June 3-12, 2012: Dragon Boat, Irish, Ice Cream, Car, Steampunk Fests, w/ Fireworks, Bonfire, Parades and Model Rockets
06/03/12 by
Johnny Monsarrat
This Week in Review
This week I have fixed up the look and feel of the main page and details pages. Please send me your feedback to johnny@eventsinsider.com.
Also, just a reminder that for 3 years I have appeared on the Out With Joe show, which has just moved to WROL AM 950 on Saturdays, at 7am
Would anyone care if I made a podcast? It would be an upbeat romp through what’s happening, basically me talking about my personal thoughts and experiences on local events and destinations. Please email your thoughts to johnny@eventsinsider.com.
I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
The Week in Weird
Boston Dragon Boat Festival
Cambridge, MA
ROWRR! On Sunday these dragon boats come with a lion dance, martial arts demos, Japanese drumming, live music, and Chinese yo-yo. So it’s a real festival. Saturday: racing only. –
Boston Irish Festival
Canton, MA
Top ‘o the morning to you! The largest Irish festival on the East Coast features four stages of music and dance, and a few booths. When I went, I didn’t find particularly innovative, unlike the Scottish Festivals I’ve been to. But then, I did go on a rainy Sunday. –
Essex River Day and Bonfire
Essex, MA
Scooper Bowl Ice Cream Festival
Boston, MA
Not for dieters! I went once to this all-you-can-eat fest for charity and ate so much ice cream I nearly hurt myself. Oh, my tummy. It’s the biggest event of its type in the world. 12-8pm daily. –
Corvette Day at Larz Anderson Museum
Brookline, MA
Steampunk Industrial Revolution
Nashua, NH
Going backwards through history, dress up as though Jules Verne wrote about the “future” from the 19th century point of view! –
Bunker Hill Parade
Boston, MA
Gaspee Days & Fireworks
Warwick, RI
Tea parties are decently brave, but Rhode Islanders actually attacked a British ship that ran aground before the Revolutionary War! Meet crazy historians who camp out dressed in 18th century military gear, and they’ll have fireworks! –
Rhode Island Highland Scottish Festival
Richmond, RI
Boston Pride Week
Boston, MA
Put on an Obama mask and LGBT people to buy you beer at this entire week of events! Once I knew this guy with a New York Fire Department t-shirt, and people kept buying him beers even though he was never a firefigthter, and they seemed so happy that he was too embarassed to tell them. –
Boston Dyke March
Boston, MA
Model Rocket Launch at Sudbury
Sudbury, MA
Greek Fest Woburn
Woburn, MA
What’s with Greek festivals and June? Here’s a small one that will no doubt be fun! See website for coupons. –
See the Last Venus Transit of the 21st Century
Cambridge, MA
So, you know that the moon just went across the sun, but we missed it because it was only viewable from the West Coast. In other words, the coast of bad people who don’t agree that Boston is The Hub of the Universe. Anyway, now you get to see Venus cross in front of the sun. That’s way awesomer. 6pm.
Star Wars, Uncut
Cambridge, MA
Tremendously uplifting! Different fans have recreated and filmed an adaptation of Star Wars, a community effort where every 15 seconds it switches to a new fan’s labor. The love and the creative takes that people have on Star Wars constantly renew. If you are down in the dumps, this will make you cheer for carpe diem! 8pm.
Abington Tricennial Parade
Abington, MA
Kite Festival at Lawrence
Lawrence, MA
There’s a secret to flying kites: the cheap one you find in a toy store are hard to fly. So come meet some people who can teach you the real deal. You can even fly a “stunt kite” that has two strings! They’ll have kite-making, kite flying, trolley rides, a live animal area, and the usual food, music, games, and the ubiquitous facepainting. 2012: 10am-4pm.
Granite State Comicon
Manchester, NH
Dance for World Community Festival
Cambridge, MA
My new mobile app for high tech events
All Over
Are you an entrepreneur? Do you like business networking? Then I have the free app for you! This calendar for the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android is the largest calendar of startup and business events around Boston. I’m going to lose money on this until we see some adoption and can attract sponsors, so please tell your friends. Thanks! –
Get Johnny’s 2012 New England Guide
All Over
I write about events weekly, but what about destinations? Where are the dinosaur footprints, the oddball museums, and a water park open indoors all year? Get my 2012 New England Guide! Just follow the link and help spread the word to friends about Events INSIDER to get it. (And then email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com. I’m not a mind reader.). –
Also Fun
The Mendon Drive-In
Mendon, MA
The secret to drive-in movie theatres is to treat it like a night in the park. Arrive early and bring a frisbee or softball to toss around. The Mendon Twin Drive-In is the closest to Boston. You pay one price for your car ($25) and can stay for two movies! And they have a 1950s-style diner on site for dinner. Highly recommended! Makes a great dual-even with Southwick’s Zoo, which is also in Mendon. –
Southwick’s Zoo
Mendon, MA
Southwick’s Zoo is not only the biggest in New England, they feature chimpanzees, giraffes, and a 35 acre deer forest where you can feed and pet the deer! It’s also in Mendon, so this makes for a great dual event with the drive-in theatre. –
Muster Day at Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, MA
That’s *muster*, not mustard! As in, a gathering of old-timey minutemen. Although I must say, MUSTARD DAY would be delicious! I love Old Sturbridge Village – it’s my favorite re-enactment village in New England, with tons of live actors presenting history. Although you don’t need an excuse to go, they provide one just about every weekend, all year ’round. 9:30am-5pm.
Day of Portugal Festival Weekend
New Bedford, MA
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. He’s got an eyepatch and a ruff, which is awesome. –
High Impact Weather at the Museum of Science
Boston, MA
WHAP! Weather doesn’t just fall from the sky. Sometimes it slaps you around. Hear all about it at this Museum of Science lecture. 10am either day. –
E.E. Cummings & Anne Sexton Walking Tour
Boston, MA
Portuguese Flag Raising Ceremony and Reception
Boston, MA
Flash Forward Festival
Boston, MA
So… What is this? I think it’s a series of outdoor exhibitions with some indoor lectures. –
Amesbury Police Old Fashion Carnival
Amesbury, MA
Free Summer Weekdays at DeCordova
Lincoln, MA
Shelburne Falls Riverfest
Shelburne Falls, MA
Wakefield Festival By the Lake
Wakefield, MA
Cape Cod Maritime Festival
Hyannis, MA
Arrrrr! Find ye pirates at this fest, along with tall ships, live music, seafood, and lots of kids activities. Plan in advance and book a spot on a harbor sail! –
106 WCOD Cape Cod Chowderfest
Hyannis, MA
Topsfield Strawberry Festival
Topsfield, MA
Taste of Cambridge
Cambridge, MA
Taste of Allston
Allston, MA
Eat the same amount for just $20 in Allston. Or buy in advance for $15. I’ve been to this one too, and frankly it was better — food for salt of the Earth people like me, not high faultin stuff. Profits go to gentrifying Allston, fighting the tide of boozing college kids who don’t care where they piss. 12pm.
West Side’s Taste of the Valley
West Springfield, MA
Neat! As well as the (sorry to say it) generic restaurant tasting that you can find everywhere, they add a petting zoo, live music, and even a car show. –
Revere Beach Summer Fest
Revere, MA
Too lazy to drive to an amusement park? Fiesta Shows brings them to you! –
Randolph Country Fair
Randolph, MA
Too lazy to drive to an amusement park? Fiesta Shows brings them to you! –
D-Day Deceptions: The Enigma Machine and the Normandy Invasion
Falmouth, MA
Falmouth, MA
In Search of Sacco and Vanzetti
Falmouth, MA
Masterworks Chorale Summer Sings
Dedham, MA
This club has group sings, indoors, all summer long of classical works. Look below for a ton of outdoor summer music, theater, and movie series. –
Block Island Annual Music Festival
Block Island, RI
Unfortunately, this music ‘festival’ is indoors. So… It’s just like all of this bar’s indoor performances year ’round, right? That’s my guess, but it’s FREE and a great excuse to hit up Block Island. –
Performance
Private Lives – our review
Boston, MA
Click for our review — 5 stars! — on Noël Coward’s stylish, savvy comedy about the people we can’t live with . . . or without. –
George Gershwin Alone – our review
Boston, MA
Click for our review – 4.5 stars! – for this one-man play about the legendary American composer who “made a lady out of jazz”. –
T: An MBTA Musical at OBERON
Cambridge, MA
Magic For Smart People
Somerville, MA
Travel
Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
Mystic, CT
Ooh! Also storytelling and participatory folk dance. What a great excuse to visit the aquarium and historic re-enactment village in Mystic! –
Strawberry Park Cajun/Zydeco Festival
Preston, CT
Heck with the music. Will they have cajun *food*? I visited New Orleans before the hurricaine and every single visit, even from street carts, was fantastic. –
New England Fiddle Contest
Manchester, CT
CT Open House Day
All Over
Back to the Beach Corvette Weekend
Old Orchard Beach, ME
Chowdah and cahs. And a parade! I’ve never been to this beach, but damn! They have a ton of festivals. –
Margaretta Days Festival
Machias, ME
Maine Antique Power Show
Skowhegan, ME
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Burlington, VT
Do you like jazz? Do you like Vermont? Here ya go. My grandfather came from Vermont but I’ve only been there three times in my whole life. Shame on me. –
Roots on the River
Bellows Falls, VT
Tons of bands will be performing at this Vermont music festival staged along the Connecticut River. –
Vermont Days
All Over
This weekend, get free admission to all State-owned Historic Sites and day use at all State Parks. Thanks, taxpayers! Oh wait, that’s us. –
Let me build you a website!
All Over
Need a website? I just built the official website for Liv Tyler’s new film. Hire me to build yours on the cheap! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com. –
Transit of Venus
Hubbardton, VT
Please support Johnny’s Big Diet
All Over
I’m employing peer pressure to help me with a new diet. I figure if I post my weight to the blog every week I’ll be too embarassed to cheat. I was 354.6 a month ago and now I’m 330.4. My goal? 210. Please email support to johnny@eventsinsider.com. –
| Outdoor Movies | Mon 6/4 | Tue 6/5 | Wed 6/6 | Thu 6/7 | Fri 6/8 | Sat 6/9 | Sun 6/10 |
| Sunday Night Movies at LynchBeverly, MA
Fireworks instead on 8/5.
Lynch Park Shell |
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| Outdoor Theatre & Other Events | Mon 6/4 | Tue 6/5 | Wed 6/6 | Thu 6/7 | Fri 6/8 | Sat 6/9 | Sun 6/10 |
| Longfellow House Summer FestivalCambridge, MA
Most shows are outdoors. Various times, plus family sundays 1-3:30pm.
Longfellow House, 105 Brattle St, 617-876-4491. |
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| Tango by MoonlightCambridge, MA
7:30-11pm.
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| Outdoor Music | Tue 6/5 | Wed 6/6 | Thu 6/7 | Fri 6/8 | Sat 6/9 | Sun 6/10 |
| Berklee Lunch Sessions at Prudential CenterBoston, MA
Every Tuesday in June and July from noon – 1:30 p.m, with rain dates in August.
Prudential Center, South Garden |
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| WFNX Block PartiesBoston, MA
5-8pm.
Summer Street |
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| Concerts in the Courtyard at Boston Public LibraryBoston, MA
Fridays 12:30-1:30pm.
Central Library in Copley Square, 617-536-5400. |
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| Readers Park Concert SeriesBoston, MA
12-2pm.
School St at Washington St |
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| Summer Street Concert SeriesBoston, MA
12-2pm.
Downtown Crossing |
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| Shoppers Park Concert SeriesBoston, MA
12-2pm.
387 Washington St |
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| Summer Music Series in Norman Leventhal ParkBoston, MA
12-2pm.
Post Office Square |
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| Club Passim Summer Concert SeriesCambridge, MA
Wed 12-1pm, Thu 1-2pm.
47 Palmer St. |
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| Kendall Square Concert SeriesCambridge, MA
Tue 4:30pm, Thu 12-1:30pm.
300 Athenaeum Street, 617 577-7354. |
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| JP First ThursdayJamaica Plain, MA
This is basically a chamber of commerce event where several art venues stay open late, 6-8pm.
Centre & South Streets, 617-522-0300. |
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| Winthrop Summer ConcertsWinthrop, MA
7:30pm.
Ingleside Park, 617-846-8243. |
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| Music at the Manse Concert SeriesConcord, MA
Most Sundays 2-4pm. And Sep 26.
The Old Manse, 269 Monument Street, 978.369.3909. |
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| Hudson Summer ConcertsHudson, MA
Wed 6:30pm, Wood Park, Thu 12pm, Cellucci Park.
Various |
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| Concerts on the Common at BeverlyBeverly, MA
Various times. Lynch Park or Town Common.
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| Nights on the NeckGloucester, MA
5-9:30pm.
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| Berklee Summer Series at Derby SquareSalem, MA
5-7pm.
Derby Square |
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| Musician Union ConcertPlymouth, MA
7pm.
, 781-585-6870. |
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| Family Concert Series at West SpringfieldWest Springfield, MA
7-8:30pm, except 7/4.
Various |
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| Musical Moments In Amelia’s GardenWestfield, MA
Tue 6:30pm. Rain or shine.
21 South Broad Street |
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| Sunday Night Concerts at WestfieldWestfield, MA
6-8pm except 7/8.
Stanley Park |
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| Coop Concerts & MoreGreenfield, MA
Various times.
Greenfield Energy Park, 413-774-9949. |
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| Sea Shell Stage at Hampton BeachHampton Beach, NH
7-9:30pm.
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| Merrimack Concert AssociationMerrimack, NH
Wed 7-9pm.
Abbie Griffin Park Bandstand |
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| Summerfun Outdoor Concerts at NashuaNashua, NH
Various times. All day on 6/10. Fairy Tale Fest 7/21.
Greeley Park |
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| Cocktails with the WhalesMystic, CT
6-9pm. $10. Indoors?
55 Coogan Blvd, 860.572.5955 ext. 520. |
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| Music on the GreenSouthington, CT
7-9pm.
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