Editor’s Note: Welcome to V3 Weekend, a new Vanyaland series where we help you sort out your weekend entertainment with curated selections and recommendations across our three pillars of Music, Comedy, and Film/TV. It’s what you should know about, where you need to be, and where you’ll be going, with us riding shotgun along the way.
Music: The Town And The City Festival in Lowell
Like the man Jack Kerouac himself, we’re on the road this weekend, and that road is I-93 as we roll north to The Town And The City Festival, which returns for two jam-packed days today and tomorrow (April 8 and 9) across several venues, stages, and spaces around Lowell. As we previewed in January, the fest features a New England-heavy lineup of musicians and spoken word artists in celebration of the 100th birthday of its hometown-hero-novelist, including: Tanya Donelly and The Parkington Sisters, Will Dailey, Aaron and the Lord (pictured), Hilken Mancini and Chris Colbourn, Divine Sweater, The Chelsea Curve, Prateek, Ava Sophia, Naomi Westwater, RoseR and others.
There’s even an extra serving of Lowell talent, like Daemon Chili, blindspot, D. Tension’s Secret Rock & Roll Band, Corner Soul, Colleen Green, and oldsoul. National acts like Screaming Females, Robyn Hitchcock, and Jon Langford & Friends augment the festivities.
“We’re thrilled that we can bring attention to the Jack Kerouac centennial and the city through our festival,’ says Chris Porter of Porter Productions. “Kerouac had an impact on so many in music… We’ve built a lineup that is intentionally diverse in styles and provides an opportunity for people to see talent from the city, the region, and beyond.”
Get all the latest word and ticket information here, and gaze upon the full lineup in flyer form below.
Comedy: James ‘Murr’ Murray at The Wilbur
Earlier this week, James “Murr” Murray teased his upcoming appearance in town by posting a Boston fact-sheet, three things that “everybody knows.” It was some real talk: “1. Best baked beans on the planet; 2. Fenway Park. You get it; 3. Murr live is coming Friday and you cannot miss it.” Hard to spot any lies there, as the Impractical Jokers comic sets up shop tonight (April 8) at The Wilbur.
As Vanyaland Comedy Editor Jason Greenough details in this week’s Mic’d Up: “There’s nobody hidden offstage feeding the funny for this one. Murray brings his comedic force and love of hi-jinx to Tremont Street on the solo tip this week for a night of creative practicality and jokes that’ll have fans of hit TV show swarming, so it’s bound to be a night to remember.”
Get worked up with a preview below.
Film/TV: Sonic 2 in the theaters
We’re counting down the days until The Northman hits cinemas and gives us the Nordic viking blockbuster porno we so desperately need in these trying times, but we’re still a fortnight out from its theatrical release. So we’re gonna kill time this weekend with Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which finds everyone’s favorite blue speedy friend teaming up with trusted sidekick Tails (voiced by Idris Elba!) to battle it out with Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles. Sign us the fuck up.
We’re so excited we’ve finally stopped complaining about Sonic’s redesign a few years back; yeah, we loved that thicc OG version. Vanyaland Film Editor Nick Johnston will have a review of this bad boy later today (Update: Here it is), but if you’re CIV and just can’t wait one minute more (not sure why we just referenced that; maybe because that’s what we listened to back in school while playing Sonic & Knuckles on Sega Genesis?), then check out this synapsis from when we hyped the trailer:
“The world’s favorite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2.’ After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.”
Let’s go!