6/9-6/16: Free Films, Pride Week, Dragon Boat & Scottish & River Fests, Parades, Block Parties, Fireworks, Jet Blue Celebration

06/09/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

If you’re not part of the Facebook group, you missed Solitary Man tickets, although I just got more for TONIGHT. And I have tix for Cyrus and Karate Kid for tomorrow, please email me at johnny@EVENTSinsider.com and tell me how you’re getting the word out to everyone about this blog. 🙂

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-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Free movies: Cyrus and Karate Kid and Solitary Man		6/10	Boston Metro
Cryus is a new comedy by John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, and Marisa Tomei and they’re doing a special Q&A with brother directing team, Jay and Mark Duplass. That’s 7pm at the Kendall Square theatre in Cambridge (but come an hour early to get in). I also have ONE ticket to Karate Kid with Will Smith’s son and Jackie Chan on Thursday at the Boston Common theatre at 7pm. Tell your friends about EVENTSinsider.com and then email me to get tix! ALSO TONIGHT I have tix for Solitary Man!!! Email me! Various, Cambridge & Boston. more
Jet Blue’s Record Break & Ticket Giveaway Celebration		6/10	Boston Metro
Get this! Jet Blue is holding a festival where you try to “set a world record”, like juggling airplane bags of cashews, imitating an airplane, and a single breath captain’s announcement. The winners all get free roundtrip airplane tickets and a vacation getaway! Dan Rollman of the Universal Record Database will be there, and here THE BIG SECRET: this event was hastily prepared and thus won’t be that well attended. This means you PROBABLY have a REAL SHOT at winning one of the vacations! 10am-2pm. They’ll have karaoke, Wally the Green Monster, and more. Copley Place at Dartmouth St. (across from Back Bay Station), Boston, MA. more
Scooper Bowl (world’s largest ice cream festival)		6/8 – 6/10	Boston Metro
The Scooper Bowl continues! You pay $8 for charity, and it’s all-you-can-eat ice cream from the best vendors. I went once and ate so much ice cream I nearly hurt myself. It’s the biggest event of its type in the world. Yum! 12-8pm daily. Boston City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA. more
Boston Pride Week		6/4 – 6/13	Boston Metro
This is the big week for Gay Pride, with parades Friday & Saturday, a festival, three block parties, a comedy show and dance party. My god!! I wish I were gay! Oh wait, everyone’s invited! Awesome! Various, Boston, MA. more
Bunker Hill Day (Parade, Re-enactment)		6/13	Boston Metro
OMG! This may be the LAST Bunker Hill Parade. Apparently they cut funding for 2011. I gotta admit it. I have never even seen the monument. Well, this time I will have to go. The parade honors the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. There’s a ceremony at the monument at 10am, and some kind of parade. Charlestown, MA.617-242-5652. more
Boston Dragon Boat Festival		6/12 – 6/13	Boston Metro
What’s even better? Dragon boat races. But wait! That’s not all. The festival along the Charles River also comes with a lion dance, martial arts demonstrations, Japanese drumming, live music, and Chinese yo-yo. So it’s a real festival, not simply a boat race. Take that, Head of the Charles! Dance and music performances all day. Charles River, Cambridge, MA.617-426-6500 x78. more
Rhode Island Highland Scottish Festival		6/12	Rhode Island
You would have to be crazy not to go to this Scottish festival. Trust me, these people KNOW HOW TO PARTY and there’s a fantastic level of energy and ethnic pride to be seen. You can expect tons of dancing, music, and odd athletics, such as a boot toss and sheep dog demonstrations. They’ll have booths for all the clans, and the Society for Creative Anachronism, and competitions of all sorts of music, dance, and wacky sports like a haggis hurl. (I really hope that’s hurl as in throw and not hurl as in vomit.). Washington County Fairgrounds, Richmond Townhouse Rd., Richmond, RI.401-596-5849. more
Riverfest		6/12 – 6/13	Metro West
This ‘festival’ is really a loosely related series of events — but a ton of them! — from the Concord area, up to Billerica and Lowell. You’ll find boat rides, sculpture walk, river walk, music, canoe trek, scavenger hunt, nature walks and a bunch more on their website. Various, Concord, MA.617-223-5225. more more
WHY ARE YOU NOT AT THE SCOTTISH FESTIVAL?		6/12	Rhode Island
Look, didn’t I say to go to the Scottish Festival? So why are you still reading this blog? Just go! Richmond, RI. more
Boston Harbor Islands Free Ferry Day		6/14	Boston Metro
And now you have no excuse whatsoever. Get out there and explore the Boston Harbor Islands, because the ferries are free 9am-6pm. One Long Wharf, Boston, MA.617-223-8672. more
Riverfest History, Art, Music & More at the Old Manse & National Hawthorne Society Summer Meeting		6/12 – 6/13	Metro West
While you’re there, stop by the Old Manse, a historic home, for this free mini-festival, with music, tours, and talks on writers Emerson and Hawthorne. 2010: 10am-6pm. 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA. more
Summer Fest @ Elm Bank		6/11	Metro West
Also in the area is a fair in Wellesley. They claim to have an entire science fair, outdoor theatre, an art gallery, moon bounces, breakdancing and martial arts performance, and lots of participatory stuff like an “olympics”. 3:30-8:30pm. 141 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA. more
Quincy Flag Day Parade and Celebration		6/12	Boston Metro
It’s my American right to be ignorant and proud of it. So I have no idea what Flag Day is, but I like parades, and I love fireworks! The parade starts at Coddington Street in Quincy and goes down Hancock Street to Pageant Field. Parade 7pm then a fly-over and live music and fireworks at 9:15pm over Blacks Creek. Pageant Field, Quincy, MA. more
Dedham Flag Day Parade		6/14	Boston Metro
This parade doesn’t look as big, but it starts at 6pm. Dedham, MA. more
Annual KONE Regional Kite Competition		6/12	North Shore
Don’t be fooled. This isn’t just a bunch of guys and kites. OK, it is. But some of the kites are amazing! Like flying lobsters and seriously huge Chinese box kites. And they’ll have competitions. It turns out that flying a cheap kite from the toy store is not that easy. Come and have one of the pros show you how it’s done. 9:30am-4:30pm. Rain date next day. Nahant and Lynn Beach (Long Beach Reservation), Lynn, MA. more
Kite Festival @ Lawrence		6/12	Northern Mass
And here’s another event where you can learn to make a kite, and they’ll have trolley rides, a live animal area, and the usual food, music, games, and facepainting. 11am-3pm. Pemberton Park, Lawrence, MA. more more more
Silver Kingdom Renaissance Festival		6/12 – 6/20	Worcester
I love the summer: The weird just keeps going! There’s more than one renaissance festival in Massachusetts. Here’s an alternative one just past Worcester. 10am-6pm. 120 Northside Rd, Charlton, MA. more more
King Williams War at Rebecca Nurse Homestead		6/12 – 6/13	North Shore
What was King Williams War anyway? Find out — this is the only event I’ve heard of that re-enacts it. 149 Pine St., Danvers, MA.978-774-8799. more
The Jane Austen of Roxbury — A Re-enactment & Tour		6/13	Boston Metro
This special cemetery tour focuses on a rich woman from Roxbury in the wayback era. Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, MA. more
Abigail Adams Meets Captain William Smith		6/13	Metro West
But personally, I’d pick this event in Lincoln, re-enacting the former first lady from Massachusetts, Abigail Adams. Captain William Smith house – Rt. 2A, Lincoln, MA. more
Corvette Day @ Larz Anderson Museum		6/13	Boston Metro
I have sweet spot in my heart for anything they do at the Larz Anderson Museum on the lawn. Go see some cars before General Motors becomes passe. 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547. more
Annual Back to the Beach Corvette Weekend		6/10 – 6/13	Maine
How likely is this? It’s another Corvette weekend. If I have an ancient corvette, how do I know where to go? Synchronize your schedules, guys! Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME.207-934-2500. more
World Naked Bike Ride Day		6/12	Vermont
Let’s face it. We just can’t compete with Vermonters for weird. Also in Montpelier. Burlington, VT. more
Taste of Fort Point Channel		6/10	Boston Metro
I think I’d rather sail. But can ya do it NAKED? Free event with free sail boat rides 11:30am-1:30pm. 12-1:30pm. Boston, MA. more
Colonial Re-enactment in Newbury		6/12 – 6/13	North Shore
I’m not actually sure this is happening, but if it were — awesome. Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury, MA. more
Gaspee Days Colonial Encampment, Fireworks, Parade		6/11 – 6/13	Rhode Island
A colonial encampment is when re-enactors set up tents like a real military would have done in the field. That’s all weekend, plus they’ll have fireworks on Friday 6/12, a parade 6/13 at 10am. Sounds like a blast. Pawtuxet Park, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, RI.401-781-1772. more
Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival		6/11 – 6/13	Rhode Island
Also in Warwick, they claim that 50,000 people will come to this crafts show, with live music and pony rides, with 150+ exhibitors. Pawtucket Village, Warwick, RI. more
Greek Fest Woburn		6/11 – 6/13	Boston Metro
Are you Greek? Would you like to be? Want to ask what’s under all those fig leaves on statues? Attend this small timey but solid festival and find out. See website for coupons. Church 70 Montvale Avenue, Woburn, MA.(888) 394-0909. more more
Worcester Irish Music Festival and Boiled Cabbage O’Lympics		6/11 – 6/13	Worcester
This music festival comes with an olympics where you kick a boiled cabbage. Go figure. Worcester, MA. more
Also Fun
Waltham Riverfest		6/11 – 6/12	Boston Metro
What is it with the all these river festivals in one week? Free. Music, dancing, entertainment, circus, moonlight canoe tours, etc. Fri 6-9pm, Sat 10am-4pm. Moody Street & Various, Waltham, MA. more
Shelburne Falls Riverfest		6/12	Western Mass
Totally separate, I believe, is another river festival, this time in Shelburne. They’ll have live music, environmental demonstrations, live birds of prey to see, and a kids parade that charitably they have invited adults to join. Shelburne Falls, MA. more
Duck Race on the Charles River		6/12	Boston Metro
Now this is what I’m talkin’ ’bout! Hunt wild ducks, catch some, and make ’em race! Oh wait, they’re rubber ducks. Well, they’ll have pony rides and facepainting, too. Riverdale Park, Dedham, MA. more
Be Our Guest: Free Summer Evenings at the Concord Museum		6/16	Metro West
Thanks for the free admission, Concord Museum! 200 Lexington Road, Concord, MA.978-369-9763. more
Stuart Street Block Party		6/13	Boston Metro
I picked up this flyer saying “the only block party in town!”. 12-8pm. Stuart Street, Boston, MA. more
JP Block Party		6/13	Boston Metro
And then I turned it over to find: another ad for another block party in town. 12-7pm. Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. more
Wakefield Festival By the Lake		6/12	North Shore
This festival is a bunch of arts vendors by the shore, but it’s still worth a visit I bet. 10am-4pm. Wakefield, MA.781-246-WCNA. more
St. Anthony’s Feast in Cambridge		6/11 – 6/13	Boston Metro
I used to live near this church, where they have a street fair every year. 400 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, MA. more
Boston GuitarFest		6/9 – 6/13	Boston Metro
Workshops and guitar competitions. New England Conservatory, 290 Huntington Ave.,, Boston, MA. more
New England Fiddle Contest		6/12	Connecticut
This one looks a little more layman-friendly. And it’s outdoors, so it’s better. Manchester, CT.860-236-4445. more
Southern Connecticut Renaissance Festival		5/29 – 6/13	Connecticut
The Ren Faire in Connecticut continues. Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT. more
Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival		6/10 – 6/13	Connecticut
Also in Connecticut, but in nearby Mystic, they’ll have seven stages for sea chanteys and more. Mystic, CT. more
Singing Games with Roomful of Teeth		6/12	Western Mass
Why do I suspect when it says “all ages welcome” it means “kids will have fun, but adults bored to tears!” But hey, Mass MoCA is fantastic so you just gotta go. Museum o’ Contemporary Art, 87 Marshall St, North Adams, MA.413-662-2111. more
Sommerfest		6/12 – 6/13	Metro West
The summer version of the German Oktoberfest. Ethnic food and polka music. Kids games, pony rides, wait a sec: they’ll have target shooting? The Germans are having target shooting? Is this for kids or for everyone? 8 County St, Walpole, MA.508-660-2018. more
Day of Portugal Festival Weekend		6/11 – 6/13	Southern Mass
Boston isn’t the only place with a “North End”. Visit New Bedford and learn about the history of the Portuguese, including a re-enactor who plays a military man from 1760 who became important in the American War of Independence. Make sure to buy some Portuguese Sweet Bread! No really!! Eat up! New Bedford, MA.508-997-7928 or 508-990-3703. more
Randolph Country Fair		6/9 – 6/13	South Shore
Fiesta Shows continues to bring their traveling carnival around, to Randolph…. Randolph, MA. more
Boys & Girls Club Family Fun Festival		6/9 – 6/13	Boston Metro
… and to Newton. Newton, MA. more more
Bike to the Sea Day		6/13	Boston Metro
Meet in Malden, and bike to Nahant Beach. They have a shorter ride for kids, just 10 miles. Adults go 18 miles. Dockside Restaurant, 229 Centre St., Malden, MA. more
An Evening of Personal Narrative		6/11	Boston Metro
Humorous and true stories from gifted storytellers for adults. $10. 7-9pm. Lily Pad, 1553 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA.617-395-1393. more
Blue Zones: Secrets of a Long Life		6/11	Boston Metro
But I’d rather go to this talk about longevity that might add eight years to your life! 7pm. $15. Museum of Science, Cambridge, MA.617-723-2500. more
Strawberry Park Cajun/Zydeco Festival		6/10 – 6/13	Connecticut
This is an all-weekend thing where you camp out. Preston CT. more
Roots on the River 10		6/10 – 6/13	Vermont
And this one is similar. Bellows Falls, VT. more
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival		6/4 – 6/13	Vermont
Do you like jazz? Do you like Vermont? Here ya go. Various, Burlington, VT. more
Vermont Days		6/12 – 6/13	Vermont
And this weekend, get free admission to all State-owned Historic Sites and day use at all State Parks. All Over. more
Block Island Annual Music Festival		6/8 – 6/13	Rhode Island
This one is free and includes free barbecue. Sounds like a great excuse to check out the island. Captain Nick’s, Ocean Avenue, Block Island, RI. more
MFA Classic Noir Summer Party		6/12	Boston Metro
The MFA is having a summer party. 8pm-12am. Last year’s event was sold out. You’ve got to do a lot more than open your museum at night and tell me to dress up to extract $150, even if it is for charity. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.617-267-9300. more
10th Anniversary Celebration		6/15	Boston Metro
OMG. You people want $150 too? Well, it would be cool to meet Tom Ashbrook from WBUR. What if I just show up in a uniform and pretend to be a busboy? Cambridge, MA. more
Secret Gardens of Cambridge		6/13	Boston Metro
Rich people want to show off their gardens, but I have to pay $20? Ah well, it’s for charity. 10am-4pm. Cambridge, MA. more
Performance
The Shimmy Collective		6/13	Boston Metro
Now this is a fundraiser I’d like to see! It’s only $10 and features burlesque dancing. Take that, MFA and Charles Conservancy! YMCA Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Naked		6/2 – 6/19	Boston Metro
You’ve seen Shakespeare. You’ve seen it over and over again. So theatre companies go a little nuts trying to present new ideas, like having everyone dress up as Planet from the Apes and doing Shakespeare. Well.. This one has no apes. But they’re naked. The idea is that when the Fairies frolick in the woods, they REALLLLLLLY frolic and they want to show that. Contemporary Theatre of Boston, BCA Plaza Theatre, Boston, MA. more
The Lady with All the Answers		5/13 – 6/26	Boston Metro
Did you know that advice columnist Ann Landers helped get the National Cancer Act passed? Or that her competitive sister was Dear Abby? This one-woman act combines comedy and drama, and I’ve just seen it at the new theatre in Central Square. It’s moving and brilliant. You learn a lot and actress Do yourself a favor and actress Stephanie Clayman engages the audience with such questions as, How long have you been married? And How should toilet paper be hung? The real Ann Landers got thousands and thousands of letters and now it’s your turn to join in her poll on American life and advice. GO SEE IT NOW. Central Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Johnny Baseball (Red Sox musical with real baseball park food)		5/16 – 6/27	Boston Metro
This is the world premiere of Johnny Baseball, a musical about the Red Sox! As you can guess, it’s about reversing the “curse”, but it’s also a brainy commentary on racism. They’ll even have an Italian sausage vendor and beer and wine sales on the patio, so come for dinner, too! I’ve seen it and am not sure what to think. Yes, it was good. But a story about racism should be set in the south and feature black people. This is a story focuses on a white baseball player in Boston who wants to intermarry. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Mummers Concert		6/12	Boston Metro
What the hell is a mummers concert? Please god oh please let it involve mummies!! Well, it probably doesn’t, and they didn’t reply to my email. You figure it out! 6pm. Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown, MA. more

Outdoor Theatre, Music, & Events

I maintain the largest list of outdoor music and outdoor theatre (and movies, but none of those happen this week) in New England, tracking nearly 120 summer concert series. Here’s what’s up this week!

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