617-576-1253. Improv Boston in Inman Square. First & Third Wednesday of every month, 10pm. They do improv comedy - but naked.Boston Poetry Slam. Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. (617) 354-2685. http://www.slamnews.com. Wednesday nights, 8pm-midnight. People read poetry like it's a one-person theatre show. Worth checking out and not just for literature snobs.-THURSDAYS - WINTER - NON-DAILY EVENTS OPEN AFTER 7PM ON THURSDAYSBell ringing at MIT. 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 7pm, MIT room 5-232. Mondays at 7pm at MIT room 5-232. And Wednesdays in IAP and more? Thursdays 7-9pm at Church of the Advent, 30 Brimmer Street, Boston. Saturdays 11am-1pm, Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA. Practices are sometimes cancelled, check website. Meet in Lobby 7 at 6:30pm Thursdays and 10:30am Saturdays, then head over to Boston to ring.True Story Theater. They have participatory theater where you can give them a life story and then you join in the re-enactment of that, theatre style. I've seen it, it's highly recommended! Playshops are generally Thursdays but not every week. Please RSVP. And they have non-participatory performances, too. In Arlington.Participatory Dance - Greek. Church, 29 Central Square, Somerville, MA. 617-625-2222. Thursdays 7-9pm. http://www.townonline.com/somerville/calendar/8999357641149892127.Participatory Dance - Contra (Concord). Concord Scott House, 74 Walden St., Concord. 781-272-0396. http://www.neffa.org/invite.shtml. Monday, Thursday 7:30-10:30. Beginners welcome, no lessons really needed.Magic - Le Grand David Magic Show. Cabot St Theater, Beverly, MA. 978-927-3677. Most Sundays at 3pm. Some Thu @ 7:30. See website, http://www.legranddavid.com.Participatory Dance - Swing (Arlington). 56 Pond Lane, Arlington, MA. http://www.danceboston.com/tuesdays.html. Tuesdays, 7-11:30. Thursdays, 6:45-11:30. Beginner classes at opening time.Participatory Dance - International. Church, 35 Church St, Watertown, MA. http://www.facone.org. Thursdays 8-10:45pm, includes lessons. Year-round.Participatory Dance - Lindy Hop (Arlington). Church, 21 Marathon Street, Arlington, MA. http://jera.pair.com/~mjonas/mikes/stomp.html. First Thursday of the month. 9:30-11pm..Participatory Dance - Scottish (Salem). Church, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA. http://calendar.boston.com/events/show/657002. Thursdays, lessons 7:30, dance 8.Dance - Swing (Newton) - Swing 440. American Legion, 295 California St, Newton, MA. http://www.hoptothebeat.com/dances.html#swing_440_dance_club. Some Thursdays, 7pm lessons, 8-11 dance. - bostoneventsinsider

617-576-1253. Improv Boston in Inman Square. First & Third Wednesday of every month, 10pm. They do improv comedy — but naked.Boston Poetry Slam. Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. (617) 354-2685. http://www.slamnews.com. Wednesday nights, 8pm-midnight. People read poetry like it’s a one-person theatre show. Worth checking out and not just for literature snobs.———————————————————————-THURSDAYS – WINTER – NON-DAILY EVENTS OPEN AFTER 7PM ON THURSDAYSBell ringing at MIT. 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 7pm, MIT room 5-232. Mondays at 7pm at MIT room 5-232. And Wednesdays in IAP and more? Thursdays 7-9pm at Church of the Advent, 30 Brimmer Street, Boston. Saturdays 11am-1pm, Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA. Practices are sometimes cancelled, check website. Meet in Lobby 7 at 6:30pm Thursdays and 10:30am Saturdays, then head over to Boston to ring.True Story Theater. They have participatory theater where you can give them a life story and then you join in the re-enactment of that, theatre style. I’ve seen it, it’s highly recommended! Playshops are generally Thursdays but not every week. Please RSVP. And they have non-participatory performances, too. In Arlington.Participatory Dance – Greek. Church, 29 Central Square, Somerville, MA. 617-625-2222. Thursdays 7-9pm. http://www.townonline.com/somerville/calendar/8999357641149892127.Participatory Dance – Contra (Concord). Concord Scott House, 74 Walden St., Concord. 781-272-0396. http://www.neffa.org/invite.shtml. Monday, Thursday 7:30-10:30. Beginners welcome, no lessons really needed.Magic – Le Grand David Magic Show. Cabot St Theater, Beverly, MA. 978-927-3677. Most Sundays at 3pm. Some Thu @ 7:30. See website, http://www.legranddavid.com.Participatory Dance – Swing (Arlington). 56 Pond Lane, Arlington, MA. http://www.danceboston.com/tuesdays.html. Tuesdays, 7-11:30. Thursdays, 6:45-11:30. Beginner classes at opening time.Participatory Dance – International. Church, 35 Church St, Watertown, MA. http://www.facone.org. Thursdays 8-10:45pm, includes lessons. Year-round.Participatory Dance – Lindy Hop (Arlington). Church, 21 Marathon Street, Arlington, MA. http://jera.pair.com/~mjonas/mikes/stomp.html. First Thursday of the month. 9:30-11pm..Participatory Dance – Scottish (Salem). Church, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA. http://calendar.boston.com/events/show/657002. Thursdays, lessons 7:30, dance 8.Dance – Swing (Newton) – Swing 440. American Legion, 295 California St, Newton, MA. http://www.hoptothebeat.com/dances.html#swing_440_dance_club. Some Thursdays, 7pm lessons, 8-11 dance.

01/24/07 by Johnny Monsarrat

Hey everyone,

There are so many weird and unique events in New England this week! I have just updated my huge-o spreadsheet of the year, get it at http://serpermethod.com/johnnys-activities.htm. Also, my tiny company is hiring a high-end architect and programmer, to grab 150,000 New England event listings each month. Email me at johnnydeppfun@yahoo.com.

The SCA is a historical re-enactment group and they only have a couple of big local festivals a year. This weekend, Jan 26-27 is “Birka” in Manchester, NH. It’s a Renaissance Faire and there will be music and fighting demonstrations. http://www.eastkingdom.org/event-detail.html?eid=1267.

Also weird, the Superbowl of Birding at Joppa Flats, Jan 27th in Lowell. This is a birdwatching event where teams of adults and kids “compete” to find the most birds. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to have any experience. 5am to 5pm. http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Joppa_Flats/news.php?id=397&event=no&sanc_news=yes. 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA, 978-462-9998.

Also weird, the big railroad festival of the year is here, Jan 27-28. It’s the Amherst Railway Society’s Big Railroad Hobby Show. http://www.amherstrail.org/show/show.htm. Unfortunately, it is about 90 minutes west of Boston at the Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA. 413.737.BIGE. They hook together dozens of privately built tracks to create one huge railroad track system

If you’re into sex and sensuality, also weird is the Fetish Faire Fleamarket, Jan 26-28, http://www.nelaonline.org/fff.html. Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel, Danvers, MA.

There’s also a Chocolate Tour of Boston, Jan 28, http://web.mit.edu/~chocolatiers/www/iapcal2007.html. Meet at MIT Lobby 7, 1-3pm. Speaking of chocolate, try the Milk Chocolate Tasting at MIT, Jan 30th, Same website. Cambridge.

It’s the Annual Science Fiction Marathon at MIT. Jan 27. http://lsc.mit.edu. Cambridge.

Revels: Pub Sing, is a participatory singing opportunity and they’re the group that does the singing on both sides of the Charles River in the Fall. Reservations are required. 6-9pm. 240 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. Pub sings occur every few months.

Last week I mentioned Do Re Me studios which does karaoke. Their pricing is actually $30/hr for a five-person room, and they have larger rooms as well. Also I’ve just learned of Limelight Stage & Studios, http://www.limelightboston.com.They not only have private rooms, but public karaoke as well, and you can even record your own CD or DVD as a gift. If you sing poorly, a really bad gift. 204 Tremont St. Boston, MA. (617) 423-0785.

There is a Snowball Fight planned at MIT but unless there is a miracle of snow, it won’t happen I guess. Jan 26. http://student.mit.edu/iap/nc22.html

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Lord of the Dance is showing Jan 26-27 at the Opera House in Boston. That’s Michael Flatley’s Celtic dance thing, you’ve heard of it.

The Dance Complex Winter Shared Choreographers’ Concert is happening Jan 26-27. This is not participatory, but a performance. http://www.dancecomplex.org. Historic Odd Fellows Hall, 536 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA. 617-547-9363.

Here are some theater opportunities.

Reefer Madness is playing at the MIT Musical Theatre Guild, Jan 26 – Feb 3. http://mit.edu/mtg/www/. La Sala De Puerto Rico, MIT Student Center, Cambridge. 617-253-6294. It’s a comedy musical about kids getting seduced by drugs, based on a film wayback from 1936 but still relevant today.

The Winter’s Tale opens Jan 25, to Feb 3. http://www.cmacusa.org/. At the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, in, you guessed it, Cambridge.

Barber of Seville: a “semi-staged performance”, I guess this means they’re concentrating mainly on the music, not the theatre aspects. Jan 28th. http://www.newtonsymphony.org. Rashi Auditorium, Newton. 7pm.

A new exhibit is opening at the Museum of Science, Boston. It’s “Animation”, Jan 28 – May 16. http://www.mos.org. One Science Park. Cambridge, MA. You get to see how cartoons are made and even star in one yourself with some videocamera tricks.

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is happening again, Jan 30-Feb 4. It is the regional session of the best college-level theater in the country, and winners in various categories are chosen. http://www.kcactf1.org. Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St. Fitchburg, MA. (978) 534-9000. Also at the Four Points Sheraton in Leominster, MA.

Ongoing events, MIT IAP continues, the student frolicking, playing, and education festival. To Feb 1st. http://www.mit.edu/iap. The Environmental Film Festival @ MIT is ongoing… each show comes with a dinner before and a discussion after, http://web.mit.edu/sfgs. Silence is still playing, http://www.newrep.org/a/0607/silence.html. And so is Britannicus, http://amrep.org.

Advance notice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, www.bcaonline.org, coming up in Feb. And would someone please write me about the Annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown, which is the largest annual Boston event with no website, apparently.
That’s enough for one week. As a reminder, any updates or last-minute stuff I’ll put weekly on my blog at http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com.

But wait, there’s more! I’ve just completed a study of what’s happening every weeknight. Let’s say it’s Tuesday. You don’t feel like going to a bar (too non-cultural) and there’s plenty of live music, but frankly can you really chat with your friends while at a concert? No. So you’re looking around for the kind of weird quirky stuff that I post regularly. Unfortunately, most of it happens on weekends. So what about Tuesday? And the rest of the week?

Well, to get the entire spreadsheet, visit http://serpermethod.com/johnnys-activities.htm. Notice that on the recurring and museums worksheets there are now columns N thru T listing weekday closing times.

However, here is a digest version, below. Print this out and keep it in your car for spontaneous outings. If you enjoy it, drop me a note. Ciao!

-Johnny
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DAILY – WINTER – EVENTS OPEN AFTER 7PM EVERY DAY (PARTIAL LIST)

Arcade / Billiards: Boston Billiard Club, Open 7 days ’til 2 am. 126 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA. 617 536-7665. http://www.bostonbilliardclub.com/boston.htm.

Arcade / Billiards – Felt, Open 7 days ’til 2 am. 533 Washington St, Boston, MA. 617 350-5555. http://www.feltclubboston.com.

Arcade / Billiards – Flat Top Johnny’s, Open 7 days ’til 1 am. 1 Kendall Square, Building 200, Cambridge, MA. 617-494-9565. http://www.flattopjohnnys.com

Arcade / Billiards – Good Time Emporium. Daily ’til 1am, Fri & Sat to 2am. 30 Assembly Square Drive, Somerville, MA. 617.628.5559. http://www.goodtimeemporium.com. Huge! Laser tag, race cars, bumper cars, over 200 arcade games, 60 pool tables, batting cages, basketball court, bowling, food, concerts. Friday special — just $10 for unlimited access to bumper cars, go karts, laser tag.

Arcade / Billiards – Jillian’s. Monday-Saturday 11am-2am and Sundays 12pm-2am. 145 Ipswich St, Boston, MA. 617-434-0300.

Arcade / Billiards – Kings, Open 7 days ’til 2 am. After 6pm 21+. 10 Scotia St,Boston, MA. 617 266-2695. http://www.backbaykings.com.

Arcade / Billiards – The Rack. Open 7 days ’til 2 am. 24 Clinton St, Boston, MA. 617-725-1051. http://www.therackboston.com. Restaurant and DJ dance as well as pool. A nice dance club where you can do something besides dancing and not too loud to have a conversation.

Arcade / Bowling – Boston Bowl. 24 hrs! Never closes! 820 Morrisey Blvd, Boston, MA. 617-825-3800. 44 bowling lanes, pool, arcade, batting cages. And “glow bowling”.

Arcade / Bowling – Lanes n Games. Daily 9am-midnight. 195 Concord Turnpike, Cambridge, MA. 617 876-5533. Call first to ensure lanes are available – usually full Sun-Thu 6-10pm. Right at the end of Rt 2E near Alewife.

Arcade / Bowling – Milky Way Lounge & Lanes. Mon-Thu to 12am, Fri Sat to 1am, Sun to 11pm. 403 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA. 617-524-3740. Eat dinner, go bowling, they even have karaoke. 7 lanes. I went once and it was a 2-hour wait for bowling. You have to reserve a lane a day in advance.

Arcade / Bowling – Sacco’s Bowl-Haven. Daily to 12am but 11pm Mon & Sun. 45 Day Street, Somerville, MA. 617 776-0552. http://www.saccosbowlhaven.com

And a bunch more that I’ll cut and paste later.

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MONDAYS – WINTER – NON-DAILY EVENTS OPEN AFTER 7PM ON MONDAYS

Charles River Fun Run. Cambridge Fitness & Racquet Club, 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA. 781-275-1584. http://srr.org/events/pepe/friday/index.html. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 6:00PM.

Bell ringing at MIT. 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 7pm, MIT room 5-232. Mondays at 7pm at MIT room 5-232. And Wednesdays in IAP and more? Thursdays 7-9pm at Church of the Advent, 30 Brimmer Street, Boston. Saturdays 11am-1pm, Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA. Practices are sometimes cancelled, check website. Meet in Lobby 7 at 6:30pm Thursdays and 10:30am Saturdays, then head over to Boston to ring.

Participatory Dance – Contra (Concord). Concord Scott House, 74 Walden St., Concord. 781-272-0396. Monday, Thursday 7:30-10:30. Beginners welcome, no lessons really needed. http://www.neffa.org/invite.shtml

Participatory Dance – Lindy Hop (Cambridge). First Church, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA. Lindy Hop practice, no experience required. 8:30-11pm.

Participatory Dance – Salsa – Felt Boston. 533 Washington St, Boston, MA, 617 350-5555. http://www.feltclubboston.com. Beginner lessons Mondays 7pm.

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TUESDAYS – WINTER – NON-DAILY EVENTS OPEN AFTER 7PM ON TUESDAYS

Participatory Dance – Breakdancing @ MIT. 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 617.304.6319. http://www.mit.edu/~imobilare. TUESDAYS: 7-9:30 pm, FRIDAYS: 6-8pm, SATURDAYS: 2-4:30pm. MIT Building 13 lobby, but check website.

Stargazing @ Clay Observatory — Brookline. 20 Newton Street, Brookline. 617-454-2718. http://www.dexter-southfield.org/podium/default.aspx?t=15746. Tuesday evenings, weathear permitting, call ahead.

Participatory Dance – Contra (MIT). 84 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 617-253-FOLK. http://web.mit.edu/fdc/www/contra.html. Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 8-10:30pm. MIT Student Center, 4th floor.

Magic – Mystery Lounge @ Hong Kong Comedy Studio. 1236 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 617-661-6507. Professional magicians play Tuedsays, 8pm.

Rollerskating – Roller World. Public skate Tuesdays 7:30-11pm, Sundays 1-6pm. 425R Broadway, Saugus, MA. 781-231-1111.

Participatory Dance – Swing (Arlington). 56 Pond Lane, Arlington, MA. http://www.danceboston.com/tuesdays.html. Tuesdays, 7-11:30. Thursdays, 6:45-11:30. Beginner classes at opening time.

Karaoke (public) — Cambridge. Charlie’s Kitchen. 10 Eliot St. Cambridge, MA. 617-492-9646.

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WEDNESDAYS – WINTER – NON-DAILY EVENTS OPEN AFTER 7PM ON WEDNESDAYS

Charles River Fun Run. Cambridge Fitness & Racquet Club, 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA. 781-275-1584. http://srr.org/events/pepe/friday/index.html. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 6:00PM.

MIT Caving Club. Wednesdays at 7:30. 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. http://web.mit.edu/spelunk/www. At MIT Room 36-155. There aren’t any real caves in New England, but visit this club and you can check out their trips elsewhere.

Stargazing @ BU — Coit Observatory. 725 Comm Ave, 5th floor, Boston, 617-353-2630. http://www.bu.edu/astronomy/opennight.html. Call first, closed if overcast weather. Weds 8:30-9:30 Apr-Oct, else 7:30-8:30 winter.

Participatory Dance – Barefoot (Cambridge). Church @ Mason & Garden Streets, Cambridge, MA. 508-405-0908. http://www.dancefreedom.com. Every Wednesday 7:30-10:30.

Participatory Dance – Ballroom (Dedham) – Moseley’s. 50 Bridge St, Dedham MA. (617) 243-0076. http://www.moseleysonthecharles.com/entertainment/ballroom.htm. Wednesdays, lessons 7pm, dance 8-11.

Dance – Bellydance (perf. only) – Middle East, 480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. 617-864-3278. http://members.aol.com/middleeastdance/Schedule.html. Sundays & Wednesdays bellydance performance. Starts 9pm?

Participatory Dance – Israeli. MIT Student Center, 84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. http://web.mit.edu/fdc/. Wednesdays 8-11, includes lessons. See website.

Comedy – Improv – Naked Comedy Showcase. 1253 Cambridge Street