Civil War / Lincoln re-enactment, Pow-Wow, Jello Wrestling, Hawks, Comedy Music & Teen Angst

06/29/09 by Johnny Monsarrat

Of course this week is July 4th! My ideas for that are below, but first the non-holiday Week in Weird. Since I assume everyone’s got plans already for the 4th, I’m planning an group outing Sunday afternoon July 5th to see the Lincoln re-enactment in Cambridge. Email johnny@weirdbostonevents.org if you’re interested in going.

This week is special because I’ve added photos, and Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events is now on Facebook and Twitter, where I’ll be shooting you quick ideas on creative fun every day. Please send me some feedback on the new photo format and what you’d like to see on Twitter and Facebook!

Here’s your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Please subscribe.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Civil War Day & Lincoln Address @ Longfellow Historical Site	7/5	Boston Metro
Excepting July 4th activities, the event of the week is this Civil War re-enactment at the Longfellow Historic Home, just a block or three from Harvard Square. Meet re-enactors in costume from 1-4pm and then see re-enactors portraying Lincoln and a friend discussing the Gettysburg Address. And it’s all free! Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Civil War Tour on Georges Island	7/5	Boston Metro
Also the same day, this is a guided tour of Georges Island by a re-enactor discussing the Civil War. Just an excuse to explore the Boston Harbor Islands! Boston Harbor Islands, Boston, MA.617-223-8666. more
An 18th Century Evening in Portsmouth!	6/30	New Hampshire
Strawbery Banke Museum is a re-enactment village having a fundraiser, in which you’ll eat an 19th century feast and be seated on a boat for an 19th century concert with 14-piece orchestra. Strawbery Banke Museum, Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH.603-422-7514. more
Mashpee Wampanoag Pow-wow	7/3 – 7/5	Cape Cod
If you’re on Cape Cod, check out the biggest local pow-wow around. They’ll have the usual dance, music, and crafts. 483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA.508-477-0208. more more
Jello Wrestling @ Dougie’s Dollhouse	7/2	Cape Cod
OK, let’s step down from the classy here to the simply fun. While you’re on Cape Cod, this is your chance to see jello wrestling. I met the fellow who runs this event, sounds very creative. 10pm-1am. Pied Piper Bar, 193A Commercial St., Provincetown, MA.508.487.1527. more
Get Mortified	7/2	Boston Metro
This one I saw last month. People get up on stage and recount their embarassing teenage stories for humorous affect. Not 100% winners, but a better laugh factor than your typical improv night, that’s for sure! Mottleys Comedy Club, 61 Chatham Street, Boston, MA.877-548-3237. more
Birds of Prey @ Gore Place	7/5	Metro West
Speaking of mortified, how’d you like to get up close to hawks and falcons? If you missed it last weekend at Davis Farmland, check it out at this historic home in Waltham. 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more
Neponset River Greenway Festival	6/28 – 8/27	Boston Metro
Try stunt kiting, canoeing, and all kinds of arts & crafts at various venues this summer. Everything is free! Various in Dorchester, Milton, Hyde Park, Boston, MA. more
Chicopee Fest-Of-All	7/2 – 7/5	Springfield
This unusual festival has a cell phone toss, a vintage baseball game, kids karaoke “idol” competition, a car show, and astronomy events both day & night. Szot Park, Chicopee, MA. more
Greater New Bedford Summerfest	7/3 – 7/5	Southern Mass
Over 20,000 attend this live music and art vendor festival. They would appear to have 6 entertainment stages, and they’ll have races of “whaleboats” that look strangely like crew boats. New Bedford, MA.508-999-5231. more
Cape Verdean Festival	7/4	Boston Metro
I’m not exactly sure what the Cape Verdeans were thinking, scheduling this over July 4th. Free. Music, martial arts, food, entertainment. 2-5pm. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.617-442-6644. more
Also Fun
Lowell Puerto Rican Cultural Festival	7/4 – 7/5	Northern Mass
I was pretty sure this was happening until the website disappeared. I’m listing it anyway in hopes it will re-appear shortly! Boarding House Park, Lowell, MA. more
New England Summer Nationals	7/2 – 7/5	Worcester
Now here are a few events that were quite “A” quality weird. To start with, this claims to be the largest car show on the East Coast. Oxford, MA.508-987-2652. more
Berkshires Arts Festival	7/3 – 7/5	Western Mass
This outdoor festival should be fun to visit, but it didn’t quite make the cut because it’s clearly a vendor event. Great Barrington, MA.413-298-0175. more
Boston Chowderfest	7/5	Boston Metro
And finally, if you’re a tourist, you’ll probably be experiencing Boston’s uniqueness through its chowder. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.617-436-6339. more
Recurring Events
Amesbury Days	6/24 – 7/4	Northern Mass
Here are a few continuing events that I mentioned last week. This is another small town festival that goes way past the ordinary, with fireworks, balloon rides, live music, tours and other fun stuff. Various Locations, Amesbury, MA.978-388-8110 x314. more
FAC Pinewoods Weekend and FolkDays	6/25 – 7/2	South Shore
You have to register for this one if you want to camp out and learn folk dancing. But I bet that if you don’t plan to stay overnight, they’d allow you to just stop by unannounced. Pinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MA.781-662-7475. more
A Morning with the Alcotts	7/1	Metro West
The past also has a place this week. It says it’s for people ages 7 and up. That’s me!! I’m ages 7 and up! Um, mostly the up part. Orchard House, 399 Lexington Road, Concord, MA.(978) 369-4118. more more
Summerfest in Monson	6/27 – 7/4	Western Mass
They’ll have games, rides, and — fireworks!! — at this small town festival. And a parade, a soap box derby, a frog jumping contest, a BMX show, looks really interesting! Quarry Hill School, Monson, MA.(413) 267-9118 or (413) 267-3649. more
Boston Harborfest	6/30 – 7/5	Boston Metro
The remainder of the week are small events throughout the city. It looks quite touristy, but plenty of fun, including re-enactments of the Boston Tea Party (reserve in advance). City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.617-436-6339. more
Annual Children’s Day On the Plaza at City Hall	7/1	Boston Metro
I’m not a child, and I don’t have any children. Yet, I still have plans to sneak into Children’s Day, which is part of Boston Harborfest. They’ll have yet more face painting. And jugglers. City Hall Plaza, One City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.617-227-1528. more
Lexington Lions Club Carnival	7/1 – 7/5	Metro West
Yet more carnival from Fiesta Shows. Center Playground, Worthen Rd., Lexington, MA. more
Marblehead Festival of Arts	7/1 – 7/5	North Shore
Kites, model boat building, wood carving, sand sculpture, looks surprisingly interesting. Marblehead, MA. more
Brockton Country Fair	7/1 – 7/12	South Shore
They’ll have fireworks! Rt 24S to Exit 17A, Rt 123E (Belmont St) two miles on the right. Historic Brockton Fairgrounds, RT. 123, Brockton, MA.508-586-8000. more
PDQ Bach	6/30	Western Mass
Also not to be missed! PDQ Bach is a comedy music performance. The closest thing you can get to seeing Harpo Marx live! I saw this group in the 1980s and it’s a must-see. The Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA.413-997-4444. more
Travel
Firefly (a local Burning Man arts festival)	7/2 – 7/5	Vermont
Firefly is an arts festival for artists by artists. It’s nothing like a vendor marketplace. It’s more like a campground for enthusiasts and true masters. Noon Friday straight through to Noon Monday. Apparently they are sold out and don’t want anybody just showing up and buying stuff. Darn those young moneyed shower-uppers! Vermont. more
Celebrate Champlain Burlington International Waterfront Festival	7/2 – 7/14	Vermont
While you’re nearby, cursing Firefly which rejected you at the door, the Champlain area is celebrating their Quadricentennial. Burlington, VT. more
President Calvin Coolidge Birthday Celebration	7/4	Vermont
Also, Calvin Coolidge is having a birthday celebration, shoudl you happen to be in Vermont. Vermont. more