Editor’s Note: Welcome to V3 Weekend, Vanyaland‘s guide to 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
Now in its fourth year, The Town and The City Festival comes alive this weekend around Lowell, boasting a notable program of live performances (Buffalo Tom, Pile, Future Teens, Tiffy, Rhett Miller) and special events, like the Earfull writers’ series at the Academic Arts Center featuring Bill Janovitz and Warren Zanes; a record show at Mill No. 5; and the Points of Light unity and renewal celebration at the Ecumenical Plaza on the West Canal. “The Town and The City Festival’s first three years were met with great enthusiasm from music fans, performers, the venues and the community,” says producer, Chris Porter. “As the festival has grown, we’ve had the opportunity to expand programming… and enable us to collaborate with more members of the Lowell community.” As Janovitz quips on social media, “Lowell got soul.” Hit the link for the full lineup.
THE TOWN AND THE CITY FESTIVAL :: Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 across multiple stages and venues in Lowell, MA :: Festival info :: Festival schedule
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Comedy: Natalie Cuomo & Dan LaMorte at ROAR!
Shit, if we’re gonna road trip to Lowell this weekend, why not hoof it out to Western Mass? That’s where New York City comedy power couple Natalie Cuomo and Dan LaMorte hold court this Friday and Saturday (April 28 and 29), taking over the stage at ROAR! Comedy Club at MGM Springfield. Their parents may hate their tattoos, but we love their comedy, and Cuomo in particular has become one of the best follows on social media, bringing her scathing wit and incendiary takes on sex, drugs, and relationships (sometimes all at once) to hundreds of thousands of followers (LaMorte ain’t no slouch either). Her new special Shut Up You Loved It debuted at Number 1 on the iTunes comedy charts, and you can get a dose of her sardonic delivery below. Just be warned: If you’re in the crowd, they’re gonna pry into your personal life, so come prepared.
NATALIE CUOMO & DAN LAMORTE :: Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 at ROAR! Comedy Club, 1 MGM Way in Springfield, MA :: 8 p.m., $25 :: Event info :: Advance tickets
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Film/TV: Independent Film Festival Boston
The 20th Independent Film Festival Boston is in full swing, kicking off earlier this week with the premiere of the Love to Love You, Donna Summer documentary in Somerville. Vanyaland film editor Nick Johnston detailed six films to check out at this year’s IFFBoston, taking place at The Somerville Theatre, Brattle Theatre, and Coolidge Corner Theatre, including a few screenings this weekend, like Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie tonight (April 28) and Pod Generation on Sunday (April 30). Also on our weekend radar is The Dogmatics: A Dogumentary, about the legendary Boston garage rock band, and Beautiful Was The Fight, a detailed look at the women making noise in our city’s music scene. Hit the links for specifics.
Independent Film Festival Boston :: Now through Wednesday (May 3) at various locations :: Festival information, tickets, and showtimes
Beautiful Was the Fight (Official Trailer) from Dave Habeeb on Vimeo.