Holiday Craft Fair

I went to the mall Friday, that's right. Black Friday. There were not as many sales as I had hoped. But then again, I didn't get out to the stores until 6ish. Lame in the eyes of serious shoppers i guess. So, I didn't get nearly as much shopping as done as I had hoped. Something that will be helpful to me as well as people who hate malls this time of year: Union Square Main Streets' Annual Craft Fair.

A press release from Union Square Main Streets said four craft markets and open studios at the fair will feature gifts including sculpture, jewelry, knitwear, photography, handbags, electronics, greeting cards, wreaths, and more. The Sherman Café and Bloc 11 will be on the scene if you get hungry. Local bands The Doctors Faux and Chris Mancini and the Pretty Pennies are set to headline live performances throughout the day.

Something else I always think about it to hit up artist co-ops. Family members usually enjoy home made gifts. It doesn't say anything about you needing to be the one to make them anymore. What are we third graders? I kid I kid.

Union Square Main Streets' Annual Craft Fair
December 1
Union Square Plaza and Toast Lounge

Holiday Trivia: Black Friday is not the busiest shopping day of the year as most assume. It is usually the Saturday before Christmas. OR December 23rd if Christmas falls on a weekend.

Laser Rock Show

Originally I was going to post specifically on Led Zeppelin, but who knew, there is a whole world of rock they are covering!

Laser technology takes over the Charles Hayden Planetarium dome for evening light shows that combine music and techno-artistry.

Schedule:
November 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30,
as well as Dec. 1, and 2.
Beatles: 5:30p
Led Zeppelin 7:30p
70's Rock (Boston, AC/DC Van Halen) 9:30p

Museum of Science
Science Park
Boston

>>MOS

Soul Responsibility

It should be your soul responsibility to attend this event! Respond: New England's first domestic violence agency is hosting a night of dancing, funk and prizes.

Their organization strives to help women and their children create options for a safer life, free from domestic violence, and to further the efforts of the larger community to end domestic violence.
Koop will be starting off the evening with some funky grooves and DJ Raliegh Fingers, Selector70 and Tara Hubbard of Soul-Le-Lu-Jah , Stoodio53 and Soul Touch will be keeping the dance floor happening until they kick us out. And if that wasn't cool enough, LUPEC (Ladies United for Protection of Endangered Cocktails) will be creating custom bevies for the event.

Soul Responsibility
Friday 10/2
9:00pm
George Dilboy VFW
Summer St. (Davis Square)
$10 at the door.

Halloween Happenings

Halloween is right around the corner. Some festivities have already happened. I am not sure what I am doing for Halloween yet, not really a fan of this holiday. It requires being creative, or willing to spend $60 on a pre-made costume. I am into neither of those things. So, it is a struggle every year. But for those of you that heart the scary freaky day, here are a few ideas for Cambridge/Somerville.

Halloween Stroll
10/28 2:00p
If they are anything like my nieces they will be wearing their costumes the second they wake up. This gives them a chance to show it off. For all ages, so your 25 year old sister that also sleeps in her costume is welcome as well!
A costume Parade leaves Davis Square's Statue Park and follows the minuteman trail to Lexington Avenue Park. There will be food and games at the end.

Monster Mash
10/29 8:00p
This event is a little more adult. A benefit for the Somerville Arts Council. A Tribute to Bobby Pickett. There will be music, inimitable indie hip-hop trio Z.W.A. (Zombies with Attitude) as well as tunes spun by DJ BC. A costume contest will be judged by Halloween author Lesley Bannatyne, Vintage/Union Boot-rix Elizabeth Lafavour, and SCUL-rider/artist Skunk. Horror movies will be projected throughout the night, food donated by Kickass cupcakes, and of course candy!
P.A's Lounge
345 Somerville Ave.
SAC Monster Mash
Remember SCUL?

Tomes of Terror II-Live Halloween Radio Plays
10/29-10/31 7:30p
Local actors making live sound effects with everyday objects. This even is hosted by a creepy character called "the Librarian." This year's Halloween 'Staged-Radio Thrillogy' will feature:
"Carmilla" -- the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula
"Halloween Party" -- From the classic comedy series Our Miss Brooks
"The Stone Ship" - based on William Hope Hodgson's eerie 1914 sea-bound thriller
Theatre@First
First Congregational Church
89 College Ave.
Davis Square.

Halloween Costume Ball
10/26 9:00p
Dykenight productions is hosting it's 9th annual Costume Ball at Toast. Includes dancing, costume contest (4 categories) free Tarot readings, and Jack-O-Lantern contest.
Toast
74 Union Square
Somerville

Oktoberfest

29th annual Oktoberfest in Harvard Square is this weekend. Several things are planned out for this 6 hour event. Mom bands, Honkfest, Concerts in several different locations, pumpkin patch, and a performance of Our Town to name a few.

ROCK, HONK, DANCE, PARADE, PEACE OUT, PICK A PUMPKIN and BRING YOUR MAMA to Oktoberfest for dancing in the streets and in the crosswalks throughout HARVARD SQUARE!

More? Of course! Grendal's Den toast and keg tapping, Uno's will serve pizza outside the restaurant, Z-square will have a special Oktoberfest menu! Sample music

Oktoberfest
Harvard Square(It's taking over!)
Sunday, October 7th
12p-6p
FREE!

>>Oktoberfest Schedule
>>Mamapalooza
>>Photo's of Oktoberfest '06

Drop a Beat this weekend

Two great music events this weekend in Cambridge.

First off, Dancing on the Charles 4 on Saturday night.


Then on Sunday, Aesop Rock will be at the Middle East.


Dancing On The Charles
Saturday Sept, 22 @ 7pm
1 Gerry’s Landing
Harvard Square, Cambridge
>> Dancing on the Charles

Aesop Rock @ the Middle East
Sunday Sept, 23 @ 8pm
480 Massachusetts Ave.
Central Square, Cambridge
>> Aesop Rock Event

It's all Hawaii tonight!

Join Somerville Arts Council for a Hawaiin theme night in Union Square!

Grab your leis and flowered shirts as Todd Sargent transforms Union Square into a tropical destination, with sights and sounds from the Hawaiian isles.
DJ Brother Cleve will launch the evening with a tropical soundtrack to a backdrop of vintage surf and Hawaiian footage. The Mai Tai Serenaders, featuring Rick Russo on ukulele, will croon to the sounds of Hawaiian pop. Polynesian Dance Arts will perform Tahitian dance as well as the Hulas of Hawaii. Headlining the evening will be Waitiki, presenting lounge sounds in the vein of Martin Denny, Les Baxter and Arthur Lyman, along with original compositions, for a sonic Tiki cocktail.
The evening will finish with a pastiche of clips from films and documentaries about Hawaiian music, including Susan Friedman’s “The Ki Ho’alu: That’s Slack Key Guitar.” Sargent, responsible for turning the space under McGrath Highway into a 70’s dance rave up this summer, will create a magical landscape, festooning Union Square with palm trees and other tiki ephemera.

The first 50 people to arrive receive a free lei.

Friday: 9/14 (Tonight!!)
Rain date: Saturday 9/15
Union Square
Somerville
7:30p-10p

Oh yes it's 80's night, oh what a night!

There was nothing super great about the 80's minus the music. Several places hold 80's night, and here is a new addition!
Holiday Inn's Night Games. They host an 80's dance party every Thursday night 8p-2am. Free appetizers, prizes, and games!

80's dance party
Night Games Night Club
30 Washington St.
Somerville
Behind the Holiday Inn

Meat Puppets Tonight

Meat Puppets are playing at the Middle East tonight and tickets are still available.

>> Meat Puppets tickets via ticketmaster

Camberville Dancing

OK, again, I am going to try something new. As some of you may have noticed Rachel rarely posts, so this is my thing. SO-I can do whatever I like! Down to business, this is going to require responses from you readers.

Who knows of a good dancing place on Saturday nights?

*It is my birthday and I need help. Few requirements:
~I like this side of the river
~Bands are OK. (Burren for example is perfect, BUT, all of Cambridge and Somerville attempt to fit in the backroom.)
~I like top 40, classic, 80's.
~I like bars, not clubs.

Thoughts? Help!!

Mardi Gras in Cambridge!

Close! The Cambridge Carnival International is hosting the Taste of Cambridge Carnival on Sunday August 12.

A kick-off fundraising event to support the 15th year of Cambridge Carnival International a Caribbean and Mardis Gras style festival in Cambridge. This event will feature a cultural presentation from a historical and social perspective of Cambridge Carnival.

Steel pan presentation, drumming, folkloric, dancing, and educational exhibits.
Tickets are $10. $5 for children. (Includes refreshments.) People are encouraged to buy advance tickets due to limited seating. Call 617-492-2518.

Broad Institute
7 Cambridge Center
Kendall Square.
Free Sunday Parking in the MIT lot across the street.
Sunday, August 12th.
3:00p-7:00p

Davis Square ArtBeat

Once a year mid-summer Davis Square is transformed, thanks to the Somerville Arts Council. This year's theme, ArtBeast. Beginning with a Beastly Parade Workshop Friday night, this event will go through Saturday evening. Performers, vendors, and talents of all kinds.
Check out the schedule.
Stage area's include: Seven Hills Park, Elm St. Statue Park, and many more.

ArtBeat includes music, performance art, craft vendors, dance, theater, food,
and a whole more. Each year we develop a theme that serves as a launching point
for artists and the community to express themselves. Take a look at our previous festivals.

ArtBeast
Friday July20, and Saturday July21. Events happening throughout the day.
Davis Square

Karaoke popularized by the Japanese

I have never been to this place called Guido's, but I hear they have Karaoke on Saturday's! For those of us that are not going camping (i couldn't even count the number of RVs I passed on my way to work.) or the beach, what a better way to spend a night with family members you rarely see. Laughing at other people! That's one of the best reasons to go to Karaoke. Who sings at those things anyway. Well I do after a few Malibu and cokes :) Don't like to sing, $2 PBR and fun times can still be had.
Two other things I have heard people rave about: the urinal trough, and steak tips. hmmmm???


Guido's
13 Belmont St.
Cambridge
Show starts at 8:30
Saturday's.

Fiesta Del Rock!!

Are you ready to rock!?!
Thats right screw cinco de mayo-no not really. This is all part of it I swear.
The Franklin Kite and The Resonance take the stage at Tommy Doyle's on Saturday night.

The Franklin Kite and The Resonance hit the stage at Tommy Doyle's for a true Fiesta del Rock. Two parts rock, three parts Fiesta.

Tommy Doyle's
Harvard Sqaure
9:30p
21+
Admission $2 (Not even gonna mention that's cheaper than keg parties I used to go to.)


>>The Franklin Kite
>>Tommy Doyle's

May Fair

Spring Spring spring-I love spring! Why? Mostly just because spring equals summer which equals my birthday! But until I start that celebration, I have to find others. ENTER-MAY FAIR! 24th Annual May Fair in Harvard Square.
Harvard Sqaure is shut down for the day to traffic, and opened to millions of people. Ok not millions, but sometimes feels like it when you try to walk across the street.

There will be:

*Musical performances on the crosswalk
*Performances at Eliot triangle
*Bandfest at Forbes Plaza
*Club Passim stage will be open
*Dance Stage on Church Street
*A Readers Ramble
*Chalk on the Walk(Church St)
*Largest Outdoor Human Genome Project
*Golden Shoe Hunt

Harvard Square
May 6th
12:00-6:00p
Raindate May13th

>>24th Annual May Fair
>>Chalk on Walk

Tuesdays at the Enormous Room

If you need a little mid-week rock, check out the Enormous Room Tuesday's in April.

Tuesday, April 24th
9:30

Enormous Room
567 Mass. Ave
Cambridge Ma

>> Enormous Room
>> DJ Tym Ryan

Wear on Earth

When I think of clothes that are helping the planet-I think of a very funny King of Queens episode I watched last night. Carrie wears a very not nice green dress made completely of non processed hemp. It was large, bulky, scratchy, and just gross looking.
4march has made these pretty and conscientious.

4march is a Cambridge-based luxury women's wear design firm, uniting the talents of Amy Özay and Melissa Villa. Fusing style with global consciousness, 4march is a high-purpose clothing line dedicated to social responsibility. It is the designers' hope to challenge mainstream fashion design, seeking to create timeless clothing that abandons trend and finds its inspiration in various natural, cultural and artistic forms.

Celebrate Earth. Tomorrow night. "Wear on Earth" A celebration of music, fashion and art. A collaboration of 4march, Pyara Spa and Salon, OM Restaurant, and Aveda.
Featuring music, a fashion show as well as a silent auction. All proceeds will go to CRWA to support their efforts to preserve and protect the Charles River Watershed.

Tickets are $100. Can be purchased by email
or call: 617-497-4036

OM Restaurant
Harvard Square
4/18 7:00pm

>>4march spring/summer line

Battle of the Bands

What comes to mind? A clump of movies circa 1990. Usually feel good comedies with clap-o-meters. But this one is different. Battle of all female bands.
* Zili Misik
* Smoke Animals
* Cliché
* Burn Chesca Burn
* Aurora

These bands have all progressed from the first round.
April 7 at the Middle East you can watch them fight to the death well not really but fight for a spot on ROCKGIRL.

The winner receives an opening spot at the ROCKRGRL Women of Valor Award evening honoring pioneering all-female band FANNY, at the Berklee Performance Center on April 20. The Battle winner’s set at the award evening will also serve as a showcase for the Verge College Music Conference. Other prizes include a Luna electric guitar, six hours of Berklee studio time, a First Act acoustic guitar, one-year Sonicbids memberships, and a consultation with publicist Public Emily.

Middle East Upstairs
472 Mass Ave.
Cambridge MA.
(Central Square)
April 7
1:00pm.
Show is all ages
Admission $5 or $3 for students.

>>Middle East

Danu

Get in the spirt of St. Patrick's day with some Irish music by Danu at Somerville Theatre.

Named for the ancient Irish goddess of prosperity and the land, Danu has a strong loyalty to the tradition from which its music comes. Yet, the band still brings a fresh, inspiring approach to its performances.

Fri, March 16
8 PM

Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square
Somerville, MA

>> Danu
>> Danu on Amazon.com
>> Other St. Pat's Music

TT the whats?

TT the whats?? The bears. Huh. What a random name. If you have ever wondered where clubs got their names, there is an article in the Herald that takes away some of the mystery.

T.T. the Bear’s Place - You may have seen a show at T.T. the Bear’s, but do you
know the story of Tough Teddy? He was the beloved pet teddy bear hamster of
owners Bonney Bouley and Miles Cares, who opened their Cambridge club in 1985
and found themselves needing a name -- and fast.

>> Name that room: How clubs got their handles