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August Riffage Deep in the summer slog we are. Starting and growing a nonprofit org from nothing is a slog in and of itself but then summer hits, the lights go up, the roaches scatter and us lifers are left out, spread thin and getting crispy. August especially leaves me feeling sloggish, and sluggish, I suppose. There are also just less people around to maintain the enthusiasm so the burden of cultural activism is lopsided for three solid months. The students of Boston by and large all go away for the summer and normal people (even show goers) take small vacations to cooler places. Despite the heat exhaustion and the temporarily dwindled crew good stuff is still happening this summer and I would like to tell you about it in no particular order. For one thing BRAIN Arts has identified a new and extremely important ongoing effort: making our community and the spaces we occupy safer for ALL people, especially those marginalized by mainstream society. Until we decide on an official name we’re calling it the Safer Space Initiative and we encourage you to join the conversation. As one of my fellow volunteers put it at our last meeting, if you don’t know what this means or why it’s important then you
especially should get involved and find out. Under The Underground continues its monthly film series highlighting the works of lesser-known filmmakers on 8/21 at Lilypad. Our grants team has applied for our second grant and we are looking to expand the effort. If you have grants/nonprofit experience please reach out! The Compass production crew has restructured to get more people involved in the process and we are currently seeking graphic designers with InDesign Skills, copy editors and any reliable people who want to make this project their own. Similarly the Hassle website team is continuing to grow and seeking more help covering ALL kinds of rad things happening in, around or affecting Boston. Even our show booking concern has restructured and stepped up the effort to cultivate more All Ages spaces for shows. Good stuff. We have a newsletter about all these fine happenings but i figured I’d just throw it all out there for you here, in brief. It’s too hot for anything but underwear right now anyway am I right? Thanks for picking up the rag and see you out there!
IT’S OUT! COMPASS RELEASE SHOW Calling all artists, musicians, and filmmakers! Starting in September, the Compass will be throwing a monthly show to celebrate the release of the paper. The IT’S OUT! show will feature music, art, film, and more, all chosen to show off the incredible diversity and talent of our community. We are holding an OPEN CALL for artists and filmmakers who would like their work displayed at the show. If you’re interested, send a sample of your work to thatbostoncompass@gmail.com, with the subject line “It’s Out submission”. The first It’s Out! show will be on September 5 @ HI: Boston Hostel! - Emma D
The Coolest Yard Sale of Summer!!
Sam Potrykus
Art Blast.............................................................Page 2 Sandrine Schaefer performs, Fiber Art and Feminism, and support your local Bodega!
Hassle Brief & pure impact.........................page 3 Ursula, day Music,
On the Road to Bummer City As the last stretch of summer begins there is but one recommendation, dear reader: plan your trip to Bummer City today. The Bummer City Historical Society consists of about twenty people whose main goal is to increase the number of accessible and inclusive events/spaces. If you have a song, poem, short narrative, dance number or whatever be sure to attend their monthly open mic @ Hostelling International Boston from 7:30p.m9:30 p.m. on August 20th featuring Lady Queen Paradise. Sign-ups start at 7 p.m. so be sure plan accordingly. This open mic is sure to provide a space in which you can express the strangest of your emotions! -Rey De La Fuente
&
Boys, Puce
Mamaleek, Mary. PI: Eastern
HoliBloc
here be the Shows.....................................page 4-5 Fuzzstival, New All Ages Show Spot Pops 8/7, 8/24 is just wow & GToss returns 8/28
The Tardy Eagle..............................................page 6 YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH ON THIS PAGE also some local comedy picks
Film Flam............................................................page 7 Lovecraftian Rock ‘n’
Horror, Roll,
and
Hollywood Glamour, Long Demented Cartoons—plus
Lost more!
Comics.................................................................page 8 Featuring many talented local artists new sweet STREET ART feature!
and PYCH:
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Come Be Our Friend at Ou
Fundraiser! 8/6 We are your friends, you’ll never be alone again! Or at least from 4PM-8PM @ Friendly Toast in Cambridge on Thursday 8/6. The good folks at BRAIN Arts who produce this very paper and run BostonHassle. com and book Boston Hassle shows want to invite you to our Friendly Fundraiser where 20% of the night’s sales will go directly towards bringing you more music, art, film, culture, and ink stains on your hands! We’re trying to raise enough money to print an issue of the Compass, so if you’re hungry enough to help us reach our goal come on out to Kendall Square! But after 8PM you’re on your own again. -Harrison Bralower
Gettin’ Down at the School of Groove
Listen, I totally understand that you just *needed* to buy that $5 Spiderman land phone because one day you’re “definitely going to get a landline!” A banana slicer that is “literally shaped like a banana” is honestly an invaluable kitchen utensil. You’re “definitely going to get into pottery this summer!”, so really, that kiln is going to pay for itself. An alarm clock that not only tries to wake you up with a sound, but also shakes the bed to let you know that morning has arrived!? I get it, but do you ever feel like one of the hardest parts of being a grownup is coming to terms with the fact that you have too much stuff and not enough space? You’re in luck! On 8/15, come to the “Cool, Air-Conditioned, Monster Yard Sale” @ Manning Apartments in Central Square! Not only can all that cool stuff you got go to someone who can put it to even better use, but bonus: a portion of the proceeds benefit the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants, because everyone deserves to live comfortably. -Sophie Samul
Downtown Loke Rahbek
Maybe you always wanted to take music lessons as a young’un but never had the chance. Maybe you tried out the french horn but didn’t really dig it and your middle school band teacher terrified you. Regardless of what sidetracked your musical dreams, you should seriously consider taking classes at the School of Groove. They offer affordable private lessons on guitar, bass, vox, drums and more. Throw in free use of a practice space and the opportunity to join a band with other students and receive group instruction, and you’ve got an exceedingly cool learning opportunity. If you go to shows and ever wondered what it’d be like to be the cool cucumber up on stage, here’s your chance to find out. Don’t bystand, start participating! -Peter Steele
WaterFire is literally & figuratively hot & cool
Ever wondered how dozens of bonfires lit in the rivers of downtown Providence would look? Ponder no more! You’ve got three opportunities to see your greatest fantasies played out before your eyes on 8/1, 8/15, and 8/29, courtesy of Barnaby Evans’ sculpture WaterFire. Lighting is shortly after sunset, but it’s worth getting down an hour or two early to bask in the other art installations and the eclectic music program. And if you haven’t been down to the Ocean State recently, it’s just a super chill commuter rail ride away. $5 suggested donation, waterfire.org for more information. - Marisa Bulkeley
Dan Goldin and Dave Spak used to walk down Greylock; the sound of music got clearer and louder as you got closer. Venturing at night into the damp, dark, dank-smelling basements of Allston, watching locals play, or meeting acts rolling through the region. It was an enlightening experience that filled them with the desire to start a label; to give more people a chance to listen to the acts that they were seeing. Today, Exploding in Sound Records is one of the most exciting small labels in the country. Mr. Goldin has now booked three shows on August 22 and 23 in Boston as part of the label’s east coast “Thank You For Being A Friend” event. 8/22 @ The Sinclair: Krill, Big Ups, “Unholy Strength,” Stove, Palehound. 8/23 @ O’Briens Early: Vundabar, Washer, Zula, Swings, Great Deceivers, Lady Bones. 8/23 @ Great Scott: Pile, Kal Marks, Gnarwhal, Leapling and Bunny’s A Swine. I messaged a bunch of Exploding in Sound family members, asking them to describe the label in 10 words or less. Carl Shane of Kal Marks wrote: Kind, Dan, Dave, Exploding, Sound, Fun, Support, Party & On. Rick Maguire of Pile says that “Being on EIS is like having four elbows: advantageous.” Jesse Weiss of Palehound, among other bands, wrote: Home-brewed, Ground up, Heartfelt, Supportive yet Eclectic Burst of Audio. Finally, Dan Goldin, the legend: “Bringing good music to the people... or at least trying.” From Boston to the world, Exploding-In-Sound showcases inventive artists in a world saturated with the same old. I encourage everyone reading to get together with your friends and start something. Make a label. Help your friends release their music. You can do it, just set a goal and achieve.
Learn more about their label by going to http://www.explodinginsoundrecords.com/
-Ethan Long