30pm, 9:30pm) & "Jules et Jim" (3:30pm, 7:30pm)
at Capitol Theatre, 204 Mass Ave, Arlington
$8.50 / $6 seniors

Two classic French New Wave classics by Francois Truffaut for less than it would cost to see a megaplex screening of a Natalie Portman-Ashton Kutcher romantic comedy.

Next weekend, there's a Ingmar Bergman double-feature followed by an Orson Welles double-feature.

(I think this was the theater in the "The Fighter" where they went on a date outside of Lowell...)

FRI 2/4

5pm to 9pm
First Friday Open Studios
at SoWa Arts Bldg, 450 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

When I've gone, there were decent crowds passing through. Several dozen studios with interesting works are always open in the rather large building, and there's bound to be refreshments in a few... Go tonight or any first Friday of every month.

Unless you actually spend a full 4 hours, it's doubtful that you'd get to all of the approx. 50 artist studios.

Go in a direction or pick a floor or just wander around until you see something you like through the open door.

FRI 2/4

7pm
"Year of the Dragon": Screening w/ Michael Cimino
at The Modern Theatre, 525 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

The interesting thing about this thriller where a cop who hates Asians and is trying to clean up NYC's Chinatown is that director Michael Cimino could continue to make stylish, ambitious films even though they wouldn't make a lot of money.

He made some good movies after "The Deer Hunter", but he may be better known in some circles for his subsequent box office bomb "Heaven's Gate". It seems like directors don't get a chance to fail big anymore unless there's enough CGI to still make money.

He should be in attendance tonight where he'll hopefully talk about his storied career like working with Mickey Rourke, Oliver Stone, Clint Eastwood, etc etc.

It's too bad this screening missed the Year of the Dragon by a couple days, but it looks like you can still reserve seats for free.

In case I forget, there is free cinema at the Modern throughout the month.

FRI 2/4 (and FRI 2/11)

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

Before "Lisztomania" (the pop song) and "Lisztomania" (the movie), there was genuine Lisztomania for the Hungarian pianist-composer who wowed 19th-century Europe with his virtuoso performances.

It's reasonable to assume that his compositions can be quite intense for subsequent pianists to perform.

This year is the bicentenary of his birth, so the NEC is presenting a series of concerts -- that continues next Friday -- where all of their piano majors as well as other students will perform.

The theme of tonight's program are compositions while living in Switzerland.

FRI 2/4

The Appreciation Post (Midnight), The Organ Beats (11pm), Zombie Radio (10pm), Mr. Fyner & The Tech Ed Room (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Yeah, it's a "Totally Awesome 90's Party". Everything becomes nostalgia after 20 years even if it sucked the first time around. Still this is a pretty killer lineup of powerpoppin', rockin' goodness who should each do a good job of throwing in a couple '90s tunes in their sets.

Of course, there will be a photobooth to document your old-school look (or not -- apathy was in during the 90s). If you get there early enough, you could get one of the 100 free CD's from The Appreciation Post. Sweet!

FRI 2/4

9pm
Ninja Party
at Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$ 5 / 21+

I'm amused by the idea of having a dance party and encouraging people to dress like ninjas.

Is there not enough black attire at dance clubs? Or is this a subtly novel criticism of dancers adorned in dark colors?

FRI 2/4

9:30pm
Endless Wave, The Crushing Low, The Milling Gowns, Lowfives
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$5 / 21+

There's a lot of shoegazey and indie-rock goodness set to different levels. I like to see The Milling Gowns thrown in there for a little contrast; their guitarless "gloom pop" has an edge without being loud.

Plus the Rosebud is a great place to hang out.

THUR 2/3: Food, Politics, Art, Film, Dating, Music

"Gong Hay Fat Choy!"

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and now we begin the Year of the Rabbit. It's a good week for woodland creatures.

I made one of my old mistakes by writing too much for the early items and not leaving enough time for the later events. Sorry, folks.

Yes, I stuck a video in the middle of the post. It seemed appropriate.

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THUR 2/3

5:30pm to 8pm
Farm Share Fair 2011
at Democracy Center, 45 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Could you really eat farm-fresh produce in a fair commercial transaction directly with the people growing your food? Yes, you can -- at least from June to October.

More than a dozen CSA's will be in attendance tonight to answer all your questions. The weekly produce delivery is more than one person can/should consume, so think about inviting roommates or friends to join you tonight.

A couple years ago I remember seeing a handy chart about CSA's in The Weekly Dig that I couldn't find. You can read this article and this article if you want to be better prepared for talking to the farmers.

Pizza from Zing will be for sale (by donation?) too.

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THUR 2/3

6pm
"Tunisia, Egypt And Lebanon: Changing Arab Politics?": Discussion
at JFK Forum, Littauer Bldg, 79 JFK St, Cambridge (Kennedy School of Govt)
FREE

A conversation with: Rami Khouri, Tarek Masoud, Roger Owen, Malika Zeghal

Well, isn't this a timely discussion!

I'm going to say that most news outlets aren't capable of giving the appropriate insight -- because you probably already hold that position.

One has to have a better understanding of the current upheaval from North Africa to the Middle East after listening to four scholars from American University of Beirut and Harvard from departments of Public Policy, Middle East History, and Contemporary Islamic Thought.

The discussion will be moderated by R. Nicholas Burns -- a longtime, high-ranking diplomat who joined the Kennedy School faculty a couple years ago.

Watching this online will be better than any TV news program on at the same time.

THUR 2/3

6pm to 8pm
Stan VanDerBeek, "The Culture Intercom": Opening Reception
at LIST Visual Arts Center, Wiesner Bldg, 20 Ames St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

5:30pm: Pre-Reception Panel Discussion

Wow, Stan VanDerBeek is a really cool pioneer experimental film and video that I don't recall knowing before know. Although he died almost 20 years ago, this is the first museum survey solely dedicated to his work.

The exhibit includes early paintings/collages, many animated videos, and several of his more expansive film experiments -- some were developed while he was a research fellow at MIT in the late '60s.

If you have the time, a couple museum curators and a couple relatives of VanDerBeek will have a pre-reception panel discussion in the Bartos Theatre (same building) at 5:30pm.

After watching this 1959 video, one has to wonder if Terry Gilliam had seen VanDerBeek' films before creating his montages for "Monty Python's Flying Circus":


THUR 2/3 (and FRI 2/4)

7pm
"The Deer Hunter": Screening
at The Modern Theatre, 525 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

Thanks to Joe and his broad listing of free movies in the Boston area for making me aware of this "Michael Cimino Retrospective" that includes tomorrow's screening of "Year of the Dragon" when the director himself will be on hand for a Q&A session.

I can't imagine anyone watching the "The Deer Hunter" and not feel depressed at the end, but it's a good movie.

The Modern has quite a bit of free cinema all month long.

THUR 2/3

8pm to 10pm
"Your Best Pick Up Line" Party
at Cask 'n Flagon, 62 Brookline Ave, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE / 21+

I don't think FlipMe's dating card system may be the best way to meet someone, but you could win "an overnight getaway" to Mohegan Sun if you have the best pick-up line.

Cape Cod landscaper and "The Bachelorette" finalist Chris Lambton is the judge.

THUR 2/3

The Memorials (11pm), Just Like Vinyl (10pm), Pride Of The Atlantic (9pm), Hannibal Montana (8pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / 18+

There was another rock show at Great Scott that leaned towards the heavy-progressive rock, but I had to recommend the gig with The Memorials that includes the former drummer from The Mars Volta. (And if you're into this kind of stuff, The Fall of Troy's guitarist plays in Just Like Vinyl.)

You might expect the drums to be prominent in The Memorials; still there's a palatable balance between melody and heaviness. I like that they add some color to the rock scene too. I also like the dynamics from Massachusetts dudes, Pride Of The Atlantic.

THUR 2/3

9:30pm
Will Dailey & The Rivals, Christian McNeill, Tin Can Tele
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+

I've pledged to stand up and proudly enjoy Will Dailey's music even when he's getting played on Top-40 radio and headlining at the House of Blues. His music is damn good and heartfelt -- and the kind of music that the masses can dig.

In the meantime, he's going to soulfully sing his well-written, poppy folk-rock every Thursday this month with different bands opening each week.

Then every Friday, dozens of people will find themselves humming a Will Dailey tune.

Christian McNeill kinda kicks ass too, and I've also enjoyed Tin Can Tele in the past.

WED 2/2: Film, Classical, Acoustic, Rock

There are things scheduled tonight, and I assume some of them will actually happen...

I'll update items if I find out (altough it doesn't hurt to check the event page, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

If you don't like the psychedelic Nixon, I was almost going to use a big rooster flyer.

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WED 2/2

6pm
"Back Vocal": Screening w/ Saeed Shahram
at Berklee Media Lab, 150 Mass Ave, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

In another example of weird religion-based rules, Iranian women are forbidden to sing unaccompanied.

This 40-minute documentary tells the story of three Iranian women who struggle to be heard. I like how director Mojtaba Mirtahmasb is quoted as saying about official sanctioning, "I knew from the beginning that such a film would not get permission to be screened, so I never applied for a permit."

Film composer Saeed Shahram will lead a post-film discussion.

In Farsi/Persian with English subtitles

WED 2/2

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

Program:

Corigliano, "Fantasia on an Ostinato"
Mozart, "Symphony No.39, K.543, E-flat major"
Schumann, "Symphony No.4, op.120, D minor"

It's a mix of old and new in tonight's performance.

John Corigliano's 1986 piece seems pretty damn fresh compared to a couple classics by Mozart and Schumann. Still the program notes say that "Fantasia..." is a minimalist experiment based on Beethoven's 7th symphony.

Sounds interesting, and it's free classical music!

WED 2/2

Davina Yannetty (11pm), Xenia Dunford (10:05pm), Dann Russo w/ Casey Sullivan (9:10pm), Emily Newton (8:15pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$6 / 18+

Who knows why Dann Russo is the only dude performing tonight with 4 female singer-songwriters. (I did find it interesting that he's a 'popular' performer on Second Life...) It's a strong lineup, and I especially turn my thumbs up for the witty, ukulele-toting Davina Yannetty.

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WED 2/2

8:30pm
Chandler Travis Philharmonic, Jen Kimball
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$5 / 21+

* CANCELLED *

While Chandler Travis reigns over the summer Cape music scene with The Incredible Casuals, he normally plays in the Boston area backed by his 'Philharmonic'.

The CTP debuted 15 years ago at the Lizard Lounge, so why not celebrate with a Wednesday residency. I happen to love his wacky brand of genre-skipping good-time rock. There should be something different happening every week.

WED 2/2

9pm
Rocking Horse Rodeo, Pariah Beat
at Milky Way Lounge/Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
$5 / 21+

It seems like Pariah Beat hasn't played in the area for a while. Maybe it's a return to regular offerings of punkish gypsy-style folkiness, or maybe you need to get a listen now while you have the chance. The fun continues with some sweet alt-country from Rocking Horse Rodeo

WED 2/2

10pm
Skimask, Hunnie Bunnies
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

It's too bad this gig is happening inside, because I think the double-barrel blast of live, loud, 'n noisy rock might be able to melt snow. At least they could probably make people play and move around in it.

A couple of the Doomstar! guys are doing this monthly night where they play old soul and psych records while inviting people to perform live. It's currently 'on' for tonight, and people of all hipness quotients are welcome.

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TUES 2/1: Words, Magic, Film, Music

There is always a chance that any of these may be cancelled due to weather -- although people have been known to travel while it's snowing...

Of course, I'm not a weatherman.

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TUES 2/1

5pm to 7pm
"Celebrating Gerry Lesser: From Appian Way to Sesame Street and the World": Discussion
at Askwith Hall, Longfellow Hall, 13 Appian Way, Cambridge (Radcliffe Yard)
FREE

It's not surprising that one of the guiding forces behind "Sesame Street" also happened to teach at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

While Prof. Lesser died in September of last year, panelists from HGSE and public television will pay tribute to his impact on education.

TUES 2/1

7pm
Annual Faculty Reading
at School of Management Auditorium, 595 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

* CANCELLED *

Feat: Robert Pinsky, Louise Gluck, Allegra Goodman, Ha Jin, Leslie Epstein, David Ferry, Ronan Noone, Sigrid Nunez, Maya Sloan

Just to remind everyone how many impressive authors/poets are on their faculty, BU's Creative Writing department has a reading that is open to the public.

TUES 2/1

8pm
"Mystery Lounge"
at The Comedy Studio/Hong Kong Restaurant, 1236 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 or $9

Feat: Jim Spinnato, Pete Haddad, Bill Hoagland

Will magicians from Connecticut drive through a snowstorm to perform? Or will they magically appear?

TUES 2/1

7pm
"The Beaches of Agnes"
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St., Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

I remember having a program of Agnes Varda's films not too long ago, and the French director may have even been in attendance for some screenings.

This cinematic memoir may be a good intro. It may be better, if you have seen her work.

TUES 2/1

Danielle Miraglia (7pm), The Blue Ribbons (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE / 21+

It's more difficult to get everyone in a band to show up for a snowy gig, but I bet the bluesy-folky Danielle Miraglia will trudge through with her guitar.

TUES 2/1

7:30pm
"Sun Ra in Song"
at David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St, Boston (Berklee / Back Bay)
FREE

* CANCELLED *

Sun Ra and his 'Arkestra' made some of the best crazy/spacey free-jazz I've ever heard, and I've listened to a bit of the stuff.

I think maybe some of the magic was generated by the man himself and the players around him, but I bet the Berklee's "Faculty Inter-Galactic Sun Ra Astro-Infinity Myth Equation Commemorative Arkestra" can do the music justice.

TUES 2/1

9pm to Midnight
"Kanyepalooza"
at River Gods, 125 River St. Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

Yeah... Kanye is a character. I actually support people who interrupt Taylor Swift, especially if they take interesting paths in their music.

See a performance recorded at Abbey Road Studios and probably his longform video for "Runaway" as well as hearing Kanye-related tracks. Maybe it won't be so crowded tonight...