SAT 1/16: Shakespeare, Art, Folk, Rockabilly, Reggae

Hey, it's your favorite slacker-blogger. I'm getting back in the saddle over the long weekend. Wait and see.

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SAT 1/16

3pm
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
at Midway Studios, 15 Channel Center St, Boston (Fort Point/Seaport)
$10 (with discount code: COMMUNITY)

For some reason, this play has been popular around town recently. The A.R.T. turned Zero Arrow Theatre into Club Oberon for their disco rendition, "The Donkey Show". The Actors’ Shakespeare Project gets funky and modern in their production as a play. The Globe liked it...

SAT 1/16

6pm to 10pm
Vela Phelan, "X me LAB": Opening Reception
at New England Gallery of Latin American Art, 184 Cottage St, Suite 1F, East Boston
FREE

I met Vela last week, and he's a good guy who makes some crazy good assemblages. There's not much info about this exhibit, but it's a good excuse to go to Eastie. Maybe you can pick a place for dinner and maximize the experience. A DJ will be there to up the hip quotient and eliminate uncomfortable silence...

An RSVP is suggested. I'm guessing they'll notice if you didn't...

SAT 1/16

8pm to 10:30pm
Kingsley Flood, Highly Personal Trash
at Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
$5

It's labeled as "Folk in the Cafe", but it's more like two groups doing acoustic performances. The Armory Cafe has been booking a lot of quality acts to take it down a notch in volume. Kingsley Flood usually have rootsy-rock thing going on, and Highly Personal Trash does a keyboard-centric indie-pop vibe; so this will be a sweet show.

Don't worry about it being a "cafe" -- they serve beer and wine...

SAT 1/16

8pm
Easy Ed's Winter Rockin' Riot
Johnny Carlevale & the Rollin’ Pins, The Pinball Millionaires
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$10-ish

It's a classic rockabilly night with two excellent bands with Easy Ed playing all the right tunes to keep the folks bopping and hopping. Yes, there will be dancing. Yes, people will get dressed up in the '50s/'60s rockabilly spirit.

There's no dress code, but it wouldn't hurt to learn a few steps by getting there at 8pm for the "free 50s dance lesson with instructors Miss Ariane and Miss Franny." You don't need a partner or much dancing skill at all. Really -- the goal is to have fun.

SAT 1/16

9pm
"MADNESS! A Tribute to Prince Buster"
at The Western Front, 343 Western Ave, Cambridge (Cambridgeport)
$10 women / $15 men

Feat: Dion Knibb, Flex Murder, Riki Rocksteady, Foundation Rockers, more

Most shows at the Western Front are still currently off my radar, but they've got a pretty sweet show. A load of local reggae musicians have put together a super-band called Foundation Rockers to pay tribute to the ska pioneer Prince Buster. Whatever era of ska you've heard, it pretty much started with him -- even the songs, not just the style.

Yes, the different prices are sexist; but so is Prince Buster's music. I think his "Ten Commandments (from Man to Woman)" is hilarious, but he meant it. Guys are more likely to dig into the free Jamaican buffet before 10pm too.

Be prepared, because I think the club can seem intimidating to the newcomer...

FRI 1/15: Film, Song, Drag

Why do I party like that on a Thursday night? From North End to Harvard Square (happy b-day, Rick) to my couch, I'm still feeling tired but happy.

It is hard to focus, so here is something before it gets any later.

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FRI 1/15

1pm to 9pm
"Free Film Fridays"
at Mugar Omni Theater, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
FREE

Here's the tip about free IMAX movies (every Friday this month): Pick up the tickets as early as possible. A lot people know about this promotion, and a lot of people just visit the Museum in general. When I tried to go in September, the next 2 screenings were already sold out.

The schedule varies, but these are today's times:

"Antarctica" -- 6pm, 7pm
"Amazon" -- 1pm
"Coral Reef Adventure" -- 2pm, 3pm
"The Greatest Places" -- 4pm, 5pm
"Adrenaline Rush: The Science of Risk" -- 8pm, 9pm

I think you get the topics covered from the titles...

FRI 1/15

7pm
"The Thorn in the Heart": Screening and Q&A
at Room 100, Bldg 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

Michel Gondry made a documentary about his aunt. From the reviews I've read, there really isn't much of interest to people outside the Gondry family.

What's so special about it? Maybe he'll explain it during the discussion. I heard the director speak a few years ago during his artist-residence at MIT, and it was an enlightening presentation.

FRI 1/15

7pm to 9pm
Jason Webley, Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys
at Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10 / All Ages

I'm pretty sure that I saw Jason Webley play some wicked accordion at a Dresden Dolls (Amanda Palmer?) show. Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys will ensure that the proceedings will be creepy and wild with theatrical, gothy rock-art.

FRI 1/15

9pm
Varsity Drag, I-Pistol, Loud Clappers, Tree Frog Avengers
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

If I can rally, this is the show I'll be at... Both Varsity Drag and I-Pistol rock... Loud Clappers and Tree Frog Avengers sound good... Varsity Drag have a new CD, and there is some talk of free stuff...

FRI 1/15

10pm
TraniWreck
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

Feat: Heywood Wakefield, Becca D'Bus, Frieda Fries, Hava (Havalah?) Heart, Madge of Honor, Goldie Peacock, DJ Kat Fyte

I let the Traniwreck folks speak for themselves:

TraniWreck: all gender, all genre cabaret/variety mess. Rawkus rabble rousing show of genderbending irreverence. Drag, Burlesque, Comedy and Rump Shaking (yours)!

TraniWreck was voted Boston's Best Gay Night 2009 by The Boston Phoenix Readers Poll! Which is to say...we're awesome and they didn't know what catagory to put us in!

(Doors 9pm / Show 10pm)

FRI 1/15

10pm
Monique Ortiz & Larry Dersch
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I guess Dana Colley couldn't make it tonight. Monique & Larry will keep things throbbing and pounding and low yet saxless.

THUR 1/14: Photos, Ideas, Wines, Film, Tunes

Yep, there's plenty to do tonight. Some stuff I put on the calendar were whittled out.

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THUR 1/14

6pm to 8pm
Randy Goodman, "Iran: Images From Beneath A Chador": Reception
at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St, Cambridge (East Cambridge)
FREE

Randy Goodman's first visit to Iran was in 1980 during the hostage crisis as photographer with a grassroots delegation shortly after graduating from BU. On subsequent trips, she worked for CBS and Time in '81 and '83 respectively.

About 20 of her images are presented to give a view after the revolution and before the Iran-Iraq War.

At tonight's reception, you'll hear live music and discussion about the current events as well as enjoying Persian-style tea.

THUR 1/14

6pm
SHIFTboston Forum: Ideas Competition Presentation
at Institute for Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston (Seaport)
FREE w/ RSVP

6pm: Cocktail Reception
7pm: Presentation
9pm: After Party at Atlantic Beer Garden

After the reception, the architecturally- and/or civic-minded will hear the results of a competition to propose public-space projects for Boston -- with no limitations. With money or any other obstacles, dozens of the ideas will be presented along with the winning submission. Maybe none of these proposals will ever happen, but it should be amusing and stimulating.

There could be some seats left if you RSVP, but you can still visit the ICA on Thursday evenings for free.

THUR 1/14

7pm
"A Taste of Sweet Bordeaux": Wine Tasting w/ Aline Baly
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE

I'm not a true 'wine connoisseur', but I'm pretty sure my grape-head friends walk briskly if not run to this tasting of some delicious Sauternes (and other whites?) Before Aline moved to France to work at her family's vineyard, Aline apparently lived in Porter Square.

Call (617-491-2220) to see if there's still room. Taste some fine samples and get your oenophilia on. As one dude who knows said:

This is one of the leading properties in Sauternes and Barsac... It is one of just two premier cru properties located in Barsac, the other being Climens. ...many of the chateaux in this region of Bordeaux produce excellent wines, but Coutet does, from time to time, demonstrate that extra vibrancy and excitement that persuades me to buy as well as try.

Maybe you can buy on the spot, but I don't know.

THUR 1/14

7pm
"Creation": Advance Screening & Discussion
at Kendall Square Cinema, 1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge
FREE w/ RSVP

Based on the book "Annie's Box" by Randal Keynes (Charles Darwin's great-great-grandson), this film spends more time with his wife and children than theorizing about birds and tortoises while sailing around the world.

I recall hearing about fundamentalist groups wanting to stop American distribution, but it looks like a decent drama with Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly that still provides a reasonable representation of the scientist.

Randal Keynes is scheduled to attend for the post-screening discussion.

THUR 1/14

7:30pm
Grateful Dread
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

From a pharmacological sense, blending a reggae vibe to Grateful Dead songs seems like a perfect fit. It also works rather well from a musical point of view. To my ear, it sounds more like San Francisco than Kingston, but this is party music.

A group of veteran island musicians bring their feel-good, bad-dancing jams to the mainland. T just happens that the island is Martha's Vineyard.

THUR 1/14

Miss Fairchild (11pm), You Scream I Scream (10pm), The Timberfakes (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / 21+

If you're in the mood for a funky good-time, you could let Miss Fairchild give you a snappy blast of their blue-eyed soul/R&B cocktail. I really believe they won't be happy unless the crowd is having a good time.

The Miss Fairchild-You Scream I Scream connection is still unknown to me, except that YSIS is an indie-rock band that doesn't take itself too seriously. I also dig how the keys-bass-drum trio keeps things musically clever instead of bashing it out.

In case you didn't know, Boston has a Justin Tinberlake cover band. 'Nuff said.

THUR 1/14

9:30pm
Chiptune 3
Feat: Minusbaby, Disasterpeace, Oxygenstar, Active Knowledge, Br1ght Pr1mate, DJ Radio Scotvoid
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 18+

There is a bunch of enterprising artists that salvage ancient video-game components to make new music with the old-school sounds. I didn't give in to the concept, but this could be a fun time. The Phoenix had an article.

THUR 1/14

10pm
Josh Lederman
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE

Regardless that Josh Lederman and I have several mutual friends, I've always enjoyed his motley blend of rootsy music that ranges from plaintive Americana to heartland rock intensity to Irish/klezmer frenzy. He's also darn good songwriter.

WED 1/13: Business, Film, Lit Battle, Burlesque, Music

What a Tuesday... The last thing Haiti needed was another catastrophe! I also found out that one of my co-workers lost their home in the Malden fire. I was lucky when an earthquake ruined my home about 15 years ago, so I'm sending positive vibrations (and a few bucks) out into the world.

Besides the stuff listed below, there's a winter-theme art exhibit and Brazilian music at the Beehive (and the regular free poker tournament at Sally O'Briens).

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WED 1/13

6pm to 8:30pm
"Grow Your Business": Workshop & Legal Counseling Clinic
at Conference Rooms CO5/06, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

If you're thinking about starting a commercial venture of any kind, it would be a good idea to get some basic guidance.

It would be a good idea to register, because they may not let business stragglers in.

WED 1/13 (thru WED 1/27)

7pm to 9:30pm
"The Adventures of Baron Munchausen"
at Room 133, Bldg 3, 33 Mass Ave (Rear), Cambridge (MIT Campus)
FREE

Since the news has been squawking about the surprise hit "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", I'm guessing most people haven't seen Terry Gilliam's latest (and Heath Ledger's last) film. Maybe you'd like to watch a couple of his older works to get acclimated to his Imaginarium.

We're in the middle of "The Life and Death of Terry Gilliam: A Film Symposium" curated by Michael Rapa and Jennifer Williams-Rapa that includes four more screenings of Gilliam films ending on WED 1/27 with the documentary about his aborted Don Quixote movie.

WED 1/13

7pm to 10pm
Literary Death Match Boston, Episode 2
at Enormous Room, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

The program begins at "8:05pm (sharp)", but you may want to get there early. The first 35 guests will receive a free copy of "Opium9: The Mania Issue" -- a $12 value...

I'll admit that literary readings often scare me -- what if I'd rather gnaw my leg off than listen to the howlingly bad material? Hopefully I never suggest something like that to you (and tonight's competition will ensure another successful listing). No one complained after the first Death Match last year.

Four readers are stepping into the metaphorical octagon to do battle in several rounds that will have different rules. The judges will give their opinions, and two will move onto the final battle that is usually something ridiculous.

The erudite warriors will be: Elisa Gabbert, Steven Brykman, Janaka Stucky, and Michelle Hoover.

The judges are: AGNI editor Billy Giraldi (senior fiction of ), comedian Lamont Price, and the songtastic Audrey Ryan.

The battle is hosted by Opium co-founder Todd Zuniga. Proceeds benefit Opium Magazine.

WED 1/13

8:30pm
Rebecca Nagle, "A Dozen Things I Want To Do On Stage"
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 / All Ages

Featured guests: Johnny Blazes, Intro to Anatomy, Miss Madison West,. Heywood Wakefield, Madge of Honor (aka M. Hanora)

It turns out that Rebecca Nagle is accurately titled. The Baltimore performance artist performs 12 different actions during the show (and I watched a condensed video) including burlesque, contortion, recitation, drama and quasi-kabuki along with audience participation.

My guess is that our local performers will preface Nagle's dozen, and Johnny Blazes will be the MC.

Heywood Wakefield is then going to scoot down the street for another burlesque show at Middlesex Lounge, which will supposedly include previews of another Club Oberon show near the end of the month (for a cheaper cover).

WED 1/13

10pm
Quilt, Manners
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

If you're in JP, there is some free experimental and ambient folk noise to drink along to while listening.

WED 1/13

10:30pm
Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE / 21+

If you're in JP, there is some free experimental, funky, jazzy brass band to drink along to while listening.

TUES 1/12: Party, Folk, Comedy

Jeez, please excuse my human error and technical difficulties...

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TUES 1/12

6:30pm to 8:30pm
Body Issue Party
at Cafeteria, 279a Newbury St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE w/ RSVP

Stuff Boston has changed its tune slightly -- from last year's "Best Bodies" to "Bodies by Boston". The article suggests that they purposely decided to go for something deeper than a cheesecake/beefcake fest.

I actually went to this party last year (when they had vodka drinks...?), and I only recognized one of the hard bodies from the issue. It doesn't hurt to enjoy a few free apps and MGD 64's...

I think you can still RSVP, but everyone who wants to go to a Stuff(at)Night party needs to individually register for the list.

TUES 1/12

9:30pm
Tuesday Acoustic Showcase w/ Beth Jean, Christa Gniadek
at Tommy Doyle's (upstairs), 96 Winthrop St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

I accidentally went to dinner upstairs on a Tuesday night and heard some solid music. It's really not a bad place. (I hesitate to call it fake-Irish when lots of Irish people actually work there.) This week there are two talented women with acoustic guitars, delightful voices, and some catchy tunes.

Beth Jean moved from Boston to LA like Bleu who produced her album. She also made a claymation video for a L.E.O. song. Beth Jean is also on the bill at Precinct on Friday.

TUES 1/12

9:30pm
The Rob Crean Show
w/ Sameer Naseem, Sharkee Katz, Tim Vargulish & Ahmed Bharoocha,
Living Faux
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$7 / 21+

It's a comedy show in the format of variety/talk show with various segments, interviews, and performances. It's a funny group of people doing something other than a your average stand-up show. It's a comedy show in the format of variety/talk show. Imagine a late-night talk show with various segments, interviews, and performances. I don't see why this couldn't be a hit for NBC at 3:30 in the morning...

For those who think guitar & drum duos have too many strings, there are bass & drum duos like Living Faux. Unlike Death from Above 1979, tonight's musical guests make a bluesier ruckus.

A good night for no "drink minimum" comedy.