Cheap Thrills: 2/11 and 2/12

Okay, here's a few things for today and tomorrow that would've been on the weekly list. Maybe tomorrow, I'll also share a few 'cheap Valentine' ideas along with more stuff to do...

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MON 2/11

7pm
Drew Gilpin Faust, "This Republic of Suffering": Discussion & Signing
at Harvard Coop, Level 1, 1400 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

She’s not just the President of Harvard, and here’s a chance to hear Dr. Faust talk history. Her book explores the impact of the massive casualties of the Civil War on myriad levels. It may be crowded with brown-nosers and those with questions that have nothing to do with her book.

MON 2/11

7:00 p.m.
Lyrical Clinic: "Hip-Hop -- How Do We Save It?"
at Berk Recital Hall, 1140 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

This isn’t necessarily a ‘lyrical clinic’ for your next MC battle, but rapper Lyrical (who knows how to handle the battle mic) will probably talk about it as well as the state of hip-hop sales and creativity, the underground scene, promoting responsible hip-hop culture, and more. Expect some performance as well. (Factoid: He also teaches statistics at a local college.)

MON 2/11

East Boston Makeout Club (10:10pm), Ian Schwartz (9:20pm), Phil Wisdom (8:30pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$3

Tiny instruments for a tiny price. The East Boston Make-Out Club Band and Ian Schwartz are prime examples that the ukulele should be taken seriously as a musical instrument even though the lyrics are often humorous perspectives on life. Phil Wisdom may not be uke-ing it tonight, but his indistinctly named band, Butterknife, sounds pretty good.

MON 2/11

5pm to 6:30pm
Big Picture Panel on Sustainable Energy
in Kirsch Auditorium, Stata Center, 32 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

"What are the biggest obstacles to sustainable energy? What is being done right now? How will this be affecting your career? Come and see what the experts have to say. Sustainable careers are not just for do-gooders. Sustainable energy is not just about solar panels, wind power, and fuel cells. And we are not just waiting for the miracle gadget that everyone can just buy."

Various MIT professors will speak on different topics with a Q&A session followed by a reception (so don’t fill up beforehand)...

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TUES 2/12

7pm
"In the Mood For Love": Free Screening
at Harvard Film Archive/Carpenter Center, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Wong Kar-wai not only creates lush, colorful cinemascapes; but he's also a master at capturing the joy and ache of love.

TUES 2/12

7pm
Dan Kennedy, "Rock On": Reading
at Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
FREE

I'm an unabashed admirer of the humor on McSweeney's, and Dan Kennedy has written quite a few pearls of ironic hipster hilarity over the years. If you're interested in getting wiseass eye's inside view of why the music industry sucks, you'll enjoy hearing some of -- maybe even reading -- Kennedy's book about his marketing job at Atlantic Records.

Not feeling well...

I haven't been feeling so hot the last few days, but I'm feeling better and may finish my weekly post soon...

~r

Sneak Peek: FRI 2/8 to SUN 2/10

Dragged from my futon of illness...

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FRI 2/8

7pm
"Expired"
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St., Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$8

The director will be there for a Q&A after this new, well-reviewed indie film starring Samantha Morton, Jason Patric, and Teri Garr about an abusive relationship.

FRI 2/8

10pm
M.G. Lederman, Nash Kato (Urge Overkill)
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5

Urge Overkill frontman Nash Kato opens for indie-pop keys-man M.G. Lederman

FRI 2/8

10pm
Free Tibet Benefit feat. Rick Berlin, Ad Frank, Aloud
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 suggested donation

Mostly acoustic performance to raise funds for Students for a Free Tibet.

FRI 2/8 and SAT 2/9

6:30pm (SAT: Noon)
Lowell Winterfest
Around Downtown Lowell
Mostly FREE

Who knows what it'll be like with so little snow, but there will be winter fun, music and human dogsled races!

This still looks like a good map (PDF file).

FRI 2/8 to SAT 2/9

Fri: Noon to 6pm
Sat:1pm to 5pm
Grand Opening Celebration
at Back to Balance Acupuncture Center, 5 High St, Suite B3, Medford
FREE

Who knows how crowded it'll be, but there are "free treatments in the Community Room".

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SAT 2/9

11am
"Double Indemnity"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

I might not get up this early to see this excellent movie, but you could... Part of their monthly "Elements of Cinema" series, so a discussion follows.

SAT 2/9

9am to 5pm
Berklee's 40th High School Jazz Festival
at Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

High-school bands early and Berklee student/faculty bands in the afternoon. I'd show up for a little while as opposed to 8 hours.

SAT 2/9

2:30pm to 4:30 pm
Receita De Samba w/ Barry Mitterhoff
at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10

Their samba-power is already strong, and Receita De Samba will be joined by Hot Tuna mandolinist Barry Mitterhoff.

SAT 2/9

7:30pm
Boston Area Musicians for Peace
Feat: Beth DeSombre, Pat Scanlon & Friends, Lenny Solomon, Chuck Williams, Michael Troy
at Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 to $15, sliding scale

This the real, traditional, politically-active Cambridge folk to benefit a local chapter of Veterans for Peace.

Admission is by donation, sliding scale, $5-15 suggested, with nobody turned away due to ability to pay. Donations of pot luck dishes and beverages (no alcohol) to share are welcome.

There's even an Impeachment Letter-Writing Party at 4pm (refreshments provided).

SAT 2/9

Nervous Eaters (Midnight), Classic Ruins (11pm), The Radio Knives (10pm), The Killer Abs (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / 21+

A mix of classic and contemporary Boston garage-rock.

SAT 2/9

9:30pm
Spiritual Rez, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Avenue, Allston
$10 / 18+

A good night of reggae.

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SUN 2/10

2:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+

Wilder and looser than any other drawing class you've been to. You won't feel so bad about your drawing skills. Two models for this special edition with contests and prizes.

SUN 2/10

1pm to 3pm
Drop In and Draw
at Calderwood Courtyard, Fogg Art Museum, 32 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 (museum admission) / $6 Students / FREE under 18

Definitely not as rowdy as Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret, but it's a casual chance to do some life drawing (models "dressed to resemble figures from paintings in our collections"), and the supplies are provided. Fun for the whole family, and admission is for all of the art museums.

SUN 2/10

2pm to 5pm
"The Great Chili Cookoff"
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
FREE

There should be over 25 different chilis to taste in two categories: meat and veggie. Eat free chili, vote for your favorite, and drink cheap beer!

Any questions, contact Mike.

Off Topic: Something Positive about the Super Bowl

I didn't care about the groundhog seeing his shadow, but Sunday's game was -- to understate it -- the real bummer of the weekend. Besides the food, drinks, and company; it's been difficult to find something I liked about watching the game.

I don't really need a "half-time show", but Tom Petty did a pretty good job overall. One criticism that I recall: It was a pretty crappy performance of "Free Falling". On the other hand it's not a strong musical composition to begin with...

My Rhett Miller Review on Bostonist

Bostonist picked up my Titler interview a couple weeks ago, and I'm going to write some music pieces for them (of various costs). Maybe other stuff that doesn't fall within my 'cheap thrills' parameter.

So I went to see Rhett Miller ($15) on Saturday and wrote a review. I think he's a great performer, and he's written some wonderful songs. He's also been really cool on the brief occasions we've talked. There was a good time had by all (I think) -- some of my friends even had more fun than me after the show...