Apr 29 – May 5: Steampunk, Science, Catapult, Art, Gerbil Fests, Open Studios, Silent Rave, & Model Rockets!

04/29/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

More free giveaways this week… but you missed out on the free Iron Man 2 preview because you weren’t on the Facebook group. To avoid future heartache, subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter and please tell your friends!

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Muse and the Marketplace		5/1 – 5/2	Boston Metro
I’m listing the Muse and the Marketplace first this week, because I will be there with my Wheel Questions art project. If you’re an aspiring writer, or just want to meet and mingle with novelists, this is your big opportunity. The weekend is chock full of workshops, lectures, and social opportunites. Stop by and say hello. I’ll be the tall guy with the colorful art thing. Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA. more
Free Movie Previews: Letters to Juliet & Iron Man 2		5/9	Boston Metro
I have several tickets to see Letters to Juliet, Sunday at 3pm. Unfortunately, you MISSED OUT on getting tickets to a free preview of Iron Man 2, because they came mid-week and rather than do an entire blog post for one purpose, I posted it to the Facebook group. Now would be a good time to join the Weird Boston Events Facebook group or Twitter. AMC Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
Free ticket to Beatles Sing-A-Long @ Boston Pops		5/4	Boston Metro
What better way to celebrate the 125th annversrary of the Boston Pops than to merge music with videogames? Actually, I could probably think of other ways. But when you add the game Rock Band and a Sing-A-Long to thet music of the Beatles, played by professionals who turn stuffy classic musical away for a time, I’m there! And I have one ticket to give away. As a bonus, re-enactors will arrive in horse-drawn carriages playing Isabella Stuart Gardner and Boston Pops Orchestra founder Colonel Henry Lee Higginson. Symphony Hall, Boston, MA. more
Cambridge Science Festival		4/24 – 5/2	Boston Metro
The Cambridge Science Festival remains the event of the week. They say it’s the largest science festival in North America, and if you missed the carnival you really need to pay for your sins by attending one of this week’s events. A few of my favorite suggestions are below. Various venues, Cambridge, MA. more
Steampunk Festival		5/1	Boston Metro
Steampunk is the artistic vision that wonders, What if the Computer Revolution had occurred during the 1800s? Well, this fesival is bringing steampunk to life with a festival including blacksmiths, live music, dancing, a masquerade and even LARPing (roleplaying). It sounds truly unique! And it all takes place on the site of the oldest factory in the US, a 1814 textile mill. Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, Waltham, MA.781-893-5410. more more
Seige the Day: Trebuchet Building at Higgins		5/1	Worcester
But wait! This one’s even crazier. A trebuchet is a kind of efficient catapult. And they’re going to build one at the Higgins Armory, which is worth the trip to Worcester even when they aren’t doing something AWESOME. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA.508-853-6015. more
Arts First Festival (Harvard)		4/29 – 5/2	Boston Metro
Harvard Square is so creative that it has several events this week. First, the Cambridge Science Festival. Second, Harvard University has its arts festival, all across campus. I went once and it was great. This is not to be confused with the commercial event run by the Harvard Square Business Association… Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.617-495-8676. more
Harvard Square MayFair		5/2	Boston Metro
…Which is this event. All throughout Harvard Square, you’ll find live music, dance, street performers, and sidewalk vendors eager to spread capitalism. 4 stages, hot air balloon rides, and a buskers (street performers) stage, too. 2009: 12-6pm. 18 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Chalk on the Walk		5/2	Boston Metro
At one of the MayFair events, you can make your own public art through chalk! 10am-3pm. Church Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Charles River May Day Festival		5/1	Boston Metro
Speaking of May Day, which is far more popular with the elites in Boston than Cinco de Mayo, there will be morris Dancing at dawn & street procession to Harvard Square. 2009: 5:30-9am. And then it continues at a more reasonable hour in Somerville with a maypole dance and labyrinth walk. Weeks footbridge, Charles River, Cambridge, MA. more more
Harvard University Native American Powwow		5/1	Boston Metro
As if that weren’t enough, Harvard Square is also featuring a native american festival. There are dozens of annual powwows in New England, but only a couple in the metro area. Check it out. Radcliffe Yard, 10 Garden St., Cambridge, MA.617-495-9918. more more
Cambridge Dulcimer Festival		4/30 – 5/2	Boston Metro
And I’ve always wanted to see the dulcimer festival, which has workshops, performances, and storytelling. Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA.617-547-6789. more
Silent LED Rave		4/30	Boston Metro
We still haven’t left Harvard Square. A new arts venue is holding one of those silent dances where you bring your own mp3 player and dance wearing headphones. However, they’re making it unique by adding a dynamic light display. I was just there for a FANTASTIC event so this one’s bound to be good, too! And it’s free. Northwest Science Building, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Wake Up the Earth Festival & Parade		5/1	Boston Metro
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. Jamaica Plain, MA. more
Musketaquid Earth Day Parade		5/1	Metro West
Concord also has a belated Earth Day celebration with a parade, an environmental festival, workshops, and a river ceremony. with floats. There will be plenty of activities for children, to teach them that the #1 thing you can do to use less energy is to not have children. Concord, MA. more
Boston College Arts Festival		4/29 – 5/1	Boston Metro
Boston College has their own competing arts festival, and they claim that over 10,000 people attended last year. They’ll have music, dance, theatre, crafts, etc. Because it’s on a college campus, it shouldn’t be too kids-oriented. And check out the Mexican restaurant El Pelon while you’re in the area! 12-10pm. Boston College, Boston, MA.617-552-2787. more
Brookline Open Studios		5/1 – 5/2	Boston Metro
Speaking of the arts, an open studio is a great excuse to walk around a local neighborhood, entering the private homes and work studios of artists. They’re always free and you get to meet the artists, not just merchants, and help them out by buying something. Get a map online, Brookline, MA.781-316-4320. more
Somerville Open Studios		5/1 – 5/2	Boston Metro
Meanwhile, the rest of Somerville also has local artists opening their homes to the public. It’s great fun to walk around and meet everyone, and they say it’s the largest open studios in New England. Sat-Sun 12-6pm. Go online to find a map of where to visit. It’s free! Get a map online, Somerville, MA.617-764-2287. more
Pancake Breakfast at the Nave		5/1	Boston Metro
While you’re in Somerville, get a pancake breakfast with live music and browse the artwork. 9am-12pm. Just $7. The Nave Gallery, 155 Powderhouse Boulevard, Somerville, MA. more
Needham Spring Arts Festival		5/1 – 5/2	Metro West
Further west, don’t leave out Needham. Apparently they are fresh out of ham and need some. Get a map online, Needham, MA. more
UMass Renaissance Festival		5/1 – 5/2	Metro West
Enough with the arts festivals. Here’s a hidden surprise: a ren fest! Although the festival will have the usual feasting, singing, swordplay, and theatre, it’s run by the UMass Renaissance Studies department, so it’s go to be educational, too. University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA. more
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower		5/6	Metro West
Somewhere out West would be a good place to get away from city lights and view this minor meteor shower. Somewhere without lights, like a pond or open field, Away from the City. more more
Westborough Spring Festival		5/1 – 5/2	Metro West
Or attend this street festival with hot air balloon rides, a classic car show, a road race, and a ‘fishing challenge’. The fix is in: the fish always bet against themselves and then throw the fight. Westborough High School, Westborough, MA. more
American Gerbil Society Show		4/30 – 5/1	New Hampshire
I really want to go see this one!! Pet gerbils compete in races and mayhem ensues. It looks tiny but full of heart, like the gerbils themselves. (But I hear that rats are better cooks.). Holiday Inn, Nashua, NH. more
Fife and Drum Muster		4/30 – 5/1	Metro West
Let’s not start taking MIMA for granted. Just after their blow-out celebrations for Patriots Day, now they’re bringing 25 fife and drum corps together, dressed up all 18th centurical. Friday 7-8pm, Saturday 9:30-4:30. And it’s FREE. Minute Man Visitor Center – Rt 2A, Lexington, MA. more
World Laughter Day World Record		5/2	Rhode Island
There are people who like yoga. There are people who like laughing. Put them together, and you get this hopefully world record setting event. Although it happens in RI, there’s a Boston group that’s going down to participate. 1pm. Vincent Brown gym, East Side Y on Hope Street, Providence, RI. more more
Shakespeare Open Mic		4/29	North Shore
Instead of going to the microphone to sing, attendees are invited to read a bit of Shakespeare. Bring your own passage or use one of theirs! I once lost a “one line and you die” Shakespeare competition to a 6-year-old girl. I’m pretty sure it was age discriminating, but it might have been my awful acting. Gulu Gulu Café, 247 Essex St., Salem, MA. more
Geek Week & Roleplaying @ Improv Boston		4/28 – 5/2	Boston Metro
Geek Week is a series of comedy for the inner nerd in all of us. This year they’re featuring interactive roleplaying games! Improv Boston, Cambridge, MA. more
Science Festival
Technology Night in Kendall Square!		4/29	Boston Metro
This one’s sort of an open house for technology businesses. TONIGHT, 6-8pm. I have just one question. WILL THERE BE FREE FOOD? Yes! :). Kendall Square area, Cambridge, MA. more
Spying on the Past: Declassified Satellite Images and Archaeology		4/29	Boston Metro
The Cambridge Science Festival continues this week. Tonight there’s a lecture on satellite photos at 5pm. Harvard’s Peabody Museum, Cambridge, MA. more
Engineering Origami: Folding, Design, and Analysis		4/29	Boston Metro
But personally I’d rather see the origami folding club at MIT! It’s free! TONIGHT, 6pm. MIT, Cambridge, MA. more
Sidewalk Astronomy		4/29	Boston Metro
Also TONIGHT! Outside city hall they’ll have telescopes for the public. 8pm. City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more
Puzzle Hunt at the MIT Museum		5/1	Boston Metro
The MIT Museum is doing a DaVinci Code kind of puzzle hunt…. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more
Improbable Readings from the Ig Nobel Prizes		5/1	Boston Metro
… And there will be readings from Ig Noble prize winners, the scientists whose work is not only educational, it’s weird and fun. 10am-5pm. Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA. more
Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair		5/1	Boston Metro
I’m SO curious to see what high school students are up to these days. These are the people who’ll be in charge someday. It’s free. MIT Johnson Athletics Center, 120 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA. more more
Robots That Can Fly Like a Bird		5/1	Boston Metro
And the Robot Locomotion Group (there’s a robot locomotion group?? Cool!!!) will show off some robot birds. 1-4pm. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more
Rocket Day		5/2	Boston Metro
Rockets!!! They’ll be shooting model rockets! 10am-4pm. Danehy Park, 99 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Also Fun
Emerging Americal Festival & Parade		5/2 – 5/16	Boston Metro
As a lead up to some kind of festival, there will be a parade in Harvard Square at 2pm. Starts from 2 Arrow St, Cambridge, MA. more
New England Gem & Mineral Show		5/1 – 5/2	North Shore
This looks very kids oriented, but I’m sure it’s great fun. It takes place on a fairgrounds. Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4. Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield, MA. more
Free Comic Book Day		5/1	Boston Metro
However, if you’re a geek, perhaps you could be satisfied with the more local exercise of walking into any comic book store on Free Comic Book Day, to pick up some free samples. Various venues, All Over. more
Free Comic Book Day Festival		5/1	New Hampshire
And at least one store will be holding a mini-festival to mark the day with a BBQ and afterparty. Rochester, NH. more
Food Inc. film screening and discussion		4/29	Boston Metro
Tonight there will be a free screening of the movie, “Food Inc.” and a discussion. Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA. more
The Boston 48 Hour Film Project		4/30 – 5/11	Boston Metro
They give filmmakers 48 hours to create a film from start to finish. Perhaps one of the participants could be you! Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. more
Boston Sailing Center – Open House		5/1 – 5/2	Boston Metro
This is the big annual celebration where you get a free boat ride around Boston Harbor and 10% off courses. Dress warm. No experience necessary. Large parties might wait an hour to get a ride but I have been told that it’s worth it. They server wine, soda, and water on their river boat while you’re waiting. Lewis Wharf, Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA.617-227-4198. more
Brown University Folk Festival		5/1	Rhode Island
Brown’s campus is beautiful, and here’s an excuse to check it out. 11am-midnight. Lincoln Field, Brown University, Providence, RI.781-861-6653. more
Spring Open House at Castle Hill		5/2	North Shore
But Castle Hill, which is a genuine mansion with a rolling lawn overlooking the ocean, is even more impressive, if smaller. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA. more
Celebrate the Earth & Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum		5/1 – 5/2	New Hampshire
I’ve been to this museum and this event will be VERY small, but very interesting. Think of it as a fantastic pit stop on your way to the White Mountains to go hiking. Warner, NH.603-456-2600. more
Protomagia: Greek Songs of Spring and Summer		5/1	Boston Metro
This is another May Day celebration, but with a Greek flair, with ethnic dance, music, and food. 8am-8pm. Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA. more
Rock & Roll Contra Dance		5/1	Metro West
This one’s for dancers too. Although contra is a kind of folk dance, they’re mixing it up with rock music this one time. 8-11pm. Concord Scout House, Concord, MA.857-499-8907. more more
May Day at Turners Falls		5/2	Western Mass
I wasn’t able to confirm that this festival is actually happening… but… I love the idea of pole dancing. (Maypole dancing is similar, right?) And they’ll have morris dancing too. Turners Falls, MA. more
May Day at Hayes Park		5/2	Boston Metro
But this one is definitely on. Also morris dancers. But will there be pole dancing??!?! I NEEDS ME SOME POLE DANCIN’! Warren Avenue and West Canton Street, Boston, MA. more
Hiawatha Day at Garden in the Woods		5/2	Metro West
These 45 acres of gardens beckon you, along with readings of Longfellow’s Hiawatha and a native american themed concert and scavenger hunt. 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA.508-877-7630. more
The Revolving Museum’s Harmony Park Celebration		5/1	Lowell
I’m not sure what to make of this small festival. It seems small, but they’ll have a lion dance and a drum circle, etc. Cork Street at Cross Street, Lowell, MA. more
Chelmsford Quilter’s Guild – Quilt Show		4/29 – 5/2	Lowell
And while you’re in the area, check out over 150 quilts. This is one of two big quilt shows in New England that I’ve found. I’ve been to the other and it was surprisingly interesting! All Saints’ Epsicopal Church, 10 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA. more
Better World at MIT		4/30	Boston Metro
I would have listed this festival of ideas higher, but it seems to be very serious, rather than festival-y or fun-for-the-whole-family-y. MIT, Cambridge, MA. more
Eastern Haunters Convention		4/29 – 5/2	Pennsylvania
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
Cinco de Mayo Children’s Festival		5/5	Western Mass
Please don’t just sit in a bar on your butt for Cinco de Mayo. If you want to celebrate, well, this is the only event I found that’s creative. It features a parade for kids. Turners Falls, MA. more
Performance
Annual Okaido Japanese Drumming		5/1 – 5/8	Metro West
These people are Japanese drummers. Concord MA, and RI, etc., Concord, MA. more
Big Apple Circus		4/3 – 5/16	Boston Metro
These people are not Japanese drummers. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.800-922-3772. more
Annual Spring Concert of Steelbands		5/2	Boston Metro
These people are doing a Michael Jackson tribute… with streel drums!!! Take that, Japan! 2:30pm. $15. “A Tribute to the King of Pop”. William Reed Auditorium, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 24 Washington St, Dorchester, MA.617-233-3578. more
Rites of Spring, An Oriental Belly Dance Show		5/1	Boston Metro
Also not Japanese drummers, but that’s SOO OKAAY with me. The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more
TraniWreck: GOLD!		4/30	Boston Metro
This transvestite show is probably awesome. 10:30pm. Drag burlesque and comedy. Oberon, Cambridge, MA. more
JazzBoston Jazz Week		4/23 – 5/2	Boston Metro
I also don’t care much for jazz, but if you do, there’s plenty of it in the city this week. Various venues, Boston, MA. more
One Woman Comedy Show by Chef Nostalgia		5/1	Boston Metro
I don’t write much about performances, but this comedy show sounds like a great combination of home jokes involving Massachusetts and “Bill Cosby” style personal anecdotes that don’t have to be edgy or involve strange sexual practices to be funny. Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Somerville, MA.617-776-2004. more more
Professional Bull Riders		5/1 – 5/2	Worcester
You don’t see many rodeos in New England. This might be worth checking out. DCU Center, Worcester, MA. more

Want this weekly? subscribe and see Wheel Questions, too. Send comments & ideas to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org.