Johnny’s List of Quirky Boston Events: 12/15/08

12/15/08 by

This week’s a little thin so I’m going to start encouraging you to go skiing in the next post! 🙂

-Johnny


The Week in Weird
Everyone Loves Latkes Party – with Storytelling and Klezmer Music Dec 20 Boston Metro
It’s Christmastime but you can still avoid it if you want to! OK, not really, but this might help: a free latkes event in Harvard Square. A latke is a potato pancake, from Jewish Eastern Europe. Also dancing to klezmer music! 1-3pm.
Winthrop Park, JFK St & Winthrop St, Cambridge, MA. more
Boxborough Winter Solstice Sunrise Dec 21 Metro West
7am-8am. This one sounds really beautiful. At a state park, get up early and watch the sun rise through stone structures that are possibly of Native American origin.
Half Moon Meadow Brook, Depot Rd, Boxborough, MA.(978) 443-5588. more
Solstice Celebration @ Arcadia Dec 21 Western Mass
And they’re also doing it at Arcadia National Park, which is out in Western Mass. These people are smart about attendance and doing it for sundown, 5:30-8:30pm.
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, 127 Combs Road, Easthampton, MA.413-584-3009. more

Ho Ho Holidays
Illuminations Tour (Xmas Lights in Somerville) Dec 20 Boston Metro
The holiday event of the week is in Somerville, where you can take a 45 minute trolley tour around town to look at the most decorated houses. I’ve been and highly recommend it, but you need to buy a ticket in advance. And although it’s the best metro attraction, if you’re willing to drive outbound, any of the holiday light attractions is better. They will also have caroling and refreshments.
Somerville City Hall, Somerville, MA. more
Holiday caroling – Loose Canon Chorale Dec 21 Boston Metro
My favorite Xmas Caroling group this week is coming up Sunday. 4pm. RSVP appreciated.
Meet at Stony Brook MBTA stop, 180 Lamartine Street, Boston, MA. more
Winter Solstice in Legend and Song Dec 19 – Dec 21 Boston Metro
There will also be sing-along moments during this concert which is old-timey folklore based rather than pop jingle based.
Charlestown Working Theatre, Charlestown, MA. more
Caroling at Weston Public Library Dec 17 Metro West
Or, if you want to stay inside, west of the city, visit the library in Weston, which will have live musicians accompanying. 7pm.
Weston Public Library, Weston, MA. more
Holiday Brunch Sing Along Dec 20 – Dec 24 North Shore
Also inside, and while eating food — even better! — is this event at Rockafellas, which is a restaurant. Probably smart to reserve ahead for this one.
Rockafellas, Salem, MA.(978) 745-2411. more
ImprovBoston Holiday Spectacular: What the Dickens!?! Dec 18 – Dec 27 Boston Metro
Also if you’re a little tired of the holidays, ImprovBoston will be lampooning the Season of Shopping, Dec 21 @ 8pm, Dec 22, 23, 29 @ 8pm & 10pm.
Cambridge, MA. more
Holiday Handjobs Dec 19 Boston Metro
This is a strangely named arts and crafts sale. I don’t normally list commercial events, but this one has a social, a festival air to it and will appeal to the quirky nature in you.
VFW, 371 Summer Street, Somerville, MA. more

Recurring Events
Christmas by Candlelight @ OSV Dec 12 – Dec 21 Worcester
You can also join in the caroling here, and learn about the history of Xmas at this 19th century re-enactment village. They’ll have both modern Santa and old-timey Father Christmas. 5-9pm.
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA.508 347-3362. more
Holiday Murder Mystery at the Astors’ Beechwood Mansion Nov 7 – Dec 19 Rhode Island
And if those events are sold out, try the murder mystery dinner in Newport, RI at one of the mansions. The Astor’s Beechwood Mansion is the only Newport destination that re-enacts the Victorian era with live actors. I’ve always wanted to check this out! It’s every Friday @ 7pm through Dec 19. Reserve in advance.
Astors’ Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. more
Shaker Supper @ Hancock Shaker Village Nov 8 – Dec 27 Western Mass
You get a tour by re-enactors, an authentic dinner, and a cappella Shaker music from the 1830s. Nov 8, 29, and Dec 27.
34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., Hancock, MA. more
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Bellringers Nov 29 – Dec 20 Boston Metro
Boston’s tourist mecca is Fanueil Hall, a place as a resident I would normally avoid avoid avoid. However, they do have fun events there. One is this handbell performance. Saturdays, Nov 29-Dec 20. 12pm & 2pm outside the West End between Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Bad weather: in Quincy Market, top floor.
Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.617-523-1300. more
Harvard Square Holiday Crafts Fair Nov 29 – Dec 23 Boston Metro
I’m entirely skipping the Harvard Square Merchant event “Sparklefest”, because there’s no real event, it turns out, just a calendar of the usual stuff in Harvard. However, here’s one that looks promising: a church selling goods. I seem to recall that made Jesus angry. Whatever, it’s Christmas! Sat 10-7, Sun 12-6, M-F 12-7:30. Daily Dec 18-23.
Church at corner of Church St & Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA. more
Victorian Christmas Feast @ Astors’ Beechwood Mansion Dec 6 – Dec 20 Rhode Island
Also re-enacted is this 19th century holiday feast at one of Newport’s mansions. Fridays @ 7pm. Reserve in advance.
Astors’ Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. more
The Nutcracker Nov 28 – Dec 28 Boston Metro
And… It’s The Nutcracker. If you’re ever going to check out ballet (I haven’t), this would probably be it.
Opera House, Boston, MA. more

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