Indie-punk Turkey Alert: Last-minute benefit at Great Scott TONIGHT

Even before (in fact way, way, WAY before) GREAT SCOTT underwent its transformation from BC college watering hole to the indie hub of Allston Rock City, its proprietors had one of those fantastic New England traditions that usually goes unremarked. Quite simply, every year for almost 20 years, you could walk into Great Scott on Thanksgiving and get a free turkey dinner. This wasn't just some kind of soup-kitcheny deal -- it is more broadly an open door, one that invited in neighbors, friends, and college expats as well as the down-on-their-luck, homeless, poor, and needy. According to GS's Carl Lavin, the annual event attracts upwards of 400 souls per year, with the bulk of the food and expense being shouldered collectively by local merchants and independent donations. But this year, the "sudden and frightening economic downturn has understandably put a dent in how much we were able to collect," Lavin says, "and we're hoping that we could get an infusion of small donations to ensure that there's enough food so nobody is left with an empty plate."

To that end, Great Scott is throwing a last-minute emergency fund-raiser TONIGHT with music by garage-rocking motherpluckers THICK SHAKES and BARNICLE. Suggested donation is $5, more if you can swing it. You can buy tickets -- or if you can't make it, you can donate online -- at this linkety-link right here.