Events INSIDER: Sep 9-17, 2013
09/08/13 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Giveaways & Features
Win: Billy Currington at the House of Blues
I have 2 tickets to this. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win! Boston, MA, .more
Win: The YardbirdsLegends of the 60s British Invasion
This is a performance with two of the original Yardbirds. Here’s where we all scream of excitement! 7:30pm I have 4 tickets to this. Email jhonny@eventsinsider.com to win. Arlington, MA, .more
Win: King Richard’s Faire
It’s New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance Festival. It’s fun, and you should come! I’m giving away 2 more pairs of tickets this week. Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win! Carver, MA, –.more
Outdoor movies!
Nobody lists more outdoor movies in New England! I track 97 different series with more than 400 shows, and most of them are free! To see them, go to Events INSIDER, select your region on the map, and then scroll all the way to the bottom.
Events INSIDER, select your region on the map, and then scroll all the way to the bottom.” /> All Over, , –.more
Outdoor Theatre!
I list more outdoor theatre than anyone else in New England! I track 75 performance series. That’s more than 600 shows, some of which are free! To see them, go to Events INSIDER, select your region on the map, and then scroll all the way to the bottom to see them.
Events INSIDER, select your region on the map, and then scroll all the way to the bottom to see them.” /> All Over, , –.more
Johnny’s Picks
Brazilian Independence Day Festival
It’s Independence Day for a country that *really* knows how to party: parade, live music, and the usual kids stuff like balloon animals. It’s free! Boston, MA, –.more
Lebanese Day
Any excuse to eat falafel and baklava is a good enough excuse for me to go to City Hall. 11am-7pm. Boston, MA, .more
Project MUM
OMG — that’s Outdoor Music Groove! It’s a dance party with a theme: Super Cosmic Space! 8pm. Rain or shine. Somerville, MA, .more
South Boston Street Festival
You will find a ton of vendors, different musical performances and even Irish step dancing. 11am-5pm. Boston, MA, .more
MassCann Freedom Rally
This ‘green’ concert will probably make you feel spacey! It’s also a political movement to legalize marijuana (whatever, man). Sat 12pm-8pm. Sun 12pm-6pm. Boston, MA, –.more
Map, compass and Survival
In this event, you learn to use a map to wander the wilderness. As for me, I’ll use the GPS in my mobile phone. 8am-6pm. Westminster, MA, .more
Mercedes Day at the Larz Anderson Museum
Who is this Mercedes, and why does the museum have a full day dedicated to her? Gotcha, I know it’s cars! 10am-3pm. Brookline, MA, .more
Somerville Dog Festival
There will be multiple events at this one, but I’d go to the Dog/Owner Look-a-Like Contest. am-3pm. Somerville, MA, .more
Harvard Fall Festival
Oh, this one has jousting, knife throwing and trebuchet challenges. Comes with rides for kids, a BBQ and live music. Harvard, MA, –.more
Diamond Aviation Expo
Everyone is welcome to this aviation expo. There will be flying lessons, speeches, displays and more! 9am-6pm. Stow, MA, .more
Fish Box Derby Race
Kids and home-built high speed vehicles. What could go wrong? Cars and drivers must be present for check-in at 10am. Gloucester, MA, .more
Billerica’s Yankee Doodle Homecoming Festival
More fireworks! It’s still summer! They also have a parade, games, eating contests and more! Billerica, MA, –.more
NorthEast LSA Expo
Air crafts on display, vendors, food, free admission… does not that take you to cloud No. 9? 9am-6pm. Lawrence, MA, .more
EAA 196 Fly-in
Another fly-in this week! Well I guess you can attend to the closest one, all of them are fun fun fun. 10:30am-3pm. Berkley, MA, .more
Legio III Cyrenaica Roman Legion
Nice, it’s a Roman living history group! Come to the museum and say hi to the soldiers. 2pm. Worcester, MA, .more
stART on the Street
They claim this is the largest arts festival in central Massachusetts. And they could be right, featuring over 200+ artists & crafters, 10 live bands, street performers, kids activities and a food court. 11am-6pm. Worcester, MA, .more
Nauticon
Less nerdy but WAY more adult is this convention in the heart of Cape Cod’s gay community. This year it’s all about Hawaii! Provincetown, MA, –.more
Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival
This cranberry festival is a nice surprise. It’s hard to base an entire festival on cranberries, but they seem to be up for it, including craft vendors and music. Harwich, MA, –.more
Public Stargazing
When you look at the stars, do they look back at you? Come to public stargazing events, every Friday in September and October! 6pm. Charlestown, RI, –.more
Harvest Festival at Coggeshall Farm Museum
Here’s another living history museum, but this one’s set in 1799! I’m sure it’s worth a visit, and their fair has all the flavor of the 18th century. Bristol, RI, –.more
Providence Roller Derby
It’s like women wrestling in a mud pit, without the pit. And they’re on roller skates. The Mob Squad take on The Old Money Honeys! 5pm. Providence, RI, .more
Chase Farm Reenactment
A civil war re-enactment to celebrate the anniversary of the War of Northern Aggression. It’s in Wakefield, so it’s easy to get to. Lincoln, RI, –.more
Wings of Freedom Tour
Upgrade to airplanes as this show tours New England. You can walk through a historic aircraft for $12, go for a flight for $425, or learn to fly it ($2200 for 1/2 hour, $3200 for an hour)! All Over, , –.more
Events INSIDER Corn Maze Guide
I also track 42 cornfield mazes in New England, many of which have events at night! To see them, go to Events INSIDER, select your region on the map, and then scroll all the way to the bottom.
Events INSIDER, select your region on the map, and then scroll all the way to the bottom.” /> All Over, , –.more
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! All Over, , –.more
Find 16 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). All Over, , –.more
Also Fun
Pick You Own Apples – Where to Go
Somehow I found this list of apple picking locations in Massachusetts. My favorite? Davis Farmland. All Over, , –.more
Contra Folk Dance – Beginner’s Night
Contra is a social dance that gets you interacting with everyone who comes and is easy to pick up. This event seems even more geared to newbies. 8-10:03pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
Greater Boston Theatre Expo
More than 50 Greater Boston theatre companies of all styles and sizes will unite in one place. go there, talk to them and maybe event get tickets to their shows for free! 5:30-7:30pm. Boston, MA, .more
Bee Day at Harvard
This event has all the buzz! Talks and movies about how important bees are to us humans. But let’s be serious, the honey tasting is what sounds REALLY interesting. 1pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
Eating with the Ecosystem
You will probably eat seafood you’ve never heard about before, or not. There will be guest speakers too. 6pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
From the New England Sea-serpent to Loch Ness
It’s a lecture by Adrian Shine, who has been researching Loch Ness for nearly 40 years. There will be amuse-bouches!. 5:15-10pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
SerbFest
This is the only Serbian festival I’ve ever heard of in New England. It’s church-related but comes with folk dancing and grilled meat. Cambridge, MA, –.more
Barefoot Walk in the Park
Footwear is optional at this race (clothes are not). Feel free and run across different places in Boston. Boston, MA, –.more
Roxbury’s Main Streets bike tour
If you don’t feel like walking, then try this bike tour to the four corners of Roxbury. 10am. Boston, MA, .more
Chowder Cookoff
Go to Spectacle Island and help decide who makes the best Chowder in town! 12pm. Boston, MA, .more
Family Fall Festival
This event has a BBQ, a petting zoo, one hot-air balloon and more activities, mostly for kids. 12-6pm. Hudson, MA, .more
Boston Festival of Indie Games
Come to this festival and play that video game you have never heard about! Also, meet game creators. 10am-10pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
Farm Day at Franklin Park Zoo
This zoo will become a farm for a day, so you don’t have to travel. How thoughtful! 10:30am-3pm. Boston, MA, .more
Sunday Fun in the Park
The Esplanade Association kicks off their Sunday Fun in the Park Series, free community days for the entire family, by which they mean kids, of course. 2-4pm. You can sail a fish off the docks, direct an R/C boat and play outdoorsy games. Boston, MA, .more
Movie Night: California Forever
It’s the screening of a movie that deals with the history of California State Parks. Somehow, the Olmstead family had to do with it. 6:30pm. Brookline, MA, .more
Salem Excursion
Yay! Let’s all go on a guided tour to Salem! It costs $50, though. 9:30am. Boston, MA, .more
Science on Screen: Memento
The Science on Screen in back to Coolidge Theater. This time, Memento is the featured film. A speaker will also be present. 7pm. Brookline, MA, .more
Oktoberfest Salem
I love Salem, but I have to admit it sickens me when Oktoberfests reduce the entire German culture to ‘let’s get drunk on beer!’ Also, this event takes place in September, not October. Wake up, people! Get a calendar! Salem, MA, .more
Paint Out
Join in the excitement as artists paint pictures before your eyes. Or arrive late and watch paint dry. 9am-1pm. Wakefield, MA, .more
Essex Graveyard History Tour
Visit an Essex ancient cemetery, where personalities form the past will share stories with you. 2-4pm. Essex, MA, .more
Teen Short Film Festival
Watch a bunch of short films shot by teenagers with smart-phones. 7-9pm. Fitchburg, MA, .more
Folk Art Quilt Show
Another Quilt show, but this one is not inspired by planes. This one shows folk art, and that’s good too! Narragansett, RI, –.more
Jimmy Fund Cars and Copters
OK, so these guys now have 1800+ cars and two dozen helicopters… Where do they get so many vehicles? 9am. Plymouth, MA, .more
The Big E
Whoa, it’s 17 days of fun activities. The big E has parades, a super circus, live music and more! West Springfield, MA, –.more
Salle d’Armes Class
Learn the proper way of wielding swords and other super deadly weapons. Every Saturday 10:30am. Worcester, MA, –.more
Wachusett Valley Folk Festival
This music festival helps local charities and strives to preserve the joy of music. Lancaster, MA, .more
Roots N’ Bluegrass Festival
Lots of Roots, lots of Bluegrass… It’s a music festival with multiple performances. And it’s free! 2-8:30pm. Sturbridge, MA, .more
Moonlight Canoe for Adults
Dusk is a wonderful time to be on the water Enjoy a relaxing paddling trip. 6:30-8:30pm. No kids allowed! Princeton, MA, .more
RI / CT Day at Southwick’s Zoo
This time it’s the turn of people with Rhode Island or Connecticut IDs to get a free admission when they buy another at the largest zoo in New England. Mendon, MA, .more
Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market
Come get healthy food. Your local farmer and your body will thank you. Oh, it’s a craft market too. 9am-1pm. Pittsfield, MA, .more
Josh Billings Run Aground Triathlon
Lots of running, biking and paddling, then a dinner & party to celebrate this big race! 12pm. Great Barrington, MA, .more
Berkshire Food Festival
Stroll around Main Street, grab a bit, enjoy the live music. Not much else. 12-4pm. North Adams, MA, .more
Ten Days of Art
It’s ten days of art, and talks about sea creatures, water, waves, sand & land, sky and art. With music, sometimes. Provincetown, MA, –.more
Murder Mystery Dinner Train
Return to the high school years of Prom Queen and gym coaches. Come in school clothes for a death as awkward as your senior photo. 6:30pm. Hyannis, MA, .more
Tivoli Day
Lots of vendors and food. The cool thing about this event is watching antique bikes around, of course! 10am-6pm. Oak Bluffs, MA, .more
Performance
Review: The Libertine
It’s a musical play presenting at The Stanford Calderwood Pavilion from 9/7 to 9/22. Hit the link to read my review! Boston, MA, –.more
Ghosts of Jupiter: Music Experience.
This band is releasing a self-titled album, and the celebration includes visual show that rivals with Led Zeppelin’s laser spectacle. WHOA! Boston, MA, –.more
Mix Fest
WHAT? Is it 1999 again? The Backstreet Boys will be live on stage! 1-8pm. Boston, MA, .more
Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony
With real Nobel laureates as guests, the Ig Nobels are the phony comic awards given to real scientists for bizarre and funny research. Not super fancy, but worth seeing if you like science. 6pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
Ig Nobel Prize Lectures
Wait, there’s more. The Ig Nobel Prize winners will attempt to explain what they did, and why they did it. 1pm. Cambridge, MA, .more
Arts in Conversation
Elements Theatre Company will present Yasmina Reza’s Tony Award-winning play The God of Carnage, then there will be a panel discussion named ‘The Importance of Live Theater in Our Culture: The Art of Making Humans More Human.’ 5:30pm. Boston, MA, .more
Desire Hassler and Jamie Hillman: Guest Artist Recital
A vocal and piano recital with Desire Hassler, a multiple award winner soprano. 7:30pm. Wenham, MA, .more
Travel
Oakland Beach Tuesday Cruise Night
Come to this car show, happening every Wednesday at Oakland Beach. With food, music and cars, of course. Warwick, RI, –.more
Classic Car Cruise nights
Yup, it’s a classic car show, open to the public. Only 1980 and older models allowed. 5:30pm. Westerly, RI, –.more
Pawtucket Arts Festival
It’s a month of performances, shows and more! Don’t miss the Big Nazzo Puppets and Dragon Boat Races! Pawtucket, RI, –.more
Newport International Boat Show
Not only boat races. This one has hands-on skills training and international exhibitors. Newport, RI, –.more
Misquamicut Fallfest Weekend
This festival has 5K races, classic car shows, a petting zoo and rides by Rockwell Amusements. Westerly, RI, –.more
Frosty Drew Public Stargazing
These guys open the dome and let you watch the stars with them. They tend to stay until dawn. WHOA! 6pm. South Kingstown, RI, .more
Civil War Re-Enactment: ‘Road to Richmond’
I love Civil War re-enactments. It’s a cool way of learning some history! Lincoln, RI, –.more
BoldrDash Race
It’s a military-style obstacle race with multiple difficulty levels. They encourage you to show how bold you can be! Exeter, RI, –.more
Free Family Fun Day
Hey, it’s free admission to the Environmental Education Center. There will be crafts, games for kids and hikes. 9am-5pm. Bristol, RI, .more
Wickford Harbour Fest
The main event is the Wickford Cup Race, but there are also food trucks, games and live music. North Kingstown, RI, .more
Bring Your Own Improv – Family Friendly Improv Comedy Show
Join improv shows, or just applaud at the different performances. Even the audience gets to interact at this event. Cool! Warwick, RI, .more
A Bison Adventure
It’s a wagon ride through a field full of bison. Sounds really fun, and adventurous. Saturdays only. Brooklyn, CT, –.more
Pick your own Apples
Fresh apples, anyone? Come to this farm, pick your own and give them a home (that is, your belly). Southington, CT, –.more
Apple Harvest Festival
Apples! Apples! Come get your fresh apples! Pick your own to bring home. 9am-5:30pm. Sharon, CT, –.more
Hermann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions
These horses are capable of executing the ‘Airs Above the Ground’ maneuvers. That sounds complicated, and cool! Essex, MA, –.more
Fall Bird Walks at Hammonasset Beach State Park
I hope these birds have their papers at hand. It’s bird migration season and you can see them flying during this walk. Every Saturday. Madison, CT, –.more
FBRA Annual Meeting & Pie-Baking Contest
It’s the FBRA’s annual gathering, and they have a pie-baking contest. OMG! GET ME THERE! Fairfield, CT, .more
Connecticut Schooner Festival
You will find boats racing, a chowder challenge, public theatre performances and much more. New London, CT, –.more
Four Town Fair
If a fair is organized by four towns, fun should be four times greater, don’t you think? Somers, CT, –.more
1st Annual Great Mac & Cheese Challenge
Try different mac and cheese variants, as prepared by top chefs in the area. Then, vote for your favorite. 4pm. Windsor, CT, .more
From the Earth and the Sea: Clambake and Drumming Fundraiser
Enjoy traditional indigenous foods of lobster then listen to the sounds of Native drumming around the campfire in their replicated Algonkian Village. 6-8pm. Washington, CT, .more
Comedy Night Season Kicks Off
This is the first of five comedy nights. The lineup includes 2 experienced comedians and even a former hip-hop dancer. 8pm. West Hartford, CT, .more
Antique Tractor & Engine Show
Tractor rides for everyone! These guys will have a parade and multiple exhibits. Haddam, CT, –.more
Arts & Crafts Festival
This one is just an art & crafts market. Soooo, if you feel like buying some stuff… 10am-5pm. Simsbury, CT, –.more
Killingly Cooks and The Great Killingly Tomato Festival
It’s a farmers and craft market. Kids will have the chance to make crafts with tomatoes, and there will be a 5K race. 9am-4pm. Danielson, CT, .more
Pumpkin Harvest Festival
Come get your pumpkins, you’re going to need them for Halloween! 9am-5:30pm. Sharon, CT, –.more
Coastweeks Rowing Regatta
Watch the boat races, and then go for a tour at the museum. 7am-2pm. Mystic, CT, .more
Norwich Auto Show
This car show comes with a LEGO building contest, and a flea market. 8am-3:30pm. Norwich, CT, .more
Simsbury Fly-In and Car Show
600 airplanes and cars, 10,000 visitors, formation flying, parachutists, hot air balloons. Should I say more? 8am-3pm. Simsbury, CT, .more
‘Flights and Fantasies’ Quilt Show
Find a bunch of Quilts inspired by flight in fairy tales and fantasy stories. The event is included with your admission ticket to the museum. Windsor Locks, CT, –.more
End-of-Summer Garden Party
Food and live music, which sounds good to kiss summer good-bye. It costs $75, though. 5:30-8:30pm. Hartford, CT, .more
Art After Dark: Happy & The Moonshine
It’s a good thing this is a concert because appreciating visual art becomes harder after dark. 6-8:30pm. Mystic, CT, .more
Old Barkhamsted Day
It’s a free event, and you will learn how people used to get the stuff we use on a daily basis. 1pm. Barkhamsted, CT, .more
New Portland Lions’ Fair
WHAT? No lions? At least we have fireworks, midway rides, food, music and a demolition derby. New Portland, ME, –.more
Crossroads International Celtic Festival
Multiple concerts on a series of venues, all featuring Celtic music. There will be dancers and storytellers too! Stratton, ME, –.more
Oxford County Fair
This fair has a well organized schedule. Each day has something cool for everyone, like horse racing or demolition derbies. Oxford, ME, –.more
Battle of the Bands for Acadia Hospital Foundation
Several bands will play so you can dance. Then, you will vote for your favorite. 7-10pm. Bangor, ME, .more
Annual Car Show at Old Orchard Beach
A 90 minute drive from Boston separates you from this great car show. It takes place on a beach, so it’s worth it. 2013:. Old Orchard Beach, ME, –.more
Trail’s End Festival
It’s not just 3 days of music. There will be a classic car & motorcycle show, and a 5K race. Millinocket, ME, –.more
Open Lighthouse Day
Hundreds of people visit lighthouses along the Maine coast during this day. It’s Open Lighthouse Day! Their website shows all participating venues. All Over, , .more
Annual Family Jamboree
It’s a rain or shine free event with hay rides, food, crafts and games for kids. 11am-3pm. Wells, ME, .more
Shaker Hill Apple Festival
This one has wagon and antique car rides, museum tours and games for the kids. Not bad at all. Alfred, ME, –.more
City-Wide Historic Tour on Molly the Trolley
Holly Molly guacamole! It’s Trolley rides! They’re 3-hour historic rides around town. 9am-12pm. Presque Isle, ME, .more
Celebrate Bowdoinham Festival
Enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at night, but first join the 5K race, or join the parade. 8am. Bowdoinham, ME, .more
Farmington Fair
They have the usual stuff at a fair: Animal pulling, midway rides and food. Farmington, ME, –.more
Rochester Fair
Demolition buses! There’s an unlimited rides midway, and food, and music, and pig racing… and I could go on and on. Just go and have fun! Rochester, NH, –.more
Railfans Day at The Cog Railway
Museum tours and train rides. Fun fun fun! 8am Reservations required. Bretton Woods, NH, .more
Airport Awareness Day
Come learn all about airports. Teenagers get to fly with pro pilots! 10am-3pm. North Haverhill, NH, .more
One-Lunger Engine and Antique Tractor Day
Old tractors and one-lunger engines will be running at this show. Bring yours! 9am-1pm. New London, NH, .more
White Mountain Central Railroad Days
The Railroad Days event is the only time multiple Steam Loco’s are viewable. Three LOCOS will be going crazy this time. Lincoln, NH, –.more
Civil War Home Tour
It’s a tour of a Civil War era house, with private readings of Edwin Boyer’s book. 1pm. Freedom, NH, .more
Pride Vermont
The parade will be held on Sunday Sep 15th. But they will have events during the whole week. Burlington, VT, –.more
Archaeology Month Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
I will be disappointed if there is anything less than Indiana Jones shenanigans this weekend. 1-3pm Every Saturday. Vergennes, VT, –.more
Killington Hay Festival
Holy crap, bro. They make sculptures out of hay bales and PAINT them! Killington, VT, –.more
The Tunbridge Fair
This one has live music, multiple animal contests, carnival rides and much more. Apparently, the main event is a Swine Show. Tunbridge, VT, –.more
Open Mic a Artistree
Like to sing in front of others? This is the event for you! 7-9pm. You can come and just watch, or course. Woodstock, VT, .more
Annual Bennington Car Show
This is 3 days of cars, cars and more cars. There will be games, music and food too. Registration required for the ones who want to bring their car. Bennington, VT, –.more
Northern Decadence Vermont
This is a food and travel expo that shares the spotlight with Vermont Pride Festival. Burlington, VT, .more
Explore a Shipwreck Without Getting Wet
Go for a trip under water, and don’t get wet! Is that even possible? 11:30am-12:30pm. Vergennes, VT, .more
Outdoor Theatre
| Outdoor Theatre & More – click map above to set region | Mon 9/9 | Tue 9/10 | Wed 9/11 | Thu 9/12 | Fri 9/13 | Sat 9/14 | Sun 9/15 | Mon 9/16 |
| Tango by MoonlightCambridge, MA | F | |||||||
| Sunday Parkland GamesCambridge, MA | S | |||||||
| Putnam’s RiverfirePutnam, CT | M | |||||||
| Shakespearean Revival!Hartford, CT | S | |||||||
| Much Ado About NothingCambridge, MA | W | S | S |
Outdoor Movies
| Outdoor Movies – click map above to set region | Mon 9/9 | Tue 9/10 | Wed 9/11 | Thu 9/12 | Fri 9/13 | Sat 9/14 | Sun 9/15 | Mon 9/16 |
| Movies on the Roof DeckNewport, RI | W | |||||||
| Movies on the BlockProvidence, RI | R | |||||||
| Family Movie Night Under the StarsSandwich, MA | M | |||||||
| Forg Pond Movie NightsBoston MA | F |
Cornfield Mazes
Outdoor Concerts
| Outdoor Music – click map above to set region | Mon 9/9 | Tue 9/10 | Wed 9/11 | Thu 9/12 | Fri 9/13 | Sat 9/14 | Sun 9/15 | Mon 9/16 |
| Downtown Boston Brass strolling musiciansBoston, MA | W | F | ||||||
| Downtown Crossing Block PartiesBoston, MA | R | |||||||
| Ocean Beach Park Music SeriesNew London, CT | M | |||||||
| Summer Concerts at TrumbullTrumbull, CT | T | |||||||
| Waterfront ConcertsBangor, ME | F | S | ||||||
| Music at the Manse Concert SeriesConcord, MA | S | |||||||
| Westport Rivers Winery Concert SeriesWestport, MA | S | |||||||
| Alternatives’ Summer Concert SeriesWhitinsville, MA | T |




























































































































