FRI 9/16: Film, Music, Comedy

Although a little over $10, tonight's TraniWreck at Club Oberon is a benefit for Truth Serum's Aliza Shapiro who has put together quite a bit of cheap fun over the years. Even if medical bills are as daunting as they used to be, independent artists need help with living expenses after a brain hemorrhage.

As for Saturday, there's art all over in the South End, music & stoners on the Common, more daytime music at the Hatch Shell, Somerville & (believe it or not) Stoneham. Maybe you'd prefer a Pamplona-theme pub crawl through downtown or go on a time-venture with our flash-mob meisters.

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MON 9/19 (thru THUR 9/22)

Various Times
27th Annual Boston Film Festival
at Stuart Street Playhouse, 200 Stuart Street, Boston (Theatre District)
Most $9

It's difficult for me to recommend many of these movies, but maybe you'll see something that you like. Previous years have included "Conviction", "Welcome to the Rileys", "Lars and the Real Girl", etc.

As usual, the lineup is a mix of films that might hit the independent theaters in the next year and films that have Boston ties. Tonight's "Certainty" (6:45pm) may be the best shot. It was written by comedian/actor/Sox fan Mike O'Malley and stars Giancarlo Esposito among others.

The premiere of local documentary "Give Me a Shot of Anything: House Calls to the Homeless" on Monday should be interesting.

FRI 9/16 (and SAT 9/17)

7pm
The New England Pop Music Festival
at Rosebud Bar & Grill (behind Diner), 381 Summer St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

Tonight's schedule:

Midnight -- Angeline
11pm -- Wayne Cabral
10pm -- Watts
9pm -- Joe Turner & the Seven Levels
8pm -- A Pony For My Birthday
7pm -- Fireking

Like the International Pop Overthrow and the like, these events allow the listener to hear more bands than usual.

Of the two nights still remaining, it seems like tonight's lineup offers a little more variety and tomorrows show has a bit more powerpop going on.

There are plenty of good bands both nights, and the Rosebud is great spot to see bands.

Note: All the proceeds from the festival benefit Doctors Without Borders, Animal Rescue League of Boston, and Community Music Center of Boston.

FRI 9/16

7:30pm
Anderson Comedy: "The Gas"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 18+

Feat: Sean Wilkinson, Sharkee Katz, Andrew Mayer, Alingon Mitra, Christopher Gardner, James Creelman, Santiago Angel, Tim Vargulish, Lillian DeVane

Call me crazy, but I'd rather hear comedy without going to a comedy club. Do you want to laugh? And drink tallboys? I hear the pickleback is popular at Great Scott...

If you're looking for something different on any Friday night, you can hear a bunch of comedians for a low cover (sometimes lower when you go with someone) and still have time do something else.

When you're onto your next stop, you also have something interesting to say...

FRI 9/16

8pm
Warren Zanes
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

If you dug the Del Fuegos, you may not know that guitarist/younger-brother Warren Zanes has been doing a lot more that writing songs in the last 20 years or so.

Although you might not notice, he conducted most of the interview's in upcoming George Harrison documentary; and he's worked at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's doing a solo gig in support of his new album.

FRI 9/16

Roy Sludge (Midnight), Movers & Shakers (11pm), Tony The Bookie (10pm), The Unholy Three (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

In support of his new album, Roy Sludge is also gigging. As with other country/rockabilly bands (The Spurs/The Cranktones) he has led, Sludge serves up enjoyable, witty tunes with top-notch musicianship. The CD is called "Too Drunk To Truck", and it goes on from there.

Two of my favorite rockin' bands who don't shy away from getting rootsy and/or twangy are also playing. Another interesting wrinkle is an appearance from the Unholy Three which is probably the magic act that includes the drummer from The Pixies and the singer from Possum Dixon (that's for those of you who remembered Del Fuegos, above).

Thursday Briefly, Etc

Gah! Unexpected stuff has come up over the past couple days.

If I could make a suggestion for tonight, the three-day New England Pop Music Festival begins tonight. Six killer bands play every night at the Rosebud Bar & Grill (yes, behind the diner) starting at 7pm.

I was going to post a preview of Saturday stuff last night, and it should be up later. There is a load of cool things happening, and you can take a peek on the calendar.

TUES 9/13: Words, Drinks, Tunes

No offense to tomorrow's cheapness, but today is looking more interesting...

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TUES 9/13

5pm
An Evening with Andre Dubus III
at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Mass Ave, Cambridge (near Central Sq)
FREE

5pm to 7pm -- Cocktail hours
7pm -- Speaking portion

A few months ago, Andre Dubus III has given a few interviews (The Phoenix & JS Ink) where his open answers give a glimpse into the prose awaiting in his memoir of rough youth on the North Shore.

If you haven't picked up into the new book from the author of "House of Sand and Fog", this is a chance to get a sample from the source.

TUES 9/13

5:30pm to 8pm
Center Open House
at French Cultural Center, 53 Marlborough St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

If you have the slightest interest in learning French and/or taking French lessons, you should be fine to walk around the building, see what's going on in the French Center, listen to a little music, and have a glass of wine.

I've been to the first floor, and it's a pretty nice building. It could be worth 30 or 40 minutes of your time, and it's calmer classier way to get a free drink instead of the Stuff Boston party.

RSVP is recommended at 617-912-0400 (but not required).

TUES 9/13

6pm to 8pm
Stuff Boston YOP: "Fall Fashion Issue"
at North 26, The Millennium Hotel, 26 North St, Boston (Faneuil Hall /Haymarket)
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

I tried to tell you yesterday. There's a possibility you can still RSVP to get in. (I didn't check this morning.)

TUES 9/13

7pm to 8pm
John Ferling, "Independence: The Struggle To Set America Free": Discussion & Signing
at Harvard Coop, 3rd Level, 1400 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

It's great that people are expressing interest in colonial American history by calling themselves tea-partiers. (There's even a talk about the modern conservative movement tomorrow around the corner from the Coop.)

Maybe they should pick up a history book like this one, which covers the period from the Boston Tea Party to the Continental Congress debating in 1776.

The book is probably missing the story of Paul Revere's famous ride to 'warn the British'...

TUES 9/13

7pm
"Poets for Haiti": Reading
at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton
FREE

Feat: Wendy Mnookin, Gail Mazur, Kim Triedman, Barbara Helfgott Hyett

Shortly after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, there was a reading with 18 authors at Harvard to benefit the relief effort.

An anthology ($20) has been published including those writers with illustrations by Haitian artists, and the proceeds will go to Partners in Health who have been providing assistance well before the earthquake.

After hearing from some contributors, there may be time for people to read a poem of their own (arrive early to sign up for the open mic).

TUES 9/13

8pm
Michael Tarbox & El Yucateco
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10

Whether solo or with the Tarbox Ramblers, Michael usually digs deep into the roots of American music to incorporate blues/country/gospel into a rip-roaring rock 'n roll party -- or a darkly gently folkiness.

I get the idea we're going to hear a little twist on "ballads, fever dream blues, amorous hymns" with tonight's band (Mexican name?) that includes pedal steel guitar and strings.

TUES 9/13

9pm
Annie's Rock N' Roll Birthday
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

Feat: Guillermo Sexo (11pm), Aloud (10pm), Sarah RabDAU & Self-Employed Assassins (9pm), Allix Mortis, Brandy Wine

You may not know Annie personally, but she has put together some excellent rock shows over the years and is a real champion of the local music scene. And she's a wonderful person on top of it all. Obviously you don't have to know her to enjoy a kickass gig in the middle of the week.

When Aloud is firing on all pistons, it's some of the best lean, mean, straight-up rock anthems I've heard with big handfuls of melody and emotion. Thankfully, there's only one Self-Employed Assassin behind Sarah Rabdau, because it leaves more space to appreciate her outstanding vocals and keyboard. For some reason, I've never been too excited about Guillermo Sexo's approach to noisy, fuzzy sound; but that doesn't mean you won't love it.

I assume the burlesque dancers will perform between bands, and one should expect "games! favors! cake! prizes!", because Annie is throwing a party.

TUES 9/13: RSVP for Free Drinks

6pm to 8pm
Stuff Boston YOP: "Fall Fashion Issue"

at North 26, The Millennium Hotel, 26 North St, Boston (Faneuil Hall /Haymarket)

FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

Some may know it as the Year of the Rabbit; Stuff magazine claims it's the Year of the Party.

By my unofficial count, they've hosted much more than one party per month.

There are certainly worse post-work drink options than free drinks (probably gin-based cocktails at this mixer) and appetizers.

Do you have to care about Fall Fashion? Of course not.

Sure... You have to RSVP, and the wait at the bar is often maddeningly long. I don't go out of my way to attend these things, but it's usually a "net positive" experience.

In an improvement to past years, you can RSVP for a "+1".

MON 9/12: Talk, Film, Trivia, Music

Out of 7 billion or so people in the world, could there be someone who starts their 'weekend' on Monday...?

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MON 9/12

5pm to 7pm
Rock Shop #11: "College Radio"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
FREE

The start time has been moved to avoid a conflict with Monday Night Football, so musicians can get advice about radio airplay and watch the Patriots beat the Dolphins. (Sounds like a case for Greenpeace, no?)

If you're on the fence, there will be a drawing for Sox tix -- and they're grilling...

MON 9/12

6pm
"Interrogation Policy after Osama bin Laden Panel": Panel Discussion
at Room 310, Higgins Hall, 140 Comm Ave, Chestnut Hill (BC campus)
FREE

Feat: Glenn Carle, Sanford Levinson, Kenneth Himes

A former CIA interrogator, a constitutional law professor, and a theologian will discuss the ethics of severe methods that have been used in the past (and likely the present). Does the practice coincide with theory? And does conscience even enter the room theory and practice?

Afterwards the spy, the lawyer, and the priest will walk into a bar to create a silly joke...

MON 9/12

6pm
"Ride with the Devil": Screening
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

It looks like "Cold Mountain" next week will be the last in the Civil War Film Series. This Ang Lee has quite a few notable actors, so it looks like it has potential.

MON 9/12

7pm to 9pm
"Sous-vide Cooking: The Future of Healthy Cooking?": Lecture
at Science Center, Hall C, 1 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Feat: Joan Roca (El Celler de Can Roca)

The slow and steady cooking of food may seem slightly esoteric and destined to remain in the realm of modern gourmet cooking like chef Joan Roca.

However with the right equipment, this method can increase flavor, safety, preservation. It's also a practically fool-proof technique.

MON 9/12

8pm to 10pm
The Big Quiz Thing
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

I love pub trivia nights, and this monthly event is on a higher level that basically ranks as the best trivia night I've ever attended.

When the CTB team attended, the BQT folks thought we (and the whole crowd) were great too -- even though we only tied for 2nd place.

MON 9/12

8pm to 11pm
BCMFest Ceilidh
at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

From what I can tell from watching a couple video clips, a Ceilidh ("kay-lee"...?) includes music and dancing like a Celtic hoe-down.

Tonight's gig has been described as a "night with old and new friends" that'll start out as a session and "develop into a full-blown ceilidh" as part of the monthly night in anticipation of the Boston Celtic Music Festival in January..

MON 9/12

Major Stars (11:30pm), New Rock Syndicate (10:30pm), Sunram (9:30pm), Concord Ballet Orchestra Players (8:30pm)
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 / 21+

I suggest this show for those interested in a mix of psychedelic garage-rock and noisy improv/avant music.

MON 9/12

Wounded Knees (10:30pm), The Milkman's Union (9:30pm), You Won't (8:30pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$7 / 18+

I suggest this show for those interested in a mix of groovy folkiness and Americana.

MON 9/12

9:30pm
The Big Big Bucks, The Diamond Mines, Yale MA, Lazy Layabouts
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

I suggest this show for those interested in a mix of catchy tunes, loud guitars, pounding drums, and waffle fries.