Events INSIDER: Mar 31 – Apr 8, 2014

Giveaways & Features
Win: Jim Belushi & The Chicago Board of Comedy at the Wilbur
TV comedy star and famous brother Jim Belushi is coming to Boston for improv, and I’ve got a pair of tickets to giveaway. Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: Jim Belushi & The Chicago Board of Comedy at the WilburThe Wilbur Theatre Boston, MA, .
Win: The Last Waltz Live!
Join the making of history in this live recreation of the famous 1978 concert film by rock group ‘The Band’. Buy a combo ticket that includes dinner, or enter to win — I’m giving away 2 tickets! Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win. Win: The Last Waltz Live!Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, .
Google’s Trash Pickup Service
Starting April 1, Google offers curbside trash collection! It’s free but they get to keep the information they scan in from your trash. Check it out! Google's Trash Pickup ServiceAll Over All Over, , .
Johnny’s Picks
National Robotics Week
Robots! Robots! Robots! You’ll find events all across New England to celebrate robots this week, ending with a robot battle in Boston! National Robotics WeekAll Over All Over, , .
Aviation, Maritime, and Transportation STEM Education Expo
Good news: it’s an airplane festival for students! Bad news: call to get your school invited. You can’t just show up. Aw. Aviation, Maritime, and Transportation STEM Education ExpoLogan International Airport Boston, MA, .
Newton Open Studios – Spring
If you ever wondered where do artists come up with their great ideas, you have to come to this great event! They’ll open their studios’ doors just for you, and everyone else coming of course. 11am-5pm. Newton Open Studios - Spring Newton, MA, .
Boston Area Puzzle Hunt League
Puzzle hunts require some serious data crunching power. Join your smartest friends and try to beat everyone else at the one created by BAPHL. 11am. Boston Area Puzzle Hunt Leaguedowntown Providence Providence, RI, .
Greek Independence Day Parade and Expo
Greeks have their own independence day, with a parade! It ends with a Boston Common festival with live music and Greek food. 1pm. Greek Independence Day Parade and ExpoBoylston Street to Charles Street Boston, MA, .
Cabaret Fest
For a whole weekend, you’re the special guest and entertainers from all over the world show their best tricks to make you smile and blush, even. I couldn’t find a website with real information about this annual event. Cabaret FestCrown & Anchor Provincetown, MA, .
Battle on Lexington Green – Dress Rehearsal
Every year the first battle of the American Revolutionary War is reenacted in Lexington. I’ve seen it twice and it’s great but too early: it happens at dawn. So sleep in and attend the daytime rehearsal at 2pm! Battle on Lexington Green - Dress RehearsalBattle Green, Massachusetts Avenue and Harrington Road Lexington, MA, .
EconoCon
Geeky but lack money? EconoCon is it’s a roleplaying game, board game, and card game convention that’s inexpensive to attend. Game all day, all night, all weekend! EconoConSuite A30 at Plymouth State University Plymouth, NH, .
It’s Big Night
I’ve done this and it’s fun for adults too, not just kids. You walk a nature trail at night meeting park rangers portraying animals, and learn about the salamanders and other critters. 6-8pm. It's Big NightIpswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Topsfield, MA, .
Sensational India! and Bollywood Dance Party
Choose all, dance, watch, eat, and go crazy in this big Bollywood style celebration in this prestigious Salem museum. Sensational India! and Bollywood Dance PartyPeabody Essex Museum Salem, MA, .
H.P. Lovecraft Tribute at Ladd Observatory
H. P. Lovecraft was the famous horror writer of the 1920s, in-between Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Bloch (who wrote Psycho). Come hear eerie tales of Cthulhu! 3pm. H.P. Lovecraft Tribute at Ladd ObservatoryLadd Observatory Providence, RI, .
Stars Over Springfield
I love meeting hobbyist astronomers. They have great energy and love for the sky. This one’s on top of a museum complex in Springfield that’s worth a visit! Stars Over SpringfieldEdwards St Springfield, MA, .
Closing Day Celebration
It’s the end of the skiing season, but nobody’s sad or teary-eyed. So come for ‘Spring skiing’ and then celebrate and bid farewell to the snow with an outdoor BBQ and live music! Closing Day CelebrationWachusett Mountain, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area – 499 Mountain Road Princeton, MA, .
Find 16 New England Regions on Twitter
Hey! I’ve split my Twitter feed into 17 regions so that you can REALLY get just the events close to home, or pick what you like. Please check it out and add me to a ‘Twitter list’ too (google it). Find 16 New England Regions on Twitter All Over, , .
Get the 2014 New England Guide
Mention my website to friends and get my 2013 New England Guide, with 1,200 off-beat destinations including dinosaur footprints, zoos, ziplines, where to go stargazing, and where to find an indoor water park in December! Get the 2014 New England Guide All Over, , .
Easter Egg Hunts
Children’s Easter Party and Egg Hunt
Oh, it’s an Easter Egg hunt in Milford, CT! Children's Easter Party and Egg HuntSt. Ann’s Hall Milford, CT, .
Easter Egg Extravaganza – Maine
Hey, this Easter Egg Hunt has a festival with bouncy rides! Easter Egg Extravaganza - MaineOld Orchard Beach High School, 40 E Emerson Cummings Blvd, Old Orchard Beach, ME, .
Eggciting Egg Hunt
What kind of Easter egg hunt has thousands of dollars in prizes? I would strap my kid to a drone, fly her to all the eggs, and win at this family farm! Various morning times. Eggciting Egg HuntCharmingfare Farm Candia, NH, .
Easter Egg Hunt – Morning Hunt
Oh, it’s an Easter Egg hunt in South Kingstown, RI! Easter Egg Hunt - Morning Hunt South Kingstown, RI, .
Easter Egg Hunt – Night Hunt
Wha wha what? An easter egg hunt at night? I love it! In South Kingstown. Easter Egg Hunt - Night Hunt South Kingstown, RI, .
Easter Egg Hunt — Winslow Farm
Winslow Farm has perhaps the most interesting secular Easter egg celebration because they are a working farm with forest trails. Easter Egg Hunt -- Winslow FarmWinslow Farm Norton, MA, .
Also Fun
Adult Trivia Bee – Brookline
Reducing their unique adult spelling bee to just a trivia night has made it commonplace and ordinary. Well, it’s for a good cause. 6:30-10pm. Adult Trivia Bee - BrooklineHeath School Brookline, MA, .
Commonwealth Sheakespeare Company
An evening of striking shows supports the free Shakespeare program on Boston Common this summer. Mingle with the VIPs! 6pm. Commonwealth Sheakespeare CompanyMandarin Oriental, Boston Boston, MA, .
Boston Turkish Film Festival
19 films, some of them screened for the first time, and Turkish music are just a part of the 12th anniversary of this now traditional Film Fest. Boston Turkish Film FestivalMuseum of Fine Arts Boston, MA, .
‘Reel To Reel’ double bill performed by Barkhimer, Nutt, Smith, and Trachtenberg
It’s a play about human memory, digital memory, memorable regrets, and how we try to fit pieces of our hearts into things that will live after we die. 'Reel To Reel' double bill performed by Barkhimer, Nutt, Smith, and TrachtenbergThe Factory Theatre Boston, MA, .
Stupid F**king Bird
This hilarious stage show parodies the popular play, ‘The Seagull’. Contains nudity and adult content, so you’ve been warned. Stupid F**king BirdChelsea Theatre Works Chelsea, MA, .
Keechong Dinner
This annual fundraiser celebrates the important trading link between the U.S. And China and is a tradition that started in 1879! 6pm. Keechong DinnerThe Exchange Conference Center Boston, MA, .
Taper Madness: A Party for Runners and the People Who Tolerate Them
Do you love marathons? Do you longsufferingly tolerate someonen who loves marathons? Join this fundraiser with alcohol that ironically is for the American *LIVER* Foundation. 7-11:59pm. Taper Madness: A Party for Runners and the People Who Tolerate ThemRoyale Boston, 279 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, .
New England LGBT Film Festival
Have a gay time at this film festival where the emphasis is on Latin action! New England LGBT Film Festival Cambridge, MA, .
NanoDays at the Museum of Science
Do you really need an excuse to visit the Museum of Science, Boston? Here’s one: a day of molecular engineering and exhibits that include jugglers! NanoDays at the Museum of ScienceMuseum of Science Boston, MA, .
CSO Night at the Museum
It’s not like the movies! Skeletons won’t come alive at this ‘Night at the Museum’, but enjoy live music and explore in this fundraiser. I’ve been and it’s a fantastic venue! 6:30-9:30pm. CSO Night at the MuseumHarvard Museum of Natural History Cambridge, MA, .
PEN Hemingway Awards
I’ve been to the Kennedy Library and it’s extraordinarily engaging and accessible to all. They have a huge library of Ernest Hemingway there and this annual writer’s award ceremony, too. PEN Hemingway AwardsJFK Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston, MA, .
Boston Toy Show
Don’t get too excited. This flea market for collectible toys doesn’t come with panels or social mixers. What a shame. Boston Toy ShowDedham Holiday Inn Dedham, MA, .
First Pages Before & After
How do you get started writing? What’s your first page? These first page Grub Street readings entertain and educate! First Pages Before & AfterTrident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St, Boston, MA, .
FREE First Wednesday at the deCordova
The DeCordova Sculpture Museum is a favorite to me, because their amazing & accessible indoor museum is part of a park that is dotted with sculptures. It’s free this day! 2-4pm. FREE First Wednesday at the deCordova Lincoln, MA, .
Restaurant Week Portsmouth & the Seacoast
Even though ‘Restaurant Week’ is commerical, not an arts event, you get to try fancy restaurants at a discount. Sounds nice! Restaurant Week Portsmouth & the SeacoastVarious locations Portsmouth, NH, .
80s Day at Loon Mountain
Get poofy hair and celebrate the 1980s for a day with live music and skiing at the @loonmtn ski slopes! 8am-5pm. 80s Day at Loon MountainLoon Mountain . 60 Loon Mountain Rd Lincoln, MA, .
Mount Sunapee Slush Cup
Spring turns snowslopes to ponds. Come win a prize for the best splash at the SUNAPEE SLUSH CUP! 12-6pm. Mount Sunapee Slush CupMt. Sunapee Newbury, NH, .
Last Run Luau Pond Skimming
Spring turns snowslopes to ponds. Come skim across the water at @waterville! 12-6pm. Last Run Luau Pond SkimmingWaterville Valley Resort Waterville Valley, NH, .
Intergalactic Cardboard Sled Race at Mt. Sunapee
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! Intergalactic Cardboard Sled Race at Mt. SunapeeMt. Sunapee Newbury, NH, .
Woodcocks and Wine at Fisherville Brook
I don’t support alcohol events, but this evening stroll to find these unusual birds sounds enchanting. 6:30-8:30pm. Woodcocks and Wine at Fisherville BrookFisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge Exeter, RI, .
The Robot Block Party
Free robot demos! Yum yum yum I want them. Yummy robots. Lots of iron. 11am-4pm. The Robot Block PartyPizzitola Center, Brown University, 235 Hope Street, Providence, RI, .
Spring Victorian Tea, Daniel Webster Estate
Join the Daniel Webster Heritage Center on a ritual of victorian Tea. This ceremony will make full use of the house’s china, silver and crystal, so you know this is going to be a fancy yet enjoyable reunion. 2-4pm. Spring Victorian Tea, Daniel Webster EstateThe Daniel Webster Estate & Heritage Center Marshfield, MA, .
Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival
You’re too busy to please your mother and attend this Jewish film festival? Fine, do what you want to. You always do. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film FestivalAll Around? Springfield, MA, .
Festival of The Flowers
Art is the best way to celebrate the spring coming! Festival of The FlowersLyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History Springfield, MA, .
Transcending Boundaries
Here’s an LGBT conference where you can learn about or mingle with various liberals pushing social boundaries and making it okay to be gay, polyamorous, transgendered, and more. Transcending BoundariesHartford Sheraton at Bradley Airport Hartford, CT, .
Sheep Shearing Open House
Sheep, it’s time to lose your wool! Don’t look at us that way: you’ll be thankful when the days are too hot. Really. 1-4pm. Sheep Shearing Open HousePark Princeton, MA, .
Performance
The Whale
With his health failing, Charlie makes one last desperate attempt to connect with his estranged teenage daughter in this big-hearted, humorous, and emotionally wrenching play. The WhaleCalderwood Pavilion at the BCA Boston, MA, .
Guitar Night: Rock and Pop
The best students of Berkeley get chosen to perform on this almost mythical night for lovers of the greatest love and rock songs. Guitar Night: Rock and PopBerklee Performance Center Boston, MA, .
The Dream of the Burning Boy
The Boston Premiere of the Drama League Award Nominee about death in high school and its impact on the class. The Dream of the Burning BoyThe Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St, Boston, MA, .
FAR AWAY by Caryl Churchill
While staying with her aunt and uncle in the country, young Joan wakes in the night and sees the stuff of nightmares. Or does she? FAR AWAY by Caryl ChurchillCharlestown Working Theater Charlestown, MA, .
Wordsong presents: InJust- Spring. An Evening of Poetry and Song
It’s more than e.e. cummings poetry: it’s live music and a discussion. 8-10pm. Wordsong presents: InJust- Spring. An Evening of Poetry and SongFringe Union Square Somerville, MA, .
Review: ‘In Between’ at New Repertory Theatre
The son of a Palestinian-Muslim father and a Jewish-Israeli mother, Ibrahim Miari recalls his childhood in Acco, Israel. Click for our review on 4/8! Review: 'In Between' at New Repertory TheatreBlack Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA, .
MOM BABY GOD
The immersive one-woman show that brings audiences face-to-face with the anti-abortion movement. MOM BABY GODDavis Square Theatre Somerville, MA, .
Review: Talley’s Folly
The Pulitzer Prize-Winning American Classic! See the blog for our review. Review: Talley's FollyMRT Theatre, 50 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, .
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
It’s the story of America’s first political maverick. See the blog for our review. Bloody Bloody Andrew JacksonEmerson Umbrella Center for the Arts Concord, MA, .
OST Fun Fest: Bruce Kalver presents Magical Moments
Unfortunately, it’s meant for kids, but I’ll take magic of any sort, any day. OST Fun Fest: Bruce Kalver presents Magical MomentsOcean State Theatre Company Warwick, RI, .
Travel
April in Paris Film Festival
A week of films la franaise, for the francophiles and those who hold a platonic romance with the city of love: Paris. April in Paris Film FestivalCinestudio Hartford, CT, .
Haven String Quartet
Classical music and video? And photos? And food? Might be weird enough to be great! Haven String QuartetBest Video Hamden, CT, .
Chocolate Lover’s Spring Expo
It’s a trade show for businesses that sell chocolate! Sounds yummy. (Urp.). Chocolate Lover's Spring ExpoCrowne Plaza Hotel Southbury, CT, .
BECK & CALL @ The Servants Tour
Trust me: a must-see! Interactive, costumed tour of Mark Twain House with celebrity guests re-enacted. Trust me, this is going to be great. BECK & CALL @ The Servants TourMark Twain House & Museum Hartford, CT, .
Trinity College Fire-Fighting and RoboWaiter Contests
A robot contest might not be as cool as petting a dinosaur, but it does get pretty close. This will be a unique and very challenging competition. Trinity College Fire-Fighting and RoboWaiter ContestsTrinity College Hartford, CT, .
Juleps and Viragoes Ball of the Rebellion
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. Juleps and Viragoes Ball of the RebellionCromwell Town Hall Cromwell, CT, .
Arunah Hill Stargazing
Stargazing’s never the same after experiencing what it feels like to do it with a telescope. Come and give it a try! dusk-11pm. Arunah Hill StargazingTrustees of Reservations: Notchview Windsor, CT, .
Edible Book Tea
Eat your words! Literally. Find baked goods shaped like books and eat them. With tea! Sounds yummy and literary. Edible Book TeaBook Bindery at Creative Arts Workshop New Haven, CT, .
Cactus & Succulent Show
If you like cacti a lot, like way a lot, this expo is just for you. Cactus & Succulent ShowNaugatuck Valley Community College Waterbury, CT, .
New Haven Spring Restaurant Week
Commercial and hardly arts events, but hey — cheap eats at fancy venues. That could make a fun outing! New Haven Spring Restaurant WeekVarious Locations New Haven, CT, .
Model Train Show
Choo choo! Train shows aren’t just for kids. They’re also for big kids at heart. Model Train Show Wallingford, CT, .
Concert for Conservation to Benefit DPNC
Classical music in a nature preserve by someone named Castle. Sounds nice. Concert for Conservation to Benefit DPNCUnion Baptist Church Mystic, CT, .
Playtime at the Palace: Puppets in Education
Don’t just watch! Your kids get to put on their own puppet show. (How bad could it be? Don’t answer that. Well, your kids will have fun.). Playtime at the Palace: Puppets in EducationPalace Theatre Stamford, CT, .
History of the Giant Hike
Let’s hike and learn some history! History of the Giant HikeSleeping Giant State Park Hamden, CT, .
BDN Maine Garden Show and Spring Fling
This beautiful gardening expo comes with live music concerts and BBQ — to make you feel like you’re in your own (ideal) garden. BDN Maine Garden Show and Spring FlingBangor Auditorium. Bass Park Complex
100 Dutton Street
Bangor, ME
, .
Parrot Head Weekend
If you’re a Parrothead, you’re a fan of Jimmy Buffett. Me, I’m just a fan of buffet. Any buffet. Find outdoor music, a steel drum band, and skiing at this ski resort. Parrot Head WeekendSunday River, 15 S Ridge Rd, Newry, ME, .
Roving Eye Film Festival
This year’s theme is ‘You Know You Want to Look’. Roving Eye Film FestivalRoger Williams University Bristol, RI, .
Slush Cup at Okemo Mountain Resort
Snow is melting, so ski in the slush for fun and applause. And a prize! Slush Cup at Okemo Mountain ResortOkemo Mountain Resort, 77 Okemo Ridge Rd, Ludlow, VT, .