Going. For People Who Love to Go Out.
See where Boston is going, share places you hang out and meet people who like the same things.
posted by: robert
Music, Art, Film, Dance, Theatre, Activities, Talks... I look for
any interesting performances & happenings around Boston area
that cost $10 or less.
I email a weekly list, and I post some 'highlights' here. So if you
like what I'm doing, you can subscribe at *cheapthrillsboston -
you know what- gmail.com* and get the whole enchilada; or check out my
blog.
Feel free to post about cheap stuff around Boston or whatever...
Thanks! ~rob
Recent Talk
July 24th & 25th. at Perks Coffeehouse (Free Shows)
Thursday July 24th. Angela Easterling
From South Carolina, on tour of the Northeast, Angela Easterling makes her Perks Coffeehouse debut.
Event: http://going.com/angelaeasterling
Friday July 25th. Celeste
Norwood's own Celeste makes a return to Perks Coffeehouse for an intimate night of her wonderful Storyteller-Songwriting.
Event: http://going.com/celeste
Venue: www.myspace.com/raymondbrady
Perks Coffeehouse
685 Washington Street
Norwood MA 02062
781.762.5565
From South Carolina, on tour of the Northeast, Angela Easterling makes her Perks Coffeehouse debut.
Event: http://going.com/angelaeasterling
Friday July 25th. Celeste
Norwood's own Celeste makes a return to Perks Coffeehouse for an intimate night of her wonderful Storyteller-Songwriting.
Event: http://going.com/celeste
Venue: www.myspace.com/raymondbrady
Perks Coffeehouse
685 Washington Street
Norwood MA 02062
781.762.5565
Fresh Photos
(4) view all|quick upload|upload multiple photos|
|
Upcoming Events
(49) view all|(1555) past events|post an eventMULT
dates
JUL
24
Post It On...
Raymond
July 24th & 25th. at Perks Coffeehouse (Free Shows) + -
From South Carolina, on tour of the Northeast, Angela Easterling makes her Perks Coffeehouse debut.
Event: http://going.com/angelaeasterling
Friday July 25th. Celeste
Norwood's own Celeste makes a return to Perks Coffeehouse for an intimate night of her wonderful Storyteller-Songwriting.
Event: http://going.com/celeste
Venue: www.myspace.com/raymondbrady
Perks Coffeehouse
685 Washington Street
Norwood MA 02062
781.762.5565
Justin
Saturday Beach Bashes with the Bustonian and Social Boston Sports! + -
With gas prices soo high its the best way to get to the beach this summer with friends!
Check it all our here: http://socialbostonsports.com/content...
robert
Cheaply Weekly... + -
###
FRI 7/11
All Day Long
7.11-ounce Slurpees
at participating 7-Eleven stores
FREE
Yes, it's true. I try to go every year and have at least one free mini-slurpee. It's actually a good amount if you consider that a 7.11-ounce slurpee has 7 ounces of sugar. It's also sufficient to get a brain-freeze.
I assume most, if not all, stores are participating. I know I'd be pissed if I went to one that wasn't doling out the freebies. Back in L.A., the 7-11's were stacked like Dunkin' Donuts and CVS locations combined, but there are still enough in the Boston area to get multiples without much trouble...
(While cup supplies last.)
FRI 7/11
Varsity Drag (11:45pm), Dirty Truckers (10:45pm), Buttercup (9:45pm), The Sneaks (9pm)
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
$8
I can tell you firsthand that The Dirty Truckers and Varsity Drag dole out some top-notch rock.
FRI 7/11
10pm
Dave Aaronoff
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass. Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$3
Rocker extraordinaire Dave Aaronoff is showing off his fondness for country-western on his new CD and will likely be backed by some of his friends known as The Protagonists.
FRI 7/11
10pm
Jacques Labouchere
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE
Peculiiar American singer-songwriter decides to move to Sweden a few years ago and makes some good music. Not a bad free entertainment choice...
FRI 7/11 to SUN 7/13
7:30pm
"The Real Inspector Hound" w/ "Hidden in This Picture"
at Mary O’Malley Park, Commandant’s Way, Chelsea Waterfront
FREE
English Performances on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
~En Espanol~ on Fridays and Sundays:
"El Verdadero Inspector Sabueso" con/ "Escondido En La Imagen"
Here is your reason to go to Chelsea: two one-act plays. Take the #111 bus for an adventure in free theatre -- and who knows what else -- on the other side of the Tobin.
There are 2 more weeks with no Sunday show at the end, so other performances are on: 7/16, 7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/20 & 7/23, 7/24, 7/25, 7/26.
FRI 7/11 to SUN 7/13
Various Times (most 7:30/8pm)
" Unbound 2008: A Festival of New Plays"
at Boston Playwrights Theatre, 949 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus)
$10 / $15 festival pass
What can I say -- they're new plays. Works from previous years have made it to Off-Broadway... You have a good chance of seeing something bold/adventurous/funny; it might be rough, but it won't be amateurish.
The schedule:
FRI 7/11
8pm: "Beautiful American Soldier"
SAT 7/12
8pm: "12 Dogs"
SUN 7/13
2pm: "Coma, Patient"
4pm: "Listening"
5:30pm: "Beautiful American Solider"
7pm: "12 Dogs"
I assume the festival pass is good for all 4 days, but you could see every play on Sunday for $15.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SAT 7/12
10am to 4pm
" Big-Bugs": Opening Day
at New England Wild Flower Society, 180 Hemenway Rd, Framingham
$8 / $6 seniors & students / $4 ages 3 to 18 / FREE under 3
Giant bug art returns to their favorite botanical garden/nature walk in Framingham with a swarm of buggy activities/exhibits.
To go along with the bugness, a Beatles tribute band, " HELP!", will play (1pm to 3pm).
SAT 7/12
10am to 6pm
Learn to Windsurf
at Community Boating, 21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston (Esplanade/Beacon Hill)
$10 / FREE 16 and under
Do you want to give windsurfing a try? The guy I talked to said the weather on Saturday should be "perfect" for whooshing across the Charles on a board with a sail...
As of Thursday afternoon, there are still some slots available. Call: 617-523-1038.
All equipment supplied but be prepared to get wet! You must wear sneakers or rubber booties to go on a windsurfer. They, and you will get soaked. Bring a clothing change.
Classes start every thirty minutes. You can get a head start by watching video lessons here.
(Whenever I see windsurfers on the river, I like to imagine it's John Kerry out there.)
SAT 7/12
11am
" Gun Crazy"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE
This should be shown late at night, but this is the monthly Saturday series, " Elements Of Cinema". Wild characters + danger + romance + cool camera work + sassy script = great film noir.
Discussion to follow screening.
SAT 7/12
2pm to Close
Trashfest
Feat: The Konks (Midnight), Leather Uppers (11pm), The Tampoffs (10pm), Almighty Terribles (9pm), Jay Allen & the Arch Criminals (8pm), Tunnel Of Love (7pm), Gozu (6pm), White Man's Magic (5pm), Starry Crown Nightstick (4pm), The Throwaways (3pm)
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
$10
I'm not associated with any of these bands, but should be a really fun show from beginning to end. Maybe a dozen bands playing punk/garage/rock/blooze is an excuse for people to get trashed, but that's fine. You don't have to drink to oblivion, but no one will judge you here...
Unfortunately, it looks like there's no free beer, but PBR tallboys are $2 from 2pm to 4pm (and won't be much more after).
SAT 7/12
3pm to 7pm
Riverfront Music Festival
Feat: Blind Melon, Need to Breathe, Matt Nathanson, The Brother Kite
at Market Landing Park, about 1 Merrimac St, Newburyport (Market Sq/Riverfront)
FREE
Blind Melon is back with a guy that sounds quite a bit like the late Shannon Hoon. Close your eyes and find out if you're happy, disoriented, or creeped out. Presented in cooperation with The River (92.5FM), so keep that in mind when you wonder about the other artists.
The Ipswich Ale Beer Garden will be open from noon to 6pm across the parking lot behind the Custom House Maritime Museum.
It's supposedly well-attended, and some people show up at the crack of dawn to get a sweet picnic spot...
A commuter rail ride would cost $7.75 each way -- but you're not driving (about 90 miles round-trip from Boston)...
SAT 7/12
1pm to 4pm
Micro- & Mini-Car Day
at Larz Anderson Museum, 15 Newton St, Brookline
$10 (includes Museum admission)
A MINI Cooper is a friggin' minivan compared to these miniscule marvels from the '50s and '60s. The extra cool part is that you can go for rides in some of these cars.
It's like a convention for the micro/mini-car owners, so you might just see the flock of them driving around the area this weekend...
SAT 7/12
7pm to 9:30pm
The Guess Who, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE
" WODS Oldies in Concert" Series
FYI: John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band were formed in Narragansett, RI. (Do you suppose they will drive separately or go in a van together?)
SAT 7/12
7:30pm to 11pm
Tango by Moonlight
over the Charles River, on the Weeks pedestrian bridge, Memorial Drive side, near Dewolf St, Cambridge
FREE
It's the first night of "dance on a bridge" season that lasts for the next 5 full moons or so. As usual, they'll start with brief period of tango instruction, then you can try for as long as you like until you feel like dancing any way you like. It's a fun time with and without a partner, since you can usually find a partner or two. It'll be too nice to be inside, so you might enjoy the atmosphere. Perhaps the spirit will move you.
Raindate: SUN 7/13
(Regardless of clear or cloudy skies, raindates are used only if it is actually raining at 8 pm on the primary date.)
SAT 7/12
9pm
Shaun & Suzi's Annual Bastille Day A-Go-Go
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$10 / 21+
Shaun Wolf Wortis and Suzi Lee have been doing this for 15 years where they "turn a Boston-area club into a New Orleans house party, albeit resplendent in French Revolution duds, and tongue firmly in cheek." It's like their Mardi Gras Ball but different. But similar. Expect to hear a bunch of NOLA-style R&B/jazz/etc with many special guests.
I don't know if it's because Suzi is out of town, but the special theme is "Duets Night", featuring local rock star couples singing duets together:
Laurie Sargent & Billy Conway
Dave & Katie Champagne
Peter Moore & Sarah Rabdau
Jen D'Angora & Ed ValauskasOther performers include Jim Infantino, Chandler Travis, and more.
SAT 7/12
The Watson Twins (11:45pm), Tim Fite (10:30pm), The Everyday Visuals (9:30pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10
The Watson Twins are probably best know for their CD with Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, "Rabbit Fur Coat". The really do sing beautifully, don't they? And The Everyday Visuals are so darn good in general.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SUN 7/13
2:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing Class
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$7 / 18+
Another edition of the best drawing session in Boston. Wilder and looser than any other art class you've been to. You won't feel so bad about your drawing skills. Crazy models, contests, and prizes -- oh my!
This month's model: Lola
SUN 7/13
3pm to 7pm
Eric Peterson, Swaggerin' Growlers, Tomorrow The Gallows
at Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon St, Somerville (Inman Sq)
FREE (donations welcome)
SUN 7/13
3pm to 10pm
Bastille Day Party
along Holyoke Street, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE
Is one Independence Day party enough for you? Celebrate the French one too with food, drink, music, dance, and miscellaneous fun.
There's a bunch of kids' activities from 3pm to 5pm, followed by Traditional French waiters race (" La Course des Garcon de Cafe") at 5:15pm. Performances by: Afrobrazil & Cirkestra (5:30pm to 8pm), Hot 8 Brass Band (8pm), then DJ Kamal drops the jams "a la Francaise" (9pm)...
Participating restaurants: Sandrine's Bistro, Chez Henri, Brasserie Jo, The Elephant Walk, Rialto, Petit Robert Bistro
Katrina Ritaville Express will park a FEMA trailer on Mt Auburn St. to -- y'know -- remind people.
SUN 7/13
9:30pm
TraniWreck: "Drag, Decadence, Dissent and Duos"
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
$8 / 21+
Our July Independence celebratory TraniWreck will feature performances about decadence and dissent and there'll be a few duos. Every time I come up with a theme for us the performers (in their irreverent way) say, "Yah, whatever, Heywood." So...we'll see. It's bound to be good. That's all I know.Featuring:
MC/Host Heywood Wakefield, Becca D'Bus, Johnny Blazes, Frieda Fries, Maggie Crowley & Rachel Kahn (of The Femme Show), Elizabeth Whitney (of Bitches with Barrettes), Can Can Revolution and more.
SUN 7/13
10pm
Jeremy Lyons & The Deltabilly Boys
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE
Our tasty bit of New Orleans in Boston, courtesy of Hurricane Katrina.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MON 7/14
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (10:40pm), Ha Ha Tonka (9:45pm), The Motion Sick (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10
MON 7/14
5:30pm
"Christmas in July & August"
at Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Boston (Copley Sq)
FREE
This is the last July night to watch Xmas-themed film programs in the dark, air-conditioned Rabb Hall for a relaxing 2-1/2 hours. Tonight's line-up consists of two mid-80's shorts, "Curious George Goes Christmas Shopping" and "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" (narrated by Jeremy Irons), and a musical version of "Scrooge" with Albert Finney.
http://www.bpl.org/news/upcomingevents.ht...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215099/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066344/
MON 7/14
All Day
"Scratch Me Mondays"
at all JP Licks locations (Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Somerville, Boston, Newton, Chestnut Hill)
FREE
One doesn't need much encouragement to go to JP Licks, because the ice cream is so darn good! But if you go on Mondays in July, you get a scratch card with various prizes and discounts to local establishments. Nothing big, but every card is a winner.
One lucky winner will have a "$250 Cash Cow Card" from J.P. Licks (and a monthly floral arrangement for one year from Twig). You can enter the drawing for the grand prize online.
http://www.jplicks.com/scratch.htm
http://www.twigboston.com/
http://www.jplicks.com/locations.htm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TUES 7/15
7 pm
Wendy Johnson, "Gardening at the Dragon's Gate": Reading
at Porter Square Books, 25 White St, Cambridge (near Star Market)
FREE
Organic farming icon Wendy Johnson has written a book about her life and her work, which should be an interesting talk for people interested in sustainable agriculture with a side of Zen meditation. I have a feeling that she doesn't often travel from her Northern California farm.
http://www.gardeningatthedragonsgate.com/
http://www.portersquarebooks.com/
TUES 7/15
8pm
Bluegrass Pickin’ Party
Feat: Uncle Monk (8pm), Boston Perfect 10's (10pm)
at Cantab Lounge, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 Voluntary Donation
Dude, it's Tommy from The Ramones! The original drummer of one of the most influential bands in rock now sings and plays mandolin in alt-country/bluegrass duo, Uncle Monk. You gotta give the $5 to support a Ramone... The Boston Perfect 10's are group of local hotshots that play in other bands.
http://www.geoffbartley.com/public_html/m...
http://www.myspace.com/unclemonk
http://www.cantab-lounge.com/public_html/...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WED 7/16
8pm to 1am
"Free Vicente Lebron!" Benefit Concert
at Ryles Jazz Club, 212 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Inman Sq)
$10
Vicente Lebron is one of the percussionists for jazz ensemble Either/Orchestra, and something went terribly wrong when they returned from their last international tour. Dominican-born Lebron has been in Homeland Security detention for over a month, and --thanks to our increasingly Orwellian system -- there really isn't much available information about his case. This show is a benefit for the legal defense fund of a fine musician, family man, and US resident for more than 35 years. (They will accept more than $10, if you desire.)
Many excellent bands and singers to perform:
8pm:
Orchestra Morphine, Gypsy Schaeffer, Manguito
9pm:
Gabrielle Agachiko, Leo Blanco Group, I-Level
10 pm:
3Play, Jorge Perez w/ Juan "Cotito" Medrano, latin-ethiopian-jazz w/ singers: Ruthie Ristich, Christian McNeill, Willie "Loco" Alexander
11 pm:
Rhumbafrica, Charlie Kohlhase's Explorer's Club, Club D'Elf
Midnight:
Russ Gershon's Mood Elevator
This is the first article I read about the case:
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/63...
http://hi-n-dry.com/orchestra_morphin...
http://www.gypsyschaeffer.com/
http://www.myspace.com/buck_moon
http://www.leoblanco.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jorgeperezdrums
http://www.myspace.com/christianmcneillmu...
http://www.williealexander.com/
http://www.charliekohlhase.com/
http://www.clubdelf.com/
http://www.myspace.com/eitherorchestra
http://www.rylesjazz.com/
WED 7/16 and THUR 7/17
8pm
"As You Like It": Shakespeare in the Park -- Open Dress Rehearsal
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boson (Boston Common)
FREE
Maybe fewer people will know about the dress rehearsals? The annual Free Shakespeare performances are really one of the best gifts to the city, so we should appreciate it and take in a performance.
It's one of the Bard's sylvan love stories, which the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will twist it in their way as they usually do each year. It looks like the sets will be reinterpreted in a 1930's/40's style.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_You_L...
http://www.commshakes.org/
http://www.citicenter.org/shows/lists/det...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THUR 7/17
6pm to 9pm
10th Annual Lantern Festival
at Lake Hibiscus, Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE ($10 suggested donation per lantern)
This is based on the Japanese midsummer Bon Festival, a Buddhist ritual in memory of loved ones in which lanterns represent the souls of the dead are floated out to sea and prayers are offered so that they might rest in peace. You can write some thoughts about your departed on the shades of the lantern, then watch it float about Lake Hibiscus. Flickr is full of beautiful scenes from previous years:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=lantern%2...
From 6pm to 8pm, the evening starts with performances from gospel singerRon Murphy, the Samurai drummers of Tsuji Daiko, and dance performances from the Chu Ling Dance Academy & Showa Boston Institute.
It's okay to bring picnic. A flashlight is suggested (but you'd be okay without one).
(Rain date: THUR 7/24)
http://www.ronmurphylive.com/aboutron3.ht...
http://www.samuraitaiko.com/Home.html
http://www.showaboston.org/
http://www.chulingdance.com/chu_home.htm
http://www.foresthillstrust.org/
THUR 7/17
10pm
Dennis Brennan Band
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (near Inman & Kendall Sq)
FREE / 21+
Dennis Brennan and his band have just begun a Thursday residency that will last 'til the end of August. If you don't know about this stunningly good rocker-songwriter, you better get knowledgable as soon as possible! He is a musical treasure that also surrounds himself with killer players.
http://www.myspace.com/dennisbrennan
http://www.atwoodstavern.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FRI 7/18
6:30pm
Anita Coelho - Afro-Heritage Project
at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St, Cambridge (East Cambridge)
FREE
Part of East Cambridge's Boom Town Festival.
http://www.myspace.com/anitacoelho
http://www.cmacusa.org/HTML/boomtownsched...
http://www.cmacusa.org/HTML/aboutdirectio...
FRI 7/18 and SAT 7/19
Various Times
ArtBeat Festival 2008
at Various places around Davis Square, Somerville
$3 donation suggested
Friday: 6pm to 10pm
Saturday: 11:30am to 6pm
The theme is "Green"
Some musical highlights should be: Freezepop, Akrobatik, Township, Audrey Ryan, Shrinking Islands
http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/prog...
FRI 7/18 to SUN 7/20
Various Times
Annual Italia Unita Festival
at 1 Bennington St, East Boston (Central Sq, couple blocks north of Maveriick T station)
FREE
Friday: 6pm to 11pm
Saturday & Sunday: 3pm to 11pm
http://www.italiaunita.org/
FRI 7/18 to SUN 7/20
Various Times
Annual Betances Festival
at Villa Victoria:
Plaza Betances, 100 W. Dedham St, Boston (South End)
O'Day Park, 85 W. Newton St, Boston (South End)
FREE
Friday: 6:30pm to 9pm
Saturday: 3pm to 9pm
Sunday: 2:30pm to 8pm
The greased pole competition was really fun to watch.
http://www.iba-etc.org/claboston/festival...
FRI 7/18 thru SUN 8/3
8pm (SUN: 7pm)
"As You Like It": Shakespeare in the Park -- Open Dress Rehearsal
at Parkman Bandstand, , about 165 Tremont St, Boson (Boston Common)
FREE
Also Playing:
TUES 7/22 to SUN 7/27
TUES 7/29 to SUN 8/3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_You_L...
http://www.commshakes.org/
http://www.citicenter.org/shows/lists/det...
rick
RE: Cheaply Weekly... + -
It's sorta been fun for me to see if there's anything I'm aware of that you haven't already posted. It hasn't happened in awhile now. Thanks for help making it an entertaining summer on the cheap! Of course I'm sure you already know about ArtBeat next weekend...
Cheers,
Rick
robert
RE: Cheaply Weekly... + -
Always feel free to post any tips you'd like. (Yes, ArtBeat rocks!)
~r
Raymond
This weekend at Perks Coffeehouse - Admission free music! + -
The Scott Tarulli Group.
Event: http://going.com/tarulli
Friday July 18th. 8 - 10 PM:
Eric Sommer.
Event: http://going.com/ericsommer
Venue: www.myspace.com/raymondbrady
Perks Coffeehouse
685 Washington Street
Norwood MA 02062
781.762.5565
Peace
Vicente Lebron Benefit, 7/16 + -
BostonYPA
July Red Sox Mixer at the Pour House + -
Todd
FREE sunset sail on Boston harbor + -
robert
RE: FREE sunset sail on Boston harbor + -
~r
Jeff
RE: FREE sunset sail on Boston harbor + -
arrrrrrrrrrrrr, matey!
robert
RE: FREE sunset sail on Boston harbor + -
Raymond
Free Concerts at Perks Coffeehouse this weekend! + -
Event: http://going.com/paulcataldo
Friday July 11th. 8 - 10 PM: Laura Lee Imhoff
Event: http://going.com/imhoff
Admission is free for both shows. Seating is limited, first come first serve. No reservations. Come early, come hungry, the kitchen is open!
Venue: www.myspace.com/raymondbrady
Perks Coffeehouse
685 Washington Street
Norwood MA 02062
781.762.5565
robert
Cheaply 4th/5th/6th... + -
~r
###
FRI 7/4
Noon
"Music of Mali" w/ Moussa Traore
outside Boston Children’s Museum, 300 Congress St, Boston (Fort Point/Seaport)
FREE
If you're walking around downtown, here's about an hour of djembe music from Mali-born master, Moussa Traore. Obviously geared towards kids, but it's open to the public. Hood is even giving out free ice cream...
FRI 7/4
8:30pm to 11pm
Boston Pops Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
at Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Storrow Dr, Boston
FREE
I wrote about this below.
Craig Ferguson hosts, and Rascal Flatts is the musical guest. Do they think people come for the musical guest? (They could get a local alt-country/Americana band, and it would still be crammed -- and about the same amount of TV viewers would tune in.)
With the Longfellow bridge closed to spectators this year (maybe next year too), your best bet might be the area along Memorial Dr, from Wadsworth St to Mass Ave.
Here's a list of cities with fireworks shows.
FRI 7/4
9pm
Roy Davis & The Dregs, Daisy's Little Secret
at Lizard Lounge/Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave, Cambridge (between Harvard Sq & Porter Sq)
$5 / 21+
I love Lizard Lounge, but an underground bar with Americana from Maine and local "swamp rock" is about as far as you can get from trad July 4th festivities.
FRI 7/4
10pm
"Living in America Burlesque Show"
at Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
$7
I love that the subtitle is "A Tribute to James Brown"... (And I believe it will be!) Goode Anatomy Burlesque seems to be the organizer of this shindig featuring men (lots, I think...) and women of many stripes/lifestyles including Mr. Lady, Boston Boylesque, Nicholle Pride, Busty Bullets, Aquanet Jones, indie-popsters The Toothaches, Mad Melodies, and maybe more.
FRI 7/4 thru SUN 7/6
2pm (SAT: 8pm)
" Look Back In Anger"
at the Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St, Boston (South End)
FREE
Hey, it's free. If you don't like it, walk out. Someone from The Phoenix went...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SAT 7/5
4pm to 6:30pm-ish
Field Trip #3
Mr. Sister, Many Mansions, a magician, boy without god(?), and more
in the brick structure on the end of Long Wharf, Boston (Waterfront/North End)
FREE
A mobile concert that is a cool concept, good music, and a good use of a couple hours.
SAT 7/5
8pm
"Xmas In July": Bob Gautreau's Christmas Carol(s)
at Spiegel Auditorium/ Blacksmith House, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
$10
Could be funny or awful:
Comic impressionist Bob Gautreau spoofs Rudolph, Frosty, Scrooge and Holiday Blues and features the Martha Stewart parody "How the Bitch Sold Christmas". The show is definitely for adults who are prepared to hear risque material.Every Saturday In July.
2-for-1 admission if you say, "I love Martha Stewart," when you order your tickets -- if you can live with yourself...
Reservations: 781-224-3363
SAT 7/5
Tokyo Tramps (11:30pm), Geezer (10:15pm), Ten Foot Polecats (9pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$8 / All Ages
A spectrum of good ol' American (and some Japanese) blues/rock.
SAT 7/5
9:30pm
The Chinese Stars, Big Digits, Foreign Islands
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
18+ $10
To the average listener, these acts might be a bit challenging. To the lover noisy dance-punk, it'll be an abundance of jumping, shaking delights. I first thought Big Digits was a joke band; they still might be, but I was converted when I saw them live -- and I wasn't the only one! It was a compellingly awesome display of hip-hop-inspired experimental fun.
SAT 7/5 and SUN 7/6
Various Times
Magic Lantern Shows
at Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
Various Prices
These are the Victorian-era version of movies. Vintage colored glass panels are projected every 30 seconds that is accompanied by live acting, narration, and music. This is so old-fashioned that it should be pretty wild!
SAT 7/5
3pm
"Spirit of '76"
$10 / $8 students & seniors
US history told as it was over 100 years ago. Audience participation is involved with tambourines, horns, and singing.
Deac Rossell (Goldsmiths College, London / ex-MFA, Boston) will discuss the "magic lantern" afterwards.
SUN 7/6
7pm
The Minwa-za Company of Tokyo
$10 / $8 students & seniors / $6 under 12
Four lanternists and three musicians will recreate utsushi-e, the Japanese version of Magic Lantern, that is actually about 200 years old. The Minwa-za Company is on their first tour of the US and will "perform" a collection of popular Kabuki, Bunraku, etc stories.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SUN 7/6
9pm
The Impossible Shapes, Reports, Nurse & Soldier
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE
Free quirky, noisy indie-pop-rock. Perhaps I shouldn't say this... I know I'm supposed to be a role model like Charles Barkley, but... I wasn't that impressed by Reports the first time I saw them. Again the right combination of heat, humidity, inebriation, and air-conditioning could turn this into a transcendent experience.
SUN 7/6
9:30pm
Lover, The Radio Knives, Doom Buggies
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$8 / 18+
Do you love garage-punk-rock?
Peace
RE: Cheaply 4th/5th/6th... + -
Tim Gearan & Friends - Friday at 10.
The White Owls - Sunday at 8:30.
Both are at Atwood's Tavern and free.
The New Bedford Summerfest:
Friday $10
Saturday & Sunday $15 (or $10 each day).
Details in the Northeast Folk n Roots group - http://boston.going.com/group-1849;No...
robert
The Zydepunks -- Tonight, 7/1 + -
http://boston.going.com/event-349336
TUES 7/1
9:30pm
The Zydepunks
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville
$5
All the way from New Orleans, this is the best unknown show of the week -- maybe of the month. These folks can't make it much easier for you to guess what they sound like: Zydeco meets Punk. Expect a driving, hopped-up Louisiana gumbo with big chunks of Irish, klezmer, and more.
They're getting raves from Rolling Stone to USA Today...