Johnny’s List of Quirky Boston Events: 08/21/08
08/21/08 by
Johnny Monsarrat
| The Week in Weird | ||
| Dancing on the Charles | Jul 26 – Sep 20 Cambridge, MA |
Aug 23 and Sep 20 are next! It’s an outdoor dance in Cambridge. Sounds great. Buy tix in advance. American Legion, 4 Gerry’s Landing, Cambridge, MA. more |
| Swim with luminous jellyfish off the Cape | Aug 1 – Aug 31 Falmouth, MA |
or Woods Hole, http://www.whoi.edu. National Marine Life Center, www.nmic.org. Near the end of August, sneak into McGansett Beach, in Falmouth. Or any public beach really. Or boat to Tarpaulin Cove. Choose a calm night, because if there’s a lot of waves there may be too much turbulence to see the jellyfish. They are non-stinging, and small, about the size of a goose egg. The creatures glow when there’s motion in the water, so if you disturb the water, such as jumping off the McGansett Beach dock, you see glowing. more |
| Caribbean Carnival Parade (Boston Carnival) | Aug 16 – Aug 23 Boston, MA |
The Boston Carnival parade is just the kind of “local” event where the enthusiasm of the performers is infectious. Parade 8/23 begins at 1:00pm at MLK Blvd &b Warren St. and ends at 7:00pm on Blue Hill Ave at Franklin Park. Various, Boston, MA. more |
| Carnival (Provincetown) | Aug 17 – Aug 23 Provincetown, MA |
New England’s gay carnival continues. 800.637.8696. more |
| Dance New England – Dance Camp | Aug 20 – Aug 31 Poland Springs, ME |
Enjoy dancing? Want to experience 11 days with no meat on the table? Here’s a retreat in Maine that will get your toes tapping. Omni Camp, Poland Springs, ME. more |
| New England Boogie – Skydiving Festival | Aug 21 – Aug 24 Pepperell, MA |
It’s the largest skydiving event in New England. And up to 300 attend. 165 Nashua Road, Pepperell, MA.978 433-9222. more |
| Schemitzun – Native American Festival | Aug 21 – Aug 24 North Stonington, CT |
Native American arts & crafts, dancing, bull-riding, singing, Nearby to the Pequot Museum. It’s about 2 hours and as close as you can get to Boston and be in Connecticut. Wintechog Hill Road, North Stonington, CT. more |
| Fireworks at Ocean Park | Aug 22 Oak Bluffs, MA |
Fireworks and concert on Martha’s Vinyard, a good excuse to visit. 2007: music starts at 8pm. Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs, MA.508-693-5380. more |
| Pi-Con Science Fiction Convention | Aug 22 – Aug 24 West Springfield, MA |
A smallish science fiction convention with the usual panels, workshops, guests, and costuming. Best Western Sovereign Hotel, West Springfield, MA. more |
| Arlington Astronomy Night | Aug 23 Arlington, MA |
Aug 23 at about 9pm. Last event April 2009. more |
| Project MUM | Aug 23 Somerville, MA |
9pm-1am. It’s an outdoor dance party!. Under the McGrath Highway, at the intersection of Washington Street in Somerville, MA, Somerville, MA. more |
| Revere Beach Kite Festival | Aug 23 Revere, MA |
9am-4pm. Rain date Aug 24. They’ll have kite making for kids and a moon bounce. I’ve been to many events like this and it’s always fun to see professionals and learn about kite flying, which is not as easy as it looks. Revere Beach, Revere, MA. more |
| Seaside Pow Wow and Festival | Aug 23 – Aug 24 Gloucester, MA |
Intertribal American Indian event featuring dancing, story telling and arts and crafts. 10am-5pm. Free. Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA.978-281-2978. more |
| Butterfly Fest @ Garden in the Woods | Aug 23 – Aug 24 Framingham, MA |
It’s the height of butterfly season, come see the butterflies and all the big bug sculptures they have. Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA.508-877-7630. more |
| Kimball Farm Corn Maze | Aug 23 – Sep 1 Haverhill, MA |
Trying to compete with Davis Farmland and the Davis MegaMaze, the Kimball Farm is hosting its own corn maze. Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more |
| Quincy August Moon Festival | Aug 24 Quincy, MA |
11am-5pm. Did you miss the Chinese August Moon Festival in Boston last week. It’s not too late! Come catch it in Quincy, with dragon dancing and lots of cute kids performing. Downtown Quincy, 1400-1600 Hancock St., Quincy, MA.617-472-2200. more |
| Cambridge Carnival Internationale | Aug 24 Cambridge, MA |
12-7pm. Or cambridgecarnival.com . Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA.617-492-2518. more |
| 1774 Town Meeting | Aug 24 Concord, MA |
The Minuteman National Park is very active with re-enactments. This one, based in 1774, is a town meeting that has just heard of the Boston Tea Party rebellion, with live re-enactors. North Bridge, Concord, MA. more |
| Also Fun | ||
| Marshfield County Fair | Aug 15 – Aug 24 Marshfield, MA |
As well as the usual fair contests, they’ll have a demolition derby and a “battle of the bands”. Route 3A at South River St., Marshfield, MA.(781) 834-6629. more |
| Winslow Farm Anniversary Celebration & Treasure Hunt | Aug 23 Norton, MA |
Every year they have an anniversary celebration at this farm and petting zoo. This year they encourage guests to dress in pirate clothing and they’ll have a treasure hunt (kids only, boo hoo!). Winslow Farm, 37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA.508-285-6451. more |
| Ice Cream Social & Barbershop Performance | Aug 23 Quincy, MA |
10:00a to 3:00p. I don’t generally record small church events but this one’s going to have a barbershop quarter performance, and I love that stuff. Plus ice cream, yum!. Hough’s Neck Congregational Church 310 Manet Ave. , Quincy, MA. (617) 479-8778. more |
| Antique and Classic Boat Festival | Aug 23 – Aug 24 Salem, MA |
Classic sailboats, powerboats, and hand-powered craft. Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm. Admission $5, free for children 12 and under. Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White St, Salem, MA. more |
| Gloucester New Arts Festival | Aug 23 – Aug 24 Gloucester, MA |
Theatre, improv music jamming and dance, sounds small but very creative. more |
| Plymouth Waterfront Festival | Aug 23 – Aug 24 Plymouth, MA |
Street festival not worth much but a great excuse to visit Plimoth Plantation and stop by. more |
| South Coast Rhode Island Open Studios | Aug 23 – Aug 24 Tiverton, RI |
Rhode Island is getting into the “Open Studios” craze. Artists open their private homes and work studios to the public. . 401-816-0000. more |
| Outdoor Movies | ||
| Outdoor Movie Night at NARA Park, Acton | Jun 13 – Sep 13 Acton, MA |
Aug 22 is “family movie night”, and Aug 28 is a free outdoor concert. more |
| WBZ Free Friday Flicks @ Hatch Shell | Jun 20 – Aug 29 Boston, MA |
Aug 22: “Grease”, at sundown. Call hotline for cancellation info. Esplanade, Boston, MA.617-787-7200. more |
| Wednesday Movies Under the Stars | Jun 25 – Aug 27 Falmouth, MA |
Aug 27: Harry Potter. Peg Noonan Park, Main Street, Falmouth, MA.508-487-3424 . more |
| Movies by Moonlight – Boston Harbor Hotel | Jun 27 – Aug 29 Boston, MA |
8/24 Citizen Kane; 8/31 The Thin Man. or http://www.bhh.com/special_eventcal.h |
| Onset Bay Movie Co – Outdoor Movies Series | Jul 3 – Aug 28 Onset, MA |
Aug 21: Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End. Aug 28: Surf’s Up. The Bandshell, behind 197 Onset Avenue, Onset, MA.508-295-9026. more |
| Neponset River Greenway Festival & Movie Series | Jul 3 – Aug 29 Dorchester, MA |
Aug 21: “Goonies”, at Pope John Paul ll Park, Dorchester. Aug 26: “Grease”, Martini Shell, Hyde Park. Pope John Paul II Park, Gallivan Blvd, Dorchester, MA.617-542-7696 . more |
| Weymouth Summer Outdoor Movies | Jul 10 – Aug 21 Weymouth, MA |
Aug 21: Open Season. more |
| City of Somerville Annual Movie Series | Jul 10 – Sep 4 Somerville, MA |
Aug 21: We Are Marshall, Prospect Hill Park, Munroe St, Somerville. Various locations, Somerville, MA.617-666-3311. more |
| Mayor Menino’s Monday Night Movies in Boston | Aug 4 – Aug 25 Boston, MA |
Aug 18: “Flushed Away. Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA. more |
| Salem Movie on the Common (part of Salem Heritage Days) | Aug 7 – Aug 30 Salem, MA |
Aug 30: “Curious George. more |
| Arlington Movie Night | Aug 23 Arlington, MA |
Aug 23: Astronomy Night. Robbins Farm Park, Arlington, MA. more |
| Audubon Society – A Night Outdoors at the Movies | Aug 21 Bristol, RI |
“Flipper� the classic 1960’s TV show and the original “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.� . Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI.401-245-7500. more |
| Outdoor Concerts | ||
| Concerts on the Common, Framingham | Jun 1 – Aug 29 Framingham, MA |
Fridays 6:30pm. 508-532-5960. more |
| Sweet Summer Nights Music Series | Jun 6 – Aug 29 Upton, MA |
more |
| MFA Concerts in the Courtyard | Jun 11 – Sep 14 Boston, MA |
617-369-3189. more |
| Special Live Concerts, Outdoors at the Boston Harbor Hotel | Jun 20 – Aug 29 Boston, MA |
70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA. more |
| Springfield CityBlock Concert Series | Jun 21 – Sep 20 Springfield, MA |
more |
| Longfellow Family Sundays Art in the Park | Jul 6 – Aug 31 Cambridge, MA |
horn music, poetry at the Longfellow Historic Site. Participatory painting, drawing. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Every Sunday June-August, poetry & classical music. Most events 4-5pm but see website. 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA.617-876-4491. more |
| Landmarks Orchestra Festival at the Shell | Jul 9 – Sep 10 Boston, MA |
7pm. Free. Every Wednesday. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more |
| Arlo Guthrie | Aug 23 Lowell, MA |
Part of the Lowell Summer Music series. more |
| Outdoor Theatre | ||
| Plays in the Park @ Georges Island | Jun 27 – Aug 29 Boston, MA |
8/22: The Apartment (1960). 8/29: The Hustler (1961). Georges Island, Boston, MA.617-223-8666. more |
| Outdoor stage at the Publick Theatre | Jul 3 – Sep 14 Brighton, MA |
THE SEAGULL, by Anton Chekhov, to Sep 7, HAY FEVER by Noel Coward, to Sep 30. Publick Theatre at Christian Herter Park, 1175A Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA.617-454-1444. more |
| Outdoor performance of Romeo & Juliet | Aug 21 – Aug 24 Waltham, MA |
Free, at a historic mansion. Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.(978) 314-6403. more |
| Recurring Events | ||
| Waterfire | May 24 – Nov 11 Providence, RI |
Providence Place, Providence, RI.401 751-1221. more |
| Folk dancing in Copley Square | Jun 3 – Aug 26 Boston, MA |
7:30pm-10pm on Tuesdays. Copley Square, by the fountain, Boston, MA. more |
| Fireworks every Wednesday @ Hampton Beach | Jun 18 – Aug 31 Hampton, NH |
Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH.603-926-8718. more |
| George’s Island Kite Day (Go Fly a KITE Day) | Jun 22 – Aug 31 Boston, MA |
Kite experts give lessons on kite-flying, fre material to build kites. Boston Harbor Islands, Boston, MA.617-223-8666. more |
| Murder Mystery & Evening With the Astors @ Beechwood Mansion | Jul 3 – Oct 30 Newport, RI |
Come for the Murder Mystery Dinner, or for the Big Band Dance, with lessons beforehand. 401-846-3772. more |
| Arts on the Arcade | Jul 9 – Aug 27 Boston, MA |
Mondays & Wednesdays only, 11am-3pm. 617-635-3911. more |
| Civil War Re-Enactment on Georges Island | Jul 13 – Aug 24 Boston, MA |
Georges Island.Join the spirit of Dr. Charles Macgill of Hagerstown, Maryland, in a stroll through Fort Warren as he reminisces about his confinement here as a political prisoner during the Civil War. Dates: July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24. No civil war encampment in 2008. Boston Harbor Islands, Boston, MA.617-223-8666. more |
| Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre @ Salem Cross Inn | Jul 25 – Sep 19 West Brookfield, MA |
Interactive murder mystery dinner theatre. 260 West Main Street, West Brookfield, MA.508-867-2345. more |
| Perseids Meteor Shower | Aug 12 – Aug 25 Everywhere |
I tried to see the Perseids but I chose a place with too many lights at night. You really need to get to a beach or a very large field with no streetlights. It’s too late to catch the peak but they do continue through August 25. more more |
| Performance | ||
| The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | Aug 12 – Aug 31 Beverly, MA |
It’s a musical about kids in a spelling bee. North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA.978-332-7200. more |
| Marc Cohn & Suzanne Vega | Aug 28 Barnstable Town, MA |
Get your tickets early! About 90 minutes from Boston. Cape Cod Melody Tent, 21 W Main St, Barnstable Town, MA. more |
| Road Trip | ||
| Champlain Valley Fair | Aug 23 – Sep 1 Essex Junction, VT |
A distant but good fair, they will feature Garrison Keillor recording A Prarie Home Companion, a demolition derby, Ted Nugent, a tractor pull, and more. Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT.802-878-5545. more |
| Maryland Renaissance Festival @ Silver Springs | Aug 23 – Oct 19 Crownsville, MD |
I’m told it’s the best Renaissance Faire on the east coast and worth a trip. Crownsville Road, Crownsville, MD. more |
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-Johnny