June 01, 2009

June's perfect for music and Shakespeare

The fun starts on Monday night with one more performance of Naked Shakespeare at Wine Bar on Wharf Street. The minimalist performance begins at 8 pm and you'll be asked for a donation. Go ahead big spender, put a fiver in the hat.

After you've had your fill of literary and theatrical culture, move the party over to Old Port Tavern for some less refined entertainment. It's karaoke and dancing with DJ Don Corman from 10 pm-1 am. No cover.

For Tuesday night entertainment I'm sending you to the Nick for $5 movie night. There are plenty of decent choices out of Hollywood, like "Up!" (showing at 4:45, 7:10 and 9:25 pm) and the second "Night at the Museum" (5:15, 7:30 and 9:50 pm), or you can opt for the artsy foreign film "Hunger." Not yet rated, the movie focuses on republican prisoners in a Northern Ireland prison in 1981, where H-Block leader Bobby Sands leads his brethren on a hunger strike. "Hunger" plays at 4:30, 7:40 and 9:55 pm.

If a flick doesn't sound like the way to go, check out the book release and signing event at the Great Lost Bear at 7 pm. The new book "The Lovers" from John Connolly features Charlie Parker, a detective who works as the GLB bar manager. Connolly will read from the book and sign ones for purchase. And you know the Bear has plenty of tasty beers to choose from.

And there's always music for the hearing on Tuesdays with Jazz Series at One Longfellow. 8 pm. $5.

Wednesday. Hump Day. Which means it's the perfect night for a visit to the comfy, cozy and laid back North Star Music Cafe to check out the tunes of indie-folker Katie Sawicki, a native New Yorker who's been living in the Left Coast Portland. Liz Stahler opens the 7 pm show and it's only cost you $5 to get in.

If you'd like to get yourself headed in the right direction for the weekend, it's free booze that's needed. Vintner's Winery Cellar offers up free tastings every Wednesday from 4-7 pm. Delish!

And now for more of The Bard. You may recall seeing that there was Much Ado About Something going on at Deering Oaks Park on occasional evenings last summer. That would have been the Fenix Theatre Co., which will get into the act again starting Thursday with its rendition of "Taming of the Shrew." The free show is at 6:30 pm (also on Friday and Saturday) near the wading pool. Bring a chair or blanket and a cooler and get ready to be entertained.

After you've had your fill of Sir William, you may be itching for some indoor entertainment. Head on up to Congress Street and Empire Dine & Dance for the Dead End Armory show at 9 pm. It's a measly $3 to get in.

Or check out Port City Music Hall's Front Lounge Summer Series which starts tonight. All the Real Girls will be playing unplugged at 8 pm and admission's free for the 21+ crowd. That's a great way to get ready for the weekend.