SIDETRACK
A GIRL HAS NO NAME: Rapper Noname (nee Fatima Warner) was feeling extra artsy while in town this week. After performing her hit “Ace” with Smino and Saba on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” earlier this week, the musician managed to sandwich a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in between her two sold-out shows at the Royale. The Chicago native, who started the year off strong by releasing her new track “Song 31,” apparently spent Friday afternoon browsing some of the displays at the MFA. HERO SHOP: Pauli’s North End is here to help folks who’ve been affected by the ongoing government shutdown. Paul Barker, owner of the neighborhood sandwich joint, just publicly offered to cover lunch for people caught in the political crossfire, asking them to come into the shop from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday via a Facebook post. “I’m not talking politics, or taking sides in regards to the #governmentshutdown,” he wrote. “What I’m seeing is that people are not getting paychecks, they can’t pay their bills and they’re suffering. As a small business it’s hard to know what to do to help, so I’m doing the only thing I can do.” In addition to extending the free midday meal, Barker continued, “If I can find a way to afford to continue to do other things I will. Also, if any other restaurants, or retailers see this and can do something to help — join us on this. #ItsUpToUs #Boston.” POP ROCKS: Nicole Michelle brought a bunch of Boston names to the North Shore, as the rising pop singer headlined a special show at Breakaway in Danvers late last week. The locally raised artist was joined by a slew of familiar faces, who all came out to support the kick-off of her 2019 tour. The recognizable guests at the gig included: Scott Brown, former U.S. senator and current ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, and his daughter Ayla Brown, an “American Idol” vet who just moved her music career from Nashville back here to Boston to co-host Country 102.5’s morning show; iconic comedian Steve Sweeney; Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Paul Nelson; and Money Mav of iHeart Radio and Jam’n 94.5 fame.