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SINNERS AND SAINTS: In the beginning, there was John Doe and Exene Cervenka, the Adam and Eve of American roots punk, and X were good. Then later X were not so good, and John and Exene broke up, and John made films and a few decent records. Then X got back together again (John and Exene didn’t), and X were good again. Now Exene, who has made better poetry than music lately, has teamed up with a couple of young bucks (including two former members of the Distillers) and made a raging, full-bore rock-and-roll album full of the same rockabilly/punk spirit that animated the very early X albums. She’s calling the band the Original Sinners, and their homonymous debut is out on Nitro Records this week. Better still, she’s bringing the band to T.T. the Bear’s Place, 10 Brookline Street in Central Square, on August 4; tickets go on sale today (Thursday, June 27) at 10 a.m., and they’ll go quickly once people hear the album. Call (617) 931-2000.

SOAP SUDS: How much would you pay to see five of daytime television’s biggest celebrities live on stage offering a 90-minute behind-the-scenes look at the making of a big-name soap opera? Fifteen bucks? Ten? If we threw in a Q&A session, would you pay $39.50 or $48.50 to see Peter Reckell, Drake Hogestyn, Matt Cedeno, Alison Sweeney, and Jason Cook (in case you didn’t recognize them, those are the big-name actors) in what’s being billed as "The Days of Our Lives Outdoor Festival"? If you’ve answered yes, direct your remote to the South Shore Music Center, 130 Sohier Street in Cohasset, next Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Call (781) 383-1400.

NEXT WEEKEND:

This year’s Fourth

One of the enduring traditions of America’s largest Independence Day celebration has been the mad dash for prime lawn space on the Charles River Esplanade, a scene that’s been repeated in the early mornings of July Fourths as far back as we can remember. Like the view of Chicago’s Wrigley Field from surrounding apartment buildings, Boston’s Esplanade land rush is one of the latest casualties of the war on terror — this year’s Fourth of July celebration will operate a bit differently from the ones in the past.

Most of the proceedings will remain just as you remember them — the rockets’ red glare will still follow the Boston Pops’ rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. But entry to the most popular viewing area — the large oval directly in front of the Hatch Memorial Shell — will be closely monitored. Security barriers will be erected behind the oval, just in front of the concessions area; admittance to the oval lawn will begin at 9 a.m. (that’s a few hours later than normal). You’ll have to pass through one of four checkpoints set up around the perimeter of the lawn. Expect all your bags to be thoroughly checked, and also expect to do a fair bit of standing in line. (At press time, a determination had yet to be made as to when patrons would be allowed to begin queuing up at the security barriers.) In years past, a popular plan was to send your advance team to the oval to stake out a spot by laying down as big a blanket as you could find. This year, blankets and tarps can be no larger than eight by 10 feet, and everyone passing through the checkpoints will be given a wristband. Once you’ve got a wristband, you can come and go as you please, though you’ll have to go through the checkpoints again each time you re-enter. The number of wristbands will be limited, and once they’re gone, you’re out of luck. (The exact number hasn’t been specified; the State Police have said they won’t issue any past 6 p.m., but you can expect them to be gone well before then.)

The larger area surrounding the Hatch Shell will also be restricted. The part of the Esplanade behind the Shell all the way back to Community Boating will be off limits to the public. And boats will be banned from the lagoons and docks on the Boston side of the river, as well as from the breakwaters area near the Hatch Shell; all along the river they’ll be prevented from anchoring within 100 feet of the shore.

And if you do make it to the Esplanade? The concert begins at 8 p.m., with Keith Lockhart conducting the Pops in a program of American faves and patriotic reveries. They’ll be joined by Miss America, Katie Marie Harman, for "The Star-Spangled Banner"; by Maureen McGovern for a tribute to Richard Rodgers; and by Barry Manilow for tunes including his "Let Freedom Ring," which he performed with the Pops at last year’s Super Bowl. The half-hour fireworks extravaganza begins around 10.

Boston’s Fourth of July Celebration at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade takes place next Thursday, July 4, beginning at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.july4th.org.

BY CARLY CARIOLI

 

Issue Date: June 27 - July 4, 2002
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