Legendary Boston Rock Stars Unite for One Fund
Legends of Boston rock history will take the stage later this month to benefit victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Aerosmith, James Taylor, Extreme, Godsmack and New Kids On The Block are among the multi-band lineup for a May 30 show at TD Garden. Net proceeds of the show will benefit One Fund Boston. Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino helped set up the concert, “Boston Strong, An Evening of Support And Celebration,” which Live Nation is promoting, according to Boston.com. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and at the TD Garden box office May 6 at 10 a.m. South End Patch
South End Weekends: Passenger, Rock Lobster at BCA
South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, March 15: Meet the ‘Rock Lobster’
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a partly sunny day with a high of 41 degrees. 2. Meet the Rock Lobster: Aaron Fricke, author of the acclaimed autobiography, Reflections of a Rock Lobster, will discuss his inspirational journey from bullied high school student to acclaimed author and activist at a post-show reception on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 10:30 pm at the Boston Center for the Arts’ Calderwood Pavilion. See here for more information. 3. Garden Plots Available: Community garden plots are available in Titus Sparrow Park, located between Columbus Ave. and the Southwest Corridor Park along West Newton Street and West Rutland Square. If interested, please contact Ann Hershfang. See here for more information. 4. Learn to Tango: A new four-week session of semi-private dance lessons is starting up on Saturday. The class is designed for people who have already taken the beginner’s class offered on week nights. This series will transition your knowledge of the structures and temperment of Argentine Tango to Close Embrace. Close Embrace is the true social dance of the Argentine Tango. The class is $ 140. See here for more information. 5. Flower Show: Get a taste of spring at the Boston Flower and Garden Show, open today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Seaport World Trade Center (200 Seaport Blvd.). Admission is $ 20 for adults, $ 17 for seniors over 65, $ 10 for children ages 6-17 and free for children under six. Learn more and get tickets at bostonflowershow.com. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
South End Weekends: Harriet Tubman Tribute, Rock Lobster Opening
South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, March 8: ‘Reflections of a Rock Lobster’ Opens
1. Play Opens: The highly acclaimed “Reflections of a Rock Lobster” opens this weekend at the Boston Center for the Arts. The play is based on a true story of a 17 year-old gay student from Cumberland, Rhode Island who sued his high school in 1980 for the right to escort his boyfriend to his high school prom. See here for more information. 2. Weather: Light snow continued through most of yesterday, and when the last of the precipitation clears, we have what looks likeclear skies for the weekend. 3. Revolutionary Women: Stop by Harriet Tubman Park this Sunday at 10 a.m. for a Revolutionary Women & Reggae Festival event: A candle lighting to celebrate Harriet Tubman. See here for more information. 4. Daylight Saving: Daylight Saving Time occurs this weekend. The official time to set the clocks one hour ahead is Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. 5. Spring Break: Boston Police are urging area college students to secure their off-campus housing units if they’re planning on being away during their school’s spring break period. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Do You Want ‘Roadrunner’ or ‘Dream On’ for State Rock Song?
A little more than a week after a bill was filed to make “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers the state’s official rock song, two legislators responded by filing their own bill to make Aerosmith’s “Dream On” the anthem. “(“Dream On” is a) classic ballad that’s all about holding on to your dreams and seizing opportunity,” Rep. Josh Cutler (D-Duxbury) said. Cutler is co-sponsoring the bill with Rep. James Cantwell (D-Marshfield). The two songs represent very different stories, both about rock and roll, and about Massachusetts. One is a buoyant tribute to the thrill of being young in Massachusetts, speeding down Route 128. The other is a wistful look back by a Boston band that was just at its beginnings as one of the most famous in rock history. When asked, Gov. Deval Patrick told reporters Monday that he hasn’t considered which song, if any, he prefers for the state rock song. What do you think? Should “Roadrunner” become the state rock song, should “Dream On,” or should neither? South End Patch
Legislation Filed to Make ‘Roadrunner’ State Rock Song
Massachusetts already has a state polka (“Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts,” anybody?) and a state glee club song among its eight anthems, but the state that produced The Pixies, Aerosmith and The Cars is missing its own rock song. But that could change soon. Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester) filed legislation last week to make “Roadrunner,” by The Modern Lovers the state rock song. In “Roadrunner,” Natick native Jonathan Richman croons about Stop & Shop, Route 128 and “the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts.” And “Roadrunner” could be the only rock song that has the lyrics “I’m in love with Massachusetts.” “This is about acknowledging an artist from Massachusetts who’s obviously had a very good career and one of his masterpieces outlines our Commonwealth. Why not recognize the people that have helped us become such a great place?” Walsh told the Boston Phoenix. To drum up enthusiasm for the bill, Walsh and publicist Joyce Linehan, who came up with the idea of making “Roadrunner” the state rock song, started a Facebook page on which people could show their support. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had 1,318 “likes.” After all, if Ohio and Oklahoma can rock their own rock songs, why can’t Massachusetts? SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: 'Roadrunner', Filed, legislation, Rock, Song, state
What’s Your Pick for the Official State Rock Song?
With paeans to Massachusetts, Route 128, the Mass Pike and even Stop n’ Shop, The Modern Lovers’ “Roadrunner” is a thoroughly local song. But should it be the state’s official rock song? Some state legislators think so. Aside from the song’s lyrical caress of the state and its eccentric geographic locales, the band has great local roots in and around Boston. Lead singer Jonathan Richman is from Natick, and drummer David Robinson hails from Woburn. The band’s first demo was recorded at the Back Bay’s Intermedia Studios, where Aerosmith recorded “Dream On,” and which was later bought by the Cars, who recorded there as well. The Newbury Street studio is long gone, however; the space is now an American Apparel. State legislators from across the state are jumping on the “Roadrunner” bandwagon, including North End Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (his aunt was in the band). While Jonathan Richman may be in love with Massachusetts, not everyone in the state is enamored with his “Roadrunner.” Boston’s “Rock n’ Roll Band” has several state references sprinkled throughout the lyrics, and The Dropkick Murphys have created their own cottage industry writing and covering locally-based songs. What do you think? Is Richman’s cooing “I’m in love with Massachusetts?” enough for the state song, or are there other local rock songs more deserving of the title? Give us your best alternatives in the comments section below. South End Patch