Tips For Tonight

UPDATED AT 3:05 p.m.

In keeping with the night-life theme of my earlier post, I thought I would share with you all a few interesting things going on 'About Town' tonight. It is simply beautiful out today after all. Here's hoping tonight's sunset (which should be between 5:30 and 6 p.m) is as splendid as last night's! 

Craft Cocktails at the Boston Shaker

There are eight spots left for tonights Craft Cocktail Techniques class at The Boston Shaker on Holland Street.This hands-on class will teach you the basics of mixology and measurement. I've had the pleasure of chatting with these folks before, trust me, they sure know what they are talking about when it comes to the techniques and tools of the bar trade. Class starts at 8 p.m. and runs until between 9:30 and 10. The cost is $60 and is reserved for those 21+. Head over to The Boston Shaker's website to sign-up online. 

Garrison Fewell at Johnny D's

If you'd rather just sit back and relax tonight, head a few doors down from the Shaker to Johnny D's. Acclaimed Jazz guitarist Garrison Fewell plays tonight at 8 p.m. Fewell is an award winning Jazz musician who has performed all over the world.  He's taught at Berklee College of Music for well over a quarter-century  and written books on his craft. The cover charge is $10 at the door. If you're hungry, Johnny D's serves a full dinner menu until 9 p.m. and a bar menu with lighter fare thereafter. 21+

"Edible Landscaping with Herbs" 

Seija Hälvä, a landscape designer, consultant and 'garden coach' will speak to the Somerville Garden Club tonight on the topic of landscaping with herbs and will include growing tips, and suggestions for use. The talk will take place at the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE is located on the bottom floor of the Tufts Administration Building on Holland St) at 7 p.m. 

Friendly Atmosphere, Local Music Make for Fun Open Mic Night

I hit the town last night to catch some folks out and about. First stop was The Burren in Davis Square to check out their open mic night. The friendly Irish bar holds the event every Tuesday, attracting both regular performers and newbies. Hugh McGowan says it usually breaks down to about 50/50.

He would know. McGowan has been hosting the open mic night for 14 years.

"Running an open mic night is a blast," he said. "I get to meet lots of cool peeps."  

Cool people and good conversation were a-plenty. I chatted with 'Dickey Dee' for a while—a guy who, the bartender joked, is the unofficial mayor of Somerville. Dee trotted out his Irish-American wit. "I've lived here for most of my life," he said. "Except when I didn't."

I found Michael Berkowitz tuning guitars before the show started. He moved up from Baltimore two months ago, "for a better job and a better music scene," he said. Berkowitz plays acoustic guitar, and fellow musicians pointed him to the Burren's well-known open mic night as soon as he arrived here. 

The crowd was fairly thin early in the evening. Years of working in the restaurant business taught me that is to be expected on the Tuesday following a long holiday weekend. McGowan said the crowd can be up or down, but it's usually a solid night.

Last I checked, about a dozen performers had signed up to play. First up was singer-songwriter Brad Dawson of Teele Square. Accompanying himself on guitar, he sang an original song about moving to Somerville from Cambridge, called "I'll move where the weather suits my clothes."

After a few sets, I stepped outside for some fresh air and found a duo jamming on the sidewalk. Turns out Thomas Cashdollar and Joe Kid would play inside later on.

"It's kind of quiet in there, so we thought we'd come outside and drum up some business," Cashdollar said.

Kid and Cashdollar live in Medford, but their band, Hadrian's Heroes, comes to town often. When they are out in full force, the band plays with five members, including a classically trained cellist. It's "radio rock with a progressive tune," said Kid before the two launched into to a personal street-side serenade for me. Cashdollar sang and Kid played guitar as they belted out their band's song, "Re-gifted."

Sign-up for Open Mic Night begins around 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday in The Burren's back room.  The show usually starts around 8 p.m., with acts trickling in as the night goes on.