ON THE TOWN
A weekly guide to the arts in Boston October 29-November 5 Compiled by Fred Choi
Send submissions to ott@the-tech.mit.edu or by interdepartmental mail to “On The Town,” The Tech, W20-483.
Popular Music
Berklee Performance Center
Berklee College of Music
1140 Boylston St.
Free student recitals and faculty concerts, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. some weekdays. For info. on these concerts, call the Performance Information Line at 747-8820.
Oct. 30: Paolo Conte, $28, $22.
Oct. 31: Eleftheria Arvanitaki, $50, $35, $25.
Nov. 6: Irakere, $38-$30.
Nov. 7: Bryan Ferry, $40, $50.
Nov. 13: Natalie MacMaster, $20, $25.
Nov. 18: Keb' Mo', $19.50.
Nov. 19: Arlo Guthrie, $22.50-$27.50.
Nov. 21: Misia, $20, $25.
Centrum Centre
Ticketmaster 931-2000.
Nov. 14: Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh & Friends, $29.50.
The Middle East
Ticketmaster: 931-2000.
Ticket prices vary. Call 354-8238 for more info.
Oct. 29: Marine Research
Oct. 31: Archer Prewitt.
Orpheum Theatre
Ticketmaster: 931-2000
Oct. 30: Guster, $17.50.
Oct. 31: Counting Crows. $28.50.
Nov. 2, 4: Meat Loaf. $65, $39.50, $28.50.
Nov. 13: Chris Cornell. $23.50.
Nov. 16: Richard Thompson and Lucinda Williams, $31, $26.
Nov. 18: Live. $27.50.
Nov. 27-28: Sting. $125, $75, $51.
Tsongas Arena (Lowell, MA)
Ticketmaster: 931-2000.
Oct. 27: Kid Rock, $20.
Jazz Music
Regattabar
Concertix: 876-7777
Ticket prices vary. Call 661-5000 for more info.
Oct. 29: Wallace Roney Quintet (two shows).
Oct. 30-31: Fabulous Bud E. Luv and his Hollywood Memories Orchestra (two shows per day).
Scullers Jazz Club
Ticketmaster: 931-2000
Ticket prices vary. Call 562-4111 for more info.
(All performers have two shows per day unless otherwise noted)
Oct. 29: Miles Evans & the Gil Evans Orchestra.
Classical Music
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Tickets: 266-1492.
Performances at Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston unless otherwise noted.
Oct. 29-30: Blacher: Variations on a Theme of Paganini; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2; Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe, Suites Nos. 1 and 2. Emmanuel Krivine, conductor; Evgeny Kissin, piano. Sold out.
Nov. 4-6: Copland: Appalachian Spring (complete); Knussen: Where the Wild Things Are, Fantasy opera after Maurice Sendak. Oliver Knussen, conductor; Rosemary Hardy, soprano; Lucy Shelton, soprano. Tickets: $70-24.
Theater
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Oct. 29-31 at 57 Theatre (200 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116, at Charles Street, (617) 426-4499) John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's hit Off-Broadway musical about an obscure but ambitious transsexual would-be rock star. $49.50 general seating, $20 (first row rush on sale each day at 10 am at the Box Office), $25 Student Rush 1 hour before curtain at the box office only, $35 rear of the theatre. To charge by phone, call Telecharge at 1-800-233-3123.
A New Brain
Oct. 29, 30 at the Boston Center for the Arts Theater (539 Tremont St. 02116, between Clarendon and Berkeley streets. (617) 426-5000) William Finn and James Lapine's upbeat musical about Finn’s recovery from a life-threatening brain tumor. Directed by Paul Daigneault. $21-$23.50; $2 to $4 off for students and seniors depending on day and time. Call the SpeakEasy Stage box office for tickets, (617) 437-7731.
China Doll
Oct. 29-30 at Adams House Pool Theatre, Harvard University. Written by Elizabeth Wong, directed by Elizabeth Wong, produced by Flora Kao. Acclaimed playwright Elizabeth Wong comes to Harvard to direct a week-long acting workshop culminating in the staged reading of her new play China Doll. Centered about love for the movies, China Doll unveils the dreams and frustrations of Anna May Wong as America's first Asian-American film icon. China Doll explores Anna May's passionate struggle to work as an actress and her desire to live a fulfilled life as an artist and woman in the shadow of The Crash, The Depression, World War II, and the McCarthy era. Free tickets available at Harvard Box Office in Holyoke Center, (617) 496-2222.
Blue Man Group
Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton Street, Boston, indefinitely. Curtain is at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, at 7 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets $35 to $45. Call 426-6912 for tickets and information on how to see the show for free by ushering.
Shear Madness
Charles Playhouse Stage II, 74 Warrenton Street, Boston (426-5225), indefinitely. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets $30-34.
Exhibits
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway, Boston. (566-1401), Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $10 ($11 on weekends), $7 for seniors, $5 for students with ID ($3 on Wed.), free for children under 18.
The museum, built in the style of a 15th-century Venetian palace, houses more than 2500 art objects, with emphasis on Italian Renaissance and 17th-century Dutch works. Among the highlights are works by Rembrandt, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and Whistler. Guided tours given Fridays at 2:30 p.m.
Threads of Dissent
Through Jan. 30, 2000. Inspired by the Gardner Museum's extraordinary tapestries, this exhibition illuminates the permanent collection in the light of contemporary social, political, and aesthetic issues in the work of living artists. Six works in the special exhibition gallery by the contemporary artists Edward Derwent, Leon Golub, Wojciech Jaskolka, Jorge Pardo, Lilian Tyrrell, and Murray Walker will be related to six tapestries from the collection.
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave., Boston. (267-9300), Mon.-Tues., 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m.-9:45 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. West Wing open Thurs.-Fri. until 9:45 p.m. Admission free with MIT ID, otherwise $10, $8 for students and seniors, children under 17 free; $2 after 5 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., free Wed. after 4 p.m.
Mon.-Fri.: introductory walks through all collections begin at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; “Asian, Egyptian, and Classical Walks” begin at 11:30 a.m.; “American Painting and Decorative Arts Walks” begin at 12:30 p.m.; “European Painting and Decorative Arts Walks” begin at 2:30 p.m.; Introductory tours are also offered Sat. at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Permanent Gallery Installations: “Late Gothic Gallery,” featuring a restored 15th-century stained glass window from Hampton Court, 14th- and 15th-century stone, alabaster, and polychrome wood sculptures from France and the Netherlands; “Mummy Mask Gallery,” a newly renovated Egyptian gallery, features primitive masks dating from as far back as 2500 B.C.; “European Decorative Arts from 1950 to the Present”; “John Singer Sargent: Studies for MFA and Boston Public Library Murals.”
Gallery lectures are free with museum admission.
Museum of Our National Heritage
33 Marrett Rd., Lexington, 02421. (781-861-6559). Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Admission and parking free. <http://www.mnh.org>
Civil War Exhibit
Through Nov. 14. The Museum presents an exhibition of 93 rare and beautiful photographs drawn from the celebrated collection discovered in the attic of the Medford Historical Society in 1990. One of the most extensive and well-preserved collections of Civil War photographs to survive, the Medford pictures are nationally known for their breadth and depth of subject matter.
George Washington, American Symbol
Through Feb. 27, 2000. In observance of the 200th anniversary of his death, the Museum is hosting a unique exhibition which presents the most comprehensive exploration of the enduring nature of Washington’s image. The exhibit will present more than 150 paintings, prints, sculptures, decorative objects, and memorabilia, including works by Peale, Gilbert Stuart, Norman Rockwell, and N.C. Wyeth.
Museum of Science
Science Park, Boston. (723-2500), Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission free with MIT ID, otherwise $9, $7 for children 3-14 and seniors.
The Museum features the theater of electricity (with indoor thunder-and-lightning shows daily) and more than 600 hands-on exhibits. Ongoing: “Discovery Center”; “Investigate! A See-For-Yourself Exhibit”; “Science in the Park: Playing with Forces and Motion”; “Seeing Is Deceiving.”
Ongoing: “Everest: Roof of the World”; “Living on the Edge.” Admission to Omni, laser, and planetarium shows is $7.50, $5.50 for children and seniors. Now showing: “Laser Depeche Mode,” Sun., 8 p.m.; “Laser Offspring,” Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; “Laser Rush,” Sun., 9:15; “Laser Beastie Boys,” Thurs.-Sat., 9:15 p.m.; “Laser Floyd’s Wall,” Fri.-Sat., 10:30 p.m.; “Friday Night Stargazing,” Fri., 8:30 p.m.; “Welcome to the Universe,” daily; “Quest for Contact: Are We Alone?” daily.
Commonwealth Museum
220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, 02125. Located across from the JFK Library. Hours: M-F 9-5, S 9-3. Admission is Free. For more info. or to arrange a tour, call 617-727-9268.
The Archaeology of the Central Artery Project: Highway to the Past
The exhibit focuses on life in Colonial Boston as interpreted through artifacts recovered from the “Big Dig” before the construction began. Artifacts and information on display examine leisure activities, tavern life, the life of three colonial women, and Native Americans.
Other Events
The Somerville Monster Museum
A Museum of Unnatural Mystery
Oct. 29-31 (at the Washington Street Clubhouse, 181 Washington Street, Somerville, MA, Between McGrath Highway and Union Square.) Come visit the world's only Monster Museum, featuring a stunning collection of monsters from the farthest reaches of the earth, including arboreal flesh-eating worms, gorillas, aliens, and hungry zombies. Presented by The Boys and Girls Club of Somerville, all proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Somerville. Open 7-10 PM, Admission $5. "Friendly Monster Matinee" for smaller children (and timid grownups!) Come trick-or-treat with friendly monsters! Sunday, Oct 31th only. 4-7 PM, Admission $2. For more information visit www.kidsclubs.org or call (617) 628-4665.
Harvard Scare Spook-tacular Halloween Brunch
Oct. 31, 11am - 2pm, at Club Passim (47 Palmer Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA). Club Passim, in celebration of its 41st year, presents live performances in Harvard Square. The $15 per person brunch supports the Club's non-profit program initiatives, which include artist workshops, the archival memorial exhibit, and Culture for Kids series. Seating begins at 11am for a cooked-to-order brunch menu, live music, and holiday festivities. Performers include Christopher Williams, Mica Richards, and Jonathan Pointer. In addition, October is "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" Month. Club Passim encourages you to bring donations for UNICEF to the Halloween Brunch. Funds collected help UNICEF provide emergency relief to millions of children in more than 160 countries and territories. For more Halloween brunch information and to purchase tickets in advance: 617.492.7679.
Boston Ballet Company
At the Wang Center for the Performing Arts, 270 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116. (617) 482-9393. Call Telecharge (800) 447-7400 for tickets.
The Nutcracker
Nov. 26-Jan. 2, 2000. Tue.-Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m.., 5:30 p.m. Boston Ballet's 1999 Nutcracker features new choreography by Anna-Marie Holmes and Daniel Pelzig in Acts I and II, as well as the usual lavish scenery, special effects and costumes. Filled with the wonder and magic of the holidays, The Nutcracker follows a young girl named Clara on her dream adventure. The ballet is set to the music of Tchaikovsky and is choreographed by Bruce Marks and Daniel Pelzig. $59-$12.
Film Festivals
At the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 02115. For tickets and more information, call 369-3770. Tickets for each showing are $7, $6 MFA members, seniors, students, unless otherwise noted.
World's Best TV Ads
2-program series through Nov. 6: $10, $12.
Part 1: British Advertising Films of 1997
Oct. 29, 30: (100 min.). Now in its 23rd year, this annual collection of television ads reveals the British to be the true masters of the advertising film.
Part 2: Cannes 1997 Advertising Film Festival
Oct. 29, 30: (75 min.) Culled from some 5,000 entries, this compilation of ads from more than 17 countries represents the winners of last year's Cannes Advertising Film Festival, an annual event showcasing some of the most creative commercial filmmaking to be found anywhere.
Wizard of Oz on Ice
Nov. 4-7. Producer Kenneth Feld presents The Wizard of Oz on Ice. This cherished classic has all the charm of the original story in a brand-new production that features the latest in technical magic all captured live on ice. Olympic gold medalist Robin Cousins provides the show's stars with brilliant choreography. Vocal virtuoso Bobby McFerrin will win your heart as the voice of all the key characters except Dorothy, who is brought to life through the talented voice of Laurnea Wilkerson. $12.50. Call Ticketmaster for tickets.
Improv-ice presented by Mohegan Sun
Dec. 2 at the Centrum Centre. Unprecedented skating performances by 12 of the world's top figure skaters. Scheduled to perform at this one-of-a-kind event: Katarina Witt, Elvis Stojko, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Philippe Candeloro, Nicole Bobek, Rudy Galindo, Lu Chen, Kurt Browning, Caryn Kadavy, Michael Weiss, Surya Bonaly, Alexei Yagudin. One hour before the event, skaters will make their draw to select a style of music. Each skater will then have one hour to listen to the music on a personal walkman with 30 minutes to rehearse on the ice prior to the exhibition and 30 minutes off the ice. Each skater will perform his or her improvisational number and then participate in group improvisational numbers in the second half of the program. Tickets: $55 (Limited On-Ice Seats), $45, $35. Groups of 20+ Save $5.00, call 508-755-6800 ext. 2125. Call Ticketmaster 931-2000.
WWF Raw is War
Dec. 6: Catch the bad boys of wrestling for an evening of non-stop, heartpounding action. Tickets $35, $28, $22, $17. Call Ticketmaster
931-2000.
Kenny Rogers: A Holiday Concert
Dec. 10 at the Centrum Centre. Let your holiday spirit shine! Join in for a night of holiday magic and country favorites as Country 99.5 WKLB proudly presents Kenny Rogers: A Holiday Concert. This will be a memorable night, as he performs all-time favorite hits and holiday classics in an intimate half-house setting with his capitvating melodic voice and harmonious guitar. Limited VIP tickets: $50, $35, $25. Call Ticketmaster 931-2000.
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