See The Bravery for Free on WED 4/16

Yeah I forgot to post this earlier in the week, but you still have all day on Friday 4/11 to enter.

I saw The New Pornographers last year at one of these Jack Daniels promo shows (@ The Paradise), and it was great. Frank Smith and (I think) another local band opened up. They didn't have a discount on Jack, but there were some buttons/guitar picks/other shwag.

The gig is at a 'mystery location' on Wednesday. Give your name, address, etc; and you'll be notified on Saturday.

I almost paid to see The Bravery one time, so I'd go for free...

Sneak Peek: FRI 4/11 to SUN 4/13

I'm pretty sure all of these will make tomorrow's list...

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FRI 4/11

8pm
Berklee Tower of Power Ensemble
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
$10 / All Ages

So the real "Tower of Power" (& Average White Band) played at Hampton Beach last weekend for $20. I'm guessing you couldn't recognize any member of ToP if they bit you on the trombone... Top-notch funk in the newest venue in town.

FRI 4/11

10pm
Free Tibet Benefit
Feat Cassavettes, Fluttr Effect (acoustic), Dan Hayes & Kaitie Bickel
at Middle East Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 suggested donation

The Olympic torch doesn't come to Boston, but we can offer some support to the Tibetans. Listen to good music, and the proceeds benefit Students for a Free Tibet.

FRI 4/11

The Amino Acids (11:30pm), The In Out (10:30pm), Preacher Jack (9:30pm)
at Castlebar, 575 Washington St, Brighton (Oak Sq)
$6 / 21+

Super-fast surf-punk from Detroit doesn't come to Brighton everyday. And piano-man Preacher jack opens!

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SAT 4/12

10am to 4pm
Idealist.org Global Volunteering Fair
at Kresge Building, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston (Harvard School of Public Health / Longwood)
FREE

* Meet over twenty nonprofit organizations that coordinate volunteer projects around the globe

* Participate in workshops like: International Volunteerism 101, Linking Service to Learning, Volunteering as a Family, Know Before You Go, Overcoming Barriers to Service, Choosing a Program or Going Solo, Volunteering Towards Your Career Goals

Check out the workshop schedule.

Attendance is free, but it would be helpful if you could register so that we can know how many people to expect.

SAT 4/12

3:30pm to 6:30pm
"Body Heat": Femme Spoken Word Tour
at Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$8

Truth Serum presents an erotic spoken-word that might be best described as "by women for women", if you know what I mean -- but I'm sure all well-behaved people are welcome. Performers include: Kathleen Delaney, Jen Cross, Veronica Combs, Celestina Pearl, and Maggie Crowley (of The Femme Show).

Join us after for dinner and drinks near by, and then later for dancing...

SAT 4/12

7pm to 9pm
Newton's First International Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
at First Unitarian Society, 1326 Washington St, West Newton
$5

I thought this was just for young people, but many adults still love the game I called "roshambo". Best two out of three wins take each individual match-off, and there will be prizes for the top players. Food & beverages for everyone. It could be fun until you lose to a 13-year-old...

It's organized by the 8th graders of the Unitarian Society’s Coming of Age Program, and all proceeds go to support meals for the homeless at Boston Long Island Shelter.

SAT 4/12

The Rudds (Midnight), Sgt. Maxwell's Peace Chor-us (11pm), I Have Ears (10pm), The Boston Typewriter Orchestra (9pm)
at The Cantab Lounge (Underground) 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8

SAT 4/12

9:30pm
Hallelujah The Hills, Ho-Ag, Pretty & Nice, Thunderhole
at Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
$10 / 21+

If you have a kid, Hallelujah The Hills is also playing at Rock-n-Romp earlier in the day.

SAT 4/12

The World's Greatest Sinners (9:30pm), The Sweet Divines (10:30pm), Frank Morey (11:30pm)
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$8 / 21+

Signal 2 Noise presents "A Night Of Nouveau Soul"

SAT 4/12

10pm
Everybody Out
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Rick Barton (ex-Dropkick Murphys guitarist) joins up with the singer of British punkers The Dead Pets to make some killer rock 'n roll. You can pay to see them at Sunday's all-ages matinee at the Middle East or see them for free...

"Pasbt Proudly Sponsors" this event so the beer should be really cheap too.

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SUN 4/13

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

Probably the most fun you can have at a drawing session in a public place.

WED 4/9 & THUR 4/10: Talk, Film, Rock, Art, Dance

I wouldn't be surprised if I eventually update this with stuff for Thursday...

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WED 4/9

5pm to 6:30pm
Devra Davis, "The Wrong War -- The Secret History of the War on Cancer", Lecture
at Room 270, Bldg 3, 33 Mass Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

The title caught my attention. Dr. Davis's book points out that we spend so much effort on fighting cancer and not nearly enough effort on the causes of cancer such as our lifestyles and environment.

WED 4/9

7pm
"The Visitor"
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
FREE and open to the public

If you enjoyed writer/director Thomas McCarthy's previous film "The Station Agent", you already know his talent for easygoing yet tender storytelling. The main actor is a guy you recognize from dozens of movies (also the dead dad on "Six Feet Under"), and this is supposed to be a tremendous performance after he finds two strangers living in his NYC apartment.

It's not on their site, but the email sent by the Coolidge Corner theatre said:

Tickets will be available first-come, first-served a half-hour before showtime.

WED 4/9

7:30pm to 9:30pm
Ian MacKaye: Speaking Engagement and Q&A
at Schwartz Auditorium, 415 South Street, Waltham (Brandeis campus)
FREE

As the leader of Minor Threat and Fugazi, Ian MacKaye has had a major influence on rock and on how rock bands should behave & treat their fans fairly. I'm sure he'll have plenty of interesting things to say.

WED 4/9

The Duke Spirit (11:05pm), Wonderful Spells (10:05pm), Viva Viva (9:10pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

I don't know if The Duke Spirit will make major waves in the music world, but they whip out a bluesy, alternative rock with a charismatic frontwoman. They've already opened for REM and Queens of the Stone Age, and they're going on tour with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Two excellent local rock outfits that incidentally both include a set of brothers will open tonight: Viva Viva and Wonderful Spells. (Think Oasis & The Kinks, not Hansen...)

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THUR 4/10

12:30pm
Nada Surf - Live Performance & Signing
at Newbury Comics, 1 Washington Mall, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

If you haven't heard Nada Surf since their sarcastic hit "Popular", then you'll be shocked that they actually sound better than the mid-90's. If you've never heard of them, welcome to Nada Surf's bright rock melodicism that would make Rivers Cuomo proud.

Get out of the office; it's beautiful outside!

THUR 4/10

5pm to 8pm
SMFA Fifth Year Exhibition: Opening Reception
at Grossman Gallery & Anderson Auditorium, 230 The Fenway, Boston (School of the Museum of Fine Arts / The Fens)
FREE

The Fifth Year students are prepped to take the art world by storm after an intense extra year. These are five artists in the program: Lizi Brown, Evan Crankshaw, Wendy Jean Hyde, Rob Pettit, Lori Schouela. Instead of a group exhibit, this is more like 5 tandem solo shows spread about SMFA.

I've corresponded with Rob Pettit, who does some pretty cool work with cell phones, and he can always use your unused phones. You can add them to one of the sculptures if you go to the exhibit (thru May 3)...

There's also an artists' talk on THUR 4/17 at 12:30pm.

THUR 4/10

5:30pm (Part 1), 6:30pm (Part 2)
"The Land of the Settlers": Screening
at Room 103, Sever Hall, Cambridge (Harvard Yard)
FREE

Everyone wants peace in the Middle East, they just their peace! This 5-part documentary was made by a well-respected Israeli journalist over a period of several years. In his attempt at a fair examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it has apparently upset people on every side of the issue in one way or another. Part 1 covers the West Bank, and Part 2 is on hot-spot Hebron. The next two segments will probably screen next week.

THUR 4/10

Stephen Brodsky (7:30pm), Dave Alpert (8:30pm), Jon Hutchens (10pm), John Powhida Int'l Airport (11pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

It's typical for Toad to host a 'night of song', but there are four good artists. Steve Brodsky would probably make good music if he fell down the stairs. Jon Hutchens of The Globs will likely deliver some intelligently weird lyrics. I've been a fan of John Powhida for a while; he's a great singer with tremendous stage presence. He should be a star.

I'm not suggesting that you sit there for 4+ hours, but you can do whatever you want...

THUR 4/10

10pm
Prince Paul, DJ Tommee, DJ Knife
at Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
$10 / 21+

Okay, Prince Paul will probably start spinning sometime after midnight -- if you're lucky -- but I still want to go. I won't pretend that I'm familiar with his early Stetsasonic work; but I know some Gravediggaz and I really like Handsome Boy Modeling School (w/ Dan the Automator). Prince Paul has always brought fresh sounds to hip-hop, so I know it will be a bumping DJ set. He's produced Big Daddy Kane, 3rd Bass, and "3 Feet High and Rising" by De La Soul.

DJs Tommee & Knife do the Marinate night at Milky Way Lounge, and I notice they get the support call when heavyweight DJs are in town.

Since I went to the Zebbler party last month, I know the Good Life isn't such a bad place to hear good house etc. If I ever really wanted to dance, I know they don't have a dress code (which is cool).

TUES 4/8: Free Scoop of JP Licks! -- and more...

I couldn't confirm it, but I heard you can also get free chips & guacamole at Chipotle locations today...

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TUES 4/8

Store Hours Vary
Ice Cream Cone/Cup to Celebrate Sox Home Opener
at all JP Licks locations (Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Somerville, Boston, Newton, Chestnut Hill)
FREE

As in previous years, JP Licks celebrates the Red Sox Home Opening Day by offering a free small cone or cup of any flavor. Some of the current flavors include: Green Monster Tea, Rice DICE Kream, One Sweet World Series, and Manny's Mocha Chip.

The ice cream is SO good at each location, but I always find myself walking by (and stopping in) the Centre St location every time I'm in Jamaica Plain.

It doesn't matter whether Boston really has the highest per-capita consumption of ice cream, you're not alone when pigging out on "Cherry Ortiz"...

PS: It doesn't hurt to enter you name and email address to win Sox tix...

TUES 4/8

5:30pm to 8pm
"My Home: Your War"
at Room 120, Bldg 6, 182 Memorial Drive (Rear), Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

MIT's Center for International Studies is in the middle of a film series, "Women and the Middle East", and "My Home: Your War" couldn't be timed any better with Gen. Petraeus speaking to Congress today. I have a feeling the General won't focus on how the occupation is affecting the average Iraqi citizen like this film does.

It's only 52 minutes long, so there will be plenty of time for the speaker Ban Al-Mahfodh and questions. Al-Mahfodh is the program coordinator at the CIS and is from Basra (yes, that Basra).

TUES 4/8

9pm
The Rob Crean Show #2
at O'Brien's Pub, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

It's not just a comedy show, it has a talk show format -- and you get at least one set of rock. I'm not a big fan of comedy clubs (I was probably going to have more than "two drinks", especially if they weren't overpriced), so I like to laugh in other venues. Our host will be joined by Alvin David, Nate Johnson, various members of the Anderson Comedy troupe, and perhaps others. Give a listen to Hats and Glasses, and I'm sure you'll find stuff in there you like. If not, listen to them live to make a 2nd or 3rd opinion.

Hey, doesn't this flyer already make you laugh a little...?

MON 4/7: Music, Sox Talk, and Happy B-day Oates!

Happy birthday, John Oates! It is my sincere belief that your magic moustache was the element that took all your hits to the next level of pop immortality.

So my friends Rob and Ryan were in town this weekend, and I got no 'cheap thrills' done. What was so close on Friday remained that way all weekend. Stay tuned for another update maybe tonight...

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MON 4/7

Wild Zero (9pm), Andrea Gillis (9:50pm), Daniel Bon + Future Ghosts (10:40pm), Cortez (11:30pm)
at Harpers Ferry, 158 Brighton Avenue, Allston
$10

Night 2 of 30th Annual WBCN Rock N' Roll Rumble. Congrats to Girls, Guns and Glory for winning last night!

Tonight's prelim will go from zero to Wild Zero in about 4.1 seconds. I have a feeling that they will bring it tonight; "it" being their revved-up punk-metal. Andrea Gillis is just such a powerhouse singer and her band provides the muscle to match her; I get the feeling that she's going to win tonight. Daniel Bon + Future Ghosts might be tough competition, because they really have a 'radio-ready sound'; they'd easily fit on 'BCN or any other rock radio. Cortez definitely bring the hammer down, so all of the bands could make it to the next round. My pick: Andrea Gillis (but I picked UNC, so...)

MON 4/7

9:30pm
Carter Tanton, Silje Nes, Animal Hospital, Chris Warren
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

Versus tonight's Rumble show that will douse you with rawk, you'll need to pay attention to this music. Silje Nes is working her back to Norway from SXSW. It might be the quietest music made with an electric guitar that sounds like it has the distortion pedal on. The subtlety is compelling. Animal Hospital is actually a solo project of a guy who might not be something I would seek out, but I'd definitely appreciate if I heard him. This guy is way quiet on an assortment of instrumentation he wields to minimally ambient results. Carter Tanton and Chris Warren are the leaders of Tulsa and Viva Viva respectively -- two excellent bands.

MON 4/7

7pm
Michael Holley, "Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston's Rise to Dominance"
at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

As with Bill Belichick and The Patriots, Michael Holley has likely written an insightful look into the Red Sox's success under Tito Francona. I frequently don't like his in-game strategies, but they have won twice... Maybe you can get Holley to bad talk him -- or maybe I'm the only person left who hasn't changed his mind...?

Also at BU Barnes & Noble next TUES 4/15 at 7pm.

MON 4/7

8pm
First Monday
at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

The best free classical music series in town:

Tonight's program will showcase stars of the NEC strings and chamber music faculties: violinist James Buswell, violist Carol Rodland, cellist Carol Ou, and double bassist Donald Palma.

Pianist Max Levinson '95 A.D. joins this group for Vaughan Williams's Piano Quintet in C Minor.

Buswell, Rodland, and Ou are joined by violinist Yura Lee '05 A.D. and violist Sarah Darling '07 M.M. for Dvořák's "American" String Quintet, B.180 (Op. 97).

Palma presents the Boston premiere of Elliott Carter's Figment III (2007), which was written for him.