Weekend Calendar

A Friday post (and more) is forthcoming, but most -- if not all --of the weekend cheapness is on the calendar.

THUR 11/10: Talk, Drama, Rock

The Frugal Traveler blog at the NY Times posted "Boston, Free and Easy (and Campus-Oriented)" this week, and I agree with the writer that local universities & colleges are great resources for the general public as well.

In the comments section, someone suggested a few links including CTB. So thank you, aek, whoever you are! I feel like this blog is now part of the "news that's fit to print"...

If you're going to ski or snowboard this season, I've heard from people that the Ski & Snowboard Expo (11/10 to 11/13) is a good place to find deals on equipment, and there is a lot of opportunities to save on ski passes, etc. Print the coupon, and get in for $10. It's at the Seaport World Trade Center this year.

FYI: Friday & Saturday cheapness is on the calendar. And there is some advance info for Saturday & Monday below.

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THUR 11/10

7pm
"Pitchapalooza" with David Sterry & Arielle Eckstut
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Shaw's Market)
FREE to watch / Buy the book to pitch

If you ever want to publish a book, you'll probably get a better idea of what it takes by sitting there and listening.

If you buy their book, "The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published: How To Write It, Sell It, and Market It... Successfully", you might be picked to give a 1-minute pitch -- and the evening's "winner" will be introduced to an agent or publisher.

THUR 11/10

7:15pm to 9pm
Dr. Jamal Zahalka, "Debunking the Myth of Israeli Democracy"
at Austin Hall West, about 1511 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Harvard Law School)
FREE

I was thinking that even listing this event could upset people. That might be a little too sensitive.

The speaker is actually a member of Knesset who represents Palestinian citizens of Israel. We have an idea about his opinion. It might be more interesting for people who disagree with him. It would be even more interesting if an audience member freaks out and starts yelling at the guy...

Professor Duncan Kennedy of Harvard Law School will moderate.

FYI: "Dinner and refreshments will be served."

THUR 11/10 (thru SUN 10/13)

Various Times
"Polaroid Stories"
at Zack Box Theatre, Downstairs, 8 The Fenway, Boston (Boston Conservatory)
FREE

Thursday & Friday -- 8pm
Saturday -- 2pm, 8pm
Sunday -- 2pm

From what I read, I have a hard time guessing if this play is going to be good or not. It's inspired by a millennia-old Roman mega-poem, so that's promising. There's a warning that says, "For mature audiences only!" and that intrigues me.

They also warn, "Very limited seating."

THUR 11/10

8:30pm
Movers & Shakers, Viva Viva, Creaturos, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 18+

It was a few years ago when I said that I wanted to be in the Movers & Shakers. Strangely, they haven't gotten in touch (but they don't know I'm pretty handy with a guitar)... They seem to crank out rousing, American rock without my help as evidenced on their new album.

It sounds like one the main Viva Viva guys may not be at the gig tonight. Whether or not they are at full 'Viva', I believe it will still rock your socks (or other lower body garment) off. Gotta love the horn-band party music of Emperor Norton's SMB, and I can only assume players from Doomstar! & Ketman will make good Creaturos.

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THUR 11/10

9pm
Billy Ruane Memorial Birthday Bash
at Radio/Club Choices, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$5 / 21+

Feat: Thalia Zedek Band, Mary Lou Lord, Hilken Mancini, Reid Paley, MG Lederman, Michael Tarbox, more

It's been about a year since Billy Ruane shuffled off this mortal coil, and (like last year's show) I suspect there will be more memorial concerts for years to come. Although we didn't know each other, it's clear that if he came into your life that he left a profound impact.

Some of them are playing tonight, and they're all major players in my book, including a solo set by Reid Paley who now lives in NYC and recently recorded a duet album with Frank Black.

I wouldn't be surprised if other musicians get onstage as the night goes on.

THUR 11/10

9:30pm
The Features, Township, Around the World and Back
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

This should be a big, fun rock show. The Features are contemporaries and friends of Kings of Leon from Tennessee, and they deliver the southern indie-rock in a cool, unassuming vein that's similar to early Kings of Leon. On one hand, they haven't found the success that KoL did; on the other hand, they're still playing together.

Rumble winners Township are the top local practitioners of the kind of meat-and-potatoes rock that coexists as unfashionable and adored at the same time.

Albany rockers Around the World and Back sound a bit more laid-back and thoughtful, but you don't want to whip your head back and forth for 3 bands straight. Do you?

Advance Notice: 11/12 -- DIY Gift Swap

2pm to 3pm
Do-It-Yourself Gift Swap 2011
at Location TBA at midnight Friday
FREE

I should've posted this much earlier, but you still have time to make something that says, "My name is _________. I'm really [good/bad] at making stuff, and I love it!"

This is the 4th annual gift swap organized by those crafty flashmobbers Banditos Misteriosos, and the theme is "Homecoming Dance":

We'll provide the ambiance, the bad 90's music, and the smarmy photographer; you provide the embarrassing memories of years past, the awkward small-talk... and, of course, the gifts!

There is more details on their website and Facebook, but the basic premise is: You bring a wrapped home-made item, and (through some peculiar machinations) you will end with a different item as your gift.

Note the "DIY" aspect of the event, so don't just wrap any piece of crap laying around -- unless you made it. Actually, their suggestions of good gifts include something you knitted or painted or even a mix CD.

As usual, the location will be revealed at midnight before the event and will be T-friendly.

You don't have to get into character, but you'll probably have a better time by dressing up in some way.

There are some pix from a previous gift-swap on Flickr, if you're interested.

WED 11/9: Talk, Film, Music, Comedy

November is Wednesday residency month. There are three of them listed below, and I might be missing some...

If you're into supporting Movember, there's a 'Stache Bash at Middlesex Lounge tonight (6pm). You can BYO-moustache or buy a wooden one there for $5.

Be honest: you have no idea what Moombahton is. (Thanks, Wikipedia!) They're dubstepping and moombahton-ing at Milky Way Lounge/Bella Luna a little bit later.

I think you should decide who wins the Boston Music Awards, and you can still vote until midnight. The ceremony will be held in a couple weeks, if you want to be there.

Thursday cheapness is on the calendar.

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WED 11/9

6pm
"How Much Can Trees and Forests Slow the Global Warming Increase?": Lecture
at Harvard Museum of Natural History, 24 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

Feat: Steven Wofsy, Andrew Richardson

Doesn't that sound like a good question?

Planting and preserving trees seems like a good idea, so I think we should keep doing it whether or not Harvard researchers agree.

They say there is free parking in the garage at 52 Oxford Street...

WED 11/9

6pm
Jonathan Lethem, "The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, Etc": Discussion
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5

Tix available at Harvard Book Store or 617-661-1515.

Although I've only read one Lethem novel ("Motherless Brooklyn"), but I would gladly read more in the future. I might eventually read this collection of essays.

Yes, you're paying $5 to hear someone (who seems pretty cool) read, but the ticket can be used as a credit at the Harvard Book Store.

Lethem will supposedly hang out at Charlies Kitchen afterwards at a release party for a book called "Conversations with Jonathan Lethem".

WED 11/9

6:30pm to 8:30pm
Chris Landreth: Film Screening and Q&A
at Bright Screening Room, Paramount Theatre, 559 Washington St, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
FREE

Removal requested.

The Oscar-nominated animator will be discussing and showing some of his work. From my limited viewing, there is a weird/creepy thread to his work. Aesthetically, there's no intent to hide the computer animation yet the 3-D depth is impressive.

As a bonus, there should be pizza and refreshments.

WED 11/9

8pm to 10pm
The Poison Oaks, Chris North, Red Heroine
at Aviary, 48 South St, Jamaica Plain
$5 to $15 sliding scale donation

Singer-fiddler Laura Cortese describes her Poison Oaks project as as "an indie/pop/art/rock/folkestra collective that grew out of studio experiments over the last two years" -- and it sounds really good!

Since this is an art gallery, you can also see Naomi Yang's (Damon and Naomi, Galaxie 500) photography exhibit while you're there.

WED 11/9

8:30pm
Major Stars, Neptune
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7

The Major Stars are playing every Wednesday in November. In a departure from the usual, I like that two bands are just going to play longer.

There are all sorts of sound and noise out there, and some noise is better than others. These are two examples that bring a smile to my face.

With Major Stars, one is inclined to describe it as psych-rock but they push the envelope further than you'd expect with that label. Neptune goes even further with a bizarre avant-rock groove on collection of homemade instruments that require you to surrender your definition of melody & rhythm.

WED 11/9

9pm
Aloud (11:15pm), The New Collisions (10:30pm), Ex-Norwegian (9:45pm), Old Jack (9pm)
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$10 / 18+

It's week #2 of Aloud's residency, and the rock is getting better. Two of the other top local bands, The New Collisions and Old Jack, are on tonight's bill; along with a fun bunch of Miami rockers known as Ex-Norwegian.

Not yet a fan of the fantastic Aloud? Listen to the new single "The Cash and the Pearls", or really listen to any of their tunes.

I couldn't wrap my head around it last week, but there's a saving when you attend more than one show. For example: If you go tonight for $10, another Wednesday will cost $7 or both subsequent weeks will be $7 and $5 respectively.

It's a good deal when next week's show includes Rick Berlin & Band and some of Sidewalk Driver.

WED 11/9

9:30pm
"Yoga Cult Comedy Show: Screwicide II"
at The Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$6

Feat: Jess Sutich, Brendan Thomas Crowley, PJ Westin, Tom Dunlap, Guitler Raphael, Shawn Donovan, Laura Crawford

Listening to the news is one of many depressing endeavors. Heck, contemplating that an asteroid could smack into us and destroy us -- even if we started caring about the planet -- is awfully depressing.

Laughing about the failings of others might be the elixir to provide some relief. (Screwicide is definesd as "the desire to end one's life due to romantic and sexual failure." lolz.)

11/14: RSVP for Surfer Blood

FYI: Am not sure if a full Tuesday post is on deck. Tuesday & Wednesday cheapness is on the calendar.

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MON 11/14

7pm
"WFNX Disorientation"
at The Lansdowne Pub, 9 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

Feat: Surfer Blood

It's not exactly a show that I would die to see -- or try to win by redialing 50 times per chance. I would still be happy to see Surfer Blood for free.

The band's new recording sounds more confident and substantial then when I heard them last year.

There is a way to get your name on the list for Night #2 (which still probably doesn't guarantee entry unless you show up in a timely manner).

These things usually have an opening band, maybe Trabants? Or Viva Viva? These are just guesses...