MON 8/13: Beef, Spiders, Film, Baseball, Rock

It's such a beautiful day, I'm disappointed to offer so many indoor suggestions. So don't pay attention to me. Grab a frisbee and head to the nearest green space!

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MON 8/13

5pm to Close
Petite Filet Sandwiches
at Morton's The Steakhouse, Bar Area, U.S. Locations
$1 with Facebook Coupon

Jeez, how did I almost miss 'Filet Mignon Day'...?

Morton's seems to be offering a good deal for an after-work snack or casual dinner in the bar area. The bummer is that I don't think this Seaport restaurant has a patio area in its bar.

If you click on the link, they'll email a coupon to print or show to the staff. The $1 Petite Filet Sandwiches probably won't be that big, but you can order up to 4.

Hat tip to Boston on Budget.

MON 8/13

5pm
Marashetty Seenappa, "Arachnophilia: Adaptation, Survival and Reproduction in the Spider Kingdom": Lecture
at Haller Hall, 24 Oxford St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

A biologist from Bangalore University will give an illustrated talk about spiders and their amazing evolution. As one would expect extra attention to the Indian varieties which can be quite aggressive.

MON 8/13

6pm
"Bus Stop": Screening
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death earlier this month, the BPL is showing her films on Mondays in August. From my recollection, "Bus Stop" is one of her better non-comedic roles. I prefer "Some Like it Hot" (MON 8/27).

MON 8/13

7pm
Old-Time Baseball
at St. Peter's Field, 57 Sherman St, Cambridge (near Fresh Pond)
FREE

A vintage baseball game was put together during the '94 baseball strike, and it's become an annual event. It's a casual evening of baseball with college players and occasionally a retired pro like Lou Merloni playing in vintage-style uniforms from various teams and eras.

A corporate sponsorship presents the game and will make a charitable donation to the American Red Cross this year. The concession proceeds might benefit the cause too...

It's not a bad idea to bring a blanket or a chair.

MON 8/13 (thru SUN 8/19)

7pm
Jean Renoir's "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

It also plays at various times Friday through Sunday.

(Yes, it's a French black & white film with subtitles.)

MON 8/13

9:30pm
Sultan Bathery, White Pages, Dirty Virgins, Love-Up Time
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$6 / 21+

[Facebook]

There are no signs that Sultan Bathery are a band from Italy; with a name that suggest 60's psychedelia and a heavy-reverb early-garage rumble, they could be any band that has a lot of attitude. White Pages and Dirty Virgins will bring local authenticity to the noisy, sloppy garage-punk. It's Love-Up Time's first gig and includes one of the White Pages and the main Bandita.

MON 8/13

9:30pm
The Fake Boys, The Marine Electric, The New Warden, TKC
at Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$5 / 21+

[Facebook]

I can't tell you anything about the band TKC, but the rest of the bands get loud and punky that combine great rock sounds of the last 20 years.

If I had to pick, I'd say The Fake Boys are my favorite band on the bill. Start listening there, and you'll probably want to go. Maybe even have some waffle fries...

SUN 8/12: Sunday Night On-Topic Video

My favorite Cheap Thrill every year is probably HonkFest.

It's a free weekend in October when horn street bands put smiles on faces and booties in motion. Think about supporting the good times.

SUN 8/12: Art, India, Film, Music, Theatre, Shakespeare

Feel like making a spur-of-the-moment TV or furniture purchase? It's still 'Tax Holiday Weekend'...

If you're in the mood for Italian instead of India Day below, You've got the Madonna Della Cava Feast in the North End. For something more low-key yet authentic, one could take the Orange Line to Malden for the annual Feast of St Rocco.

Even though the Dominican Festival not listed on the Franklin Park site (or even listed on its own website), there's a good chance that you hang with a lot of Dominicans in the park with music and food today.

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SUN 8/12

10am to 5pm
Annual Chinatown August Moon Festival
around Beach St, Harrison Ave, Tyler St, Boston (Chinatown)
FREE

Dim sum places will be more crowded than usual, but there's entertainment in the streets. Maybe you can snack on a mooncakes -- it's a Moon Festival thing.

SUN 8/12

2:30pm to 5:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's: Burlesque Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

Model: Ludella Hahn

You don't have to be a good artist or even someone who draws everyday to hang with Dr. Sketchy*. There might be some parallels to a normal life-drawing class, except the models are having more fun** and there's no instructor to criticize your stuff.

Here are a few tips that I picked up from the organizers a while ago:

Come on time to get a seat up front. Keep it small so others can crowd in around you. A milk crate to carry your stuff and double as a chair wouldn't hurt.

We start with short poses to get you warmed up and then move on to longer and longer poses, but that's about where the traditional life drawing session stops...

* Dr. Sketchy won't be there.

** It's burlesque, so she won't go the "Full Monty".

SUN 8/12

3:30pm to 8pm
India Day Celebration
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

It's the 65th anniversary of India's independence, so you could join the local celebration of food, music, dance, vendors, etc.

I checked out India Day a couple years ago, and there was quite a bit of entertaining music and dance.

SUN 8/12 (thru SUN 8/19)

4:30pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

As I read about movie projectionists in the Phoenix recently, the HFA is one of the best rooms in ton to see a pristine, restored version.

It also plays Monday at 7pm, then at various times next Friday through Sunday.

(Yes, it's a French black & white film with subtitles.)

Another classic "Chinatown" is screening tonight at 7pm.

SUN 8/12

6pm to 8pm
Endangered Speeches
at Piers Park, 95 Marginal St, Boston (Eastie)
FREE

Live music can be heard in East Boston on most Sundays and Tuesdays (thru SUN 9/9) in one park or another.

Some acts are more exciting than others, but it's not a long trip on the Blue Line.

It could be a rather nice Sunday evening to bring a bag of food & drink and get down to the big, multi-culti, hip-hop/reggae riddims of Endangered Speeches.

Have ever been to the Shipyard sculpture park that's a short walk away?

SUN 8/12

6pm
Berklee Summer in the City: Kina Zore
at Allerton Overlook, about 142 Pond Ave, Brookline (near Brookline Village)
FREE

If you'd rather sit in a park in mainland Boston for globally aware tuneage, there's an Afro-pop band playing in the Emerald Necklace.

SUN 8/12

7pm
"Passion Play"
at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10 standing room

The 3 acts aren't really different productions of the Jesus story, but the play happens while people at different times and places are going to perform it.

Playwright Sarah Ruhl and her plays receive frequent accolades.

When I last checked there were some standing room tickets available, so you could probably walk up and get in...

SUN 8/12

7pm
"Queer Punk Puppet Cabaret", Evan Greer
at Milky Way Lounge / Bella Luna, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (The Brewery Complex)
$5 suggested donation

The piece is actually called "Three Daemon Serenade (Into the Cupboard)", but I was amused by the title on the Milky Way's calendar.

Gepetta the puppetess describes it as:

...a fairy tale cabaret that unfolds silently from gut-spilling tea party to a dark magical world where tea cups where tutus and daemons appear as grotesque owls.

The live soundtrack will be provided by quirky folder Elliott Harvey; you can play both YouTubes at the bottom of this page and mute the left one to get an idea of what to expect.

"Radical genderqueer singer/songwriter" Evan Greer gets the party started.

SUN 8/12

7pm
Shakespeare on the Common: "Coriolanus"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE

Friday & Saturday -- 8pm
Sunday -- 7pm

It's the last night folks.

In its 17th year, Shakespeare on the Common is perennially one of the best cheap thrills you'll find in Boston. Sure... New York has 'Shakespeare in the Park', but not every town has professional actors bringing the Bard to life outside where anyone can walk up and get cultured.

The story in "Coriolanus", a play set in Rome and written 400 years ago, might be familiar to the contemporary audience: People rioting in the street, because resources are being withheld from the masses. Those in power think they don't deserve it, and the main character has a special disdain for the common person although he's encouraged to run for office.

Although last year's film may have earned some accessibility for the play, it's long been said to be one the lesser works of Shakespeare. Like the movie, the sets probably won't look like Rome; there will also be some fight scenes.

Despite my indifference to the selection, I will still list the play every night, because 1) you might like it anyway and 2) this is an annual gift to the residents (and visitors).

"May not be appropriate for all ages. Parental discretion is advised."

SAT 8/11: Late Cheapness

The evening cheapness from today's earlier post is included.

It's still possible to learn about Cambridge history or drink with Waldos, if you're so inspired...

It may have been selective amnesia, but I kept forgetting that I saw that people can get their first 2 draught beers for FREE today at Olde Magoun's Saloon. (Many drinkers don't need this incentive to show up...)

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SAT 8/11

6pm to 10pm
Hungry Tiger Street Food Festival
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

Rain Date -- SUN 8/12

[Facebook]

The restaurants of Union Square span the culinary globe from India through Latin America and the good ol' USA. Taking inspiration from Asian night markets, many local eateries are offering street food option sin the plaza.

Of course there will be local artisans/craftspeople along with performances such as fire dancers and martial artists, which looked pretty cool last year.

SAT 8/11 (thru SUN 8/19)

7pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

As I read about movie projectionists in the Phoenix recently, the HFA is one of the best rooms in ton to see a pristine, restored version.

It plays at various times through Monday, then next Friday through Sunday.

(Yes, it's a French black & white film with subtitles.)

SAT 8/11

8pm
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy": Screening
at Room 100, Bldg 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Speaking as someone who paid to watch it last year, I'm not sorry I didn't wait for the free screening. It was really good.

It might be helpful to know the story beforehand, because the opening 15 minutes or so are a bit vague. However the film encapsulates the story rather well despite the time limits not shared by a novel or mini-series.

SAT 8/11 (and SUN 8/12)

8pm
Shakespeare on the Common: "Coriolanus"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE

Sunday -- 7pm

Again let's hope it doesn't rain, because tonight and tomorrow are your last chances to see this production.

In its 17th year, Shakespeare on the Common is perennially one of the best cheap thrills you'll find in Boston. Sure... New York has 'Shakespeare in the Park', but not every town has professional actors bringing the Bard to life outside where anyone can walk up and get cultured.

The story in "Coriolanus", a play set in Rome and written 400 years ago, might be familiar to the contemporary audience: People rioting in the street, because resources are being withheld from the masses. Those in power think they don't deserve it, and the main character has a special disdain for the common person although he's encouraged to run for office.

Although last year's film may have earned some accessibility for the play, it's long been said to be one the lesser works of Shakespeare. Like the movie, the sets probably won't look like Rome; there will also be some fight scenes.

Despite my indifference to the selection, I will still list the play every night, because 1) you might like it anyway and 2) this is an annual gift to the residents (and visitors).

"May not be appropriate for all ages. Parental discretion is advised."

Show up early for musical performances from 6:20 to 7pm for jazz-rock from Ro Sham Beaux.

SAT 8/11

8pm
40 Oz To Freedom, Blue Light Bandits
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10

(Advance tix available until 7pm.)

It's true I've generally ignored when Badfish, the regional Sublime tribute band, has come through town. As much as I love Sublime, I didn't want to encourage a tribute although other people love it. (Maybe it was more than $10.)

San Diego-based 40 Oz To Freedom tries to sound closer to the original with extended jam sections, which some people may prefer. The folky soul-pop of Blue Light Bandits should warm things up nicely.

SAT 8/11

9pm
HR / Human Rights w/ Scotch Bonnets, Ska-Prest, Super Ska, DJ Ford E. Buxworth
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

Some folks may be into seeing the Sublime tribute on the other side of the river. Of course, the real Sublime would probably try to get out of their gig to see the lead singer of Bad Brains.

I'm a little confused at this point, but his backing band will be the all-female reggae outfit The Scotch Bonnets -- or he will be guesting with them. Either way, it should be really damn cool. Some our local ska/reggae stalwarts are providing support for a skunking good time.

SAT 8/11

9pm
The Barley Hoppers, Lynnette & the Longshots, DJ Easy Ed’s Record Hop
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$7

The Midway is better than most venue to sub as a country/rockabilly honky-tonk in the Boston area. Besides hosting a bunch of gigs like this, it could be a funky version of a roadside joint if you squint your eyes a bit.

The Barley Hoppers nail the sound of the early rockabilly trio just a short evolutionary step past country/western, and their repertoire is filled with classics and forgotten chestnuts. I suspect Lynnette & the Longshots will sound much like Lynette's old band, The Stumbleweeds.

As DJ Easy Ed has said, he'll be "spinning records (suitable for dancing, drinking, or both -- simultaneously)."

SAT 8/11

10:30pm
Hands & Knees, Vulcans, Summer Cult
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5-ish / 21+

The punky, twang-alicious indie-rock of Hands & Knees is a wonderful sound that has originated in the Boston area. They'd be superstars if I ruled the world. Keep listening because one song can reveal only a bit about H&K.

Alt-country and folk-rock dudes from PA (Vulcans) and upstate NY (Summer Cult) round out the night.

SAT 8/11

11:15pm to 6am
Annual Boston by Bike at Night
Start at Trinity Church, about 600 Bolyston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE

Think of it as a fun, zero-emission sightseeing adventure around town. The ride usually attracts well over 100 bicyclists to roam the the streets of Boston until dawn. The route changes every year, but it’s about 30 miles of riding with occasional stops that could take you through Cambridge, Charlestown, as far down as JP, or even towards Brookline.

It will end up at Christopher Columbus Park in North End, and it would be nice to bring something for a potluck breakfast.

The rules of the road are generally followed, but do you think any cars are going to screw around with a massive bicycle gang? Some requirements/recommendations I've seen in the past:

* You should bring a bike with lights, and you should wear something reflective.
* It’s strongly suggested that you bring a spare inner tube for your bike.
* Helmets are recommended.
* Commemorative t-shirts will be available (probably $15ish).

The ride starts to leave around 11:45pm, but it’s a good idea to get there early.

FYI: Here’s the MBTA policy on bikes.

SAT 8/11: Early Cheapness

Taking chances is part of the fun of living.

And an umbrella is a good method of staying dry.

Happy Tax Holiday Weekend!

--------------------------------------------

SAT 8/11

9am to 6:30pm
Cambridge Discovery Days 2012: "Power & Politics"
at Various Locations in Cambridge
Most FREE

Historical walking tours may be a bit of mental broccoli for a weekend activity on a day that might rain intermittently. Some undeterred lovers of Cambridge History may still set out to various spots for a guide to lead them around for an hour or so.

Some of the 18 offerings include:

1pm to 4pm (on the hour)
"The Most Fascinating History of the Square"
meet at information kiosk, Harvard Square

This is basically the tour where someone in a top hat or bonnet gives a full tour of Harvard Square. It usually costs in the $12 range.

1pm to 2:30pm
"The Social and Political Activists of Mount Auburn Cemetery"
meet at the front gate, Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St

Many great Americans who strived to make America a better place are buried at Mount Auburn.

2pm to 3pm
"All the World’s a Stage: A History of Performers & Performance Spaces in Harvard Square"
meet at ART Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St

Explore the history of both formal and informal performance spaces in Harvard Square.

2:30pm to 3:30pm
"Neighborhood Walk"
meet at Visitor Center, Longfellow House, 105 Brattle St

The neighborhood around the Longfellow house is rather nice; it might be more interesting with someone adding factoids/trivia here and there.

3pm to 4:15pm
"The Old Burying Ground: Epitaphs, Elegies & Encomiums"
meet at the Old Burying Ground gate, next to Christ Church, Zero Garden St

Maybe more knowledge about the carving of these gravestones will make the aesthetics more fascinating? (No touching or rubbings of stones is permitted.)

3pm to 4:30pm
"The Powder Alarm of 1774"
meet outside CCAE, 42 Brattle St

If the other tours are a bit light, hang out with Revolutionary War historian J.L. Bell as he shows you some of the locations of a major event leading up to the Revolution.

5:30pm to 6:30pm
"Writing the Civil War"
meet at Carriage Barn, Longfellow House, 105 Brattle St

How did the Civil War affect the literature of the time and authors like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Nathaniel Hawthorne? Listen and learn.

All of the descriptions are in a PDF guide.

Another option is to take a free tour of Longfellow House (10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm) or the the oldest house in Cambridge, Cooper-Frost-Austin House (Noon, 1pm, 2pm -- $5 for non-Cantabrigians).

If you have original historic photos of Cambridge, let them scan it at the Cooper-Frost-Austin and they'll give you a free Toscanini's ice cream (certificate, I assume).

SAT 8/11

1pm
"Where’s Waldo?" Crawl
start at Paddy O's, 33 Union St, Boston (near Faneuil Hall)
$5 + what you drink / 21+

Schedule:

1pm -- Paddy O's
1:45pm -- Hennessy's
2:30pm -- Kitty O'Shea's
3:15pm -- The Place
4pm -- Barney Fanning's

Have you ever dressed up as Waldo (or his female friend Wanda) for Halloween? You are ready for the pub crawl. If a red-striped shirt and cap are part of your usual wardrobe, I'm not going to judge... but you are ready.

Since it's a bit late to RSVP, you can still show up and hope they have enough wristbands and koozies. They say, "You don’t have to arrive at the 1st bar. Feel free to come and go as you please."

Enjoy drink specials at each spot while giving a little bit to charity (proceeds from the $5 go to Jumpstart).

As a special guest, the real Waldo will make an appearance, but it may be difficult to find him...

SAT 8/11

6pm to 10pm
Hungry Tiger Street Food Festival
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

Rain Date -- SUN 8/12

[Facebook]

The restaurants of Union Square span the culinary globe from India through Latin America and the good ol' USA. Taking inspiration from Asian night markets, many local eateries are offering street food option sin the plaza.

Of course there will be local artisans/craftspeople along with performances such as fire dancers and martial artists, which looked pretty cool last year.

SAT 8/11 (thru SUN 8/19)

7pm
Jean Renoir’s "Grand Illusion": 75th Anniversary Restoration
at Harvard Film Archive, 24 Quincy St, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
$9 / $7 Non-Harvard students, senior citizens

One usually falters when trying to convince someone about the greatness of a movie, but this is one of the masterpieces. Besides being the foundation of every prisoner-of-war movie of the last 75 years, there's a story that examines class issues and nationalism. It wouldn't happen in modern war, but analogies still apply today in other ways.

As I read about movie projectionists in the Phoenix recently, the HFA is one of the best rooms in ton to see a pristine, restored version.

It plays at various times through Monday, then next Friday through Sunday.

(Yes, it's a French black & white film with subtitles.)

SAT 8/11

8pm
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy": Screening
at Room 100, Bldg 26, 60 Vassar St, Cambridge (MIT campus)
FREE

Speaking as someone who paid to watch it last year, I'm not sorry I didn't wait for the free screening. It was really good.

It might be helpful to know the story beforehand, because the opening 15 minutes or so are a bit vague. However the film encapsulates the story rather well despite the time limits not shared by a novel or mini-series.

SAT 8/11 (and SUN 8/12)

8pm
Shakespeare on the Common: "Coriolanus"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common / Tremont St Side)
FREE

Sunday -- 7pm

Again let's hope it doesn't rain, because tonight and tomorrow are your last chances to see this production.

In its 17th year, Shakespeare on the Common is perennially one of the best cheap thrills you'll find in Boston. Sure... New York has 'Shakespeare in the Park', but not every town has professional actors bringing the Bard to life outside where anyone can walk up and get cultured.

The story in "Coriolanus", a play set in Rome and written 400 years ago, might be familiar to the contemporary audience: People rioting in the street, because resources are being withheld from the masses. Those in power think they don't deserve it, and the main character has a special disdain for the common person although he's encouraged to run for office.

Although last year's film may have earned some accessibility for the play, it's long been said to be one the lesser works of Shakespeare. Like the movie, the sets probably won't look like Rome; there will also be some fight scenes.

Despite my indifference to the selection, I will still list the play every night, because 1) you might like it anyway and 2) this is an annual gift to the residents (and visitors).

"May not be appropriate for all ages. Parental discretion is advised."

Show up early for musical performances from 6:20 to 7pm for jazz-rock from Ro Sham Beaux.