Singing and drumming

By Catherine Elcik

NIGHTLIFE Across the board

The Lunch Club, yet another social group planning events for young professionals, hosts a game night tonight at the Grand Canal. The group promises to have Pictionary, Scrabble, and Scattergories; you're also invited to bring your own. The party, which starts at 7, includes appetizers. Future Lunch Club events include brunch at Ryles, salsa dancing, and pool, so even if board games aren't your thing, you may want to check out the group's website. Tickets: $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Grand Canal, 57 Canal St., 617-523-1112. thelunchclub.com [M.G.]

SUDOKU Squaring off

Sudoku addicts, listen up: Your Sidekick pastime could earn you a bit of glory tonight at Arlington High School. The school is hosting a Sudoku Tournament, open to the public, to benefit the computer club's trip to a programming competition in Texas. There are several skill divisions, and everyone gets to play in every round; winners will be awarded prizes donated by local businesses. The tournament starts at 7; $10 for adults, $5 for students. Turn to page 11 and start practicing! Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-316-3594. arlington.k12.ma.us/AHS/clubs/computer [M.G.]

THEATER Book of Mormon, revised

Steven Fales says, "While most boys my age wanted to be Donny and marry Marie, I wanted to marry Donny and be Marie." In his autobiographical one-man play "Confessions of a Mormon Boy," Fales recounts his formative years as a Mormon Eagle Scout , his marriage in the Salt Lake Temple, fatherhood, divorce, excommunication, seedy life in New York City, and ultimate personal triumph. Fales stars at tonight's 7:30 opening (pay-what-you-can night, cash only) and continues to tell his tragicomic story through May 19. Tickets: $30, $35; $27, $32 for seniors; $22 for students. BCA Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St., 617-933-8600. bostontheatreworks.com[J.W.]

IMPROV Gone geek

ImprovBoston goes geektastic with Geek Week 1.0, a five-day celebration of all things nerd, dork, and maybe even Poindexter. The programming starts off tonight at 7 with "Dear Internet" and "Dream Show," which explore the difference between reality, the Internet, and dreams. Tomorrow's program includes two popular shows from the past -- " The Quest" (at 8 p.m.)in which the improv is guided by a game master, and "In the Garage" (at 10 p.m.) about kids playing a "Dungeons & Dragons" - type game. The geek love culminates Sunday with "Geek Sgt. Culpepper's Jamboree." Tickets: $7-$15. A full schedule is online.ImprovBoston, 1253 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-576-1253. ImprovBoston.com [Nick A. Zaino III]

FREE Film Boston Cares presents a screening of "Sentenced Home," a film that chronicles the journey of three Cambodian refugees who got involved in gangs and were deported from America after 9/11. Call to RSVP. 7 p.m. The Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge, 617-422-0910. bostoncares.org

FREE Health "Stop, Drop, enRoll!" Swing by the MOCAA@MAC Drop-in Center to find out more about state-funded health insurance and get $10 for completing an application. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. MOCAA@MAC Drop-in Center, 31 Heath St., Floor 3, Jamaica Plain, 617-238-2475. mac-boston.org

Posted by chollands at 04:23 PM

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What's on TV

By Matthew Gilbert

Big Ideas for a Small Planet, 9 p.m., Sundance Channel
It's not easy building green.

Nova, 8 p.m., Channel 2
Solar energy isn't SAD.

Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, 9 p.m., Channel 56
The "American P-Doll" finale.

WITH SIX YOU GET BENEFIT
American Idol, 8 p.m., Channel 25

This week, the money-making juggernaut has a guilt complex called "Idol Gives Back." It's about time. The contestants will sing songs of compassion and hope, and a group of sponsors will donate money for every phone-in vote, all to battle poverty in the United States and Africa.

Girl, Interrupted, 8 p.m., WE
My name is Angelina, and I'm an adoption-aholic.

Oil, Sweat and Rigs, 10 p.m., Discovery Channel
Starring Bill Cosby, Raquel Welch, and Harvey Keitel?

ON DEMAND
Running With Scissors Comcast

A reasonably faithful film adaptation of Augusten Burroughs's best-selling memoir that gets the particulars of his freakishly awful adolescence but not enough of the sting. The splendid cast works hard, though, and Annette Bening as the hero's toxic mother conveys the pain and comic bewilderment the rest of the film just misses. Directed by Ryan Murphy (TV's "Nip/Tuck") with an eye for precision '70s kitsch. (R; shows through June 21) -- Ty Burr

Posted by chollands at 08:40 AM

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Elvis Costello tribute, the science of wine

POP Their aim is true

"Alison." "I Want You." "Veronica." The musicians participating in the Elvis Costello Songwriter Tribute Night at Club Passim have plenty of tunes to choose from. Performers at tonight's installment of the series include acoustic-rocker Torey Adler, Berklee College of Music grad Dan Gonzalez, and Providence folk guy Ryan Fitzsimmons, who plans to sing "Indoor Fireworks," which he says is a love song that manages not to be trite. The show starts at 7. Tickets: $10. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, 617-492-7676. clubpassim.com [M.G.]

TALK Bird brains

You don't have to be a bird watcher to enjoy "The Pleasure, Art and Science of Birding" tonight at the Boston Public Library. Sure, it helps if you know the difference between a sandpiper and a plover, but even newcomers to the hobby should get something out of it. Mount Auburn Cemetery, a true bird haven, is hosting the talk, which features orn i thological experts Wayne R. Petersen , Norman Smith , and Scott Weidensaul , whose book "The Ghost With Trembling Wings" was a Pulitzer finalist. We're pretty sure the men will talk about warblers, and if you don't know what a warbler is, you should probably go. They're all over Mount Auburn and they're adorable -- like real-life Peeps. The talk starts at 6. Free. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., 617-607-1995. mountauburn.org [M.G.]

ROCK Metal health

One of the hardest-working bands in Boston begins a two-night stint at T.T. the Bear's tonight. Damone, a hard-rock act that channels 1980s metal bands like Iron Maiden, shares the bill with two of the other hardest-working bands in Boston: the Charms, recently called a "female-fronted nouveau garage act" by the New York Post, and Scamper, a happy indie-pop band that has found a fan in Kay Hanley. Tomorrow, Damone shares the docket with the Snowleopards and Baby Boy H . Shows start at 9; $8. T.T. the Bear's, 10 Brookline St., Cambridge, 617-492-2327. ttthebears.com [M.G.]

THEATER Hold on to your garter belts

When Queenie and Burrs decide to throw a party to fire up their relationship, the guest list offers a glimpse of coming attractions: Madeline the lesbian, Eddie the thug, Mae the dimwit, Jackie the dancer, Dolores the hooker, and Nadine the minor. "The Wild Party" by Andrew Lippa is set in the Roaring Twenties when decadence was served up alongside booze and music. Slip on your flapper dress and tuxedo and head to the first performance tonight , which is pay-what-you-can night at the New Repertory Theatre ; show starts at 7:30. The party continues through May 20. Tickets: $30-$55, $12 discount for students, $7 discount for seniors. New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown, 617-923-8487. newrep.org [J.W.]

DINING Flavors of new New England

During the Revolutionary War, soldiers' daily rations included salted beef or pork, boiled beans or peas, water mixed with rum, and hard bread. Except for the rum, their meals weren't much of a culinary delight. But if the soldiers were in Concord today, they'd be in for a treat. The new North Bridge Cafe features New England crab cakes, seasonal roasted vegetables, beef and chicken turnovers, and corn chowder. Lunch and tea are served outdoors overlooking the Concord River (with limited seating inside) Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October. North Bridge Cafe, Minute Man National Historical Park's North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St., Concord, 978-302-9544. northbridgecafe.com [J.W.]

FREE Book club Oprah does not have to dictate your summer reading list. Join the Contemporary Reading Group in Cambridge for a discussion of "The Botany of Desire" by Michael Pollan and find out about upcoming book selections. 6 p.m. Cambridge Public Library, 359 Broadway, Cambridge, 617-349-4045. cambridgepubliclibrary.org

Posted by chollands at 08:14 AM

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Juggling, thermin

SCIENCE A real juggling act

Valdis Yanovskis knows how to keep a lot of balls in the air, and today the circus star visits the Museum of Science to demonstrate the science of juggling. Yanovskis is a graduate of the Moscow Circus School, has worked for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey , and is now a fixture of the Big Apple Circus troupe, which is performing at City Hall Plaza through May 6 . He'll be in Cahners Theater at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. to throw things in the air (and keep them there) at the "Science of Juggling." Free with museum admission: $16, $13 for children. Museum of Science, Science Park, 617-723-2500 . mos.org [M.G.]

READING Living large

Fresh from the latest installment of our favorite baseball rivalry, David Ortiz visits the Borders in Braintree this afternoon to sign copies of his new autobiography, "Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits." It's about how he made his way from the Dominican Republic to Boston, how his parents helped him grow, and what it's like to be a clutch DH. Papi will be there at noon , just a few hours before the Sox beat the Blue Jays (we hope). Free. Borders Braintree, 255 Grossman Drive, Braintree, 781-356-5111. bordersstores.com [M.G.]

STORYTELLING Like moths to a . . .

Poet and novelist George Dawes Green wanted to honor his childhood in Georgia, when he and his friends told stories on the porch while moths flitted around the light, so 10 years ago he started a storytelling collective in New York. Tonight his Moth Story Tour comes to the Boston Center for the Arts . The theme is "Out on a Limb," and the five tellers of original tales include Mike Daisey, who is currently performing his "Invincible Summer" monologue at Zero Arrow Theatre, and Boston's Steve Almond and Lauren Slater . Humorist Andy Borowitz hosts. There's a reception at 7; performance starts at 8. Tickets: $18. BCA Calderwood Pavilion, 539 Tremont St. bostontheatrescene.com [J.W.]

PHOTOGRAPHY Focus on the festive

The next time you see a photographer at a street festival, wipe the mustard off your face -- you could wind up in a gallery. Clement Liu of Brighton uses his camera to capture the color of celebrations such as the Lowell Folk Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival in Cambridge, and St. Anthony's Feast in the North End . His work is on display at "Keeping the Culture Alive" at the Brookline Arts Center through May 4. The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free. Brookline Arts Center, 86 Monmouth St., Brookline, 617-566-5715. brooklineartscenter.com [J.W.]

EXHIBIT Artistic arrangements

The Museum of Fine Arts is in the thick of "Art in Bloom," its annual display of floral arrangements inspired by the museum's great works. Tonight, you can see the botanical creations for free from 5 to 9:45 p.m. Worth checking out is the floral representation of "Eirene," a Greek statue of the goddess of peace, which is currently on loan from Italy. The exhibit is up through tomorrow. Tickets: $15, $13 for students, $6.50 for children 7 to 17. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., 617-369-3395. mfa.org [M.G.]

FREE Shakespeare Show off your flair for iambic pentameter tonight at the "Shakespeare Open Mic Night" in Salem in honor of the Bard's historically debated birthday. 6 p.m. Front Street Coffee House, 20 Front St., Salem, 978-740-6697 . salemtheatre.org

Posted by chollands at 04:29 PM

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Headlines with a twist

Logan Airport to get radar to detect ships
Ships: the latest thing to worry about when flying.

Tasmanian devils relocated to secluded island in hopes of a better future.
If I'm a member of the Bruins, I'm really worried right now.

Fierce spring storm lingers over Northeast.
Can anyone check to see if Nostradamus predicted Al Gore?

Prime Minister Tony Blair blames black culture for London's spiraling street crime.
To be fair, he also blamed English culture for London's spiraling tooth decay.

Hard Rock Cafe to open rock-themed Myrtle Beach amusement park in 2008.
Expected attractions include the Keith Richards tree drop and the Ozzy Osbourne bat-snack stand.

Rudy Giuliani fails quiz on current milk and bread prices.
We suspect, however, he knows divorce-lawyer fees to the penny.

Former congressman Tom Delay wants Rosie O'Donnell fired, saying: "If the left takes Imus, we'll take Rosie."
Imus for Rosie? Isn't that sort of like trading Manny Ramirez for a jug of Gatorade?

Scottish company markets "Ex-Paste," an automatic toothpaste dispenser.
From the land of people too lazy to pull on pants, folks too tired to squeeze a tube.

Posted by Katie Johnston Chase at 05:57 PM

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Rob Slowik

"Since I have to be the liaison between the performers, arrangers, composers, and directors, I used to have to carry around videotapes of the acts after the composers had put music to them and pop them into VCRs all the time. Now, I just carry everything around in my iPod."
--Rob Slowik, music director for the Big Apple Circus, at City Hall Plaza through May 6

Tomaas- Miles Davis
Centerfold- J Geils Band
Get the Edge-Anthony Robbins (motivational speaker)
Infatuation- Christina Aguilera
Opening Rag- Big Apple Circus Show
Could it Be Forever- The Partridge Family
My Perogative- Bobby Brown
Have You Met Miss Jones?- Robbie Williams
Primal Scream- Maynard Ferguson
Addagio- Maurice Andre

Total songs: 289 (4,500 on iTunes)

Wish we'd missed: "That Partridge Family song. It's on there because of my girlfriend. She uses my iPod for running. I am glad you didn't find Abba's 'Dancing Queen.' . . . That's hers, too, of course."

Posted by Katie Johnston Chase at 05:50 PM

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Guster

Hometown party-rock heroes and eco-friendly touring pioneers Guster return to Boston this weekend for two sold-out shows at the Opera House. Couldn't get tickets? You can still get way more Guster than you'll ever need at the band's website. Check out the recording documentary/comedy "Joe's Place." See the boys fight snakes, sing about guacamole, record their album, and generally act like weirdos in the studio. Lovable weirdos, of course.
See it www.guster.com.
[Luke O'Neil]

Posted by Katie Johnston Chase at 05:30 PM

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The end of the world/Staying in hotels

The end of the world
Asteroid heading toward Earth? Awesome. A voracious pack of zombies slouching toward the front door? Sweet! Deadly viruses that wipe out the earth's population? High five! It's been a particularly apocalyptic time for me, and I'm curiously loving every minute of it. I hadn't noticed the pattern until I happened across "Armageddon" on TV the other night. It had ham-handed acting and an Aerosmith soundtrack scarier than anything on-screen, but the catastrophic premise hooked me in. Earlier that week I'd seen the chilling dystopian parable "Children of Men" for the second time, finished reading Cormac McCarthy's haunting and brutally poetic novel "The Road," spent way too much time dissecting the minutia of Robert Rodriguez's zombie flick "Planet Terror" in online message boards, caught up on CBS's post-nuclear soap opera "Jericho" and eagerly devoured spoiler news about the upcoming pandemic sequel "28 Weeks Later." That's some 10-plus hours in one week contemplating -- and in many cases delighting in -- the end of the world as we know it. What does it say about me? I don't literally want the world to end, do I? I'm not even a Republican. [Luke O'Neil]

Hotels
Every so often I'll rent a room in town. Sure, I could just walk home, but there's something truly mystical about renting a room. Maybe it's my passion for traveling. If I'm unable to leave town, it's the closest thing I can do to satiate my restlessness. The fact that I lived in a cramped apartment with roommates I didn't talk to for four years probably added a bit of justification. But it was never about feeling a false sense of class. It wasn't about raiding a mini-bar after hours. It was just a way to feel like I was somewhere else. It was a tourist's perspective of a city I know all too well. There's a certain satisfaction you get from checking in without any bags. It's the price tag that brings on the guilt; the decision seems to lack common sense and self control. I'm the only one I know who does this, and, after being woken up by the maid after just a few hours' sleep with the bill under the door, I think I know why.
[Nolan Gawron, writer/photographer]

Posted by Katie Johnston Chase at 05:20 PM

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What's on TV

By Matthew Gilbert

The Real Deal, 9 p.m., The Learning Channel
How to turn around real estate. Without using a blinker.

Heroes, 8, 9, and 10 p.m., Channel 7
You can watch three episode of "Heroes." Just for one day.

Planet Earth, Sunday at 8 and 9 p.m., Discovery Channel
Yo mamma makes caves in mountains.

PAST DUE
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV, Sunday at 9 p.m., TV Land
Florence Henderson, Carol Burnett, and Danny DeVito show up for this annual salute. Henderson isn't being honored for her work on the reality series "My Fair Brady," by the way; she's getting a nod for playing the idealized 1970s mom on "The Brady Bunch." Kelly Ripa hosts the nostalgia festival.

Celebrity Fit Club, Tomorrow at 9 p.m., VH1
Kimberley Locke, still trying to win over Simon.

The Sopranos, Tomorrow at 9 p.m., HBO
Uncle June plays poker. Hide the clubs.

ON DEMAND
The Departed Comcast

A relentlessly violent, breathtakingly assured piece of mean-streets filmmaking, and damned close to the Great Boston Movie. Martin Scorsese returns to form with this complicated cops-and-Irish mafia saga (based on a 2002 Hong Kong action flick); Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg all do quality work, but Jack Nicholson steals the film as, essentially, Whitey Bulger's evil twin. Local boy William Monahan scripted. (R; shows through Aug. 11) -- Ty Burr

Posted by chollands at 04:20 PM

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Bling Kong and a Rube Goldberg

SCIENCE Learning is fun

The Cambridge Science Festival begins today with tours of the "Human Genome Trail" near Kendall Square and a Science Carnival in Central Square. Our must-see pick of the day, though, is the Rube Goldberg machine that kicks off the festival at noon at Cambridge City Hall. The reactionary contraption, built by MIT students, starts with a human-powered hamster wheel and ends with an airbag releasing a boot that kicks a beach ball. In between, a bowling ball sets off "painting arms" and a blender activates a tetherball. See, science is fun! For a full schedule of festival events, check the website. Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-253-6914. cambridgesciencefestival.org [M.G.]

READING Getting down to earth

Senator John F. Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry , will be at the First Parish Church in Cambridge today to read from their new book, "This Moment on Earth: Today's New Environmentalists." Like Al Gore, the Kerrys also find the truth to be horribly inconvenient. In the book, they profile people around the world who have found inspiring ways to protect natural resources. Gore has called the work "a profound challenge to all of us." You can hear the Kerrys speak at noon. Tickets: $5. First Parish Church, 3 Church St., Cambridge, 617-661-1515. harvard.com [M.G.]

ROCK What's that spell? Bling Kong!

Brooklyn's Bling Kong exists purely for fun. And to sell T-shirts. This mighty troupe formed to promote a T-shirt line, but it snowballed into a full-fledged rock band that headlines the Middle East Upstairs tonight. The band is made up of a squad of male and female cheerleaders, three drummers, two guitarists, a bassist, and a "video Ninja" who deliver punchy arena-rock anthems with gaudy and sometimes downright vulgar aplomb. Boston's the Vershok , the Chainletter , and equally theatric rockers the Daily Pravda provide support. Show starts at 9:30. Tickets: $10 ; 18-plus. Middle East Upstairs, 480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-864-3278. mideastclub.com [Linda Laban]

FOLK A Celtic journey

This successful singer-songwriter manages her own career, produces her own records, and heads her own record label, but when it comes to describing her new studio album, Loreena McKennitt is anything but businesslike: "I don't know where I'm going on this trip. I'm just going to get on board the train and allow each encounter to lead to the next." The Canadian balladeer recently released "An Ancient Muse," a road trip along the Celtic path with stops in Turkey, Greece, and Spain. Touring for the first time in almost 10 years, McKennitt makes a stop at the Citi Wang Theatre tonight at 7:30. Tickets: $39.50-$59.50. Citi Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., 800-447-7400. livenation.com [June Wulff]

FAMILY Jack of the opera

It's not often we get to hear an operatic version of "fee fie foe fum," but today at noon and 2 p.m., our magic-bean wishes come true at the Boston Conservatory Opera Department production of "Jack and the Beanstalk." The free 45-minute show, based on an adaptation by John Davies, is geared toward kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Kirsten Z. Cairns directs the free performances, which are guaranteed to lay an egg -- of the golden variety, of course. Boston Conservatory's Seully Hall, fourth floor, 8 The Fenway, 617-912-9222. bostonconservatory.edu [J.W.]

FREE Music/Activism Come join "The Make Hip Hop Not War Tour" and help further social justice and gain political equality tonight in the South End. 6:30 p.m. Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center, 85 West Newton St.,617-312-9190. claboston.org

Posted by chollands at 03:52 PM

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What's on TV

By Matthew Gilbert

Raines, 9 p.m., Channel 7
He gets in touch with his dead child within.

The Andy Griffith Show, 8 and 8:30 p.m., TV Land
It's Friday. Let it Bee.

Rogue Nature, 8 p.m., Discovery Channel
A 6-foot-tall cephalopod. Name's Cal Amari.

FAST AND EASY
20/20, 10 p.m., Channel 5

With Sunday being Earth Day and all, Diane Sawyer delves deeply into the state of the planet. Called "Planet Earth2007: Seven Ways to Save the World," the episode solves all of our environmental problems. And in only an hour! Thanks, Diane.

Henry Rollins, 11 p.m., IFC
Ben Stiller's rockin' Rollins.

Eddie Izzard: Glorious, 9:55 p.m., BBC America
At standup, he is not a fraud.

ON DEMAND
Flicka Comcast

This progressive update of the kid-lit classic now has a spine -- and a sincere belief in the rigors and wonders of western life. Alison Lohman plays a 16-year-old who falls in love with a wild mustang. Her daddy (Tim McGraw) sells it, but she'll do anything to get the horse back. With its pinch-me optimism and old-school-movie flourishes, it's lovably corny. Maria Bello plays the sensible and sexy mom. (PG; through July 31) -- Wesley Morris

Posted by chollands at 09:59 PM

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HUMANWINE, Art Garfunkel

FILM War wounds

"The Last Ghost of War," a documentary about Vietnamese and American victims of Agent Orange, screens tonight at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. The film tells the story of a class-action lawsuit against chemical companies involved in the Vietnam War and contains interviews with scientists, lawyers, and Agent Orange victims such as a girl born without arms who learned to write with her feet. The screening runs from 6:30 to 8; a Q&A with director Janet Gardner follows. Free. Weiner Auditorium, Taubman Building, 79 JFK St., Cambridge, gardnerdocgroup.com [Meredith Goldstein]

MUSIC Spill the 'wine

HUMANWINE, a band that demands being referred to in capital letters, hosts what should be a well-attended CD-release party tonight at the Paradise Rock Club. The vaudevillian punk band, which appeals to Dresden Dolls fans, recorded "Fighting Naked" with a few friends -- Dolls drummer Brian Viglione and Paul Dilley of Reverend Glasseye, who are touring with HUMANWINE on its "Fighting Naked" tour. Aberdeen City, a much-beloved indie-rock act, opens at 8. Tickets: $12. Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., 617-562-8800. thedise.com [M.G.]

ROCK Rumble reaches a roar

For weeks now, local rock bands have strummed, riffed, banged, and blown their horns (when applicable) in an effort to be crowned the winner of WBCN's Rock 'N' Roll Rumble 2007. Finally, it's down to three. The last three bands standing are: indie-hip-hop act the Indefinite Article, the classic rock-inspired Township, and the Beach Boys-inspired pop-rock act Baker. Folks who attend tonight's show will also be treated to a performance by the Australian rock band Sick Puppies. The night closes with the awarding of the coveted Rumble crown. It starts at 8. Tickets: $15. Harpers Ferry, 156 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-254-9743. harpersferryboston.com [M.G.]

ART Inward exploration

Somerville's Basil El Halwagy uses a technique called automatic drawing to create his acrylic and pastel pieces. Using this Surrealist-inspired method, his hand moves randomly across the paper to express his subconscious -- something like an artistic Ouija board. You can see the results at "Metamorphosis Chamber" at the Fort Point Arts Community Gallery through May 25. The exhibit also showcases John Casey's pen-and-ink drawings ("Commodore," detail above) and small sculptures. The Oakland, Calif., resident explores the human psyche, and his own, with strange, humanlike creatures and psychological studies. Today's hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the opening reception is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free. Fort Point Arts Community Gallery, 300 Summer St., 617-423-4299. fortpointarts.org [June Wulff]

JAZZ Accent on the beautiful

When we saw the Berlin jazz quartet Lyambiko a few years ago, we fell in love with the vocalist (who is the band's namesake). The African-German singer beautifully distorts the English language -- and has managed not to pick up a Boston accent from her Sharon-born pianist, Marque Lowenthal. Lyambiko gets dreamy on "Winter Sun" and kicks it up a notch for "Stompin' at the Savoy," both from the group's recent "Inner Sense" CD. Rounding out the group tonight and tomorrow at the Real Deal Jazz Club & Cafe are bassist Robin Draganic and percussionist Heinrich Kobberling. Shows are at 7 and 9:30. Tickets: $16, $20 (Saturday). Real Deal Jazz Club & Cafe, 41 Second St., Cambridge, 617-876-7777. concertix.com [J.W.]

MUSIC Hearts are made to be broken

A cautionary note to the ladies: do not fall in love and then break up with singer-songwriter Richard Swift. You'll regret it, because Swift will turn around and write a devastatingly beautiful pop song about it -- sung in the key of Rufus Wainwright, forged in the fires of Harry Nilsson. But even when Swift does the heartbreaking, he still sounds like the victim. "I played your heart, but I broke two strings/ . . . you're a lovely thing," he sings on "Buildings in America," from his gorgeous new album, "Dressed Up for the Letdown." He's at T.T. the Bear's tonight at 9, and the lineup doesn't get any better: fellow Secretly Canadian labelmate David Vandervelde, Auto Interiors, and the Animal Closet. Tickets: $9. T.T. the Bear's, 10 Brookline St., Cambridge, 617-492-2327. ttthebears.com [James Reed]

Posted by chollands at 09:46 PM

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Susan Rodgerson and Jake Trussell

Susan Rodgerson, executive/artistic director of Artists for Humanity
The Sea Note, a live music and dance club a mile from Rodgerson's home in Hull, opens for the season tonight. "I spend every Friday night there dancing off the week's stress," she says. Tomorrow, Artists for Humanity, which provides creative job opportunities for urban youth, holds its second-annual Greatest Party on Earth, an Earth Day bash at the EpiCenter with live music and installations by AFH's youth participants. But it's a work night for Rodgerson, who'll be catching up with people she sees infrequently. Even with the big event impending, she intends to take her weekly 6-mile run through Turkey Hill with her Australian shepherd in the morning. "If I'm still standing on Sunday," says Rodgerson, she'll work on a painting in her studio, which is inside her loft in a revamped barn by the beach, then head to the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge for a Darfur benefit.

Jake Trussell, DJ/producer/musician
Trussell has been out of town for the last few Thunderdome parties, a series of monthly DJ-fueled dance parties. But he won't miss tonight's gathering at the Elks Lodge in Central Square. Trussell is getting ready to move to Chicago with his girlfriend, and a bulk of the weekend is devoted to organizing and packing for that. Plus he has to prep for Beat Research, his Monday-night residency devoted to experimental party at the Enormous Room with DJ Flack. This week they've invited theramin virtuoso Pamelia Kursin, and Beat Research is going analog in her honor. "I have to pick through my wall of vinyl to find stuff to play," he says. "I haven't done that in a while because I've been using my laptop."

Posted by Katie Johnston Chase at 06:29 PM

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