Apr 20-28: They Might Be Giants, Giant Science & Folk Fests, Kevin Kline, Greek Parade, Kites, & Free Movies

04/20/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

When I get something late in the week, I often don’t want to bother the entire list but will post it to Facebook or Twitter. So if you love this blog, subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter and please tell your friends!

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Free movie: Exit Through the Gift Shop		4/21	Boston Metro
I have several tickets for a free movie preview of Exit Through the Gift Shop, Wednesday. Email me. Boston Common Theatre, Boston, MA. more
Cambridge Science Festival		4/24 – 5/2	Boston Metro
The event of the week is undoubtedly the Cambridge Science Festival! They have tons of off-beat, interactive events on their calendar. It’s the first citywide science festival in the United States, and I’ve listed some of my favorite items below. Various venues, Cambridge, MA. more
Earth Day Concert with They Might Be Giants		4/22	Boston Metro
Earth Day isn’t over! The event of the week is a free live concert by They Might Be Giants, conveniently schedule at 12-3pm on a Thursday, when most of us are stuck at work. Earth Day concert with They Might Be Giants Celebrate Earth Day at a free concert with They Might Be Giants on the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Rowes Wharf and the New England Aquarium. The Aquarium is a co-sponsor of the event, which is presented by radio station 92.5 The River. There will be an eco-village with tents and attractions on the Greenway. Citizen Cope will open the show. Rose Kennedy Greenway, near the New England Aquarium, Boston, MA. more
Lyrids Meteor Shower		4/22	Metro West
Perhaps the best way to celebrate the Earth is to watch it being pummelled by rocks from space. Drive at night out to a pond or field where there aren’t any city lights, to watch the meteors. (The last time I tried this, I didn’t plan my destination and got stuck in an area with streetlights. Make sure to have a place to go in mind!). Anywhere, Boston, MA. more more
Cambridge Open Studios – North/West		4/24 – 4/25	Boston Metro
Or take this excuse to stroll through the streets of Cambridge, as local artists open their homes and studios to the public. It’s a nice walk and great to meet real artists, not just their vendors. 12-6pm. All over, Cambridge, MA. more
Battle Road Heroes		4/24	Metro West
Patriots Day finally comes to a close with this walk down a nighttime candle-lit path, as re-enactors tell Revolutionary War stories. Spoiler Alert!! The British lose. 7-8:30pm. Minute Man National Historic Park, Concord, MA. more
New England Folk Festival		4/23 – 4/25	Metro West
I’ve been to NEFFA three times, and it’s sort of a “local” club experience turned into a sprawling weekend of participatory dance, song, and performance. While it doesn’t have the professional feel of many fests, the people who go are creative and inclusive and you’re bound to feel right at home. Mansfield High School, Mansfield, MA. more
Greek Independence Day Parade & Expo		4/25	Boston Metro
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
Gore Place Sheepshearing Festival		4/24	Boston Metro
Not earthy enough? I’ve always wanted to check out this agricultural festival at Gore Place, a historical mansion. 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more
Spring Fair @ Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum		4/25	Rhode Island
This one’s another historical home doing a small festival. They’ll have demonstrations of old-timey spinning, weaving, corn grinding, and other crafts, guided tours, and a special underwater camera to view the fish. 1-4pm. Gilbert Stuart Museum, 815 Gilbert Stuart Rd., Saunderstown, RI.401-294-3001. more
MIT Earth Day		4/20 – 4/24	Boston Metro
MIT is doing an Earth Day celebration that is partly outdoors and involves free massage, lectures, and lots of green-themed booths. MIT, Cambridge, MA. more
Boston Poetry Slam – Championships		4/28	Boston Metro
Before going to the National Poetry Slam, the local team hosts a finals round to select who will go. I’ve seen a poetry slam and it’s definitely not the stilted, inaccessible, boring commentary you are fearing. They “perform” the poetry like one-person theatre shows. If you’re EVER going to give a poetry slam a chance, why not for their annual finals, which is likely their best night of the year? 8pm. Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more
Independent Film Festival		4/21 – 4/28	Boston Metro
I guess someone is reading my blog? After complaining last week that the Independent Film Festival lacked mention of any guests, suddenly they announce Academy Award winner Kevin Kline, appearing Wednesday. Go check it out! I did write to try to get some free tickets for youse guyse, but they didn’t write back. Various, Boston, MA. more
Science Festival
Free Science Carnival w/ Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Making!		4/24	Boston Metro
Now on to the Science Festival! There’s so much happening this week, and it all starts with this FREE festival with 89 booths of demonstrations and participatory science experiments. For example, have you ever tried to make home-made ice cream? Takes forever, and you get tasty but gunk-looking sludge at the end. Well, here’s technology to the rescue with liquid nitrogen. Yum! They’ll have the MIT Formula SAE Rae Car there, too. 12pm-4pm. Cambridge Public Library & CRLS Field House, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA. more
Big Ideas for Busy People		4/23	Boston Metro
I really want to see this!! I subscribe to the “TED” talks on video podcast, you know, where people spend hundreds of dollars and fly to places that aren’t Boston to hear world-famous people trade the best ideas. I admit it, I’M SO JEALOUS. And now — something similar is coming to Cambridge and it’s free!! Really, there is something wrong if you are a thinker and don’t want to attend this. The Laboratory at Harvard, Northwest Building, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Science Trivia Challenge		4/28	Boston Metro
This free event involves trivia, geeks, and you. Bad combination? You decide. Kirsch Auditorium – MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA. more
MIT Free Museum Day		4/24	Boston Metro
The MIT Museum will be free and open to the public. Amongst other features, they’ll have a demonstration of a deep-sea robotic arm. 12-4pm. MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave, Cambridge, MA. more
Let’s Rock the World Treasure Hunt!		4/24 – 5/2	Boston Metro
This is a creative idea. This “scavenger hunt” involves finding local rocks and exploring geology. Starts at Lesley University’s University Hall, 1815 Mass. Ave, Cambridge, MA. more
Meet the Producers of NOVA		4/28	Boston Metro
Hint to the wise: don’t tease the NOVA team about the Scientific American TV show. Besides this lecture and discussion is free, so be grateful. WGBH Yawkey Theater, One Guest Street, Brighton, MA. more
New Directions of Ecoplanning Lecture		4/28	Boston Metro
This one might be even better, because after the lecture, there’s a free reception in the galleries. The topic is something environmental that I do not understand. But I was just at the HMNH for a talk and it was GREAT, so definitely go. It’s free. Harvard Natural History Museum, Cambridge, MA. more
Cambridge Water Department Tour		4/26	Boston Metro
How many times have you driven by the water treatment plant near Fresh Pond and thought, gee, what’s in there? Nobody? OK, maybe it’s just me! Well, now we can all find out. 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, MA. more
Also Fun
Student Science Showcase		4/27	Boston Metro
This science far for 350 grade schoolers isn’t part of the Cambridge Science Festival, but I’m sure it’s worth seeing. Keep in mind, these people will be running the country when you’re 90! Start sucking up now! 10am-12:30pm. They’re looking for volunteers. MIT, Cambridge, MA. more
Annual Kite Day @ Bose Mountain		4/25	Metro West
Wow! Now that summer’s coming up, even the “Also Fun” events will start to pack a punch. I recommend checking out a kite flying event. The secret about kiting is that the cheap kites you get at the toy store aren’t actually that easy to fly. This is your chance to meet some experts who will teach you to do it right and maybe sell you a “stunt” kite with two strings. Here are a few. Bose Mountain, Framingham, MA. more
Chelmsford Crossings Kite Show		4/21	Lowell
I don’t know anything about this kite show, but hey… kite show!! And it’s run by a reputable group. 199 Chelmsford Street, Chelmsford, MA. more
Milford Living Magazine 2nd Annual Kite Fly		4/24	Connecticut
Connecticuters, um, Connecticutians, um, people from Greater New York, will also be flying kites. Walnut Beach, Milford, CT. more more
Hamilton Library Kite Day		4/22	North Shore
And on the North Shore…. Hamilton, MA. more
Free movie: Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy		4/21	Boston Metro
As I mentioned last week, there’s a free screening and Q&A with filmmaker Randy Olson on this eco-issues movie, 5-7pm. Stata Center, Rm 32-123, MIT, Cambridge, MA. more
Free movie: Memento @ Harvard Film Archive		4/21	Boston Metro
What is the deal with movies on Wednesday this week? Those of you not going to see Kevin Kline should check this out. Cambridge, MA. more
Boston International Film Festival		4/16 – 4/25	Boston Metro
This film festival comes with two galas. This one also fails to list which films come with or don’t come with filmmaker Q&A, but their press release implies… all of them? Really? Lowes Theatre Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
Family Astronomy Night		4/23	Cape Cod
I’m always a little afraid of how boring a “family friendly” event might be to me, an adult. But it does say ages 3-93, and it’s an annual event so hopefully worth a shot! 7-10pm. Peterson Farm, 109 McCallum Drive, off of Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA. more
Statewide Volunteer Day		4/24	All Over
While it’s still Earth Day, you could do worse than invest your time volunteering to help clean up local parks. All Over. more
Earth Day Charles River Cleanup		4/24	Boston Metro
Or the Charles River. Of the numerous volunteer opportunities for Earth Day, this is my pick. Cambridge, MA. more
Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race		4/25	Boston Metro
Now that you’ve cleaned up the Charles, enjoy it! Herter Park, Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA.508-698-6810. more
Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race		4/24	Rhode Island
For the lazy, make the ducks race instead. It’s 20,000 rubber ducks racing down the river!! Go ducky go! Broad St. at Main St., Westerly, RI.401-596-7761. more
Artists for Humanity Greatest Party on Earth		4/24	Boston Metro
This festival, poorly described, seems to involve music. I tried to call and they blew me off. You call ’em. Epicenter, 100 W. Second Street, Boston, MA. more
Art in Bloom @ MFA		4/24 – 4/26	Boston Metro
I’d rather check out the MFA, where they’ve laid down flowers throughout the exhibits and called it a festival. Cheaper than hiring a DJ, I guess! MFA, Boston, MA. more
Nantucket Daffodil Festival		4/23 – 4/25	Newport Area
Of course, an outdoor flower festival will always trump that. They say that 10,000 will attend, but do you really need an excuse to visit Nantucket Island? Cape Air, 800-352-0714, Nantucker Airlines 800-635-8787, Island Airlines 800-248-7779, or ferry from Cape Cod. Annual Antique and Classic Car Parade, and the Annual Tailgate Picnic, as well as activities such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, and seal cruises. Nantucket Island.508-228-1700. more
New England Metal and Hardcore Festival		4/23 – 4/24	Boston Metro
I’m not much for head-banging but it’s a festival so I’m listing it! It’s your band’s chance to get talent-scouted. All Over, Boston, 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
Canobie Lake Park – Opening Weekend		4/24 – 4/25	New Hampshire
Canobie Lake Park now has a paintball gallery! Unlike Six Flags New England, Canobie Lake is doing something big for opening day this year: giving you a discount from $30 to $22. This is my favorite amusement park, a notch lower but far less commercial than Six Flags New England. Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH. more
Recurring
Earth Day @ Salem State College		4/12 – 4/22	North Shore
Earth Day continues…. Salem State College, Salem, MA. more
Earth Day		4/16 – 4/22	Various
And see this website for more events, mainly volunteer cleanup days. Various. more more
Free Guided Tours		4/17 – 4/25	Rhode Island
As I mentioned last week, The Aubudon Society in Rhode Island is holding a number of free guided walking tours. A couple of them are at night! Various. more
Greater Newburyport Earth Day Celebration		4/18 – 4/23	North Shore
Earth Day activities span a whole week near Newburyport, all minor stuff except — oo! — a bonfire on 4/18. Newburyport, MA. more
Weymouth Carnival		4/21 – 4/25	South Shore
As I mentioned last week, carnivals continue…. Weymouth High School, 1 Wildcat Way, Weymouth, MA. more
Nashua Carnival		4/21 – 4/25	New Hampshire
And in New Hampshire…. Pheasant Lane Mall, 310 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua, NH. more
Lecture @ Suffolk – Earth Day		4/21	Boston Metro
As I mentioned last week, Suffolk University is holding a panel to discuss management of the Boston Harbor Islands, with a famous politician. Suffolk University, Boston, MA. more
Performance
Big Apple Circus		4/3 – 5/16	Boston Metro
The Big Apple Circus is not just for kids. I’ve been and it’s a lot of fun. Well, I would say about half the acts are appealing to adults, and just a couple of WOWS!, but that’s enough for me. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.800-922-3772. more
On This Moon		4/16 – 4/24	Boston Metro
As you know, I don’t list a lot of theatre shows. They’re well-covered elsewhere and they are just too many to list them all. But how can you resist a professional theatre production with an android, and alien, and love? I really need to go see it!! Arsenal Theatre for the Arts, Watertown, MA. more more
Massachusetts Day of Puppetry		4/24	Boston Metro
I called in rather skeptical that a puppet place could do anything fun for adults. But I’m convinced. At 5pm they’re doing an “open” performance where you can see the puppeteers under the table working their trade, and it’s followed by a Q&A, all in support of the newly named Massachusetts Puppet Day. 32 Station Street, Brookline, MA. more

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