Jan 9-17, 2012: Chinese & Japanese New Year, Model Trains, Full Moon Hike, Poe & Thoreau, Nuclear Reactor Tour, & Martin Luther King Day
01/08/12 by
Johnny Monsarrat
This Week in Review
I’m working on a big change to Events INSIDER. Starting next week, I’ll have both a newsletter (which is what you’re seeing now, the weekly summary of my top 10 picks and a reminder to check out the rest on the website) and an actual blog (where I can throw theatre & restaurant reviews and talk about fun topics 2-3 times a week). I know there is something wrong with the formatting in the emails and I will try to fix that. Send me your feedback & thoughts to johnny@eventsINSIDER.com, and thanks!
I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
The Week in Weird
Chinese New Year at F…
Once I joined a group of people watching a gorilla at the Franklin Park Zoo. We saw it pick up some poop. Nooooo!!! We all shouted. Yep, it ate it. The Franklin Park Zoo is open all winter, and now they’re adding a Chinese New Year celebration! 11am-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Once I joined a group of people watching a gorilla at the Franklin Park Zoo. We saw it pick up…
Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA
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Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA
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Japanese New Year
In college terms, if China is a prideful frat boy, Japan is that sexy cheerleader in your computer class. You can also find Japan’s new year at the Boston Children’s Museum, with a lion dance, calligraphy, drumming, and dinner! 3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)In college terms, if China is a prideful frat boy, Japan is that sexy cheerleader in your comp…
Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
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Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
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Wenham Museum’s Model…
Are trains still cool? I thought airplanes and spaceships were more the thing! This show has tons of displays and 75 dealer tables, plus half off admission at the Wenham Museum itself. 10am-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Are trains still cool? I thought airplanes and spaceships were more the thing! This …
Buker School, School Street, Wenham, MA
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Buker School, School Street, Wenham, MA
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A Twelfth Night Revel…
The Society for Creative Anachronism costumes up for this 1276 re-enactment… with feasting, and “games of strength and cunning”, whatever that means. There aren’t too many SCA events close to Boston, so enjoy! 12-9pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Society for Creative Anachronism costumes up for this 1276 re-enactment… with feas…
Church, 102 Green St, Fairhaven, MA
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Church, 102 Green St, Fairhaven, MA
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Full Moon Hike
I’d love to sneak up on this full moon guided hike dressed as Bigfoot! 5-7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I’d love to sneak up on this full moon guided hike dressed as Bigfoot! 5-7pm.
Freetown State Forest, Slab Bridge Road, Assonet, MA
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Freetown State Forest, Slab Bridge Road, Assonet, MA
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Arisia Fan Convention
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Are you Smurfy? Meet the creators of the smurfs at Arisia, the fan convention for science fiction, anime, comics, roleplaying, and more. They’ll have parties, panels, vendors, and a costume ball. It’s run by volunteers, but it’s still $60 to attend, and SuperMegaFest was only $25. Hmm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Are you Smurfy? Meet the creators of the smurfs at Arisia, the fan convention for science f…
Westin Waterfront Hotel, Boston, MA
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Westin Waterfront Hotel, Boston, MA
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MIT Mystery Hunt
The MIT Mystery Hunt means running all over campus chasing down clues. I tried it once and thought it was too challenging to be fun as well, but that’s why you join a big team, I guess. My suggestion? Follow the organizers as they hide the coin. (Click ‘more’ for details)The MIT Mystery Hunt means running all over campus chasing down clues. I tried it once and thought it was too cha…
MIT, Cambridge, MA
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MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Poe at Gore Estate
I’ve seen this re-enactment and it’s wonderfully spooky! Rob Vellela portrays Edgar Allan Poe reading stories at this historic home. Trust me, you’ve got to see this! 4pm and 5:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I’ve seen this re-enactment and it’s wonderfully spooky! Rob Vellela portrays Edgar Allan Poe reading …
52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA
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52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA
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Civil Disobedience fo…
Civil disobedience was the key phrase for Henry David Thoreau, the american author, just like it was for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! Seeing a re-enactment of Thoreau is a great way to learn youse some hist’ry. Then a short walk and hot chocolate in the art museum. 12:30-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Civil disobedience was the key phrase for Henry David Thoreau, the american author, …
Walden Pond, 915 Walden St, Concord, MA
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Walden Pond, 915 Walden St, Concord, MA
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Martin Luther King Da…
Old Sturbridge Village has dozens of historical re-enactors — a whole town full of them! For MLK Day they have a storyteller re-enacting “Honoring a Slave Heroine: The Mumbet Story”. Trust me, OSV is always worth a visit! (Click ‘more’ for details)Old Sturbridge Village has dozens of historical re-enactors — a whole town fu…
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA
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1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA
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Martin Luther King Da…
Also, the Museum of Fine Arts is free on Martin Luther King Day. Oh, yeah. That’s some FINE lookin’ aht! (Click ‘more’ for details)Also, the Museum of Fine Arts is free on Martin Luther King Day. Oh, yeah. That’s some FINE …
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
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Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
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Martin Luther King Jr…
Make a real WWII battleship your playground! Battleship Cove is the world’s largest naval museum and for MLK Day, they’ll play a film and run scavenger hunts. Also, there’s a carousel, plus a helicopter, a submarine, and more! I called to confirm this. (Click ‘more’ for details)Make a real WWII battleship your playground! Battleship Cove is the world’s largest naval museum and for ML…
Fall River, MA
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Fall River, MA
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World of Wellesley Ma…
I don’t really get this one, which is why I put it last. You eat breakfast and there’s a lecture by famous professors. $25. 8:30-10am. (Click ‘more’ for details)I don’t really get this one, which is wh…
Sun Life Financial, One Sun Life Executive Park, Building 3, Floor 1, Wellesley, MA
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Sun Life Financial, One Sun Life Executive Park, Building 3, Floor 1, Wellesley, MA
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MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period)
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The school that never sleeps, MIT holds a month of creative classes, lectures, and special events, many of which are open to the public. I’ll highlight some of my favs throughout the month, but check their calendar! (Click ‘more’ for details)The school that never sleeps, MIT holds a month of creative classes, lectures, and special…
MIT, Cambridge, MA
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MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Tour of the MIT Nuclear Reactor
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I took this tour of MIT’s nuclear reactor and asked if I could press any of the buttons. They said no. How about just a light switch? Also no. I wore lead underpants. (Click ‘more’ for details)I took this tour of MIT’s nuclear reactor and asked if I could press any of the buttons. They said…
MIT, Cambridge, MA
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MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Second Fridays
Did you say MIT Rocket Team? And it’s free? Rockets! Rockets! Rockets! MIT has a free evening the second Friday of every month. 5-8pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Did you say MIT Rocket Team? And it’s free? Rockets! Rockets! Rockets! MIT has a free…
MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
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MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
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Fire & Ice in Fay…
Ice skating if it’s cold enough for ice, building snowmen if there’s snow (there won’t be), and a bonfire (any weather!) And it’s free! (Click ‘more’ for details)Ice skating if it’s cold enough for ice, building snowmen if there’s snow (there won’t be), and a bo…
Fay Park, Littleton, MA
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Fay Park, Littleton, MA
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Winter Animal Trackin…
I love these outdoor park events in the winter. Here’s one where you can track animals… And eat them! Yum! Um, okay, just the tracking. 12-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I love these outdoor park events in the winter. Here’s one where you can track animals… And eat …
Rocky Woods, Medfield, MA
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Rocky Woods, Medfield, MA
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Owl Moon
And here’s another where you get to explore the night looking for owls. This one’s more kids-oriented. I’m sure it’s a hoot! Get it? Hoot? 5:30-7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)And here’s another where you get to explore the night looking for owls. This one’s more kids-oriented. I’m sure…
Appleton Farms, Hamilton, MA
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Appleton Farms, Hamilton, MA
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Lighthouse on the Gre…
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a beautiful outdoor space, and less smelly now that the Occupy Boston people are gone. They’re opening an exhibit with dance performance, artist talk, and refreshments. 6-8pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a beautiful outdoor space, and less smelly now that …
Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion, Boston, MA
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Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion, Boston, MA
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Also Fun
Intro to Contra Dancing, with Live Folk Music
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Too shy to meet people at a nightclub? Contra dancing is a social folk dance that’s easy to learn and automatically gives you a round dancing with everyone in the room. And there are a bunch of other dances on the calendar. 8-10:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Too shy to meet people at a nightclub? Contra dancing is a…
Student Center, Room 491, MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Student Center, Room 491, MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Campfire Dining
How creative! Restaurants bring food samples to 6-8 outdoor bonfires, and you follow the tiki torches to each via snowshoe or cross-country skiing. It’s just a 2-hour drive from Boston. 11am-1pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)How creative! Restaurants bring food samples to 6-8 outdoor bonfires, and you follow the tiki torches to each v…
Eastman, Grantham, NH
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Eastman, Grantham, NH
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Integration Bee
Do you like math? Do you like math WAY too much? Come see this competition to integrate equations at Geek World Headquarters, otherwise known as MIT. 6:30-9pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Do you like math? Do you like math WAY too much? Come see this competition to integrate equations at Geek World He…
MIT, Cambridge, MA
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MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Concord Museum is Free
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The Concord museum is free on Sundays this month, and a Pulitzer-prize winning author and historian put together this exhibition on Concord’s 125th Anniversary. 1-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Concord museum is free on Sundays this month, and a Pulitzer-prize winning author and historia…
Concord Museum, Concord, MA
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Concord Museum, Concord, MA
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REI: Introduction to …
I really want to go snowshoeing! I’ve never tried it. And I guess I won’t this week, since there won’t be any snow. But you can learn animal tracking. 10am-2pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I really want to go snowshoeing! I’ve never tried it. And I guess I won’t this week, since there…
Notchview Park, Windsor, MA
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Notchview Park, Windsor, MA
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New England International Auto Show
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Does anyone have the cash for a new car these days? Somehow I don’t think this auto show includes used models. Still it’s fun to look. (Click ‘more’ for details)Does anyone have the cash for a new car these d…
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA, Boston, MA
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Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA, Boston, MA
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Adaptive Skating-Game…
Hmm… This event is for handicapped kids? Well, it says “Everyone is welcome” and they’ll have skating and sledding, and such. 11:30am-1:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Hmm… This event is for handicapped kids? Well, it says “Everyone is welc…
Cronin Rink, 850 Revere Beach Parkway, Revere, MA
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Cronin Rink, 850 Revere Beach Parkway, Revere, MA
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I Came to Testify
Bosnia and Serbia are still feeling the repercussions of their war, as this fillm and discussion about rape demonstrates. Depressing, but important. 5-7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Bosnia and Serbia are still feeling the repercussions of their war, as this fillm and discussion …
Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA
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Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA
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College Nights at the…
If you’ve got a college ID, every Tuesday evening the ice skating is only $2 at Frog Pond. (Hey, it’s a slow news month.). (Click ‘more’ for details)If you’ve got a college ID, every Tuesday evening the ice skating is only $2 at Frog Po…
Frog Pond, Boston Common, Boston, MA
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Frog Pond, Boston Common, Boston, MA
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CoCo Key Water Resort…
I’ve been to this fully heated indoor water park. It’s big enough to spend a whole day there, and not too expensive! Well, half a day. No, I don’t get paid to list this. I just think it’s genuinely awesome. (Click ‘more’ for details)I’ve been to this fully heated indoor water park. It’s big enough to…
Royal Plaza Hotel, 150 Royal Plaza Drive, Fitchburg, MA
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Royal Plaza Hotel, 150 Royal Plaza Drive, Fitchburg, MA
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Performance
Copenhagen by Michael Frayn – our review
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It’s easy in hindsight to overlook the fact that the Germans COULD have built the atomic bomb first during World War II. Here’s a play about that. Click for our review! (Click ‘more’ for details)It’s easy in hindsight to overlook the fact that the Germans…
The Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St, Boston, MA
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The Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St, Boston, MA
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Joyful Noise w/ the H…
I don’t normally list concerts, but this one’s more of a community event than most concerts, and Martin Luther King Day is thin this year. If Boston is holding an official celebration, they buried it and I could not find the listing. It’s traditional to stand, clap, and even join in. Fun! 7:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I don’t normally list concerts, but this one’s more of a community event th…
Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
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Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
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Animated Films with I…
This concert’s even less well described. How bad could it be? They’ll show animated films and dance to them. 7:30-10:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)This concert’s even less well described. How bad could it be? They’ll show animated films and dance to them….
Cambridge, MA
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Cambridge, MA
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Dr. Martin Luther Kin…
Generally I do not believe that children should perform music for anyone but their parents. But heck, a concert taking place at the New England Conservatory might be quite good! Two shows, 2pm and 7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Generally I do not believe that children should perform music for anyone but their parents. But heck…
Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
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Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
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Magic For Smart Peopl…
Can’t make this show? Check the Regent’s calendar for other magic shows. I’ve seen enough magic that I like that idea of a specifically intelligent show. (Click ‘more’ for details)Can’t make this show? Check the Regent’s calendar for other magic shows. I’ve seen enough magi…
Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA
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Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA
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Travel
Steampunk Bizarre Clo…
Can you imagine Mark Twain dressed like a Jules Verne steampunk superhero? I can! I’ve seen this exhibition and it’s fantastic and the chance to mingle with enthusiasts should NOT be missed. 12-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Can you imagine Mark Twain dressed like a Jules Verne steampunk superhero? I can! I’ve s…
351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT
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351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT
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The Haunted Shelves o…
It’s not just a play, it’s a potluck dinner! The spirits of dead poets come to life and perform. (So is this spooky or kid-friendly?) 5:30-8:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)It’s not just a play, it’s a potluck dinner! The spirits of dead poets come to life and perfo…
35 Mountain Rd, Farmington, CT
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35 Mountain Rd, Farmington, CT
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SnowCon
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Games games games. Whether it’s roleplaying games or live roleplaying (a kind of improv theatre where the cast is the only audience), what else have you got to do in the snow in Central Maine this weekend? (Click ‘more’ for details)Games games games. Whether it’s roleplaying games or live roleplaying (a kind of improv theatre where the cast is t…
Black Bear Inn, Orono, ME
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Black Bear Inn, Orono, ME
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