FRI 4/6: Art, Talk, Film, Comedy, Music

If fashion around town looks a bit more daring than usual this weekend, keep in mind that Boston is hosting PAX East and Anime Boston.

There's also a Burlesque Exposition in Cambridge, but I doubt many of those ladies will be swinging on the bars of the T. I don't even recommend touching them if you don't have to...

Weekend cheapness is on the calendar.

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FRI 4/6

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.

FRI 4/6

6pm to 8pm
"To Stand Against War": Conversations with Hamid Dabashi
at Room 522, College of Arts & Sciences Bldg, 725 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
FREE

The event is subtitled, "The Costs and Consequences of War with Iran".

The biggest takeaway from this discussion probably won't the information about Iran's nuclear program or the effect of sanctions on the average citizen -- I think it may be a good chance to get a taste of the Iranian persona compared to the caricature of the country's president.

FRI 4/6 (thru SUN 4/8)

Various Times
8th Annual European Short Film Festival
at Room 250, Bldg 10, 222 Memorial Dr, Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

Friday -- 7pm
Saturday -- 3pm, 7pm
Sunday -- 7pm

The annual Euro-Short Fest offers a variety of styles from around the continent with films from Germany, Romania, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and Poland.

That's just tonight's program which clocks in around 2 hours & 20 minutes by my count (without the intermission).

This could be the first night of your polyglot journey! Or just pleasant viewing experience with free popcorn and soda...

FRI 4/6

8pm
Kitsch In Sync: "Greatest Story Ever Told"
at Castlebar, 575 Washington St, Brighton (Oak Sq)
$5 / 21+

If you don't get it, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" is an old movie about Jesus that is still broadcasted on a few channels every year on Easter. This improv group is actually making fun of the other epic that's getting recycled, "Titanic" -- and who knows what other topics will get skewered.

When googling for "Titanic" and "Castlebar", you find out that some passengers bought their tickets to a watery death in this Irish pub.

FRI 4/6

8pm to 11pm
"The Spring Ramble"
at Arts at The Armory Performance Hall, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$10

Feat: Patrick Coman & the Lo-fi Angels, The Autumn Hollow Band, Meg Smallidge & the Wednesdays, The Pennies

This ain't the most T-friendly venue in the area (try #88 or #90), but there's a lot of fun inside that white fortress of culture.

It happens to be a 'seasonal fundraiser' at the Armory, so there will be amusements along with the Americana. (Yes, there will be adult beverages too.)

FRI 4/6

9pm
Riki Rocksteady & The Arraignments, Soulshot, Freddy Loco
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 / 21+

With DJ Selector Star David

It's always good to have an angle to promote your gig, but is it really a big deal to be the first reggae night at a club that's less than a year old?

On the other hand, Riki Rocksteady and Soulshot are really good ska/reggae performers.

And when was the last time you've heard Belgian ska like Freddy Loco? Has there been a first time?

FRI 4/6

9:30pm
2012 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble Preliminary Night #5
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

Feat: The Bynars (11:45pm), Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck (11pm), Brownboot (10:15pm), Pray For Polanski (9:30pm)

There's no point in trying to predict who will win tonight's preliminary round. I wish this was a semi-finals night, because I like them all.

Don't expect The Bynars to follow Bow Thayer again, and it's doubtful Pray For Polanski and Brownboot are going to pair up for a month-long residency. Still this is the synthy-rootsy-indie-rock fun of the Rumble. Say "Hallelujah!"

FRI 4/6

9pm
Spitzz, Bugs and Rats, Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion!, Brave Cavemen, War on Words
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

This could be called a punk-rock extravaganza, even though Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion are deep into the surf sound and Spitzz is leans garagey, except for peculiar meanderings of Brave Cavemen. Maybe that's what makes this lineup so punk...

Sneak Peek 5/2: Bacon & Beer Art Show

I love that poster, and there is a $10 related event to the Boston Bacon and Beer Festival.

The calendar has the Friday through Sunday cheapness. A dedicated Friday post should be up soon.

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WED 5/2

6:30pm, 8pm
Bacon & Beer Art Show
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

Co-presented by Super Precious Gallery

Tix available for 6:30pm & 8pm

The main event on SAT 4/28 is full, however there is still a chance to get into this pork 'n paint party:

Enjoy contemporary art inspired by bacon and beer from 20+ artists while munching on bacony offerings from Stone Hearth Pizza Company, Wicked Kickn' Savory Cheese Cakes, and Pink Box Desserts, with beer from Watch City Brewing Company, Clown Shoes Beer, and Left Hand Brewing Company.

If the artwork above is any indication, there should be plenty of laughs -- even if they're fueled by beer and heavenly aroma of bacon.

Friday & Saturday Calendar

Hey, ho! Take a gander at the next 2 days of cheapness.

It's a Passover/Easter weekend, but there are options on both Saturday and Sunday including a Saturday pillow fight at an undisclosed location.

THUR 4/5: Talk, Beats, Tunes

Wow, it's opening day! As tough as the season ended for the Sox, we begin with an optimistic clean slate today.

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THUR 4/5

7pm
"The Short American Century: A Postmortem": Reading/Discussion
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

Feat: Andrew Bacevich, Jeffrey Frieden, Akira Iriye

BU and Harvard professors take a cold, objective look at the US accomplishments of the last 70+ years. (The title includes "Short".) Agree or disagree, these gentlemen can stimulate conversation without flaming rhetoric.

THUR 4/5

8pm to 9:30pm
Shea Rose, Lovewhip
at Arts at The Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE / Donations accepted

This is another new monthly series known as "WAAF's Bay State Rock Bistro Busk" that makes a compelling reason to get on the bus (#88 or #90) through Somerville to Arts at The Armory.

Two acts that can get loud and funky get it going in a more intimate and not-the-same-kind-of-funky space.

It's a busk, so feel free to drop something in the guitar case.

THUR 4/5

9pm
Red Bull Thre3Style Competition
at Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston
$5 / 18+

Feat: DJ Braun Draper, DJ LayzeeBoy, DJ Midas, DJ Reel Drama, DJ Frank White, DJ Durkin, DJ Joey-C, DJ Knife

Nine local DJ's get 15 minutes to get the dance floor bouncing by playing 3 different genres. The winner gets $1,000 and qualifies for the East Coast finals.

Local hip-hopper Akrobatik will host the event, and DJ Vice will keep spinning after the competitors.

THUR 4/5

9:30pm
2012 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble Preliminary Night #4
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

Feat: The Fagettes (11:45pm), Parlour Bells (11pm), Never Got Caught (10:15pm), Cask Mouse (9:30pm)

With 3 preliminary nights down and 3 more to go, Boston Band Crush is a good spot for a mix of Rumble videos and recaps.

I suspect that Never Got Caught might have a good chance at winning tonight, because the judges haven't picked a hard/punk band to advance yet -- if they even think about that sort of thing. Any of these bands -- from the dramatic pop of Parlour Bells to Cask Mouse's Americana to ragged indie-party-rock of The Fagettes -- have the stuff to advance to the semi-finals.

THUR 4/5

9:30pm
Together Festival: "Ninja Tune Showcase"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 21+

Feat: Starkey, FaltyDL , Percussion Lab (Nooka Jones & Nihal Ramchandani)

Think of this as a reminder that the Together Festival is in full swing. They've got lots of events happening through Sunday 4/8.

Although I listen to less electronica than I did about 10 years ago, Ninja Tune was consistently a stamp of interesting electronic/hip-hop sounds. And here is an in-person sampler.

THUR 4/5

9:30pm
Rocking Horse Rodeo, Annalise Emerick
at Milky Way Lounge / Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
FREE / 21+

On one hand, there's Boston guys playing good. clean alt-country. On the other hand, there's a folk gypsy who recently landed here from Nashville.

THUR 4/5

10:30pm
Chris Warren
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE-ish / 21+

Besides currently playing in the awesome-rockin' Viva Viva, Chris Warren recorded a solo album last year where the songs' lyrical content feels more potent with the volume turned down.

It might be a $5 cover. He might be joined by a drummer. It will be worthwhile in both or neither cases.

WED 4/4: Protest, Lit, History, Music

How about a 'Thought of the Day':

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead

Sometimes it's difficult to believe...

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WED 4/4

3pm to 8pm
Public Transportation People's Assembly
in front of State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston (Beacon Hill)
FREE

3pm -- People's Hearing
5pm -- Rally to Save the T
8pm -- MLK Remembrance

An overwhelming majority must believe that the proposed fare increases and service cuts will have a negative impact on Eastern Massachusetts.

Today the powers that be will likely approve a compromise plan which will still cause financial hardship to many citizens, but protests demonstrate that the people care -- but politicians consider the sight of potential voters uniting for a cause.

People are already out there in front of the State House. Although your support may not stop the fare hikes, maybe it will influence action by the Legislature.

WED 4/4

4pm, 6pm
"Nick Flynn in the Spring": Reading, Q&A
at Charles Beard Room, Little Building, 80 Boylston St, Boston (near Boston Common)
FREE

4pm -- Q&A with Nick Flynn & John Skoyles
6pm -- Nick Flynn reading & book signing

Every issue of literary magazine "Ploughshares" has a respected guest editor, and they're often known to the general public.

Nick Flynn might even be an Oscar-winner by next April since the movie based on his memoir "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City" is about to be released -- as "Being Flynn" starring Robert DeNiro and Paul Dano.

WED 4/4

7pm
"The Fife is Right: 7th Annual Old South History Challenge"
at Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$10

Theme: "Boston Underground"

Don't worry, the competitors have already been chosen. You can sit back and watch the 2 teams struggle to answer local history and trivia while pretending you know all of it. However don't be too smug, because they might be able to ask for your help.

"Tickets include a light snack and soft drink."

WED 4/4

7pm to 10pm
"Wiretap Wednesday": Open Stage
at Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE

7pm -- Sign up / social time
7:30pm -- Open stage begins
8:30pm -- Feature performer: Nick Zaino
9pm to 10pm -- Open stage resumes

The Arts at the Armory hosts a lot of cool stuff including the monthly open-stage night organized by Mike & Sophia who are behind Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling and many other cool projects.
Performers (up to 20 per night) are invited to sign up and share their best short work (5 minutes or shorter including setup) and have video live-streamed and archived on the Internet. Each month will also include a featured artist playing a 25-minute set.

So far it's been mainly singer-songwriter types, but the invitation is open to any performer (within reason), so I make another call to comedians, magicians, plate-spinners, spoon-slappers, and even mimes (who should not use their full 5 minutes).

WED 4/4

8:30pm to 10pm
"Quartet for the End of Time"
at Morse Auditorium, 602 Comm Ave, Boston (BU Campus)
FREE

The historical context for the multi-movement composition for piano, violin, clarinet, and cello is that composer Olivier Messiaen wrote it in 1941 at a prisoner-of-war camp in Gorlitz, Germany.

Pianist Peter Hill will give a pre-concert talk, "The genesis of the Quartet".