Back in 2001, I e-mailed Avengers frontwoman Penelope Houston to ask her a question for this music project I was working on at the time, and she didn’t respond for months and then when I followed up she apologized and told me that her computer had been struck by lightning.  Maybe she just had bad luck, perhaps, but I always thought she was actually making fun of me.  (Because probably she was?)

Anyway.  I mention this because the Avengers are coming!  To Providence!  Tonight!  Holy crap!

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Science Cafe presents that Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the RI Film Premiere of “The Story of Cosmetics”!

Ever think about what goes into your cosmetic, fragrance, or beauty products? Curious about how those ingredients are regulated or if any of them could be dangerous for our health? Join Mia Davis of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and other community members to discuss these topics.

Brought to you by Science Cafes.

Free, 6pm to 7pm, Wednesday, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Oh my God, you guys, have you heard the new Strawberry Upside-Down Basket single?  Or that hot new jam by Oreo Crew?  No?  Well, then, how about that awesome Studio 6 song?

Well, neither have I.  In fact nobody has, because those bands–along with 2 x 2 Loud, Poisoned Hearts, and Sweet Contradictions–were only formed on Monday.  They’re the six groups assembled for the inaugural GirlsRockRI camp, teaching young ladies aged 11-16 about the power of rock and roll.  (Also, there’s that whole thing about the importance of arts education and the idea that girls can do whatever they want without having to rely on stupid boys.)

In just five days, the campers have learned to work as a band, write songs, learn instruments, silkscreen t-shirts, make buttons, and practice, practice, practice.  They’ve each got a song that they’ll be debuting tomorrow (Friday) evening, at a 7pm showcase at AS220.

$5-$10 is requested, with money going to support the camp.  The show starts at 7, and get there on time because, you know, they’ve only got one song each.

One show starts at 9pm at the 210, featuring members of Brown Bird and Tallahassee, and the Torches described as,

“A combination of ‘Tom Waits, The Make-Up, the Sex Pistols and Temple of the Dog.’ The Torches played their first show without ever having all been in the same room at once.”

Or head over to AS220 (sometime generally after 9:30-ish but more like one hundred o’clock) for Royal Jelly, Panther Moderns, and So Cow. . . from Ireland!

So Cow has been described in some quarters as Television Personalities meets Swell Maps meets Abba, with a live show based around rousing choral moments, guitar insanity and occasionally upsetting self-injury.

Tonight and again on June 27th, the 2010 BarPlays Festival will take place at the Trinity Brewhouse.

7pm, Sunday, Trinity Brewhouse, 186 Fountain Street

Three pieces also on the schedule right around the corner at AS220.

7pm, Sunday, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Has it only been five years? I feel like they’ve been blowing my head off for longer than that. (Favorite memory so far — finally leaving the Biltmore on ‘Obama night’ November 2008 and walking smack dab into the What Cheer? Brigade parading around downtown. Euphoria overload.) At any rate, they will be celebrating their anniversary this Friday at AS220 and will be joined by any and all former members who can get there on time. The weather looks perfect for more parading btw. . .  just saying. The New York Times reviewed their recent April show at Santos Party House,

Right on his heels came the What Cheer? Brigade, a punkish, face-painted brass band with a dozen or so members, who alternated between the stage and the dance floor. They were thrillingly competent, with undimmable energy. All together, it was an explosion of good cheer from the greater Providence, R.I., area, serious in its frivolity.

Thrillingly competent?!!!!! Perfect.

$8, 9pm, Friday, AS220, with Veveritse, Arcing, Jacob Berendes and the Terribles

Hey folks, it’s back and uglier than ever! The Providence Bike Swap, today @ as220! Bikes, accessories, parts, and things bicycle related for sale or swap. It’s like a yardsale for bike stuff!

TODAY May 15th 12-4

Admission is free.
Vending is free.

Vendors please arrive at 11:00 to load in. Table space is limited so if you only have a few items please share table space. If you have alot of items please be neighborly and share floor space.

General admission starts at noon.

(reposted from craigslist.)

Find true love at JERKUS CIRCUS this Saturday at AS220!

Comedy, burlesque, and freaks! Voted best neo-vaudeville by the Boston Phoenix in ‘09. Produced, Created, and Hosted by the world famous Steamy Bohemians.

Jerkus Circus is America’s most delinquent traveling circus, a campy cabaret show that will steal your heart. . .  and your identity. . . to download porn. Called “haute vaudeville” by the Boston Phoenix, Jerkus Circus brings back variety in style, including wildly diverse performance artists, uniquely hilarious comedic acts, pasties, drug references, and all your favorite swear words. Watch us channel the gods of chaos! Our struggle will seem effortless. What song will Lainey forget how to play? What will Niki pull out of her boobs? There’s only one way to find out. Come see hilarious comedians, scary weirdos, sexy dancing, and fabulous music. Created, produced, and hosted by The Steamy Bohemians.

9pm, Saturday, $8 or less, AS220, 115 Empire Street, all ages

Featuring:

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First, I just love the name of this band and it’s fun to say out loud. Also, the music is very appealing. But they are getting a lot of buzz and this show will probably draw a good crowd. Frontman JP Pitts spoke with Rolling Stone

While the band’s members cite influences like Motown and the Jesus Lizard, Pitts tells Rolling Stone he’s most inspired by the 1990s indie rock that permeates Surfer Blood’s sound. “I was listening to mostly Pavement, Bedhead, Yo La Tengo,” Pitts says, “And that’s a huge part of what influenced the way I write songs and the way I play guitar.”

Pitchfork liked their debut cd ‘Astro Coast’ quite a bit. Also playing is Mast, Turbo Fruits, Black Clouds. Should be fun.

$6, 9pm, Wednesday, AS220, 115 Empire Street

I really, really, really, really hate to be posting a story about Facebook. But this one’s kind of intriguing, maybe:

The other day I got a friend request from Lucie Searle, the Development Manager and Preservationist at AS220. Since the new Facebook allows you to accept or reject friend requests without actually reading the other person’s profile I accepted. (I don’t know Lucie, really, although I interviewed her for an article once a few years ago and for some reason she’s always in Stop & Shop when I’m there. But I’m not particularly discerning about Facebook friend requests.)

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Go inside and see real live artists in their natural habitat (quiet please, mating season).

Ever wonder what’s happening on on the other floors of AS220? Curious about AS220’s history? Come on down and take a free tour of AS220 with artistic director and founder Bert Crenca! Meet in the Bar & Restaurant area at 115 Empire St. to join in.

Like what you see? There are currently two live/work studio vacancies at this location. Contact Susan Clausen at 831.9327.

6pm to 7pm, free, Thursday, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Can you plug those things in? And who was the first woman to say “Screw the laundry, I’m rockin’ out.”? Get the weekend started tonight at AS220 with some music. Moaning Creek delves into the sounds of Appalachia and the Delta for inspiration . . . American roots music. Hey Mama features the powerhouse duo, Avi & Celia with Jared Seabrook and Ben Kogan on drums and bass. The other act cancelled, or was cancelled, something.

$6, 10pm, Thursday, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Figuring out the world together — come learn about the hot environmental issues of the day from regional experts. What does ‘climate change’ mean for you, and what can you do about it? Join Sandra Brownell, of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other community members to discuss these topics at a special AS220 Happy Hour.

Monday, November 16, 5:30pm, AS220, 116 Empire St

AS220 has six to eight openings available for a new course being offered in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Equipment has been purchased through the MIT Fab Labs program and you can learn how to use it. According to the ProJo,

Participants can learn how to use and create long-term projects using the lab’s machines, which include a small-scale laser cutter, a milling machine and a vinyl cutter, all of which are hooked up to a computer network that offers free open-access design software.

The course, now to be held at the Empire Street location and later to expand into the Mercantile Building, will include open labs, videoconferencing to MIT, but sadly, no fish tacos. For more info contact Fab Lab director Shawn Wallace (not to be confused with Wallace Shawn) at AS220.org where there is actually no mention of this whatsoever, but maybe that is your first test.

Tonight’s show features Novembers Calling (acoustic indie), Midtown Dickens (punkgrass from North Carolina), and Handshake Factory (americana blues folk).

$6, 9pm, Monday, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Get your shots — AS220 has just announced on its website that the special surprise guest stars for Saturday night are none other than Deer Tick!  Foo Fest has returned this year with a new wrinkle — a $5 entrance fee. Apparently Empire Street will be cordoned off somehow and this will help keep the riffraff out (or in).  That really doesn’t seem like much money for an entire day of music and stuff — and if that’s what it takes to make this possible every year, fine. Also scheduled to perform are, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Tinsel Teeth, Lolita Black, White Mice and Lightning Bolt! There will also be tons of artists doing art, and you can help create the giant pinata. (Are we having a pinata moment in Providence for some reason?) Empire Street will be blocked off between Washington and Westminster with vendors and things to eat and drink.  The weather looks good. Go crazy.

$5, 1pm to 1am, Saturday, 115 Empire Street