TUES 9/4: Learning, Playing, Seeing, Listening

Ay, carumba. It's one of thoser weeks, but maybe I'll improve as the days go by.

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TUES 9/4 (to THUR 9/6)

Various Times
"Take for $10" Classes
at Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington St, Boston (Bay Village)
$10

Sure you can take some free online courses from Harvard & MIT, but they don't offer "Basic Cooking 101" or "Piano for Beginners".

I should've posted about this earlier since many of tonight's classes are at "waiting list" status (as well as some for subsequent nights). Yet it's not too late to take a variety of one-hour classes for $10 in the next few evenings.

Courses in language, cooking, arts, crafts, and more are being offered -- and you might actually learn a few things in an hour.

TUES 9/4

6pm
"Game Over": A Night by Gamers for Gamers
at Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE / 18+

Since I haven't personally checked out this game night, you'd be better informed by reading this review and looking at some photos.

It looks like whatever your tastes (board, cards, electronic), there may be others ready to play.

TUES 9/4

7pm
Henry Horenstein, "Honky Tonk": Illustrated Talk
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

Photographer Henry Horenstein's book on the country music outposts across America also has a corresponding exhibit at Carroll And Sons (South End) that opens tomorrow. Listen to him tonight and/or visit the opening reception on Friday 9/7.

TUES 9/4

8pm
"Saint Petersburg Documentary Film Studio, 80th Anniversary"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10, $8 Students & Seniors

To celebrate the 80+ years of a Russian documentary film studio, they're showing a 93-minute program of recent works about space-junk retrievers in the far north, the attitudes of modern Russian women, and the day in the life of a factory.

All films presented with English subtitles.

TUES 9/4

9pm
Tall Heights, Tricky Britches, The Ballroom Thieves
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 advance / $10 door

Lots of folky & bluegrassy goodness.

TUES 9/4

9:30pm
Pretty & Nice, Love Of Everything, Earthquake Party
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Lots of punky/poppy/noisy goodness including one of my personal faves, Pretty & Nice, which should be one of your faves too.

Labor Day Laziness

In honor of Labor Day, I'm goofing off more than usual...

Happy Monday to all, especially the workers past and present.

SUN 9/2: Music, Theater, Art, Lasers

This ain’t a great example of writing, but there is cheap fun waiting below the dashes and ahead of you.

If you see protesters potlucking in Copley Square this afternoon, those are Occupy Boston folks. So it's okay to test how cool they are with redistributing tasty resources...

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SUN 9/2 (and MON 9/3)

Various Times
"Campfire Festival"
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 per day

Sunday -- 2pm to Midnight
Monday -- Noon to 10pm

Sunday schedule:

2pm -- Vudu Sister
2:45pm -- Reverend Freakchild
3:30pm -- Emerald Rae
4:15pm -- JUNGLE FIRES
5pm -- Oh! My Blackbird
5:45pm -- Isa + Lina
6:30pm -- Kellen Zakula
7:15pm -- Alley Stoetzel
8pm -- Adrianne Lenker, Ria Mae, Rhianna Larocque, Mark Whitaker
9:30pm -- Kate Klim
10:15pm -- The Farewells
11pm -- Tricky Britches

It's labor day weekend, and you haven't gone camping all summer. (I'm not that sad about it either.)

No need to bring marshmallows or graham crackers, it's a campfire minus the fire yet exceptionally more acoustic instruments than usual. The folky/bluesy goodness goes all day long, and I assume you can return if you feel like it.

(If I had to pick a day, I'd probably go on Monday night. But it's all good.)

SUN 9/2

3pm
Bread & Puppet Theater: "The Circus of the Possibilitarians"
at Cambridge Common, Cambridge (near Harvard Sq)
FREE / Pass-the-hat Donations welcome

These wacky, social-justice hippies from Vermont are kicking off “Revival Month”* for the second year.

In my brief interaction with founder Bread & Puppet Theater Peter Schumann, he is kooky in all the right ways who always seeks to represent the fairness, justice, and dignity that all people deserve. And the giant paper mache masks are so cool.

*It’s not really a big deal, but there are some other events thoughout the month.
http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/News/September-is-Revival-Month-in-Harvard-Square.aspx

Doesn’t "The Circus of the Possibilitarians" sound so fantastical?

SUN 9/2

4pm to 6pm
"Good Without God?": Debate Between Harvard College Faith & Action and Harvard Community of Humanists, Atheists, & Agnostics
at Science Center, Hall C, 1 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Wow, Harvard Square is hosting a circus and a religious debate on the same day. I’d like to think the debate will be civil, thoughtful, and far from the circus across the street.

SUN 9/2

7pm to 9:30pm
Paul Klee, "Philosophical Vision: From Nature to Art": Opening Reception
at McMullen Museum of Art, Devlin Hall, 140 Comm Ave, Chestnut Hill (BC campus)
FREE

For the record, your second-favorite cubist's surname is pronounced “clay” when you’re chatting with art lovers at the reception.

Over 65 pieces will be on display with works lent by institutions such as Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Art Museums, and Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern.

SUN 9/2

9pm
"Laser Lights"
at Frog Pond, Boston Common, Boston
FREE

They say ‘festivities’ begin at 7:30pm, but do you really want to stand around 90 minutes waiting to see the laser show? I’m guessing it could be really disappointing or surprisingly amusing.

That’s all I can say. Good luck.

SUN 9/2

Sea Monsters (10pm), Pesky J Nixon (8:30pm)
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10-ish

After playing every Sunday for years at Precinct, the Sea Monsters revive the soul-rock party on most 3-day weekends with horns, various guests and adoring fans. It was a great way to end the week or begin the week (depending on your perspective).
http://www.facebook.com/events/486561658021278/

If it's not a good old time for you, it's perfectly acceptable to a good new time.

SUN 9/2

9:30pm
The Honors
at Green Dragon Tavern, 11 Marshall St, Boston (Haymarket)
FREE / 21+

The Honors rock out almost every Sunday, but I'm loath to awake Monday morning with pounding head and cotton-dry mouth. That’s why I consider a good 3-day weekend option.

Tonight could be wall-to-wall uber-catchy indie-rock that bounces and jangles and swoons in wonderful ways. Although the band may not think it's a benefit, I'm guessing the place isn't packed like a Friday night.

Cheap Eats: DIY Lobster Roll

When I stopped at Shaw's last night, I saw that chicken lobsters were on sale for $4.99 per pound. That sucks for the lobstermen, but it's not going to stop me from taking advantage of the deal (if any are left).

This is basically a repost that I did for Bostonist's lobster roll series in 2008 that has been altered slightly.

I did call New Deal Fish Market to check on their current lobster price, and it's the same as below. (FYI: They only had one left.) I assume the chips and hot dog buns are priced in the same range.

The New Deal guy did share a tip with me, and it's not just bad-talking his competition: Lobsters that sit in a tank with salted tap water are going to taste like the tank. If you find someone who sells them without keeping them in a tank, that's a place that really cares about good-tasting seafood.

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Homemade Lobster Roll
at Somerville or wherever you cook
$4.17 to $6.32 per roll (chips included)

There's no reason to pay big money for a good lobster roll. With a little effort, the yumminess-to-dollar ratio can be high.

Part of a lobster roll's beauty is that you simply eat it without getting your hands dirty. Just like other aspects of life, self-service can be quite satisfying.

This is New England! There are plenty of places to get a fresh, lively lobba-lobba for your belly. Hit your favorite search engine with "lobster market [your town]." You might pay a dollar or two more, but it will be worth it.

I picked up a 1.75-pounder at New Deal Fish Market in East Cambridge for $21.09 (at $12.99 per lb. -- vs. $4.99 at Shaw's).

With total control over the meal, a generous yet neat amount of lobster salad was laid into a bed of lightly-toasted hot dog buns (8-pack, $1.67). Like a bookworm-ish cousin, the bread's flavor added little to the party, but good-flavor times rolled on without giving it much thought.

An 8.5oz bag of sea salt & vinegar Cape Cod potato chips ($2.50) matched superbly as a delightful side for a goog ol' lobster roll. As far as I'm concerned these are the best potato chips in the world.

A better lobster roll could be found, but very few can beat a homemade lobster made with love. Certainly no restaurant or shack can beat the price!

My Preparation:

Some people just throw them in a pot, but I add aromatics. It's debatable how much flavor they add, but from what I've learned today, it might counter-balance the 'tank flavor' of your chain market crustacean.

If harbor water isn't within a block of your heat source, be sure to salt your water. These are items usually in my pantry are dropped into the water:

- a quartered onion
- a couple stalks of celery (cut into a few pieces)
- a clove or two of garlic
- some peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- a halved lemon

Boiling has been my typical method for 10 to 12 minutes depending on the size, but I'm leaning towards steaming for 8 to 10 minutes these days.

After it's cool enough to handle, the fun part is next. Without making this a lengthy how-to: break off the tail and arms, let sections drain over the sink, and don't eat the stuff near the head.

Crack open every nook and cranny where meat can be found, and don't forget about the legs where each segment can be squeezed like a toothpaste tube. While some love the vibrantly green tomalley, it's not lobster roll material.

I like to keep the tail and claw pieces in relatively big chunks while giving the rest of the meat a rough chop to maximize the premium flavor.

The greatness of lobster is best enjoyed with as little distraction as possible. Some flavor took a bath with the main attraction, so little else should end up in the roll.

Only be enough mayo to coat everything should be added, and celery doesn't usually enter the mix. A wee bit of celery leaves sat underneath for a hint of greens and added texture.

I might add a touch of lemon, and I currently have some fresh thyme in the house that might get in...

The high-road cost:

Lobster: $21.09 +
hot dog buns: $1.67 +
potato chips: $2.50 = $25.28

Divided by 4 = $6.32 per roll.

The Shaw's special:

2 Lobsters (about 2.5 pounds): $12.50 +
hot dog buns: $1.67 +
potato chips: $2.50 = $16.67

Divided by 4 = $4.17 per roll.

If you're troubled about plunging a lobster to its death, Alton Brown explains (about 5 minutes in) that it should be as guiltless as squashing a bug.

SAT 9/1: Boats, Tunes, Actors

Another thought about cheap fun: There are cool conventions where sitting in the lobby would be fun people-watching. For example, the Boston Tattoo Convention is at the Boston Sheraton (Back Bay) this weekend.

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SAT 9/1 (and SUN 9/2)

Various Times
Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival
around Gloucester Harbor
FREE

Saturday -- 10am to 10pm
Sunday -- 10am to 5pm
Monday -- "Rain Day"

The Schooner Festival has made the list in the past, so why not list it again.

Watching the boats racing from the Eastern Point with some family is a wonderful memory I hope to keep for a long time.

Yes, some boats are racing out there, but mainly a bunch of beautiful ships out there. And lots of festival-type stuff on land like free admission to the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center.

There's a fireworks display over the harbor on Saturday around 9:15pm after the "Boat Parade of Lights" beginning at 7:30pm.

Various maritime fun occurs around the harbor including tours of the HMS Bounty ($10 / $5 children).

SAT 9/1 (to MON 9/3)

Various Times
"Campfire Festival"
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 per day

Saturday -- Noon to Midnight
Sunday -- 2pm to Midnight
Monday -- Noon to 10pm

Saturday schedule:

1:30pm -- Sierra West, Mariana Bell, Jim Trick, M.R. Poulopoulos
3pm -- Noam Weinstein
3:45pm -- Grain Thief
4:30pm -- Katie McNally
5:15pm -- The Howling Kettles
6pm -- Susan Cattaneo
6:45pm -- Ryan Taylor Band
7:30pm -- Darol Anger & Emy Phelps
8:15pm -- Olivia Wants Mango, Chris O'Brien, Ed Romanoff, Rose Polenzani
9:45pm -- Judas & Mary
10:30pm -- Dietrich Strause
11:15pm -- Brothers McCann

It's Labor Day weekend, and you haven't gone camping all summer. (I'm not that sad about it either.)

No need to bring marshmallows or graham crackers, it's a campfire minus the fire yet exceptionally more acoustic instruments than usual. The folky/bluesy goodness goes all day long, and I assume you can return if you feel like it.

(If I had to pick one day, I'd probably go on Monday night. But it's all good.)

SAT 9/1

2pm to 6pm
Hyde Park Jazz Fest
at Martini Shell, 1015 Truman Parkway, Hyde Park (Readville)
FREE

Feat: Phil Sargent Quartet, Ron Reid & the Rhythm Earth Ensemble, Daniel Ian Smith (tribute to Billy Strayhorn)

For my friends in the Hyde Park/Roslindale area where I rarely list anything happening in this neighborhood. It's almost as easy to get on the commuter rail as any other MBTA option, but it doesn't seem worth the $6 one-way trip.

Local, bikers, and car people can enjoy some quality jazz.

SAT 9/1

2pm
The World is Square, Br1ght Pr1mate, Sam Mulligan
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$7 / All Ages

Original music built on old-school video-game components is amusing for a little while, but I might want to punch a Mario Brother if I heard 3 set back-to-back. On the other hand, I've played video games for hours.

In truth, it doesn't really sound like video-game music -- except The World is Square actually plays game soundtrack music on guitars and non-electronic instruments.

SAT 9/1

7pm
Adam Tendler, "John Cage: Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano"
at Seully Hall, 4th Fl, Boston Conservatory, 8 The Fenway, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

There was a PBS show many moons ago that featured John Cage as he placed screws and bolts and other items on the strings inside of a piano, and the subsequent sound was so unexpected. If one is going to hear avant-garde music, John Cage is my main guy.

Over an hour of strange piano music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but isn't it great that we can hear it (for free!) in out town? Tendler previously visited all 50 states to give free lecture/recitals, and now he's on the road to celebrate Cage's 100th birthday.

SAT 9/1

Abbie Barrett & The Last Date (7:30pm), Stephie Coplan & The Pedestrians (10pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I'd love hanging out at Toad if they didn't have free music every night. (Although it might be a 50-50 split between Newtowne Grill and their pizza-pitcher special.)

Whether you go for the early show or the late show, there's going to be lots of excellent folk/pop. Most of the time these days, there's a cover charge at a Stephie Coplan is in town -- so bonus for the people that get in for the cute girl taking up the Ben Folds mantle.

SAT 9/1 (and SUN 9/2)

8pm
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"
at Zack Box Theatre, Downstairs, 8 The Fenway, Boston (Boston Conservatory)
FREE w/ RSVP

Sunday -- 2pm

I'm not sure why this particular play has been presented twice in Boston this year, but I enjoyed the movie quite a bit.

The titular characters were two minor players in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" who do play an important part in serving the overall plot despite their short appearances. The premise of this play is "What were Rosencrantz and Guildenstern doing?"

Maybe there are tickets still available if you call 617-912-9142.

SAT 9/1

9pm
Alvarius B, Omnivore, Preggy Peggy
at Tavern at the End of the World, 108 Cambridge St, Charlestown (near Sullivan Sq)
$10

From what I've read, most of the advance tickets are already sold. In case there are some Sun City Girls fans that haven't heard about this gig, you might still have a chance to experience Al's new thing in a small pub with good beer and food. More weird music precedes the main event.

(I don't mean to be a jerk, but you'd probably hear everything fine in the front room of the pub.)

SAT 9/1

9:30pm
Birds & Batteries, Eksi Ekso, DJ Leah V
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 21+

I'm willing to admit that I missed something when I first listened to Eksi Ekso and thought they sounded like modern progressive-rock. While they're still not something I'd listen to on repeat, a bunch of blogs that I respect made me give them a second listen.

If DJ Leah V wasn't on the bill, I may not have even really thought about how Eksi Ekso and the synth-heavy pop of SF's Birds & Batteries could be dance-worthy. There may be a slow sway, but don't listen to me because I'm not sure how people dance to dubstep.