Events INSIDER: Jan 21-29, 2013

01/21/13 by
Giveaways & Features
Win Safety Last
Think silent films are boring? ‘Safety Last’ has some of the most amazing, edge-of-your-seat stunts you’ll ever see, all done without a stunt double and without any of the precautions they take in modern films. Why not enjoy it with a live orchestra, too, like they had back in the ’20s? We’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away! Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win. Win Safety LastThe Hanover Theatre Worcester, MA, .
Win American Idiot
Hey, Broadway fans! I’ve got 2 pairs of tickets for Greenday’s hit show, coming to Hanover on 2/1. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win. Win American IdiotThe Hanover Theatre Worcester, MA, –.
Find 17 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 17 New England Regions on Twitter All Over, , –.
Get the 2013 New England Guide
Mention my website to friends and get my 2013 New England Guide, with 700 off-beat destinations including dinosaur footprints, zoos, ziplines, where to go stargazing, and where to find an indoor water park in December! Get the 2013 New England Guide All Over, , –.
Boston’s Largest High-Tech / Business Calendar
Do you network? Find Boston’s largest calendar of high-tech and business networking events in my free mobile app! Boston's Largest High-Tech / Business Calendar Boston, MA, –.
Johnny’s Picks
Revels Pub Sing
. Revels Pub SingThe Skellig Waltham, MA, .
CANCELLED: Snow Festival at Franklin Park
The good folks at Franklin Park have got a full day scheduled of snow-related activities: Sledding, hunting for tracks, building snowpeople Let’s just hope there’s snow! Snow Festival at Franklin ParkFranklin Park Boston, MA, .
Chinese New Year at Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo is open all winter, and now they’re adding a Chinese New Year celebration! 11am-3pm. Chinese New Year at Franklin Park ZooFranklin Park Zoo Boston, MA, .
Science on Screen: RUSHMORE with guest speaker Steven Schlozman, MD
Everyone loves Wes Anderson, including the good folks who curate the Science on Screen series over at Coolidge Corner. This month’s lecture is, of course, on the adolescent brain. 7pm. Science on Screen: RUSHMORE with guest speaker Steven Schlozman, MDCoolidge Corner Theatre Brookline, MA, .
Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year Parade and Awards
Mon dieu! Bon sang! French beauty Marion Cotillard is the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year! Flock to Harvard Square today at 2:45pm to sigh over her as she leads the famous parade. Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year Parade and Awards Cambridge, MA, .
Snow Quidditch!
Well, unless there’s no snow. Then it will just be Quidditch. 2-4pm. Snow Quidditch!MIT Kresge Oval Cambridge, MA, .
35th Annual Science Fiction Marathon
The MIT kids are watching scifi flicks from 7pm ’til the wee hours of the morning. 35th Annual Science Fiction MarathonMIT 26-100 Cambridge, MA, .
MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period)
The school that never sleeps, MIT holds a month of creative classes, lectures, and special events. Almost all of these are just for the MIT community or fully registered by now (I checked), but click through to see if anything is available that might catch your fancy! MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period)MIT Cambridge, MA, –.
A Very Potter Sequel with MIT Quidditch!
For example, if you love Harry Potter way too much and you can find MIT room 8-119, you’re most likely good to attend this student celebration of Quidditch! 4-7pm. A Very Potter Sequel with MIT Quidditch!MIT Room 8-119 Cambridge, MA, –.
The Annual Hummus Taste Off
Vote for the best home-made hummus at MIT. 12-2pm. The Annual Hummus Taste OffMIT lobby 10 and 13 Cambridge, MA, .
Self: Illuminated @ the CMRI
Wayne Strattman does kinetic plasma sculpture. He lit up the Borg in the new Star Trek films! There’s a major exhibition of his work this winter at the CMRI. It’s electrifying. (What would I do without bad puns?). Self: Illuminated @ the CMRICharles River Museum of Industry Waltham, MA, –.
24 Hour Show
It’s a college drama staple: The 24 hour play! Yep, a group of actors write, direct, and perform an original short play in 24 hours. See how they fared at 8pm. 24 Hour ShowMIT W20-306 Cambridge, MA, .
International Folk Dancing for Everyone
The folk dancing club at MIT gets their groove on tonight at 8pm. International Folk Dancing for EveryoneMIT W20 Lobdell Cambridge, MA, .
Midwinter Celebration
Do you like folk dancing? Do you like pretending to take part in old timey celebrations of the solar year? Check out this song, dance, and storytelling. It’s free! The dancing will be pretty cool; I have seen it. 7:30-9:30pm. Midwinter CelebrationChurch West Newton, MA, .
BWF Full Moon Festival
On the day of January’s full moon, Belmont World Film is screening two children’s films: ‘Lotte and the Moonstone Secret’ at 10:30 AM and ‘Moon Man’ at 1pm. There will also be cookies, and an astronomer on hand to explain the phases of the moon. BWF Full Moon FestivalStudio Cinema Belmont, MA, .
Head of the Zeisinger Carboard Boat Regatta
For example, MIT students will make their own boats out of cardboard and you get to see ’em race. Or sink. 3-5pm. Head of the Zeisinger Carboard Boat RegattaZesinger Center Pool Deck, MIT Cambridge, MA, .
Fire and Ice in Fay Park @ Community Bonfire
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! Fire and Ice in Fay Park @ Community BonfireFay Park, Littleton Common Littleton, MA, .
Winter Carnival and Dinner with Jack Frost
I love this idea! Walk through the snow around the town common and get restaurant samples at outdoor bonfires! Winter Carnival and Dinner with Jack FrostTown Common New London, NH, –.
Snow Sculpting Competition
Who knew there was such thing as a professional snow sculpter? Watch them at work or try it out yourself. Amateurs welcome. Each day has a different location. Snow Sculpting CompetitionBlack Mountain, Black Mountain Road Jackson, NH, –.
Dogsled Sprint & Skijor
Here’s the oldest continuously running dogsled race in the Northeast. Dogsled Sprint & Skijor Tamworth, NH, –.
Amherst Railway Society – Big Railroad Hobby Show
Way out west is a model train show. They hook together dozens of privately built tracks to create one huge railroad track system. Amherst Railway Society - Big Railroad Hobby ShowEastern States Exposition Westford, MA, –.
Also Fun
Splash for Us – a night of community learning and teaching
Splash is the MIT student group that teaches high school (and adult education) courses on a variety of topics. Be chill and you can most likely take part, MIT affiliate or not. Splash for Us - a night of community learning and teachingMIT Bldg 2 Cambridge, MA, .
Dead of Winter: Satan on Screen
What do a Bergman comedy (oxymoron!), an ’80s fantasy flick, a musical, a Polanski classic, and a creepy Danish silent film have in common? Satan. This delightfully devilish series of 13 films at the Brattle shows the surprising range of movies in which Beelzebub lords over the proceedings. The selection of movies is killer. Definitely something here for everyone. Dead of Winter: Satan on ScreenThe Brattle Theatre Cambridge, MA, –.
Israeli Folk Dancing
Contra dances are popular around town, but I don’t see many opportunities to learn Israeli dances. Try it out at 8pm. Israeli Folk DancingMIT Cambridge, MA, .
Mobile Reading Marathon: Odyssey
A roving band of MIT classicists will wander their campus reciting and sometimes performing Homer’s great Greek epic. The 12-hour event kicks off at 9am. Mobile Reading Marathon: OdysseyMobile event: Rooms change! Cambridge, MA, .
Best of the 2012 European Short Film Festival at MIT
Here’s an opportunity to see some of the best new short films from Europe, many of which are making their US premiere. Best of the 2012 European Short Film Festival at MITMIT 3-133 Cambridge, MA, .
Middle Eastern Drumming
What it says on the tin. Class starts at 7pm. Middle Eastern DrummingMIT Chapel Cambridge, MA, .
ONCE in Valhalla
Have $100 to spare? This costumed, 10-course Scandinavian feast is where you can dress like a Viking and get drunk. There will also be music. ONCE in ValhallaCenter for the Arts at the Armory Somerville, MA, .
Concord Museum is Free
The Concord museum is free on Sundays this month. Concord Museum is FreeConcord Museum Concord, MA, .
Folk Art Workshop
Folk artist Christopher Gurshin helps you paint your own folk masterpiece on a pine panel. Lunch will be served in the Inn’s period ‘Old Kitchen.’. Folk Art WorkshopLongfellow’s Wayside Inn Sudbury, MA, –.
Moonlit Snowshoe Tours
No flashlights! An AMC Naturalist helps you find your way through the trails with only the full moon for light. 7pm. Moonlit Snowshoe ToursGreat Glen Trails, Route 16, Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, .
Veterans Powwow
The NH Intertribal Native American Council is putting on a powwow this weekend. There will be traditional dancing, drumming, singing, food, and crafts. Veterans PowwowPlymouth State University 17 High Street Plymouth, NH, .
Ice Day
In the old-timey days, before refigeration, they used to cut out blocks of ice and try to store them through the summer! In this free event you can watch ’em do it. 9am-2pm. Rain date 7 days later. Ice DayKezar Lake’s Horse Beach North Sutton, NH, .
Winterfest Weekends at Fruitlands Museum
This museum has a slope called the ‘OMG Hill’! It’s not really a ‘festival’ if it lasts 6 weeks, but they’ll have bonfires, sledding, ice skating, and snowshoes. Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-4pm. It would be a good idea to call ahead, since there may be last-minute cancellations due to the weather. Winterfest Weekends at Fruitlands Museum Haverhill, MA, –.
Rogues & Scoundrels Tour
See where scoundrels lived, pirates profited and criminals were punished. Find out why this colony was known as ‘Rogue’s Island.’ $12 per person, reservations suggested. Departs from Museum & Shop at the Brick Market, 127 Thames Street. 401-841-8770. Rogues & Scoundrels TourMuseum of Newport History Newport, RI, .
Free Community Skating Party
The skating will be free, and they’ll hand out hot cocoa. Yum! If no ice, backup date is Feb 11. Free Community Skating Party Norton, MA, .
Moonlight Skiing
For one night this winter, Notchview will be open after-hours for night-time skiing. 7-9pm. Moonlight SkiingNotchview Windsor, MA, .
Massachusetts International Auto Show
Got a thing for cars? Check out all the latest fancy models at this show. It’s only $6, and you can download a free pass for two adult admissions on the website. Massachusetts International Auto ShowDCU Center Worcester, MA, –.
Fire and Ice Days
They’re harvesting ice! And there are horse-drawn sleigh rides, hot cider, and all the usual awesome live re-enactments that make OSV my favorite historic destination. Fire and Ice DaysOld Sturbridge Village Sturbridge, MA, –.
Echoes from the Past: Worcester’s Ghost Walk
This is cool: The Mayor and other VIPs portray historical figures from the past. Echoes from the Past: Worcester's Ghost WalkWorcester Historical Museum Worcester, MA, .
Performance
Vinegar Tom
Here’s a play about witchcraft in 17th century England Only, it’s a Caryl Churchill play, so it’s going to be postmodern and cool. Expect an edgy performance with lots of movement and song. Vinegar TomBoston Center for the Arts (South End) Boston, MA, –.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
This year, Imaginary Beasts is staging the Legend of Sleepy Hollow for their annual winter ‘panto.’ It’s a British thing; sort of like a cross between a vaudeville show and a fairy tale play. Pantos are always family-friendly and involve audience participation, mainly shouting. The Legend of Sleepy HollowBoston Center for the Arts Boston, MA, –.
Review: Invisible Man
An idealistic young African-American man searches for identity and his place in the 1930s. Click for our review! Review: Invisible ManAvenue of the Arts / BU Theatre Boston, MA, –.
Purcell’s The Indian Queen
It’s been a good start to the year for early music lovers: This concert features selections from Henry Purcell’s last opera with a few excerpts from other Purcell works thrown in for good measure. Keep an eye out for our review. NB: The 1/27 performance is at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, MA, and not at Jordan Hall. Purcell's The Indian QueenJordan Hall Boston, MA, –.
Monty Python Week at the Brattle
And now for something completely different: A whole week of Monty Python at the Brattle! The highlight of this series is the area premiere of ‘A Liar’s Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python’s Graham Chapman.’ You may remember Chapman as the late Python who played King Arthur and Brian in ‘The Holy Grail’ and ‘The Life of Brian.’. Monty Python Week at the BrattleThe Brattle Theatre Cambridge, MA, –.
Mortified: Broken Resolutions and Broken Hearts
Don’t worry, it’s funny! If you haven’t heard of it before, Mortified is a kind of open-mic night where participants read their most embarrassing diary entries from their childhood and teenage years. Highly recommended! 8pm. Mortified: Broken Resolutions and Broken HeartsOberon Cambridge, MA, .
Oliver!
The best family-oriented theatre in New England is putting on Oliver! If you’ve got kids, this is a must. The WFT’s big musicals are always winners. Oliver!The Wheelock Family Theatre Boston, MA, –.
African Music and Dance at Berklee
Basically what it says. In case you didn’t know, Berklee is a world-renowned music school, so this is definitely going to be a great show! African Music and Dance at BerkleeBerklee Performance Center Boston, MA, .
Quicksilver at the Boston Early Music Festival
This group made their BEMF debut last June, and earned lots of praise for their ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ playing. Their program tonight is 17th century German chamber music. Quicksilver at the Boston Early Music FestivalFirst Church in Cambridge Cambridge, MA, .
Travel
Salon des Independants
It only sounds stuffy because they gave it a French name, but this is a free-for-all: A gallery show with no judge, no jury, no fees, and no censorship! Salon des IndependantsHygienic Art Galleries & Art Park New London, CT, –.
Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival
Dogs! Sleds! Dogsleds! Check this out. Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival Bridgton, ME, –.
Greater Tuna
This parody of small-town life down South is played by two actors in a myriad of roles. Looks hilarious! Greater TunaPortland Stage Portland, ME, –.
Snodeo
With a parade, and an entire ‘rodeo’ on ice, I’d love to see this someday! SnodeoRangeley Lake Rangeley, ME, –.
Maine Lakes Mushers Bowl
Dog sledding, snowmobile rides, horse-drawn carriage rides… Yum. Maine Lakes Mushers BowlVarious Locations Bridgton, ME, –.
Auburn Winter Festival
These outdoorsy snow sports events take place all over the region. Auburn Winter Festival Auburn, ME, –.
Camden WinterFest
Ice skating, ice sculptures… More of the same. Camden WinterFestCamden Public Library Camden, ME, .
Norway SnowFest
Ooo! It’s snowmobile racing. Norway SnowFest Norway, ME, –.
Portland on Ice
While it’s mostly live music, we’ll take what we can get in February in Maine. So try this festival. Portland on Ice Portland, ME, –.
Stowe Winter Carnival
Ice carving competition — I’d love to try that! And snow volleyball… Awesome. Stowe Winter Carnival Stowe, VT, –.
Bennington Winter Festival
All the festivities you’d expect: A pancake breakfast, penguin plunge, ice sculptures, etc. A good weekend excursion if you’re in Southern Vermont for a ski holiday. Bennington Winter FestivalNorth Bennington Bennington, VT, .
Ice on Fire Winter Festival
This one comes with a parade and bonfire! Ice on Fire Winter Festival Montpelier, VT, .