Some Super Bowl Deals, Etc

Sorry, people who don't care about football.

Even though the Super Bowl doesn't start until 6:30pm, there's not much cheapness to be found around town.

Of course, the cheapest way to watch is to crash a party or be at home.

Boston Tweet has a good list of places with some kind of food or drink deal. Of course, many bar/restaurants will have something going on.

The Pour House is offering more than the appetizer deal listed, and they're going to give away a trip to Las Vegas.

Although the Cask 'n Flagon isn't offering any deals, they will be having raffles.

For those of you who don't have a TV, the game will be live-streamed.

And if Sam Adams isn't your usual beer choice, consider that a Manhattan bar has banned sales of our local brew during today's game.

SAT 2/4: Night Cheapness

Hey, Whaddya know? All of the day cheapness is still available as I post this one.

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SAT 2/4

7pm to 9pm
"Street Wall": Opening Reception
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway)
FREE

Artwork & Installation by: LNY, Radical!, Tiptoe, Nanook, The Phantom, Geoff Hargadon, Zatara, Blackmath

Live Silk-screening by AntiDesigns

Street artists from Boston, NYC, LA and Baltimore have been given a few panels of wall space for their prints, wheat-pastes, and whatever they want to do. Instead of traveling around, you can check all these guys out in one spot.

I'm not sure if all of the artists will be there, but RATM fans known The Phantom from his album cover for "The Battle of LA". I do know there will be live screen-printing and beer.

SAT 2/4

8pm
Shea Rose, M.A.G, The Joanna Teters Experiment
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
$10

There's an event website called Hammered that seeks out sober, unironic fun with an ironic title. I don't mind the occasional romp without a beer or cocktail (2 out of today's early 3 cheapies were boozeless).

The only problem with this gig is that will have the funky, hip-hop songstress Shea Rose will bring the house down, and you can't party with a drink in your hand at Cafe 939. Never mind that dancing & drinking is usually a spill waiting to happen.

Shea is joined by MC M.A.G who collaborated with her on "Rockstar 201", their take on Rihanna's track. Listen to the Joanna Teters Experiment, and you will find a kick-back jazz-funk conclusion.

(Btw: The Cactus Club is next door. Or you can enjoy the music on a natural buzz…)

SAT 2/4

9pm
Soft Pyramids, Sinnet, The Diamond Mines, One Happy Island
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

What a great mix of bands!

One of my favorite modern-rock platforms is the shimmering guitars that occasional crank it up with a confident 'n swaggering singer. Every band brings their own personality, and Soft Pyramids do it smashingly.

The dude from Sinnet also plays in the excellent Fatal Flaw and recorded the 7 songs (available for free download) by himself, but there will be a full band tonight. The 1st track "Paper Chandeliers" is my face, but it was so good I couldn't wait to hear each indie-pop treat one after the other. Don't bother with the download if you're going tonight, because there will be free CD's for the first 50 people.

When The Diamond Mines initially kicked my ass, they were a 5-piece including a saxophone. (Yes, I miss the sax.) Still last year's album as a trio delivers punky, surfy powerpop with an awesome ballsy croon.

If you enjoy music that is a little on the quirky and precious side that plays by its own rules yet can also simply be happy-go-lucky, jangly indie-pop, I don't know how you wouldn't adore One Happy Island.

SAT 2/4: Day Cheapness

Who cares if a groundhog saw his shadow? I wouldn't mind 6 more weeks of temperate winter (as strange as it feels).

Haven't found much non-Super Bowl cheapness for tomorrow, but we'll see.

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SAT 2/4

1pm to 3pm
"Some Like it Hot" Chili Cook-Off
in front of Bob Slate's, 30 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

After the hot chocolate tasting last week, the savory stuff is being ladled for free in roughly the same spot. Unlike last week, I might make an excuse to be in the neighborhood.

Even if you're not going to change tomorrow's party recipe, sample different takes from: Crema Cafe, Fire + ice, Orinoco, Grafton Street, Grendel’s Den, Maharaja, Russell House Tavern, Savenor’s, and Uno Chicago Grill. That includes Venezuelan chili by Orinoco and Indian chili by Maharaja. Lovers of Bertucci's can get a roll too.

Supposedly JP Licks and Lizzy’s Ice Cream will be dishing out chili-inspired flavors to finish up. There will be music from Afro Brazil too.

And your vote matters, because one of these chili-makers will win a trophy and bragging rights for a year.

SAT 2/4

3pm to 6pm
Chinese New Year Celebration
at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, 85 W Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Members of the Chinese Folk Art Workshop will perform music, dances and probably get amazingly acrobatic here and there.

This feels like one of those cheap fun experiences that one would add on to another reason to be in South End like you're having some drinks or a meal.

However if I were in the neighborhood, I would like to experience the Latino celebration for the Year of the Dragon.

SAT 2/4

7pm to 9pm
"Street Wall": Opening Reception
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway)
FREE

Artwork & Installation by: LNY, Radical!, Tiptoe, Nanook, The Phantom, Geoff Hargadon, Zatara, Blackmath

Live Silk-screening by AntiDesigns

Street artists from Boston, NYC, LA and Baltimore have been given a few panels of wall space for their prints, wheat-pastes, and whatever they want to do. Instead of traveling around, you can check all these guys out in one spot.

I'm not sure if all of the artists will be there, but RATM fans known The Phantom from his album cover for "The Battle of LA". I do know there will be live screen-printing and beer.

WED 2/8: "Boston to Austin" Pre-SXSW Show

Phew, am glad that I'm pretending this is "Friday"... (See the post below.)

Friday cheapness is on the CTB calendar, and something more substantial is forthcoming.

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WED 2/8

9pm
"Boston to Austin: The Official Boston Music SXSW Kick-Off"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 18+ * See below for free admission *

Prior to last year's SXSW Festival, there was a similar gig where some of the Boston bands warn the locals that they might become the darlings of the national/global music scene.

It may not go down like that, but there will a Boston-centric party in Austin sponsored by Converse and The Dig on 3/17. Unfortunately we don't know the lineup yet, so we can't rave about any particular band.

I think some local bands that might be at SXSW include Viva Viva, Will Dailey & the Rivals, Herra Terra, Quilt, The New Highway Hymnal, Il Abanico, Animal Talk, Joy Kills Sorrow, Reks and Statik Selektah.

Even though we don't know who's playing at this Wednesday's gig, it's cheaper to hit Allston than Austin.

* In fact, you can get in for FREE * if you visit the Converse store on Newbury Street and nab one of the 100 tickets they're giving away.

As of today, there are some free tix available. All you need to do is give them your first & last name and an email address.

Note: Limit 2 tickets per person.

Wednesday & Thursday Calendar

I'm going to try an experiment.

The calendar for today and tomorrow is below, and I'm going to pretend that tomorrow is Friday.

There's a monthly open-stage night that takes its maiden voyage tonight at Arts at the Armory Cafe. The masterminds are Mike & Sophia who are behind Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling and many other cool projects, so it's going to be pretty cool. Give your best 5 minutes of whatever (or sit back and enjoy).

On Thursday there are several art receptions, a reading by an anarchist/steampunk novelist, and a burlesque/rock show.

If you look below:

Someone wanted to write a preview about an Irish art exhibit at BC.

There is info about this week's (WED & THUR) MBTA public meetings.