5/18 – 5/26: Earthfest, Free Hugs, Soap Box Derby, Bicycle, Helicopter & Car Shows, Star Wars & Ren Faires

You may have noticed a change! I’m rebranding my site to http://EVENTSinsider.com. Please get the spelling right, it’s EVENTS not event. I plan to load it up with thousands of local events in the next couple of months, but don’t worry: I’ll continue to hand-pick and review my favorite events.

Anybody out there a Ruby on Rails programmer or a Web layout designer? I don’t get paid for this and really need some help! Email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com.

Welcome to the Week in Weird! Here are this week’s top items, and

click to see the complete Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events.
WBOS Earthfest 5/22 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
This is well advertised, so not exactly obscure, but is always fun. WBOS will hold a free concert outdoors on the Esplanade! They have one stage for mainstream rock bands, one stage for kids music, and lots of exhibitors. A rain or shine event.
Hatch Shell, Esplanade, Boston, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Cambridge Open Studios – Central 5/22 – 5/23 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
Also earthy is this art walk around Cambridge. Meet interesting artists in their homes or work studios, and buy their art! I mean, AHHT. 12pm-6pm.
Get a map, Cambridge, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Free Hugs Boston 5/22 Boston Metro Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
I’ve seen “Free Hugs” once. It’s basically people with signs giving out hugs to strangers. At first I thought it was about suicide prevention, but it seems to be just about random goddness. 12-4pm.
Downtown Crossing and Park Street, Boston, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Charles River Moonlight Canoe 5/22 – 5/28 Metro West Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
Further up the Charles River, the local canoe rental place has regular night events, for 3 days every full moon. They start this week and go all summer.
Newton Boathouse, Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
Full Moon Canoe Trip 5/25 Worcester Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
Here’s another night canoe. I’ve never been on one, but I bet it rocks. Bring a light coat. 7:30-9pm.
Hale Reservation, 80 Carby St., Westwood, MA. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
All American Rhode Island Soap Box Derby 5/22 Rhode Island Weird Boston Events, by Johnny Monsarrat
One step up from canoeing — check this out — an actual soap box derby!! I’ve never seen one. They have a fundraiser dinner, too, with live comedy.
Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI.401-255-1049. see details on the complete Johnny’s List
And a lot more this week at the Complete Johnny’s List of Weird Boston Events, including:

Bicycle Parade, Mayor Menino’s Bike Fesitval & Bike Week, Cadillac Day @ Larz Anderson Museum, General Aviation Fun Day, Deep Sky Objects, Star Wars Day at the Higgins Armory, NERO Roleplaying Weekend, The Ghosts of Puddle Dock Come to Life, New Hampshire Renaissance Faire & Samhain Celebration, Connecticut Renaissance Faire – Spring, Hammonasset Kite Festival, Culinary Historians of Boston Banquet, Phantom Gourmet Safari, Revels: Pub Sing at Doyle’s Cafe, Belmont Town Day, Brockton Spring Carnival, Braintree Spring Carnival, Haverhill Spring Carnival, BioWatch Scavenger Hunt, Annual Beacon Hill Hidden Gardens Tour, Cape Cod Maritime Days & Chatham Maritime Festival, Motif #1 Days, Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea, Free film about the Conan The Barbarian illustrator, The Lady with All the Answers, Boston Theater Marathon, Brookline Puppet Slam, All Star Story Slam, KISS Concert tickets go on sale, and more.

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