8/18 & 8/19: "Woodstock" on Boston Common

More Saturday cheapness is coming, but this extravaganza seemed to deserve its own post.

I don't have time to fix the columns...

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SAT 8/18 and SUN 8/19

Noon to 10pm
"Woodstock 4"
at Boston Common, Boston
Four stages:

-- near Soldiers and Sailors Monument
-- Founders Stage, Beacon Street side, North-West
-- Cross Paths, Beacon Street side, North-East
-- near State House

FREE

Usually these Woodstock/Weirdstock events is at the Cambridge YMCA with 20+ bands, so things have gotten really out of control for the 4th annual event.

With so many performers doing 15 minutes right after each other at 4 locations on the Common, it's probably going to feel disorganized.

Maybe it'll feel like the original Woodstock with a lot of unkempt hipsters dancing all over the lawn. It might even rain like 1969...

The idea is for everyone to have a typical busking set-up, and there should be no breaks in between. I'm listing the schedule, but it won't be exact. Some of the spaces are blank on the schedule, and some are listed for longer sets.

The crowd's positive vibrations can make this kind of thing special, so let's shoot for more Woodstock '69 than '99.

The schedule is hopefully current; I've added links to the bands that I recognize and/or like.

Good times to go today: Noon-ish (Cotton Candy, Little War Twins, The Diamond Mines, School for Robots, Lowman) or 3pm-ish (Onslo, Jesse Kaminsky / Steve Norton, Happy Lives) or later in the evening.

Somewhere in the Common, Vic Rawlings is probably going to play experimental cello for 4 hours and Jacob Mashak will perform John Cage's 4'33" consecutively 100 times.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * SATURDAY * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STATE HOUSE Noon -- Cotton Candy 12:15 -- We Love You 12:30 -- Retribution Body 12:45 -- Richochet 1pm -- Panterrified 1:15pm -- Plake 1:30 -- Vanzetti 1:45 -- Dom LaColla 2:00 -- Adam Able 2:15 -- A.W.M.A.A 2:30 -- Filthiest Nation 2:45 -- Ray Brown 3:00 -- Onslo 3:15 -- Baylies Band 3:30 -- Orion Russell 3:45 -- Olde Men on Acid 4:00 -- Nathan Ventura 4:15 -- Codeine Schoolboy 4:30 -- Dois Apsaras 4:45 -- NATURALMAGIC 5:00 -- Slothrust 5:15 -- combman 5:30 -- Abortus Fever 5:45 -- Sun Castle 6:00 -- The Great Valley 6:15 -- Zach Phillips 6:30 -- Happy Jawbone 6:45 -- The Over Easies 7:00 -- "Special Guest" 7:15 -- nue collective 7:30 -- Eat Cloud 7:45 -- (New England) Patriots 8:00 -- Middle Kingdom 8:15 -- Not Art 8:30 -- Metal Tiger 8:45 -- Shane Hall 9:00 -- Hunnie Bunnies 9:15 -- Anus Morissette 9:30 -- :| kREW 9:45 -- Vehement Caress

CROSS PATHS Noon -- MBTA 12:15 -- In tub tune pump tropicamide 12:30 -- Little War Twins 12:45 -- Fifth Nation 1:00 -- Jeff Balter / Valerie Thompson 1:15 -- The Diamond Mines 1:30 -- Low Charge 1:45 -- Most Bitter 2:00 -- Uncle Awesome 2:15 -- Triode 2:30 -- Limbs Bin 2:45 -- Valerie Kuehne 3:00 -- Olivia 3:15 -- Ethan T. Parcel 3:30 -- Prince Romney Brass Trio 3:45 -- White Savages 4:00 -- Bruise Breakdown 4:15 -- N JETTY M 4:30 -- Prehistoric Horse 4:45 -- Peaceman and the Firedancers 5:00 -- Jack & Yoda 5:15 -- Banjo Assault 5:30 -- Joey Molinaro 5:45 -- The Lilt 6:00 -- Western Education 6:15 -- Tendrills 6:30 -- Of The Sun 6:45 -- Degan 7:00 -- B Law 7:15 -- Eskimeaux 7:30 -- ACLU Benefit 7:45 -- Brad Henkel 8:00 -- Buckminster 8:15 -- Friendship Ceremonies 8:30 -- Sam Sowyrda 8:45 -- Gmackrr 9:00 -- Ben Hersey 9:15 -- id m theft able 9:30 -- Crank Sturgeon 9:45 -- Andrea Pensado

FOUNDERS PLAQUE Noon -- Bodydrama 12:15 -- Gordon Marshall 12:30 -- One Armed Mist 12:45 -- Libras of Sound 1:00 -- School for Robots 1:15 -- Huge Bird 1:30 -- The Nimbleines 1:45 -- Walter Noons 2:00 -- Silas Lang 2:15 -- Nick Janowicz 2:30 -- Stainless 2:45 -- Make It Up 3:00 -- Huge Face 3:15 -- Don's Monkey 3:30 -- No Mayo 3:45 -- Andrew Mello 4:00 -- Cuddle Formation 4:15 -- Little Spoon 4:30 -- Cinnamon Phase 4:45 -- Bright Red Reason 5:00 -- Mixed Feelings 5:15 -- Joaquin Goldstein 5:30 -- Brendan Attridge 5:45 -- Brooke Pridemore 6:00 -- Meaner Pencil 6:15 -- Howdy, Cindy 6:30 -- Tuck Son 6:45 -- Landis Zehrung 7:00 -- Birdorgan 7:15 -- Walter Wright 7:30 -- Liz Roncka 7:45 -- Black Wampum 8:00 -- Harry & The Potters 8:15 -- Harry & The Potters 8:30 -- Ryan Krause 8:45 -- Illlich 9:00 -- Mia Friedman 9:15 -- Elijah Wyman 9:30 -- Hello Shark 9:45 -- Omnivore

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT Noon -- Christopher Strunk 12:15 -- 12:30 -- Sisters of The Moon 12:45 -- 1:00 -- Lowman 1:15 -- Adrian Sympson 1:30 -- Paul Lew 1:45 -- Matt Ress 2:00 -- Miss Olivia Kennett 2:15 -- Jason Belcher 2:30 -- Adventures of Boxhead 2:45 -- Jesse Kaminsky / Steve Norton 3:00 -- Timworld 3:15 -- Slim & Silver 3:30 -- Happy Lives 3:45 -- Munson 4:00 -- Colin and The Semicolons 4:15 -- Speaker For The Dead 4:30 -- Lung Pit 4:45 -- Rainbow Road 5:00 -- Rhythmic Cypher 5:15 -- Rhythmic Cypher 5:30 -- Eddy Luis Martinez IV 5:45 -- Glenn Furman 6:00 -- Erich Haygun 6:15 -- Jared Paul 6:30 -- Cauzamos and The Family Band 6:45 -- Lemon Kid 7:00 -- The Eskalators 7:15 -- The Wicked Hanging Chads 7:30 -- The Wicked Hanging Chads 7:45 -- The Wicked Hanging Chads 8:00 -- Little Emperor 8:15 -- Ray Brown 8:30 -- Dinnersss 8:45 -- Streight Angular 9:00 -- Hyena 9:15 -- Many Mansions 9:30 -- Casey Rocheteau 9:45 -- Michael Collins

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* * * * SUNDAY * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STATE HOUSE Noon -- Anthro Rex 12:15 -- Ben Hersey 12:30 -- 12:45 -- Zympht 1:00 -- Yop 40 1:15 -- Amygdala 1:30 -- Warped Forest 1:45 -- Mountainshark 2:00 -- Sam Gas Can 2:15 -- Junko Fujiwara 2:30 -- East Cackalack Ascetic Death Marching Band 2:45 -- Empty Phrases 3:00 -- Mutual Benefit 3:15 -- Big Waves of Pretty 3:30 -- Something About Horses 3:45 -- Hands and Knees 4:00 -- The Full Moon 4:15 -- Spiceraq Group 4:30 -- BATHAUS + Zilla 4:45 -- Uncle Tone 5:00 -- KC Solaris 5:15 -- Turtlecat Symphony 5:30 -- Con Tex 5:45 -- Greg Mullen & His Cosmic American Band 6:00 -- James Irwin 6:15 -- Hot Tub Panorama 6:30 -- Morgan Evans Weiler 6:45 -- Gang Clan Mafia 7:00 -- Taylor Richardson 7:15 -- Cave Bears 7:30 -- Abortus Fever 7:45 -- Ghost In Salad 8:00 -- Eggs, Eggs 8:15 -- BFPSP 8:30 -- Sweatshop 8:45 -- Blue Dress 9:00 -- Sophie Dickinson 9:15 -- Zookeepers 9:30 -- The Needy Visions 9:45 -- Guerilla Toss

CROSS PATHS Noon -- Streight Angular 12:15 -- The IOA http://www.facebook.com/ioaioaioa 12:30 -- Moniker 12:45 -- The Difference Engine 1:00 -- Goodman Brown 1:15 -- Make It Up 1:30 -- Mammox 1:45 -- bathroomspace 2:00 -- A Campbell Payne 2:15 -- War and Terror 2:30 -- 2:45 -- 3:00 -- The Nimbleines 3:15 -- Doug Linse 3:30 -- Valentin Prince 3:45 -- Sodafrog 4:00 -- So Sol 4:15 -- Scott Mizrachi 4:30 -- Personal Finance 4:45 -- Slow Horse and The Night Owls 5:00 -- Hunnabee & The Sandy Tar Boys 5:15 -- Matt Alvis 5:30 -- The Debate 5:45 -- L.R.A.D 6:00 -- Becoming Animals 6:15 -- Mia Lee 6:30 -- The Craters 6:45 -- 27 Prophets 7:00 -- WhistleJacket 7:15 -- Obsidian Helix 7:30 -- Michael Bloom 7:45 -- Lady Pilot 8:00 -- Cinder Track 8:15 -- Kellzo 8:30 -- Greg Sun 8:45 -- Foom 9:00 -- Marty Barrett 9:15 -- Arkm Foam 9:30 -- Preggy Peggy & The Lazy Babymakers 9:45 -- Xiphoid Dementia

FOUNDERS PLAQUE Noon -- Forbes Graham 12:15 -- Skinny Vinny 12:30 -- Mr. Transylvania 12:45 -- Sara June 1:00 -- Michael Rosenstein 1:15 -- Yesterday's Jam 1:30 -- The Fucktrots 1:45 -- Ryan Beke 2:00 -- Brendan Lawlor 2:15 -- Mobtet 2:30 -- Daniel Harris 2:45 -- 3:00 -- International Flute Army 3:15 -- Steve Norton 3:30 -- EUU 3:45 -- Smarty 4:00 -- ZEBU / NO SOUND 4:15 -- Huge Face 4:30 -- Tud 4:45 -- Michael Richarde 5:00 -- Samuel Holland 5:15 -- Hypnic Jerk 5:30 -- WOOLFMAYN 5:45 -- heavy fragile 6:00 -- Bradley Bailey 6:15 -- Judas Broos 6:30 -- Max Jeffers 6:45 -- Chris Wilson 7:00 -- Underwater Bear Ballet 7:15 -- Sister Mary 7:30 -- Steve Arceri 7:45 -- Kal Marks 8:00 -- Matt Altieri 8:15 -- verbing noun 8:30 -- Arvid Noe 8:45 -- Olden Yolk 9pm -- Ronnie Nordac 9:15 -- Saralee 9:30 -- Camp Hope 9:45 -- Rick Berlin

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT Noon -- Pancho, Moon, North & Sun 12:15 -- Gypsy Joint 12:30 -- Tony Gwynn Stefani 12:45 -- Crashing Cars 1:00 -- Cancer Killing Gemini 1:15 -- Abram Taber 1:30 -- The Rupert Selection 1:45 -- Rusty Things 2:00 -- The Wicked 2:15 -- Chris Kazarian 2:30 -- Fixtures 2:45 -- Charlotte Huffman 3:00 -- Manaia (Jen Strickland) 3:15 -- Moonbeam Fellowship 3:30 -- Bucky Fereke 3:45 -- Jeremy Quick Trio 4:00 -- Chris Cretella 4:15 -- Broken Bottle Boys 4:30 -- Spelt Melk 4:45 -- Jesse and The Hogg Brothers 5:00 -- Deth West 5:15 -- Uniami as Ether 5 Star Dome 5:30 -- Jesse Gallagher 5:45 -- Forest Wizard 6:00 -- Planets Around The Sun 6:15 -- Quilt 6:30 -- Sun Castle 6:45 -- Dark Rodeo 7:00 -- Michael Maloney 7:15 -- Time Solo 7:30 -- Chris North 7:45 -- Tounge Oven 8:00 -- Frozen Corn 8:15 -- Hurricanes of Love 8:30 -- Pelvis McGillicuddy 8:45 -- Soft White Three Way 9:00 -- Pancho The Kidd 9:15 -- Beau Alessi 9:30 -- Rayvon Browne 9:45 -- Gracious Calamity

FRI 8/17: Fun, Film, Poetry, GreenFest, Art, Music

Saturday and Sunday cheapness is on the calendar, so stay tuned...

The Fisherman's Feast is probably the largest North End feast every year. If you don't feel like seeing them dangle a little girl on a wire (Sunday), there is plenty of Italian-style diversion in the street.

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FRI 8/17

Various Times
"Free Fun Fridays"
at Institute of Contemporary Art (Seaport)
at Garden in the Woods, Framingham
at Concord Museum, Concord
FREE

ALSO:
at New Bedford Whaling Museum
at Edward Gorey House, Yarmouth Port

There are 3 "Free Fun Fridays" left this year, and it's not a bad way to spend some of your time wherever you might be in the Commonwealth.

The destinations may be geared towards providing easy access to semi-educational fun for kids on vacation, however free is free. Carpe diem -- if you don't have plans during the diem.

For instance, the ICA has a cool exhibit with glass and mirrors as well as work from Brazilian street-art brothers who freaked people out in Dewey Square.

Other free culture can be found near Route 128 and beyond. I recommend visiting the New Bedford Whaling Museum at least once.

As for next week, look at the bottom of the page to increase your chances at a free Boston Harbor Islands ferry ride.

FRI 8/17 (to SUN 8/19)

7pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

As I read about movie projectionists in the Phoenix recently, the HFA is one of the best rooms in ton to see a pristine, restored version.

(Yes, it's a French black & white film with subtitles.)

FRI 8/17 (to SUN 8/19)

Various Times
Annual Dog Day Poetry Marathon
at Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
FREE

Friday -- 7pm to 10pm
Saturday -- 1pm to 5pm & 7pm to 10pm
Sunday -- 1pm to 4pm

The verse will be flowing more rapidly than expected. It may not be swift enough for some even though it's less then 10 minutes per poet.

Whether you can listen for hours or just hang in there for a couple poets as you head to another Inman Square destination, poetry fully blooms when it's spoken and others ears receive it.

FRI 8/17 (to SUN 8/19)

Various Times
Boston GreenFest
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Friday -- Noon-10 pm
Saturday --11 am-10 pm
Sunday -- 10 am - 5 pm

While it's great to celebrate and encourage sustainability with presentations, exhibits, and live entertainment, I haven't been overwhelmed by the overall experience from what I've seen in previous years. (I recall seeing a Porsche that had been converted to get ridiculously good gas mileage.)

Take a look at the schedule or swing through (earlier the better) and tell me what I'm missing. Anything to encourage responsible living is a good idea.

FRI 8/17

7pm to 11pm
"Around The Way: The Beautiful Struggle": Rapper/Musician/Hip-Hop Showcase
at Lincoln Arts Project, 289 Moody St, Waltham
FREE

So I missed the first reception last week, but it looks like an interesting exhibit -- the gallery space looks much cooler than you'd expect for Waltham. There should be more than rapper Key Fiya performing (I didn't find their names), but his strong material bodes well.

You may also have a free beer or two in your future.

FRI 8/17

Sunset
Movies by Moonlight: "Planes, Trains & Automobiles"
outside Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston (Waterfront)
FREE

When you have a choice between "Puss In Boots" at the Hatch Shell a classic comedy featuring Steve Martin, John Candy, and a bunch of hilarious lines; it's easy to decide where I'd probably park myself for a free movie.

There is space to sit and see the screen along the BHH's waterfront even if you're not dining/drinking.

FRI 8/17

8pm to Midnight
Swing Dance & Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
at Boston Swing Central, The Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland St, Charlestown (near Sulliban Sq)
$10 / $8 students & seniors with valid ID

8pm to 9pm -- Lesson (included with admission)
9pm -- Dancing

Believe it or not, there's a dance club hidden behind nondescript buildings in the nether region between Charlestown and Somerville. (Otherwise known as a block away from Sullivan Square near Tavern at the End of the World.)

It's like a room-sized time machine to the '40s that takes a weekly journey where you can bop along with your honey or find partners there. I think they're serious about having fun with the watermelon seed spitting contest.

FRI 8/17

9pm
Paul Collins Beat, Muck & the Mires, Electric Mess, Fat Creeps
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10-ish

For lovers of power-pop, garage-rock and the area between the two; it doesn't get much better than this gig.

There's the Paul Collins Beat who were part of the LA scene in '70s/'80s. (If that means anything to you, Paul Collins was originally in The Nerves with Peter Case.)

It's not much of an exaggeration to say Muck & The Mires are the best garage-rock band in the country. Little Steven had a national competition a few years back, and they won. They truly kick ass in what sounds like a Merseybeat band that love The Ramones.

The Electric Mess and Fat Creeps make it a night of wall-to-wall garage-rock goodness.

FRI 8/17

Tallahassee (Midnight), The Last Good Tooth (11pm), The Nickel & Dime Band (10pm), Tom Thumb (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$12 / 18+

I'm going to list this show, because the advance tickets were $10 -- and didn't you want to see Bart Simpson kissing Garfield?

If you even remotely like rootsy rock, do yourself a favor and listen to Tallahassee's album "Jealous Hands"; it's the kind of recording that soothes your soul from beginning to end. The frontman did play professional football for a while, but it's much better for his health to write and sing as well as he does.

While The Last Good Tooth and Tom Thumb also lean towards the folky/acoustic, The Nickel & Dime Band brings a set of funky rock to the party.

Whatever funds they make tonight and at tomorrow's Talla-Galla Carnival in JP ($15) will go towards their expenses for a new recording. It's a chance to hear beautiful music with the promise of more to come.

FRI 8/17 (and SAT 8/18)

10pm
Fredericks Brown
at The Beehive, 541 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE

Although I sometimes whinge about the Beehive's slightly expensive drinks, it is A) in the South End and B) they give Bostonians a chance to hear Fredericks Brown for free.

One day you might have to pay bucks to see them at a large theater and will kick yourself for not grooving to their funky-soulful goodness all these times. It's not just about the vocals of Deva Mahal who happens to be the daughter of great bluesman Taj Mahal, but I'd listen to her sing anything.

FRI 8/17 (and SAT 8/18)

11:30pm
The Nightcap
at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

One Friday or Saturday night in Central Square, you may impress those in your company by suggesting the free half-hour comedy show. It could be stand-ups or improv or a combination of the two.

Get a change of atmosphere where they also serve beer and wine. There is plenty of time to go somewhere else before last call...

Thursday to Saturday Calendar

A full weekend post should be up later tonight, so here is something to tide you over.

It's a pretty damn good night for art and music. I'd probably go to the ICA for music and art or Precinct for music and comedy.

WED 8/15: Talk, Mozart, FanFic, Music, Trivia

If you're going to cook dinner tonight (a quite reasonable endeavor for your wallet), think about throwing in wine to celebrate what would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday.

Cheapness through Saturday on the calendar.

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WED 8/15

7pm
Irini Rockwell, "Natural Brilliance: A Buddhist System for Uncovering Your Strengths and Letting Them Shine": Discussion
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

The idea of non-attachment may be one of the sticking points for many people who can't give up everything to study at an ashram. So "Natural Brilliance" intends to presents the Buddhist tenets as a way to be a more prudctive person in one's personal and professional life.

WED 8/15

7pm
Landmarks Festival at the Shell: Longwood Symphony
at Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

Program:

Mozart, "Don Giovanni: Overture"
Mozart, "Piano Concerto No. 21"
Mozart, "Symphony No. 41, Jupiter"

These Landmarks Orchestra concerts are usually at the Hatch Shell; let's be honest and say it's very likely going to be held at the rain location.

The normal orchestra isn't even performing tonight as the Longwood Symphony Orchestra steps in for an all-Mozart program along with young musicians from the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.

Do not fear if there's a medical emergency in the auditorium, because the LSO mainly consist health-care professionals (who presumably work in the Longwood area).

WED 8/15

9pm
Storyliars: "Dear Mr Belvedere: An Erotic Fan-Fiction Throwdown"
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE, but donations accepted / 21+

Feat: Christopher Braiotta, Katie McCarthy, Brendon Thomas Crowley, Rob Crean, Walter Cornelius, Will Smalley, Laura Crawford, Tim Vargulish, Chris Coxen, Michael & Noel, Belle Gunz, more

[Facebook]

It's a departure from the usual format where the comedians et al. tell stories and the crowd guesses the one false story. What a departure it is!

Since it's a throwdown, the crowd will probably vote on the best/most ridiculous piece of erotic fanfic. Will we hear about Sherlock/Watson tryst or a Flinstones orgy? Maybe Buffy the Vampire Slayer confronts Edward and Bella with a less than fatal outcome?

It could be weird, and there will be surprises.

WED 8/15

8pm
"Rock Therapy" w/ Brendan Boogie: The August Sessions
at Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
FREE

Feat: Walter Sickert, Dave Mirabella (The Rationales)

When he is not rocking out, I know Mr. Boogie does something help people with issues in their lives. Putting on his 'Doctor Boogie' hat on a monthly basis, some local musicians get on the figurative couch for conversation, analysis, and (of course) music.

It will be interesting to hear if he will penetrate the mystery behind Walter Sickert. If I don't go I will listen to the streaming audio to find out if that is really his given name.

WED 8/15

9pm
"Champion Of Champions": Pub Trivia
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

I still haven't experienced the interactive trivia fun of C.O.C. yet, but it sounds like they bring the concept up a notch. (Combining elements that are reminiscent of Dicecapades and Cranium?)

It usually happens at the Middle East Corner on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

While the video promo for tonight isn't fall-down hilarious, you can tell these guys have a dry wit suitable for highly competitive trivia.

WED 8/15

10pm
Members of Morphine & Jeremy Lyons
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE

Sax-man Dana Colley and drummer Jerome Deupree revive the "low-rock" sound they pioneered in Morphine with New Orleans blues-guitar ex-pat Jeremy Lyons. It's not like seeing Mark Sandman, but it's still pretty damn good especially whenever Dana Colley is doing his thing.

TUES 8/14: Chess, Funk, Rock, Johnny Pesky

It was sad to hear the news that Johnny Pesky will now be playing on the 'Field of Dreams' somewhere.

I met him a couple years back at the Old-Time Baseball game (that happened to take place last night).

Everyone was pestering him for an autograph, yet I reluctantly decided to be one more mid-inning fan.

With a program in hand, I said something like, "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Pesky, but could I get your autograph?"

I'll never forget what he said to me: "Sure, but it won't buy you a cup of coffee..."

He was the great old guy with the humility and love of baseball that I expected from seeing him in the dugout on TV. I'm glad that he could stick around to get a world series ring and see his number retired.

RIP, Johnny. At least you don't have to watch the rest of this season.

FYI: There is cheapness through Saturday on the calendar.

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TUES 8/14

5pm
"Monthly Chess Simult" w/ Grandmaster Larry Christiansen
at South Station concourse, about 720 Atlantic Ave, Boston (Dewey Sq)
FREE

If you ever wanted to get humiliated at chess without paying for it (like at Washington Square Park), grandmaster Larry Christiansen is going to play up to 25 simultaneous games in the train concourse.

Feel free to play or just sit back and brag to friends that you could've beat the guy.

TUES 8/14

6pm to 8pm
Lovewhip
at Bremen Street Park, about 250 Bremen St, East Boston (behind Airport T)
FREE

It's funny that there are open-air concerts in a park next to the airport. Jet engines will have to compete with the funky electro jams that will please those who can dance in the sun as well as the music-lovers that want to sit in the grass and wave their feet back and forth.

On various occasions I've tried to come up with good ways to praise Lovewhip, but the simple fact is they're one of the most fun bands around.

TUES 8/14

9pm
MMOSS, Darling Pet Munkee, Bummer City, The Wild Ones
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

A couple of garage-rockers from Northern California are passing through on their way around the nation. The Wild Ones got a high compliment from one of their local radio stations who appropriately described them as "Shangri-Las meets The Ramones". Bummer City is shabby either.

They are welcomed by the most excellent, skeleton-clad rumble of Darling Pet Munkee and retro-psych from Mmoss.

TUES 8/14

9:30pm
Ezra Furman Band, The Hush Now, TBD
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

It appears Ezra Furman has parted ways with the Harpoons, the band that backed him while he was a Tufts undergrad; and I recall hearing about their SXSW gig where Furman got some attention. The appeal has always been Furman's quirky storytelling over pleasant chords. Local indie-poppers The Hush Now wrap their tunes in a sunny, 'gazey haze. There should be another opener; who knows.