April 4-12, 2011: Robots, Humanist Convention, Civil War Fests, Easter Egg Hunts, & Tickets to HAIR, Rent, Black Adder, & Tim Conway
04/03/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Welcome to Events INSIDER! My old theatre reviewer with the broken collarbone is recovering, if you were worried.
I’m still looking for an additional theatre reviewer. Email me if you’d like to get sent with a guest to see tons of free shows. I need someone organized enough to keep a schedule, with enough edumacation to have insights that make people think “wow!”, but enough groundedness to write reviews for people who don’t read Medea on the toilet like you do. Email me at johnny@eventsINSIDER.com.
I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
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and if you help get the word out, I’ll put you on my priority list to win free stuff and send you the FREE 27-page Spring 2011 Guide, with over 720 off-beat attractions you won’t find in the blog! 
| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Tue 3/22 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroHAIR – tix giveaway |
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“‘HAIR’ is blessed with a dream cast of charismatic performers. A celebration…not to be missed!” -BostonChannel.com. The Public Theater’s new Tony®-winning production of HAIR, directed by Boston’s own Diane Paulus, is the most electric celebration on Broadway! Its relevance is UNDENIABLE. Its energy is UNBRIDLED. Its truth is UNWAVERING. It’s HAIR, and IT’S TIME. This exuberant musical about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. HAIR features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs, including Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, Good Morning, Starshine and Easy To Be Hard. DISCLAIMER: While many find this show suitable for young adults (13 and older), parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature. Art by Amy Guip. |
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Like The Sound of Music set in the 1940s and West Side Story set in the 1950s, HAIR is the must-see production that exemplifies the cultural and creative revolution of the 1960s. This is the production that revived HAIR in Boston, moved it to Broadway and won a Tony award for Best Revival of a Musical. So it’s worth any price to see and you are supporting a Boston gem when you do. It’s directed by the famous artist, Diane Paulus, who co-created The Donkey Show and most recently ran Prometheus Bound in Cambridge. It’s a sensational combiation and I have two tickets to give away for the April 7 show at 7:30pm (and they asked that I not edit their blurb in the previous paragraph). Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win! Colonial Theatre, Boston, MA. |
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| Fri 4/1 – Sat 4/16Boston MetroRENT – tix giveaway |
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| And Rent is the musical that most typifies the 1990s. Did you know that “Rent” is based on Puccini’s opera, “La boheme”? It’s a rock and roll musical that tells the story of modern “bohemians”: struggling artists and musicians who not only have to deal with their landlord, they live under the black cloud of the AIDS epidemic. This week, I have one more pair of tickets to give away for the matinee on April 10 at 2pm! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com. Footlight Club, 7A Eliot St, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroComedian Tim Conway & Friends – tix giveaway |
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| Tim Conway is the veteran comedian who’s so famous that neither the Wilbur Theatre nor Ticketmaster bothers to describe his show. I guess that makes sense. He came to fame in McHale’s Navy and The Carol Burnett Show in the 1960s and he’s recently made a comeback through viral Internet videos. Like Bill Cosby, he does a family-oriented comedy show that doesn’t need profanity. I have 2 tickets to give away! 4pm. The Wilbur Theatre, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8 – Sat 4/23Boston MetroBlackadder II – ticket giveaway |
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| The Black Adder was the BBC Show in the 1980s that brought comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) to prominence. A medeival prince constantly schemes to steal the king’s crown from his father and brother. Now a local theatre is doing a run of two-night performances where they will act out the entire second season! It’s one of the greatest comedies of all time! I have two pairs of tickets to give away to the April 15 + 16 shows and I’ll post a review next week, too. Charlestown Working Theater, 442 Bunker Hill Ave, Charlestown, MA. more |
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| Apr 7 – May 8Boston MetroBreaking the Code – tix giveaway |
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| I really want to see this! During World War II, a group of math geniuses led by Alan Turing broke the German secret code. And that’s just the start of the impact Turing had on the future of computers. I have two pairs of ticekts to give away for the Thu 4/7 show at 7:30pm. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com. Central Square Theatre, 450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Boston MetroWatson Adventures’ Secrets of Old Boston Scavenger Hunt – tix giveaway |
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| A scavenger hunt no longer means stealing stop signs and garden gnomes. Now it means criss-crossing Boston visiting historic sites and following a path of clues. Watson Adventures not only runs this tour, which takes you to Faneuil Hall, Bosotn Common, and other Freedom Trail locations, they also have adventures at the MFA, the Museum of Science, Salem, and beyond. It’s a great idea to compete against friends and see who collects the clues first! I have four tickets to give away. Register in advance! Boston, MA.877-9-GO-HUNT. more |
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| Fri 4/8Boston MetroBizarre Animals II: An Evening of Contemporary Art Interventions |
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| What’s better than a world class museum with dinosaur bones, dozens of flowers made from blown glass, and hundreds of exhibits from the natural world, from rocks to stuffed animals? When they fill it with partygoers and artistic “animal themed” displays, all with a bizarre theme (including the partygoers)! I went to this last year and it was out of this world. Havard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 1/1 – Sat 12/31Boston MetroReview for Events INSIDER, get sent to see shows for free! |
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| Holy Tom, Fan of the Opera! I just did a google image search for “theatre reviewer” and my own photo came up! That is way too freaky. Well, I’m looking for an additional theatre reviewer. Write reviews for Events INSIDER, get sent with a guest to see shows for free — forever! I need someone organized enough to keep a schedule, with enough edumacation to have insights that make people think “wow!”, but enough groundedness to write reviews for people who don’t read Medea on the toilet like you do. Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com and make me want to pick you. Everywhere. more |
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| Thu 4/7 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroAmerican Humanist Association Conference |
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| Humanism is the soft side of atheism. It’s like saying, “Hey, you don’t believe in Thor, I don’t believe in Thor. So we’re good, right?” And then we all go to see the new Thor movie with that actor from Star Trek. And I have exciting news! They are bringing their national conference to Boston, with 24 speakrs — including Apple founder Steve Wozniak and promoter of reason Richard Dawkins. They’ll have exhibitors, a film festival, social mixers, and more. If you’re an atheist, stand up and be counted. If you’re not, what are you afraid of? You’ll go to Chinese lion dances but you’ll avoid this cultural opportunity? Give it a shot. They are a good bunch, and it could be a lot worse than a culture of wanting to see stuff to believe it. Hyatt Regency Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge, MA.202-238-9088, x105. more |
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| Thu 4/7 – Sat 4/9Boston MetroBoston FIRST Robotics Competition |
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| If that’s not enough science for you, how about FREE ROBOTS! Students have built ’em, and now they compete. They say it takes place in a “rock concert atmosphere”! With robots! Come submit yourself now before the big robot takeover. Did I mention that they’ll have ROBOTS? It’s free! 8am-6pm both days. Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9 – Sun 4/17Boston MetroNational Robotics Week |
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| Holy R2D2! The Museum of Science is getting in on the robot action, too. The schedule is quite vague, but I have to believe that there’s more than just lectures — I saw a robot competition once in the MoS which would have to be this year. And it ends with a “block party” with tons of robot deoms on April 16, 10am-4pm. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more |
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| Tue 4/5Boston MetroFree movie previews, Arthur, Inventory – ticket giveaway |
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| Arthur is a remake of the Dudley Moore classic, this time with Russell Brand, everyone’s favorite idiot bad boy, from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com. Also Inventory, a slacker comedy, is playing in Arlington, RSVP directly for tickets at http://www.regenttheatre.com/details/inventory. AMC Boston Common Theatre, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Metro WestA Visit with Abraham Lincoln |
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| I’ve seen Steve Woods portrays Abraham Lincoln, and he is highly recommended! Come meet the prez and join in the Q&A. Trust me, a re-enactment is a super fun way to learn some history. And even though he’s not really Lincoln, it’s a real thrill to shake his hand. 1pm. Framingham Public Library, Costin Room, 49 Lexington St, Framingham, MA. more more |
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| Sat 4/9Metro WestMinuteman Parade, Pole Capping, & Paul Revere Capture Ceremony |
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| It’s not Patriot’s Day yet! But taking a cue from St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going to start celebrating anyway. There’ll be a parade at 10:30am from the Bedford Town Common, pole capping (which is exactly what you think it is), then a fife & drum performance, and a re-enactment of the Paul Revere being captured by the British — too late, because he’d already warned the townspeople via his famous ride. Various Concord-y Places, Concord, MA.978-369-6993. more more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroPatriot’s Day Kite Fly at Blue Hills in Milton |
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| Patriot’s Day approaches! The Blue Hills isn’t really a mountain, but it’s the tallest peak close to Boston. It’s good place to go hiking. And kite flying! They’ll have kites to sell and experts around to help. Blue Hills, Canton, MA. more more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroCivil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration | ||||
| This year sees the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, and local re-enactors will be celebrating. This one includes an “emcampment” which means tents and re-enactors and probably a military demo. Show up and chat and learn some history! 10am to 5pm. Charlestown Naval Yard, Charlestown, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8 – Sat 4/9Western MassCivil War Encampment |
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| This one’s similar but out in Western Massachusetts. 245 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Boston MetroCenter for Arabic Culture Open House |
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| With the uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East now having spread to 14 countries, it’s a great time to meet some Arabs and learn about their culture. They’ve been around for ages. You’ve just never gone to one of their events before. Don’t make this something you miss and regret! 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroGreek Independence Day Parade & Expo |
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| This parade will be small, but full of energetic people. And it’s followed by a festival on Boston Common and preceded Saturday by a dinner. 1pm. Boylston Street to Charles Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9WorcesterAfrican American woman in Colonial America re-enacted |
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| A local historian, Valerie Tutson, talks about what life was really like, day to day, for an African American woman in Colonial America. I don’t know if she’ll re-enact a person from history or just speak from a podium. Meeting House, 901 Pleasant St, Worcester, MA. more |
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| Thu 4/7SpringfieldCity Fantastique – It’s a Conga Line |
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| So… this is an event called “It’s a conga line”. Is it a conga line? Yes!! I called to make sure. Plus it’s a festival to celebrate the arts in Springfield, so although I don’t have any details, um, it’s not JUST the conga line, I think. I mean, you wouldn’t travel all the way out to Springfield just for a 30 minute conga line… but maybe you would if you were going to visit the Springfield Museums afterwards! Join the giant conga line at any place. “Everyone is welcome!” 12:15-12:45pm. Rain date the next day. Downtown Springfield, From Tower Square Park to Court Square, Springfield, MA. more |
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| Tue 4/12EverywhereBen & Jerry’s Free Cone Day |
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| The only thing better than free robots is free ice cream!! Yummy yummy yummy in my tummy tummy tummy! :). Ben & Jerry’s, Everywhere. more more |
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| Sat 4/9Boston MetroA Saturday with Shakespeare |
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| Think you’ve seen Shakespeare? Here’s a troupe that not only dares to produce one of his lesser known works, they remove the “problems”, add comedy, and — now this is what I call theatre! — they are hosting what appears (?) to be an all-day festival, serving dinner and giving colorful lectures to help you understand Shakespeare so that you can better appreciate the play. It’s all done by members of the Society of Creative Anachronism, the historians & fake warriors who celebrate medeival times through festivals. There aren’t many SCA events you can get to without a car (there are buses to Burlington) and this is going to be a real gem, I can already tell. Church, 6 Lexington St, Burlington, MA. more more |
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| 4/30Boston MetroThe Harvard Square Bookish Ball |
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| Speaking of literature, come dressed as your favorite character from literarature to the Bookish Ball in Harvard Square. It’s free! I don’t see any mention of a parade like last year, but all the bookstores will be hosting celebrations including author readings and theatre excerpts, and then there’s a party in Holyoke Center, that place next to the Au Bon Pain, from 7-9pm. Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/10Rhode IslandH.P. Lovecraft Tribute Service |
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| Also literary, another group is celebrating a famous author’s death anniversary. It’s H.P. Lovecraft, the creator of the Cthulhu Mythos. He was the famous 1920s horror author in-between Edgar Allan Poe and the guy who wrote Psycho. They meet at an observatory and give a eulogy describing Lovecraft and his career, with haunting recitations of his works. Then they relocate to Lovecraft’s graveside. It’s free! 3-4pm. Ladd Observatory, 210 Doyle Avenue, Providence, RI.(401) 356-1381. more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroDr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Burlesque Life Drawing |
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| It’s not just drawing sexy models, this event is a “community”, with burlesque performance, drinking, antics, and hooting. My goodness. Although this is an ongoing series, not an annual event, I like to mention it from time to time. Some day I’ll go and tell you whether it lives up to its hype. 2:30-5:30pm. Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8Metro WestLarpercalia: Festival of the LARPs |
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| Live roleplaying is like improvising a play where there is no sit-down audience. The players are their own audience. This weekend at Brandeis have a free weekend of several games where you can play a prince or a murder mystery detective or a muppet! Wow – I’m impressed by the variety of games they’ll have, plus most of the sessions are short, so you can mix and match. Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroEnviroFest at The Clay Center |
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| This is a lot more than just a high school festival. They’ll have science demos, a live animal show, hybrid cars, and more. No really, it seems interesting. Thanks, kids with rich parents! 3-5pm. 20 Newton Street, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8Boston MetroMIT Hacks – A Book Talk & Party |
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| Students at MIT like to put up big pranks like turning their campus dome into R2D2. Come see a lecture by an author who chronicles these exploits, and see some part of famous hacks and hear hackers tell their own stories (wearing masks?). MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8 – Sun 4/10LowellScrabble Boston Area Tournament |
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| The people who do this SCRABBLE tournament are super-enthusiastic and say they’re welcoming to newbies. They get up to 200 players from all over the USA who come. I would love just to see it. Westford, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8 – Sat 8/13Rhode IslandCommitted to C.R.I.M.E. |
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| The Newport mansions, art museums, and the cliffwalk are worth visiting any time, but now there’s another reason to go — an entire season of murder mysteries! Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI. more more |
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| Fri 3/18 – Fri 4/15Boston MetroAgainst the Odds: Stories of Adaptation, Translation, and Survival – tix giveaway |
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| As I mentioned last week, Springstep is this new, modern performance space in “MED-fid” that is mainly used for participatory dance. This month, “Against the Odds” is holding a series of dance performances followed by a discussion (Fridays) and a series of dance workshops (Saturdays). Somehow it’s related to “physical storytelling and how things adapt to survive”. I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away for the 4/15 show. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com! Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Boston MetroSpring Egg Hunt at Parker Hill Boston Public Library |
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| It’s still two weeks until Easter but some places just can’t wait. If you belong to a church, then go do your churchy Easter. The rest of us just want the bunny without the rock, 3 days in hiding, and ascention. Unfortunately, I haven’t found an Easter Egg Hunt that’s for adults — but maybe if you’re short and wear a disguise, you can join in! This one’s in Roxbury. Parker Hill Boston Public Library, 1497 Tremont St, Roxbury, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Metro WestEaster Egg Hunt – Maynard, MA |
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| Here’s your chance to meet the Easter Bunny and they promise to have egg hunts “for all ages”. What about my age? Green Meadow School, Maynard, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Metro WestSpring Egg Hunt & Bunny Breakfast at Littleton, MA |
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| This one includes a pancake breakfast and they have prizes that go beyond eggs. 8:30-10:30am. 33 Shattuck St, Littleton, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Metro WestEaster Egg Hunt – Medway, MA |
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| In Medway. What if I showed up early with binoculars to scout out the eggs are they’re being hidden? Choate Park, Medway, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/2 – Sat 4/23Southeast MassEaster Egg Hunt — Winslow Farm |
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| Winslow Farm has perhaps the most interesting Easter celebration because they are a working farm with forest trails. Winslow Farm, Norton, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/10 – Sun 4/17Southeast MassEaster Egg Hunt – Swansea, MA |
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| Each child gets a golden ticket at this one. 1-3pm. Stony Creek Farm, 1210 Wilbur Ave, Swansea, MA. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Sun 4/10North ShoreSkeptic’s Tour of Salem |
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| Are you going to the American Humanist Association’s conference? They’re doing a tour of Salem (register in advance, $89) where you’ll visit the major sites where the famous “witch trials” occurred. Salem, MA. more |
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| Wed 3/23 – Sun 4/17Boston MetroRevere Spring Carnival |
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| Carnival season returns! That must mean it’s spring. Fiesta Shows brings their slightly hokey and overpriced but undeniably fun traveling carnival to Revere, and I’ll keep you on the pulse of where else they’ll be all year. Showcase Cinemas, Route 60, Revere, MA. more |
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| Thu 4/7 – Sun 4/17New HampshireGiant Carnival |
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| The carnival also comes to Nashua, which is fairly close to Boston. Holman Stadium, Nashua, NH. more |
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| Fri 4/8 – Sat 4/9Boston MetroHarvard Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament |
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| Kendo is like Star Wars light sabre fighting but without, um, the light. Just the, um, sabre fighting. Because, um, they are sabres. I went once and it was fun, but you have to strike up a conversation to ask someone what’s going on. (Everyone else in the audience will be a participant or a friend of one.). MAC Mezzanine, Harvard University, 39 Holyoke St., Cambridge, MA 02138. more |
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| Mon 4/11 – Thu 4/21North ShoreEarth Day at Salem State College |
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| Earth Day day is still a couple of weeks away, too, but Salem State is already celebrating, witih a career fair, some panels, a tour, and some films. Neat! Salem State College, Salem, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9Boston MetroCRWA Earth Night |
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| This is a benefit where there will be food, drinking, and “auctions”. Sounds boring. Oh, but they’ll have booths where you can learn about local “green” organizations. Oooh! I’d pay $150 for that! 6-10pm. Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St, Cambridge, MA. more more |
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| Sat 4/9North ShoreIt’s Big Night at Ipswich & Norfolk |
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| Big Night” seems to be a guided night-time hike where people in costume will talk about animals. It’s meant for kids, but I tried something like this once and it was surprisingly fun for adults. And how many nighttime tours are there, really? Either in Topsfield or in Norfolk, MA at Stonybrook. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkinds Row, Topsfield, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8Boston MetroRepression, Religion, Revolution, and Rights: Uprisings in the Middle East, North Africa, and Beyond |
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| Karima Bennoune, a journalist, professor, and general Big Name Committee Busybody, has written about the pro-democracy protests in the Middle East and North Africa, and comes to give a lecture that will surely be riveting as well as ultra-relevant to today’s current events. 12pm. Harvard Law School, Lewis 202, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Thu 4/7Boston MetroThe Weather at War |
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| It’s harder to fight when it’s raining or snowing. I’m pretty sure I already knew that. But I’m sure there’s more to the topic when these VIPs come to Suffolk to discuss the military and the weather. 6:30-8pm. C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 4/8 – Thu 4/7Boston MetroBittersweet Humanitarianism with Ashley Judd |
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| This event description starts off, “Almost a decade ago, Ashley Judd walked away from a career as a sought-after, award-winning actress to answer her calling as a humanitarian.” That sounds too good to be true, but… who cares if she has a book to sell? Good deeds are good deeds, so applause for Ashley Judd for getting involved in AIDS, population, and womens issues. Some local VIPs will interview her and maybe you’ll get to ask her a question, too. Will it be about human rights or will it be about dating Robert De Niro and Matthew McConaughey? I guess it’s a test to see whether we have good deeds inside us, too. C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University, Boston, MA. more |
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| Wed 4/6Boston MetroThe Zombie Autopsies: Secret Notebooks from the Apocalypse |
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| This is the most awesome thing ever. A man who has the brains to be a professor of psychiatry at Harvard also has the humor and public speaking talent to entertain you about his fictional “zombie research project”, as described in a book that he is hawking. 7pm. Harvard COOP, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroMount Auburn’s Forgotten Nobility: A Walking Tour |
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| Did you know that America once had a royal family? They are buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, as is a “mysterious English noble who became a runaway”. This tour is an educational walk. Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Tue 4/12Metro WestIllumination Night |
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| This is a candle-lighting remembrance of those who died fighting the American Civil War. It sounds moving but also very brief. Edgell Memorial Library, 3 Oak St, Framingham, MA. more |
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| Sat 3/26 – Mon 5/2Boston MetroKite Month flying at Pope John Paul II Park |
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| Every weekend during kite month, Greg Lamoureux and his crew of kite enthusiasts will be flying at this Dorchester park. 11am-3pm. Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester, MA. more |
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| Sun 4/10South ShoreChildrens’ Hospital Keeping The Beat 5K and Kite Fly |
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| And here’s a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital with a race, a walk, and more kites! Nantasket Beach, MJM Bathhouse, Hull, MA. more more more |
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| Sat 4/9Western MassAthol-Orange River Rat Race |
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| And in what is perhaps the first real outdoor festival of the Spring, this “river race” of canoes and parade goes without description or schedule at the following website. Athol, MA.978-249-9038. more |
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| Sat 4/9 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroThe Boston National Poetry Month Festival |
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| Although I can’t find a master website for this event, it appears to be a poetry marathon at the Boston Public Library, with 56+ fans reading 10 minutes each. It’s free! Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boston, MA.617-306-9484. more more |
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| Sat 4/9 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroBarcamp |
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| I really don’t know what to make of barcamp, which seems to think that “lacking organization” is a wonderful theme is cool. If they have a show schedule, they’ve buried it in their website. But hey, there will probably be robots and geeks and demos and lectures. Microsoft NERD, Cambridge, MA. more more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroMy Perestroika w/ Director Q&A |
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| This is a documentary about the fall of the USSR in 1991 and the promise of being young. Director Robin Hessman will appear in person to discuss it. 3pm. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA.617-734-2500. more |
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| Sat 1/1 – Sat 12/31EverywhereEvents INSIDER Question of the Week | ||||
| A lot of outdoor amusement parks, zoos, farms, and parks with canoeing and kayaking are finally opening for the Spring. What are you most looking forward to? Comment on the Facebook fan page. Everywhere. more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroEvents INSIDER Restaurant Reviews |
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| Check out our restaurant reviews this week of Finale (desserts & drinks, Cambridge), Noir (the martini bar that piggybacks onto Henrietta’s Table, Cambridge), Maharaja (the newest Indian cuisine in Boston), and Darwin’s Ltd. (Sandwiches & bakery goods, Cambridge). Across Boston Metro, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Performance | ||||
| Thu 3/17 – Sat 4/9Boston Metro9 Circles – review |
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| 9 Circles is the East Coast premiere of a psychological thriller about an American soldier in Iraq arrested for a crime he may not have committed. Click for our review! Berklee Performance Center, Boston, MA. more our review
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| 3/29 – 4/10Boston MetroThe Merchant of Venice – review |
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| Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice has been arousing controversies for centuries with raucous and gentle comedy, tender poetry, and its struggle with mercy and justice, starring F. Murray Abraham, who won an Oscar for fictionally killing Mozart in 1984. Click for our review! Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston, MA. more our review
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| Thu 3/31 – Sat 4/9Boston MetroSteve Martin’s “The Underpants” |
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| It’s the original wardrobe malfunction! What happens when a simple townswoman lets slip at a parade for the king? Comedian Steve Martin adapted a play from 1910 so that you can find out. Silence all cell phones and hang on to your undies for this one! Arlington Center for the Arts, 41 Foster St, Arlington, MA. more |
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| Thu 4/7Boston MetroMortified Boston |
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| Mortified is a sort of stand-up comedy, where everyday people share their most embarassing moments. I’ve seen it and it’s really funny! Highly recommended. 8pm. Motleys Comedy Club @ Trinity, 61 Chatham Street, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 4/9 – Sun 4/10Boston MetroParish Blues |
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| When you’re over 60 and have been a professional dancer, you join The Elders Ensemble! Set to music from the Mississippi River, this is a “rollicking adventure about rural church ladies” who secretly run the town. There’s dance, music, and a documentary film, “The Making of Parish Blues,” and a post-performance Q&A with the cast. Don’t expect bingo. Do expect to discover that 80 is the new 60! The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA.617-576-5336. more |
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| Sun 4/10Boston MetroBSO members, NEC faculty to perform in Japan Relief Chamber Concert 4/10 |
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| The classical concert is a benefit to help Japan’s earthquake relief efforts, and the Consul General of Japan in Boston will attend. It features music of healing and comfort, including Handel’s Largo, Elgar’s Enigma Variations (Nimrod), Loeffler’s Rhapsody for Oboe, Viola and Piano, and Beethoven’s Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello Op. 9 No. 1 in G Major and Septet for Oboe, Cello and Piano. These are all pieces that I’ve never heard of, but I do think the word Nimrod is giggle-tastic. 4pm. Church, 379 Hammond St, Chestnut Hill, MA. more |
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| Travel | ||||
| Sat 4/9New HampshireIntergalactic Cardboard Sled Race at Mt. Sunapee |
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| The ski areas are closing and they’re trying to remind us to come back with fun events like sled racing. It’s getting warmer here but there’s still snow in New Hampshire mountains! Mt. Sunapee, Newbury, NH. more |
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| Sat 4/9ConnecticutJuleps & Viragoes Ball of the Rebellion |
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| Not only is this Civil War period dance, with live music, food and dancing, it’s OK to show up without a costume, especially if you’ll take a class and learn one the dances! “Dancers of all levels will be welcome.” 6:30-11pm. $30. Cromwell Town Hall, 43 West St, Cromwell, CT.860-635-0501. more |
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| Sun 4/10ConnecticutCherry Blossom Festival |
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| When I made a note of this festival, I still thought it was a sparse April, too cold for the big festival rush. Apparently, I was wrong. Well, they’ll have 27 cherry trees and the ubiquitious face-painting, food, and vendors. Their live music draws 700 people. Wooster Square Park, New Haven, CT. more |
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