Events INSIDER: Jan 14-22, 2013

01/14/13 by
Johnny’s Picks
Arisia Fan Convention
Here’s New England’s largest scifi and fantasy convention. Expect gaming, discussion panels, a film festival, performances, and an annual Masquerade. Arisia Fan ConventionWestin Waterfront Hotel Boston, MA, –.
Edgar Allan Poe Birthday Bash
I think Poe, one of the greatest writers ever born in Boston, deserves a little more fanfare than a few readings and a lecture. Maybe I’ll show up with a noisemaker. 3-4:30pm. Edgar Allan Poe Birthday BashBoston Public Library Boston, MA, .
Inauguration Day at Outside In the Cold at Harvard
Cantabridgians who want to watch the Inauguration with others can flock to Harvard Square: There’ll be viewing stands in front of Cardullo’s (a hot spot for Sox games) and in front of the iconic Info Booth (home of the eye catching Lumen Eclipse Outdoor Video Gallery). Inauguration Day at Outside In the Cold at HarvardInfo Booth near the Harvard subway Cambridge, MA, –.
Monday Observatory Night: ‘Explosive Universe’
Tonight at the Observatory, Edo Berger discusses gamma-ray bursts, Nature’s biggest explosions since the Big Bang. Monday Observatory Night: 'Explosive Universe'The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, .
Discover Mount Auburn: The Civil War
Learn about the people buried in this famous cemetery and their connection to the Civil War. 1-2:30pm. Discover Mount Auburn: The Civil WarMount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, MA, .
Self: Illuminated @ the CMRI
Wayne Strattman does kinetic plasma sculpture. He lit up the Borg in the new Star Trek films! There’s a major exhibition of his work this winter at the CMRI. It’s electrifying. (What would I do without bad puns?). Self: Illuminated @ the CMRICharles River Museum of Industry Waltham, MA, –.
Mid-Winter Powwow
A powwow is a Native American community event where there will be traditional dancing, drumming, singing, and Native American food and crafts. This is one of the best Powwows in the state Or, at least, it used to be. Haven’t been in several years! Mid-Winter PowwowThe VA Hospital Bedford, MA, .
New England Sled Dog Races
Cool! Sled dog races! Hope for more snow. New England Sled Dog RacesAppleton Farms Hamilton, MA, –.
Martin Luther King Day at Kennedy Library and Museum
Lee Cabral will be reading folktales for the whole family in honor of MLK, Jr. No word yet if the library is also hosting Inauguration festivities. 10:30am. Martin Luther King Day at Kennedy Library and MuseumKennedy Library & Museum Boston, MA, –.
Martin Luther King Day Open House at MFA
Also, the Museum of Fine Arts is free on Martin Luther King Day. Martin Luther King Day Open House at MFAMuseum of Fine Arts Boston, MA, .
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
For the MLK Day of Service, join other volunteers in a variety of community-building activities. It’s sort of like a Volunteering Bazaar, with something for everyone. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of ServiceThe Curley School (JP) Boston, MA, .
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast
It seems awfully odd to me to have a memorial over breakfast, but, okay. Let’s roll with it. 8am. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial BreakfastBoston Convention and Exhibition Center Boston, MA, .
Somerville Maple Syrup Tree Tapping
Unfortunately, they didn’t have a public tree tapping this year, but you can enjoy the fruits- or, rather, syrup- of their labors at this Sunday brunch! Somerville Maple Syrup Tree TappingThe Independent Somerville, MA, .
MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period)
The school that never sleeps, MIT holds a month of creative classes, lectures, and special events. Almost all of these are just for the MIT community or fully registered by now (I checked), but click through to see if anything is available that might catch your fancy! MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period)MIT Cambridge, MA, –.
Integration Bee
You have to be a student to join, but I have a guess that anyone with an interest can stop by to see math in action! 6:30pm. Integration BeeMIT Room 10-250 Cambridge, MA, .
A Very Potter Sequel with MIT Quidditch!
Do you love Harry Potter way too much? And can you find MIT room 8-119? If so you’re most likely good to attend this student celebration of Quidditch! 4-7pm. A Very Potter Sequel with MIT Quidditch!MIT Room 8-119 Cambridge, MA, –.
MIT Mystery Hunt
It’s the most challenging scavenger hunt in Boston, maybe in the world! Even if you’re not an MIT affiliate, find a team to join and run around campus chasing math. MIT Mystery HuntMIT Cambridge, MA, –.
Ice Skating Party at Barrett Park
There’s free ice skating tonight in Leominster, with concessions and a bonfire. 6:30-9pm. Ice Skating Party at Barrett ParkBarrett Park Leominster, MA, .
Civil Disobedience for MLK Day at Walden Pond
Civil disobedience was the key phrase for Henry David Thoreau, the american author, just like it was for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! Seeing a re-enactment of Thoreau is a great way to learn youse some hist’ry. Then a short walk and hot chocolate in the art museum. 12:30-3pm. Civil Disobedience for MLK Day at Walden PondWalden Pond Concord, MA, .
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday at Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove is the world’s largest naval museum and for MLK Day, they’ll play a film and run scavenger hunts. Also, there’s a carousel, a helicopter, a submarine, and more! I called to confirm this. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday at Battleship CoveBattleship Cove Fall River, MA, .
Martin Luther King Day at Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village has dozens of historical re-enactors — a whole town full of them! For MLK Day they have a storyteller re-enacting ‘Honoring a Slave Heroine: The Mumbet Story’. Trust me, OSV is always worth a visit! Martin Luther King Day at Old Sturbridge Village Sturbridge, MA, .
Wenham Museum’s Model Railroad and Hobby Show
Are trains still cool? I thought airplanes and spaceships were more the thing! This show has tons of displays and 75 dealer tables, plus half off admission at the Wenham Museum itself. 10am-4pm. Wenham Museum's Model Railroad and Hobby ShowBuker School, School Street Wenham, MA, –.
Wachusett Mountain Polar Dip
People will dive into cold water to raise money for charity at Wachusett Mountain. Insanity. Can I just write a check? 1-3pm. Wachusett Mountain Polar DipWachusett Mountain Princeton, MA, .
Also Fun
Jared Diamond- The World Until Yesterday
You probably know him best as the scientist who wrote ‘Guns, Germs, and Steel.’ Tonight at 7:30pm, the Pulitzer Prize winner reads from his latest book, which is about ancient societies and what they tell us about culture today. And this Cambridge Forum event is free! 7pm. Jared Diamond- The World Until YesterdayFirst Parish Church in Cambridge Cambridge, MA, .
New England International Auto Show
Got the need for speed? Here is one of two HUGE auto shows coming up this month. Even if you can’t afford to buy, it’s still fun to look. New England International Auto ShowBoston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA Boston, MA, –.
New England Book Festival
Looking to write a book or get one published? In conjunction with the annual contest and awards ceremony, today the NEBF will be offering lectures all day to help you get started in your career. It’s a good place to have a literary event! Charles Dickens once stayed at the Omni-Parker. New England Book FestivalThe Omni-Parker Hotel Boston, MA, .
Splash for Us – a night of community learning and teaching
Splash is the MIT student group that teaches high school (and adult education) courses on a variety of topics. Be chill and you can most likely take part, MIT affiliate or not. Splash for Us - a night of community learning and teachingMIT Bldg 2 Cambridge, MA, .
: A Documentary Film on the Media and the Price of Celebrity
This new documentary is an unflinching criticism of the modern ‘celebrity’ and the price that people pay for fame. : A Documentary Film on the Media and the Price of CelebrityThe Regent Theatre Arlington, MA, .
Dead of Winter: Satan on Screen
What do a Bergman comedy (oxymoron!), an ’80s fantasy flick, a musical, a Polanski classic, and a creepy Danish silent film have in common? Satan. This delightfully devilish series of 13 films at the Brattle shows the surprising range of movies in which Beelzebub lords over the proceedings. The selection of movies is killer. Definitely something here for everyone. Dead of Winter: Satan on ScreenThe Brattle Theatre Cambridge, MA, –.
Paul Olson: Drawn to the Woods
Illustrator Paul Olson presents his sketches and paintings of the flora and fauna at the Arboretum. There’s a reception with the artist from 1-3pm, then he’ll give a talk about his work at 7. Paul Olson: Drawn to the WoodsThe Arnold Arboretum Boston, MA, .
Winterfest Weekends at Fruitlands Museum
This museum has a slope called the ‘OMG Hill’! It’s not really a ‘festival’ if it lasts 6 weeks, but they’ll have bonfires, sledding, ice skating, and snowshoes. Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-4pm. It would be a good idea to call ahead, since there may be last-minute cancellations due to the weather. Winterfest Weekends at Fruitlands Museum Haverhill, MA, –.
Concord Museum is Free
The Concord museum is free on Sundays this month, and a Pulitzer-prize winning author and historian put together this exhibition on Concord’s 125th Anniversary. 1-4pm. Concord Museum is FreeConcord Museum Concord, MA, –.
Jared Diamond- The World Until Yesterday
We like Jared Diamond so much we’re listing his New Hampshire event, too! 7:30pm. Jared Diamond- The World Until YesterdayThe Portsmouth Music Hall Portsmouth, NH, .
Charleston/Chaplin: 1920s Style
Think the 1920s were just the bee’s knees? The Peabody-Essex is hosting a flapper party! Learn what makes a flapper a flapper from a fashion historian, watch a Chaplin film, and learn how to do the Charleston. 6:30-9:30pm. Charleston/Chaplin: 1920s StylePeabody Essex Museum Salem, MA, .
Warming Winter Soups
Can’t cook? You should learn! It’s fun, and you’ll save tons of money. Here’s a soup workshop, just the thing for the cold winter weather. 3-6pm. Warming Winter SoupsAppleton Farms Hamilton, MA, .
Human Rights Film Festival
The Peabody-Essex Museum hosts an annual Human Rights Film Festival in honor of MLK, Jr.’s Day and the upcoming Black History Month. 6 films are on the roster; check it out and learn something new. Human Rights Film FestivalPeabody Essex Museum Salem, MA, –.
Martin Luther King Day at the Providence Children’s Museum
The Providence Children’s Museum is offers a myriad of programs today to honor MLK, Jr. and teach young ones about this great man. 11:30am-4pm. Martin Luther King Day at the Providence Children's MuseumProvidence Children’s Museum Providence, RI, .
Watercolors in Nature
Do you like to paint? Why not try this watercolor class at the Audubon? You’ll need some instruction- watercolors are tricky! Watercolors in NatureBroadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary Natick, MA, .
Performance
Review: The Memorandum
FlatEarth theatre’s latest is a very promising-looking production of Vaclav Havel’s absurd comedy, which ‘lampoons the bureaucratic appropriation of language.’ All shows at 8pm. Review: The MemorandumArsenal Center for the Arts Watertown, MA, –.
Review: Invisible Man
An idealistic young African-American man searches for identity and his place in the 1930s. Click for our review! Review: Invisible ManAvenue of the Arts / BU Theatre Boston, MA, –.
Vinegar Tom
Here’s a play about witchcraft in 17th century England Only, it’s a Caryl Churchill play, so it’s going to be postmodern and cool. Expect an edgy performance with lots of movement and song. Vinegar TomBoston Center for the Arts (South End) Boston, MA, –.
The Yankee Peddler at Puppet Showplace
This original shadow-puppet show is based on lesser-known New England folk tales. It seems there may be Sea Shanty sing-a-longs! Bonus. I strongly advise you to get tickets in advance: The theatre seats less than 100. The Yankee Peddler at Puppet ShowplaceThe Puppet Showplace Theatre Brookline, MA, –.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
This year, Imaginary Beasts is staging the Legend of Sleepy Hollow for their annual winter ‘panto.’ It’s a British thing; sort of like a cross between a vaudeville show and a fairy tale play. Pantos are always family-friendly and involve audience participation, mainly shouting. The Legend of Sleepy HollowBoston Center for the Arts Boston, MA, –.
Verdi’s Requiem
2013 is the bicentennial of Giuseppe Verdi’s birth, and the BSO is celebrating with a performance of his epic Requiem Mass. All performances at 8pm. Verdi's RequiemSymphony Hall Boston, MA, –.
Cavalli’s Artemisia
The mission of this new opera company is to stage little-known early works that more conventional companies are too afraid to touch. Their latest production is the North American premiere of Artemisia, a 1657 comedy by Francesco Cavalli. Keep an eye out for our review! Cavalli's ArtemisiaCenter for the Arts at the Armory Somerville, MA, –.
Joyful Noise w/ the Harlem Gospel Choir
I don’t normally list concerts, but this one’s more of a community event than most concerts, and Martin Luther King Day is thin this year. If Boston is holding an official celebration, they buried it and I could not find the listing. It’s traditional to stand, clap, and even join in. Fun! 7:30pm. Joyful Noise w/ the Harlem Gospel ChoirSanders Theatre Cambridge, MA, .
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert
Generally I do not believe that children should perform music for anyone but their parents. But heck, a concert taking place at the New England Conservatory might be quite good! Two shows, 2pm and 7pm. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute ConcertJordan Hall Boston, MA, .
Boston Chamber Music Society Winter Festival
They call it a forum, and a festival, but this seems a lot like a concert, one which I’m sure you can attend whether you’re at MIT or not. 1:30-6pm. Boston Chamber Music Society Winter FestivalMIT Kresge Auditorium Cambridge, MA, .
Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen
This traditional Irish concert, lovingly dubbed ‘an open-mic tribute to the sea,’ is so good it sells out every year. Be sure to get your tickets in advance! 6:30pm. Gathering of Fiddlers and FishermenCommon Fence Music Portsmouth, RI, .
Travel
‘The Woman Who Fell from the Sky’
Tom Lee is a storyteller for grownups, and tonight he’ll be telling the Iroquois creation myth ‘The Woman Who Fell from the Sky.’. 'The Woman Who Fell from the Sky'The Mark Twain House & Museum Hartford, CT, .
Chris Stedman: Faithiest
Author Chris Stedman reads from his book ‘Faithiest: How an Athiest Found Common Ground with the Religious.’ This sounds great! I love it when the secular and religious communities play nice with each other. Chris Stedman: FaithiestThe Mark Twain House & Museum Hartford, CT, .
Open Cockpit Sunday at NEAM
Climb into the cockpits of up to 10 vintage aircraft, a full-motion flight simulator, and the Flight Sim Spot. There will also be model demonstrations and hands-on stuff for kids. 10am-4pm. Open Cockpit Sunday at NEAM Windsor Locks, CT, .
Greater Tuna
This parody of small-town life down South is played by two actors in a myriad of roles. Looks hilarious! Greater TunaPortland Stage Portland, ME, –.
SnowCon
Games, games, games. Whether it’s board games or live-actionroleplaying, this con’s got it all. SnowConBlack Bear Inn Bangor, ME, –.
Stowe Winter Carnival
Ice carving competition — I’d love to try that! And snow volleyball… Awesome. Stowe Winter Carnival Stowe, VT, –.