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. I’m giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the Sunday Jan 13 show! Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win. Boston Center for the Arts (South End)Boston, MA, –.more
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). All Over, , –.more
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! All Over, , –.more
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, MA, –.more
Johnny’s Picks
Poe at Gore Estate
I’ve seen this re-enactment and it’s wonderfully spooky! Rob Vellela portrays Edgar Allan Poe reading stories at this historic home. Trust me, you’ve got to see this! 4pm and 6pm. and 5:30pm. Waltham, MA, .more
Japanese New Year
Every year there’s a Japanese New Year celebration at the Boston Children’s Museum, with a lion dance, calligraphy, drumming, and dinner! 3pm. Boston Children’s MuseumBoston, MA, .more
‘Color Commons’ on the Greenway – Opening Celebration
This art installation allows you to interact with the Color Blades, a light installation on the Greenway with your cell phone! 6-7pm, with an after party from 7-9pm. Rain date: January 17th. Boston Harbor Islands PavilionBoston, MA, .more
Boston Celtic Music Festival and Dance Party
The Boston Celtic Music Festival features music and dance performances, participatory events, a parade, and lots of other awesome things. Various VenuesCambridge, MA, –.more
The Tender Heart & Brave: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Charles Sumner
This is an evening of dramatic readings about the friendship between local greats, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the politician Charles Sumner. Can you imagine such a friendship these days? Could you see Anne Carson and Hilary Clinton rubbing elbows? Nope, me neither. Longfellow House@Washington’s HeadquartersCambridge, MA, .more
Not So Silent Cinema: Eisentein’s ‘Strike’
Composer Brendan Cooney plays his orginal scores along to classic silent movies. You may have heard about or even seen his ‘Nosferatu’ performance late last year. Well, here’s one you may not have seen. Expand your horizons! Go on, it’s free. Center for the Arts at the ArmorySomerville, MA, .more
Decordova Park Snowshoe Sculpture Tours
THIS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO JAN 26 DUE TO LACK OF SNOW Lincoln, MA, .more
Old Newbury Bonfire
Here’s another Christmas tree bonfire, also North of Boston. This one has a little more to offer: Tons of food, a Christmas tree toss, a treasure hunt, skating and sledding, raffles and prizes, and- ‘weather permitting,’ fried dough. Why is fried dough dependent on the weather?! Tendercrop FarmNewbury, MA, .more
Owl Prowl Adventures
Bundle up, get your flashlight, and go look for owls. 7-*;30pm. Broadmoor Wildlife SanctuaryNatick, MA, .more
Owls and Omelets
Even if you aren’t a night owl, you can still go on an owl prowl: This one starts at 5:45am and culminates with breakfast served in the caretaker’s cottage. North River Wildlife SanctuaryMarshfield, MA, .more
Also Fun
Winter Trails Day
Winter Trails Day actually takes place all across New England, wherever there is snow. Find free snoeshowing and free cross-country skiing! All Over, , .more
The Yankee Peddler at Puppet Showplace
This original shadow-puppet show is based on lesser-known New England folk tales. It seems there may be Sea Shanty sing-a-longs! Bonus. I strongly advise you to get tickets in advance: The theatre seats less than 100. The Puppet Showplace TheatreBrookline, MA, –.more
Boston Urban Ceilidh Dance Party
A ceilidh (pronounced like ‘Kaylee’) is a Gaelic social gathering with music and dance. In other words, this is an Irish contra dance event! $15, 8pm. The Atrium, 50 Church StreetCambridge, MA, .more
Greater Boston Antiques Festival
Do you miss hunting for cool stuff at fleamarkets, now that it’s too cold? Check out this indoor antiques show. New this year is the inclusion of the rare book and paper show, which was completely separate before. One-stop antiquing! Shriner’s AuditoriumWilmington, MA, –.more
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. Harvard, MA, –.more
Beginning Digital Photography Workshop: Getting the Most from your Digital Camera
Do you could take better photos when you’re out in nature with your digital camera? This workshop will teach you all the basics on how to get the best, most print-worthy shots. 7-9pm. There’s another class on the 17th if you can’t make this one! Drumlin Farm Wildlife SanctuaryLincoln, MA, .more
Campfire Dining
How creative! Restaurants bring food samples to 6-8 outdoor bonfires, and you follow the tiki torches to each via snowshoe or cross-country skiing. It’s just a 2-hour drive from Boston. 11am-1pm. Eastman Cross CountryGrantham, NH, .more
Wampanoag Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s markets are the new ‘in’ thing for a good reason: You support local farmers and get fantastic fresh food in return! I’ve never been to a Native American one, though. Looks highly promising. 2:30-6:30pm. Plimoth PlantationPlymouth, MA, .more
Artist Simply Human the Workshop Experience
This vague and cryptic sounding event is a big convention for professional dancers. DCU CenterWorcester, MA, –.more
Performance
Review: Pippin
It’s the popular musical with a new twist! Pippin must choose between a life that’s ordinary or a flash of singular glory. Click for our review! Loeb Drama CenterCambridge, MA, –.more
Dutilleux, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, & Ravel
If you like classical music, but more modern stuff is your thing, here’s a good concert for you. Once Tchaikovsky’s out of the way (and who doesn’t like Tchaikovsky?), you can enjoy three dynamic 20th century pieces conducted by Alan Gilbert, who’s visiting from the New York Philharmonic. Symphony HallBoston, MA, –.more
A Far Cry
Local group A Far Cry returns home from their European tour with an exciting an diverse program at Jordan Hall. 8pm. Jordan HallBoston, MA, .more
Genesis
To celebrate the BLO’s upcoming US premiere of James MacMillan’s ‘Clemency,’ there’s a special party at the MFA. The opera recounts a story from Genesis in which Abraham and Sarah meet three angels. As such, the part will feature music, dramatic readings, and visual art all having to do with this story. There’s also a fancy reception at Bravo if you want to spend an extra $50 to chow down with the performers. 2pm. The Museum of Fine ArtsBoston, MA, .more
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. Boston Center for the ArtsBoston, MA, –.more
The Memorandum
FlatEarth theatre’s latest is a very promising-looking production of Vaclav Havel’s absurd comedy, which ‘lampoons the bureaucratic appropriation of language.’ All shows at 8pm. Arsenal Center for the ArtsWatertown, MA, –.more