Dr. Horrible, Veterans Day Parades, Kite Fly, Historic Costumes, Open Studios, Nordic Fest, & Museum Ideas
11/04/09 by
Johnny Monsarrat
I have a bunch of free tickets for Davis MegaMaze, the giant corn field maze out near Worcester. It’s the best in New England, and a bunch of us are going Sunday, leaving Boston at 11am, or meet us there at 12pm. RSVP to reserve your free ticket to johnny@weirdbostonevents.org and include your phone number so’s we can find you.
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-Johnny
The Week in Weird |
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| Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog | 11/7 | Southern Mass |
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| Last week I mentioned that there’s more to Rocky Horror than Rocky Horror. Here’s another: a sing-a-long put on by a local Rocky cast that combines a film with interactive singing and theatre. 10pm. Orpheum Theater, Foxboro, MA. more |
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| Historic Costume Social @ Asa Waters Mansion | 11/6 | Worcester |
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| And to hold onto the Halloween seasons, dress as a person from history, and visit the Asa Waters Mansion, which I’ve been to. It’s genuinely interesting and worth the trip. They’ll have live music. Call ahead for tickets. 123 Elm Street, Post Office Box 421, Millbury, MA.508-865-0855. more |
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| Breakfast with George Washington | 11/7 | New Hampshire |
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| History comes also with this visit by George Washington, at 10am and 11am. Also they serve breakfast. Folsom Tavern, One Governors Lane, Exeter, NH.603-772-2622. more |
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| Hampton Beach Holiday Kite Fly | 11/7 | New Hampshire |
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| While you’re in New Hampshire, stop by this small-sized kite flying event. It’s harder to fly a kite than you might think, and you can meet and learn from some experts. They’ll probably sell kites on-site. In front of the Ashworth hotel. Hampton Beach, Hampton, NH. more |
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| A Quilters’ Gathering | 11/5 – 11/8 | New Hampshire |
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| Also in New Hampshire, the quilting show in New England. I know what you’re thinking, that it’s probably boring. I’ve actually been to a quilting show and it was fun with the right attitude. The quilts are genuinely works of art, not grids of plaid. Sheraton Hotel, Nashua, NH. more |
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| Murder at the Science Museum Scavenger Hunt | 11/7 | Boston Metro |
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| I can’t help but occasionally list the “scavenger hunts” from Watson Adventures, which ask you to collect clues, not stop signs. This one is based at the Museum of Science and is sure to be educational. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more |
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| Boston Veterans Day Parade | 11/11 | Boston Metro |
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| Of course, it’s Veterans Day, and there are a number of parades. Boston’s begins at 1pm on November 11 Starts on Boston Common at bottom of hill, Boylston Street, turn left onto Tremont street, ending at City Hall Plaza. Others in Massachusetts include Abington, Amesbury, Braintree, Canton, Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, Halifax, Hingham, Lexington, Marshfield, Milton, Pembroke, Plymouth, Quincy, Rockland, Scituate, Uxbridge, Weymouth, Whitman, Worcester, and probably more. Boston Common, Boston, MA.617-635-4455. more more |
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| Quincy Veterans Day Parade | 11/11 | South Shore |
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| Quincy’s is the only other really big one I found. Quincy, MA.617-376-1194. more |
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| Roslindale Open Studios | 11/7 – 11/8 | Boston Metro |
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| As you know, open studios are when local artists open their homes and work spaces to the public. It’s like a museum, or a crafts store, but it’s spread all across Roslindale so you get a nice Fall walk. 11am-5pm. See website for map, Roslindale, MA. more |
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Also Fun |
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| Waltham Mills Artists’ Open Studios | 11/7 – 11/8 | Metro West |
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| This open studios is in a single location, so not as big, but perhaps worth a visit. 144 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. more |
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| MFA Community Day (November) | 11/11 | Boston Metro |
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| The MFA is free again. (Thanks!). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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| Comics Come Home Fundraiser | 11/7 | Boston Metro |
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| Denis Leary, Jimmy Fallon, and other stand up stars are doing a benefit for cancer research at BU’s enviable arena. Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA.617-931-2000. more |
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| Nordic Fest | 11/7 | North Shore |
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| The Norse have a cultural festival? The Norse have a cultural festival!! Unfortunately, their vague description mentions mostly crafts and foods. Will there be dance or live music? Well, they’ve had it in past years! 9am-3pm. Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA. more |
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| Armenian Fest | 11/7 | Rhode Island |
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| Armenian festivals are also rare, but not unheard of. Here is one. Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Cranston, RI. more |
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| Franklin County CiderDay | 11/7 – 11/8 | Western Mass |
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| I’m usually skeptical of single food events. This one is occurring simultaneously at several farms in Western Massachusetts. You can get orchard tours and see apple butter being made, but the secret seems to be “tastings”, i.e. free booze samples. Greenfield, MA. more |
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| Lizard Lounge benefit | 11/7 | Boston Metro |
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| Local musician Stephen Fredette (from Scruffy the Cat, a roots-rocking ’80s Boston band) is now battling lymphoma. Please attend this fundraiser and you get to hear a ton of great music, as well. I don’t normally list concerts, but this will have a festival atmosphere, I am told, and free food, too. See the websites for the list of bands. Lizard Lounge, 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more more |
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| New England Jazz Banjofest | 11/6 | Boston Metro |
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| Again, I don’t normally list concerts, but who doesn’t love old time jazz and dixieland banjo music! If you play, come along and jam with them. Doubletree Hotel, Bedford, MA. more |
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| Family Sleepover @ New England Aquarium | 11/7 | Boston Metro |
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| Why do I get the feeling that only kids get to sleep over amongst the jellyfish tanks at the Boston Aquarium? New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA.617-973-5206. more |
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| INDIECON: The Free All-Ages Big Heavy World Music Conference | 11/6 – 11/7 | Vermont |
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| This free festival in Vermont is part of their Champlain Quadricentennial, with live music but also films, speakers, and workshops. Burlington, VT. more |
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Recurring |
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| There, I’ve Broken My Neck! (An Evening of Theatrical Disasters) | 11/6 – 11/7 | Boston Metro |
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| This one-man show looks like worth checking out. It’s a comedy about what goes wrong behind the stage curtain. Despite the website, it is not actually opera. And they’ll have a reception after the 11/7 show. Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Fall Foliage Hiking Around New England | 10/10 – 11/10 | Worcester |
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| Fall foliage is going strong in the Berkshires. Where’s a good place to go to see Fall Foliage closer to Boston? The closest is the Blue Hills in Canton, MA, Wachusett Mountain Reservation (which is the same mountain but a separate entrance from Mt. Wachusett Ski Resort), and the Berkshires. Or go north to Mount Monadnock in southern NH. Don’t have a car? Try the Middlesex Fells which you can get to on the subway. Or see this website for other parks. Various, Various. more more |
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Recurring Events |
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| Concord Festival of Authors | 10/21 – 11/8 | Metro West |
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| This “festival” is really a series of author events and book readings, but many of them look quite interesting, especially dry southern humorist Roy Blount, Jr. on Oct 15 (the kind of guy who likes the cartoon Marmaduke), and a spooky night of thrillers and Dracula Oct 31. Various Places, Concord, MA. more |
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| Out on the Edge Festival | 10/25 – 11/15 | Boston Metro |
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| This ‘festival’ is mainly a series of performances, but they’ll have several post-show audience discussions and events to socialize at. Theatre, a satire of TV news, a comedy about beauty pageants, a costume contest, and lots of gay frivolity, wink wink. Various Places, Boston, MA. more |
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| Boston Jewish Film Festival | 11/4 – 11/15 | Boston Metro |
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| Yet another film festival continues. Plenty of the films involve a director talk. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Holiday Murder Mystery at the Astors’ Beechwood Mansion | 11/6 – 11/27 | Rhode Island |
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| The Astor’s Beechwood Mansion is the only Newport destination that re-enacts the Victorian era with live actors. I’ve always wanted to check this out! Reserve in advance. Astors’ Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. more |
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| 1627 Harvest Dinner @ Plimoth Plantation | 11/7 – 11/28 | South Shore |
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| Plimoth Plantation invites you to join a re-enactment of the original Thanksgiving dinner, with authentic foods, table manners, and hymn singing. Nov 8, 15, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29 at 5:30pm. Reserve in advance. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more |
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Ho Ho Holidays |
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| Christmas Festival & Gingerbread House Competition | 11/6 – 11/8 | Boston Metro |
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| We live nearly 10% of our lives in a “Christmas Land” that merchants stretch from Thanksgiving to the holiday. However, a few mavericks want us to start shopping right after Halloween! Who will be first? It’s this actual Xmas Festival at a major tradeshow venue in Boston. It’s hideously commerical, sort of the opposite of an “open studios” event, but they will have a gingerbread contest with giant displays. See website for coupon. I will segregate Xmas stuff into a separate category for the next couple of months, for those who want to ignore ’em! Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA. more |
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Museums |
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| National Center of Afro-American Artists | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Because this week doesn’t have much going on, here are a bunch of museums that may interest you. Note, you can get the complete list of year-round activities and museums at WeirdBostonEvents.org and click “Master List”. 300 Walnut Avenue, Boston, MA.617-442-8614. more |
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| Museum of Afro-American History & Black Heritage Trail | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Near Boston Common. Black Heritage Trail tours start here, http://www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm. 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA.617-725-0022. more |
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| Semitic Museum | Apr 1 – Nov 30 | Boston Metro |
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| Model Israelite house & ancient artifacts and society from Cyprus, Mesopotamia. 6 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA.617-495-4631. more |
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| Boston Children’s Museum | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| South Station subway stop. MITAC discount. They have family slumber parties in March, June, October. Only $1 on Fridays 5-9pm. 300 Congress Street, Boston, MA.617-426-8855. more |
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| Harvard Museum of Natural History | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Free Sundays 9-12 and Wed 3-5pm with MA state ID. AAA discount. Glass Flowers Gallery. 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA.617-495-3045. more |
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| Harvard University Art Museum (Fogg, Sackler) | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Sackler is at 485 Broadway. “Drop in and draw” programs Sundays 1-3pm, see website. Free Saturdays 10-12 and everyday after 4:30pm. 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA.617-495-9400. more |
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| Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| People named Isabella get free admission. 280 The Fenway, Boston, MA.617)566-1401. more |
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| MIT Museum | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| MIT Bldg N52. Every Sunday is free, 10am-12pm. 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-253-4444. more |
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| Museum of Science, Boston | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Brunch @ Skyline Room. 11am or 1pm. Omnimax theater, Planetarium, butterfly garden, 3D theater, laser shows, science shows & gift store. Science Park, Boston, MA.617-723-2500. more |
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| Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Part of Harvard University. 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-496-1027. more |
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| Boston Sculptors Gallery | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| This place is really a gallery, not a museum. But still worth a peek. 486 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA.617-482-7781. more |
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| MIT List Visual Arts Center | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| MIT building E15, Atrium level. 20 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA.617-253-4680. more |
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| Nichols House Museum | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Here’s an old-timey historic home that nobody knows about, right in Boston! Now you know. 55 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, MA.617-227-6993. more |
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| Hooper-Lee-Nichols house | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| And here’s one in Cambridge. 159 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA.617 547-4252. more |
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| New England Genealogical Society | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Find your ancestors and shop the bookstore. Tuesday – Sunday. 101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.617-536-5740. more |
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| Otis House Museum | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Walking tours of this restored 1796 mansion. Headquarters for preservation society. 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA.617-227-3956. more |
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| The Loring-Greenough House | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Boston Metro |
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| Sat & Sun only. 12 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA.617-524-3158. more |
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| Discovery Museums | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Metro West |
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| Kid stuff but worth a visit if you’re in the area. Actually two separate museums, Children’s Museum & Science Museum. 177 Main St, Acton, MA.978-264-4200. more |
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| DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Metro West |
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| My favorite museum in New England! Surrounded by a park w/ sculptures, great for picnicking. Sculpture park is open year-round dawn to dusk, and free when the museum is closed. 51 Sandy Pond Rd, Lincoln, MA.781-259-8355. more |
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| Canterbury Shaker Village | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | New Hampshire |
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| In central New Hampshire, the shakers frolic. Or used to. They are NOT THE SAME AS THE AMISH. So they say. 288 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH.603-783-9511. more |
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| Hammond Castle museum | Apr 15 – Nov 30 | North Shore |
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| A wonderful museum that is an actual castle. 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester, MA.978-283-2080. more |
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