FRI 5/18: Boozy & Dancey Pride, Surf, Rock, Blues, Country

Plenty of cheapness happening tomorrow: Earthfest, Porchfest, bikes, kites, sailing, art, zombies, and more...

If you see some film crews rushing around town this weekend, they're probably trying to complete a short film -- story to editing -- in 48 hours.

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FRI 5/18

6pm to 8pm
"Sip the Rainbow": Cocktail Reception
at Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington St, Boston (Bay Village)
$10 [Register]

Boston Pride Week is around the corner, so it's a perfect time to review how the local celebration has progressed in "Pride: 40 Years of Protest & Celebration" culled from the photo archive of The History Project.

Running concurrently is photographer Joel Benjamin's portraits of Pride revelers from 1992.

Tonight's reception isn't free, but your donation includes 3 Grey Goose cocktails inspired by different colors in the Pride flag.

Registration is likely required (but they shouldn't turn away someone if there is space).

FRI 5/18 (and SAT 5/19)

8pm
Sean Dorsey Dance, "The Secret History of Love"
at Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St, Roxbury
$10 to $30

Wow, it's a busy LGBT night. The basis of the dance presentation is a 2-year research project that interviewed transgender and queer seniors in San Francisco and Boston. Their stories about the last 100 years of (usually) unspoken love narrate the choreography of the 4 performers.

As I see it, there are 3 price tiers that starts at $10.

FRI 5/18

9pm
Matt Heaton & The Electric Heaters, The Derangers, Surf's Up Spicoli
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5

Everyone has their tolerance level for instrumental surf music. If you can handle it, this is a perfect setting to drink and chat without feeling bad about ignoring the lyrics. There may be even be a subtle urge to shake and shimmy with friends and strangers.

FRI 5/18

9pm
The Rationales, Aloud
at Tommy Doyle's, 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

It's still a mystery why the original House of Blues doesn't host more nights with what I consider the better bands in Boston. There's a proper stage in a comfortable-sized room that sounds pretty good.

Tonight is one of the occasional exceptions where two excellent rockers combine a la Wonder Twins. The Rationales take the form of breezy, rootsy powerpop. After recently celebrating their 10th anniversary, Aloud delivers a genuine tunefulness in fine form that should new listeners to the merch table or iTunes.

FRI 5/18

9:30pm
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, Ten Foot Polecats, Yankee Cockfight
at the Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
$10 / 21+

The blues will probably expand as the night goes on. I wouldn't be surprised if NH duo Yankee Cockfight kick things off with their rough, gutsy, down-home guitar/harmonica/foot-stomping blooz. The Ten Foot Polecats are are a trio influenced by this minimalist, greasy blues and bring their own local take on it.

If you went to Arnold Arboretum last Sunday, you would heard Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers get mothers and children dancing on the lawn. This is going to be a Friday night party, and you're going to hear some of the best blues as Muddy and Wolf did it when they first started playing with electric bands.

FRI 5/18

10:30pm
Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5-ish / 21+

They call themselves Americana, but Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons are the kind of Americana that goes well with cowboy hats and shit-kickin' boots. One doesn't need to see the band to enhance your beer-swilling good time, but let's hope there aren't too many cowboy hats tonight.

Thursday to Saturday Calendar

It's a pretty good Thursday night:
There is a lot of good music... Some interesting talks on marine biology and astronomy... Sports fans should think about seeing Frank DeFord... One can bike then bowl... Art-loving 20-somethings can mix somewhere other than a bar...

It seemed like it would be better to give a preview of weekend cheapness.

WED 5/16: Bike, Art, Talk, Music

Thought of the Day:
Simon & Garfunkel had a song called "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.", and they didn't sing the day of the week during the song...

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WED 5/16

6:30pm to 8pm
Ride of Silence
start at Seven Hills Park, behind the Somerville Theatre (Davis Sq) to Boston Common
FREE

It's not exactly a 'fun ride' when commemorating bicyclists who have been killed or injured, but this seemed to be the most interesting of today's Bay State Bike Week event that doesn't involve biking to work.

It will be about a 7-mile ride that begins at 7pm sharp then passes slowly and silently through Cambridge and Boston. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the ride takes place next Wednesday.

Helmets required, and lights strongly recommended. It wouldn't hurt to send an RSVP.

WED 5/16

6:30pm to 8:30pm
Art on the Marquee, "Spring 2012": Reception
at 3rd Floor, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St, Boston (Seaport)
FREE

Feat: Francois de Costerd & Todd Antonellis, Christopher Field & Sarah West, Georgie Friedman, Lina Maria Giraldo, Christopher Graefe, Linda DeHart, and Meg Brooker, Ben Houge, Michael Lewy, Dennis Miller, Matthew Shanley, Jeffu Warmouth

If you pass the Convention Center at the right time, you might see art in between the usual announcements on the 80-foot-tall LED marquee.

The second batch of video pieces will begin screening, and this is a chance to get an early look and meet some of the artists. (You have to think there will be some refreshments too?)

WED 5/16

7pm
"Neglected Diseases of the Bottom Billion": Discussion
at Pfizer Auditorium, Mallinckrodt Bldg, 12 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

For something more uplifting than a "Ride of Silence", a group of graduate students from various disciplines will talk about the diseases that are killing and disabling millions in the under-developed regions of the world.

Yes, it's a dangerous world out there.

WED 5/16

7:30pm
Alizon Lissance with Cheryl Aruda, Mike Duke, Ed Scheer
at Smoken' Joe's BBQ, 351 Washington St, Brighton (Brighton Center)
FREE

It's been a while since I've mentioned a gig at Smoken' Joe's. The place doesn't really have much of a bar area to sit and listen, but the tables seem available for beverage-buying blues-lovers if there's room available.

Keyboardist-singer Alizon Lissance is hosting three top-notch local players to her weekly showcase, so why not?

WED 5/16

Bad Rabbits - DJ set (11pm), Grass is Green (10:15pm), Ghost Thrower (9:30pm), Wind in Sails (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+

Here's an interesting mix going on. The Receiving End of Sirens are playing a sold-out reunion gig next door, so the guys from Bad Rabbits are going to DJ as an after-party. A couple post-punk bands rock out beforehand, and the opener is an acoustic dude who used to play in a band that probably shared gigs with TREOS.

WED 5/16

9:30pm
The Psychic Paramount, Cropduster, A Troop of Echoes, The Shape
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 18+

The last band of the night may not necessarily be headliners, but that's the case with The Psychic Paramount who roll and rumble in a big, loud, noisy, spacey way that seems deeper and more textured than most bands that I've heard of this ilk. Three proggy-jammy-trippy bands precede them; I've listened to Cropduster a few times before, so I feel more confident giving them a thumbs-up as well.

TUES 5/15: Science, Film, Music

Keeping it short before it gets later.

The weather is looking good, so think about getting on your bicycle and join in on Bay State Bike Week fun.

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TUES 5/15

7pm
Nova Presents: "Robo Cafe" w/ Dr. Sonia Chernova
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

7pm
Science by the Pint: "Human Microbiome" w/ Dr. Eric Alm
at Tavern on the Square, 1815 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

If I were going to absorb some scientific knowledge tonight, I'd probably go to Middlesex Lounge:

1) Robots are cooler than bacteria in your body.
2) Nova's Science Cafe is usually more of a presentation versus mingling with scientists.
3) Most people won't be eating while you hang out.
4) Robots!

TUES 5/15

7pm
"Bernie": Preview Screening
at Kendall Square Cinema, One Kendall Square, Cambridge
FREE w/ PDF Pass

Even if the early reports had not been positive about Jack Black's surprisingly good performance as a murderous mortician -- based on a true story -- I would give the benefit of doubt to director Richard Linklater.

The guy who made "Slacker", "Dazed and Confused", "Before Sunrise", etc always has the chance to direct a sleeping winner.

Print out the pass for two people and get there early, because seating is not guaranteed.

TUES 5/15

8:30pm
Kristen Ford Band
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

9pm
The Honors
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

If I were going to rock out in Union Square tonight, I really don't know where I'd go. I might hit both clubs since they're a short walk away and it's free.

Whether you like your rock a little bit folky (Kristen Ford) or a little bit indie/pop (The Honors), Union Square is a good place to be on Tuesday nights for free music for the near future. It looks like The Honors might wrap up their Tuesday night residency at the end of the month.

Someone will probably be playing at Bull McCabe's too.

TUES 5/15

9pm
The Effective Dose, Dub Down Crew
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
FREE / 21+

Tuesday night music continues to be presented by MySecretBoston if you're in the mood for funky jam-rock and reggae.

[May Residency]

MON 5/14: Music & Burlesque

If you're a regular bicyclist or have been mulling dusting off that two-wheeler in the basement/yard/bedroom, Bay State Bike Week has begun.

There many ride-related events through SUN 5/20 intended to inspire you to join the ever-growing pedaling population.

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MON 5/14

The White Owls (8pm), Andrea Gillis Band (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE / 21+

Two great bar bands that go great together. Dennis Brennan captains a kick-ass team of players through blues classics and hidden gems. Andrea Gillis is the big, soulful voice in front of her punky bar-band.

MON 5/14

9pm
Underground Hip Hop Chronicles Pt. 3: "Ace Royal Flush Edition"
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 /21+

Feat: Mark Merren, Pat G, Iyadonna, April Stanford, Notoriety, Ace Da Youngin, Ace Da Truth, Sir Locksley, Cathy Cathodic

It seems weeknight hip-hop has found a home at Church with frequent Monday night showcases with a variety of quality local MC's appearing. Why "Ace Royal Flush Edition"? Besides a couple guys with 'Ace' in their name, I wouldn't be surprised if others claim to be the real ace hip-hopper.

MON 5/14

9pm
Rogue Burlesque Revue
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

It might be worth a shot when the hilarious Mehran is hosting and a didgeridoo player (?) is going to perform beside the ladies disrobing with some panache.

MON 5/14

9:30pm
Gentleman Jesse and His Men, The Barreracudas, Earthquake Party!
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9

It's a double shot of Atlanta garage-rock/powerpop with Gentleman Jesse & His Men and The Barreracudas. They're joined by the splendid Boston noisiness of Earthquake Party.