May 2-10, 2011: Steampunk Fest, Science Fest, Open Studios, Lilac Sunday, Mother’s Day, Circus Ticket Giveaway, Parades & Carnivals
05/02/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
There are two conflicting events that you really MUST see this week: the Cambridge Science Festival, which is the largest science festival in the world (and it’s all free) and the International Steampunk City, where downtown Waltham is transformed into a Victorian Age techno-fantasy. Next week — see the very bottom of the issue — I’ll start with the first few concerts from the more than 200 outdoor summer music series in New England. It is by far the largest list of outdoor music events in New England. I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
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| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Sat 4/2 – Sun 5/15Boston MetroBig Apple Circus – ticket giveaway |
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| Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! The Big Apple Circus is in town and we’re giving away a family 4-pack of tickets for the Thursday May 5 show at 6:30pm. City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/30 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroCambridge Science Festival |
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| It’s the event of the week! The Cambridge Science Festival is FREE and they say it’s the largest science festival in North America. There’s so much happening this week! Various venues, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroRocket Day |
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| For example: Rockets!!! They’ll be shooting model rockets! I love you, Science Festival. Come run away with me and let’s be happy forever. 10 AM-4 PM. Danehy Park, 99 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroFree Science Carnival w/ Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Making! |
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| Also for example, this carnival with 89 booths of demonstrations and participatory science experiments. Have you ever tried to make home-made ice cream? Takes forever, and you get tasty but gunk-looking sludge at the end. Well, here’s technology to the rescue with liquid nitrogen. Yum! They’ll have the MIT Formula SAE Rae Car there, too. 12pm-4pm. Cambridge Public Library & CRLS Field House, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroCambridge Open Studios – East |
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| As if the science festival weren’t enough to bring you to Cambridge, they are holding open studios. I write about two dozen open studios every year. Local artists open their private homes and work studios to the public, and it’s a nice excuse to walk around a new city and meet the actual artists — not just the merchants — and of course buy something and help support the arts. Cambridge is large enough that they need more than one open studios. This one’s for East Cambridge! 12-6 PM. Various (get a map online), Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroThe International Steampunk City |
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| I’ve been waiting for this for so long. Steampunk is a subgenre of scifi that combines Victorian aesthetics with futuristic technology, and has now become a fashion-driven subculture in its own right. Grab a top hat and some goggles and learn more about it at this weekend festival, which takes over Waltham’s downtown area, with 5 performance stages, 3 mansions, and 2 museums all dressed up techo-fantasy 18th century style. See a Civil War re-enactment, fire eaters, Morris dancers, blacksmithing, and oh, tons more!! Townwide, Waltham, MA. more more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroLilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum |
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| Also with Morris dancing, Lilac Sunday is the perfect way to celebrate the start of Spring. And celebrate Mom, too! What is it? Well, performers dance all folksy waving handkerchiefs or knocking sticks together. It involves a lot of hopping, and although it’s not participatory, it makes a nice offset to sitting and enjoying the Spring. The Arnold Arboretum, run by Harvard, is not just a park but a botanical zoo, including bonsais. Or is that just bonsai. Bonsai is a fun word to say. Bonsai! Bonsai! Activities take place between 10 AM and 4 PM. The Arboretum strongly advises you to take public transportation. There are a bunch more Mother’s Day events below, too. Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA.617-524-1718 ext- 176. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroWake Up the Earth Festival & Parade |
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| Moving on to Jamaica Plain, here’s another street festival and looks to be a great one. It’s a parade and street festival with participatory dancing & lessons. Parade at 11am. Festival 12-6pm. Rain date is the next day. Bands, dancers, puppet show, pageant. Rain date the next day. Jamaica Plain, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Metro WestNeedham Open Studios |
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| The town of Needham offers yet another open studios weekend. The goings-on at the Gorse Mill Studios look especially interesting- Their offerings include glass blowing, pottery demonstrations, an historic exhibit, and more! Get a map online, Needham, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/6 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroFort Point Spring Art Walk |
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| And Boston’s “art district” is open as well. Explore the studios of painters, jewelers, ceramicists, photographers, sculptors, textile artists, and more. Demonstrations, talks, hands-on activities, and, of course, shopping opportunities! Studios and galleries on A Street, Summer Street, Congress Street, and Farnsworth Street will be open. Friday 4-7 PM and Sat. & Sun. 12- 8 PM. Fort Point neighborhood, Boston, MA.617 423-4299. more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroFresh Pond Day |
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| Guys! Guys! OK, we GET it — Cambridge is AWESOME. Now will you please stop holding concurrent festivals? This celebration in West Cambridge features nature walks, bike rides, live music, interactive art display, workshops, and more. 10 AM- 2 PM. 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/6 – Sat 5/7Boston MetroWilliam Diamond, Jr. Fife and Drum Muster |
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| Every year, 25 fife and drum corps perform together and youse gets to learns ya some hist’ry. Colonial hist’ry. In Lexington. 12-4 PM and 7-8 PM. Free! Minute Man Visitor Center, Lexington, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/6Metro WestTJ O’Grady Annual Skate Park Festival |
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| Also out west, go watch people not kill themselves zipping around on skateboards! Live bands and skating demos from 2:30 PM- 6 PM. Free. 66 Hayward Road, Acton, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroKettle of Fish” Ale |
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| If you can’t make it to Lilac Sunday, check out this “Ale”, which means festival in old-timey speak, featuring yet more Morris dancing. This is when Morris the Cat dances, I’m pretty sure. 10:00-11:15 at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Avenue. Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Avenue, Somerville, MA.617-710-2299. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroNew England Bicycle Expo |
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| Also in Somerville, this festival has live music and guided bike tours, but let’s face it, it’s about to get blown away by what’s happening in Cambridge this weekend. Seven Hills Park (Davis Square), Somerville, MA.617-628-8895. more |
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| Science Festival | ||||
| Wed 5/4Boston MetroScience Trivia Challenge |
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| For example, Cambridge presents this opportunity to test your mental prowess and scientific knowledge at this semi-annual trivia slam. 7 Cambridge Center, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/4Boston MetroMoonwalk Mashup |
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| And part of the “When Science Meets Art” series, this 3-part evening includes a screening of experimental film “Moonwalk” (designed specifically for full-dome planetariums,) a “cosmic” story slam, and a cocktail reception. Creative attired is encouraged and prizes will be given for best outfit. Museum of Science, Boston, MA.617-723-2500. more |
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| Fri 5/6Boston MetroNerdnite Boston Nerdtacular |
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| Nerdnite, a small, regular event where people give funny or poignant lectures on nerdy topic, upgrades to a Nerdtacular for the Cambridge Science Festival! Featuring talks, tunes, beers, and potentially awkward interaction with other nerds. 7 PM. MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroFAST Light Show |
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| The culminating event of the FAST Festival,when a group of students and alumni fly a large-scale, brightly lit star over Killian Court. From dusk until dark. MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroScience Swing with Boston Lindy Bomb Squad |
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| Science and swing dance? Check out this unlikely but intriguing combination at the Science Carnival. Cambridge Public Library & CRLS Field House, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroElectric Origami |
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| Learn how to embed lights, sensors, and other electronics into origami sculptures. How cool is that?! They qualify this an activity for older children and their parents, but hey, I would go by myself! $10 per parent/child pair. Registration fills up fast, so get moving. MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Mother’s Day | ||||
| Sat 5/7Boston MetroWomen United for a Free Libya |
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| OK, now on to Mother’s Day! What better way to hang out with mom than to meet people from a different culture and help them overthrow a dictator. I mean, really, that’s way cooler than giving her flowers. This event is not listed on their website, but I got a direct email confirming it. 1:30pm -3:00pm. Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/6 – Sun 5/8Metro WestNational Public Gardens Day & Mother’s Day at Garden in the Woods | ||||
| Now is a great time to visit Garden in the Woods and see the rare slipper orchids in bloom, and this weekend the Wildflower Society is giving you plenty more reasons to go: Free admission Friday with coupon from www.bhg.com/freegarden for National Public Gardens Day. Free admission Saturday if you donate a bouquet of flowers – all bouquets will be given to Framingham nursing homes to bring cheer to moms. On Sunday, moms enjoy free coffee and the first 100 moms admitted to the Garden get a free rain gauge. Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA.508.877.7630. more more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Metro WestHistory’s Moms at the Manse |
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| If you think Mom might like a history lesson on the contributions of mothers to the history of the Old Manse and its inhabitants, this may be the Mother’s Day gift for you. Looks a bit dry, but it’s a lovely property. Programs at 12 PM, 1 PM, and 3 PM, $12. The Old Manse, Concord, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroMother’s Day Concert |
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| Some places will go to any length to convince you that they are doing something special for Mother’s Day. Besides moms being half-price, I don’t really get what’s mom-oriented about this concert of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor. Also on the program are Mendelssohn, Debussy, and Brahms. $25 general admission and $12.50 for mothers. Kennedy Middle School Auditorium, 655 Lexington, Street, Waltham, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroMother’s Day Weekend Jane Austen Tours |
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| This is more like it. Who doesn’t love Jane Austen. (Well, me, but I’m a guy.) This special tour features costumed guides and tea and cake in the Great Hall. 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more |
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| Sun 5/8WorcesterFree Mother’s Day at Old Sturbridge Village |
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| I think I’d prefer to go to OSV, the re-enactment village, which is awesome any time of year and is free for moms this Sunday. Free! That’s my favorite price. Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA. more |
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| Sun 5/8Metro WestMother’s Day Buffet at Verrill Farm |
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| The Verrill Farm is a real working farm but they open it up to the public, and you can take classes on cooking or gardening. They don’t seem to have any cute animals. For Mother’s Day they feature Sunday brunch at their farm stand. Wait, farm stand? What about the farm? 10 AM- 1 PM. 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA.978-369-4494. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Wed 5/4 – Sun 5/8South ShoreBrockton Spring Carnival |
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| Carnivals continue to dot New England. They’re kinda hokey, but hokily fun! Westgate Mall, Brockton, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/4 – Sun 5/8North ShoreHaverhill Spring Carnival |
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| Here’s one in Haverhill. Haver… hill. There’s gotta be a joke in there somewhere. Our hill? If you’ve got $50, you can have it! Bailey Blvd, Haverhill, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/4 – Sun 5/8Northern MassLawrence Spring Carnival |
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| And Lawrence… hmm… joke… Lawrence? Oh I Live Here! Get it? Lawrence Olivier…? *tap tap tap* is this thing on? I’m here all week, people. Lawrence Common, Lawrence, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/22 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroBoston Cyberarts Festival |
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| The CyberArts Festival may be ending this week, but there’s no shortage of exciting events to attend, most of them free! Art, robotics, dance, a gala, talks- there’s something for everyone. Various venues, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroArtist Demonstration: The Alluring Art of Glassmaking |
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| The Museum of Fine Arts is having an outdoor glassblowing demonstration! 12-3pm. Watch artists from Diablo Glass Studio shape hot glass directly from the furnace, transforming colorful glass into beads, pendants, and marbles. (Rain date is May 15.). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/4Boston MetroIntrepid Travel Twitter Treasure Hunt |
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| So I guess this might start happening… a lot. A lot of companies are catching on to a new way to market that’s fun and outdoorsy. Here’s how it works. You send some texts from your cell phone. You receive some texts. It sends you on a clue hunt around the city and you look for the brightly colored globes. This one from Intrepid Travel is giving away free international trips and free travel vouchers. It’s pretty sweet! Follow Intrepid_Travel on Twitter for clues being tweeted between 7:30 AM and 4 PM. All over Boston, Boston, MA.718.243.2979. more more |
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| Thu 5/5 – Sun 5/15Boston MetroAnnual Boston LGBT Film Festival |
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| Kicking off on 5/5 at the MFA, this year’s LGBT Film Festival offers up some seriously fantastic selections including a mockumentary about gogo boys, a cinematic journey back to 1960’s Paris, a docudrama on kink, and two BBC period pieces with a sapphic twist: The Northeast premiere of “The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister” and “Daphne” (a biopic about the author of the famed novel Rebecca.) Check the website for a list of special events! MFA, Boston, MA. more |
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| Thu 5/5Boston MetroJuan Downey: Invisible Architect |
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| If you’re interested in experimental art that combines traditional media with modern technology, head over to MIT for a 5:30 Curator’s Talk and 6:00 reception of a new exhibit on the work of Juan Downey, a major player in the NYC art scene during the ’70s and ’80s. List Visual Arts Center, 20 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Thu 5/5 – Sun 5/8Boston MetroSpring Ceramics Show and Sale |
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| The Ceramics Program of the Office for the Arts at Harvard holds its annual Spring Show and Sale this week, representing the work of over 60 potters and sculptors. This is a great opportunity to find a unique bargain and support local artists! Benefits from the sale go towards the purchase of a new kiln for the school. Opening reception Thursday from 3 PM- 8 PM with free wine cups made by the exhibitors while supplies last. Hours from the 6th to the 8th are 10 AM- 7PM. 219 Western Avenue, Allston, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/6 – Sat 5/7Boston MetroSMFA Spring Sidewalk Sale |
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| Shop creamics, photography, drawings, jewelry, T-shirts, prints, painting and more by students. A percentage of all procceds benefit an organization chosen by students–this year it’s Food Not Bombs. In case of rain, the sale will be held in the Atrium. 10-5 PM, both days. Museum Road, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/6Boston MetroTaste of the North End |
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| The North End is terribly touristy these days but still terrifically tasty. Sample some of the best the North End has to offer for a great cause! Over 20 restaurants are participating and all proceeds benefit the North End Community Health Center and local schools and recreation departments. DCR’s Steriti Memorial Rink, 561 Commercial Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroarsenalARTS Open Arts Day |
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| Free performances, live music, family fun, free demos & workshops, watercolor, wheel-throwing, Broadway dance instruction from 11 AM- 4 PM. Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7 – Sat 10/1Boston MetroDowntown Crossing Art Fridays |
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| Yet another swell opportunity to browse the wares of local artists, this market will take place every Friday until October from 11 AM- 6 PM. Summer Street, Downtown Crossing, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroFree Comic Book Day |
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| That’s right, free comics! A geek’s High Holiday. Check out the website to view this year’s offerings and to search for a list of comic book stores near you. Available comics vary from store to store, so call your favorite shop to make sure they’ve got what you want. Various venues, All Over. more |
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| Sat 5/7Metro WestNorton 300th Anniversary Motorcycle Run |
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| Part of an ongoing celebration of the town’s 300th, Norton hosts a day-long motorcycle ride that ends with a good ol’ fashioned barbecue. Registration from 9 AM- 11AM, ride from 9 AM- 6 PM. $15 for bikers and $10 for non-riders. 38 Summer Street, Norton, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7Rhode IslandSheep Shearing Day |
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| I’ve always wanted to visit when they’re shearing sheep. Maybe mom would like that. No really. This working farm is open to the public. 12-4pm. Watson Farm, Jamestown, RI. more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroDance Complex Free Day of Classes |
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| A local dance studio has free 20-minute classes all day. What can you learn in 20 minutes? Well, maybe you’ll be inspired to pay for more classes! They were too lazy to list their own PR stunt on their website, but I called to confirm. 1-5pm. 536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-547-9363. more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroMemories of Mothers – a walking tour |
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| Explore the symbols of motherhood on monuments throughout the Cemetery, visit the graves of some of the notable mothers buried at Mount Auburn. 1 PM. $10 members, $15 non-members. Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Tue 5/10 – Wed 5/11Boston MetroAnnual Coolidge Award |
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| As I mentioned last week, the Coolidge is having their annual awards ceremony with some cool panel discussions. The highlight will be a screening of a newly restored print of All About Eve, one of the greatest films of all time. “Fasten your seatbelts- It’s gonna be a bumpy night! Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA.617-734-2500. more |
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| Sun 5/8Boston MetroDuckling Day Parade |
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| Cute kids dressed as ducks parade around like the duckies in Make Way for Ducklings. It’s free but they use the word donation, and who knows how snarly they’ll get if you remind them that the whole idea of the word donation is that since they technically don’t make any money, they don’t need to report it to the Duckling copyright holders. $25 donation per family, which includes snacks, entertainment, and a small duckie toy for each child. Preregister at 10am on Boston Common at the base of the Shaw Memorial. Where is the Shaw Memorial? How should I know? What am I, your events monkey? OK… I *am* your events monkey. But, still. Google it. Boston Common, Boston, MA.(617) 723-8144. more |
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| Tue 5/3Boston MetroReturn of the Swans 2011 |
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| If that doesn’t set off your “this is an event??” detector, the Public Garden has a pond, and the pond has swans. Yes, the Swan Boats, but also real swans named Romeo and Juliet. They’ll have what I’m sure is a kids-only, semi-lame parade, music, children’s games, and “refreshments”. Any excuse for a party, I suppose. It’s certainly a great time to visit the Garden. The pond is filled back up, the ducks are back, and the trees are in blossom. (Just watch where you step. Those are not sausages on the ground.). Public Garden, Boston, MA. more |
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| Tue 5/10 – Thu 5/12Boston MetroThe Boston 48 Hour Film Project |
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| I’m sort of against movies in warm weather, but this one’s such a creative competition. They give filmmakers 48 hours to create a film from start to finish. Perhaps one of the participants could be you! Screenings on the 10th, 11th, and 12th. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Tue 5/10 – Sun 5/15SpringfieldBrimfield Antiques Show (Spring) |
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| I try to save the most commercial stuff to the end. Here’s what’s basically a mall, but it’s mostly outdoors, I think, and it’s all antiques all the time! Dealers come from all over the country for this semi-annual show of epic proportions. Imagine the largest antiques show or flea market you’ve ever been to— times 10! It’s impossible to see it all in one day, or even two! But even if you can only make it for an afternoon, it’s worth the drive. No matter what you’re looking for or whether you’ve got $35 or $3,500 to spend, you’re bound to come home with something awesome. Rt 20 at Rt 19, Brimfield, MA.413-245 3209. more |
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| Sun 5/1 – Sun 10/30Boston MetroSoWa Open Market |
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| Also commercial, this is where you go if you DON’T want to meet the artists and JUST want to mee the vendors. It also includes a farmer’s market and a vintage market. It’s around all summer, so why don’t you check out the open studios (see above) first. 460 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA.617-481-2257. more |
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| Thu 5/5 – Sun 5/8PennsylvaniaEastern Haunters Convention |
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| Road trip!!!! Not much would entice me to Pennsylvania. I’ve been there only twice, to visit CMU. But how about the largest Halloween exhibitors convention in the USA? Now there’s a place you could easily blow $10,000 and build the perfect traveling haunt to go scare the Amish. King of Prussia, PA. more |
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| Performance | ||||
| Fri 4/29 – Tue 5/10Boston MetroA Midsummer Night’s Dream |
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| William Shakespeare’s magical play and Benjamin Britten’s luminous and witty score combine to question love, loyalty and reality in BLO’s new production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St, Boston, MA.866.348.9738. more our review |
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| Fri 5/6 – Sat 5/7Boston MetroBoston Baroque presents Les Indes Galantes |
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| Fans of classical music, opera, history, or French culture (high five for all four!) should take this chance to see this seldom-performed Rameu opera. Semi-staged with fantastic-looking dancing, this is sure to be one of the most interesting events of the end of this year’s classical season. Jordan Hall, Boston, MA.617.484.9200. more |
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| Sat 5/7Boston MetroDavid Sedaris at Sanders Theatre |
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| Good luck getting tickets to this sold-out performance by one of today’s most popular humorists. It never hurts to call the box office last minute! The worst they can tell you is, “No,” and Sedaris will surely be back. Sanders Theatre at Memorial Hall, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/7North ShoreNorth Shore Folk Festival |
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| This indoor “festival” isn’t very well described and is probably just a performance. Do you really need an excuse to visit Salem, anyway? Just go! 1 PM- 7 PM. Old Town Hall, Salem, MA. more |
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| Tue 5/10Boston MetroSnapshots: Glimpses of America in Change |
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| Actress, playwright, and professor Anna Deavere Smith combines performance art with lecture in this exploration of race, community, and America. Isn’t she that babe from the Matrix movies? Answer: no. But she’s been in the White House in two movies and a TV series. Museum of Science, Boston, MA.617-723-2500. more |
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