Halloween theatre, Roman & WWII Air re-enactments, Edgar Allan Poe, Guy Fawkes Bonfire

10/07/09 by Johnny Monsarrat

Here’s your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Oktoberfest and Honk! Parade to Harvard Square	10/9 – 10/11	Boston Metro
The event of this week is a creative procession of an all-brass band. The event starts with a procession from Davis Square at 12pm down to Harvard Square, where they’ll have a carnival with a hot air balloon on Cambridge Common, six stages of music, over 200 artist vendors and 50 food vendors, and it’s free! 12-6pm. Rain date: next day. Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.617-491-3434. more
Boston Monster March	10/24	Boston Metro
I’m very excited! I’ve added a carnival to this event, which I’m running and will be the biggest festival in Boston in October. We’ll have 2 mechanical bulls, 3 huge inflatable obstacle courses, a triple bungee run, a giant slide, a velcro wall, an event called “human bowling”, a professional photo for you, and it’s all free to those who register and walk for the Samaritans. (Or just show up and pay a donation.) Please start a fundraising team! Please click “Volunteer” and forward the email to friends. Take a look at the new website, which now has a “Press” section and some flash movies. City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA. more more
Are You Afraid of the Improv?	10/7 – 10/14	Boston Metro
ImprovBoston does it again. How do they come up with so many creative shows? This one’s an improv comedy that’s also spooky because it’s all done in complete darkness. I really want to see it!! Wed 10/7 & 10/14 only. ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA. more
The Drachen Recruitment Experiment	10/11	Boston Metro
Also at ImprovBoston is a very very scary movie. Frankly, I’m scared just reading the title. ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA. more
A Celebration of Edgar Allan Poe	10/10	Boston Metro
Films can be more than just a film though. I was just at the Feast of Flesh, a film event, and they have so much fun with the live zombie costume contest and burlesque performances. Well, J. Cannibal is doing it again at the Brattle Theatre just before an Edgar Allan Poe film. A must see! Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Xmortis	10/9	Boston Metro
Black Cat Burlesque is also performing at Xmortis, the goth dance club you don’t have to be 21 to enter. TT The Bear’s, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA. more
Films Of Mystery & Madness: Edgar Allan Poe On Screen	10/2 – 10/13	Boston Metro
And other Edgar Allan Poe films continue. Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Boston’s Resident Snake Charmer Proudly Presents: The Odditorium	10/9	Boston Metro
The Odditorium is a fascinating series of vaudeville and circus acts that aim to please not your inner child but your inner Edgar Allan Poe. Spooky, odd, and possibly even menacing, it’s a perfect Halloween outing. You have to see it. YMCA Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
All Night Rocky Horror Rave	10/10	Metro West
What’s crazier than Rocky Horror with a theatre group re-enacting the film? Doing it in a laser tag center! And making it a small festival! Lazer Zone, 416 Boston Post Rd. East, Marlborough, MA. more
Fall Festival @ The Old Manse	10/10	North Shore
OK. Phew. A little too much weird. Let’s tone it down a notch. The Old Manse is one of New England’s finer historic homes and museums, and they’re having a festival with old-timey arts & crafts, music, and farm animals. They’ll have re-enactors tell stories about the life of real women during the Revolutionary War. The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, Concord, MA.978-369-3909. more
Harvest Festival @ Plimoth Plantation	10/10	South Shore
Plimoth Plantation is getting in a re-enactment, and it’s great just just visit anytime.You’ll see all kinds of old-timey food preparation. And pilgrims. And native americans. 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more
His Majesty`s First Regiment, Foot Guards	10/10	Metro West
My favorite national park doesn’t disappoint either, with a re-enact of what it was like to be on the Other Side, the British side! Hartwell Tavern, Rt. 2A, Lincoln, MA. more
Colonial Days at The Adams Birthplaces	10/12	South Shore
At my other favorite national park, Quincy will have a re-enactor playing Abigail Adams to tell stories of the colonial period, also. And it’s free! McYintire Mall next to Quincy City Hall, Quincy, MA. more
Roman Legion Re-enactment @ Higgins Armory	10/10	Worcester
Nobody can beat this, though. The Higgins Armory is a museum in a castle-like building featuring medieval and renaissance armor and weaponry. They have a number of fun events all year and it’s definitely worth the trip. On a single day they will have re-enactors from Ancient Rome, and a 14th century knight. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA.508-853-6015. more
Battle for the Airfield – WWII Reenactment	10/10 – 10/11	Metro West
OK, this might beat it. How about a re-enactment of a WWII airplane battle? 978-562-9182, Stow, MA. more
Mystery Dinner @ USS Constitution Museum	10/8	Boston Metro
It’s not on the website, but it’s in their events newsletter. There’s a murder mystery dinner at or near the USS Constitution, an old warship. Call to make sure it’s still happening and to reserve tickets. Boston, MA. more
Singles Night @ Connors Farm Corn Maze	10/9	North Shore
I like farms open to the public. And then you add a corn maze. And then you make it at night. And then you add… a singles event… WTF? Gotta see it! 30 Valley Road (Rt. 35), Danvers, MA.978-777-1245. more
12th Annual Guy Fawkes Bonfire	10/10	Rhode Island
Another WTF moment is… a bonfire, live music, burning an effigy, and a re-enactment of an old British execution! Who wouldn’t pay to see that… but it’s FREEEEEEEEEE. (If you can get to Rhode Island.). Andrea Hotel, 89 Atlantic Ave, Misquamicut Beach, RI. more more
River Fire @ Northern Forest Heritage Park	10/10	New Hampshire
Fire is also featured in this event they must have ‘borrowed’ from Providence, RI. As well as setting part of their river on fire, they’ll have a carnival , hayrides, and ‘entertainment’. 961 Main Street, Berlin, NH.(603) 752-7202. more
The Quest for Innovation	10/9	Boston Metro
This game is a city-wide scavenger hunt that looks eerily professional, one of these mobile device games I’ve been listing lately. You’ll learn something about local entrepreneurship, too. Boston, MA. more
One Sky One World	10/11	Boston Metro
There’s a charity with unspecified goals that encourages people to all fly kites at the same time, in places all over the world, to “celebrate peace”. It’s weird and looks fun. Call for actual locations but I bet you a dollar it’s Fort Adams Park in Newport, RI and Pope John Paul Park in Dorchester. Call for Location, Dorchester, MA & Newport, RI. more more
Stargazing at Notchview	10/10	Western Mass
While you’re looking up, might as well use a telescope. As always with telescope events, call ahead to ensure good weather. FREE. 6pm. Route 9, Windsor, MA.413.532.1631 x13. more
Fall Foliage Hiking Around New England	10/10 – 11/10	Worcester
While you’re out west, check out the Fall foliage in the Berkshires. Where’s a good place to go to see Fall Foliage closer to Boston? The closest is the Blue Hills in Canton, MA, Wachusett Mountain Reservation (which is the same mountain but a separate entrance from Mt. Wachusett Ski Resort), and the Berkshires. Or go north to Mount Monadnock in southern NH. Don’t have a car? Try the Middlesex Fells which you can get to on the subway. Or see this website for other parks. Various, Various. more more
New Hampshire Fall Festival	10/10	New Hampshire
Up in New Hampshire is one of the re-enactment villages in New England, Strawbery Banke. (Like the folks at Plimoth Plantation, they can’t spell very well.) I’ve been and it’s worth seeing, but only if you’ll be doing something else in the area also. This week they’re having a harvest festival. Tons of demonstrations of sheep dogs, oxen teams, and historic manufacturing techniques. Marcy Street, Portsmouth, NH.603-422-7514. more
Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival	10/11 – 10/12	North Shore
Too far for you? Here’s a merchant event with lots of vendors, and a few street performers, the ubiquitous face-painting, plus a scarecrow contest on Sunday. Various venues downtown, Newburyport, MA. more
Fest O’ Fall @ The Blue Hills	10/10 – 10/12	South Shore
Still too far? Here’s another festival, mainly a kids thing, with live animals and demonstration of native american historical living. Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave, Milton, MA.617-333-0690. more
Fenway Cultural Festival (Opening Our Doors!)	10/12	Boston Metro
Still too far away? Fenway is holding an eclectic series of music, dance, theater, and other cultural events in various venues, without a “street festival” component. With disparate venues, it’s only sort of a festival, but it’s free! Boston, MA. more
MFA Fall Open House	10/12	Boston Metro
As part of the Fenway Cultural Festival, the MFA offers free admission, where as well as the regular exhibits, you can dance, listen to lectures or make a clay pendant. Because nothing says Christmas to Mom like, “Look! I made you a clay pendant! It is a blob of clay on a string and I made it myself! 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Transporterfest / Volkswagon Day	10/11	Boston Metro
If I had to stay metro though, I’m sure I’d be at the Larz Anderson, having yet another auto show on the lawn at the Museum of Transporation. See a bunch of old Volkswagon bugs that were so popular in the 1970s, and more. Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547. more
Archaeology Week at Museum of Science	10/12 – 10/15	Boston Metro
It’s Archaeology Week at the Museum of Science, Boston, which features an Archaeology Activity Fair and it’s unclear whether it’s kid-friendly or kids-only-adults-bored-stupid. I’ve been to fantastic but adults-bored-stupid events at the Museum of Science. Science Park, Boston, MA.617-723-2500. more
National Cranberry Festival	10/10	South Shore
What’s so intereting about cranberries? Who cares, they’ll have fireworks! And Edaville Railroad is great fun for adults as well as kids – I’ve been there — with a ferris wheel & merry-go-round and train rides, arts & crafts, the ubiquitous face-painting, and a visit from Hello Kitty. Rt 3S to exit 6, Rt 44W 8 mi to Rt 58S. Edaville Railroad, Carver, MA.877-332-8455. more
Somerville Riverfest	10/10	Boston Metro
Last week was rained out, so Riverfest is now this Saturday! And they’ll have fireworks! Rain date next day. Assembly Square, Somerville, MA. more more
Also Fun
Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival	10/10 – 10/11	South Shore
This one’s not at an amusement park, but they’ll have juggling, pony rides, live owls, lots of vendors, and tours of a real bog. Watch out for bogey men! A. D. Makepeace, 158 Tihonet Road, Wareham, MA.508-747-7525. more more
Cranberry Festival 2009	10/10	Southern Mass
Bog tours also happen on Nantucket Island, plus hay rides and sheep shearing demonstrations. Do I get to hold the clippers? Where’s my Purell? Nantucket Island, MA. more
Fall Festival at Marshall Farm	9/19 – 10/11	Northern Mass
Marshall Farm will have a mechanical bull, a giant slide, and train rides, as well as the usual farm festival stuff like music and animals. 340 Marshall Road, Fitchburg, MA. more
Mashpee Pumpkin Carving Festival	10/10	Cape Cod
There’s a world-famous pumpkin carver at this Cape Cod event. Mashepee Commons, Mashpee, MA. more
Grotonfest	10/10	Metro West
This festival has the usual live music, artists and vendors, and lots of dance and music performance. And llamas. What about the air show? Was there ever an air show at Grotonfest or am I going insane? Legion Common, between Route 119 and Hollis Street, Groton, MA. more
Pumpkin Day @ Bourne Farm	10/9	Cape Cod
Petting zoo, hay rides, pumpkin picking, canoeing, unspecified “crafts” and the ubiquitous face-painting. Bourne Farm, 6 North Falmouth Hwy, Falmouth, MA.508-548-8484. more
Milford Great Pumpkin Festival	10/9 – 10/11	New Hampshire
There are tons of small towny festivals in New England. These are just a sampling. This one has a haunted trail! Basically a haunted ‘house’ where the house is a forest. Saves on stage building. Milford, NH. more
Warner Fall Foliage Festival	10/9 – 10/11	New Hampshire
The look of this website is tiny, but actually, they have a pretty creative schedule, with a pie-eating contest, two parades, a woodman’s contest, and a ‘midway’ which must be a carnival, right? Warner, NH.603-456-9775. more
Taunton River Folk Festival	10/9 – 10/12	Southern Mass
I might rather recommend this folk festival in Taunton, which has three indoor performance stages and plenty of participatory singing (and jamming if you play an instrument). Taunton, MA. more
Somersworth Pumpkin Festival	10/10	New Hampshire
This one looks pretty lame until you notice… they have a CATAPULT! And a bunch of other fun stuff, poorly marketed. Somersworth, NH. more more
Federal Hill Columbus Day Feast	10/10 – 10/12	Rhode Island
Go to Providence and eat, eat! In Little Italy, which they call Federal Hill, they’ll have a parade on Sunday at 12pm. It’s free. Atwells Avenue, Providence, RI. more
International Oktoberfest	10/10 – 10/12	Rhode Island
Also in Rhode Island, here’s an event which features “German food, music, and culture”. And by culture they mean food and music. And by food they mean bratwurst and beer. Newport Yachting Center, Newport, RI. more
Out of the Darkness	10/10	Boston Metro
This is a charity walk to help suicide prevention. 10am-12pm. Artesani Park, Brighton, MA. more
Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women	10/12	Boston Metro
And this one’s apparently for women. (Is there a men’s health walk?). Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
United Nations Association Film Festival	10/8 – 10/11	Boston Metro
Films from around the world. They will have a reception though and a couple of filmmaker talks, making this a real festival. Brattle Theatre & Kennedy School of Gov’t, Cambridge, MA. more
Paradise City Arts Festival (Northampton)	10/10 – 10/12	Western Mass
It’s a merchant event. It’s in Western Massachusetts. Rent a hot tub while you’re in town, from eastheaven.com. Northampton, MA. more
Halloween
Kink 101 Club Halloween Party	10/10	Boston Metro
Tis the season for Halloween parties. Here’s one of the most off-beat, this free party for people curious about sexuality. Cambridge, MA. more
Zombie Walk Salem	10/10	North Shore
Do you like zombies? Dress as one and go on a (fake) rampage! Salem, MA. more
The Retro Zombie Ball	10/10	North Shore
Much higher production quality is this zombie-themed costume ball featuring retro music from the 1970s and 1980s. Finz, Salem, MA. more
Salem Chamber of Commerce Halloween Biz Baz	10/10 – 10/11	North Shore
Or this street festival with live music, vendors, street performers. Salem, MA. more
Boo-tiful Pet Halloween Contest	10/11	North Shore
People will dress up their pets in costume. That’s not abuse, right? Salem Common, Salem, MA. more
Recurring
The Donkey Show	8/21 – 10/31	Boston Metro
I was very impressed by The Donkey Show, which is a 1970s disco dance party that you can join in, with a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. By itself, that would be worth seeing. But then they take it one level higher with special effets, and then one level higher than THAT with a twist ending. I’ve seen a lot of weird events in my time. This one is a must-see! 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. more
King Richard’s Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 – 10/25	South Shore
New England’s largest renaissance ends this weekend. Weekends & holidays only. Plenty of Ren Faire vendors and people-watching, with 8 performance stages. Only 1/3 of the acts are worth watching, but definitely see the Aerial Angels, Paolo Garbanzo, and especially the jousting! Rt 3 S to Rt 44 W to Rt 58 S. Carver, MA.508-866-5391. more
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 – 10/20	Boston Metro
Also the last weekend for the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
Recurring Events
FirstWorksProv	9/24 – 10/15	Rhode Island
This series of performances and gallery exhibitions should in no way be considered a ‘festival’. That being said, a number of the concerts look interesting. Various Places, Providence, RI. more more
Salem Halloween Happenings	10/1 – 10/31	North Shore
Salem is on the commuter rail and there’s no excuse to miss it this time of year. JUST GO. All the attractions are located near the visitors’ center. Avoid anything that looks touristy. I recommend: the Pirate Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, The Peabody Essex Museum, and catch the theatre shows at the House of Seven Gables. Rt 128N to exit 25A, Rt 114E, follow signs to visitor’s center. Park at Visitors Center and walk around, Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more more more more more
Ringling Bros. Circus (annual)	10/1 – 10/14	Boston Metro
Everybody loves the circus! I bet it’s great fun. Various. more
Pilobolus Dance Troupe	10/13	Worcester
I’ve seen this troupe and it’s truly amazing the dances that they do. A must see! Also Nov 8 in Plymouth, NH. Worcester, MA. more
Travel
Connecticut Renaissance Faire	9/26 – 10/18	Connecticut
I’ve heard this one is better and bigger than King Richard’s Faire, and it’s not too far: just 1.5 hrs from Boston. It’s just across the border into Connecticut. Raine or shine. Weekends & holidays, 10am-6pm. Woodstock, CT.860-923-0454. more
Oktoberfest Weekend @ Folk Arts Center of New England	10/9 – 10/12	Boston Metro
You have to drive all the way to Vermont for a folk dance or a harvest festival? Fairlee, VT. more