SAT 12/3: Daytime Cheapness

Yeah, it's December... You still have plenty of time to get ready for Christma-Hanu-Kwaanza. Have some fun!

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SAT 12/3

11am to 3pm
"A Rich History: A Celebration of Chocolate"
at Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

The Old South Meeting Houseis one those historic places around town, and it would be nice to simply look around anytime -- but I don't want to pay $6 every time.

Stop by if you're in the neighborhood, and you might get a hot chocolate since there's going to be "chocolate demonstrations, sampling of chocolate drink, and short talks."

Discounted tickets to the upcoming Boston Tea Party Reenactment should be available.

SAT 12/3

Noon
Guinness World-Record Caroling Attempt
at Christian Science Center Plaza, about 275 Mass Ave, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

It doesn't matter if the record is broken at this sing-in. It didn't happen last year. It may not happen this year, but Keith Lockhart will eventually get it done.

There is a warm, fuzzy feeling when thousands of people sing together for 15 minutes even if it's cheesy holiday tunes. Although I'd like to think the maestro would shy away from the clunkers.

"The record attempt will start at 12:30pm sharp, so get there earlier."

Do you know why it doesn't really matter? Because you can get a free hot chocolate.

SAT 12/3

Noon to 6pm
ShareFair
at Pozen Center, about 621 Huntington Ave, Boston (MassArt, enter on Evans Way)
FREE -- Bring Something to Swap

Don't feel guilty about having fun when others may be running around. This is a place to learn stuff! There may be time to make gifts for people! (Okay, maybe a person or two people...) Some presentations have been set, and others will be a surprise.

The schedule:

Bookbinding, Knitting -- Noon, 1pm, 2pm
DIY Speakers, Felt Soap* -- 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm
Bookbinding, Native American Earrings -- 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Karate -- 2:30pm

Bike repair and Lino-cut will be ongoing workshops throughout the day (or until supplies run out!)

They ask that you bring something to swap. There is some more ideas on the Facebook page, but they offer suggestions like: : "From mixtapes to clothes, art supplies to shoelaces, old sunglasses to a busted radio."

* That's not the felt soap people coming to the ShareFair, but I didn't know what that was. (I assume someone else may say, "WTF is felt soap?")

Saturday Calendar

I have ambitions about getting out weekend cheapness later and maybe some kind of holiday shopping post. Let's start by saying Saturday cheapness is on the calendar. (And I wanted to test the automatic tweets when something is posted here.)

If you can be at the Christian Science Plaza around noon, you might become a world-record holder...

Maybe you feel like learning stuff at MassArt...

There are some good music choices, but I'm considering heading to Quincy for Prince Paul's production, "Negroes on Ice"...

FRI 12/2: Chocolate, Art, Film, Theatre, Music

Things you should know about Saturday -- before it's Saturday:

You could be part of a world-record by joining Keith Lockhart & the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in an attempt to be the largest carol-singing crowd in front of the Christian Science Center Plaza (Noon).

There is a concert for the release of "Under the Influence" at the Berklee Performance Center (8:15pm).

Student artists went into the studio with producer Paul Kolderie to record tracks originally done by Pixies, Radiohead, Mission of Burma, REM, Gang of Four, RHCP, etc -- and Kolderie did some of the originals. It's $8 for advance tickets, and Mission of Burma's Roger Miller will also perform.

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FRI 12/2 (and SAT 12/3)

11am to 3pm
"A Rich History: A Celebration of Chocolate"
at Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

Why drink hot chocolate? Because the colonials dumped the tea in the harbor.

If you're near the Old South Meeting House today or tomorrow, there will be "chocolate demonstrations, sampling of chocolate drink, and short talks."

You can walk around the hall for free -- as well as visit the shop...

Discounted tickets to the upcoming Boston Tea Party Reenactment should be available.

FRI 12/2

6pm to 9pm
John Slepian, "Update: New Work": Opening Reception
at Axiom Gallery, ground floor, about 150 Green St, Jamaica Plain (Green Street T)
FREE

I like the concepts behind this exhibit where Slepian tweaks well-known "Modernist" pieces with current technology to make it "Really Modernist Now"...?

A couple are even interactive based on Microsoft Xbox Kinect...

Exhibition on view from FRI 12/2 to SAT 1/28.

FRI 12/2

7pm to 10pm
Phidias Gold: "Distillation Show": Reception
at The Distillery Gallery, 516 E Second St, Boston (Southie)
FREE

As far as receptions that will offer free booze, it's a slam dunk at The Distillery -- even if it's cheap beer.

Local apparel company Phidias Gold has invited almost 20 artists to decorate rum bottles. (I haven't been to the gallery in a while, but the walls have been graffiti'ed in the past for more stimulation...)

FRI 12/2

7pm
"Marathon Boy": Screening
at Bldg 4, Room 231, 182 Memorial Drive (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

This is a heartbreaking documentary about a young Indian boy with an amazing aptitude for long-distance running. Of course, he is exploited left and right... Then things get worse...

From when I saw this Eventbrite page earlier this week, they have suggested registration to know about a location change. If you want to go, you might want to do it (although it hasn't changed yet. (Or just show up and be alone...)

FRI 12/2 (and SAT 12/3)

8pm
"Love's Fire"
at 808 Gallery, 808 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
$5

Back in 1997, seven playwrights created one-acts based on Shakespeare sonnets. They included Eric Bogosian, Tony Kushner, Wendy Wasserstein, Marsha Norman, John Guare, Ntozake Shange, and William Finn.

The inspiration is classic material, although the yielded tales have had mixed reviews over the years. It could be worth a shot for something different...

FRI 12/2

8:30pm
Marc Sultan, The Sinbusters, Squall
at Magic Room Gallery, Sound Museum, 155 N. Beacon Street, Brighton
$10 / 21+

I know Mark Sultan as half of The King Khan & BBQ Show, and he's still churning out kickass garage-rock. Some local garage/punk should balance any smell of poutine in the air.

FRI 12/2

9pm
Township, OldJack, Muck & the Mires
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

Holy crap, this is all-killer no-filler rock. There's a reason why this is double the usual cover at Radio -- this is a bill that could be in a much bigger room. From Rumble-winning classic hardness of Township to the soulful rock of OldJack to Muck & the Mires who were crowned the best garage-rock band in the country a few years ago -- it's rock party.

If I wasn't battling a cold, I'd be here tonight.

FRI 12/2

9pm
Moe Pope & Quills, Tan Vampires, Grey Sky Appeal
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

It's an interesting bill with hiphoppers Moe Pope & Quills and Grey Sky Appeal combined with indie-poppers Tan Vampires. In the current environment, I don't think people really need to listen to the same genre all night long. Good job, Tallboy Industries.

FRI 12/2

Blue Bloods (Midnight), Dead Friends (11pm), By the Throat (10pm), Taxi Driver (9pm)
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with wall-to-wall Boston punk...

THUR 12/1: Art, Holiday, Talk, Music

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THUR 12/1: Medicine Wheel

Whoops, this was a major omission from the calendar...

There are some free things happening tonight, and you may want to check out some tunes at O'Brien's to benefit a local human rights organization. The advance tickets may still be available at a CTB-approved $10.

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SAT 12/1

All Day until Midnight
Medicine Wheel
at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

As you may know, today is "World AIDS Day".

The Medicine Wheel is annual installation in remembrance of those who've lived and died with AIDS, and it centers around 36 shrine-like pedestals arranged in a circle with different designs and various items left by visitors over the years.

I've been there once before, and it's a heavy experience. It's dimly lit, and most people are respectfully quiet, and there are periodic performances (on the hour). One can reflect in a quiet, safe, and beautiful place; it's a quite a special experience.

Every year, it changes slightly with a different theme. For the 20th year, it's "Water".

Note: Anyone is free to "leave an offering (personal object, letter, picture, jewelry, poem...) for the healing and remembrance of all affected by HIV and AIDS."