Sun. Feb. 4

We're not big here on plugging events where all you're going to do is go out and watch TV and eat stuff that's not good for you and drink more than you should. You don't need us for that. At any rate, Sunday Feb. 4 is the day to do that, whether you choose to do it in the company of loved ones at home or with hooligans at a bar. Of course, there's the real possibility you may not give a monkey's toss who wins - given the Patriots abrupt exit from the competition. This game is between the Colts (apparently from Indianapolis, not Balimore like they were when we were young) and the Bears, who are always "da Bears" from the SNL running gag of years ago. But it's an Event, you know, so you must watch it, if not for the football for advertising and for the half time featuring Prince. We're guessing he pops a nipple. Maybe two. Or maybe he just worhsips God. Who knows what side will show up? Well, if you're going to watch this things with red-blooded American guys who like beer you could do worse than going to Big City, where you'll find 15 pool tables, a punch of plasma TVs, 25 cent chicken wings and 80 beers on tap. (We should note Allston was named one of the ten worst places to live by some know-it-alls recently, and, damn it, we've lived there and did so during the Bunratty's era. And we liked it! Well, except for the two attempted break-ins ... ) The game starts at 6:30, the Colts are favored by 7,  and it's on CBS, Channel 4.

138 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-782-2020 allstonsfinest.com

Thurs. Feb. 1

My black friends used to sometimes ask: "And why is February, the shortest month of the year, Black History Month?" I'm only a semi-conspirialist so I really couldn't give a good answer for that one. I'd kind of shrug and say "At least there is one," and note - if the mood was right - that Irish History Month tended to be the Dropkick Murphys bashing out a bunch of whiskey-soaked gigs at Avalon in mid-March and maybe the Pogues or Shane MacGowan coming to town to do likewise. At any rate, this year Black History Month starts with a good one at Berklee Performance Center. It's being billed as "Black Music Matters," bringing a new new level of spirit, rhythm and discourse to the proceedings. What you got: Grammy-winning sextet Sweet Honey in the Rock, which will bring blues, spirituals, reggae, chants and more into the mix, and Dr. Cornel West, distinguished author and African-American historical expert. (West's gig will involve some turn-tabling, as well.) This unique pairing, taking place Thursday Feb. 1 at 8:15, celebrates Berklee's new Africana Studies/Music and Society Program developed by Dr. William Banfield. Tickets are $25.

136 Massachusetts Ave., 617-931-2000 berkleepc.com

 ongoing-Feb. 1 

We loved Burgess Meredith as the Penguin in the old "Batman" TV show. We thought Danny Da Vito was OK too, in the movie. But what about real penguins you ask? We'd have to say "March of the Penguins" was one of the most profound and moving animal movies we've ever seen. We learned things, we felt things, we can listen to Morgan Freeman's soothing voice forever. And the DVD extras were truly worthy. So, now comes "Happy Feet" - well, it didn't just come, it's been out long enough to garner all sorts of critic's associations awards nominations and Golden Globe nominations and it looks like those tuxedoed birds are the word all over again. It took the top box office spot the first two weeks it was out. Hey, Prince - your Super Bowl entertainer this year - did a song for it. Why have we not rushed out to see it? Don't know. Maybe it has to a slight aversion to cutesy-pie animation and feel-good stories? Maybe it's because we were so taken by the real guys in "March," we're not sure we want to see the fake guys dancin' up a storm. But we could just be curmudgeons, and probably are. But we will say that if you're going to see it, the Simons IMAX Theatre at the New England Aquarium is the place to go. There's the Aquarisum aspect of it, and then there's that massive screen and sound system. So, if you've held out this long, maybe it's time to succumb or if you've seen it, maybe the kids will want to drag you back to relive the magic times 10. Tickets: $25.45-$12.45, depending on the package. The film tends to sceen at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. but check the website below.

Central Wharf, 617-973-5200 neaq.org

Wed. Jan. 31

 As a kid, we learned what we learned about World War II from "Hogan's Heroes," and figured "No wonder the Germans lost the war - they are so inept! But funny, in their own way." We learned more a little later, and then wondered "How the hell did they ever get a show like 'Hogan's Heroes' on the air?" (Yes, we know about "The Producers.") But we're still not sure how Col. Klink and Col Hogan got to trade quips on network TV. But we sure have seen a lot of films dealing with the War and the Holocaust - "Schindler's List" and "The Pianist" being standouts" - and think we have a clue as to what was reality and what wasn't, at least from a cinematic perspective. Someone who no doubt has a better reality is Sara Rubin, who we know as the director of the Boston Jewish Film Festival. She's seen 'em, screened 'em and can tell you about them during a talk "Changing Trends in Cinematic Representation of the Holocaust" at Northeastern's Snell Library Wednesday Jan. 31 at noon. She'll be joined by Inez Hedges, Stotsky professor of Jewish historical and cultural studies at the University. Hedges' topic: "Deportation from Drancy: France and the Shoah." Free.

90 Snell Library, 360 Huntington Ave., 617-373-2351 lib.neu.edu
 

Wed. Jan. 31

We've spent some time at Azure's special event/benefit nights and have found them quite soothing and stimulating ... some of that due no doubt to the vodka being featured by the co-promoting vodka company. On Wednesday January 31, Reyka Vodka steps forward and serve as the intoxicant in your signature cocktail at the "Azure Blue Party." (Azure is a shade of blue, right?) These cocktails will be served from 6 to 10 p.m., along with "blues inspired" food from Chef Robert Fathman. What would be a blues night without a blues band? Not totally blue, that's for sure. So the band Stretch provides that end of the deal. It's $50 and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Community Servings, which delivers meals to the critically ill. Yes, folks, another opportunity to dress up, go out, drink up, dance a bit and feel good about yourself - in a humanitarian way - for what you're doing. This is also why people go on all those extensive walks/runs to find cures for this or that. Being who we are, we'd rather feel good about ourselves in a swanky bar than sweating up the Esplanade with thousands of others, but that's just us.

710 Boylston St., 617-445-7777 azureboston.com