Early Music Series

It's been a long weekend: turkey, drinks, family, football, pie, turkey sandwiches, more pie. Unwind with a little classical music this sunday at the Somerville Museum.

"From Lowest to Highest," French Baroque and classical music by Forqueray, Caix d'Hervelois, Dolle, Boismortier, Campion and Leone. Performers are Duo Maresienne (Lewis on pardessus and bass violas da gamba, and Henriksen on theorbo, Baroque guitar and mandolin).

Sunday, Nov. 26, 3 p.m.
Admission to each concert is $17; $12 for students, seniors and museum members.
Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Rd, Somerville
617.666.9810

>> Somervile Museum
>> Somerville Museum's Early Music Series

Northwest Fest @ Redbones

For all you die hard beer drinkers out there I'm sure you will agree with me when I say, trying out new local brews rocks. I love hitting up a local bar while traveling, the excitment of reading a list of beers I haven't read a million times, relishing the first sip of beer I have never tasted . Too bad I'm broke and can't go anywhere. Redbones to the rescue! Once a year Redbones hosts Northwest Fest in which they ship hand crafted beers from Oregon and Washington to be on tap from early November through December.

Most of the beers tapped are never available in the East because they come from small breweries with limited production capacity and, without Redbones stepping in, the economics and logistics of shipping are untenable.

The fest also includes two Brewers Banquets which include dinner and guest speakers, sadly these have already passed. Don't get too sad, the beer is still here.

Here are some of the breweries participating this year: Alameda Brewhouse, Alpine Brewing Company, Anacortes, Baron Brewing Company, Bear Creak Brewing Company, Boundary Bay, Deschutes, Elysian, Far West Ireland Brewing, Full Sail, Hair of the Dog, La Conner, Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Maritime Pacific Brewing Company, North Fork Brewing, Pelican Pub and Brewery, Portland Brewing, Pyramid Breweries Inc., Raccoon Lodge, Renegade Brewing Company, Rogue, Silver City, Widmer, Winthrop.

>> Redbones

Brickbottom Open Studios

Open studio this weekend, Nov 18-19 at Brickbottom Artists Association.

Fast becoming a creative hub -- boasting more than 165 lofts, studios, and workshops -- this district is home to some of Greater Boston's most exciting artists and artisans. No matter your tastes, you'll find art you love, performances to enjoy and artwork to take home at Brickbottom & Joy St. Open Studios.

1 Fitchburg St and 86 Joy St, Somerville
12 - 6 pm
Free

>> Brickbottom Artist Association (BAA)

Salsa Dance Lesson

Dyke Night at Toast is hosting Salsa Dance Lesson and Brazilian Girls CD release this Friday night.

Salsa is a sexy, funky, fabulous dance that's incredibly popular world-wide. Salsa music is a fusion of traditional African and Cuban and other Latin-American rhythms that traveled from the islands (Cuba and Puerto Rico) to New York . Salsa is one of the main dances in both Cuba and Puerto Rico and is known world-wide, but you don't have to travel farther than Somerville to experience its heat!

No partner needed. 8:30 pm registration; 9-10 pm lesson; 10-2 pm dance party
Toast Lounge, 70 Union Sq, Somerville
$10 with dance lesson, $5 without.

>> Salsa Night
>> Out To Dance
>> Dyke Night

Free Pizza

No joke, free pizza. Once a week Johnny D's closes its kitchen and orders out. The offer is good every Monday from 6:30 - 8pm but I suggest showing up on the earlier side. Trivia starts at 8:30 and the crowd trickles in around quarter of 8. This creates what we will call the pizza squeeze. The bar honors their offer and gives out pizza tickets when the pizza runs out, but waiting for the delivery boy (remember they order out) can be painful and unfulfilling as the crowd tackles only a few pizzas when they arrive.

So my advice:
Arrive around 7 with some good friends. Enjoy plentiful and free pizza. Discuss an array of intellectually hot topics (its good to spout out smart comments before trivia starts to even out the harsh truth that you probably won't answer any questions correctly later). Drink a few beers. By the time 8:30 rolls around you will be pleasantly full and have that slight buzz that will allow you to overcome any answer apprehension (you still won't get any right, but at least you will show confidence).

If this doesn't sounds like a good idea you could always swing by after a long day at work, eat pizza and drink PBR in a dark corner alone, slip out before the crowd arrives, and be home in time to catch the newest episode of whatever ridiculous reality show is on Monday nights. Whatever floats your boat.

>> Johnny D's

Laundry and Bourbon

Although I would have to say I prefer Cooking and Wine as my domestic / booze combo for chatting it up with the girls, I think I could give Laundry and Bourban a try.

Laundry and Bourbon is a funny and touching story about three women from early 1970's Maynard, Texas. Join Elizabeth, Hattie and Amy Lee as they struggle with their own lives and each other.

Produced by Dramatists Play Service, Laundry and Bourbon by James McLure is playing at the Studio for the Dramatic Arts, Boston: 561 Windsor Street Somerville. Tickets are $12 at the door. November 10 - 18.

>> Laundry and Bourbon

Environmental Puzzles from Three Photographers

There is an awesome exhibit at Harvard Museum of Natural History featuring works from three photographers: Alex MacLean, Anne Whiston Spirn, and Camilo José Vergara. I was especially captivated by the pieces by Vergara, who mostly documents american slums. Some of his peices are comparative photos taken from the same position over a long period of time.


Time Lapse Series in Camden is linked from wikipedia.

The exhibit runs until the end of Dec 2006. Definatly worth checking out. And don't forget, it's free on sunday morning!

>> HMNH Exhibitions
>>More on Camilo José Vergara

Free Adminsion to Harvard Museum of Natural History

MA residents get in free sunday morning and wednesday afternoon in the winter. All you need to do is give them your zip code.

>> Harvard Museum of Natural History
>> Visitor Info