Fri. July 4 A slightly more civilized - less humid, less cramped, more extravagant way to celebrate America's birthday. Top of the Hub has is Spectacular, a six-course dinner giving you an ideal vantage point to enjoy the fireworks over the Charles. The celebration begins with a complimentary Chef's Hors d’Oeuvres Cocktail Reception from 7 to 8 P.M. Then, a simulcast of the Boston Pops concert, live from the Hatch Shell, will provide musical accompaniment for a tempting six co... More ...

Sat. Aug. 2 We covered Portugal. The Man for the Boston Phoenix a year ago, and as they’re back in the area and still touring behind Church Mouth, we thought we'd reprint the gist of what we took away from a Middle East Upstairs show. This time, they're at Harpers Ferry in Allston Aug. 2. And so ... As if this Alaska-via-Oregon band’s moniker isn’t confusing enough, consider the mind-scramble of their music: metal, prog, thrash, gospel, soul, and off-kilter Zappa-esq... More ...

Fri. July 4 What are you doing on America's birthday? Here, in Boston, we've got the country's most celebrated - and nationally broadcast - music + fireworks thing going: The Boston Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart, on the Esplanade, with this year's guest artist being Rascal Flatts. Assuming you're going to watch it, you'll be amidst half a million or so other folks. Get there at the crack of dawn, stake out blanket space, and sweat it out until the 8:30 p.m. show. An... More ...

Tues. July 1 - Sun. Aug. 31 We've been reading a lot about war lately. Yes, of course, about the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also the World Wars. They've been an endless source of fascination and horror (and yes heroism) for years. First learning about WWI - it had no numeral back when it started; who could imagine it'd be one of two wars Germany decided to embark upon? - we were struck with the unimaginable cruelty. The musturd gas, the air attacks, the stench, the mud and blo... More ...

ongoing - Sept. 28Luisa Rabbia was last year’s artist-in-residence at the Isabella Gardner Stewart Museum. The Italian-born, Brooklyn-based Rabbia was surrounded, of course, by the paintings, sculptures and arts collected by Gardner, more than a century aga. When it came time to make a video, Rabbia was struck by one of Gardner’s five travel scrapbooks – a photo album of her 1883 journey through China. What Rabbia did in her 26:30 video is stitch together Stewart’s photos... More ...

ongoing - Sept. 28Luisa Rabbia was last year’s artist-in-residence at the Isabella Gardner Stewart Museum. The Italian-born, Brooklyn-based Rabbia was surrounded, of course, by the paintings, sculptures and arts collected by Gardner, more than a century aga. When it came time to make a video, Rabbia was struck by one of Gardner’s five travel scrapbooks – a photo album of her 1883 journey through China. What Rabbia did in her 26:30 video is stitch together Stewart’s photos... More ...

ongoing Between you and me, I think the Monster seats at Fenway are a tad over-rated and certainly over-priced. Being a traditionalist, I also miss the plain old screen. And the day when the wall wasn't tattooed with placards. But don't get me started ... Back to seats in the lyric little bandbox. I share in a season ticket/night game plan that has me in the second row grandstand between home and third. Been there for years. Will be there until I leave this mortal coil. Think the view is... More ...

ongoing - July 20 Heide Hatry is not the sort of artist or curator to shy away from images that might cause a bit of discomfit. (You can visit her at www.heidehatry.com (http://www.heidehatry.com/).) And the exhibit, up now through July 20, at Pierre Menard Gallery in Cambridge is one of them. It's called Meat After Meat Joy, forcing us into our corner of hypocrisy by stating, once again, In our heart, we're a vegan; in reality, we're a carnivore. A long time ago, recognizing thi... More ...

Sat. June 28 The Red Sox are out of town, wrapping up play before the All-Star break and sitting kinda pretty - with the best record in the game, but only a breath ahead of the mighty Rays. Today is Red Sox Nation Day - although you tend to think every day from April - Ocober is RSND. But we digress: at the Red Sox Team Store, Saturday, June 28 from 9-5 you can meet Red Sox legends Jim Rice, Joe Morgan, Frank Malzone, Johnny Pesky, and, well, Hazel Mae, NESN's reigning sports babe. WEEI will... More ...

Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 14 Anyone noticed how many baseball-related events are taking place at places that aren't Fenway Park this summer? Well, the Red Sox have made Boston the mecca of baseball, so it's really no surprise that the Museum of Science, the Boston Pops, and now the New England Aquarium, are down with the game. The Aquarium, you wonder? How could fish and baseball relate? Well, it's actually the NEAq's Simons IMAX Theatre, which is screening classic baseball movie... More ...

Thursdays, June 26 - Aug. 14 Anyone noticed how many baseball-related events are taking place at places that aren't Fenway Park this summer? Well, the Red Sox have made Boston the mecca of baseball, so it's really no surprise that the Museum of Science, the Boston Pops, and now the New England Aquarium, are down with the game. The Aquarium, you wonder? How could fish and baseball relate? Well, it's actually the NEAq's Simons IMAX Theatre, which is screening classic baseball movie... More ...

Sat. June 28 - Sun. June 29 It's called Judy Garland - A Life on Stage and it's at Symphony Hall Saturday June 28 and Sunday June 29, with the Boston Pops. Isn’t Judy Garland, like, long-deceased? “She’s coming out of the grave,” says Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. Actually, “the Judy Garland Show we’re doing this year (is done through) the miracle of digital technology, which has now come up with the ability to take footage of a legendary per... More ...

Fri. June 27 - Sun. June 29 Feel like owning a little Lennon? Or just looking at his sketches? We all know that John Lennon was someone who liked to draw whimsical sketches of this and that, particularly of himself and his wife, Yoko. Now, Yoko remains a controversial figure in the Beatlemaniac's mind: Damn It, She broke them up! Or not. But she is the curator of John's estate and she's a good capitalist and she's got The Artwork of John Lennon coming to Newton's Hotel Indi... More ...

Wed. June 25 So, Boy George can't get in the country and George Michael can. Is there no justice? Well, if you're a Michael fan or - for you older folks - a Wham! fan, your chance to see An Evening with George Michael just improved and got cheaper. Today, Wednesday June 25 the good folks at Live Nation and Ticketmaster are offering tickets for $25. (The show takes place Sunday July 27 at TD Banknorth Garden at 8.) The promotion will only be available this one day. You can score at any ... More ...

We don't generally do obituaries here, but we loved George Carlin and here's what we wrote in February, advancing his March show in Boston. The headline was George Carlin Gets Nasty, Stays Sharp. Some comedians mellow as they age. George Carlin - who really was sorta mellow back in his straight-looking pre-hippie days and even in his hippie days - has reversed that course. He's like Bill Maher with even more edge, more a devil-may-care-attitude about how what he says is taken. Actua... More ...

June 28- Sept. 12 Lowell may not be the center of your universe, but – musically speaking – this is a very good time to pay attention. That’s because the Lowell Summer Music Series is up and running for the 19th year and consider for a moment the first four artists playing Boarding House Park. They are: Richard Thompson (June 28), July 3 Darryl Hall, July 5, Assembly of Dust, July 12 Lucinda Williams and July 17 Bela Fleck Abigail Warshburn’s Sparrow Quartet. Keep in m... More ...

Fri. June 27 Ever wonder why there are so many death metal bands? Ever think about why the Goth movement - once thought a brief '80s quirk and SNL: subject of parody - has lasted so long? Because rockers crave the dark side, just as film-makers like Wes Craven and Quentin Tarrantino and the guys who became zillionaires with Saw and its sequels do. Count Boston duo Dreamchild among these people. Horror, in the abstract (that is, when it's not happening to us or our loved ones) is a kic... More ...

Sat. June 21 First day of summer ... How to celebrate? Well, one option is the ever-sexy Babes in Boinkland - the offshoot dance troupe from Boink magazine - which will be featured at the Common Ground in Allston at the Cheap-Thrills-A-Go-Go bash. Psycedelic dance music supplied by the BeatTrain DJs. You must be 21 or older to get in - there's some flesh exposed here, kids! and booze, too! - but it's just a $5 cover. Starts at 11.83 Harvard Ave., Allston, 617-783-2071 www.commongroundbar... More ...

Tues. June 24 In baseball, there is the Bonds family (Bobby and Barry) and the Griffey family (Jr. and Sr.) In rock ‘n’ roll, we’re seeing more than a few of rock’s offspring take a stab at it. Locally, TAB the Band, which includes two of Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry’s sons, is making a mark as a ‘70s-influenced hard rock and blues trio. Out in L.A., Dan Davies – 24-year-old son of the Kinks guitarist Dave Davies – is getting noticed for his &lsqu... More ...

Thurs. July 24 -Sat. Aug. 9Jimmy Tingle – Boston-based comic and social satirist, former commentator on “60 Minutes II” – considers there’s a very real possibility that his chances to with the Presidency are on the slim side. Nevertheless, as Democrats and Republicans have dropped out left and right, leaving a final four before the conventions, Tingle is putting his “Jimmy Tingle for President” show up for a run of Thurs-Sun shows at the Arsenal Center ... More ...