Norman Mailer, identified with New York City but buried in Provincetown, died, giving rise to all manner of praise. But Paul Flannery at Boston Daily found the best tribute of all--the obituary Mailer wrote for himself for the magazine back in 1979. Here's a little taste: " At the memorial service, passages from his favorite literary works, all penned by himself, were read, as well as passages from prominent Americans. His old friend, Truman Capote,......

The April rain is seemingly behind us, the flowers are springing, but we're not yet upon summer festival season. Soon enough we won't be able to go a weekend without a sleepless night with ringing in our ears as we spent too many hours in the heat a little too close to a bank of speakers broadcasting to the masses. Well, that or a sweet show at Harbor Lights The Pavilion. Tuesday, 5/8 Grant-Lee......

Berklee and Essence have teamed up again this year to bring the best young talent out to compete in the Hip Hop Songwriting Contest. If you are, or know, an eligible teen (unsigned and between 15 and 18) the time is nigh. Deadline for submission is March 9. It's all for a good cause, helping to balance the message in hip hop music and giving young songwriters a stage and training, not to mention......

Norman Mailer will read from The Castle in the Forest at the Congregational United Church of Christ. For tickets, visit Harvard Book Store or call 617-661-1515. Tickets are still available according to the website. UPDATE: This event has been sold out. However, the pleasant person we spoke with at the Harvard Book Store said that, if you're really amped up about the reading, you can arrive at the church early, and they'll place you in......