Vacation

Hey all, I’m on a startup vacation so that I can develop Pique.TV. It will be the easiest way to sublet your apartment, with 30 second MTV cribs-style videos.

Ideas of things to do this week… 10/27-11/02

If it’s green, I’m actually going — see you there!

Tuesday see some of the brightest people in the world talk at the MIT 100k Elevator Pitch Contest. Entrepreneurs are given 60 seconds to explain their idea and who they are, and 30 seconds to answer questions from the judges.

Wednesday – Oystahs! Slurp ya free oysters at the Channel Cafe in the Fort Point area from 5-6pm. Wash down those bivalves with interesting local beers as they reveal their new fall menu.

Thursday the day has come: I am on the panel for Pokin’ Holes, part of dartboston. It’s a live web cast where 30-40 people come to the venue and 30-40 people watch online and can submit questions and comments.

Friday come see my band, The Heartsleeves, perform at East Meets West bookstore in Cambridge in a charity concert for Leaders of Tomorrow. It also features belly dancers, acoustic guitar singer/songwriter, and Afro DZ Ak, a funk and hip hop group.

Saturday party hop in Beacon Hill and come to my party that I’m throwing: dress like your favorite Jailed (and Rehabbed) Celebrity. Facebook friend me for the invite! I got dibbs on Vince Offer — The Sham Wow Guy — The Slap Chop Guy. I need to buy a headset!

Sunday hear Snoop Dogg, Method Man and Redman at the House of Blues. Snoop is my favorite rapper of all time. Also, La Verdad has the best carne asada tacos of all time, so you might see me there too.

Monday go up and listen to jazz in the clouds on the top floor of the prudential center — Top of the Hub Lounge. The Marshall Wood Trio starts at 8pm. Get there earlier, around 5pm, to see the awesome foliage and sunset. Great food, wine and cocktails await, with no cover and for a lot less coin than eating at the actual restaurant with all those couples getting engaged!

Ideas of things to do this week… 10/20-10/26

By popular demand, I’m highlighting the things I’m going to in green.

- Tuesday feel cultured and hip at the same time at the String Quartet Showdown, with no cover, which takes place at 10pm this and every Tuesday in October in Jamaica Plain. Drink Alchemist’s delicious beers, making sure you get your pumpkin/oktoberfest seasonals.

- Wednesday I’m leading a taco expedition with my co-workers to Green Street which offers a scrumptious taco menu every Wednesday night. Four dollars each is the damage for selections such as braised duck, carnitas, and spicy chicken.

- Thursday I look forward to seeing STS9 w/ ESKMO at the House of Blues. The headlining band played my favorite show that I’ve seen yet, when they were called Sound Tribe Sector 9 in 2004 at Berkfest during sundown. Both bands have organic, live electro music based on groove and heavy sampling. $26, doors 7:30pm, show 8:30pm.

- Friday evening features Bill Maher doing stand-up at the Wilbur Theater. $49, 10pm.

- Saturday I’m heading to my friends The Doctors Fox’s album release party. The other band descriptions sound enticing: The Shills, “boulders and butterflies,” Ellis Ashbrook, “fiery eclecticism rooted in solid foundations of funk, soul and blues,” (sounds like my band, actually) and Walri, “genre chameleons, jumping from late ’60’s inspired love-rock to roots country bluegrass to funky dunky to Brazilian Bossa Nova to shoegaze cowpunk to electronic rock candy. They call the result ‘love-rock.’”

- Sunday realize that cooking is an important skill, and classes are a good way to learn it. Take one of them with the talented chef JJ Gonson 11am-2pm at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, put on by thingstodoboston.com.

- Monday celebrate the peak of fall foliage with a walk around Back Bay. For a Victorian Back Bay Tour, meet your guide from Boston By Foot at Trinity Church facing Copley Square at 5:30pm. The tour is an hour and a half long, and you can buy tickets right there from the tour guide for $12.

Ideas of things to do this week… 10/13-10/19

- Tuesday enjoy the foods of Germany and the beers that make them even better. Jacob Wirth’s new tasting menu begins. This menu is starting out with Potato Pancake, Cinnamon Sour Cream, Sour Roasted Apples, paired with Spaten Lager… mmm. PROST. (cheers).

- Wednesday I’m headed to Social Boston Sports Oktoberfest sponsored by Wachusett Brewing Company at Landsdowne. Hear the Thomas Park Band and watch or participate in the sausage eating contests. If you opt for the VIP “beer tent” then you get a complimentary Wachusett Oktoberfest paired with food between 7pm and 9pm.

- Thursday Soul singer and legend Al Green is at the House of Blues. I really want to see this as he is a big influence on The Heartsleeves and my music. Jesse Dee opens up for him.

- Friday I hope to see you 6pm on Boylston at the very special NomX3 with Gary Vaynerchuk. Yeah, it costs $25, but you get his brand new book Crush It — signed — for free and a glass of wine (plus noms). NomX3 stands for “Nom Nom Nom” — the sound you make when eating delicious food — and they webcast social media talk at a different lunch hotspot in the Boston area each week. Warming up the crowd is  the live taping of Wingman TV, a lifestyle show about people, dating, and drinks.

- Saturday check out Great Scott at 8pm ($18 in advance, $22 at doors). This is a great time because you’ll hear two artists from the original early 90’s trio Digable Planets: Butterfly and Doodlebug perform hip hop along with songs from each of their current solo careers, with a three-piece band and a deejay.

- Sunday from 3pm to 6pm is the BSO Chamber Players. Hear some of the world’s top players play music by Schulhoff, Carter, and Brahms featuring Marc-André Hamelin on piano. If you’re under 40, the tickets are $20 for this and any other Boston Symphony Orchestra show.

- Monday will be majorly interesting for some as it features The Second Glass Crash Course: Sake-Beyond the Bomb at The Wine Gallery in Brookline 7pm. Hear about the history of the Rice Wine and start thinking about how to pair it with many other things than just sushi. I’m not a big Sake fan, but I might go in order to expand my mind.

Bonus! In honor of NomX3 on Friday, feed your mind with the funniest site on the Internet: Om Nom Nom Nom, featuring crude drawings on photos making various objects appear as monsters about to eat someone or something.

Ideas of things to do this week… 10/06-10/12

- Tuesday hear Blues Traveler w/ Jamie McLean at Paradise Rock Club and remind yourself what American music’s all about.

Hear Blues Traveler w/ Jamie McLean tonight at Paradise Rock Club and remind yourself

what American music’s all about

- Wednesday I’m going to the biggest event of the year for Gesher City — the organization that connects young Jewish adults in Boston — GeshAIRCity at Roxy 7pm. 

- Thursday I’ll rock steady with Krucial Reggae’s Tribute to Bob Marley at Johnny D’s Uptown. A few bands are playing Marley songs.

- Friday all over town is the Honk! Festival of Activist Street Bands from 3pm-8pm.

- Saturday kayaking on the Charles — launching from Kendall Square’s new boat rental place — seems awesome. You can do the whole Charles River from the Zakim Bridge to Watertown.  Yes, one way trips are possible because the Charles River Canoe & Kayak has multiple locations along the river.

- Sunday I’m heading to the Middle East Downstairs for Built to Spill. The guys are still plugging away after all this time. Their new album, “There is No Enemy,” is being released this week. 18+ $25 7pm.

- Monday features Weekly Wax at The River Gods in Cambridgeport, where two DJs battle each other for thrills. 21+ No cover 8pm.

Ideas of things to do this week… 9/29-10/05

Tuesday I’m meeting new people in my industry at WebInno23 in the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge. The atmosphere, I hear, is phenominal and the startups are

interesting. http://webinno23.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday we hope you join our “Menage A Trois” tasting 6pm at Miel in the Intercontinental Boston. It is a trio of Provençal specialties — Rosé Wine, Olive

Oil, Honey — Paired with dishes created by Chef Josean Rosado. $35 all-inclusive, limited to 14 guests. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?

eid=135764753260&ref=mf

Thursday I’m being dragged out to salsa night at Masa, the Southwestern kitchen at the start of the South End. Fifty cent tapas are at the bar, music is from

9-1 and lessons are from 10:30-11:30 featuring Dj’s Ricardo and Hernan. Salsa lessons are by salsaboston.com. http://www.masarestaurant.com/boston/index.html

Friday head over to Bond and celebrate the last night of Fashion Week, co-hosted by designer Daniela Corte, there is no charge for the 9pm event, but make sure

you RSVP. http://stuffboston.com/Boston/Events/54132-Stuff-Magazine-After-Party-Series/

Saturday if you like beer you should go to Harpoonfest in South Boston’s waterfront at 2pm with German food and music — it’s Oktoberfest. Cover charge is

$20.00 and includes a souvenir Pint Cup and one drink ticket. http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm/page/Octoberfest-Boston/pid/28569

Sunday there is a United Yelp Event: Apple U-Pick and Winery Tour. It meets at Alwife and Newton Highlands T-stops at 12 Noon and at Nashoba Valley Winery at

about 1pm. I hear winery actually has some good wines as well as hard ciders and the tour is $7 per person. http://www.yelp.com/events/bolton-uye-apple-u-pick

-and-winery-tour

Monday Mumiy Troll is playing at the Middle East downstairs. Hear what’s going on in the other side of the globe with these great russian rockers from the far

east of the country. 18+ $28adv/$30dos. http://www.mumiytroll.com/en

- Tuesday I’m meeting new people in my industry at webinnovatorsgroup boston #23 in the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge. The atmosphere, I hear, is phenominal and the startups are interesting.

- Wednesday we hope you join our “Menage A Trois” tasting 6pm at Miel in the Intercontinental Boston. It is a trio of Provençal specialties — Rosé Wine, Olive Oil, Honey — Paired with dishes created by Chef Josean Rosado. $35 all-inclusive, limited to 14 guests, RSVP 617-217-5151.

- Thursday I’m being dragged out to Salsa Thursdays at Masa, the Southwestern kitchen at the start of the South End. Fifty cent tapas are at the bar, music is from 9-1 and lessons are from 10:30-11:30 featuring Dj’s Ricardo and Hernan. Salsa lessons are by salsaboston.com.

- Friday head over to Bond and celebrate the last night of Fashion Week, co-hosted by designer Daniela Corte, there is no charge for the 9pm event, but make sure you RSVP.

- Saturday if you like beer you should go to Harpoonfest in South Boston’s seaport area at 2pm with German food and music — it’s Oktoberfest. Cover charge is $20.00 and includes a souvenir Pint Cup and one drink ticket.

- Sunday there is the United Yelp Event: Apple U-Pick and Winery Tour. It meets at Alewife and Newton Highlands T-stops at 12 Noon and at Nashoba Valley Winery at about 1pm. I hear the winery actually has good wines as well as hard ciders; the tour is $7 per person.

- Monday the band Mumiy Troll is playing at the Middle East downstairs. Hear what’s going on in the other side of the globe with these great russian rockers from the far east of the country. 18+ $28adv/$30dos.

Ideas of things to do this week… 9/22-9/28

- Tuesday at 6pm is Tuesday Tasting ($19) featuring M Bar in the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Boylston St. There will be cocktails such as White Sangria, MO-tality, and Eau de VeeV, which will nicely pair with Steamed Pork Dumplings, Chicken Satay, and Lobster Wontons.

- Wednesday evening imbibe with me when Eastern Standard is a Speakeasy. You need a password to enter; call them to get it. Enjoy free cocktails and appetizers from the roaring twenties at 6:30 followed by discussion about the Prohibition with author Garret Peck (The Prohibition Hangover, 2009).

- Thursday I’m heading to Charlestown for Moroccan tapas at Tangierino. It should have interesting design, cocktails and belly dancing.

- Friday be at the 7th Annual Fall Bash put on by the Boston Young Professionals Assoc. Hang out and expand your circle with 500+ young professionals and grad students with a cool ice breaker. $10 including two drinks.

- Saturday is The Wine Riot! In an expo setting, sample wines, try food pairings, listen to talks, see and be seen. $45.

- Sunday I’ll be checking out the Museum of Fine Arts especially the Vida Y Drama: Modern Mexican Prints exhibit. It should be nice to walk around the emerald necklace and the surrounding hood.

- Monday I’m “breaking the fast” with friends from the Vilna Shul for 70’s style Chinese Food at Shangri-La on Cambridge St in Beacon Hill. I love Chinese food, and there’s nothing better than it after starving.

Vacation

Hey guys. I’m going to not tell you what to do in Boston this week since I’m going to Rochester. Check back next Tuesday for the lowdown. Ok, ok, one idea is going to sneak past. On Thursday go on a boat to Spectacle Island for Jasper White’s Summer Shacks’ Sunset Clambake. It features steamed lobster, clam chowder, mussels, steamers, corn on the cob, new potatoes, chorizo, and dessert. The ferry leaves at 6pm from Long Wharf North and the whole thing costs $70 ($75 with alcohol).

Ideas of things to do this week… 8/18-8/24

- Tuesday at 9:30pm I’ll be participating in the weekly spelling bee at Highland Kitchen in the heart of Somerville.

- Wednesday evening at 7pm is a great time to hear classical music at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Charles River via the sweet sounds of the Landmark Orchestra’s Music of the Stars. Yeah, there will be Star Trek and Star Wars songs at the end. Yeah, it’s free.

- Thursday I’m going to check out Capital Grille with the Gesher City Foodies. I normally don’t support national chains but hey it’s restaurant week!

- Friday Is a good time to check out Marliave, which I heard has great food, cocktails, service and interior. It’s a throwback style restaurant, having re-opened paying homage to the original dating back to 1875, the concept of which I love.

- Saturday features the Cruise for a Cure put on by the Social Boston Sports guys (pre-party at 6pm, boarding at 8pm). Be on a boat, see the skyline, hear Boston’s best cover band, and party with some awesome people. The event costs $25 and benefits St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Prizes and raffles are going on throughout the night.

- Sunday I’ll be going on the Walking Tour of the West End (registration required; scroll down 1/4 of the way) starting at the Otis House at 1pm-2:30pm. It should be interesting to see and hear about the different layers of history in this neighborhood, which has changed character 3 times reflecting eras of US history. Tickets are $7 for Historic New England members and $15 for the rest of us.

- Monday There is a free yoga session during the sunset from 6pm-7pm at the DCR Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade. BYOM – Bring Your Own Mat.

Ideas of things to do this week… 8/11-8/17

- Tuesday is an Ethnic Dining Meetup at Xinh Xinh. Awesome Vietnamese food in Chinatown.

- Wednesday has the BNC Networking Cocktail Party going on. It’s a young professionals event at the Hyatt Regency Boston from 6pm – 11pm.

- Thursday I’m going to check out Pokin’ Holes at the Algonquin Club, followed by the wrap party at MATCH. Pokin’ Holes is a session where some of the finest entrepreneurs and professionals get together and poke holes in someone’s business model for a live webcast.

- Friday is a good night to wine and dine at the brasserie Bouchee – hopefully on its outdoor patio on Newbury st. It’s restaurant week and that means 3-course dinners at most upscale Boston restaurants is $33.09 for this week and next.

- Saturday the Yelp Crew is invading Provincetown. Take the ferry out from Boston at 8:30AM and stop by a portuguese bakery, a sweet lunch spot, a gallery with a guide, and experience the kick-off of Carnival Week in P-Town

- Sunday features my return to tea after a long coffee stint. It’s happening at Tealuxe on Newbury street.

- Monday I’m going to stroll Davis square and hear some Irish music at The Burren.