Events INSIDER: Feb 18-26, 2013

02/17/13 by
Giveaways & Features
My Business Lecture on ‘Super’ networking
Did you know I sometimes give business lectures? This one’s called Plucked from Obscurity: How to Get a Cash Rich Ally to Talent Scout Your Business to Funding Success. 6:30pm. My Business Lecture on 'Super' networkingMicrosoft NERD Center Cambridge, MA, .
The American WHO Sensation and Stairway to Zeppelin
I don’t normally list musical events but a tribute to The Who and Led Zepellin deserves it, right? 5:15 and Stairway to Zepellin, both Boston-based tribute bands, will take over the stage and rock like the English stars that make Queen Elizabeth want to bang her head. Gently, of course. The American WHO Sensation and Stairway to ZeppelinJohnny D’s Somerville, MA, .
Find 17 New England Regions on Twitter
Hey! I’ve split my Twitter feed into 17 regions so that you can REALLY get just the events close to home, or pick what you like. Please check it out and add me to a ‘Twitter list’ too (google it). Find 17 New England Regions on Twitter All Over, , –.
Get the 2013 New England Guide
Mention my website to friends and get my 2013 New England Guide, with 1,200 off-beat destinations including dinosaur footprints, zoos, ziplines, where to go stargazing, and where to find an indoor water park in December! Get the 2013 New England Guide All Over, , –.
Ultimate Guide to Sledding Locations near Boston!
We have snow and you’re never too old for sledding, especially with this ultimate list of sledding hills near you! Ultimate Guide to Sledding Locations near Boston! All Over, , –.
Johnny’s Picks
Eddie Izzard: Humanist Lifetime Achievement Award
Comedian Eddie Izzard gets the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Others that have won this same prize, given by humanists, atheists and agnostics at Harvard, include Salman Rushdie, Joss Whedon and Jamie Hyneman (of the hit show Mythbusters). Eddie Izzard: Humanist Lifetime Achievement Award Cambridge, MA, .
Lowell WinterFest
Fireworks, bowl soup competition, snowman competition, and a human dog sled championship, the most popular winter sport this year apparently. Lowell WinterFest Lowell, MA, –.
Longfellow Birthday Celebration at Mt. Auburn Cemetery
Here’s an indoor lecture about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Then walk into the cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony and birthday cake. It’s free. 10-11:30am. Longfellow Birthday Celebration at Mt. Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, MA, .
Black History Month Celebration
February is Black History Month, but there are few celebrations to mark it. This is one of them, with dance and music performances by local youth groups. 3pm-5pm Free for all! Black History Month Celebration Boston, MA, .
School Vacation at Franklin Park Zoo
Did you know the Franklin Park Zoo is open all winter? See animal presentations with gorillas and otters. You otter! School Vacation at Franklin Park ZooFranklin Park Zoo Boston, MA, –.
Frigid Phrases on the Rose Kennedy Greenway
Feeling creative lately? Come play Frigid Phrases and show everybody the poet that lies within you AND you get to keep a pair of kick ass handmade gloves! Frigid Phrases on the Rose Kennedy GreenwayWharf District Parks, near Aquarium T stop Boston, MA, .
National Engineers Week
School vacation week means even more interactive workshops at the Museum of Science, Boston for the Edison in you or your kid! Warning: the robot you build may take over the world and enslave humankind. National Engineers WeekMuseum of Science Boston, MA, –.
Lunar New Year Festival
Happy Year of the Snake! You don’t need to speak Parseltongue to have a good time, Quincy HS will have lots of music and dance to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Although the venue is a high school, the promotion is top rate and I would bet it’s worth a visit. And it’s free! 10:30am-4pm. Lunar New Year FestivalHigh School Salem, MA, .
Total Confusion
GAMES, GAMES, GAMES. This claims to be the largest gaming convention in New England, but it’s not the largest fandom/geek convention. It’s all about roleplaying, miniatures, and board games for kids and mostly adults. Total ConfusionHoliday Inn Mansfield, MA, –.
Attleboro Winter Night Festival
Oh Attleboro Carnival, you had me at Snowzilla, the giant toboggan run. They’ll have a bonfire, drummers, and fire jugglers, and it’s free! 5-9pm. Rain date the next day. Attleboro Winter Night FestivalAttleboro Museum Attleboro, MA, .
Octo Weasel! Ice Weasel VIII
Snow bear pits, melees and a woods battle. Also, a Greek Byzantine food fest that must be good, because if there’s one thing ancient civilizations knew how to do was building temples and bingeing on delicious appetizers. Octo Weasel! Ice Weasel VIIIKing Philip Lodge Foxboro, MA, .
Princeton Winter Carnival
This town carnival also looks fun and all proceeds will benefit Playground Project at Thomas Prince School – A cool opportunity to seize the winter AND also help a nice educational project. They will have a cardboard sled race too! Princeton Winter Carnival Princeton, MA, –.
Star Wars Night
There’s really not much one can write about a Star Wars night as it speaks for itself, but yeah, there’s going to be a really cool event at the Tsongas Center featuring the ULowell River Hawks and Boston University. Don’t forget to bring your light saber, young padawan! Star Wars NightTsongas Center Lowell, MA, –.
Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show
Gardens start in the Spring, so this trade show has to happen before Spring arrives. And with so much snow covering -everything- around us, it’s nice to have a little color for a change. Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden ShowRhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI, –.
Illuminated Garden
Parks with lights are sort of a December thing, so here’s an original thought — a night stroll with winter lights in February! 6-9pm. Illuminated GardenHazard Road at Wickham Road Newport, RI, –.
Newport Winter Festival
This festival features a Beatles tribute band, ice sculpting, a scavenger hunt, a polar plunge, food cook-offs, a kids festival, and it’s a great excuse to visit Newport in the off-season. Make sure to tour the historic mansions, too. Newport Winter Festival Newport, VT, –.
Also Fun
The New England Home Show
If you own a home, here’s where you can learn about remodeling, decorating, and housewares — they’ll have an entire crafts show. It’s the largest home show in New England. The New England Home ShowSeaport World Trade Center Boston, MA, –.
WinterFest North Adams
The WinterFest in the (KING! -sorry, I can’t hide my Game of Thrones fandom sometimes) City in the North! Horse drawn wagon rides, ice-sculpting and more. 10am-4pm. WinterFest North AdamsWestern Gateway Heritage State Park North Adams, MA, .
Full Moon Tour: Living in the Dark
Before there was electric lighting, people had to use infrared vision and sonar to get around. Come explore this 19th century adaptation at this historic home. 7:30pm. Full Moon Tour: Living in the Dark Waltham, MA, .
Hip Hop Dance Festival
It’s breakdancing, b-boying, popping, freestyling, and hip hopping! It’s a festival and only costs $2. What’s not to like! Awesome! 2pm-3pm. Hip Hop Dance FestivalBaldwin School Cambridge, MA, .
Constant Tango
Dance into the world of Tango with this great exhibit, where you can also take a free tango lesson and try argentine empanadas: Need I say more? Constant TangoCaf Tango Somerville, MA, .
USS Constitution Museum Model Show
This model show is free, but they haven’t listed what times to go to actually meet some of the model builders and do a workshop. So, call. Otherwise, it’s basically an exhibit open all day every day. USS Constitution Museum Model ShowUSS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard Building 22 Boston, MA, –.
Snowshoe Tours at the DeCordova Museum
The DeCordova, my favorite museum in New England, is giving a snoeshow tour. You get a lesson by a trained Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) instructor. Make reservations in advance! Snowshoe Tours at the DeCordova Museum Lincoln, MA, .
A Call to Arms
No drones, no guns and no fights at this Civil War educational event. Don’t let the world ‘educational’ mislead you, learning about past events, traditions and life at the darkest of times is not only enriching but fun when it’s through games and challenging activities. A Call to ArmsWhaling National Historical Park New Bedford, MA, .
Merrimack Winter Carnival
Yay! Snowman-building contest and an ice fishing derby. You can also try to teach your Mr. Frosty how to fish, but I can’t guarantee you he’ll learn or share the prize with you if he wins. Merrimack Winter Carnival Merrimack, NH, .
Wolfeboro Winter Carnival
The typical Winter Carnival: bonfires, dogs sled races and curling. Good ol’ snowy fun. Wolfeboro Winter Carnival Wolfeboro, NH, –.
Winter Film Festival
13 mini films, all great stories.Frequently, local filmmakers are in attendance and are available for discussion after the screening. Winter Film FestivalMarblehead Little Theatre Marblehead, MA, .
Cajun and Zydeco Mardi Gras Ball
Get your beads ready! Practice your flashing skills! Here’s another ball, this one with a Mardi Gras theme. Lovely! 6-11:59pm. Cajun and Zydeco Mardi Gras BallRhodes on the Pawtuxet Cranston, RI, .
Oscars
Oscar Gala at Brattle Theatre
Everyone’s excited about the Academy Awards, which you couldn’t get a seat to even if you did live in California. Please don’t be fooled by local bars that do nothing but put it on the television. Instead, try going to a classy event like this live broadcast to the Brattle Theatre. Oscar Gala at Brattle TheatreBrattle Theatre Cambridge, MA, .
Glitz Glam Give: Oscar experience
Didn’t get your invitation to the Oscars? Be treated like a star as you mingle with local celebrities, civic leaders, film buffs and philanthropists at this fundraising event. Glitz Glam Give: Oscar experienceThe State Room * 60 State Street Boston, MA, .
Oscar Night Hartford
This one’s for charity, too. 7pm. It’s $50 or $100 for VIP admission. Oscar Night HartfordThe Mark Twain House Hartford, CT, .
RIIFF Providence Oscar Night America Celebration
They say they’re ‘one of only 46 sanctioned Oscar parties’. Gee, what happens if you’re not sanctioned? 7:45 pm. RIIFF Providence Oscar Night America CelebrationThe Vets Providence, RI, .
Performance
Review: The Glass Menagerie
There hasn’t been a decent Tennessee Williams production in Boston for a while. Bonus? This one stars Cherry Jones from ‘Doubt’ and Zachary Quinto from Star Trek. Yes! Click for our review. Review: The Glass MenagerieThe American Repertory Theatre Cambridge, MA, –.
Review: The Last Will
Not a play BY Shakespeare, but ABOUT Shakespeare! Now that’s interesting. Weds & Thurs @ 7pm, Fri & Sat @ 8pm, Sat & Sun @ 3pm. Review: The Last WillModern Theatre Boston, MA, –.
Oops! Story slam at Club Passim
Nope, this is not about that Britney’s song. Share a funny story of something that made you say ‘OOPS!’ and wish someone else’s pants dropped off near you to draw the attention away from your major woopsie. Oops! Story slam at Club Passim Cambridge, MA, .
The Good Person of Setzuan
The author planned to call the play The Product Love (Die Ware Liebe), meaning ‘love as a commodity’. This title was a play on words, since the German term for ‘true love’ (Die wahre Liebe) is pronounced equally. A musical with some heavy philosophy. The Good Person of SetzuanFort Point Theatre Channel Boston, MA, –.
Travel
Cabin Fever Festival and Charity Chowder Cook-off at Olde Mistick Village
Olde Mistick Village is basically a shopping mall, and you shouldn’t get too excited about 27 local restaurants serving up chowder samples. But do get excited about the nearly aquarium and living history museum, and they’ll have entertainment and stuff like police K-9 dogs. 12-4:30pm. Cabin Fever Festival and Charity Chowder Cook-off at Olde Mistick VillageOlde Mistick Village Mystic, CT, .
OFFSITE retreat
This weekend retreat sounds like the perfect plan for those who really want to take a break from their everyday routine and explore their crafty side. It’s kind of like the big, colder brother of an artistic summer camp. OFFSITE retreatIsabella Freedman Retreat Center Falls Village, CT, –.
Connecticut Flower and Garden Show
I’m not a gardener, but I went to one of these shows once and it was surprisingly entertaining. They’ll have wonderful dioramas, and entire mini-garden basically, on show. Connecticut Flower and Garden ShowConnecticut Convention Center Island Pond, VT, –.
Full Snow Moon Walk
Ah, walking around a beautiful natural wildlife sanctuary under full moon light is just what the doctor should prescribe. It is also a great opportunity to take some really breathtaking pictures of the mysterious animals that roam this land. And no, I don’t mean lycans. Full Snow Moon WalkManatuck Preserve, Barnes Road Sturbridge, MA, .
Colin’s Crew Plunge
Crazy people jump into the water to raise money for charity. Go watch! 1pm, but show up early if you want to register to participate. Colin's Crew PlungeWest Haven Beach Westford, MA, .
Bethel WinterFest
Winterfests are a dime a dozen in New England, but this is the only one that’s got an honest-to-goodness SNOW VOLCANO. Bethel wins. The volcano itself will be set up on the 16th, but there’s lots of other stuff happening too in this month-long festival. The usual. Bethel WinterFest Bethel, ME, –.
Winter Carnival in Old Orchard Beach
What? No human dog sled race this year? Oh, well. Nothing lasts forever. Except Winter, that does seem to last an eternity. So make the best of it and sled away on the fun races this town fest has planned. Winter Carnival in Old Orchard Beach Old Orchard Beach, ME, –.
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks – Ludlow
More fireworks… And a parade! 7:30pm. Torchlight Parade and Fireworks - LudlowOkemo Mountain Ludlow, VT, .
Middlebury College Winter Carnival
Snow sculptures competitions, ski races, fireworks and hot chocolate. And, of course, a Winter Ball. Middlebury College Winter Carnival Middlebury, VT, –.
Brattleboro Winter Carnival
A torch lighting, snowmobile and hay rides, skateboarding competition, and more outdoorsy fun you’ll find here! Brattleboro Winter Carnival Brattleboro, VT, –.