Event of the Week – Film Fest for All:
Don’t let the moniker “Independent,” fool you: There’s plenty for movie fans of any kind at the Boston Independent Film Festival, which runs this year from April 21 to April 28. Offerings range from hits at Sundance and other festivals (“The Extra Man” and “Cyrus”), interesting documentaries (“The Oath,” about Osama Bin Laden’s driver and “Teenage Paparazzo” by “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier), films that are simply weird (“The Good, The Bad, and the Weird,” a Korean Western), to a film about local newpaperman Geoff Edgers’ journey trying to reunite The Kinks (music fans might also enjoy documentaries about Elliot Smith and The Magnetic Fields). Even if tickets for a particularly promising film are sold out, there’s a good chance of getting in out of wait-list lines if you are willing to stand in them. For the full film schedule and an explanation of how it all works, visit
Iffboston.org.
Thursday,
April 22
The place to be Thursday is neither Istanbul nor Constantinople. It’s the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway for a free Earth Day performance by local legendarily weird rockers They Might Be Giants, famous for the aforementioned musical farce about the Turkish city (the song is a cover, believe it or not), as well as quirky tracks like “Birdhouse in your Soul” and the “Malcolm in the Middle” theme song, “Boss of Me.” A gigantic blast from the past, indeed. Singer-songwriter Citizen Cope will also perform with his band. The Greenway is between New Sudbury Street in the North End and Beach Street in Chinatown, near the Haymarket or Aquarium subway stops.; Noon to 3 p.m.; Free; [email protected].
Friday,
April 23
Maybe you loved “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” when you were younger. Maybe you still do – we won’t judge. Northeastern musical theater group The Great White Way is firmly in the Seuss camp, and will be bringing Seussical the Musical, the classic musical based on the writer’s whimsical world, to a Northeastern stage with characters from all of Seuss’ most popular books and a story that “makes you laugh and cry,” according to the website. Doctor’s orders. Performances will be held April 22 to 24. Ell Hall; 6:30 to 8:30; $5 with NUID; [email protected].
Saturday,
April 24
If there’s any city in our fair state worthy of hosting a festival devoted to Science, it’s Cambridge. Thus, it is appropriate that it is partnering with the MIT Museum to put on the Cambridge Science Festival, a week-long festival devoted to all things cerebrally cool. The whole thing kicks off Saturday with a bevy of events including a demonstration of deep-sea robotics and a Science Carnival held at the Cambridge Public Library, to and from which there will be shuttle service at the museum. For those who haven’t yet had a chance to check out the MIT museum, now would be a good time: Admission will be free all day. A detailed event schedule is listed at Cambridgesciencefestival.org. 265 Mass. Ave.; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; various; 617-253-5927.
Sunday,
April 25
The Boston Public Library’s long-running “Made in Massachusetts” film series continues its exploration of the crime and courtroom genre with a screening of “Gone Baby Gone,” Ben Affleck’s critically acclaimed 2007 full-length directorial debut – yes, he directs too. The film, which stars Affleck’s brother, Casey, as private investigator Patrick Kenzie, is a Boston neo-noir in which the investigation of a child-abduction case goes terribly wrong. Also notable at the BPL is Jazz Week, during which musicians will be performing and speaking at various events throughout the week starting April 25. Visit Bpl.org for more. 700 Boylston St.; 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Free; 617-536-5400.
Tuesday,
April 27
Fans of seminal indie-rockers Pavement have had plenty of good news this year, with the band getting back together for an extensive stint of touring and all. And then there’s “Wowee Zowee,” a tome by author Bryan Charles that shares the name of what some consider to be the band’s best album, and pulls together interviews with all the members concerning its creation. Charles also talks to industry professionals and other parties who were involved, making this a comprehensive trip into indie-rock history and the associated mythology. The author will be at the Brookline Booksmith Tuesday to discuss the book; it will likely become a chance for die-hard Pavement fans to gather and wax poetic about their favorite band. 279 Harvard St., Brookline; 7 p.m.; Free; 617-566-6660.
Wednesday,
April 28
Talk about mixing things up, so-called “gypsy punk” rockers Gogol Bordello cram such an eclectic mix of sounds and cultures into their music that it defies any simple explanation. The insanity translates to their live shows, during which lead singer Eugene Hütz has been known to crowd surf on top of bass drums and perform other such stunts. The motley crew will be bringing their antics to the House of Blues Wednesday, where they’ll be joined by the similarly strange sounds of their touring buddies DeVotchKa. 15 Lansdowne St.; 7 p.m.; $27; 888-693-2583.
