Johnny’s List of Quirky Boston Events: 02/01/07

02/01/07 by

Hi!

I’m a little late this week; I’ve just moved into a new Cambridge apartment with a hot tub. Yow!

Plenty of weird to go around. There’s a robot competition at MIT, in Cambridge, Feb 3. Students build software-only robots and have them compete in a virtual world. Final Tournament: Feb. 3, 7PM, in Kresge. http://web.mit.edu/6.370

Also, at MIT, a topic called Charm School. All the geeks get to learn social niceties such as how to eat dinner politely, fashion sense, and how to shake hands. Check it out, it’s not like they check IDs or anything. Feb 2. http://web.mit.edu/slp/charm. Student Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA. 12-5pm. No signup required.

Not weird enough? How about the Atwood’s Tavern Bacon Eating Contest. That’s right. All the bacon you can eat. And then some. Feb 3. 877 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-864-2792. http://www.atwoodstavern.com.

Or see the Special Olympics Passion Plunge. They take mentally challenged kids and convince them that swimming in the ocean during winter is a good idea. Does that sound cruel to anyone besides me? http://www.passionplunge.org. Nantasket Beach or Indian Lake, Worcester on February 3rd and Revere Beach on February 10th!
Still not weird enough? How about meeting Mark Twain — sort of. A re-enactor will portray the famous pundit and author at, An Evening with Mark Twain, at Amazing Things, 55 Nicholas Rd, Framingham, MA, on Feb 7.

Being a surprisingly busy Wednesday, it’s also Feb 7th Vagina Monologues day. See Vagina Monologues at MIT, http://v-day.mit.edu. Cambridge, MA.

Did you hear about Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth? It’s a surprisingly non-political look at the science of global warming. They are showing it free in Newton this week because it was nominated for an Oscar. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St, Newton, MA. 617-796-1360. Free, with a discussion after the screening. Feb 3. http://www.ci.newton.ma.us.

Now, some performances.

Colin Quinn, the famous comedian, is coming to the Comedy Connection, Feb 2-3. http://comedyconnectionboston.com. 617-248-9700.

Also, catch A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Shakespeare classic, set to ballet dance. http://www.bcaonline.org. Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. 617-426-7700

“Complexions” looked interesting to me, they are a new age dance troupe, Feb 2-3, Tsai Center @ BU, 685 Comm Ave, Boston. A program of original dance set to Bach, Beethoven, Marvin Gaye, Sinead O’Connor, & others. 617-482-2595.

Also, Justin Timberlake is performing, with Pink. Feb 6. TD Banknorth Garden.

On the geeky side, go play board games at Exploit Boston Game Night, at Soul Fire, 182 Harvard Ave, Allston. 617-787-3003. 7pm. Free. http://www.exploitboston.com. Tue Feb 6.

The archenemies of game night are the high culture art socials to be found at the “First Friday” celebrations. Feb 2 at SOWA (http://www.sowaartists.com/), BCA (http://www.bcaonline.org), and MFA, http://www.mfa.org/calendar/sub.asp?key=12&subkey=73. Go drink cocktails, see art, buy art, pick up hot art students.

Recurring events, see previous blog entries at http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com. the Environmental Film Festival @ MIT continues to Feb 3, http://web.mit.edu/sfgs. Silence continues, http://www.newrep.org/a/0607/silence.html. Britannicus continues to Feb 11, http://amrep.org. The Winter’s Tale ends Feb 3, http://www.cmacusa.org/. Reefer Madness at the MIT Musical Theatre Guild ends Feb 3, http://mit.edu/mtg/www/. The African American Theatre Festival goes to Feb 11, http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=3646&src=t. And the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival goes to Feb 4, http://www.kcactf1.org.

Finally, it’s WinterJam Weekend at the Folk Arts Center of New England. http://www.facone.org/programs/program/winterjam/winterjam.htm. Fairlee, VT. Not close to Boston but if you want a folk festival, there ya go.

Finally finally, Doubt is opening, which won the 2005 Tony Award Best Play, Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and Tony Award Best Actress. Colonial Theatre, Boston. Feb 6-18. http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Have fun

-Johnny